ure jumped out of the trees and slammed into Adam. It all happened so fast-the next thi

fur-covered creature with claws and razor-sharp teeth. The soun

e was barely more t

owl paralyzing me with fear. Was

hard, as if telling me to

of the woods quickly. My breathing was ragged, but strangely, I

nd went to the bus stop. As I sat

at attacked Sara? What was this t

e out of it. I dug through my bag a

t to keep my voi

e you? Why aren

chool, Mom. I w

g at school? You were sup

..

e you? I'm heading home f

e bus

but there was no way out now.

rom school for a while. I'll ta

ept eating, even though

ying you? Totally unacceptable!" Mom's eyes wel

drop i

eating." I forced a smile. "I'll be

s friends had done. I didn't want her to freak out any more

okay? Adam a

w I hadn't opened it today. A dark shadow pa

let out a growl, a sou

d out of th

ch

now where I lived?! W

, still playing the role of

are you doing here? I'm callin

is arms and look

has begun," he

ge?! Get out of here! I

ice. That's why I nee

p, eyes wi

coming closer. I peeked out the window

n?" I asked, my

friends were attacked. Once could be a

"How do you know I was there? How

id he was going to pounce. But inst

We don't have muc

n't just

e's no future for you her

at abou

crossed the

ever!" Za

his arms. Zach jumped from the second story like it was no

happening? Had

ted away, and my house

t mistake of my life? Foll

'm so

me to an abandoned building and pulled out

past the edge of town. Finally, a blac

ng, even though technic

st have fallen asleep. I'd handed my life

.

Zach, standing outside the van. The sun

t," he

on the gray stone pa

w

front of us, and behind it was

is this?" I

pack

ean family? Th

e inside-and I tiptoed behin

ous new boy. I never imagined he was rich. Sure, he

h turn. Maybe he deserved to get hurt.

ootsteps echoed down the quiet hallway. We stop

inside. They fell silent

litely. "Morni

.." A man who looked like an old

w for a second. My skin crawle

girl I was telling y

before? Oh my God. Th

de," I stammered. "An

then backed out of the room. My only th

urned

nto someone and

a hand reached

age with tousled light brown hai

nd when someone yelled ins

stormed out and glared at me. He had silver h

nesis! She's human!"

ma

circled around me. Zach grabbed my arm

told you-she's not fully

hat do you mean I'

ed look. "I'll explai

so are you! What is

rned to face me. "We're we

just say?