Wolfblood

Chapter Eight

Daniel heaves open the sliding cellar door as Rhydian walks in.

"We call it the den." Emma smiles as he takes a look at the couch, carpeting and dog bowls.

"Got everything a wolf desires," Emma continues, "And its safe for us - and well, for everyone else. It's all about responsibility."

Rhydian looks from Daniel to Emma, "But don't you ever just wanna run free? Isn't that what being a wolfblood's about?!"

Daniel opens his mouth to speak but Emma perks up, "No. Being a wolfblood's not just about giving in to our primal desires, it's about being a responsible part of a wider community."

"Yeah we got a rich heritage and culture. And we got books here that you won't find in the school library," Daniel adds as he walks over to the bookcase and picks up at book, "It's true that Rome was founded by the wolfbloods Romulus and Remus. And Genghis Khans tribe weren't called The Wolves for nothing-"

"Yeah but most of us agree that it's better to tame our instincts!" Emma interrupts, throwing Daniel a glare.

"Most of us?" Maddy repeats, looking up at her.

"Yeah, I just meant-"

"No. You said most of us." Maddy interrupts as she walks over to her mum, "You always told us that we all kept ourselves locked away."

"Maybe we should..." Daniel whispers as Emma butts in, "She's not old enough..."

"Old enough for what?!" Maddy demands as she looks at them both.

Daniel and Emma both exchange a silent glare. "There are other wolfbloods that don't lock themselves away, aren't there?!" Rhydian asks as he looks at them.

Shannon looks through her night-vision camera, searching for any movement. Suddenly Tom jumps into view of the camera, making funny noises - trying to give Shannon a bit of a scare.

"Shut up! You'll scare the monster away with that racket!" Shannon shouts at him.

"Sorry," Tom complains as he throws his torch around, "Have you got any food?"

"Do I?!" Shannon laughs as she opens up her giant backpack. "Lets have a look; got some sandwiches, cheesy beans, loads of chocolate..."

"Is that true?" Maddy asks as she stands by Rhydian.

Emma nods, "We were gonna tell you after you transformed."

"We didn't wanna scare ya." Daniel adds.

"Scare us?!" Maddy echoes as she looks at them both.

Emma sighs as she explains, "There are other wolfbloods who don't quite share the same values as us-"

"Wild wolfbloods." Daniel adds in as Emma continues; "But they're very rare and most of us agree its better to be a useful part of society instead-"

"Instead of what?!" Maddy demands as her and Rhydian become more nervous.

"Instead of hating humans, and hating us." Daniel shrugs, "They're dangerous."

Maddy turns to Rhydian, "It really wasn't you in that photo?"

"I told you it wasn't." Rhydian replies as she watches Maddy.

Maddy begins to panic as she runs out of the cellar, "Shan and Tom are out there!" She shouts.