Tomorrow Never Dies (Moonlight 3)

Chapter 3-Amnesia

I rubbed my eyes blearily, a slight headache roaring through my skull. I looked around me my eyes falling on the familiar set of beanbags, comic books and gaming consoles that made up Michael's bedroom. Beside me were two long abandoned sleeping bags. I could faintly catch the lingering scent of the others. They'd been here recently.

I tried to stand, my head screaming in protest. I closed my eyes pushing through the pain until I was standing upright. What on Earth was wrong with me?

I tried to think of last night but came up empty, my only memories a shadowy blur of a moon and shifting into a wolf. Anything further than that sent a shooting pain through my skull. Why was I unable to remember past that though? It was almost like that first night after I'd shifted.

Perhaps the other guys would know? I must've done something stupid and gotten myself hurt. Yeah, somehow that wouldn't surprise me.

Still I could detect the evident hint of pancakes which had now become a familiar post full moon ritual. Licking my lips, I made my way downstairs. I poked my head into the kitchen where Calum was mixing a batter together. It was a strange sight considering this was Michael's house, but I didn't argue.

"Need any help?" I questioned to him as I slid into one of the chairs on the other side of the counter. I decided not to ask him about last night just yet.

He shook his head, turning back to me, "Nah, I'm fine. Ash and Mikey are already in the living room why don't you join them? I'll bring them in soon."

I nodded, turning towards the living room. I was surprised to not be able to hear them, but the bond told me that was where they were. I was just turning the corner when I heard a frustrated yell.

"Oh man. They're so going to blame us for this." Michael spoke in evident frustration.

Ashton was sitting beside him face pale and had gone completely silent. Both their eyes were glued to the television screen.

Confused, I followed their gaze. I noticed that the television was tuned onto the news with the words 'breaking news' were flashing violently on screen. My stomach sunk. With no words to say, I flopped down onto the couch beside Ashton and stared into the screen.

A formally dressed newsreader was on, her expression grave. I recognised that she was standing in front of the service station on the other side of town down near the highway. There was blue and white checkerboard police tape draped behind her, and a police car was visible in the background.

The headline was obvious, an animal attack at the service station last night.

Three people were injured, two killed.

I had hope that it wasn't, but they rolled the black and white security footage of four large wolves with indistinguishable fur heading towards the area. I knew exactly what Michael meant.

What if the hunters thought it was us? What would ordinary people think of wolves now? My stomach churned at the thought as I watched what could possibly our whole lives falling apart on screen.

"Guys what's up?" Calum asked walking into the room, with the plate of pancakes. "The bonds been a mess of emotions and-" He froze, almost dropping the plate as his eyes fell to the television, "oh gosh, no."

I barely glanced up as he set the plate down on the table and sat down beside me. The four of us continued to sit in silence as the newsreader went over the specifics. I wanted someone to turn it off but at the same time I couldn't look away. I needed to know every detail of what had happened.

After a heated debate from some locals about the town's safety they turned to a different news story and Michael promptly flicked the television off. We sat in silence still, but everyone in the room's thoughts were loud and clear as we considered the impact of the incident. Everything we'd worked for was suddenly gone.