Chapter 5

Sitting in my last class of the day I couldn’t help but wonder about the things I had heard just in the span of a day. So many things had happened today and I couldn’t help but feel that I had missed something important standing hidden behind it. All the people close to me, or trying to get close to me had said things along the same lines.

 “Get yourself checked out somewhere. Maybe go down to the counselors’ office, I don’t know! Call me about what happens after school!” Chris had told me before leaving.

“Call me if you need any help! I’m really sorry.” Hannah had offered me.

 “You don’t understand Ashley! We could help you! The last thing we would think is that you’re crazy. We’ve all been through something that left us needing close true friends. We’re here for you!” Tyler had said not long ago wanting to help with all his might.

“Well, maybe she was just trying to help you, like we are! You should talk to her! Pay her a visit after school. I think it would help you a lot! We all want what’s best for you. Think about it! Please.” Megan had told me earlier that day.

And last of all Mrs. Wolfe had told me personally and indirectly that I could always turn to her for help. “Alright then, just remember in this class you can tell us what is bothering you. Whatever it is I promise the class will understand!”

“So as you must have noticed your homerooms were switched up. This is because the school board has decided that every student needs to be placed into a confidential group of students, who they can share ALL their problems with.”

It was only now that I realized what the true meaning was behind all those words. Everyone had wanted me to talk to somebody about what I was going through and try to find people who could explain. Even if none of them knew what my problem was I could tell this was what I had needed to figure out and admit. Whoever was behind all of this wanted me to figure out the fact that I couldn’t keep things bundled up and hidden deep inside of me. Now I just had to figure out who I would talk to.

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The rest of the horribly boring, long and endless periods that day, I wracked my brain for people to talk to. I knew any of the people I had already waved off today were out of the question, Hannah and Chris couldn’t know about it, while my parents had already agreed to ‘explain’ tonight. I wasn’t expecting that to go very well though. The last time they tried we ended up in a five way fight. It was something I didn’t want to relive. That only left me with my brothers, who my parents had called right after my incident. I wasn’t sure about them though. If they wanted to be nice they would explain, but if they didn’t, I would end up as the joke of the house. It wasn’t something that I wanted at all. The two of them would keep this suspended over me for years if it went wrong. I would never forget about it in my life however I would have to take the risk. Not knowing was worse than either figuring out that I was crazy, or getting to know the truth. Then I would at least have some information I could rely on.

My decision gave me the satisfaction that I knew what I would do if I didn’t find out what I needed to. Just the idea that I had a reliable plan calmed me down enough to get me on the bus without the jumpy, impatience that was pounding to get out of me. The answers to my problems that had been causing me this mayor amount of trouble could be just within my reach or a phone call away.

When the bus dropped me off in front of our driveway I couldn’t help but realize that both my parents were already home, staring out the window with nervous expressions onto our street. As soon as they noticed my car they came rushing down to me at a speed I never thought was possible. They were already by my side when I climbed out of the car. My dad patted me on the back and my mother put a hand on my shoulder as they guided me into the house in silence.

Entering the house I stopped in shock. All the windows had been boarded up, the doors locked and blocked. It was pitch black inside with the exception of a few lit candles scattering light onto small areas.

My dad was looking at me expectantly when I met his eyes causing me to shake my head in confusion. At the sight of this my mom whispered something to my father and he simply nodded softening his gaze. The two of them turned to sit on the couch while I lowered myself onto a blue bean bag that had probably been dragged out from my room.

For minutes silence filled the room. It was obvious my parents wouldn’t start explaining things to me until I got them onto the topic. They would try stretching this out as long as they possibly could.

“How come you’re home so early?” I asked them finally breaking the silence. They both knew I knew the answer to the question though so they just ignored it.

“How was your day Ash?” My mom replied trying to take the conversation in a different direction.

“It was fine. My friends ditched me, I have the creepiest homeroom and some weird kids won’t leave me alone. No big deal.” I told them quickly hoping they wouldn’t ask questions. That would be painful for all three of us.

“I’m so sorry. You’ll understand why this is happening soon though.” My dad told me while letting out a sigh. “She’s just growing up too fast!” He whispered mostly to my mother, but I noticed he knew I had heard.

“I didn’t realize you know about that too and are keeping it from me, just like you are keeping what happened this morning from me!” I screamed at them getting angry.

“You don’t understand! We would tell you if we could, but it’s just not time yet! We promise to tell you as soon as possible!” My mother cooed hoping to calm me down.

“I want to know now! With all the confusing things happening right now this is something that I think I deserve to know!” I snapped.

“We know you do but—” My dad started before I cut him off

 “You don’t know how much it hurts to have to spend your time alone in school! You don’t know what it’s like to watch your life fall apart right in front of your eyes!” I cried out of anger. I just couldn’t hold it back now.

“Actually we have. Your mother and I both went through the same thing!” My dad snapped at me. I guess I had made him pretty mad.

“Well you’re not helping your daughter out. If you both went through the same thing why won’t you do something to help me solve it?” I asked them at the verge of tears.

“This is needed and you’ll find out why, soon.” My mom said. She was the only person who was still calm.

“So tell me! At least explain what happened this morning!” I cried. My dad lowered his gaze and started playing with his fingers, a sign that meant he was nervous. I watched him glance at my mom who nodded encouragingly before he started.

“Alright! Ashley, we know you have been waiting for us to tell you what happened this morning, but before we start I feel it is my duty to let you know that we can only tell you a specific amount at this stage. When different things start happening we will be able to inform you of more.” He told me waiting for my reaction.

“As long as I find everything out within a week I’m fine.” I told him. That was how long I would give them to explain. If they hadn’t given me all the information I wanted by Friday I would turn to my brothers.

“When you find out depends on you Ash!” He told me. I rolled my eyes and he continued.

“So this morning you turned into a wolf. This is because we are werewolves, people who can change the form of their bodies, communicate through their minds with people who are the closest to them. We weren’t surprised because it’s something that is passed down throughout our family. The change usually takes place on your 16th birthday. That is when you start the stages. There are three of these and we can tell you a little more with each one.” He paused letting me take all this in.

“So John and Josh are werewolves too?” I asked him.

“Yes, they are werewolves too.” My mother answered instead of him with a proud look on her face.

 Taking this in my mind started to form a plan. Even if there were three stages my brothers had probably gone through all of them. If they wouldn’t tell me directly then I still had another option. I know the fact that they can’t keep any secrets so they would probably tell me something by accident. I just had to get them onto the topic. I was so going to find everything out.

“The most important thing in the first stage is that you get used to your wolf form. For a start you have to learn how to control these changes. Sudden emotion changes and strong anger cause you to change, while you will naturally change during full moons. As you get older and more experienced I expect that you will be able to shift forms by just free will and maybe withstand changing during full moons.” My dad continued, bursting full of information. It was funny how he was explaining this pretty well, a first for him.

“That means I have to have classes?” I questioned, getting worried. I did not need extra school! I had enough of it already.

“Not in the first stage, but sooner or later you will! In the first stage you can practice alone.” He told me. I rolled my eyes. Of course, my life was getting better every second.

“And are there other werewolves besides our family?” I asked hoping to get to my point. He had to tell me! I NEEDED to know!

“Like I said I can’t tell you everything just yet. At the moment you know everything that you need to. You’ll have to wait till your next stage to find out more.” He told me waving me off.

“What? That’s it?” I stared at him with my jaw dropped. He couldn’t expect me to live off that small amount until my next stage! Who knows when that will be!

He nodded, before sending me away. “I guess so. Now go upstairs and practice while the boards are still up!”

With that he gave me a candle and guided me upstairs.

“Get us if you need any help!”

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 Official chapter 5 from Discovering Wolves!

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