Zack kept thinking about the note on the way home.
Using his key, Zack unlocked the front door, went in, and closed it behind him.
He set his backpack down beside the end table and dropped his key in the bowl.
He pulled the note from his pocket, unfolded it and read the words again.
If he really wants to go after it, try Fear Lake. That's where i ran into it.
"Hey there, Son. Whatcha got there?" Mr. Dale Pepper appeared in the kitchen doorway.
"Hey Dad." Zack greeted his father before handing him the note.
Mr. Pepper read the note, then gazed at Zack.
"Wendy passed the note to me in class." Zack informed him. "She said that Fear Lake it that cat's hideout. But she also said that its not a regular cat."
Zack paused before continuing, "She said it's a werecat."
Dale raised his eyebrows. "A werecat, eh?"
Zack nodded. "Other than killing Duke, it attacked Wendy and Nancy."
Mr. Pepper stared. "Are the two ok?" he asked.
"Nancy was hospitalized and Wendy has a scar over her eye." Zack told him. "Im about to go visit Nancy, with your permission, of course."
Mr. Pepper nodded. "Go ahead."
He rubbed his beard with his thumb and forefinger.
"I never heard of a werecat." Mr. Pepper said.
"Neither have I." Zack said. "But then again, we are in Shadyside."
"Thanks for the tip, son." he said as he whipped his phone from his pocket.
He entered his passcode and tapped on his call log. He scrolled down until he came to a name.
The man picked up on the third ring. "Hey Dale. What's up?"
"Hey Pete. Just inquiring about Nancy." Mr. Pepper said.
"Well, she was in pretty bad shape when she arrived at Shadyside General but the doc stitched up her wounds and put her on painkillers, but other than that she'll pull through." Mr. Walters said.
"Thats good to hear. My son will be by to visit her soon." Dale said.
"Thats fine." he said before he sighed. "This was a strange feline."
"What do you mean?" Dale asked.
"Well felines mainly eat things like fish, birds, or other small animals." Pete said.
"So?" Dale said.
"Well this feline seems to have a sweet tooth, which is odd." Pete said.
"My wife is trying to start up an online baking business and she spent two days baking all sorts of baked goods. This feline raided the fridge and completely downed her entire inventory." Pete said.
"That is strange. Im planning to hunt this thing. Apparently word is that Fear Lake is where this thing lives. Im going after it." Dale said.
"Count me in. This cat could have eaten my daughter. Probably would have too if i hadnt intervened. Oh, the nurse just appeared. Gotta go." Pete hung up.
"Ill be back dad." Zack said as he headed towards the door.
"You be careful son. Who knows where this thing is right now." Dale said.
Zack closed the door behind him.
Dale quickly dialed John Chapman's number. It rang seven times. The answering machine picked up.
"This is John. Leave a message." Dale heard a beep.
"Hey Jonathan. Its Dale. I was just calling about Wendy. I heard that she was attacked by a werecat recently and that she had a scar over her eye. Me and Pete are going after this cat. Call me if you're in. Bye."