I was honestly surprised to find the swamp hermit in town. Then again, I guessed he still needed to make and spend money in some way to make the supplies in his shack. I approached him, but Emily grabbed my arm. "What do you think you're doing," she asked.
"I never got the chance to say thanks for saving me a month ago," I replied. "This is my chance."
"Are you kidding me? Do you remember what happened the last time we met him? He chased us away!"
"We were intruding on his turf, weren't we? We kinda deserved that."
"And what about the time he chased after you shouting 'I'm the werewolf! I'm the werewolf!'?"
"That was a joke. A very unsetting one, mind you... But he did save my life when that animal attacked me! The one who killed one of our deer and that rabbit you liked?"
Emily sighed. "Fine. But I'm sticking close to you."
I approached the swamp hermit and said, "Hi."
He looked at me, and said gruffly, "Nice to see you again."
"I never got to say thanks for saving me from the...let's say it was some kind of a wolf a month ago."
"Think nothing of it," he said. "You were hurt and I rescued you. How's your shoulder?"
I put a hand on the shoulder Will bit. "I got some scars, but it's fine."
"He's still likes hanging out with Wolf and Cassie, though," said Emily. "Weirdos stick together."
"I know you are but what am I," I retorted.
"Speaking of weirdos," said the swamp hermit, looking at a white truck parked across the street. "That woman's been in the swamp lately. I don't know what she's looking for, but I caught her snooping around my shack. She was asking me all kinds of questions."
"What kind of questions?" I asked.
"Just stuff regarding the swamp, and the local legends surrounding it. I told her I didn't have what she wanted to know and told her to leave. She wouldn't leave, so I chased her and that cameraman of hers out."
"Dr. Flint," growled Emily. "She nearly ran over my brother yesterday."
"If I ever see her again..."
"You'll stay away from her," interrupted Emily.
"Listen to your sister," said the swamp hermit. "She's more trouble than she's worth." He bent down and picked up the supplies he bought from the general store and began to walk away.
"Hey, wait," I said. "I didn't get your name."
The swamp hermit paused, then turned to look at me and Emily. "Ezekiel."
"Nice to meet you, Ezekiel," I said. Emily made a noise of acknowledgement. Ezekiel grunted in response and walked off.
I glanced at Dr. Flint's truck and curiosity got the best of me. I walked toward it, but Emily stopped me. "What are you doing," she asked.
"I want to see why Dr. Flint is here in Fever Swamp," I replied. "Wouldn't you like to get some dirt on her?"
"No! And after that encounter we had with her yesterday, I don't want to get on her bad side again."
"It'll just be a quick peek. I promise."
Emily looked around, then whispered, "Fine. But just a quick peek."
I head over toward the truck and tried to look in through the window, only to realize the windows were tinted and the doors were locked. Then I thought I could use my werewolf strength to force the door open, only to remember Emily was still there. I sighed and walked back to her. "Forget I said anything."
"Sorry to disappoint," said Emily. "Come on."
"Okay," I said.
We went to the library and Emily rented her movies. One good thing came out of this, though: she kept her promise and allowed me to rent a game, Super Mario World. The two of us returned to the car and we drove back home. Wolf saw me and came running up to me. He tackled me to the ground and licked my face until I pushed him away. "You've got to stop doing that!"
"He must think he's still a puppy," said Emily, helping me up. "Should have gotten a cat."
We found our parents in the shed, keeping an eye on the tracking equipment. "How are the deer," I asked.
"They're doing fine so far," said Dad. "We'll analyze the footage on the trail cameras you, Emily and Cassie set up to monitor their progress."
"So, did anything happen while you were in town," asked Mom.
"We rented a few movies and games," said Emily.
"And we met the swamp hermit," I said. "We even learned his name. Ezekiel. I wonder if we're the first people in a long time to ask his name."
"Anything else," Mom asked. Emily and I shook our heads. "You didn't run into Dr. Flint again, did you?" We shook our heads again. "Good."
"Well, if anyone needs me, I'll be in the living room, playing this," I said as I held up Super Mario World. "And maybe I'll explore the swamp some more if I get bored."
"Don't stay out too long," said Dad. "The four of us are going out to dinner tonight. We haven't done that in a long time since moving from Vermont."
I suddenly felt hungry when he said that. "That actually sounds nice."
"I agree," said Emily.
"We can try that catfish restaurant," suggested Mom. "It's one of the more historical restaurants."
I played the SNES for about an hour until I heard the call of the wild. I saved the game and walked out of the house where Wolf excitedly waited for me. We walked into the swamp, heading straight for Cassie and I's secret clubhouse, the Burrow. As the two of us entered, I took off my shoes and socks, all the while looking at my hands. Could I tap into my werewolf strength even in broad daylight?
I stepped outside and found a large dead tree. I rubbed my hands together and gave it a push. It didn't budge. I imagined myself as a werewolf: a strong, fierce hunter. There was a loud cracking sound as I felt the tree give way. I giggled. I didn't know I could be that strong! Soon, I began running. I was faster than the track team back at my old school. I saw another tree and gave it a kick, and to my surprise, I broke it in half.
"Whoa," I said. "I don't know my own strength." Wolf made a yip.
"I'd say that was quite impressive," said Cassie. Wait. Cassie? Even Wolf let out a bark of surprise.
"When did you get here," I asked.
"I saw you walk into the swamp and wanted to ask to come with you. Didn't even acknowledge me. I'm hurt," she teased.
"Sorry. I didn't see you." I sat down on a log and said, "Say, did you see me now? I am strong and fast! I tapped into my inner wolf!"
"So I see." Cassie pointed downward and my eyes widened at what I saw. Fur was growing from my hands and feet and my nails had become pointy.
"What the-" I fell backward and began rubbing at my arms, as if I could wipe the hairs off.
"Grady," Cassie grabbed my shoulders and said, "Calm down! It's okay!"
"Calm down?! I've got fur and claws! I can't go back to the house looking like this!"
"Calm down, Grady. Deep breaths." I did as she said and took deep breaths. "Good. Now, let go. It's like unclenching a muscle. Relax." I relaxed, then watched as my fur receded and my nails shrunk. I exhaled as Cassie helped me up. Wolf walked over to me and licked my hands. "How do you feel," Cassie asked.
"Like I'm me. It's like, when I'm a werewolf, I'm me, but stronger and faster...and having a craving for raw meat."
"Well, that's because you're not two personalities. Not Grady and the werewolf. Just you and only you."
"And you," I replied to Cassie. "I'm thankful for you to be my teacher, even if you're weird."
Cassie smile and sat on a log. "Thank you, Grady." I sat next to her and the two of us watched the sun sink behind the trees. Wolf lied down next to us and rested his head on his front paws. "You know, I'm glad we're doing this," Cassie said. "The two of us learning more about your lycanthropy, exploring the swamp together..."
"Lycanthropy," I asked.
"Would you prefer werewolfism?"
"No. Lycanthropy sounds cooler. I like hanging out with you too. I take it you don't have that many friends?"
"I have some. They think I'm a little weird, though."
"Gee, I wonder why."
"Alright, I get it. My obsession with were-folk can be off-putting, but it's nice to meet someone to talk about it."
"What about Will?"
"I didn't know until you told me, remember?"
"Oh. Right."
Cassie inhaled and exhaled. "I hope we're together next month."
"Why do you say that," I asked, confused.
"Next month, I start school."
My eyes widened. School. That will be a life changer. Not just for Cassie, but for me and Emily as well. "We'll see each other again after school," I reassured her.
"It won't be the same. We could be in separate classes or even separate schools for all we know."
"Well...there's a chance we'll be in the same school. You never know."
Cassie didn't look sure. "Hey, Grady? Can I tell you something?"
I was about to respond when I heard something. I stood up and asked, "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"I think...I hear someone calling my name. I think I hear Mom calling me."
Cassie frowned. "If you don't want to hear what I have to say, say it."
"No, really! I think I hear Mom calling! How? We're far from my house!"
Cassie realized I was telling the truth and said, "It must be your werewolf hearing. Wolves do hear things father than humans could."
"Oh, man, I gotta go." I quickly put my socks and shoes on, and was about to leave but I stopped and said, "Would you like to go to the catfish restaurant with me and my family?"
"Uh, sure," she said. "I'll ask my parents to come with me, too."
"Cool. See you then. Come on, Wolf!"
Wolf awoke and followed me out of the swamp. I found Mom and Dad in the shed, watching the tracking equipment again. "Did you run all the way here," Dad asked. "You're panting heavily."
Whoa. I must have used my werewolf speed without knowing it. "Uh, sure I did. I heard Mom calling me."
"Yeah, we're about to head for the restaurant," she said. "Just let us complete this report and we'll get in the car."
"Hey, is it alright if Cassie comes," I asked. "She's bringing her family with her."
"I say let her," said Emily. "She and Grady might make a cute couple."
"Em," I groaned, embarrassed. Wolf looked up at me, probably wondering if he can come with us. "Sorry, boy. They don't allow dogs in restaurants." I whispered to him, "I'll sneak you a shrimp or two when we get back."
As Emily and I waited in the car, I played on my Game Boy while she read a book. "Hey, Em," I said. "You do know we start school next month, right?"
"Yeah," said Emily. "Hard to believe I'm starting high school in Florida. I'm definitely going to have a hard time making new friends."
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find plenty of friends who are annoying like you. And maybe a new boyfriend as well."
"Forget about it," deadpanned Emily. "Martin and I are still an item. We still send each other letters."
"And what about me," I asked. "Do you think I could make new friends too?"
"You already made friends with Will and Cassie a month ago. I think you can make friends just as weird as them."
That actually made me smile a little.
Eventually, our parents arrived and we drove toward the restaurant. It was a riverboat docked at the bank of the river that led to Fever Swamp with a big sign that said, "Grandma Nellie's Catfish Boat" with a cartoon catfish next to it. The smell of fried fish, stir-fried vegetables, and burgers wafted in the air. The four of us crossed the gangplank and entered the boat, where the greeter, a man about Dad's age with sunburnt skin was waiting showed us to our table. Apparently, this place was quite popular as it was almost packed.
A waitress, an African American girl about Emily's age with braided hair, handed us our menus.
"Can I get you anything to drink," she asked.
"Just waters please," said Mom.
"Right away. Dad! I need four waters over here," the waitress shouted as she ran into the kitchen.
"Uh-oh," said Emily with worry. "Don't look now but guess who's here."
Dad, Mom, and I looked and saw Dr. Isabelle Flint and her cameraman Jeff enter the restaurant.