Chapter 5: Dead End

PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! Okay, I had written this chapter a long time ago, but I had lost the original copy. What I had posted previously was a sad excuse for the actual scene I had written. Well, as luck would have it today I found the real version as I was cleaning out my desk. Yea! This is the original version of the last two chapters. I hope you like it better than the disgraceful piece I had up previously.

* * *

The night air was crisp and cool as Jael and Micah walked down the cobblestone path that stretched out towards the woods. Jael's eyes floated up to look at the night sky, which was dotted with tiny expanses of glitter. She pulled her coat tightly around her shoulders, unable to think about anything except the cold. A full moon hovered overhead and yet the sun still shown slightly as her eyes fell on Micah.

He was completely silent; walking through the snowy slush mechanically, wrapped in the confines of his own mind. His face was the most sullen Jael had ever seen it before. There seemed to be a sadness hidden in his blue eyes.

Finally Jael could take it no longer. The awkward silence was almost deafening in itself, "Micah, is something wrong?"

He seemed startled, his icy eyes blinking twice and then, "No. Of course not. Why would anything be wrong?"

"It's just that...you've hardly spoken a word since we left my house and it was your idea to go for a walk in the first place."

Micah sighed, "I just have a lot on my mind." He tried to walk off, but Jael seized his arm, pulling him backwards.

"What's wrong? We're not taking another step until you spill everything."

Micah just stared down at her with a look that clearly said 'I'd like to see you try and make me stay' then he said, "Nothing."

"Tell me." Jael demanded, "I know when you're upset."

Micah smiled, but it was weak.

"Come on. You can tell me. I'll understand whatever it is."

Micah just gazed at her, his face undecipherable, "Not this time, Jael."

She narrowed her eyes, "What are you hiding?"

"Trust me, Jael...I can't tell you." Micah insisted.

"Oh, but I guarantee Sterling knows all about it. All this week you've been distant. You're sneaky and secretive. Something is seriously wrong and you have got to tell me."

"I would if I could, Jael, it's just not that simple."

Jael tried one last time, "Micah, you're my best friend and I love you. Nothing can possibly be that bad. We tell each other everything...

Her words were cut short as Micah's lips brushed against hers. Jael couldn't react at first, but after the initial shock wore off she didn't want to fend him off.

Micah deepened the kiss by pulling her into an embrace and to her surprise she found herself clinging onto him. She felt his hands snake down to her waist and then-

"Owwwwwoooo!" A high pitched howl echoed through the woods.

Jael saw Micah's face go white with fear, but when she saw what he was staring at she didn't understand. Micah's father and brother, Tyler, were walking their way. The moonlight glowed off their faces. Jael didn't understand the sudden tenseness of arms wrapped around her, or the look of death Micah now had plastered to his face. All she knew was that he was pissed and the last light of the sun was sinking behind the hills.

* * *

"What do you want?" Micah snapped immediately.

Tyler and Mr. Smallwood stopped before them both and Jael inhaled the thick smell of Old Spice mixed with sweat. Mr. Smallwood's forehead glistened in the moonlight and Tyler's animal teeth shone white.

"What makes you think we want something?" Tyler countered, "We were just taking a stroll through the woods."

Micah rolled his eyes, "Like hell that's what you're doing."

"Temper, temper." Mr. Smallwood mocked, "There's no reason to get testy."

Tyler laughed, "Yeah, calm down, Micah. What're you getting all riled up for? Are you mad because we interrupted your kiss?"

Micah's eyes were like ice, and the expression on his face would have frightened away small children, "I'm not testy, and I am not riled up." He said through clenched teeth.

Jael placed a small hand on his shoulder, "What's the matter?" She whispered.

"Nothing." Micah said, calming himself, "Let's just go." In one smooth motion he captured her hand.

"Why are you rushing off?" Mr. Smallwood asked, "Stay and chat. I don't believe I've ever officially met your little girlfriend."

"You've never been sober long enough to." Micah mumbled under his breath.

"Micah." Jael whispered sharply. She stepped up to Mr. Smallwood and extended a hand, "I'm Jael Maxwell."

Mr. Smallwood's grip was firm as he shook her hand. His green eyes flowed over her in a scrutinizing manner and Jael felt herself shrink down to two inches in height. His eyes held a power within them, just like Micah's. They were intimidating and merciless.

"We really need to be going." Micah said, pulling Jael's hand free from his father's.

"You really should stay. The fun's about to begin." Tyler smiled.

"What fun?" Jael asked.

"I don't want to know." Micah said harshly, "Now let's go."

"Micah, why don't you tell the truth for once?" Tyler asked nonchalantly.

Micah stepped over to his brother faster than a striking snake, "Shut your damn mouth." He growled.

Jael was confused. Why was Micah behaving the way he was. She knew he was upset with his family, but to this extent? Why were they bringing out the violence in him, and with seemingly so little words? And what had he not told her that Tyler was referring to?

Tyler's eyes traveled up to the sky and Jael found her gaze following his, "We're different, Jael." He mused, "Ever wonder what makes him different from all the other guys?"

"Tyler, stop it." Micah growled.

"You mean you haven't told her yet?" His father cut in, "But best friends tell each other everything."

Jael watched Micah's body go rigid at his father's last few words. He grasped her wrist quickly. His ice colored eyes grew colder with every passing moment, "Let's go." He wasn't asking her, he was ordering her.

"Why? What's wrong, Micah?" Jael asked.

"Yeah...what's wrong, Micah?" Tyler echoed.

"Tyler, stop it. This is pointless."

"I don't think it is." Mr. Smallwood chimed in.

"Yes, it is." Micah glared at them both.

"Micah, what are they talking about?" Jael stomped her foot like a child.

"What are we talking about, Micah?" Tyler taunted once more.

"Jael, they're crazy. Let's just go."

"Don't go. It's a special night." Mr. Smallwood said with a snicker.

"Why?" Jael paused.

"Full moon." Tyler answered.

Jael watched as Micah went white.

"Yeah...getting the picture now, Micah?" Tyler laughed.

Micah stepped in front of Jael, so that she could only see him, "Look, Jael, you have to get out of here."

"But why? Micah, you're acting crazy. What's going on?" Jael began, but he cut her off.

"Just don't argue with me." Micah said hoarsely.

"Micah, stop it. You're scaring me."

"You should be scared." Micah said, but the last word came out a growl.

"What's the matter?" Jael demanded.

"Jael, go." Micah snarled.

"It's too late, Micah." Mr. Smallwood replied, "It's coming. Can't you feel it? Your muscles tensing, you bones popping?" The older man let out a laugh.

But Micah wasn't laughing and his breathing had suddenly become very harsh and heavy, "Jael, get out of here."

"Why?"

"Now! Run! Now!"

"Micah, what is going on?"

"Jael." He looked at her and his eyes softened, he was pleading, "Go now."

"Not until you tell me what's wrong." Jael protested.

Micah winced suddenly and doubled over.

"Micah? Micah!?!" Jael leaned down beside him.

"Don't touch me." Micah shouted, he pushed himself away from her, "Stay away from me!"

* * *

Micah could feel the change taking over his body and there was nothing he could do about it. He could feel his muscles bulking and fur sprouting in unwanted places. His teeth seemed to become heavy in his mouth and when he pressed his tongue against one he could taste blood. His stomach felt as though it was being stretched and scrunched over and over again and Micah could not help but double over in pain. If Jael didn't go soon all hell would break loose.

"Micah? Are you alright." Jael reached out a tiny hand in comfort, but Micah recoiled.

"Don't touch me! Stay away from me!" He scooted over to a near by tree, unable to meet Jael's gaze, in fear of what she's see if he lifted his head.

"Should have told her the truth." Tyler taunted.

"Why do you keep saying that?" Jael snapped, suddenly very annoyed, "What is it that I don't know?!"

Micah could feel his senses becoming more acute. He could smell the snow, mingled with mud and slush. He could sense Jael's unease as she stood in front of him. But most of all he could smell the change in his father and brother.

"Well, " Tyler replied, "Let's just say your beau here isn't exactly like other guys."

"Yeah." Mr. Smallwood agreed with a cold smile.

"What are you talking about?" Jael shook her head.

"We're all different. Me, my dad, and Micah...we aren't like you."

Micah looked up now. Jael's back was too him, but from the way Tyler was beginning to look he could only imagine the horror etched across Jael's beautiful face.

"Oh my God." Jael whispered, "What are you?"

"There's many names for us." Mr. Smallwood replied, "The most common one being: werewolf."

Jael turned and looked at Micah now and the look on her face made him turn away in shame, "Micah, what the hell is happening?" The look on her face was complete disbelief.

Micah's muscles rippled, his legs shortened, his arms lengthened. If he hadn't been crouched on the ground he would have had to fight to stay atop two legs.

"We're changing." Tyler answered, "You see we all made a kill. We claimed our heritage and now...you're going to die."

"You made me this way, you son of a bitch!" Micah protested, not about to let Jael think he'd done this to himself.

"No use arguing about it now." But this time when his father spoke the words were slurred and inhuman.

"Jael, run you idiot." Micah whispered.

Jael let out screamed and bolted into the woods.

It took everything Micah had not to give case. Every muscle and sense in his body told him to hunt her down, to chase and kill...but he was not an animal.

Tyler and his father, however did run after Jael; and when they bolted into the forest a hunting sense was triggered in Micah's brain. He gave chase, letting out a warning howl to his brother and father.

* * *

/What the hell just happened?/ Jael thought as she ran.

In the last few minutes her perfect little sphere of thinking had been shattered when werewolves had morphed before her eyes. She had told herself her entire life that all that nonsense about monsters and vampires wasn't true. That they stories were myths, but she had been wrong. Terribly wrong.

Jael kept running, even though her lungs ached in protest. The snow was slippery and her boots would sink into the slush as she went. She could see the remains of Wickery Bridge just up ahead and she knew what that meant...

A dead end.

They had lead her here, pushing her to this spot through their pursuit.

She heard footfalls pounding behind her so she kept running until she got to the waters edge. It was cold, but not cold enough to freeze the water into ice. The river rushed on as if it could care less that she was about to be slaughtered like a lamb.

"Looks like you're trapped, Little Red Riding Hood." Came a voice that sounded slightly like Tyler's.