Just One Bite

Chapter 11: Jack's POV

The fact that there were at least forty armed Hunters guarding the college's premise night and day was enough to set everybody on edge, regardless of the shock and grief that hung over every staff and student's head like a dead animal. I could literally feel the tension as soon as we walked into the building. 

The Hunters tried their best to keep their little secret quiet, but it was pointless. By Wednesday, everyone had heard the unfortunate news that a student was bitten; but of which college or campus was unclear. And it was even worse if you lived out on the Peninsular. Anyone could've been the second wolf, but Mr Houlton shortly announced that it was most likely someone living in the area. Not many Werewolves would lay down their life for territory they do not own.   

So the girls are sticking together like glue, pretending not to notice the weary stares and occasional whisper whenever they walk past the memorials, dedicated to the fifteen Rogue attack victims, set up in the reception area.

It's eerily quiet in the canteen as I sit down with Chris and Holly. I hastily unwrap my burger and take a huge bite out of it, already desperate to get out of here.

"I got questioned again today," Holly announces glumly, stabbing her food with a fork, "And I don't even live on the Peninsular."

"I've already been in their little interrogation van three times," I reply with a half shrug, trying to ignore the feeling of eyes on my back, "And I tell them the same thing. It's like their just waiting for someone to slip up their story."

"At least DNA testing has been rescheduled to next week," Chris says with his mouth full of cheese and ham panini, "Our names will be cleared as suspects and the rumours will stop."  

"But that means we're going to get tattooed," I groan.

"Everyone has to, Jack."

"But I hate tattoos," I argue, folding my arms, "And I think it's wrong. We're being permanently stamped and labelled like we're farm food products."

"I don't particularly want to either," Chris replies, almost looking sympathetic, "But it's the law."

"It's only a few small letters on your left wrist," Holly adds, "And the Government say it's for everyone's safety."

"The Humans' safety," I correct with a scoff, "We're only giving the ignorant an excuse to exploit those who are different from us."

"That may be the case, Jack, but I think it's better to know who is a Supernatural and who isn't," Maria argues. We all look up to see her approach the table with a tray full of food and Lauren close behind her. "The authorities can guarantee a supply of the necessary facilities, to both humans and Supernaturals living in the area." 

"Facilities? Like what?" Chris asks as they sit down next to me.

"Well, for example, let's look at the Mermaid pods located just off the Peninsular coast," Maria begins, "When they were discovered back in 2012, the Government supplied our local fishermen with Mermaid-proof boats and equipment to defend themselves if there ever was an attack at sea."

"So what facilities do they have for Werewolves?" I ask.

"It depends whether the Werewolf pack are Tame or Wild," Maria answers.

"What's that?"

"There are five categories," Maria explains, holding up her fingers as she counted, "They're called Wild, Semi-Wild, Semi-Tameable, Tameable and Suppressed. The Government categorise any registered packs into one of those five groups; it basically classifies how human-friendly that Werewolf pack is."