You’re special

Jayden’s POV:

I couldn’t run. My feet wouldn’t move. Something deep inside me screamed to go back, to make sure my mom was okay. I turned around and ran back into the house, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. The metallic smell of blood hit me as soon as I stepped inside.

My eyes locked on the scene before me. The man lay lifeless on the floor, his body surrounded by a dark pool of blood. My mom stood over him, her breathing ragged, her hands trembling.

“Mom?” My voice was barely a whisper, but it was enough to make her turn. Her eyes, wide and filled with panic, met mine.

She rushed toward me, grabbing my arm. “Jayden, listen to me,” she said, her voice low but urgent. “You need to stay calm.”

I stumbled back, shaking my head. “What... what have you done?” My voice cracked. “You’ve killed him!” My whole body trembled as I stared at the blood. My chest felt tight, like I couldn’t get enough air.

“Jayden, stop!” she hissed, her hand clamping over my mouth. “Don’t scream. Don’t make a sound.” She glanced toward the door, her eyes darting nervously.

I struggled to breathe, my head spinning. “Mom,” I mumbled against her hand, my voice muffled.

She removed her hand slowly, her grip on my arm still firm. “Jayden, he’s not human,” she said, her voice trembling but steady. “I didn’t kill a human. I killed something... something else. He’s a werewolf.”

Her words didn’t make sense. My mind was racing, trying to process what she was saying. “A werewolf?” I repeated, my voice barely audible.

“Yes,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “He wasn’t human. He came here to hurt you, Jayden. I had no choice.”

I backed away, my legs feeling weak. “But... but this is murder. What if someone finds out? What if the police—”

“Stop!” she cut me off sharply. “If you scream, if anyone hears us, we’re in danger. Do you understand me?” Her voice softened, but her eyes were still filled with fear. “I did this to protect you.”

My breath hitched, and I looked at her, searching her face for answers. “Protect me? From what?”

“From them,” she said, gesturing toward the man’s lifeless body. “They’re after you, Jayden. They’ve always been after you.”

I stared at the body, my stomach churning. “Why? Why are they after me?”

She hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Because you’re special,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’re not like them. You’re stronger. They want what’s inside you.”

I shook my head, my hands trembling. “I don’t understand. None of this makes sense.”

She stepped closer, placing her hands on my shoulders. “You don’t have to understand everything right now,” she said softly. “But you need to trust me. I’m doing everything I can to keep you safe.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “What are we going to do with... with him?” I gestured toward the body, my stomach twisting at the sight.

She took a deep breath, her expression hardening. “I’ll take care of it,” she said firmly. “You don’t need to worry about that.”

My heart raced as I watched her. “What if someone sees? What if someone comes looking for him?”

“They won’t,” she said quickly. “He came alone. No one knows he’s here. But we need to move fast. Go to your room, Jayden. I’ll handle this.”

I hesitated, my legs feeling like they were rooted to the floor. “Mom, I... I can’t just leave you to deal with this.”

“You have to,” she said, her voice firm. “You need to go upstairs and stay there. Lock your door. Don’t come out until I tell you it’s safe.”

I nodded slowly, my mind numb. My legs felt like lead as I climbed the stairs, each step heavier than the last.

When I reached my room, I shut the door and locked it, just like she’d said. I collapsed onto my bed, my heart still racing.

My mind was a mess, tangled with fear, confusion, and questions. What did she mean by “special”? Why were they after me? And what was she going to do with the body?

I pulled the blanket over me, trying to block out the world. But the images wouldn’t leave my mind. The man’s lifeless body. The blood. My mom’s trembling hands.

I closed my eyes, but sleep wouldn’t come. Every sound in the house made me jump. The creak of the floorboards. The faint hum of the refrigerator. The distant sound of a car passing by.

And then, I heard something.

A soft thud.

My eyes snapped open, my breath catching in my throat.

Was it my mom? Or was it something else?

I sat up, straining to hear. The sound came again, louder this time. It was coming from downstairs.

My heart pounded as I slid out of bed, my feet touching the cold floor. I crept toward the door, my hands shaking as I unlocked it.

I stepped into the hallway, the darkness pressing in around me.

“Mom?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

No answer.

I moved slowly, my heart racing with every step. The sound grew louder as I reached the top of the stairs.

And then I saw it.

The basement door was open.

A chill ran down my spine as I stared at the dark opening.

“Mom?” I called again, my voice trembling.

Still no answer.

I took a step closer, my hands gripping the railing. My legs felt weak, but I couldn’t stop moving.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, a shadow moved in the darkness.

I froze, my breath catching in my throat.

“Jayden,” a voice whispered, low and menacing.

It wasn’t my mom.

My heart stopped as the shadow stepped into the light.

It was him.

The man who was supposed to be dead.

His eyes locked onto mine, a twisted smile spreading across his face. Blood dripped from his mouth, and his movements were slow but deliberate.

“You think you can get rid of me that easily?” he said, his voice cold and haunting.

I stumbled back, my legs trembling. “No,” I whispered, my voice shaking.

He took a step closer, his smile widening. “This isn’t over, Jayden.”

I turned and ran, my heart pounding in my chest. My mom’s voice echoed in my mind. Run, Jayden. Run.

But this time, I didn’t stop.