Wolves of Rome

Chapter Eight: The Drive

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Chapter Eight: The Drive

We had exited the city and were now making our way into the woods-why I had absolutely no idea.The five of us rode in Ilario's car, three boys in the back with Ilario and I riding up front. Our small group was made up of myself, Ilario, Marcello, Ercole and Arlo. When they were all away from their studious leader, the boys were more care free. As if they had been released from a suffocating leash.

I had been surprised when Ilario had said we were going 'hunting'. The first thing that popped into my mind was a scene from Bambi when his mom was killed by the hunters. I was from a country patch of Florida-red necks liked to hunt, wearing camo and their John Deer, Bass Pro. and Salt Life ball caps as if they were badges of honor. Confederate flags had slung onto their antennas, showing off their southern pride.

I had never really been one for terking through the woods with a rifle or cross bow for hours, shooting at anything that moved. But the guys had seemed like this was a trip to Disney world for whatever reason, so I hadn't voiced any complaints.

The strangest part about this 'hunting' trip was the lack of hunting gear. No guns, no bright orange vests, nessuno.

The boys chattered animatedly, a restless excitement clear on their faces. From this car ride I discovered that Marcello was more of the quiet, soft spoken type, who mostly acted as a mediator for Ercole and Arlo, who were cousins but acted more like brothers. Ercole was the goofy one of the group the one who was light hearted and savvy, while Arlo was the silent and serious type, always reprimanding Ercole for some reason or another.

At that moment they were arguing about American Italian food versus real Italian food. Surprisingly enough it was one of the funniest and insane conversations I had ever eavesdropped on.

" . . . no way! American Italian food is nothing but grease with tomatoes slapped on it." Arlo said grudgingly.

"That's what makes it so delicious!" Ercole exclaimed smiling like a fool.

I chuckled under my hand, trying not to draw attention to myself. Ilario flashed an amused smile towards the back of the car, shaking his head at his friends antics. In the review mirror I caught a ghost of a smile on Marcello's face, but when he caught me looking it vanished.

My face pinkened slightly at being caught. I settled back into my seat, watching as the vast forest slipped past my window.

"Are we seriously going hunting?" I asked Ilario as we turned down a dirt road.

"It's a surprise." he answered with faux abstruseness.

I snorted as he put the car in park, gazing around at where he had taken us. It was a clearing of sorts, the sort you'd find a national park for camping. Trees encircled the patch of earth, tall and imposing with their skeletal, barren branches. Before I had a chance to ask any more questions all four of them were clamoring out of the car, heading towards the wall of forest ahead.

"Hey! Wait!" I yelled as I scrambled to get out of the car. My seat belt snagged, knocking me back with brutal force. I seethed and cursed as I unhooked it from the lock.

When I finally escaped the car four sets of eyes were on me, all filled with a familiar mirth that you could only find in teenage boys.

"Not. A. Word." I warned them holding up my index finger, pointing to each of them in turn. "Now, why are we out in the middle of no where?"

The boys exchanged looks, the look that people get when someone's being naive or is totally out of the loop.

"Like I said, Cia," Ilario said grinning as he reached down, tugging his shirt over his head. I stared dumb founded as the other boys started to follow suit, until all four of them were left in nothing but their boxers. Ilario flashed me a thousand watt smile that could have made Jack Frost melt. "We're hunting."

"This isn-" I began but my response died in my throat.

It was nothing like how the movies showed it-there wasn't a bright glow of light, or the sound of cracking bones. I watched in a mixture of horror and awe as the four boys disappeared their faces becoming doggish, fur sprouting over their skin, and their arms and legs shifted becoming paws and haunches.

No. I thought wildly as four wolves took the place of the boys.

They stared at me with intelligent gazes, none of them moving an inch.

No. No! This wasn't real-it wasn't possible! But the truth was there , right in front of me.

The impossible did exist, somehow against logic and nature.

Werewolves.

_________________________Author's Note_____________________

Hey, so did I move too fast? I sort of feel like I did, but somehow for me this works. I think Cianna needs to finally know what's going on around. Anyway next chapter is gunna be a doosey :D

Vote, Comment(everyone come on!) and Fan :D

Ciao loves.

PS SORRY ITS SO DANG SHORT ):

(No, none of you are going crazy, I just didn't care for what I had originally named this chapter, no offense to Drew Berrymore though)