Bab 13 : The Song

Dr. Dale stepped back to the wall and pulled a long rope connected to the ceiling. Once pulled, a large cloth came down and revealed a large picture of a werewolf moaning at us. It was really big and I flinched a bit when I first saw it.

"This, is the figure you all are about to face. How is it? Very beautiful, isn't it?" Doctor Dale looked very fascinated at the picture nearby. He fingered the large cloth as if it were a portrait of his mother.

People's views on the definition of beautiful were different and I always tried to be neutral, understanding the beautiful side of other people's views. But for once, I was trying very hard to see the beautiful side of a large, hairy creature with a cold-blooded murderous gaze and sharp, hardened teeth, ready to tear through human skin.

"This is the werewolf last seen by humans. It is made as close to life size as possible. You must be surprised at how big it is beyond your expectations, right? Welcome to reality!" , he said, looking so happy.

One of the troops sitting in the front row of seats raised his hand and Doctor Dale stretched his hand forward, inviting him to speak.

"How can you be so sure that it's that size? It could be smaller or even bigger than that, right?"

"Well, well, well. I'm glad that there are people who doubt me," Dr. Dale said with a friendly smile, "It means I won't be considered arrogant."

He walked to the center and started taking off his clothes. All of us in the audience could only wonder silently at his actions. But all were immediately silent and stunned, as he turned his back to all of us.

From her upper right shoulder to her waist was a horrific scar. The wound had dried up and healed, but the scar was still clearly visible.

The looks on the faces of those of us who were watching almost all of us shuddered in horror and began to wonder if we would get the same scars or even worse. I, who had seen my father's severed hand, still couldn't take it for granted when I saw the trail of horror on the old man's back.

After a while, he turned around and smiled broadly again as if the large wound was nothing.

"I got this wound while trying to protect my daughter. It feels good to sacrifice myself. You all should be like me. You should be happy and proud that you were given the opportunity to sacrifice. I hope that after this class, the doubts in your heart will all disappear." , he explained.

Our focus has reached its peak. Doctor Dale explained how powerful werewolves are and how they move. In addition to their larger size, their stamina and movement are many times greater than humans. But with those advantages, they also have weaknesses.

Silver bullets.

Only silver bullets could penetrate the heart, the only way to kill a werewolf. We all realized that close combat with the werewolves was impossible and tantamount to suicide, long-distance combat was the only best way humanity could choose.

"Now the question is... what are the signs of a werewolf's presence?", Dr. Dale asked, trying to attract audience interaction.

A minute passed and no one raised their hand. I looked around and saw everyone waiting for someone to raise their hand, representing them to answer.

Without hesitation I raised my hand and everyone's attention turned to me.

"With a song." , my words sounded so loud.

The sound of the people around me whispering to each other was even clearer because of the design of this building.

"A song? What song? The red hood girl and the wolf?" Dr. Dale asked, drawing laughter from everyone in the room.

I quickly stood up to make the others stop, "No! No! I'm serious. I've seen it!", I said adamantly.

Instantly the laughter of the troops stopped and the look on Dr. Dale's face turned serious, "Are you sure? Have you seen it?"

I looked back at the poster with the large dark gray werewolf and shook my head, making the people around me start to sneer. The werewolf I saw at that time had a different fur color, as well as the color of its eyes. I looked around and they were all actually gossiping in front of me. Except for Sam in the front who just looked at me with a worried look and also Gerard who was sitting in the back row, he just glanced at me out of the corner of his eye without giving any reaction. I didn't see the princess, Angela. But I'm sure she was the one laughing the loudest among everyone.

Doctor Dale ordered everyone to be quiet with just three claps of his hands and then very politely invited me to sit down after embarrassing me with the red hood girl and the wolf.

The class ended half an hour later after discussing the last remaining packs of werewolves after the great war called the second world war. Everyone rushed to leave the room, and so did I. It's just that I chose to leave when it was already over. It's just that I chose to leave when more than half of the people present had already left. I didn't want to be in the spotlight again.

Some people who passed me or walked past me, sneered at me in whispers loud enough for me to hear and some even openly teased me. I didn't feel ashamed for telling the truth. I repeatedly reminded myself that they were laughing at me because they had never come face to face with a werewolf.

Someone bumped my right shoulder on purpose and said, "Why don't you put on a show and sing that song? Who knows many werewolves will come and watch it." He said, accompanied by the laughter of the other two people walking with him.

I stopped and looked at him with a smirking smile, "Sure. But before that make sure you put on your diaper before you pee your pants from seeing a werewolf!"

The laughter from the other two continued upon hearing my reply, while the man who teased me fell silent with an annoyed face. It's okay Anne, you've got it under control.

"How's the song going? Is it upbeat or sad?", asked someone whose voice was familiar to my ears.

I elbowed the hazel-eyed man in the waist and he laughed then put his arm around me.

"I believe in you, Anne. And the song too," Sam said convincingly, "I've heard one of those."

My eyes widened, "Really?" he nodded.

"Then I told my mom about it and she took me to an old witch doctor. The next day I never heard the song I heard every night again."

"You mean the old witch doctor banished the werewolf that stalked you every night?", I asked in confusion.

He shook his head and released his arms from me, "No. Our family moved out. The song was played by our neighbor, Old Man Edrick. He always plays the song loudly every night."

I gave him my disgusted look and he returned it with a big smile showing his neat row of teeth, "But seriously, my mom used to say that if you hear strange noises in your head, say this mantra 'utinam magnus penisa mox mihi'. Try to do it."

"Utinam magnusa-"

"No-no," Sam said reproachfully, "Utinam, magnus, penisa, mox, mihi. Utinam magnus penisa mox mihi. Only five words, you can do it."

"Utinam magnus, penisa mox, mihi?"

"You did well," Sam praised proudly, "Oh right, don't forget after this we have to go see the horses."

"Isn't that tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow is learning to ride. Right now we're going to choose the horse. Here," he handed me his book, "Please bring my book, okay? Roommate." , he said and walked away without turning around.

"If his father wasn't Mr. Wymond, I would've fed him to those crazy dogs." , I grumbled as I gave her a fist in the air.

"You had a fight with the wind?"

I turned around and saw Gerard standing not far from me, giving me an astonished look. I didn't answer and he stepped closer. It was then that I noticed how strapping Gerard was when he walked. His upper body was wider due to his large chest muscles and shoulder muscles. How was I supposed to know that? Seriously, I've seen him shirtless three times in two days. Maybe tomorrow he'll show me what's down there too.

"If you're abnormal, don't show it openly. People will scoff and start bullying you later." , he said again and walked ahead of me.

I hurriedly caught up with him. For some reason I had a feeling that if I walked with him, no one would dare to scoff. I felt like a remora fish that kept following wherever the shark went and acted like I was the one the other animals were afraid of.

"You remember when I said that I saw a werewolf? I really did. And that song too." I said.

"Mm hmm." , Gerard nodded.

I blinked a few times, "You believe me? You believe what I'm saying?"

He stopped and turned to look at me, "You really heard it, huh? How was the song?"

I paused and stared at him intently for a few moments until I finally gave in, "Forget it. I've had enough ridicule today. You don't need to keep adding to it." , I retorted and then left him.

A surprising thing happened after that. Not far before I left Gerard, the song suddenly appeared. I was rooted to my spot. The sound was getting clearer and my heartbeat was beating faster. I wasn't prepared for the arrival of werewolves in this place. Regardless of how many there were, I was sure it would cause a big mess.