Confronting Jackson

"What the hell is going on?" I could not help but ask myself.

"Karen!" Simon called out desperately, seeing me on the verge of turning around. He rushed towards me, gripping his arm tightly, pulling me back just in time. "Don't look, Karen! Whatever you do, don't look!"

"What's going on, Simon?" I voiced out my question with my eyes closed. "Why did they turn into stones? Please, do something. They're our friends."

Tears welled up in my eyes as the gravity of the situation dawned on me. Fear and disbelief locked in an intense battle on my face. I clutched my arm, seeking solace and answers in my eyes.

In front of me were all our friends turned into stones. The worst part of the case was that my wolf, despite my senses being heightened, could barely hear their thunderous heartbeats anymore.

"Best of luck, my friends," Mr. James said, his words laced with a bittersweet tone. With a wave of his hand, he and the two men in masks disappeared, leaving only a faint ec