Chapter 2: Undercurrents
660words
Especially Scott and his friends.
"So, you're the new McCall?" a voice interrupts my thoughts.
I turn to see a blonde girl curiously sizing me up.
"Lydia Martin," the girl extends her hand, "the school's welcome committee should be my responsibility."
"Valerie," I answer briefly, noticing a fresh wound on Lydia's wrist. "What happened there?"
Lydia quickly pulls down her sleeve, "Nothing, lab accident." Her heartbeat accelerates, obviously lying.
"Hey, Lydia!" A tall boy walks over, puts his arm around Lydia's shoulders, while warily looking at me, "Who's this?"
"Jackson, this is Valerie, Scott's sister."
Jackson's expression instantly becomes complex, "Another McCall? Just what we needed."
I just smile, but my eyes are cold as ice. Jackson uncomfortably averts his gaze.
"Don't mind him," Lydia says quietly, "by the way, there's a party tonight, you should come."
"I'm not sure—"
"Seven o'clock, my place. I'll text you the address." Lydia interrupts me, then leaves with Jackson.
I turn and bump into someone.
"Sorry," the boy says, bending down to help me pick up my dropped books. When he looks up, I meet a pair of deep blue eyes.
"I'm Ethan," he smiles, "you must be the new McCall."
Something inside me sets off alarm bells. Ethan looks unnaturally perfect, and my mother taught me that the most beautiful flowers are often the deadliest.
"News travels fast," I take back my books, deliberately letting my fingers brush against his, observing his reaction.
Ethan's pupils dilate slightly, his breathing stops for a second. "Small town life," he shrugs, "no secrets stay hidden for long."
"Really?" I raise an eyebrow, "I feel like this town is full of secrets."
The bell rings, and Ethan leans closer to me, whispering: "Maybe I can help you uncover some. See you at Lydia's party tonight?"
After he leaves, I feel a strange tingling, like electricity running through my veins. I look up to see Scott and a skinny tall boy staring at me from the end of the hallway.
That night, I don't go straight to the party. I follow Scott and his friend—that boy called Stiles—into the forest. They seem to be looking for something, moving mysteriously and tensely.
Suddenly, a scream pierces the night.
I run toward the sound and see Lydia lying in a clearing, surrounded by blood. At the edge of the forest, a pair of red eyes flashes and then disappears.
I don't hesitate, pulling out the knife my mother gave me from my boot, charging in that direction. The creature moves extremely fast, but my reactions are faster. I dodge the attack, my knife drawing an arc, forcing the shadow back.
"Valerie!" Scott's voice comes from behind, full of surprise and fear.
The creature—I can now see it's a monster resembling a wolf but walking upright—lets out a growl and disappears into the depths of the forest.
I turn to face Scott and Stiles who have arrived, the shock on their faces impossible to hide.
"What was that?" I ask calmly, as if I had just confronted an ordinary wild dog, not a supernatural creature.
Scott and Stiles exchange a look.
"You shouldn't be here," Scott finally says, "it's dangerous."
"Obviously," I put away my knife, "but you seem to know what that was."
Just then, a tall man in a leather jacket walks out from the forest, his eyes directly on me.
"Who are you?" he asks coldly, "Why do you smell like a hunter?"
I feel the pendant heating up on my chest, and my blood seems to be responding to some call.
"Derek," Scott quickly intervenes, "she's my sister."
Derek Hale's eyes flash red for a moment, confirming my suspicion—this town's secrets are more dangerous than I imagined.
