Shadow

I tug Nana’s well-worn shawl tighter against my shoulders, shivering from a type of cold that leaves my fingers blue, numb, and tingly. Coming to a complete stop, I clap my hands together and then promptly stomp my booted feet against a frost covered sidewalk, silently cursing my twin sister’s name. 

    Out of all the glorious-warm-fall days that she could have chosen to meet up, she decided instead to pick Halloween night, where not only it had rained the entire day away but carried a biting, frigid wind that bled easily into nightfall. The drive here was bad enough, treacherous even. At least a dozen costumed kids ran around wearing chocolate smeared grins amid giggling without a care in the world. Not to mention- 

  “There you are!” A golden mass of curls fills my periphery minutes before my sister’s slim-boned profile comes into focus. “How was the trip?” 

  I wince, not only chilled to the bone but also uncomfortable in her presence. 

  Kate’s expensive perfume coupled with a Hollywood bright smile was enough to send even the sanest packing. She was just… just… perfect in all the ways that I could never be since the death of our grandparents. 

  I shuffled, trying to regain circulation in my trembling legs. The cafe door that she left half-open spewed out gusts of warm air, caressing my face invitingly. “Quiet down, will you? It’s bad enough the town’s already alive tonight…” 

   Kate snorts, shaking out her head. “Come on, CC, it’s not like the town is literally alive.” 

    Why does it feel like that to me, then? 

    Figuring small talk would be better than nothing, I gesture towards the glass door. “Excited much?” 

    Her bright blue eyes practically glow with sheer excitement as she reaches for my arm, her fingers warm and oddly gentle. “Of course! I mean, who wouldn’t?” She starts tugging me towards the entrance, clucking her tongue. “CC, you're practically freezing. How can anything like that even be possible when your car is literally-”

   “Less than a block away, I know.”

    Though it sure doesn’t take much to ice over in this weather. 

    We enter the cafe as one, our booted shoes clapping against pristinely polished floorboards as a rush of gloriously heated air cocoons my frame. Almost instantly, sensation once again returns to my limbs and fingers. Circulation and warmth performing their sacred life beat. 

    “Oh, my goodness, CC, this is going to be absolutely amazing!” Kate latches onto my arm, shaking me in sheer anticipation. “Just wait until you see the room!” 

    I’m dragged along behind my twin, ducking around curious looking diners amid trying not to trip on exposed chair legs. “Kate, maybe we should-” 

    My voice cuts off when her fingernails dig through my thick, fluffy sweater down to the flesh. Her eyes once again flash, a sheen of tears lighting her well known blue hue to a lighter shade. “Just a little further…” She shuffles on forward, the bangles on her wrist clanking as she juts out her arm, a wicked grin framing those red stained lips of hers.     

    For a moment-honest to everything that I hold dear-I truly didn't see the pizazz that my twin has been rambling about for days. It was just a sectioned off part of the cafe, complete with a super colorful mural acting as the ceiling and juxtaposed black-and-white tiles instead of floorboards. 

    I blinked, even scrubbed at my eyes, thinking that I was missing something here. “Kate, its-” 

    But then a match was set to flame, a stocky young man’s profile coming into focus as he held up a candle, illuminating his sharp-boned face. “Ah, I see you ended up finding Chloe, after all.” 

    My nose wrinkled, those hazel eyes of his containing a teasing mirth that made my stomach churn. “I wasn’t trying to run away, if that’s what you're implying.” 

    Kyle-Kate’s fiancé and impossibly a boy that has become as dear to me as a brother-winked. “Right. Come now, we all know Halloween isn’t your favorite time of the year.” 

    To the left of me, Kate burst into laughter before performing a false cough to cover it up. “Show her the room, darling. CC’s going to absolutely adore it.” My twin turned to me, more tears of joy now in her eyes than before as she clasped her hands over her heart. “We spent all day practically working on it along with the staff.”

     Working on the… 

    “But I thought your friends were going to help. You know, Meg, Emma-” 

   Kate shrugged her shoulders, unperturbed. “They were a no show.” 

   “A no show?” 

    “Mmm. Does that bother you?” 

    I fought the urge to flinch, reminding myself that the notion of her being two minutes older than me only blows up her ego more during arguments. 

    The thing was, her friends were normally stuck to Kate like literal glue; always by her side, always shopping together, always helping. And this wasn’t even the first blow off of the week, which worried me more than I would ever openly admit out loud. 

    Shuffling back and forth while nibbling on my lower lip, I attempt a nonchalance vibe. “You know what? Kate, you're absolutely right. This is a big moment for you and Kyle, and I’m super excited for you both!” 

    My twin only blinked at me with long, thick eyelashes, looking concerned almost. 

    Even Kyle didn’t buy it. 

    He bent at the waist, illuminating the various other candles peppered around the circle tables before setting aside his own. “I think you left her too long in the cold, Katie. Her brain seems to have short-circuited.” Kyle extended a massive, callused hand in my direction, sympathy tugging at his lips. “And it obviously being Halloween day doesn’t help any.” 

    Did you have to bring that up? 

   I bite my tongue hard enough to taste my own blood-trying to avoid mentioning that with a single sentence Kyle cut a massive whole-a metallic coppery tang lingering unpleasantly in the back of my throat. 

    Halloween surely comes plenty full of tricks and treats… 

   Tossing my head back to hopefully circulate the stifled air in my lungs, I find myself tilting my head to the side instead. The mural above us appeared to be more than just a sheer masterpiece of color and shapes and carefully used brushstrokes… 

    No, the piece clearly resembled a pumpkin patch with ripe green vines and a figure howling at the silverish moon. 

    Claws extended. 

    Teeth bared.

**************

After Kate had me walk around the cafe’s secluded room at least a dozen times, inquiring that I did indeed love her decoration/style choice, the three of us then took a seat at a far left table. Around us hovered ever slowly deflating pink heart-shaped balloons screaming out in bright letters, Happily Engaged! Photos of Kyle and Kate were taped onto the back wall paneling in a haphazard fashion, showcasing the various trips that they took as a couple. Bits of confetti lined each table, resembling a mix of Halloween ghosts, pumpkins, candy and sports cars to blend their styles. 

    My fork clanked against a plate full of salad dressed up in an elaborate fashion, the nerves of the night finally getting to me. The room was indeed beautifully and thoughtfully decorated, in a sense that gave a cozy vibe of warmth accentuated by at least thirteen candles flickering flames except… I couldn’t relax. Couldn’t think. 

    Kate’s friends were still not here and our three phones, placed in the center of the table, have yet to flash with a text message or a phone call. Not only that, but the diner was slowly dwindling of dinner guests, the pleasant buzz of chatter quieting down to a sheer whisper. 

    When our server came back around, holding up a pitcher of water for refills, that is when I first heard the sound. A loud clattering of sorts that appeared to come from the back alleyway. 

    What the…?

     I shifted in my seat, growing more uncomfortable by the minute as I knocked shoulders with Kate. “D-did you hear that?” 

    “Hmm?” She untangled her fingers from Kyle’s, the gem on her engagement ring shining so brightly I was forced to squint. “Hear what, CC?” 

    “That…that noise.” Slapping my hands down onto the table to ground myself, I shift my gaze towards the only source of moonlight in this space. Even though the window was shut tight to keep the cold air out, the curtains still flapped eerily to and fro… a bulky shadow zipping past moments later. 

    Blood froze in my veins, clogging in arteries and turning my vision spotty black around the edges. 

    “CC, you have to say goodbye. Look, it's not easy for me either-” 

    No, no, my twin didn’t understand. She didn’t understand how horrible it was to suddenly realize that I could no longer talk to our grandparents, no longer cuddle in their scent or plan surprise parties for them just because of how much they meant to me. She didn’t understand how gut wrenching it was to sit at the funeral, tears of grief streaming down my face not only for our loss but also because my fiancé decided to break off our three-year engagement the same day. Kate had walked in wearing nothing but a sparkly lavender hue dress that Grandma absolutely adored with her arm locked tightly to Kyle’s. 

    And by the by, those horrid memories on Halloween day close to five years now flood back to me tenfold. What if this is it? What if we’re next? What if I can’t say goodbye because the first time it fired a bullet straight into my heart and has yet to heal?

     In my sense, goodbye’s have never been a simple farewell but a dreaded ending that was set in stone. “Kate…” 

   Kyle at least has the good sense to peer over his shoulder, dark brows drawing down in concern. “You know, maybe your sister has a point after all. She is an artist.” 

   “Yes, yes, listen to him.” I grip Kate’s arm, sure my eyes are wide and frenzied. “Something’s not right here.” 

   My twin merely laughs it off, raising her hand to gain the server’s attention. “CC’s always nervous, darling. Her gift of artistry tends to send her mind racing. Look, let's just all have dessert, down our champagne and call it a night?” 

   I reeled back as if slapped, hating how she just merely disregarded me like a piece of boring jewelry not worth her time. Wetting my suddenly chapped lips, I’m about to hound Kate for her disbelief in me when Kyle’s phone chimes. 

   He literally jumps in outright alarm, reaching for the mobile and clicking it on. “Huh. Uh, guys, I think we’re in trouble.” 

   He slides the phone in front of our faces where three words were outlined in blue from our friend Meg. Lies. Moon. Wolf. 

   Kate’s jaw falls open at the same time the diner’s door swings inwards, the eerie bell chiming much too pleasantly. A stranger stands there engrossed in shadows for a heartbeat… two, his nostrils flaring as if picking up on a pleasing scent. Our server, carrying three menus containing the cafe’s dessert specialties, dropped them in sheer shock. The metal clasped edges hit the tiles, ricocheting loudly in a formerly quiet place. 

    I flinch just as the stranger flashes a feral smile. “I heard you were open.” His voice grates like nails on a chalkboard, bordering on threatening. “The only cafe left in town still serving at midnight.” 

    He sinks his way inside, all long limbs and full of muscle. Locks of caramel hair drift towards his eyes-a gloriously rich electric green-as he glides into a booth with ease. Our gazes impossibly lock from across the room, a charged hum suddenly buzzing across my flesh. He winks, thick lashes grazing his cheekbone as a silver stud earring glints in his left earlobe. 

   A threat the deepest part of me screamed, causing gooseflesh to erupt along my spine. It is a threat. “Kate, we have to leave.” I accidentally kicked my sister in the shin amid scrambling to grab my pocketbook and phone. “T-this is serious.” 

   The guy, still staring at us, lifts his fingers up in a mock wave. “Well, hello, hello stranger.”

     Kate’s former puzzled expression turns into one of recognition. “Oh. My. Goodness! You must be Meg’s new boyfriend that I’ve heard so much about!” 

    Before me or Kyle even have time to stop her, she springs out of her seat, practically running towards the dude with open arms.

     And then the weirdest thing occurs… one moment there is a strapping young man sitting less than a foot in front of us and the next, when the full moon’s light shines upon him, his entire demeanor changes. His teeth turn sharp and pointy, growing fanglike in quality. Grayish fur erupts across every area of exposed flesh, and those breathtaking eyes take on a haunted red hue. 

    He tosses an arm breezily across my sister’s shoulder as she takes a seat beside him, still grinning like a madman except those hushed words are meant only for me. “Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing, little Chloe. The pack and I have everything under control.” 

   A scream rips from my throat, barely stifled in enough time as a round of howls rattle the building. “K-Kyle, are you-” 

   He merely snorts from across the table, staring down at something on his phone. “Wolf, please. Meg must be partying real hard tonight.” 

    My jaw sat unhinged for a moment, practically gaping at my twin and her fiance`. How could they not see what was clearly in front of them? How- 

    Bubbling laughter came from Kate, who was still rambling on about nonsense as the stranger bit into a very undercooked hamburger. His gaze hardened into a fine line of ecstasy, cold fright dancing around his frame. The poor server dropped the plate onto the table with a clank and practically ran back to the kitchens, not looking back once. 

   All the while, my heart stuttered inside my chest until coming to a complete halt when the stranger crooked a finger in my direction. “Come here, Chloe. I have an offer to be made with you.” 

**************

Thirty minutes later me and the stranger were standing outside while Kate gave me an encouraging thumbs up from the window. 

    I rocked uncomfortably on my heels, dreading what was bound to come next. “So? What do you want? How do you even know my name?” 

   The stranger laughed, causing the metal cans in the alleyway to rattle from such a sharp sound. “The name’s Shadow, if you must know. And I always did enjoy recruiting members for my pack who carried a bite.” 

    He walked circles around me, slowly transforming into the beast that I only caught a glimpse of inside the cafe. 

    I stumbled back in alarm, crashing into the brick wall wide eyed and absolutely terrified. “Y-you’re-” 

   “A werewolf?” Shadow cackled, his bushy tail flicking behind him. “But of course. And if you have any intentions of seeing your loved ones again, including your ditzy sister, then I suggest you join us before the full moon has worn out. We have met before Chloe at this same time just a few short years ago… I was the nightmare haunting you while trying to utter the impossible goodbyes, though you won’t remember. How could you?” 

    He threw his head back and howled, a fine mist coating us as more werewolves seemed to appear out of thin air, snarling and whimpering. 

    Some of them looked oddly familiar. 

    Some of them had dripping fangs of saliva. 

    But all of that, including our missing friends, the mural on the ceiling became nothing more but a hazy blur as Shadow and his pack closed in. 

    Demanding an answer. 

    Threatening, obeying the feisty call of Halloween that had me breaking into a sprint, which would probably only lure me deeper into their trap.