Midnight Awakenings (standard:Suspense, 3579 words)
Author: J. F. Naples	Added: Oct 02 2002	Views/Reads: 3715/2386	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Girl and boy go out. Girl comes to a realization.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

"You got that right buddy," Sean replied, laughing, moving quicker
through the growing crowds. 

Once they went around the side of the house, it was like a different
place all together.  The music wasn't as loud, the people were acting 
more civil, and there were no offers of hashish, uppers, downers, or 
anything else.  Kelly knew that parties like this were wild, but she 
never experiences them before, and since this was her first frat party, 
she expected anything and everything. 

"Everyone, this is Kelly," Sean called out when the trio stepped up to
the bonfire.  "Anyone touches her, you're going to have to deal with 
me." 

From the tone of his voice, Kelly knew that she would be in good hands. 
Since this was Billy's and Sean's party, everyone would know who was 
off the auction table and on, but she thought that there would still be 
those couple drunk enough still to attempt something.  It wasn't that 
she was looking forward to be hit upon, she was actually looking 
forward to turning them down, and she had Billy and Sean to look after 
her. 

Turning to the couple, "What do you want to drink?  I got pretty much
anything under the sun in there." 

"I'll get it bro," Billy said.  "I need to visit the facilities, anyway,
if you know what you mean." 

"Tis cool, but since you're hosting then, I'll get another White
Russian." 

Looking at Kelly, "And you?" 

"Surprise me, lover," she said sensually, rising up and teasingly
licking Billy's lips. 

"Oh, please," said someone around the fire jokingly.  "Get a room
already."  Laughter sounded. 

Billy, looking over Kelly's shoulder, replied, "I already got one.  And
there better be no stains on the sheets this time either." 

A round of eww's and laughs went around the fire.  Billy kissed Kelly,
and walking into the house. 

Wrapping his arm around Kelly's waist, Sean brought Kelly to the fire. 
"Like I said, no one touches my sister." 

"Oh, it is so nice to have a brother finally," Kelly thought as she fell
right into conversation of Egyptian art. 

Billy returns twenty minutes later with three drinks in hand.  He passes
the White Russian to Sean, a margarita to Kelly, and he settles in with 
a Miller Lite with a shot of 1800 in the mix. 

"So, what is the converse," Billy asks as he stitches himself into the
loop. 

"About how Kelly should be with me, rather than a loser like yourself,"
Sean says, popping Billy on his arm.  Laughter renews. 

"But I would rather be with this loser, than one like yourself," Kelly
defends, and the ooh's roll out and the laughter even harder.  Wrapping 
her free arm around Billy, she leans to his ear, whispering, "You are 
never a loser in my book.  You won my heart." 

The breath on his ear began to arouse Billy, and he squirmed slightly
and brought Kelly closer to him.  Turning to her ear, he whispers, "You 
are mine tonight." 

Kelly giggled and pressed up harder onto Billy. 

Two hours and three margaritas later, Kelly feels the effects of the
alcohol strongly.  The party is still going big on the inside of the 
house, and the front is still filled with drunken partiers.  Kelly 
leans over to Billy, "I think I need to lie down for a little bit." 

"Are you ok, love?" 

Nodding slightly, "Yes, I just think I drank that last one a little too
fast." 

"Ok. I can take you up to my room.  I know no one will bother you
there." Standing, Billy lifts Kelly to her feet. "I'll be right back.  
The little lady needs to lay down for a little bit." 

"Well, the party will still be going when you get back," Sean says,
tipping his glass in their direction.. "Hope you feel well." 

"I do," Kelly replies.  "Just need to lie down is all." 

They turned around, and blackness envelops her. 

Screaming... yells... shouts. Kelly opens her eyes. 

"People all around... blood... so much blood... on my hands... in my
mouth... salty... coppery... so much blood... so much." Darkness 
presses. 

Kelly wakes up.  Dress in tatters, soaked in drying blood, under a
canopy of limbs.  Alone. 

"What did I do last night?" Kelly asks herself. 

THE FOLLOWING DAY 

Kelly was walking on the side of the road when Billy finally saw her. 
She was still in a daze, covered in blood, but looked unhurt 
physically.  When he got Kelly cleaned up, dressed, and fed, did she 
begin to resemble the Kelly that he knew and loved. 

“I don't know what happened,” Kelly said finally, after the hospitable
pampering that she had just received.  “I remember being at the party, 
you were taking me up to your room, then nothing.” 

“You don't remember anything after that?” 

Kelly though hard for a moment, then it appeared her eyes brightened
with remembrance.  “Wait, I remember that the people were screaming and 
running away from something.”  Kelly ran the memory through again. “The 
blood. I remember blood.  A lot of it.” 

Billy nodded.  “There was a lot of that.”  Billy moved closer to Kelly
on the sofa, and put his hand over hers that was on her legs.  “And 
there is something more to it also.” 

Kelly looked directly at Billy.  “What?” 

Billy paused, taking in a deep breath.  “A lot of people died last
night. And... and... when I couldn't find you after the may lay, I 
thought that you were one of the missing.” 

“What?” Kelly asked shocked.  “What are you talking about?” 

“There was an attack at the party.  I don't know how many people died,
but a lot did, and there are still a few missing.  And you were one not 
two hours ago.” 

“What about everyone else?” 

Billy shrugged.  “I don't know.” 

Billy looked at Kelly seriously.  “The cops say that the people that
were attacked were mauled.  Like some wild dog got to them.  But there 
were too many people for just one dog to do what it did.” 

Kelly looked perplexed, “A dog?” 

Something clicked inside Kelly's head. She heard about them, but only in
stories.  A dog?  A werewolf?  Am I a werewolf? 

“Did anyone see what it was?”  Kelly asked. 

Billy shook his head.  “Not really.  They said that it moved really
fast, and that it didn't stop attacking people until everyone was 
gone.” 

“Did you see it?” 

“No.” 

“Where were you when it started attacking?” 

“I was coming up to get you, but I found that you were already gone.  I
just hoped that you were not one of the ones that got attacked.  Then 
when I couldn't find you at the house,” Billy paused.  “I just hoped 
that I would find you.” 

“And you did,” Kelly said, leaning against Billy, feeling his warmth and
protection. 

When Billy finally decided that he could leave Kelly alone for an hour
without having to worry about her, she went to the kitchen and looked 
at the calendar.  Sliding her fingers down the Saturday column, she saw 
what she regretted. 

Tonight was the full moon. 

LAST NIGHT 

The sun was teasing the horizon, and Kelly was beginning to feel edgy. 
She knows what she read about werewolves in books, but nothing more.  
And those were just stories, made up from the minds of regular people 
that had turned words into art.  Many of the people said that silver 
could kill a werewolf.  Kelly didn't want to die, but she knew that her 
mother had actual silverware.  A little lick wouldn't hurt, would it?  
It didn't, and besides she used these utensils just a month ago for her 
parents'' 20th anniversary. 

Salt.  She read somewhere that salt could kill a werewolf.  But that is
another falsity.  She had salt on her breakfast that very morning.  
Holy water was for vampires, as with crosses and garlic.  Beheading 
might work, but that still wouldn't tell her if she were a werewolf, 
it'd just kill her.  She just wanted to know, not die finding out. 

Kelly was all out of answers, but the one question still prowled in her
mind.  “Am I a werewolf?” 

The sun was sinking faster behind the horizon, but the sky remained dark
for the lack of moon thereof.  Kelly felt relieved for the time being, 
eating dinner with her parents, her sister Kendra, and Billy.   As the 
courses of meal went past, Kelly kept looking out of the window for any 
signs of brightening.  Her mother had noticed her Kelly glancing out 
the window many times throughout the meal. 

“What are you looking for, Kel?”  Her mother asked. 

“Hmmm?”  Kelly said, caught off guard.  “Oh, nothing.  I guess I'm not
feeling very well.  May I be excused.” 

Her parents looked at each other, and  they nodded in unison.  “Do you
want me to bring anything up later?”  Her mother asked. 

“No.  I'll be fine.  I'll be down in a little bit.”  Kelly excused
herself from the table, and went up to her room. 

Twenty-five minute later, with dinner completed, and the dirty dishes
and utensils in the dishwasher, everyone retired to the living room.  
Billy asked permission to see if Kelly was all right, and Kelly's 
mother said that he could, and her father told him to leave the door 
open. 

“Yes, sir,” Billy said, and walked up to Kelly's room. 

Billy stopped at the threshold and he saw Kelly sitting at her bedroom
window, looking out into the darkness.  He knocked softly, and Kelly 
turned to him.  “Are you feeling all right?” 

Turning back to the window, Kelly nodded.  “I think I have something to
tell you, but I don't know how to say it.” 

Looking at the reflection in the window, Kelly watched Billy come into
her room and stop behind her.  He put his hands on her shoulders. 

“Just tell me.  I am not going anywhere.” 

Kelly leaned her face to her shoulder, and Billy caressed her cheek with
his finger.  “I know.  I just don't want to frighten you, scare you 
away.” 

Billy turned Kelly towards him so they were face to face.  “Trust me. 
You can tell me anything.” 

Looking deep into his eyes, Kelly said, “I think I am a werewolf.” 

Billy seemed as if he had turned to a statue. His breathing looked as if
it stopped, his muscles quit twitching. There was no movement to be 
seen. After about twenty second, did he speak. 

“What makes you say that?” 

“When I told you earlier about all that blood I saw, and that I was not
in the room. I remember what happened. Well, not exactly what happened, 
but enough to make me believe that I am a werewolf.” 

Still baffled, Billy asks, “Like what?” 

“Well, first off, all that blood that was on me when you found me.” 

“I was in nearly the same shape you were in. I was covered in blood from
everyone that had gotten attacked.” 

“How can you explain my dress then?” 

“You were running blind through the woods.” 

“But what about the feeling I got last night.  It was the first night of
the full moon.” 

“You had a little bit to drink.  I feel funny when I drink.” 

Kelly started thinking about what she was saying, about the answers
Billy was giving her, and how silly she must look for thinking that she 
was a werewolf.  Kelly pulled Billy closer, and hid her face in his 
chest. 

“I am so embarrassed.” 

“No need be,” Billy said, wrapping his arms around her.  “It was a very
trying time. I can't even remember everything that happened last 
night.” 

Looking up to Billy, “I am so glad that you are here with me.” 

“Me too,” Billy said, kissing Kelly lightly on her lips.  “Do you think
that you are ready to get back down with your family?” 

Kelly sighed and smiled.  “I suppose so.  I guess we don't want to give
them a bad impression of you.  You hunk of man, my man.”  Kelly groped 
for Billy but he maneuvered to deflect her aim.  He definitely wanted 
to keep it cordial with her family. 

Once back down with the family, Billy got Kelly and the rest of the
family a round of drinks.  They all sat down in front of the 
television, zoning out of the flickering images that seems to be a 
nightly ritual in the household. 

Billy and Kelly were sitting on the love seat, snuggling against one
another.  Kelly's parents were on the sofa, attempting to set an 
example of how grown-ups are supposed to present themselves once they 
became married, and her sister was lying on the floor. 

Kelly closed her eyes.  A sensation flowed through her veins, one that
she immediately recognized as what she felt at the party the night 
before.  She wasn't drinking alcohol, so she knew that couldn't be an 
excuse.  Kelly felt herself grow cold.  She quickly looked out the 
front window, and there it was, the full moon cresting over the horizon 
like an ominous entity.  And she could feel something happening to her 
body. 

Sitting up, Kelly quickly excused herself, disappearing up the stairs
into her bedroom. 

“What is the matter with her?”  Kelly's father asked Billy as he looked
at the empty staircase. 

Billy got up from the love seat and went to the stairs.  “I don't know,
but I'll find out, sir.” 

Billy walked up the stairs and found Kelly's bedroom door closed.  He
tried the knob and it was locked also.  Billy knocked. 

“Kelly?  Are you ok?  Are you in there?” 

Billy pressed his ear against the door.  He could make out a faint sound
behind the door.  He knocked one more time. 

“Kelly love.  Please let me in.” 

“Please go away. You were wrong.  I am a werewolf.”  From the way Kelly
spoke, Billy knew that she was crying. 

“That is silly.  Now, please open the door, and I'll prove you wrong.” 

It all turned silent, then Billy could hear the shuffling of feet, then
the distinct sound of the lock disengaging itself.  Billy turned the 
knob and opened the door slowly.  Kelly turned towards Billy. 

“Please go away.  I don't want to hurt you too.”  Then Kelly fell into
the familiar darkness. 

More screams... more blood... faces look familiar, but at the same time,
stranger... blood... that hot, pouring blood... 

Breaking glass... running , running, running... woods... trees... limbs
ripping cloth... the moon... that bright light in the dark sky... 

Kelly falls deeper into blackness. 

PRESENT 

When Kelly woke in the familiar site of the woods, she knew what she had
done.  In her mind she could make believe that her family were still 
alive because she never saw them die, but she knew different.  It was 
their blood on her skin, their blood in her mouth, coursing through her 
veins. 

After washing away what she could of the blood that stained her once
more, she knew that she couldn't go home.  She had no place.  All she 
knew was that she had to make right, right again.  And she knew when to 
do it. 

Kelly stayed by herself, keeping out of sight of searching eyes.  She
passed by her home once, and the site of the bodies being removed from 
the house was too much for her to bear.  Before heading back out into 
the woods, Kelly had to make one stop, a place where she wouldn't look 
too out of ordinary to get some supplies.  The bait and tackle shop. 

Darkness befell upon the world once more.  With the sun down, the moon
was surely to rise.  She sat back against the tree, waiting.  Waiting 
for the right time to do what she had too. 

What seemed like an eternity later, she could just make out the light
coming from over the horizon.  Without thinking about what she was 
doing, she drew the knife deep across her wrist, and the blood began to 
pour out of her and onto the ground. 

“Come out and play now,” Kelly said as she drew the blade across the
other wrist, but not nearly as deep, but deep enough to have a free 
flow of blood.  “Come now.” 

A tingling sensation started to fill Kelly shortly afterwards.  “Come
on, Wolfie,” Kelly said weakly.  “The world is waiting for you.” 

The moon crests over the horizon.  It seems brighter tonight than it did
the other two nights.  Kelly closes her eyes because she is too weak to 
raise an arm to shield herself from the light.  Then to her right, she 
hears someone approaching. 

“Who's there?”  Kelly asks, barely able to hear herself. 

“Where have you been, Love?” 

It was Billy.  Kelly felt better now, not completely, but at least she
knew Billy survived the attack. 

“Billy, you are going to be safe now.  I've taken care of it.”  Kelly's
voice barely a whisper. 

Billy knelt down next to Kelly.  He lifted her head and put lay it down
in her lap.  He smoothed her hair out.  “What do you mean?”  Emotion 
filled Billy's voice.  “Taken care of what?” 

With what strength she could muster, she lifted one arm to show Billy
what she had done. 

“Why did you do that?” 

“Because I am a werewolf.” 

“I told you that you weren't.” 

“But I...,” Billy put his finger upon her lips to cease their movement
since no words were being said. 

“You are not a werewolf, love.” 

Kelly could feel the coldness seep through her body as the last of her
life's blood drained. Her vision began to slip into darkness, but her 
sense of touch seemed to amplify, for she could feel Billy's finger on 
her lips, but, yet, it wasn't his. Kelly attempted to clear her vision 
for one last sight of his beautiful face, but it was a face of a wolf 
looked down upon her. 

“You are not a werewolf,” Billy said quietly.  “I had to give you
medicine so that you would be safe from me.  I never knew that this was 
going to happen.” 

The wolf shed tears, and with his canine tongue, kisses the lips of his
dying love. 


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