Chapter 19: First attack
The uneven texture of the asphalt was biting in my skin. I had a stitch in my side from the run and the burning sensation I had in my arm told me that I had a nasty wound.
'Miss Runner, are you okay?' the security guard came running to my side. 'I just saw you sprint out the forest. Oh my god, you are hurt.'
Using his talkie, he contacted the head of the security who promptly came. Claudia and Mr Pierce were not far behind. In the meanwhile he had removed his tie and had tied it tightly around my arm to stop the blood flow.
'It's not that deep, but better be on the safe side,' he said and I thanked him for his help.
'Who attacked you miss? Was it one of our kids?' His question was reiterated by John, the head of security. I didn't see myself telling them that two werewolves were out to get me. But I tried to stick to the truth as much as I could.
'Two outsiders. One was wearing a black hooded jacket and the other a cap with the Academy's insignia. They escaped in the forest.'
Claudia had come by my side and sat down on the pavement. She invited me to lean on her and I gratefully did that. At the back of my mind, I wondered if the smell of my blood was gong to bother her, but I was too tired to care.
While John dispatched a few officers to check the forest, Mr Pierce told me to take the day off and that I could give my statement on the next day.
'Please go to the hospital as well Miss Runner.'
I nodded and asked, 'Can Claudia take me home?'
'Of course, this is what I was going to suggest.'
On the car ride, I leaned my head back on the headrest and closed my eyes, hoping that it would temporarily stop the barrage of question which I knew were going to come. As we reached home too, I started thinking about what I would tell Dave. He had told me to be careful and how would he react to my wound? I couldn't erase the image of these two boys from my mind. Would they really have killed me to eat?
I wasn't surprised to see Dave waiting for me at the end of the driveway. He must have heard my thoughts, which were so loud in my head, from far. He didn't wait for the car to completely stop before he had opened the passenger door. Without telling me anything, he lifted me out of the car and started walking towards the house.
'Ash will call you later. Thanks for bringing her home.'
I could feel his body quivering with anger, but I didn't know at whom the anger was directed.
Laying me gently on the sofa, he went to bring the first aid kit. He removed the tie around my arm and winced.
'It's not paining that much now you know,' I reassured him.
'I'm angry at myself, for not being here when you needed me.'
'It's okay.' I felt it odd that I was the one who was having to give him comfort when I was the one who was hurt.
He disinfected the wound with some antiseptic and apart from a tingle, I didn't feel any pain, which was odd Maybe that area was numb. He then applied some gauze before tying a bandage. He did it very efficiently.
'Ah, you were a doctor once, that's why you're so good.'
'Let me put a barrier dressing so that you can shower. Then you tell me what happened exactly.'
When I showered, I scrubbed my skin carefully as if that act would purge me of the bad memories. Each time I closed my eyes, I saw those horrid eyes looking at me and felt those hands reaching for me. After about 15 minutes there was a knock at that door and a hand came in, clutching a towel. I shut the valve and came out of the cubicle. I took the towel and wrapped it around me.
'Any help?' I wanted to say no, but unfortunately due to the dressing I couldn't lift y hands to wipe my back.
Dave came in with another towel and without saying anything he held on to the towel tied around my chest with one hand and with the other, he wiped my back and neck area carefully. He then pulled a bathrobe fro the hook and helped me to put it on. With my back turned to him, I released the knot holding the towel around me and it pooled at my feet. I then tied the bathrobe belt firmly around me. I followed Dave to the bedroom after applying some toner and moisturizer on my face.
Dave had kept a glass on the bedside table.
'Juice infused with vitamins,' he said at my questioning look. I took it and drank it in one gulp. It had the same flavor as the jam he had served me with the chia pudding. Once again, I felt the similar energy boost and I was surprised at the speed with which it reacted.
Dave sat on the bed and patted the space next to him for me to sit. He was wearing his black jeans and a cotton shirt, dark gray this time. I could feel the tenseness in his body, he was like a coiled spring.
I sat next to him and his arm came to rest around my waist. It felt so good that I just leaned back against him and his hand lifted to rest on my shoulder. My ear was against his chest and I could hear the thud of his heart. His smell invade my senses when I breathed and for the first time that day I relaxed for real.
'Tell me what happened.' His voice vibrated against my ear as well and the thrumming motion was almost hypnotic.
'There were two werewolves at The Academy today. I smelled them. They were quite far, yet I heard them accurately. They were looking for a vampire, but they didn't seem to know who she was exactly. One of them then decided to have me for lunch, but I was faster than them.'
I said it in a matter-of-fact voice as it it was something common to be chased by werewolves.
'How did I hear them? Could it be that staying with you, I'm absorbing some of your acute senses?' I asked half-jokingly
'You know it doesn't work that way. Maybe you were very alert due to the adrenaline running through your system. It sharpens your senses,' Dave said, but not very convincingly.
'And yeah, they mentioned a Guy who fed them frozen steaks.'
At that name, Dave froze and I could feel his body tense even more.
'You know him, don't you?' I whispered.
After some time, he finally stated, 'He was one of those who tried to kill my mother. He managed to escape the last time.'
'So what is he doing here in our town?' I asked, confused.
'Maybe he's here to complete what he couldn't do last time.'
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone