A Scary Story for Those Who Hate Being Scared

Tooth and Paw

I swallow hard, waiting for the pain, but instead all I feel is an odd sort of gnawing on my arm. I open my eyes slowly, and sure enough, the creature attempts to bite me, but is missing the teeth to do so. It's gums smack against my arm and its declawed paws push against my chest. 

I stare up at it, with wide eyes. It huffs, exasperated, and gives up, slinking off of me. I lay still for a moment and watch it. It whines and plops down like a dog would, looking very sad. 

I slowly stand up and check myself for injury before slowly approaching it. "Are.. Are you..." I hesitate as it sits up and looks up at me. I look for the right way to finish the question and decide on, "Hungry?" I bite my lip, thinking maybe this was just some sort of mutated dog. My thoughts are proven wrong as it stands up onto its hind legs again. I swallow and step back as it turns into a man, right before my eyes. 

"I am very hungry" he says in a soothing British accent.

I stare at him with wide eyes then avert my eyes to the sky "uh.. do you have any clothes?" I ask.

"No.." he bites his lip, his teeth perfectly white and straight in human form.

"Okaaay.. uh.." I take off my jacket "just cover up your.. nether.. areas"

"Ah yes... my apologies..." he clears his throat, awkwardly.

Thoughts race through my mind, still trying to process what was happening. Why was I still here? Should I run? This had to be a dream of some sort, right? What was with all the hot guys with accents?

"Okay.." he says.

I turn slowly and relax a bit "okay.. uh.. so where are you from?" i try to keep my eyes on his face.

"I'm not sure actually... I sort of woke up.. in an alley way.. extremely hungry" he crosses his muscular arms in front of his chest.

"So you thought.. mm human girl sounds delicious?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Well.. yeah.. sorry.." he clears his throat and rubs the back of his neck "instinct"

"So you're... you're a werewolf then?" I say nervously, flicking wet hair out of my face.

"Yes.. a bloody rotten one though" he sighs "no teeth, no claws, can't really even hunt properly"

"And you can control your change?" 

"Yeah... its easier to hunt in wolf form... but I can't kill or hurt.. just scare"

"Whats your name?" I ask, having a strange feeling I already knew.

"Benedict" he nods "you?"

"Ella..." I bite my lip, getting lost in thought again. 

His stomach growls loudly and he clutches it.

I purse my lips "follow me.." I turn and continue down the street, walking to my house.

I unlock the door and peek inside, mom must be at work, the house was empty. I open the door all the way and my dog, Benny, runs up. 

"Oh my gosh!! Hi there!!" Benedict squats down and scoops Benny up "aren't you a beautiful boy!" he exclaims and lets Benny lick his face. 

"I'm gonna get you some clothes.." I smile a bit as he cuddles Benny to his chest.

I go upstairs into my mom's room. When I walk in, I'm a bit surprised, everything looked as it did on the day my dad had left for work and never made it back. His clothes were still strewn over the arm of a chair and his side of the bed untouched. Mom never talked much to me about him anymore, probably part of the reason I'd grown away from her. 

It made me sad to see the room like this, realizing just how much it must hurt for her to move on. I walk over to the closet, carefully, as though I'm walking on broken glass. Opening the closet, it's still mainly holding my dad's old clothes, only two of his good suits is missing. As I breathe in the smell, memories of him come flooding back. I stand there, reminiscing for a while and don't break away from the past until my mom's scream rings through the air. 

I curse under my breath and grab a pair of my dad's jeans off the chair and fly down the stairs. Benedict awkwardly holds my mom upright as she's passed out. 

"Oh god, oh god, oh god" I run over quickly "here" i toss the jeans over his shoulder and help lower my mom to the ground. 

"Go put those on, now" I point to the bathroom and Benedict rushes off, Benny at his heels.

I shake my mom a bit "mom wake up" I gently pat her cheeks as she comes to.

"Ella?" she murmurs "there.. there was a man.." she says groggily "naked.."

"Uh... my friend Benedict is here... he uh.. stained his shirt and I was washing it.. he wasn't fully naked" I lie, laughing a bit.

"Oh god.." she rests her hand on her forehead "oh I'm so embarrassed" she slowly sits up. 

"I'm sorry mom" I smile a bit

"No, no" she waves her hand and stands up with my help "I just must be too tired" she smiles sleepily. 

Benedict slowly comes out of the bathroom, Benny in his arms.

"Hi Benedict" my mom smiles kindly "I'm so sorry" she laughs, blushing red, "I'm Elisa, Ella's mom"

Benedict smiles "Ella never mentioned how beautiful you were"

I look at him with wide eyes, but he seems entranced. By my mom!!