I’m not evil, Roz.
“Says you.”
Open the door. Please, please, please open the door!
She didn’t answer him, and the door didn’t open. His nerves were getting the best of him, and he tried pacing off the pent-up energy.
Okay, I’m going to have to tell you everything like this. I had hoped to be with you to reassure you, hold you, and show you how gentle I can be. But if this is how you want it, so be it. I’m not going to lie to you anymore.
He heard a long, resigned sigh on the other side.
This is going to sound preposterous, but I swear it’s true, and I can prove it.
My brother and I were about ten when we decided to run away from home. We were making our way through the woods by the light of the full moon, when we came upon a sight so bizarre, we couldn’t believe our eyes. A group of human beings changed into a pack of wolves.
He waited for some reaction. There was a barely audible thump, as if she’d plopped into a chair or dropped something on the floor.
Are you all right?
“That’s a trick question, right? Continue.”
At least she hadn’t fainted.
Okay. We tried to run but were overtaken by the wolves and pinned down. I thought we were done for. Apparently they were waiting for their leader, the alpha wolf, to decide our fate.
For some reason I couldn’t scream or cry. I simply waited for the inevitable. Nicholas whimpered, and it spurred me into action. It was bad enough that I was about to be eaten; if I could spare my brother…Well, I punched and kicked and fought as hard as I could to get to him. Yes, I was bitten, but I didn’t know at the time that Nick would take his cue from me and try to fight too.
We were both bitten and clawed and thus infected with the same Lupine toxin that had infected the rest of the pack.
He paused, half expecting her to laugh. When all he heard was her rapid breathing, he continued.
We were bitten by werewolves. Before you dismiss this as insane, think about some of the things you’ve seen with your own eyes. I healed in hours from a fall that might have killed anyone else. I have superhuman strength. Last night, you saw my wolf form moments after you saw me disappear into my apartment, naked.
He heard something and waited. He hoped she was getting up to open the door. He heard her footsteps, but instead of coming closer, they sounded like they were going farther way and picking up speed. At last he heard a thud and creak as if she’d thrown herself on her bed, followed by the unmistakable sound of weeping.
***
“Merry?” Roz knew her voice was shaking and hoped she didn’t sound like a scared little girl, despite feeling like one. At least over the telephone, her best friend couldn’t see her face, red and blotchy from crying.
“Roz! I’m so excited to hear from you. How’s everything going?”
Roz sat on her bed and examined her Egyptian cotton sheets. Mascara stained her pillowcase. “Not good.”
“Oh, my God. What happened?”
“I’m sorry. Before we get into my troubles, how’s married life?”
Merry chuckled. “It’s awesome. Really great. But it sounds like you need to talk more than I do.”
“Yeah, big time.” Roz sighed. “Are you busy right now?”
“Nope. I was about to make dinner, but I can ask Jason to go grab takeout, then we’ll have complete privacy.”
“You don’t have to do that. In fact, you might like to have Jason nearby when I tell you this.”
“Oh, no. What happened? It sounds horrible.”
“No.” Roz shook her head. “I didn’t mean to alarm you. It’s not a disaster…at least not to anyone but me…and maybe Konrad.”
