MIA'S POV
I woke up from Jaret's voice bossing my mom and remembered he would stay home in the morning. Mom is going to work now. "Shit!" I jerked off my bed. "Good morning," Davon greeted. He looked so fresh already. I could smell my shower gel all over him. "Davon! You need to go now. I'll meet you outside when I'm done preparing myself," I pushed him near the window. "Why?" his body stiffened, refusing to move. "Because Jaret is back. If he sees you, we're dead. Wait for me in the woods. I'll bring some breakfast. Go!" Davon slowly crawled out the window, staying low. He went to the bushes and continued into the woods. I felt relieved immediately. I went to the door and unlock it when mom suddenly came in. "Mom!" "Jesus, Mia! Don't startle me like that!" Mom was taken aback, seeing me standing by the door, "And why are you still in your pajama?" "Sorry, mom. I woke up late." "Packed your food before I go to work. Jaret is here," mom urged. I followed her downstairs. Luckily, Jaret was still in their room, changing his clothes. Mom gave me the sandwich she had prepared for my lunch. "Mom, can I pack more? I will search for jobs today; you know how hungry that is. Roaming around the street." "Okay, go and pack everything you need, and please hurry. You know Jaret disapproves of that," Mom packs Oliver's lunch. I quickly pulled out a zip-lock bag and packed some food for Davon. I wouldn't be doing this if I still have job. But if I kept taking money from my savings, I wouldn't have anything left for me when I moved out. One more year, and I'll be off by myself. I would have gone to school there if I had relatives in the city, but I don't. Rent is expensive, not to mention my food and other necessities budget. Unlike here, everything is free, and mom pays my tuition fee. I just worked, so I don't need to rely on her for other stuff I need to buy. "Are you that hungry later?" mom was surprised to see the food I had packed. It's suitable for three people. "Big appetite, mom. You know how strolling could lose all your energy. Plus, getting stressed out." "I have never heard of that before, but if you say so. Now put that away before Jaret comes down," mom smiled. I made myself a sandwich for breakfast and ate it in my room. I bathed hurriedly and rode my bike into the woods. My class will start after lunch. Davon and I still have plenty of time to talk while he eat. ******* "Davon!" I called out, searching for him. I remembered I told him to wait for me in the woods, but he wasn't there. Did he go to his grave already? I was about to leave when he jumped in front of me from a tree. I screamed my lungs out and spanked him. "What the fuck, Davon! Don't scare me like that!" I breathe out, calming myself. My heart felt like it would leap out of my chest anytime. "I'm sorry. I was watching you and thought you were about to leave." "If I get a heart attack, you'll be trapped in the notebook again, forever!" I walked away, riding my bike. "Mia! I said I'm sorry!" he followed me, and I let him walk for a few meters as punishment for his actions. I stopped at the hillside. It was one of the picnic areas in town. Other bystanders were around, but the hillside was packed during the weekend. I let out my beach scarf and laid it on the grass. Davon sat beside me while I took out the bag. "Here," I gave him the bag of food I had packed earlier. Of course, I left some for lunch. "Thanks," he ate it all as usual. Werewolves have a big appetite. I'm surprised Davon still maintains his figure despite consuming protein constantly. "What are your plans for today? I'll have class after lunch, but here," I handed him a small sling bag with food and water, "Your lunch." "You know I can hunt for food. I don't want you to get into trouble for me." Davon heard my mom. He was listening close by while she urged me to pack food hurriedly. "Don't worry. I am being careful." "But you can't do that forever, Mia. Maybe I could find some job and help you out." Speaking of a job, I don't have one at the moment. Where would Davon work? He is not familiar with how a human does their thing. He might get in trouble being with my kind. "First, I must teach you about humans. You may have acquainted them in the past, but things are different now." "Sure. When do we start?" "Well, you know the basics about humans. Today, what you need to do to be equipped is to go to school, which is impossible." "Why impossible?" "Because school needs money, and to have money, you need to work. And the first step in school is the nursery, where kids like five years old attend." "Then teach me." Davon is right. I can home-school him for now because I am still searching for a new job, but my schedule will be tight after that. "Okay." My phone suddenly rang. It was Theo. "Theo, what's up?" "Meet me at the public library now, and hurry," Theo ended the call. "Davon, I need to go and meet my friend Theo at the public library. I think it's about the job he is referring to. Are you going to the grave?" I folded my scarf and took my bag. "Can I go with you? I could blend in a while waiting for you." "Fine. But you're huge. You will not fit on my bike, and it would be awkward if someone saw you riding with me. "I'll be right behind you," Davon insists. "Are you sure?" Davon nodded. I ride my back going to the town's public library. I didn't see Davon behind me, but I knew he was somewhere. Theo was at the entrance when I arrived. I looked back and didn't see Davon. I hope he's not lost. "Mia! Come on! My friend is waiting inside." Theo's friend, Alona, resigned from the public library. She's moving back to the city with her family. I'll be the one to replace her. Alona introduces me to the supervisor, Mrs. Maggie Olsen. She's a sixty-year-old woman who seemed very friendly. The government assigned her as the public librarian in our town. This means I will be under the government's payroll as a casual employee. "Nice meeting you, Mrs. Olsen," I reach out my hand. I have a glimpse of Davon entering the library. "Pleasure is mine, dear," Mrs. Olsen shook my hand. She took my information, wrote it down on paper, and returned to her office. Alona will be the one to give me instructions about my job before formally resigning. My job was simple. I'll watch the library, arrange the books, take care of the guest, list all the borrowed books and collect fines when it overdue. "Mrs. Olsen is very understanding. She prefers a working student to get a job here to help them. Just make a call in advance if you can't attend. Make sure to save your colleague's number," Alona instructed. "Copy that." "One of the perks of working here is free books. You can borrow anytime, and the salary is good. The government pays well for casual employees. So, do well. You can start tomorrow." "Thank you so much, Alona. I need this job. You are an answered prayer." "You're welcome. If you excuse me, I still need to finish my shift today. Good luck, Mia." I hugged Theo, thanking him for the job. He met Alona in one of his online games, and they became friends. I'm glad there are benefits you can get from playing online games. "Alona said Mrs. Olsen lives alone in her house at Hems Street. Her husband died of illness." "Do they have kids?" "No. Just her and her pet cats." "Oh, that's sad," I glanced around and saw Davon had gone out. I could bring him to the library tomorrow and let him read books to help him learn more about humans. Theo went home. It's still early for school. Before, I hung out in their house while waiting for our schedule. Now, I need to find Davon. I rode my bike back to the hillside. He suddenly showed up, running beside me. Since Davon will be staying for a while, I need to do something and help him find his family. He can't go on like this forever. Hiding, searching for his pack, and waiting. Nothings happen. "You got the job!" Davon held me close. He was happy for me and supported me all the way. "You know, Davon. I could search for your family online. It's been how many decades. They may have records now. They could be somewhere doing business or have families with humans." "Online? Show me." I told him we could search on my laptop at home or I could do it in school where Wi-Fi is available. He doesn't understand and ignores it."Mia, I want to work."MIA'S POV "Work? What do you mean?" "I have decided. I will find a job so I can help you, and I will start tomorrow." I see the determination in Davon's eyes. "Hey, let's have a deal. Study first. Please read all the books in the library about humans and everything in our world. Only then will I help you find a job? How's that?" Davon thought of it. "Deal," he propose a handshake to seal our deal. That was how they do it in his pack. ******* It's been our daily routine. Davon got up early, bathed, and left before Jaret came home. I made sure I woke up early and packed food for him while he was outside waiting. I felt like a married person. Like what my mom did. Taking care of us. Mom was intrigued why I suddenly became an early bird. I make Jaret an excuse. She knows I don't want to be around him. Every day, Davon checked his grave and went to the library. I gave him all the books he needed to study. He was eager to learn, and because the library was free, he could spend his
MIA’s POV "I~I forgot to call. That's why I came. Sorry," I glared at Davon. "Don't worry. Your friend said he would cover your shift today while you rest. You've been up all night. How's your mom?" "She's fine now. Ah, Mrs. Olsen, could we have breakfast first? My friend is hungry, and I forgot to eat mine hurrying." "Oh, I don't mind. You go ahead. I'll watch the library." "Thank you, Mrs. Olsen." I treat Davon at the fast food. He got the extra-large burger and fries and deserves it today. What he did for me was overwhelming, and I am speechless. It was amazing. "How did you come up with that idea?" "I just thought of it. I got your back, Mia. Now that I am here, I won't let anything bad happen to you." His words mean a lot to me. He melts my heart. It was nice to have someone to watch over you. "Mia? I thought you were on duty. Who's the guy?" “Theo! This is…my….” “Hi, I’m Davon. I’m Mia’s friend,” Davon interrupted, shaking hands with Theo. “Friend? How come
MIA'S POV"His eyes, his eyes!" Theo's voice quivered, panic-stricken him. I pulled him up, but he stepped back, moving away from Davon. He was shaking in fear."I fell on my bike, Davon. I was being careless.""Be careful next time," Davon caresses my cheek, "I know some herbs to put on it.""What the fuck?! Mia, what is he? And you?" Theo stuttered. I blinked my eyes, warning him not to talk. Davon could hear him.We didn't notice Davon started into the woods. He looked back at me and urged me to follow him."Yes, I'm coming," I answered and told Theo to go home, "I'll see you at school tomorrow. I promise I'll explain everything.""You should. Will you be okay alone with him? Because I can come if….""I'll be fine, Theo, and please don't tell anyone what you saw," I ran away and chased after Davon. Theo didn't leave and waited for me to catch up with Davon. He watched us go. He has a lot of questions right now, but I need time to think. If I tell him, Cheska will get mad at him too
MIA'S POV"Then what is he, Mia?" Theo demanded an answer. I know he needs clarification, but I cannot risk divulging the information in school. It can wait.Our classmates arrived, and so as Professor Callahan. I settled in my chair."Later," Theo said, going back to his chair.I am left with no choice but to confess to Theo. If he chooses to tell Cheska, I will accept the consequences of my action. After all, I stole the notebook and hid it from her.Professor Callahan talks about our town legends. Where werewolves used to live in our land along with humans. Humans and werewolves co-exist. But as the years go by, werewolves depart our town for no reason, and since then, no one knows where they are now or do they still live up to this day.Weird. Professor Callahan was so fascinated by legends, especially werewolves. Has he seen one before? And why did werewolves leave our town? In Davon's case, he was left behind. Fifty years in the notebook, who would have dared to wait for him?"Hu
MIA'S POV Mom heard a loud crash and hurried out. Their room was across the corridor, and my brother Oliver was in the center. Oliver didn't hear him. He's probably playing video games and on the headphone. But who wouldn't hear Theo? He's almost six feet tall and medium built. His weight is enough to shake our entire house made of wood. Mom saw him lying unconscious on the floor. "Oh, my God! What happened to him?" "I don't know, Mom. He just fell." I stood next to Theo, shaking him using my feet. Pulling him alone is impossible. He's so heavy. "Help me pull him." Thank God, Mom proposes. We pulled Theo inside my room. Mom laid an extra bed on the floor, and we placed Theo there. She told me to get Vicks Vaporub and smothered him. His skin was cold and pale. "Watch him and call me when he wakes up. Is he sick? Why did he faint? He looked fine earlier." "I have no idea, Mom. Maybe Theo wasn't feeling well already. Who knows," shrugging, I move to the bedside and close the not
MIA'S POV Those predatory eyes startled me. Looking at me with a strangled expression. Theo shut the window and pulled down the blinds. He took the notebook and asked Davon about the creature stuttering. "They are werewolves. I can sense them," Davon wrote. "Holy shit! Werewolves are real, and they ate still here in our town. I thought they were gone," Theo sat on my bed, flabbergasted. "That's the reason why I ask about them in class. If Davon exists, so does his kind. Werewolves are hiding. Lurking in the shadows. They exist!" Davon wrote something. Theo and I are waiting for him to finish his words. "And there's a big possibility that my people are still alive. However, the wolf outside was checking on Mia." "Me? Why me?" Davon went silent. I remember one time when I saw a claw hiding behind the tree—the idea of it as a werewolf didn't sink in me until today. "Maybe they caught Davon's scent and followed it. We need to find a way to break your boyfriend's curse. Those were
MIA'S POVWhen I opened my eyes, I was in the middle of the woods. I've searched the way out, but it was a never-ending trail. That part of the woods was unknown to me. And each time I tried to leave, darkness swallowed me entirely, and I was back where I started. "Help! Can somebody hear me?" I screamed out my lungs. Hoping that someone was out there to save me.Then, I heard a noise nearby. There was shouting, giving commands, and a howl followed. Unexpectedly, a werewolf passed by me chasing the moose. I hid behind the tree quickly, but he was not the only one. "Oh, God!" Frightened, I ran farther from their hunting ground so they couldn't smell my scent until I reached a community in that woodland. A group of natives. "Where am I? This is definitely not my hometown."Hesitation held me back from entering their territory. But I was hopeless in finding help. Fortunately, an older woman came out and invited me in. Without a word, she held my hand, and I eventually felt compelle
MIA'S POV I was in such a scurry, limping. Two steps of my feet were like ten steps for them. I suddenly tripped and fell to the ground. When I saw the wolves approaching really close, I covered my face and waited for them to devour my fragile body. Out of nowhere, Davon appeared in front of me. The wolves stopped and stared at him. They were listening to each other's growling. Davon's eyes are blazing with fury. He didn't shift, but his claws came out with his fangs. The wolves looked at each other, hesitating to come forward. They're like communicating, and one of them jumps on Davon. And with his strength, Davon hoisted the wolf and smashed him into the tree effortlessly. It whimpers and runaway. The other two backed off, tails between their legs, and retreated. "Mia, are you okay?" He squatted, checking on me. "Not really. I think my foot is swelling. I twist my ankle falling on my bike." Davon removed my shoes, and as expected, it started to bulge. Davon helped me to