Bark at the Moon!

Memories are the most beautiful and the scariest things we hold onto in life. I watched her walk down the stairs with the same evil smirk and tons of flashbacks started playing like a movie in front of my eyes. Her red dress and face caked with make-up, perfectly showed her dominance. Scarlett Adolf’s life was nothing but a huge lie. A lie only a few people were aware of and unfortunately, I am one of those few people.

“I never thought I’ll ever get to see you again!”, her voice laced with disgust made me shiver. I could feel all the scars burn again. The scars my clothes were hiding for years!

“Have you gone mute?”, she asked now standing right in front of me.

“I am not here to see you!”, I said in a brave voice.

“But you are standing in front of me right now. It will be great to have a little chat, wouldn’t it?”, she said faking a smile.

“A chat with you? What about a no for that?”, I replied. She chortled and shook her head.

“You never learn, do you?”, she said taking a step closer to me.

“I am not that little scared, timid girl anymore!”, I snapped.

“Well, we will see that now. Who you are!”, spitting out these words she held my hand tightly and pulled me along. I struggled to get free, but she had some inhuman power. I could feel that if she puts in a little more power, my bones will break into two.

“What do you think you are doing?”, a familiar voice boomed in the hall. Both of us turned around and saw Ethan standing at the door.

“Why should I answer your question, brother?”, she said stressing on the brother part a little more. I could feel the tension rise.

“Let her go!”, he ordered.

“Who are you to order me?”, she said holding my arm tightly and pulling me closer to her.

“I don’t think you like to take my orders. Well, then let me call Caleb.”, he replied.

“What does Caleb have to do with her?”, she asked. Her voice was now laced with curiosity, and I could sense the answer wouldn’t please her at all.

“Tell her Haley why are you here!”, Ethan now faced me.

“I am here to return an invite Caleb gave me by mistake.”, I told her the truth.

“What invite?”, she asked and finally let my arm go. Ethan came ahead and showed her the envelope he was carrying.

“This is not possible!”, her voice echoed. I looked at them not understanding what exactly is happening. Ethan ignored her and faced me.

“Caleb is not here right now. But I have confirmed, this letter is yours. He would love to see you in the evening.”, he smiled at me and gave me the invitation.

“She is not Luna.”, Scarlett said.

“Show some respect!”, Ethan’s voice made her look down.

“W-who is Luna?”, I asked.

“That is something you should ask Caleb.”, Ethan replied. I looked at him confused but he just smiled at me.

“I don’t accept it!”, Scarlett said and left without a word.

“Did I do something?”, I asked a little scared of her sudden outburst.

“No, you didn’t.”, Ethan said and asked me to follow him.

“I want to ask you something!”, I said following him.

“Yes, sure!”, he said climbing the stairs.

“How did you come inside from the door. You left me here and went up the stairs!”, I asked.

“I went out from the other side’s stairs.”, he replied without even thinking about the answer. I nodded but all I could think was, there are no other stairs in the Adolf mansion. Maybe this new version has it!

“Where are we going?”, I asked as he went on the second floor.

“I am just following the orders.”, he replied.

“W-what orders?”, his creepy answer made me a little alarmed.

“Why are you getting scared! Caleb wants you to get ready in the mansion only.”, he replied with a light laugh.

“Oh no! please. I don’t even wish to attend this stupid party. I would rather go home. My friends will come for sure though!”, I said and turned around to leave.

“Haley! I don’t think you should leave. Trust me this party will be fun.”, he tried to convince me.

“Plus!, I don’t know anyone here. I know just you!”, he added.

“This is your house, Ethan! you know everyone here!”, I said walking down the stairs.

“I mean I wouldn’t know anyone in the party. Caleb asked us to invite our friends as well. But I don’t have friends.”, he replied. I could see he was not lying.

“Okay! I will come to the party, but I am not staying here.”, I finally said with a sigh.

“Okay! No issues. I’ll come and pick you girls up at 6:00 pm. Okay?”, he said with a smile.

“I know the way! You don’t have to come and pick us up. I promise I’ll be here on time.”, I said.

“It is dangerous in the woods at night. Okay! You can call me when you reach the parking outside the woods. I will come there!”, he gave an alternative. I couldn’t understand why he is being so protective. I had wandered in the woods alone as a five-year-old. But I knew he wouldn’t let me leave if I don’t agree.

“Okay! I will call you. I should leave now!”, I said with a smile. He nodded and opened the door for me.

I left the Adolf mansion with a strange feeling. It felt I was leaving my home behind. Shaking this feeling away I walked towards the road. As I crossed the stream, I saw the end of the cliff peeking through the canopy of trees. I stopped and looked at the cliff where my parents were seen last. I still don’t understand why they even went to that area in the first place. I stood there looking at the conical end when I saw something strange. Something was climbing up the cliff. At first, I thought it was a dog, but when it came into view, I could see it was five to six times larger than a dog.

I could see beautiful white fur, striking sharp ears and an elegant gait. It was a wolf! Wolves are not common in this area and that is why this beauty took me by surprise. I watched it look up at the sky. I looked up too. There was a faint presence of the moon as the sun had started to set. It howled and then suddenly looked straight into my eyes.

Red! Blood red! That is how I would define them. I gasped as I could feel its stare burn into my skin. ‘Can this wolf see me?’, I wondered. The way its eyes were on me, I knew it was aware of my presence. A voice inside my head nudged me to run. And for the first time, I listened to that voice and walked away, but I could still feel its eyes on me!

I entered my apartment to meet a pair of very excited eyes. Arya jumped on me the moment I walked inside and bombarded me with a ton of questions.

“Did you get a new invite?”, she asked.

“No! Caleb asked me to use this one only!”, I replied and sat down on the couch.

“This means we can go right?”, she confirmed.

“Yes, we are all going!”, I answered.

“Wait! You agreed to go without any tantrums?”, Anna entered shocked at my sudden consent to attend the party.

“I met Ethan there. He saved me from Scarlett. I am just returning a favour.”, I answered.

“Scarlett Adolf?”, the two of them asked. I nodded.

“Did she hurt you again?”, Anna asked. I could see her eyes fuming with anger.

“No, she can’t hurt me now. I am not a four-year-old!”, I said and smiled at my friend.

“We know! But she is still an evil witch.”, Arya continued.

“I am fine. Don’t worry guys. And just start getting ready, we must leave for the party at 6.”, I stood up and stretched my body a little to shake away the tiredness.

“What! It is 4:30 pm already!”, Arya exclaimed and left the room in a hurry.

Anna and I exchanged an amused look and started to prepare for the party as well. The three of us were oblivious to the plans of destiny, as we enjoyed getting ready for the party together- the last time!