Don't Look for Me

Bowler Hats... In My House?

"Val, is that you?" My father calls from within the house as I shut the front door behind me. "Yeah dad, it's me."

Throwing my backpack onto the rustic vintage table by the front door, I followed the sound of my father's voice. "Do you need me to get you anything? I'm planning to go run some errands." His voice echoed as I stepped through the aged halls of our Victorian home moving from room to room looking for him. "We're nearly out of the necessities. Why didn't you warn me? You know I'm not that vigilant of a person to notice these things." He jokes.

I took to the stairs where his voice was the most prominent. I finally found him sitting on his bed. He had just finished tying his shoe laces and looked up at me with a broad grin playing on his lips.

My dad and I are the only two that live in this grand old house. I thought it was unreasonable due to the fact that we were only two bodies and this place is fit for five, but dad won't let go. He tells me it was my mother's favorite place. He doesn't seem to want to let go. It's been twelve years since she passed away, but he has yet to move forward.

The bedroom was still organized the way she had left it. Picture frames were still on the desk waiting to be hung, her favorite pens still laying neatly inorder the way she liked them, and her clothes still hung in the closet space designated to her. It was sweet in a way how much he cared for her things.

"Do you want to come with me?" He asked, still grinning.

"No it's fine, I've got some homework left."

"Mrs. Peterson giving you a hard time?" I nod in agreement and he lets out a deep chuckle.

"Tell me about it, the old woman can't seem to understand that the world doesn't revolve around her and those stupid grades of her's." We both laugh and I collapse on his bed, my eyes set on the ceiling.

"Well, I'll be leaving now, call me if you need anything." He went to the door, but turned to face me again,"Don't leave the house."

Maybe Dad. Just maybe I won't. I thought as I entered my room and took a seat at my dest, flanning my homework out infront of me.

I'd been staring at these fancy letters and numbers for what seemed an eternity. My mind soon wondered to a point where I actually started coming up with great ideas or equations.

If they can italicize these letters, why don't they let us italicize text? I mean that would be a great idea for Apple or any other smartphone company. They could make tons of money, because many people enjoy emphasizing their words while texting. I usually use capital letters when I emphasize.

Wait, what was I doing? Stupid short attention span.

A sound emerges from the lower level of the house and my head perks up, like a deer's in headlights.

I gently place my mechanical pencil on my desk and rise from my chair without a sound.

Is dad home already?

He mustn't be. Surely I wasn't engaged in my homework for that long? The floor was laminated, so it wouldn't creak as much, but luck has never been my companion.

I tip-toe towards the door and peek my head out. I see the hallway stretched in front of me and being to the descending stair case. There are two possibilities, or really two choices. One, I could call my dad, two, I could check the source.

Option two sounds way more exciting. I gently took a few steps into the hallway and I could feel the adrenaline course through my veins. The excitement and my ever growing curiosity towards the situation were the subjects to my thoughts at the moment, not the danger nor the consequences to my actions.

Did I mention I was a werewolf? Yes, I'm part of the Mountain Creek Pack, and although there is not a mountain in sight, the elders seemed a little creative and decided to throw it into the name. 'Heck while we're at it,' they must have thought. 'Why not include a creek that's no where near us as well? That'll confuse them.' Though I have no idea whom they would be fooling as there is only one other pack that is in close proximity to us and they are smarter than they look, which is saying a lot.

Not only am I a member of the pack, but also a loyal Delta. A Delta is an average werewolf, which makes me a basic werewolf.

The word 'basic' isn't acknowledged as a word in my dictionary. I prefer the word 'customary'. Although it holds the same meaning, it sounds far more formal.

I start to make my way down the stairs, each step more nerve wrecking than the previous. I occasionally would look behind me in fear that someone would jump-scare me.

My werewolf senses picked up something. I heard the shuffling of papers and a frustrated grumble ever so often.

"Boss me around. Ha, I'll show her." The voice mumbled.

Was someone stealing? A robber, thief, or worse, a killer?

I shivered and took a step back, causing a loud CREAK to emanate from the floor under my feet.

Run. I was close to the railing to the stair case, so I quickly jumped over it and bolted across the hall and into the nearest closet as quickly and silently as possible.

I could see a figure come into my peripheral vision as he passed the narrow strip of shining light between the hinges and wall. My eyes watched in surprise as the stranger looked around the stairs cautiously. He soon gave up and returned to his quest.

I mentally patted myself on the back for being tactile and ninja-like for once. I could take karate classes. Where they could teach me how to kick butt and then I'll show this intruder my newly found prowess of the art form. I nodded my head to myself and left the safety of the closet quietly.

I walked into the hallway, making sure that I made no noise as I aproached the room where the intruder stood and looked in.

He was a plump man. He wore a black three piece suit and a black bowler hat sitting a top his head. The man rummaged carelessly through my father's office, looking for something.

I thought about stepping in and making my presence known, but where is the fun in that? This guy won't let me in on his little quest even if I trapped him. It seemed better to let him carry on with his plans and when he leaves, who can stop me from following? He doesn't look that strong or for that matter in shape. I could easily out run him if he were to spot me on his way back to where he came from.

After a few minutes of throwing files and loose papers around, he finally seemed to find what he was looking for. Not caring in any way about the havic he bestowed to the room, he held up a red manila folder and examined in from below. A broad smile and a sound of pure glee escaped his lips and he tucked the file inside his jacket and scurried to the door.

I took a large step back against the wall so that when he pushed open the door, I would be stay hidden behind it.

I watched as the great lump of a man zoomed down the hallway and out the front door.

And so, the curious adventure begins, I thought as I slipped out the front door and into the yard.