Chapter 4

I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Sage's face transforming, her eyes glowing that impossible amber color, her fingernails extending into deadly claws. Werewolves. The word itself seemed ridiculous, something from horror movies and Halloween stories—not something that existed in my ordinary high school life.

But I couldn't deny what I'd seen. The way her fingers had elongated, the inhuman glow in her eyes, the dent she'd left in the metal locker with just a casual slam of her hand.

"You're losing it, Carter," I whispered to my darkened ceiling, the digital clock beside my bed showing 3:17 AM. "Stress-induced hallucinations. That's all."

When I finally did drift off, my dreams were chaotic and terrifying. I was running through endless woods, something monstrous pursuing me. I could hear its breathing, feel its presence closing in. Just as massive jaws were about to close around my neck, I jerked awake, drenched in sweat and gasping for air.

Mom knocked on my door as I was getting ready for school, her concerned face appearing in the doorway. "Honey? You okay? I heard you crying out in your sleep."

"Just a nightmare," I said, avoiding her eyes as I pulled my hair into a ponytail. "Big game coming up, that's all."

She studied me for a moment too long. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

Something in her tone made me look up. There was an unusual intensity in her expression, almost like... fear? But what would she have to be afraid of?

"I know, Mom," I said, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, really."

She nodded, but didn't look convinced. "Good luck at practice today."

---

School was a blur. I moved through my classes like a ghost, jumping at shadows, examining every student with new suspicion. Were there others like Sage? How many of my classmates might actually be... something else? The thought made me dizzy.

In the hallway between classes, I felt a strange warmth spread through my chest, a sudden calm that made no sense given my mental state. I turned and found Noah leaning against a locker nearby, watching me with those intense eyes. He didn't approach or speak, just gave me a small nod that somehow felt like a lifeline in my sea of confusion.

Throughout the day, he seemed to appear whenever my anxiety peaked—in the cafeteria when Sage walked by with her new clique, outside my classroom when I nearly had a panic attack thinking about what I'd seen. Each time, he didn't intrude, just existed in my space like a silent guardian, and each time, that inexplicable calm would wash over me.

I wanted to ask him what he knew, why Sage had mentioned his name, why she seemed to think he "belonged" in some world I didn't understand. But the words stuck in my throat every time our eyes met.

---

"Carter! What the hell was that pass?" Coach Miller's voice cut through my fog as another ball sailed well over Maya's head and out of bounds.

I muttered an apology, trying to focus on the regional qualifier match that was quickly slipping away from us. The scoreboard showed a tie game with fifteen minutes left, but it felt like we were down by ten goals given how poorly I was playing.

Every time I got the ball, I'd see Sage watching me from her position on the wing, that knowing smirk on her face. My hands would shake, my vision would blur, and another opportunity would be wasted.

"Get it together," Maya hissed as she jogged past me. "What's going on with you?"

I couldn't tell her that I was questioning my sanity, that I was seeing monsters where there should be teammates. I couldn't explain that every time I closed my eyes, I saw glowing amber irises and razor-sharp claws.

When Coach finally pulled me from the game with five minutes left, I couldn't even protest. I sat on the bench, head in my hands, listening to the crowd's murmurs of disappointment. The team captain, benched in a crucial qualifier.

Somehow, we scraped out a win—no thanks to me. Maya scored in the final minute, sending us to the next round of the state championship tournament. The team celebrated, but their glances in my direction were confused and concerned.

As we filed off the field, I overheard two local sports reporters talking.

"Carter's leadership is questionable at this point," one said. "Worst game I've seen her play."

"Maybe it's time for a change in captaincy," the other replied. "That new girl, Blackwood, seems like she's got what it takes."

I quickened my pace, fighting back tears, knowing that Sage had heard every word—and was probably savoring my humiliation.

---

Long after everyone had gone home, I returned to the darkened field. The stadium lights were off, but the full moon provided enough light to see the goal posts and penalty area. I dropped my bag by the sideline and walked to the center of the field, then sank to my knees in the cool grass.

The tears came then, hot and fast, all the confusion and fear of the past few days pouring out of me. I'd worked so hard to be captain, to be respected, to lead my team. And now it was all falling apart because I couldn't handle... what? A hallucination? A cruel prank? Or the terrifying possibility that the world wasn't what I'd always believed it to be?

"Lila?"

I startled at the voice, hastily wiping my tears as I looked up to see Noah standing a few yards away. His face was half in shadow, but I could feel his concern like a physical touch.

"How did you know I was here?" I asked, my voice hoarse from crying.

He hesitated before answering. "I just... had a feeling."

For some reason, I didn't question it. He moved closer, then sat beside me on the grass, our shoulders not quite touching. We stayed like that for a long moment, silent under the moonlight.

"Bad game?" he finally asked, his voice gentle.

I laughed bitterly. "The worst. Everyone's questioning whether I should be captain."

"One bad game doesn't define you," he said simply.

"It's not just the game," I whispered before I could stop myself. "I think I'm losing my mind."

Noah turned to face me, his expression suddenly alert. "What do you mean?"

I shook my head, unable to form the words. How could I tell him what I'd seen? What Sage had said about him?

"You can tell me," he said softly, and something in his tone made me believe him. "Whatever it is, Lila, I'm here."

As I looked into his eyes, illuminated by the moonlight, I felt that strange calm again—like being wrapped in a protective blanket. And for reasons I couldn't explain, I found myself trusting him enough to voice my greatest fear.

"Noah," I whispered, "do you believe in monsters?"