My Best Friend's Werewolf

17 Prisoner

I expect Travis to put me down when we stepped out of the woods. But Travis is too unpredictable. He carries me up to the porch and over the threshold. From the front door the kitchen is visible, and also the rest of his family who are staring at us. He lets me sink out of his arms. How am I going to explain this? I don't want Mrs. Briar to feel like she has to keep an eye on me twenty-four seven. Plus she'll tell my mom who will not be happy when she finds out I wandered around in wolf infested woods.

"What is this?" Hanna sings, stopping from unpacking a grocery bag.

Just kill me now. Where is a wolf when you need one?

"Addy and I were hiking. She tripped a few moments ago, and got her glasses dirty. I offered to carry her the rest of the way."

Mrs. Briar crumples up a bag. "Are you okay, Addison?"

"Yeah. I'm just going to go clean up my glasses." Not a lie.

As I hurry away to the closest bathroom I hear Mr. Briar comment, "That was nice of you, Travis." But it doesn't sound like a compliment.

******

I step out of the bathroom in my room, a towel in my hair and one wrapped around my body, when the handle of my locked door clicks down. I don't have time to react before the door swings open and there Hanna stands, a key in her hand.

"Hanna!" I grip the top of the towel.

"What? I was knocking for three minutes, and you didn't answer. I thought you were dead so I got a key."

"Well get out or shut the door." My voice comes out in a screech.

She turns, grabbing something on the other side of the door. "Why? You scared my brother's going to see you?" She holds up two sun dresses; one light green with little white flowers and spaghetti straps; the other maroon with thicker straps and a brown thin belt. "Now," she looks between them, "which do you like better?"

"The green one. Wait. . . what is this for?" Can she not step all the way in and shut the door?

"The surprise tonight. I'll wear this one then." She holds up the maroon one. Well, thanks for taking my advice. She tosses the green one at me. Having to maneuver oddly to keep a grip on my towel, I miss the dress and it hits me. "Put it on. Look nice."

"You know nothing happened—"

She uses the dress to cover her ears wearing it like a head band. "La la la la. I can't hear you."

"Hanna. . ."

"Put some clothes on," she screams as she slams my door.

******

For the past six and a half hours I have been a prisoner. Every time I open my door Travis is sitting right next to it, refusing to let me leave. This is why I was content to only have Eliza as a friend. You never know what kind of friend you're going to end up with. Hanna's the kind that's probably insane. Travis is probably the type who's doing something illegal.

Knocking, I bring my mouth to the crack of the door. "Travis, please. I haven't had any lunch and I'm starving."

"Are you in the dress Hanna told you to wear? I'm under strict orders not to let you leave unless you are."

I look down at the green sundress. Isn't he bored sitting there? I know I was bored, so I used the time to obey Hanna's orders. And I wouldn't dare read a word from my book. Not after today. "Yes. Can I come out?"

"Actually yes. Hanna gave me the all clear."

Thank you, Lord. Pulling open my door I find Travis already standing, wearing jeans and a buttoned up, red and blue, plaid shirt. I'm not going to say anything and risk the humiliation of me assuming the situation wrong, but I take it Hanna forced him to dress up.

"When did you change?" I start walking for the stairs but he grabs my hand.

"When you were in the bathroom."

I glance down at our hands. "How did you know—"

"Hanna said I have to lead the way for you. I'm supposed to be a gentleman."

Okay then, ignore my question.

As I step to the side he removes his hand from mine and holds out his arm. I take it hesitantly, and he escorts me down the stairs. Hanna. . . she orchestrated this whole thing.

"So when's this full moon?"

He glances down at me, tripping on the bottom stair.

I jump the rest of the way before helping to steady him. "Are you okay?"

A shudder rolls through his body. "Yeah. Soon. Three days."

I bite my lip as he guides me around the base of the stairs and to the back of the house.

"I'm not going to explain it. You know that."

I sigh. Knowing what's bad about the full moon would be nice. "I know. Doesn't mean I can't wonder."

"I'd prefer you stay out of it."