CHAPTER 9

Tommy walked through the hallways, taking in every scent. He could hear Morgan's wicked laugh somewhere near. He passed a classroom door and heard a noise that sounded like it came from the other side. He crept closer to it, peering into the window on the door. As he stared into an empty classroom, something hit him in the back of the head. He barely even flinched. He tightened his jaw and slowly turned around. He saw David in a pose that suggested that he was ready to fight. Tommy just laughed at him.

"Look kid, I just want to get everyone back to normal and go home, maybe eat some fried chicken," Tommy said with an aggravated tone.

"It's not about what you want. Tonight I'll get what I want," he said with a goofy smile that was meant to look much more intimidating.

"What do you want?" Tommy threw his hands in the air and then letting them fall back down at his side. He walked closer towards the awkward boy who slightly trembled.

"I want what you have."

"Aggravation and hunger?"

"No! I want your power, your strength."

"And exactly how are you planning to get that?"

"Considering my girlfriend's a witch, I'd say it's pretty easy."

"That's your girlfriend? I guess that makes sense. You're probably the only idiot that would date a woman with a laugh like that."

"Don't make fun of her!" David lunged at Tommy. Tommy kicked him in the ribs and knocked him to the ground. David struggled and growled as Tommy held him down by the throat.

"Let me go!"

"You really think your pleading is actually going to make me let you go?"

"It's always worth a shot, right?"

Tommy shrugged and picked the boy up. He kept a tight grip on the back of the boy's neck. "Show me where that girlfriend of yours is!"

"Never!" David whined in a pathetic voice. Tommy growled and shook the boy. "Alright, alright!" David began to walk towards the same classroom door that Tommy was looking in before. Tommy looked in and this time saw Morgan pacing back and forth. As Tommy was distracted watching Morgan, David broke his grip and began to run off. Tommy took a deep breath and ran after him, much faster. He picked him up and threw him over his shoulder. He kicked open the door to the classroom and slammed David on one of the desks.

"Found this in the hallway. Thought I would return it to you," Tommy said, dusting his hands off. "I know about your little plan. Taking my alpha powers and transferring them over to this little guy," Tommy said as he hit David making him yelp.

"That's his plan, not mine."

"Well, what is your plan?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Dawkins, but that is confidential information," she said with a smile.

"I thought you might say that," Tommy said creeping towards her as she backed into a chalkboard. He threw his fist into the chalkboard next to her. She flinched, turned her head, and saw the giant dent in the board.

"Just calm down, okay?" She said trying to figure out what to do from here. "There's no need to get crazy."

"That's much better. Now, tell me what's going on." Tommy said never taking his eyes off of her. She didn't say anything, she only laughed that same maniacal laugh. He punched the chalkboard again. "If you don't start talking, that dent will be your head."

"They told me you were a gentle creature."

"Who is 'they'?"

"Tommy, are you aware that you are an alpha male werewolf?"

"Yeah and your point?"

"That means that you are one of the most powerful creatures in all of the supernatural world. That strength is a very desirable thing."

"I thought you said this had nothing to do with his plan?" Tommy said, looking over at David, who was still lying on the desk.

"It doesn't. However, many people want the same thing he does."

"If you want my powers for yourself, you can forget about it!"

"That's not what I want either, Tommy. Let's just say that the syndicate is not the only group trying to get you on their side."

Tommy tilted his head as an intrigued expression feel upon his face. "How do you know about the Syndicate?"

"You have a lot to learn about the supernatural world. You think all these monsters that come into town are a coincidence? We're all trying to get the same thing."

"Are you telling me that there is some wanted poster with my face on it floating around?"

"Haven't you ever thought about fighting on the other side? I know what the people around here say about you. They treat you like a dog, Tommy. These people will never appreciate your powers. However, I know many people that would."

"Thanks for the invite but, no thanks," Tommy said with a smile that showed off his fangs.

"You could finally be appreciated for what you are and seek your revenge on those who don't appreciate you," Morgan looked up at Tommy waiting for answer.

"You people just don't get it do you?" Tommy stepped back throwing his hands in the air. "Even though these people want me gone, I don't hate them. They're just scared. People are always scared of something that's different and I understand that. I don't want to get them back for everything they've done to me. I want to protect them."

"Why would you want to protect people who hate you?" Morgan asked, confused.

"Because they're my friends and family and maybe one day they can learn to accept me."

Morgan laughed so loud and obnoxious, it made Tommy jump. "Now I know why all the others get so aggravated with you!" She yelled and levitated in the air and landed on a desk. "You're genuinely good."

"Why does everyone think that's such a bad thing?"

"The world is a cruel place and to act in such a good manner is only a waste of time," Morgan's eyes rolled in the back of her head and she began to mumble Latin under her breath. She levitated into the air and floated across the room to hover above the desks. "All I want is to bring you back with me so I can get what I want."

"Alright so you bring me back to wherever you came from and what do you get? What's so important to come here and ruin my night?" Tommy asked, frustrated.

"I just want a little respect and a little cash."

"Money? That's what you want? I have a five in my pocket if you-"

"I don't want your pocket money, mutt!" She stretched her hand out and a bright blue lightning bolt wrapped around Tommy. He struggled to get loose but, her magic had a tight grip. "I want to be the one who finally stops you. Nobody else could do it but, I will prevail and once I bring you back and lock you away, I can go on a really awesome shopping spree."

"Okay, I'll go with you," Tommy said between deep breaths. She put her hand down and Tommy fell to the floor from the force of the spell.

"Giving up so easy?"

"I'll go back if you do one thing for me first," Tommy said as he stood up. Before Morgan could ask him what he wanted, there was a bang on the door. He turned his head to see an axe coming through the door. One big swing of the axe, and there was a big enough hole for Roxie to get through the door. She stood there, triumphantly holding the axe and staring at Tommy.

"Well I guess this puts our conversation on hold," Morgan said.

"Just turn her back, turn everyone back to normal and I'll go with you." Roxie ran towards him, took a big jump and threw her axe forward. Tommy jumped to the side and ran to the other side of the room.

"Then I won't get to watch you get beaten up by Little Red Riding Hood," Morgan said, pouting with her lips.

"Just change them back!" As Roxie took another swing towards Tommy, he kicked the axe out of her hands. She scrambled to the ground to pick it up but, Tommy kicked it and flew to the other side of the room, in front of the door. Just as Roxie bent down to pick it up, Merton ran in the door and knocked her over. She hit her head on a desk and was knocked out.

"I'm back for more magic tricks only this time, it's my turn!" Merton yelled walking to Tommy.

"Hurry up and change them back!" Tommy yelled as he got ready to fight Merton. Morgan rolled her eyes into the back of her head and mumbled a reversal spell under her breath. A purple light illuminated the room and the entire building and as the light faded, Tommy reached into the pocket on his costume and threw dust at Morgan.

"What was that for, mutt?"

"I changed my mind. I'm not going anywhere with you."

"You have no choice." Morgan lifted her hands and began to mumble a spell. When she finished the spell, she opened her eyes and realized that nothing had happened. Morgan crinkled her forehead and looked at her hands in confusion. She repeated the spell and still nothing happened. "Why are we still here?"

"The mutt outsmarted you. Apparently, witch hazel in powder form can stop a witch from a casting any spells," Tommy said, folding his arms.

Morgan stood in disbelief. "I demand that you come with me!" She yelled as she stood in front of his face.

"I'm afraid that's not going to happen."

Morgan grabbed Tommy by his shirt and tried to pull him towards the door. Tommy didn't budge. "This isn't fair! I've been tricked!"

"Life isn't fair. Get over it." Tommy began to leave the classroom, when David popped up and began to punch him, which was less effective than a mosquito bite. Tommy rolled his eyes, grabbed David by the throat and held him against the wall.

"Both of you need to get out of town by tomorrow morning."

"Or what?" David laughed. Tommy didn't respond only growled and squeezed his throat tighter. "Alright, alright, I get it." Tommy let David go and watched him and Morgan until they were far from the school.

Tommy looked over to Roxie, who was still knocked out. He de-wolfed and ran over to her to make sure she was okay. Her eyes fluttered open and she tried to speak but, she quickly closed her eyes and went to sleep.

Merton stumbled over towards them, rubbing his temples. "What happened tonight?" Tommy picked up Roxie in his arms and explained the whole night to Merton as they walked towards the lounge.