lla

re you parted ways? Did she say anything about go

en elsewhere whenever Julie speaks to me. "I can't recall anything specific right no

away," Mom interjected. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the officer nodded sympathetically and took his leave. Once

as he entered, startling me. "Sorry

forest?" I remarked, sighing heavily. The we

I admitted. "Julie's parents mus

ulie. They're distraught, as anyone would be." He paused, taking a deep breath. "I've decided to offer my as

it hit me. At our book club meeting, there was talk about a woman named Grace who had gone missing in the f

ound. Remember where Grace disappeared? If

winkle in her eye. "It could just be a silly legend. B

nger." The memory was crystal clear now. With a sense of

headed?" Mom called out

s about Julie," I repl

this hour. Wait for Dad to come back, th

the hesitation in her eyes, but my determination must have shown through. With a heavy sigh, she h

he snow-covered road. After about an hour's drive, I remembered the spot the officer had mentioned – where Julie's car had been found parked

vered in snow. "Julie, where are you?" I yelled, only to be met by the distant hooting of owls and the soft chirping of nocturnal insect

quickened my pace, the snowy ground betrayed me, causing me to slip and fall. "Ouch!" I exclaimed. A sharp pain shot th

eturned to the forest entrance. To my astonishment, the snowy landscape had been transformed. Instead of a winter blanket, it was as if I had stepped into summer.

up again, sounding distant yet desperate. My

seemed in dire need? Filled with resolve, I stepped into the dense forest. Instead of the expected cold, a warm, humid breeze

imidating sight: a massive wolf, more significant than any I'd ever seen. Its sharp canines glinted in the moonlight, reminding me eerily of werewolves from the storie

rous forest. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the wolf closing the gap. Panic surged through me, convinced I'd soon meet a grisly

the forest. Opening my eyes, I found the attacking wolf hesitating, backing away. Behind me stood another creature: a towering wolf on two

ny opportunity to escape. Surprisingly, the Lycan didn't attack me. Instead, it locked its

roved its worth as I sprinted toward safety. Reaching the forest's edge, the crisp, cold

nd I lost control of the wheel. The car flipped, and my airbags failed. With a painful thud, my head hit the steering wheel. Dazed, I managed to craw

d. My injury was obvious. To my astonishment, the Lycan began to transform into human form. Contrary to the tales I'd heard wher

ing me to the spot. My eyes locked on his familiar features, and the

?" I whispered, disbel

It looks like I need to get you to a hospital." As he spoke, a thought niggled at the back of