Raymond's POV
I was still lost in my thoughts and didn't realize I had reached the lake until I heard Jason's voice call out to me.
"Raymond, you're here!"
I looked up to see Jason smiling and waving. I smiled back and hurried over to him.
Have you been here long? I asked as I dropped my backpack and sat beside him at the edge of the lake.
"No, I just arrived myself," he replied.
"So, what are we trying today?" Jason asked eagerly. "We've already tested your speed, strength, and vision. What's next?"
He hesitated for a moment, rubbing his hands together nervously.
"Oh—before I forget, I found out something about your heritage. Remember when I told you my mom said you were brought into the village by a pack of huge wolves?"
I nodded.
"Well… I pressured her, and she finally told me more. She thinks you might be a werewolf."
He said it quietly, as if afraid the word itself might hear him.
"A werewolf?" I asked, curiosity rising. I had my own idea of what it was, but I needed to hear it from someone else.
"My mother says it's a myth," Jason explained. "Stories of humans who can shed their skin and turn into wolves then turn back again. According to her, they have super strength, speed, and sharp vision."
He paused, studying me carefully.
"I don't know if that's what you are, but you share a lot of similarities. I think we should stop testing your abilities and start looking for answers."
I was quiet for a moment before speaking.
There's something I've wanted to ask you for years.
"What is it?" Jason asked.
Do you remember what happened four years ago?
"You mean the incident with James?" he said.
I nodded.
Why did you become my friend after that? Why didn't you run away like the others? Why didn't you call me a monster like they did?"
Jason sighed deeply.
"I never met my father, and I've always felt lonely," he said softly. "Whenever I watched you from afar, I saw myself in you. You didn't have a mother either."
He smiled faintly.
"And since I was a year older, I always wanted to protect you are like an older brother. I tried to stop James from bullying you, but I couldn't. He was stronger, and he had friends… supporters everywhere."
Jason looked down at the water.
"So I made a deal. I became his errand boy just to keep him from hurting you. You already know how the rest played out."
He met my eyes again.
"I stayed by your side because I see you as my
brother. I didn't want you to be alone."
He chuckled bitterly.
"And for what it's worth, James got what he deserved. He was a menace to all of us stealing our snacks, terrorizing everyone. Even if people won't admit it, you did everyone a favor when you took him out. By accident, of course."
I swallowed hard.
I didn't know you felt this way, Jay. I'm truly grateful to have a brother like you.
After that, I decided to tell him what I had discovered.
What you said about werewolves might actually be true.
When I was young, I saw my father reading from an old, rusted book. Afterward, he would tell me stories from it.
I took a breath.
There were werewolves, witches, and dragons thousands of years ago, before something called the Dance. Then they vanished from the world, cursed by goddesses."
Jason's eyes widened.
"Holy shit… so they really existed? Where are they now? Do you think the werewolves were the ones who brought you here? But why?"
Relax, Jay," I said quickly. "I don't have all the answers. We're not even sure yet.
I stared out at the lake.
I think the best way to get answers is to find that book. And I think my father knows the truth about who I am.
I know he does, I continued. "Lately, I've been feeling extremely hot, too hot. No matter how much I bathe, I can't cool down unless I submerge myself in the lake."
Jason's mouth fell open.
It started recently, I added. "My father followed me one day, he thought I didn't notice. My hearing and vision are sharper now. I can hear things from miles away."
I shook my head.
I pretended I didn't see him. He didn't say anything, like he already understood what was happening. But I can see the turmoil in his eyes whenever he looks at me. It won't be long before he tells me everything.
"Ray," Jason said seriously, "you need that book soon. Everything was fine until you turned sixteen. Now everything's changing. I feel like something big will happen when you turn seventeen."
He paused.
"A very big change. You need to be prepared."
I nodded.
Alright, I said. Since there's no testing today, I might as well cool off in the lake before going home. You should join me.
I dove into the water, and soon Jason followed. After what felt like an eternity of swimming and listening to village gossip, my hunger returned.
I left Jason by the lake and went hunting.
I returned shortly after with a rabbit in my hands. I stared at it, unease crawling through me.
Why was I craving raw meat?
Was I becoming an animal?
The thought horrified me.
Jason soon joined me, and we sat at the bank of the lake. I stared blankly at the meat.
"Do you want me to get wood and make a fire?" Jason asked. "I always carry matches."
Jason, I said quietly, what if I told you I'm craving raw meat? Would you believe me?"
"Have you eaten it raw before?" he asked.
Yes, I admitted. Three times. Once this morning, and twice when I went into the woods to gather herbs for my father.
Jason nodded slowly.
"If our suspicions are right, that explains it. Your wolf side is manifesting your strength, speed, healing, vision, and hearing."
He frowned.
You said your father gave you a rabbit this morning. Did he see you eat it?"
No, I said, then froze. "But he gave it to me uncooked.
Realization hit me like a blow.
"He knows,"Jason said. "How else would he know to give you raw meat?"
I exhaled shakily.
"You need to confront him," Jason continued. "And for now, we should roast the meat. We don't want this becoming a habit and we definitely don't want people talking."
I nodded and handed him the rabbit.
Jason made the fire himself and roasted the meat lightly, just enough. I knew that part was for me.
I couldn't thank him enough. What would I have done without his brotherly love?
When the meat was ready, we sat quietly by the lake, eating, each lost in our own thoughts.