Chapter 13: Blue Eyes

Morning came the next day with soft sunlight slipping through the kitchen windows. Ryan stood by the counter making coffee, his movements slow from the short night. The smell of toast filled the air. Lila moved around the table packing her school bag, checking her books one more time. She wore her usual jeans and hoodie, hair tied back neat.

Ryan glanced at the stairs. “Jax hasn’t come down yet. That’s not like him.”

Lila nodded. “Maybe the roar kept him up too. I’ll check.”

They went upstairs together. Ryan knocked lightly on Jax’s door. No answer. Lila pushed it open a crack. Jax lay still under the covers, breathing deep. He looked worn out, face pale against the pillow.

“He’s still sleeping,” Lila whispered.

Ryan checked his watch. “I need to head to the guild now. See what they know about last night. Tell him I’ll be back in the evening.”

“Be safe,” Lila said.

Ryan gave her a quick hug. “You too. Keep an eye on your brother.” He headed down the stairs and out the front door. The car started up outside and drove off.

Lila stayed by the bed for a moment. “Jax? Time to get up.”

I woke up slow, head spinning like I’d been hit by a truck. The room felt too bright. My body ached in a strange way, not the sharp pain from the bite but something deeper. Lila stood next to the bed, shaking my shoulder gently.

“Get ready for lectures or we’ll be late,” she said. “Ryan already left for the guild.”

I sat up, rubbing my face. “Yeah… okay.”

She left to give me space. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood. The floor felt steady under my feet, but my head still turned a little. I went into the bathroom and closed the door. The mirror waited above the sink. When I looked at myself, I froze.

My abs were visible under my shirt, clear lines of muscle that weren’t there yesterday. My arms looked thicker too, shoulders broader. I pulled up my shirt. The bite mark on my ribs was completely healed. No scar, no pain, just smooth skin like nothing happened. I touched the spot. Nothing. How was that possible? The creature’s teeth had gone deep. Now it was gone overnight, I know my healing factor wasn't that fast.

I stared at my reflection for a long minute. Something felt off. Stronger, but different. I shook it off and jumped in the shower. Hot water ran over me, easing the strange tension in my muscles. I dressed quickly in fresh clothes, grabbed my bag, and headed downstairs.

Lila waited at the bottom of the stairs, tapping her foot. “Finally. Let’s go.”

We walked to school together. The morning air felt fresh. Birds called from the trees. Lila talked about her history test coming up. I nodded along, but my mind kept going back to the mirror. The changes. The healed bite.

When we reached the school grounds, Lila spotted her friends near the front steps. “Catch you later,” she said and hurried off.

I kept walking alone. Then from behind Mike caught up fast, eyes wide. “Jax! You made it out? I thought that thing got you for sure.”

“Yeah, I got out,” I said.

Mike grabbed my arm lightly. “What happened? Did you see it up close? What did it look like? Was it huge?”

I kept my answers short. “I didn’t see it up close. I ran after I told you to go. That’s it.”

But Mike wouldn’t let it drop. “Come on, man. That thing was massive. Faster than anything. You must have seen more. How did you get away?”

We stepped into the busy hallway. Lockers slammed around us. Voices echoed. Suddenly my head spun worse. Memories from last night flashed hard. The roar. The teeth. The slam to the floor. I felt dizzy. The walls seemed to close in.

Mike noticed. “Hey, what’s the problem? You look sick.”

I didn’t answer. My skin felt hot. A strange pressure built in my chest. Students walked past laughing, not knowing anything. I could hear everything going on, I couldn’t lose control here. I turned quickly and headed for the men’s restroom down the hall. Mike followed right behind.

“Jax, talk to me. What’s going on?” he asked, voice worried.

I pushed the door open and went straight to the sink. The mirror again. I covered my ears and eyes tight, trying to push the dizziness away. When I opened them, my eyes stared back bright blue. Not my normal color. Glowing almost.

Mike stood behind me, shocked. “Whoa… your eyes…”

“Get out. Now,” I said fast.

“Everything alright?” Mike asked, stepping closer.

My face started to change. Bones shifting under the skin. I felt it coming. “NOW!” I shouted.

The pressure built fast. Whatever the bite started last night wasn’t done with me yet.