The Encounter

Chapter 3

I spun around, my heart hammering against my ribs. A large, white dog, its teeth bared in a vicious snarl, lunged. The world dissolved into a blur of snapping jaws and searing pain. A chunk of my neck tore away, and I screamed, a raw, animalistic sound. I scrambled backwards, desperate to escape its grip, and finally, with a surge of adrenaline, I wrenched myself free.

I fled, my feet pounding against the earth, the river a dark, rushing ribbon in the moonlight. I couldn't run anymore. The world swam before my eyes, and the ground tilted. I collapsed, the icy water of the river engulfing me. As I sank into the darkness, I saw the white dog, its attack interrupted by a larger, shadowy figure – a wolf, I thought, its form gaunt and wounded.

When I awoke, the soft glow of morning filtered through my bedroom window. I sat up, my body aching, and rushed to the bathroom mirror. No wound. No blood. My neck was smooth and unmarked. A wave of confusion washed over me.

"Mio! Breakfast!" My father's voice echoed through the house.

As I descended the stairs, a sharp, stabbing pain erupted in my head. I cried out, my vision blurring, and I tumbled down the remaining steps, landing with a jarring thud. My father was at my side in an instant, his hands fluttering over me, checking for injuries.

"Mio! Are you alright?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Just a headache," I mumbled, rubbing my throbbing temple. "It hit me right before I fell."

"Painkillers?"

"No, I just need to lie down."

"I'll help you upstairs. I can call the school, tell them you're not feeling well."

In my room, I turned to him, a question burning in my mind. "Dad, how did I get home last night?"

He frowned. "Your friend brought you. She said you were studying at her place when you started feeling sick. You went to the bathroom, and…" he paused, his eyes narrowing, "she said you vomited. Is this your…monthly thing?"

"Yeah," I stammered, a blush creeping up my neck. "Probably just that."

"Alright," he said, still looking unconvinced. "I'll check on you in ten minutes."

As soon as the door clicked shut, I grabbed my phone and dialed Midora.

"Hello?" Aunt Susie's voice boomed through the line. "Mio's on the phone!"

"Hey, what's up?" Midora's voice came on the line.

"Do you know what happened last night?"

"Last night? I was taking care of my brother, remember? That's why I couldn't walk you home."

"Right. I can't remember how I got home."

"Were you out drinking with Candy again? I told you not to without me."

"No! I remember following a wounded dog into the forest, then something with white teeth attacked me, and I think I passed out from blood loss. But I woke up fine!"

"…Mio, are you sure you weren't drinking?"

"Positive."

"Then how did you get home?"

"Dad said a friend brought me back after studying."

"Okay, I'm coming over. We'll figure this out."

Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang.

"You know we have a doorbell, right?" my father said as he opened the door to Midora.

"Yeah, just too tired to ring it," she replied, pushing past him.

"What brings you here? Shouldn't you be in school?"

"What kind of friend do you think I am? Leaving my bestie sick in bed?"

"Mio's resting. Be quiet."

Midora tiptoed up the stairs, then burst into my room. "Hey! I know you're awake!" She jumped onto my bed, the springs groaning. "Someone could have slipped something into your drink. Maybe…"

"I don't think so," I interrupted. "I know what I saw."

"Maybe it was a wolf."

"You think so?"

"It's possible. I was reading…"

"Wait, you were reading?"

"Mio, not funny!"

"Sorry. Go on."

"There have been wolf attacks in the next town over. Some victims even died from their injuries."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Maybe you were attacked, ran before it got too bad, and just thought you were bitten."

"Maybe…"

"Anyway," Midora said, her eyes twinkling. "Tell me about you and the new kid! I saw you two walking to class after lunch."

"It wasn't a date! I just helped him get lunch. Andra was there."

"Andra? Ugh."

I described the lunch hour, Andra's relentless monologue, and David's silent indifference.

"If it were me, I'd have told her off," Midora said.

"Midora, your mom's on the phone!" my father shouted.

"Gotta go!" Midora rushed out.

That night, I dreamt of the wolf attack, and then of the boy who saved me. Only, he was grown now. We were at the river, and then we were kissing. I woke with a start, my heart pounding. I was at the river, wearing only my underwear. I panicked, running towards the school.

Midora was there, at the back gate, with some friends. I told her what happened, and she sent her friends away and gave me her coat, and we walked home.

My father was on the porch, his face etched with worry. "Where have you been?" he demanded, pulling me into a tight hug.

I told him the truth.

"Why didn't you tell me? What if something dangerous happened? How could I face your mother?"

"I'm sorry."

"We're going to the doctor. And we'll report the creature to animal control."

At the doctor's, I was pronounced perfectly healthy, just a little anemic. That night, I dreamt of the boy again, the kiss more vivid. I woke to my father shaking me, the alarm blaring. I'd tried to leave through the window. He locked it from the inside.

A week passed. I convinced my father to let me go back to school. Midora and I were talking before class when the new kid walked in. His eyes…they were the same as the boy in my dreams. He walked towards my desk, and then…

To be continued...