Chapter 2

“Are you sure you really want to work for these people?” Jasmine asked, concern and worry written clearly across her face, as she sat across from Amelia at the dining table. Thai food boxes were spread across the faux wooden surface as they each picked what they wanted from the contents within. A celebratory dinner for a new job, and a cheap meal for when the fridge was empty. Once her first paycheck hit, Amelia would go shopping and stock back up on things. It had been difficult to do with only Jasmine’s income barely supporting them.

“Not like I have much of a choice Jaz.” The blonde stared at her exotic looking friend and roommate.

Jasmine had been Amelia’s roommate for almost a year, and they had become good friends during that period. They looked nothing alike. Amelia with her typical Scandinavian looks of blonde hair and blue eyes. While Jasmine had an olive skin tone, wavy auburn hair, and brown eyes.

“It has great pay and benefits, plus weekends off! I won’t be able to find something even remotely similar. This is the best job I was able to find, and land to keep us both in the apartment.” Amelia continued.

“Don’t you have anyone back home to help you out for a little bit? Just till you can find something else?” Jasmine inquired.

“You know I don’t.” Amelia stated in a quiet tone, an almost solemn expression taking over her features. Her family was still a tender subject, even after the 5 years she had been living in Chicago.

When she refused to stay in the small country town and live the life that her parents had planned out for her, they became furious. The verbal and emotional abuse was enough to drive anyone crazy. She refused to roll over and quit just to pacify her parents. So, Amelia packed what bags she could carry, her savings, and left on the first bus she could take.

There were no pictures of her family in their shabby chic apartment. No memorabilia from her childhood, it had all been left behind. It was a cozy space that Amelia had filled with refurbished and secondhand furniture. Picking up pieces from thrift stores and flea market sales, giving them new life, and a new purpose. Just like she had been doing with herself. It was a place to call home that she had built from a blank canvas and had no intention of leaving it now.

Jasmine stared at her roommate; Amelia never went into detail about why she left her hometown. A small pang of pity hit her heartstrings, before she gave an understanding nod.

“Just figured I’d ask.” The auburn-haired woman stated as she glanced back at the noodles on the plate in front of her.

“Plus, while I was there today no one seemed to have any excess fur. Or looked like they would enjoy a good game of fetch at the park.” Amelia decided to lighten the mood a little and change the subject. Jazmine wrinkled her nose at her friend’s comment.

“Emmy, you know werewolves don’t always look threatening. That’s why they're dangerous. They can look like everyday people, as ordinary as you and me. But underneath, they’re bloodthirsty monsters who stalk their unsuspecting prey until the right time to pounce.” Jasmine stated in a matter of fact like voice as she bounced forward in her seat, acting out a pouncing motion to go with her speech.

This fear that werewolves were real, had started to crawl its way through the city some time ago. Long before Amelia had moved to Chicago. Violent attacks in the parks, or down the back alleys that left gruesome scenes behind. Putting the entire city into a frenzy for about a week until it seemed to blow over. The media stated it was nothing but gang violence but the tabloids, conspiracy theorists, and dark parts of the web thought differently.

Amelia, being a sensible person, did not pay attention to what the back doors of the internet had to say about the attacks. She was logical, and having studied animal behavior and species in college, she was convinced that werewolves were just myths and legends. There was no factual evidence to state otherwise. But Jazmine was more eclectic, and open minded and backed the idea that there were monsters out in the world that no one could prove the existence of.

“You’ve been reading too many of those tabloids again, haven’t you?” Amelia asked her friend, a teasing smile pulling at the edge of her lips.

“It can’t all be made up of mumbo jumbo, can it? Some articles even have pictures to prove it!” Jasmine defended.

“Pictures can always be faked with potshop and a good graphic artist.” Amelia rebutted. Jazmine threw an annoyed pout at Amelia, which caused the blonde woman the chuckle a bit.

“It’s ok Jazzy, I still love you.” She said reaching across the table to pat her friend’s head, as Jasmine swatted her hands away in a playful manner.

“Just promise me you’ll be careful while you’re there. Please.” Jasmine's brown eyes pleaded with Amelia.

“I promise.” Amelia smiled. “I can even wear my silver necklaces when I go to work, if it’ll make you feel better.”

Jasmine returned the smile.