When I woke my hand still hurt, and the events of last night continuously flashed through my mind, including what Skyler had asked me. Skyler being Skyler would most likely ask me the same question until I gave her a straightforward answer. But that was the problem, I didn't know what to tell her. Hell, I could barely figure out what to tell myself.

Skyler had started to rustle next to me, so I closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep. I really didn't want het to confront me about this. I didn't want to put her in any danger from this.

Thinking she had gotten up to go to the bathroom, I sat up. I was wrong. Instead, she was standing at the doorway, on her phone, and she then happened to look over.

She was smiling -- probably a text from Aidan -- but it fell when she saw me. She walked over solemnly, which was very unusual for her, and looked me in the eyes, her face unnaturally stoic. It was a very large contrast to her bubbly, giggly self.

"Ellie-"

"I know what you want to ask, and I will tell you," I interrupted. I was going to tell her, but it wouldn't be the truth.

"So, I went for a late night, or well really early morning walk when I thought you were asleep." I looked up at her, making sure she was still paying attention, as she usually didn't have a very long attention span. She nodded for me to continue.

"I heard some strange noises and stuff. At first I just thought it was some animals or the wind, but I began to here it more frequently, and it got closer. Much closer. So, I began to run back to the house, and of course being the total idiot that I am, didn't look where I was going and fell. That's how I got this." I motioned toward my bandaged hand, and she cringed slightly, seeing the blood bleeding through.

"Well after that. . . some seniors jumped out and yelled. . . 'PRANKED' right in my face, so that's when I screamed and ended up coming inside all freaked out." I then realized how stupid it sounded when Skyler's smile returned with a laugh. She began laughing so hard she fell over.

"It's not funny!" I yelled, causing Caroline to wake up. She glared at us as she rolled back under her covers.

"Oops!" We both stated at the same time.

I looked at the clock and noticed it was 10:15 so I couldn't fall back asleep. That's a lie, if I really tried I could probably sleep the entire day.

As the smell of waffles and French toast lofted into my room, Skyler and I got up and made our way to the kitchen. I found my mom setting the table, and filling cups with orange juice and milk. But what I really needed right now was some coffee.

"You're finally awake!" She sounded happy, though a little annoyed to be honest.

"Well, yeah, except Caroline," I said laughing, remembering her angry glare. Caroline enjoyed her sleep very much, especially during the day.

"Wrong!" I heard Caroline yell from the hallway, "you guys don't know how to be quiet!"

"So where's dad?" I asked, sitting at the table.

"He left an hour ago for work," my mom replied taking a sip of her coffee. As she set it down and went to flip the pancakes, I grabbed her coffee cup and took a quick sip. She continued, "He wanted to wake you, but I know how you teenagers need your beauty sleep, so I told him to leave you asleep."

I nodded and took another sip of her coffee, but she turned around and caught me red handed. Very literally actually, as her eyes zoned in on my bloody bandaged hand.

"Ellie how did you get that cut on your wrist?!"

"Er, I fell," was all I got out before I got a worried glance from Caroline and a chuckle from Skyler.

"Are you sure? It looks like someone scratched you?" She asked sounding worried. Then again she couldn't see the actual cut, so she didn't really know.

"Mom I'm fine, I just fell, you don't need to patronize me," I whined. 

"Alright, but make sure you get some clean bandages on there. You don't want it to get infected."

"Okie dokie," I said, sipping her coffee for the third time. 

"And stop drinking my coffee!" She yelled, snatching her mug away from me with a smile.

Once we were finished, yet again, stuffing our faces with food, I began cleaning the dishes while Sky and Caroline went to watch TV in the TV room. Normally at sleepovers my mom would help me out, but she insisted I do it because I am the host.

I could tell from the kitchen that the news was on by the sound of our local news anchor, but I had no idea what he was talking about, so I just zoned it out as I cleaned. I was pretty good at zoning things out because I have to deal with Vanessa all the time. Lucky me!

I was pulled from my thoughts when the sound of my name being yelled reached my ears. I hadn't even realized anyone was talking to me.

"What?" I yelled back above the sound of me washing dishes.

"You need to see this now!" 

I complied and left the dishes in the sink. Walking in, I noticed the headline on the news: Local teacher found dead last night. Below it read Ashley Williams. That was my Algebra teacher!

"What, um, happened to her?" I asked.

"Something about a Mountain Lion attack, lots of blood gone, yada yada yada," Skyler answered, while Caroline's eyes were continuously hooked on the screen. I don't know why she seemed so concerned, she hated Mrs. Williams as much as I did.

But a mountain lion in Arlington Virginia, is that even possible? I mean we were a fairly small, secluded town, but I'd never heard of there being mountain lion attacks here.

Tracing my eyes across the screen, I noticed the time of death was 1:35, only moments after I had gone inside. I felt the color drain from my face, as I realized I could have been the one to die.

No matter how much I didn't want to admit it, it couldn't have been a mountain lion that killed her, and it was probably that man I saw. Would he have killed me if he had gotten the chance?

Now I was scared for not only my life but for my family and friends. I wanted to know who, or what, this thing was. I wanted to know how it killed Mrs. Williams. And I want to know what the hell it called me "Princess" for.