I stood frozen, my breath hitching in my throat. The forest was silent again, but the echo of that growl lingered in my ears. My heart pounded so loudly it drowned out the rustling leaves.
What just happened?
I stumbled backward, nearly tripping over a root, my eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of the men-or whatever had scared them off. But there was nothing. Just shadows and the distant hoot of an owl.
"Get a grip, Emelia," I whispered to myself, wrapping my arms around my torso. "You're okay now You're safe."
But was I?
I turned and hurried back the way I came, my footsteps quick and uneven. The path seemed unfamiliar now, twisted and foreign. Every snap of a twig made me flinch, every rustle of leaves sent a jolt through my spine.
After what felt like hours, I emerged from the woods, the city lights a welcome sight. I didn't stop until I reached my apartment, slamming the door behind me and leaning against it, trying to catch my breath.
I slid down to the floor, my mind racing. Who were those men? What were they planning to do? And more importantly, what-or who-had scared them off?
I recalled the growl, deep and menacing, unlike anything I'd ever heard. It wasn't human. But that couldn't be. Could it?
I shook my head, trying to dispel the thoughts. Maybe it was a bear. Or a wolf. But in the city? Highly unlikely.
I pulled out my phone, the screen lighting up with the dating app notification still unread. I stared at it, the earlier events of the evening feeling like a distant memory.
I sighed and closed the app, tossing the phone onto the couch. I needed sleep, but I knew it would be elusive tonight.
As I lay in bed, the image of the low growls haunted me. They weren't from the men. They belonged to something else. Something that had been watching. Lurking, Protecting? I wasn't sure.
I didn't sleep much. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw shadows. Heard that growl. Felt those hands on me. The chill of the forest clung to my skin even beneath my blanket.
By the time sunlight filtered through the window, I was already awake-lying on my side, staring blankly at nothing. My body felt heavy, like I hadn't rested at all. I dragged myself out of bed and reached for my phone.
*Ten unread messages. All from the guy from last night.*
*"Had a great time."*
*"Would love to see you again."*
*"You okay? You kinda rushed off."*
I stared at the screen for a second, then let it drop onto the bed beside me. I couldn't do polite replies today. Not when my head was spinning with everything that had happened.
As I stood, my eyes caught the old photo on my nightstand-me, Mom, and Dad. I was probably six. Grinning, missing my two front teeth, sand all over my face from that beach trip we took before everything changed. They looked so alive. So permanent.
Now they were gone.
I sat on the edge of the bed, the photo in my hands, and for a moment, the ache in my chest opened up again. The sting of grief never really went away. It just waited, quietly, for a weak moment to crawl back in.
I felt the tears coming, thick and heavy, but I blinked them back. No. Not today.
I stood up, walked straight into the bathroom, and turned on the shower. The water wasn't warm yet, but I didn't care. Maybe I needed the cold.
After dressing in my café uniform and tying my hair up, I grabbed my keys and headed out. My car was old and stubborn, but it started with a little growl of protest. I pulled onto the road, the familiar rhythm of the morning traffic buzzing around me.
But something felt... off.
Every time I checked my mirrors, I expected to see someone following me. That feeling-that prickle on the back of my neck like I was being watched-never left. I glanced behind me more than once. Nothing. Just cars, trees, people going about their lives.
But the feeling stayed. Like eyes were crawling over my skin.
At the café, I tried to shake it off. I greeted the customers, smiled where I was supposed to, poured coffee, cleared tables. But my hands felt shaky. I was distracted. Unfocused.
Mr. Jacobs noticed first. "You alright, Emelia?" he asked, gently.
I nodded. "Just didn't sleep much."
A few minutes later, my boss, Sandra, pulled me aside.
"Em, honey, you look like you've seen a ghost," she said, concern lining her usually no-nonsense face.
" Did something happened?"
"I'm fine, I just had a long night that's all" I said automatically.
She gave me that look-the one that says she doesn't believe you but won't push. "You're one of the most solid people I know. Always sharp, always glowing. So if you're feeling out of it today, Go home, recharge, get some rest."
I thanked her and grabbed my bag. But I didn't as ant to go straight home.
The thought of lying in bed again, trapped with my thoughts, made my stomach twist. So I took the long route-windows down, letting the breeze hit my face as I drove aimlessly through the outskirts of town.
That's when I saw it-the winding road I'd avoided since I got my license. Narrow, surrounded by thick woods. I didn't even think. I turned down it, letting the hum of the tires and the quiet of the trees lull me into something like calm.
Until something darted out in front of me.
A flash of fur-dark and fast.
I swerved, hard. The car spun once, maybe twice. Then everything slammed sideways.
Glass shattered. Metal groaned. My body was flung forward, yanked back by the seatbelt. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't move.
My head swam. Blood, maybe. My limbs tingled. My ears rang.
Then... something.
Warm arms.
Lifting me.
A soft growl. Gentle, this time. Protective.
I opened my eyes for a second-just a flicker.
And there they were.
*Red eyes.*
Watching me like I was something fragile. Something precious.
Then darkness.