“The Wolf Within”

Yousef's rising breath sounded more like a muffled growl.

His face tightened, his eyes sparked with fury, and his body trembled with rage.

Within seconds, he began to transform before Sarah's trembling eyes…

Her breaths quickened, her steps retreated in panic, her feet frozen with fear.

In a piercing moment, Yousef turned into a furious wolf—majestic in form, covered in fur, his eyes glowing with a bloodthirsty fierceness.

He stepped toward her, his claws digging into the wooden floor, and his roar filled the room.

Suddenly, the door burst open.

Eva entered, standing confidently in front of the wolf, looking at him with a mix of amazement and thrill.

Eva (with astonished tone):

"Wow… a real wolf!"

But the scene gave her no time to be stunned.

Adam stepped in, his small hand shaking as it clutched the trigger of an old weapon, his eyes brimming with fear.

He raised the gun hesitantly… then—

The gunshot echoed through the room.

The bullet pierced Yousef's shoulder. A muffled cry escaped him as he staggered back, then leapt fiercely through the window, fleeing with his wounded body.

Sarah rushed to Adam, snatching the trembling gun from his hand and pulling him into her arms.

Adam (crying but brave):

"I won't let anyone hurt you, Mom!"

⸻

At a distant door, Yousef—bleeding and in pain—staggered.

He knocked once, then collapsed.

In that moment, his wolf form faded, and he returned to his human shape, covered in blood.

Inside, Judy and Noah sat on the couch, stunned by the sight.

They quickly rushed to help him.

They laid him on the bed.

Judy began treating his trembling wound, while Noah stood frozen, staring at him in awe.

Yousef opened his eyes slowly… the first thing he saw was Noah's face, filled with undisguised admiration.

Noah (with a goofy smile and hoarse voice):

"Are you… are you a werewolf?!"

Judy (sharply, as she continued treating him):

"Stop it, Noah!"

Despite the pain, Yousef smiled at the innocence in Noah's eyes.

Yousef (weakly, with a faint smile):

"Am I really that cool?"

Judy (without looking up):

"Who shot you, Yousef?"

He froze for a few seconds.

The scene returned to him like stabbing flashes. The sound of the gunshot… Sarah's terrified eyes… Adam's tears.

His eyes filled with tears, and his lips trembled with the words.

Yousef (in a broken whisper):

"Am I… am I a bad person?"