Blue Moon

Chapter 1

A fog formed and started to settle on the quiet city, cloaking the metropolis in cloud. The night was cold and the air crisp and damp, autumn's gentle hand had claimed the city. Leaves littered the ground as the Demeter said farewell to her daughter.  The night quiet as summer birds left for the warm embrace of southern lands and the noisy youth made their holiday Exodus.  The university campus was empty except for some lone students using the off time to prepare for their winter finals.

The still air was disturbed by the sound of an old door opening. A young woman left the building, talking on her phone to her mother. She had been disturbed, her concentration broken.

"Mom, that's not my problem." She let out a frustrated cry. She stopped so she would be able to focus on the call. "Mom, the grades are fine. I just have to work on my public speaking. Well no, I don't have a job lined up."

Another complaint, another lecture. It didn't matter she was one of the best students in her program, she wasn't smart. The woman acted as if her phone was acting up and hung up on her mother. She brushed her short hair out of her face and adjusted her glasses.

She watched as some of the last students leave the now closed library. She placed her phone back in her book bag. Kristin Dae sighed in disappointment and frustration. Her family would never understand. Walking to her car she was done with the day. Only a year left and she would finally be free. Her family long forgetting about their black sheep. It was easy to forget when her brother was the successful one. The bitterness lingered on her tongue worse than burned coffee. The young woman reached her car, fumbling with the keys as the cold air stung her hands. Silently cursing the cold she opened the door, tossing her book bag into the passenger seat.

The engine groaned as she turned the key. It wouldn't turn over. She slammed on the steering wheel as she turned the key. Lord help me, she sighed as the engine failed to start again. Finally the it roared to life and she was able to turn on the heater and radio. A new car was on the list of must buys.

Kristin finally got the busted up junk to start, the engine cold as she waited for the heater to kick on. With a heavy sigh she pulled out of the parking lot and made her way home to her one bedroom apartment. The roadways were empty except for the few late night workaholics and occasional police cruiser. She pulled up to a red light and caught something from the corner of her eye. A group of dogs chasing something.

She followed the dogs, parking near the city park. She followed the loud whimpered and growls. She watched in horror as the dog attacked a smaller one. She took a fallen branch from the ground ready to strike to protect the dog. The closer she got, she realized, these were not dogs. They looked like wolves. They were snapping at the small one, pinning it to the ground. What had she stumbled upon?

The largest of the small pack stood on his hind legs and started to sniff the air. It stood on its hind legs. The student couldn't believe her eyes. This wasn't real. She covered her mouth to keep from screaming as the creature turned towards her. The whole group turned and started to follow their leader. Kristin watched as the smaller creature stagger and get to its feet. She put her phone away and started to quietly back up, her foot crushed a twig. Her head snapped back at the sound of the growl. The largest went on all fours and started to run towards her.

She screamed and running as fast as she could. Her throat was dry and her chest hurt. She pushed through the pain. Trees and bushes scratched her face and arms. She tripped over a fallen branch. She tumbled and felt her back spasm as the adrenaline started to wear off. and heard them getting closer, they were so fast. She curled up and waited. There was a loud whine and thud, then a chorus of growls. She looked up to see the smallest of the creatures standing in front of her, bleeding but standing. She was shocked to see the creature trying to protect her.