A/N: (Removed author note - not part of the narrative) + 

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I was walking down the dark street, heading home after a late night studying at a friend’s. Eight o’clock, almost. The moon was my only light. + 

Used to be scared walking home alone. Not now. Not anymore. Calming, almost. Cleared my thoughts. Relieved stress. School stress. Girls throwing themselves at me. Stress of being popular and keeping up the straight facade. If only they knew. + 

My thoughts spiraled. Flashbacks. The day I came out to my mum and sister. I always kinda knew. Checked guys out more than girls since I was thirteen. Fully realized it then, accepted it. Told them. Big mistake. + 

I thought they’d support me. Love me for who I am. Wrong. Neglected me ever since. Made me feel unloved, lonely… just complete shit. Didn’t even care when I started getting bullied at school. + 

It was bad. I let them win. Razor and the voice in my head. Needed relief. It gave it. Got so bad, the principal called my mum, told her to transfer me. + 

So we did. Moved to Doncaster when I was fourteen. Four years now. Haven’t let the secret out, afraid of being bullied again. Thankful for last year of high school. A few months away from freedom. But it’s hard when the voice constantly reminds me how worthless I am. + 

I neared the street my house was on and picked up my pace. I could start to make out the edge of the woods next to my house when I felt… watched. Slowed down, stopped. Looked around. + 

Moon was brighter tonight. Adjusted my eyes. No one near me. No one out tonight. But the feeling didn’t go away. + 

Feet picked up again. Speed walking. Nearing the door. Looked behind me. Scanned my surroundings. Nothing. No one. + 

Just being paranoid, I thought. I knew my mum would be in her room. Sneaked into the quiet house, didn’t want her to know I was home. She’d yell at me anyway, for bothering her with my existence. + 

Took in the familiar space, the smell. Past the kitchen, living room, to the hallway and stairs. Climbed them quietly. Saw the faint light under my mum’s door. She was on the opposite side of my bedroom. Dashed lightly on feet to my bedroom and gently closed the door. + 

Released a breath. Dropped my bag next to my desk by the window. Wasn’t tired. Went over to the window, shuffled the curtains open. Stared out into the night. Trees loomed. Beautiful night. + 

Checked my phone. 8:10. Didn’t have school tomorrow. Weekend. A small walk through the woods. That’s what I needed. Always helped clear my thoughts. There was this path, led to a small meadow I adored. Sometimes I’d lay in the cool grass for hours. + 

Grabbed my phone. Headed out of my bedroom, down the stairs, out the door in one breath, as sneakily as I could manage. + 

Cool night air hit my face. Breathed it in. Felt some of the adrenaline fade. + 

Made my way to the edge of the woods, found the beginning of the path immediately. Started on it, winding through trees, dodging bushes. Patches of bright moonlight shone on the greenery. + 

Knew the path like the back of my hand. Path ended, moonlight burst through. Small meadow. Glowed with wildflowers and uncut grass. + 

Walked to the middle, sat down, laid on my back. Shivered slightly, adjusted. Cool air brushed a breeze. Eyes started to grow heavy. Not unusual to sleep out here. Welcomed it. Needed the rest. Darkness surrounded me. + 

< > + 

Woke up, still laying in the meadow. Moon hanging above me. Sigh deeply through my nose. Dug my phone out of my pocket. 11:37. + 

Felt a chill. Shivered. Decided sleeping out here for the rest of the night was a bad idea. Pushed myself up, stretched. Looked back to the moon for a second before moving to the path. + 

Heard a sound. Broke through the air. Terror went through my body. + 

A low, deep howl. Stopped, frozen. Sounded like a wolf. A big one. Close. Bad feeling again. Started to move. + 

Fear hit me. Heard rustling, branches snapping. Footsteps. Close. Quickened pace to a run. Someone following me. + 

Don’t look back, a voice yelled in my mind. But I did. Turned my head, craned my neck. To my surprise, no one. Stopped running, panting. Listened closely. + 

No footsteps. No rustling. No snapping branches. + 

Breathing evened. Sigh of relief. Then confusion. Sure someone was here. Shrugged. Thought I’d think about it later. Needed to get home. Turned towards the direction the path would lead me to my home when I saw something that made my heart stop. + 

There, in front of me. A huge werewolf. Piercing blue eyes. Beautifully dangerous. Fear ran cold. Wolf stared deeply into my eyes. I didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. Just stood there, staring back. + 

Broke eye contact. Decided to run. + 

Turned back, started to sprint. Heard thundering paws behind me. Gaining on me. Pushed myself faster. Wolf faster. + 

Jumped in front of me. I fell back. Took a step towards me. Scrambled away. Got up quickly, ran again. + 

Growled behind me. Something hit my back, head. Fell to the ground in pain. + 

Last thing I saw as black spots formed and took over was the wolf standing over me, looking directly into my eyes. + 