Red Riding Hood

Chapter Four

I've been going to practice for a few weeks now and I think I'm getting better at "being the wolf." Dad has finally gotten off his but and has been going to the last few training sessions. Surprisingly, instead of kicking me out, he's actually trained with me. I prefer to train with Viker, though. He teaches me more about strategy and speed rather than brute strength like Dad does.

After today's session, I meet up with Viker and help him pick up weapons that the others are too lazy to put away themselves. Dad watches us from a distance with his arms crossed so tightly, I'm afraid they might fall off.

"Viker, can I ask you something?"

Viker smiles. "I'll just assume you want to ask another question other than the one you just asked."

I chuckle softly. "Why are you so fixated on training with me?"

Viker sighs before answering. "I want the Wolf to die and I want you to be the one to do it."

"Why? I mean, I'm gonna, but why do you want me to kill it?"

"Honestly, I don't know." Viker places a knife in his ankle holster. "Just kill it. Make the Wolf suffer."

I step closer toward him and Dad clears his throat louder than needed. "Maybe we can kill the Wolf together."

Viker just smiles at me. "OK. Sure."

***

The principal made an announcement today during lunch.

"I think we all need to relieve some stress." The Principal clears her throat before continuing, "As I was saying, we've all been pretty flustered with training, or the Wolf, or your grades. So, to be rid of the tension, we will have a dance tonight."

The chatter begins but is quickly interrupted by, "Now, don't worry. It'll be from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Just before the moon comes out. But bring your weapons just in case. And wear something sensible."

There is silence in the auditorium while we wait for further news and/or instructions.

"You may proceed," she states before walking off stage.

Some of the girls go on and on and on about what they're gonna wear or who their gonna go with. The boys just go back to stuffing their faces.

"Hi Viker." I turn to see Viker standing behind me.

"You're becoming the Wolf everyday." It's so irritating that all he talks about is the Wolf.

"So, Viker. You going to the dance," I ask hopefully.

Viker shrugs his shoulders. "Nah."

Well, that crushed my hopes. "Why not?"

"I'm not interested."

"C'mon! It'll be fun."

"Nah."

Seriously? "Viker, don't you want spend your night having the best time ever or slumping around in your house?"

"I'd rather spend my night not being eaten."

Buzz kill. "Viker--"

"You know what," he interrupts me. "I'll think about it." Even though whenever someone says that, it means no.

***

I help Dad chop vegetables for Lily's dinner since I'll be at the dance. It took Dad a lot of convincing but eventually he agreed.

"So, who you going with," he asks while throwing carrots into the pot.

"It's 'who are you going with' Dad. And no one, really." I toss the celery in after.

"What about that Vincer kid?"

I chuckle. "Dad, it's Viker and he's not going."

"What kind of name is Viker?"

"I don't know, Dad. Why don't you ask him?"

Lily trots downstairs with a dress in her hand. It was Mom's dress; Dad said she wore it when they were at a party and she spilled tomato sauce all over the front. Instead of getting upset, she just laughed.

"I think you would look nice in it." Lily places it on the couch.

"Thanks Lily."

***

I didn't expect the entire school to be at this dance; the shy kids were there and  they can't even dance that well. Everyone was having a great time dancing and chatting and drinking way too much beer.

Just as I'm about to make my way toward the brown bottles, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see Viker wearing a t-shirt and khaki pants. "Hi."

I giggle. "Viker, your here." I was actually very surprised. "Wanna drink?"

"Nah."

"Buzz kill."

"Aren't you glad I came," he asks stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"I will once you have a drink or two and dance with me." I was already on my third bottle and was seeing two of him. I drag both of him onto the dance floor and we engage in a dancing circle. I couldn't help but notice how he kept eyeing the sky.

It's strange how even when I'm sitting down, I still feel as if I'm spinning. "Maybe one more drink will make me feel better," I thought. Just as I raised the bottle to my lips, I see Viker sneak out the door of the auditorium. I blink several times to make sure it wasn't just the beer. "Viker left me."

I struggle to stand before I follow Viker outside. The cool breeze only slightly clears my mind, only slightly.

"Vikerbblywgduwt," I babble.

I turn the corner and set down on the steps near the entrance of the school. Never ever ever never drinking again.

"V--" I was interrupted by a light growling. I turn my head and the vision follows slowly after. Someone is kneeling in the bushes. Someone with black hair and pale skin. Someone is changing, changing into something hideous. The something begins to howl and growl.

"Viker," I shout aloud which probably wasn't a good idea.

The something turns toward me and growls ferociously. I should probably run away, but the beer hasn't worn off yet. Oh well, I guess it's my turn. All I know is that, if that thing even thinks about touching Lily, I will come back from the dead and beat its ass.

The demi-wolf howls and bounds toward me.

***

"Alexandria? Alexandria!"

"Mom," I mumble.

"Guess again."

My vision focuses and Viker stands over me. He smiles a bright smile and holds out his hand. "You were so hammered last night."

Instead of letting him help me, I punch him in the nose so hard, it knocks him over. "Stay away from me!"

"Whoa! What the hell!"

"I know what you are! Stay away from me, Viker!"

Viker holds his nose to keep the blood from oozing. "I don't know what you're talking about!"

"You-- You're the demi-wolf! You're the Wolf!" Tears are welling in my eyes. Not Viker. Anyone but Viker. "I saw you change!"

Viker had the audacity to laugh in my face. "Maybe your sister's death--"

"You leave my family out of this! Rebecca's death has nothing to do with this!"

"Well, even if I was the Wolf, which I'm not, you don't have any proof," Viker grumbles.

"I will find a way to prove it! I know what I saw, Viker!" I push past him and grumble, "And it wasn't the beer, either."