Series 5 Episode 2
"Control"
Dead of night. Yasmin couldn’t sleep. All she fancied was a late-night drive amongst the calm and tranquillity of the forest. Her music was playing, the latest album by The 1975 soothing her ears. This was her favourite thing to do when she felt anxious or worried. Nothing cooled her down more than the quiet, empty forest roads, surrounded by mother nature’s creations.
She glanced all around. The only light she had was from the car headlights, illuminating the road and the samey tree trunks. The forest was full of so many secrets, and it scared Yasmin, but at least she had the safety and comfort of the car.
She pulled up at the side of the road, turned the engine off and confidently stepped out of the car. Yasmin stood at an opening into the forest, and without a second thought, she cautiously proceeded down it. Quite why Yasmin stopped the car, she wasn’t sure, but any gut feeling was worth following, Yasmin knew this by now.
Using her phone as a torch, Yasmin looked out for anything that could be helpful. After walking for a few minutes, finding absolutely nothing of note, Yasmin reached a hut, like someone’s personal plot. She pushed the door open, worried about what would be inside, and shone her phone torch inside.
There it was, right in the centre: the grim remains of a body. Yasmin looked at her hands; water was dripping uncontrollably. This was the nix. This was what it did.
She glanced all around. The only light she had was from the car headlights, illuminating the road and the samey tree trunks. The forest was full of so many secrets, and it scared Yasmin, but at least she had the safety and comfort of the car.
She pulled up at the side of the road, turned the engine off and confidently stepped out of the car. Yasmin stood at an opening into the forest, and without a second thought, she cautiously proceeded down it. Quite why Yasmin stopped the car, she wasn’t sure, but any gut feeling was worth following, Yasmin knew this by now.
Using her phone as a torch, Yasmin looked out for anything that could be helpful. After walking for a few minutes, finding absolutely nothing of note, Yasmin reached a hut, like someone’s personal plot. She pushed the door open, worried about what would be inside, and shone her phone torch inside.
There it was, right in the centre: the grim remains of a body. Yasmin looked at her hands; water was dripping uncontrollably. This was the nix. This was what it did.
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Jolting awake. Dylan was sure it wasn’t time yet for waking up. It was too dark outside, and the alarm hadn’t sounded yet. Jono was prodding at him, as if there were a sense of urgency.
“What’s up?” Dylan slurred, not fully awake yet.
“Mom just called, Lily didn’t come home,” Jono explained frantically.
“Is she with George?” Dylan queried. After all, Jono himself was staying over at his boyfriend’s. Maybe Lily was too?
“No, he’s not seen her either,” Jono answered. His face was red, his eyes holding back the force of the impending tears.
“It’s okay, she’s probably gone out and forgotten to tell anyone,” Dylan tried to remain optimistic.
“She’s got anxiety, Dyl,” Jono reminded, “And we still don’t know what she is. What the werewolf blood did.”
He wasn’t wrong. They knew Lily could now heal like a werewolf, but that was all. She didn’t seem to be affected by the full moon, but anything could have affected her body.
“It’s alright, I’ll phone Ed and get him to track her phone. I guess she’s not answering?” Dylan thought logically and sensible. He felt worried and concerned too, but he needed to be the strong one, for Jono’s sake.
“Thanks. George is having a drive around now,” Jono informed. Dylan hated seeing how broken he looked. He was understandably distraught. Dylan knew he would do everything in his power to get Lily home and safe.
Head aching like mad, Lily opened her eyes. Immediately she was dazed, with no recollection of when and where she fell asleep. She examined her surroundings; they were unfamiliar, though she couldn’t make much out. It looked like the basement of a house at least, its aroma dusty, and far from the sort of place Lily would ever have gone of her own accord.
She attempted to get up, but worryingly, she couldn’t move. Her wrists and ankles were restrained tightly, and no matter how much she wriggled, it wouldn’t loosen.
Lily used her next most powerful tool. With no hesitation, Lily screamed, every ounce of breath became her weapon. A light appeared at the top of a weak-looking wooden staircase. A door. The exit. Two pairs of footsteps bounded down. They must have been the kidnappers.
“I don’t know who you are, but you need to let me go,” Lily threatened, “My friends will be looking for me.”
“What are you?” she heard a male voice wonder. She couldn’t see his face, or his friend’s.
“Angry,” Lily yelled, trying to shake herself free. She saw the man holding something. Something shiny, with a little light reflecting off its smooth surface and sharp edge. A knife.
He moved it confidently towards her skin. Lily went from angry to panicked. She couldn’t escape, and her arm was about to be sliced. There was nothing she could do.
Whoosh! A sharp pain slid through Lily’s arm. Blood trickled out at a gentle flowing pace. Then it began to heal. Lily watched as her wound healed entirely. In full view of her kidnappers.
“I’ll ask again, what are you?” the voice questioned.
“I don’t know,” Lily replied desperately. The knife sliced her arm again. It healed just like before.
“What are you?”
“I don’t know, I promise,” Lily repeated. Another painful slice. Another easy recovery. Lily was hoping desperately that Dylan would find her soon. She wasn’t sure she could cope for much longer.
Sprinting towards Yasmin, Freddie was worried for her. Getting a call in the early ours of the morning was always a concern. He had tried to contact Dylan, but he wasn’t answering. Drew and Josh were on their way too, so at least they had some back-up.
Freddie spotted Yasmin ahead of him, stood next to a shoddy-looking hut in the middle of the forest. She looked unusually timid and delicate. He rushed to hug her; his initial priority was to make sure she was okay.
“Wow, you’re soaking,” Freddie noticed. Yasmin had asked him to bring towels, so he was prepared, but not for this amount of water after how little she had managed to control the day before. He gently wrapped the bigger towel over her shoulders. She’d catch a cold if she stayed outside and wet for much longer in the early hours in the morning.
“I came for a drive, then I pulled over, I don’t know why,” Yasmin nervously explained. She was visibly distressed and anxious.
“You’re a harbinger of death,” Drew responded from behind, “This is what you do.”
“I know, it’s not the first time dumbass,” Yasmin hit back, “Although I’ve never found myself soaked afterwards.”
“You’re still learning. We’re here for you,” Freddie smiled, “I’m here for you.”
“I found the body,” Josh called over. Freddie and Drew raced over to the door of the hut to examine it. Freddie couldn’t believe his eyes. The body wasn’t just dead, but it was mauled into numerous pieces. It was a savage attack, and surely nothing with a shred of humanity could have done something so cruel.
“It looks like the body yesterday,” Drew identified.
“What body?” Freddie was confused. What wasn’t Drew telling him?
“Around the corner from the school,” Drew answered.
“What did it?” Freddie enquired, hoping they would have some intel.
“That’s what we’re trying to find out,” Drew replied.
“It’s something new,” Yasmin replied – not having moved from where she was stood. Freddie had no idea what that meant, but he sure as well knew it terrified him.
It felt weird to be driving at such an early hour for Jono. The sun was peeping out from behind the clouds, but it was still relatively dark. It was difficult to keep focused on the road when his mind was anywhere but.
Ed had found a lead on Lily’s phone, which was very promising, but Jono was scared for her. Anxiety was nothing to be flippant about, and though Lily was very capable of looking after herself most of the time, he had seen her at her worst. It was easy to lose balance.
Just in case, Dylan was looking along the sides of the roads. The idea of Lily missing was terrifying the both of them.
“We’re going to find her,” Dylan reassured.
“I can’t help worrying. You know, what if we don’t?” Jono fretted. At least he was able to open up to the person he trusted the most.
“Don’t think like that,” Dylan encouraged.
“It’s hard. I can’t help preparing for the worst. Telling George. Telling mom and dad,” Jono couldn’t hold his tears back any longer. They started trickling uncontrollably down his cheeks.
“It won’t come to that,” Dylan reassured, carefully wiping Jono’s tears away without obscuring his vision of the road ahead, “I’m not going home until Lily’s safe.” Jono knew Dylan meant what he said, too.
Jono turned off into a car park. One he recognised, too.
“This is where Lily comes for therapy,” Jono informed, “She had an appointment yesterday.”
“That’s her car,” Dylan spotted. Sure enough, the familiar sight of Lily’s light blue run-around was alone in the centre of the car park. Jono parked directly next to it, before rushing out to inspect.
“She’s not here,” Jono made the obvious observation. Darn. Lily wouldn’t have just abandoned her car. Something more was going on.
“I’ve got her phone,” Dylan responded from the far side of the car.
“She doesn’t go anywhere without her phone,” Jono knew for certain. It was always on her. Nobody responded to messages quicker.
“This is serious, Jon,” Dylan realised, inspecting the air around the car with his nose.
“Anything?” Jono optimistically queried.
“It’s too confused, exhaust fumes in the way,” Dylan disappointedly replied. Exasperated, Jono sighed. He glanced at the ground. Skid marks.
“Dyl, how fresh are these?” Jono enquired. Dylan used his nose again, tracking the scent of the tyres instead.
“Very,” Dylan responded, “Do you know anything that might help right now?”
“There’s only one person in school who rides a motorbike,” Jono noted. He got back in the car, ready to get his sister back.
Another time the same question was asked. Another slash on Lily’s arm. Another time it healed as if it were never there. The wounds were getting wider each time, and taking a little longer to heal, but her body wasn’t fazed.
Lily was in pain, though. The throbbing sensation was on and off constantly, and it was more than unpleasant.
“What are you?” he asked again.
“Quit it dude,” the girl next to him commanded, “She doesn’t know, leave it out.”
“So much for backing me up,” the man hit back.
“I’m not backing you when you’re making stupid decisions,” she justified, “We need to be smarter about this.” Lily gulped. Somehow, that didn’t put her at ease.
Not leaving the shadows, the girl moved in front of the boy.
“Were you in the woods last night?” she asked Lily.
“No,” Lily replied confidently.
“Where were you instead?” she queried.
“Home, I think,” Lily replied, “I don’t really remember, it was a blur.”
“It’s okay, take your time,” the girl was a lot more reassuring than the guy. Lily’s gut told her to be cautious though. Did they want her for something? She needed to get to the bottom of it.
“What happened in the woods?” Lily wondered.
“We ask the questions,” the boy replied harshly.
“I said shut it,” the girl hit back again, “We were attacked by something.”
“Something,” Lily noted the terminology.
“It didn’t look human,” she continued, “Can you help?”
“My friends can, but they won’t if they find me tied up,” Lily negotiated.
“Untie her,” the girl commanded. It was evident that she was the one with the power out of the two. Lily needed to appeal to her.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” the boy was obviously unimpressed.
“She’s helping us, dude,” the girl defended, “She won’t tell us anything if she’s tied up.”
“If she tries to escape, I’m prepared,” Lily heard the boy threaten as he primed a shotgun. It was a horrifying sound.
Lily watched as the restraints were unclipped. The relief against Lily’s skin was welcoming, but she didn’t feel safe just yet. She wasn’t out of the woods with that shotgun around.
Watching as the deputies carried the body into the morgue, Yasmin felt responsible. She hated her abilities at times. Sure, nobody found dead bodies the way she did, and it often helped provide vital clues, but it was too much. Why couldn’t she save them instead? If only her predictions came a little sooner so she could stop the inevitable. She felt guilty, even though she was well aware it wasn’t her fault.
“Alright, is there anything I need to know?” Ed took Yasmin to the side. She had kept Freddie with her too. He felt like a comfort blanket.
“We don’t know that yet. Drew and Josh are trying to find that out,” Freddie noted.
“I’ve got deputies asking impossible questions already. I can’t explain this without sounding crazy,” Ed continued, “Are you sure it’s, you know, supernatural?”
“Very,” Yasmin responded confidently, “I can’t explain it or give you proof; I just know.”
“Alright. I can’t hold off for long, we’ve got an inspector coming later and they’re going to want answers,” Ed explained.
“Sure, we’ll keep you updated,” Freddie reasoned. He escorted Yasmin towards the lift back up to the exit.
“I feel so helpless,” Yasmin confessed. She didn’t want to admit that in front of Ed – she had to give the impression of being strong and assured, like she knew what she was doing – but she trusted Freddie. He knew her inside and out. No matter their history, he was always somebody she deeply cared about.
“You’re one of the most helpful people I know,” Freddie rebutted.
“I can’t save people. You can fight, you’ve got claws. I just find the bodies like a supernatural undertaker,” Yasmin sighed. Freddie pressed the ground floor button, the lift doors sliding gently shut.
“Your weapon is your brain. You know so much and you’ve saved my ass so many times. Without you, we would all be dead,” Freddie noted. Yasmin nodded. Perhaps he was right. Not every strength was visible, “Besides, I think your body is stronger than you realise.”
Freddie gestured to Yasmin’s hands. They were dripping wet again. It was time she learnt control.
Pulling up at a house on the very edge of town, Dylan didn’t recognise it. Granted, he barely interacted with anybody at school outside of the pack; at least Jono knew where he was going.
It looked like a typical country house, and though it wasn’t far out of town, it still had a significant plot of land directly outside. It felt eerily silent – it was still very early in the morning after all. Jono quickly sped up the wooden steps towards the doorbell.
“Wait,” Dylan whispered, “It’s too early. What if we wake his parents?”
“It’s worth it for Lily,” Jono justified.
“What if it’s the wrong house?” Dylan considered.
“Test it. Look, there’s the motorbike, is it the same one from the therapist’s?” Jono suggested. Dylan utilised his nose. He was pretty great at tracking scents. He knew he was right. Sure enough, the evidence backed him up.
“Definitely here,” Dylan reported back.
“Alright, we’re going in,” Jono decided.
Dylan felt sceptical about involving anybody unnecessarily. It was too late to protest, though. Jono had already rung the doorbell. Dylan listened closely. The sound of footsteps stomping their way towards the door. The scent of anger in the air. Flinging open, Dylan and Jono were faced with a tall, burly bald man.
“What do you want? You’re trespassing,” he threatened.
“I’m sorry, have you seen my sister?” Jono questioned, “She’s missing. She’s my height, blonde, very pretty.”
“No, now don’t make me ask you again, get the hell out of here,” he slammed the door.
“Rude,” Dylan uttered.
“Time for plan B,” Jono grinned devilishly.
Following Josh further into the forest, Drew wasn’t used to being out of touch with the plan. In fact, it made him feel a little on-edge. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Josh, because he totally did, but he hated not being in-the-know.
“Dude, what’s the deal?” Drew nagged.
“I told you, you’ll find out,” Josh responded.
“Why are we even here? For all we know, we could be next if the murderer is still out here,” Drew tried to squeeze information out of him.
“Not we, just you,” Josh corrected.
Drew was very confused. Before he could react, Josh hurtled into him, colliding brutally and shoving him backwards against a regular-sized tree. Drew tried desperately to struggle free, but Josh had already locked his hands behind the tree, tying them together with chains. Drew was furious. What the hell was he playing at?
“What the hell?” Drew exclaimed angrily. He shifted, bringing all of his strength out, “These chains won’t hold me long.”
“You’ll thank me later,” Josh responded, hurling a punch at Drew’s face. His mouth ached like mad. He could feel the distinct taste of blood all over his tongue.
“I’ll rip your throat out later,” Drew growled. Josh primed himself for another punch.
Swoosh!
Josh thudded face-first to the ground. Something had swept past, too quick for Drew to focus. He kept himself shifted. Maybe this was the killer? If so, he was bait.
“I can’t move,” Josh called out, face flat on the floor.
“Dude, you did this,” Drew yelled, not caring for Josh’s predicament.
“I’m helping you, you idiot,” Josh justified, “Who always comes when you’re in danger?”
Drew realised the plan. She always came. Where was she now, though? He needed her once again.
Swoosh!
It passed by again. It was dark in colour, but Drew couldn’t make anything else out. It was getting closer, though. It was coming for Drew.
Rushing back towards the lake, Yasmin was on a mission. She still had time before school, and she was determined to take control of her abilities. She was fed up of being a passenger in her own body. With Freddie’s help, she could become the pilot. She had to.
“Trust me?” Yasmin looked towards Freddie. He seemed uncertain of what she wanted to do, and she couldn’t blame him, but she needed his help.
“Sure,” Freddie nervously responded. Their toes were on the tip of the lake. Yasmin took Freddie’s hand in hers and leapt into the lake, pulling him with her. The brutally cold water slapped against Yasmin’s skin, colliding uncomfortably with Yasmin’s face.
It didn’t take long for her to feel at ease though. The water felt natural all around her body, as if she were at home.
She looked to Freddie, who was staring right back at her. He looked much less at ease. He was losing breath. Yasmin on the other hand hadn’t even thought about breathing. Under the water, she didn’t need to.
Grabbing Freddie’s arm, she heaved him back onto dry land, climbing out of the water. Freddie coughed like mad, his body relieving itself of the extra water he had ingested.
Yasmin placed her hand on his chest. Immediately, he stopped coughing and spluttering. Her hand had power. It was helping him. Healing him. She felt her wet hand getting even wetter, as if it had drawn the extra water out of him. Yasmin withdrew. Freddie looked at her once again.
“Wow,” he smiled, “That was super cool. How did you do it?”
“I don’t know,” Yasmin responded honestly, sitting down next to him, “I just knew I had to do it.”
“Who says you can’t save lives?” Freddie motivated, “But next time, could you please give me a heads-up? I’ll bring my trunks.”
Yasmin laughed. Finally, she felt control. Now it was time to investigate.
Gently breaking the lock on the back door, Dylan pulled it open and cautiously entered the kitchen. He heard Jono gently pull the door to behind them. Both of them were on red alert; even the slightest sound could alert someone to their presence. Ed might have the power to get them out of a sticky situation with the law, but nothing would compare to the bollocking he would get at home from Ed and his mum.
“Have you got her scent?” Jono queried.
“Yeah, she’s definitely here,” Dylan informed. Lily’s scent was strong. She was very close. BANG! Dylan’s heart pumped out of his chest. His mind started racing. That was the unmistakable sound of a gun firing, “Downstairs.”
Jono didn’t need to be asked twice. He rushed ahead to find the way down to the basement. Sure enough, behind a door barely hanging on its hinges in the corridor, was a wooden staircase downwards. Jono led Dylan down without any hesitation.
Surprisingly, they met Lily halfway up; worryingly, she was limping.
“What happened?” Jono queried. He wasn’t sounding as relieved as Dylan expected, but Lily’s leg injury was certainly worrying.
“He shot me, but it’s fine, I’ll heal,” Lily defended, “We just need to get out.”
“Your leg,” Dylan pointed out. The wound was still open and bleeding. It was gruesome and undoubtedly felt even worse.
“Dylan, turn around, I can heal,” Lily ordered. Dylan knew she was right.
BANG!
A gun fired again in their direction, sending Dylan’s heart rate through the roof. Thankfully it missed, but Dylan wasn’t taking any further chances. He sprinted up the stairs and back the way they came in. He ushered Jono, helping a limping Lily, out first, before turning around. He wanted to know his enemy. Sure enough, it was Jake. It was his house after all, but Dylan was sceptical of his usually quiet and reserved classmate. However, he had undeniable proof now. Dami was stood sheepishly next to him.
That was all Dylan needed. He ran off back to the car, ready for Jono to whizz off. He felt scared of what these two amateurs already know, and what they were capable of already.
Sweeping closer. Drew was feeling helpless. The chains around his hands were tighter than he expected, making it incredibly tough to break free. Josh was still stuck on the floor, as if he were paralysed. Both of them were sitting ducks, waiting to be attacked by a creature that tore its victims to unrecognisable shreds. Nevertheless, Drew had his legs. He could kick and fight that way.
Swoosh!
It passed again, as if it were circling him. Taunting him. What’s worse is that Drew knew he couldn’t reason with it. Dylan had shown him a better way, involving words, but this didn’t look like something that would be interested in a conversation. Anything that could tear up bodies like that couldn’t possibly have a better nature. He had to pray for a miracle.
The creature swept by again, just as Drew heard a rapturous noise.
BANG! A gunshot fired in his direction. The creature scuttled off, limping its way on four legs. Drew breathed a sigh of relief, looking to his left to see who fired the gun.
Much to his amazement, it was the person he had been praying desperately for: Allyn. Immediately, she came and broke the chains, releasing Drew’s strained arms.
“Where the hell have you been?” Drew interrogated. He was elated to have finally found Allyn again, but why had she only turned up now?
“It doesn’t matter, we need to get away from whatever the hell that was,” Allyn decided. She wasn’t wrong – they needed to get away in case it came back. It was wounded, but obviously very strong.
“I know where to go,” Drew thought. Mrs. Johnson always knew more than they did, surely she would have some intel?
“We can’t go far carrying him too,” Allyn went to pick Josh up, “Follow me.” Drew wasn’t going to argue. Maybe this is where Allyn and her pack have been hiding out?
Bounding down the stairs, Freddie knew George was home from an early shift at work. He had worked for much of the summer, earning extra money so they could afford to live a little comfortably for a change.
Freddie himself had spent a lot of time looking at part-time jobs, but minimum wage felt pointless. He wanted to do something worthwhile while he earned money. There had to be jobs better suited to his skillset, but none had shown up in Crystalshaw.
Now he was getting distracted again. Any time something supernatural cropped up, Freddie lost his motivation. Ultimately, the way he saw it was that if he didn’t help Dylan out, he’d be applying for jobs from beyond the grave. At least he was making a difference, just a shame it wasn’t paying the bills.
“Hey, what’s going on?” George enquired, immediately joining Freddie and Yasmin at the kitchen table.
“Yasmin saved my life,” Freddie had to big her up. He wanted her to feel appreciated and powerful.
“Dude, it’s ten past seven in the morning, already? Besides, she saves your life all the time, it’s cause you suck,” George teased.
“You should have seen it though. Goddess of water,” Freddie titled her, half-joking.
“Lí Ban,” Yasmin added, “Celtic water goddess. And it’s not that awesome. I don’t know what I did.” Freddie didn’t want her to put herself down any longer.
“You literally took water from my body when I was drowning,” Freddie reminded, “Take the win.”
“You can move in, we might need you for water if I don’t get this overtime,” George toyed. Freddie felt awful. A little extra money could do so much. He had to get a job, even the most basic one. George needed him.
“No,” Yasmin bluntly responded.
“Oh, I was joking,” George clarified.
“No, no,” Yasmin repeated. Freddie recognised this. She wasn’t talking to George, or to either of them for that matter.
“What do you see?” Freddie questioned.
“Us. All of us,” Yasmin answered. A chill went through Freddie’s body. If Yasmin had seen everyone, it only meant one thing – they were all dead.
“What’s up?” Dylan slurred, not fully awake yet.
“Mom just called, Lily didn’t come home,” Jono explained frantically.
“Is she with George?” Dylan queried. After all, Jono himself was staying over at his boyfriend’s. Maybe Lily was too?
“No, he’s not seen her either,” Jono answered. His face was red, his eyes holding back the force of the impending tears.
“It’s okay, she’s probably gone out and forgotten to tell anyone,” Dylan tried to remain optimistic.
“She’s got anxiety, Dyl,” Jono reminded, “And we still don’t know what she is. What the werewolf blood did.”
He wasn’t wrong. They knew Lily could now heal like a werewolf, but that was all. She didn’t seem to be affected by the full moon, but anything could have affected her body.
“It’s alright, I’ll phone Ed and get him to track her phone. I guess she’s not answering?” Dylan thought logically and sensible. He felt worried and concerned too, but he needed to be the strong one, for Jono’s sake.
“Thanks. George is having a drive around now,” Jono informed. Dylan hated seeing how broken he looked. He was understandably distraught. Dylan knew he would do everything in his power to get Lily home and safe.
Head aching like mad, Lily opened her eyes. Immediately she was dazed, with no recollection of when and where she fell asleep. She examined her surroundings; they were unfamiliar, though she couldn’t make much out. It looked like the basement of a house at least, its aroma dusty, and far from the sort of place Lily would ever have gone of her own accord.
She attempted to get up, but worryingly, she couldn’t move. Her wrists and ankles were restrained tightly, and no matter how much she wriggled, it wouldn’t loosen.
Lily used her next most powerful tool. With no hesitation, Lily screamed, every ounce of breath became her weapon. A light appeared at the top of a weak-looking wooden staircase. A door. The exit. Two pairs of footsteps bounded down. They must have been the kidnappers.
“I don’t know who you are, but you need to let me go,” Lily threatened, “My friends will be looking for me.”
“What are you?” she heard a male voice wonder. She couldn’t see his face, or his friend’s.
“Angry,” Lily yelled, trying to shake herself free. She saw the man holding something. Something shiny, with a little light reflecting off its smooth surface and sharp edge. A knife.
He moved it confidently towards her skin. Lily went from angry to panicked. She couldn’t escape, and her arm was about to be sliced. There was nothing she could do.
Whoosh! A sharp pain slid through Lily’s arm. Blood trickled out at a gentle flowing pace. Then it began to heal. Lily watched as her wound healed entirely. In full view of her kidnappers.
“I’ll ask again, what are you?” the voice questioned.
“I don’t know,” Lily replied desperately. The knife sliced her arm again. It healed just like before.
“What are you?”
“I don’t know, I promise,” Lily repeated. Another painful slice. Another easy recovery. Lily was hoping desperately that Dylan would find her soon. She wasn’t sure she could cope for much longer.
Sprinting towards Yasmin, Freddie was worried for her. Getting a call in the early ours of the morning was always a concern. He had tried to contact Dylan, but he wasn’t answering. Drew and Josh were on their way too, so at least they had some back-up.
Freddie spotted Yasmin ahead of him, stood next to a shoddy-looking hut in the middle of the forest. She looked unusually timid and delicate. He rushed to hug her; his initial priority was to make sure she was okay.
“Wow, you’re soaking,” Freddie noticed. Yasmin had asked him to bring towels, so he was prepared, but not for this amount of water after how little she had managed to control the day before. He gently wrapped the bigger towel over her shoulders. She’d catch a cold if she stayed outside and wet for much longer in the early hours in the morning.
“I came for a drive, then I pulled over, I don’t know why,” Yasmin nervously explained. She was visibly distressed and anxious.
“You’re a harbinger of death,” Drew responded from behind, “This is what you do.”
“I know, it’s not the first time dumbass,” Yasmin hit back, “Although I’ve never found myself soaked afterwards.”
“You’re still learning. We’re here for you,” Freddie smiled, “I’m here for you.”
“I found the body,” Josh called over. Freddie and Drew raced over to the door of the hut to examine it. Freddie couldn’t believe his eyes. The body wasn’t just dead, but it was mauled into numerous pieces. It was a savage attack, and surely nothing with a shred of humanity could have done something so cruel.
“It looks like the body yesterday,” Drew identified.
“What body?” Freddie was confused. What wasn’t Drew telling him?
“Around the corner from the school,” Drew answered.
“What did it?” Freddie enquired, hoping they would have some intel.
“That’s what we’re trying to find out,” Drew replied.
“It’s something new,” Yasmin replied – not having moved from where she was stood. Freddie had no idea what that meant, but he sure as well knew it terrified him.
It felt weird to be driving at such an early hour for Jono. The sun was peeping out from behind the clouds, but it was still relatively dark. It was difficult to keep focused on the road when his mind was anywhere but.
Ed had found a lead on Lily’s phone, which was very promising, but Jono was scared for her. Anxiety was nothing to be flippant about, and though Lily was very capable of looking after herself most of the time, he had seen her at her worst. It was easy to lose balance.
Just in case, Dylan was looking along the sides of the roads. The idea of Lily missing was terrifying the both of them.
“We’re going to find her,” Dylan reassured.
“I can’t help worrying. You know, what if we don’t?” Jono fretted. At least he was able to open up to the person he trusted the most.
“Don’t think like that,” Dylan encouraged.
“It’s hard. I can’t help preparing for the worst. Telling George. Telling mom and dad,” Jono couldn’t hold his tears back any longer. They started trickling uncontrollably down his cheeks.
“It won’t come to that,” Dylan reassured, carefully wiping Jono’s tears away without obscuring his vision of the road ahead, “I’m not going home until Lily’s safe.” Jono knew Dylan meant what he said, too.
Jono turned off into a car park. One he recognised, too.
“This is where Lily comes for therapy,” Jono informed, “She had an appointment yesterday.”
“That’s her car,” Dylan spotted. Sure enough, the familiar sight of Lily’s light blue run-around was alone in the centre of the car park. Jono parked directly next to it, before rushing out to inspect.
“She’s not here,” Jono made the obvious observation. Darn. Lily wouldn’t have just abandoned her car. Something more was going on.
“I’ve got her phone,” Dylan responded from the far side of the car.
“She doesn’t go anywhere without her phone,” Jono knew for certain. It was always on her. Nobody responded to messages quicker.
“This is serious, Jon,” Dylan realised, inspecting the air around the car with his nose.
“Anything?” Jono optimistically queried.
“It’s too confused, exhaust fumes in the way,” Dylan disappointedly replied. Exasperated, Jono sighed. He glanced at the ground. Skid marks.
“Dyl, how fresh are these?” Jono enquired. Dylan used his nose again, tracking the scent of the tyres instead.
“Very,” Dylan responded, “Do you know anything that might help right now?”
“There’s only one person in school who rides a motorbike,” Jono noted. He got back in the car, ready to get his sister back.
Another time the same question was asked. Another slash on Lily’s arm. Another time it healed as if it were never there. The wounds were getting wider each time, and taking a little longer to heal, but her body wasn’t fazed.
Lily was in pain, though. The throbbing sensation was on and off constantly, and it was more than unpleasant.
“What are you?” he asked again.
“Quit it dude,” the girl next to him commanded, “She doesn’t know, leave it out.”
“So much for backing me up,” the man hit back.
“I’m not backing you when you’re making stupid decisions,” she justified, “We need to be smarter about this.” Lily gulped. Somehow, that didn’t put her at ease.
Not leaving the shadows, the girl moved in front of the boy.
“Were you in the woods last night?” she asked Lily.
“No,” Lily replied confidently.
“Where were you instead?” she queried.
“Home, I think,” Lily replied, “I don’t really remember, it was a blur.”
“It’s okay, take your time,” the girl was a lot more reassuring than the guy. Lily’s gut told her to be cautious though. Did they want her for something? She needed to get to the bottom of it.
“What happened in the woods?” Lily wondered.
“We ask the questions,” the boy replied harshly.
“I said shut it,” the girl hit back again, “We were attacked by something.”
“Something,” Lily noted the terminology.
“It didn’t look human,” she continued, “Can you help?”
“My friends can, but they won’t if they find me tied up,” Lily negotiated.
“Untie her,” the girl commanded. It was evident that she was the one with the power out of the two. Lily needed to appeal to her.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” the boy was obviously unimpressed.
“She’s helping us, dude,” the girl defended, “She won’t tell us anything if she’s tied up.”
“If she tries to escape, I’m prepared,” Lily heard the boy threaten as he primed a shotgun. It was a horrifying sound.
Lily watched as the restraints were unclipped. The relief against Lily’s skin was welcoming, but she didn’t feel safe just yet. She wasn’t out of the woods with that shotgun around.
Watching as the deputies carried the body into the morgue, Yasmin felt responsible. She hated her abilities at times. Sure, nobody found dead bodies the way she did, and it often helped provide vital clues, but it was too much. Why couldn’t she save them instead? If only her predictions came a little sooner so she could stop the inevitable. She felt guilty, even though she was well aware it wasn’t her fault.
“Alright, is there anything I need to know?” Ed took Yasmin to the side. She had kept Freddie with her too. He felt like a comfort blanket.
“We don’t know that yet. Drew and Josh are trying to find that out,” Freddie noted.
“I’ve got deputies asking impossible questions already. I can’t explain this without sounding crazy,” Ed continued, “Are you sure it’s, you know, supernatural?”
“Very,” Yasmin responded confidently, “I can’t explain it or give you proof; I just know.”
“Alright. I can’t hold off for long, we’ve got an inspector coming later and they’re going to want answers,” Ed explained.
“Sure, we’ll keep you updated,” Freddie reasoned. He escorted Yasmin towards the lift back up to the exit.
“I feel so helpless,” Yasmin confessed. She didn’t want to admit that in front of Ed – she had to give the impression of being strong and assured, like she knew what she was doing – but she trusted Freddie. He knew her inside and out. No matter their history, he was always somebody she deeply cared about.
“You’re one of the most helpful people I know,” Freddie rebutted.
“I can’t save people. You can fight, you’ve got claws. I just find the bodies like a supernatural undertaker,” Yasmin sighed. Freddie pressed the ground floor button, the lift doors sliding gently shut.
“Your weapon is your brain. You know so much and you’ve saved my ass so many times. Without you, we would all be dead,” Freddie noted. Yasmin nodded. Perhaps he was right. Not every strength was visible, “Besides, I think your body is stronger than you realise.”
Freddie gestured to Yasmin’s hands. They were dripping wet again. It was time she learnt control.
Pulling up at a house on the very edge of town, Dylan didn’t recognise it. Granted, he barely interacted with anybody at school outside of the pack; at least Jono knew where he was going.
It looked like a typical country house, and though it wasn’t far out of town, it still had a significant plot of land directly outside. It felt eerily silent – it was still very early in the morning after all. Jono quickly sped up the wooden steps towards the doorbell.
“Wait,” Dylan whispered, “It’s too early. What if we wake his parents?”
“It’s worth it for Lily,” Jono justified.
“What if it’s the wrong house?” Dylan considered.
“Test it. Look, there’s the motorbike, is it the same one from the therapist’s?” Jono suggested. Dylan utilised his nose. He was pretty great at tracking scents. He knew he was right. Sure enough, the evidence backed him up.
“Definitely here,” Dylan reported back.
“Alright, we’re going in,” Jono decided.
Dylan felt sceptical about involving anybody unnecessarily. It was too late to protest, though. Jono had already rung the doorbell. Dylan listened closely. The sound of footsteps stomping their way towards the door. The scent of anger in the air. Flinging open, Dylan and Jono were faced with a tall, burly bald man.
“What do you want? You’re trespassing,” he threatened.
“I’m sorry, have you seen my sister?” Jono questioned, “She’s missing. She’s my height, blonde, very pretty.”
“No, now don’t make me ask you again, get the hell out of here,” he slammed the door.
“Rude,” Dylan uttered.
“Time for plan B,” Jono grinned devilishly.
Following Josh further into the forest, Drew wasn’t used to being out of touch with the plan. In fact, it made him feel a little on-edge. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Josh, because he totally did, but he hated not being in-the-know.
“Dude, what’s the deal?” Drew nagged.
“I told you, you’ll find out,” Josh responded.
“Why are we even here? For all we know, we could be next if the murderer is still out here,” Drew tried to squeeze information out of him.
“Not we, just you,” Josh corrected.
Drew was very confused. Before he could react, Josh hurtled into him, colliding brutally and shoving him backwards against a regular-sized tree. Drew tried desperately to struggle free, but Josh had already locked his hands behind the tree, tying them together with chains. Drew was furious. What the hell was he playing at?
“What the hell?” Drew exclaimed angrily. He shifted, bringing all of his strength out, “These chains won’t hold me long.”
“You’ll thank me later,” Josh responded, hurling a punch at Drew’s face. His mouth ached like mad. He could feel the distinct taste of blood all over his tongue.
“I’ll rip your throat out later,” Drew growled. Josh primed himself for another punch.
Swoosh!
Josh thudded face-first to the ground. Something had swept past, too quick for Drew to focus. He kept himself shifted. Maybe this was the killer? If so, he was bait.
“I can’t move,” Josh called out, face flat on the floor.
“Dude, you did this,” Drew yelled, not caring for Josh’s predicament.
“I’m helping you, you idiot,” Josh justified, “Who always comes when you’re in danger?”
Drew realised the plan. She always came. Where was she now, though? He needed her once again.
Swoosh!
It passed by again. It was dark in colour, but Drew couldn’t make anything else out. It was getting closer, though. It was coming for Drew.
Rushing back towards the lake, Yasmin was on a mission. She still had time before school, and she was determined to take control of her abilities. She was fed up of being a passenger in her own body. With Freddie’s help, she could become the pilot. She had to.
“Trust me?” Yasmin looked towards Freddie. He seemed uncertain of what she wanted to do, and she couldn’t blame him, but she needed his help.
“Sure,” Freddie nervously responded. Their toes were on the tip of the lake. Yasmin took Freddie’s hand in hers and leapt into the lake, pulling him with her. The brutally cold water slapped against Yasmin’s skin, colliding uncomfortably with Yasmin’s face.
It didn’t take long for her to feel at ease though. The water felt natural all around her body, as if she were at home.
She looked to Freddie, who was staring right back at her. He looked much less at ease. He was losing breath. Yasmin on the other hand hadn’t even thought about breathing. Under the water, she didn’t need to.
Grabbing Freddie’s arm, she heaved him back onto dry land, climbing out of the water. Freddie coughed like mad, his body relieving itself of the extra water he had ingested.
Yasmin placed her hand on his chest. Immediately, he stopped coughing and spluttering. Her hand had power. It was helping him. Healing him. She felt her wet hand getting even wetter, as if it had drawn the extra water out of him. Yasmin withdrew. Freddie looked at her once again.
“Wow,” he smiled, “That was super cool. How did you do it?”
“I don’t know,” Yasmin responded honestly, sitting down next to him, “I just knew I had to do it.”
“Who says you can’t save lives?” Freddie motivated, “But next time, could you please give me a heads-up? I’ll bring my trunks.”
Yasmin laughed. Finally, she felt control. Now it was time to investigate.
Gently breaking the lock on the back door, Dylan pulled it open and cautiously entered the kitchen. He heard Jono gently pull the door to behind them. Both of them were on red alert; even the slightest sound could alert someone to their presence. Ed might have the power to get them out of a sticky situation with the law, but nothing would compare to the bollocking he would get at home from Ed and his mum.
“Have you got her scent?” Jono queried.
“Yeah, she’s definitely here,” Dylan informed. Lily’s scent was strong. She was very close. BANG! Dylan’s heart pumped out of his chest. His mind started racing. That was the unmistakable sound of a gun firing, “Downstairs.”
Jono didn’t need to be asked twice. He rushed ahead to find the way down to the basement. Sure enough, behind a door barely hanging on its hinges in the corridor, was a wooden staircase downwards. Jono led Dylan down without any hesitation.
Surprisingly, they met Lily halfway up; worryingly, she was limping.
“What happened?” Jono queried. He wasn’t sounding as relieved as Dylan expected, but Lily’s leg injury was certainly worrying.
“He shot me, but it’s fine, I’ll heal,” Lily defended, “We just need to get out.”
“Your leg,” Dylan pointed out. The wound was still open and bleeding. It was gruesome and undoubtedly felt even worse.
“Dylan, turn around, I can heal,” Lily ordered. Dylan knew she was right.
BANG!
A gun fired again in their direction, sending Dylan’s heart rate through the roof. Thankfully it missed, but Dylan wasn’t taking any further chances. He sprinted up the stairs and back the way they came in. He ushered Jono, helping a limping Lily, out first, before turning around. He wanted to know his enemy. Sure enough, it was Jake. It was his house after all, but Dylan was sceptical of his usually quiet and reserved classmate. However, he had undeniable proof now. Dami was stood sheepishly next to him.
That was all Dylan needed. He ran off back to the car, ready for Jono to whizz off. He felt scared of what these two amateurs already know, and what they were capable of already.
Sweeping closer. Drew was feeling helpless. The chains around his hands were tighter than he expected, making it incredibly tough to break free. Josh was still stuck on the floor, as if he were paralysed. Both of them were sitting ducks, waiting to be attacked by a creature that tore its victims to unrecognisable shreds. Nevertheless, Drew had his legs. He could kick and fight that way.
Swoosh!
It passed again, as if it were circling him. Taunting him. What’s worse is that Drew knew he couldn’t reason with it. Dylan had shown him a better way, involving words, but this didn’t look like something that would be interested in a conversation. Anything that could tear up bodies like that couldn’t possibly have a better nature. He had to pray for a miracle.
The creature swept by again, just as Drew heard a rapturous noise.
BANG! A gunshot fired in his direction. The creature scuttled off, limping its way on four legs. Drew breathed a sigh of relief, looking to his left to see who fired the gun.
Much to his amazement, it was the person he had been praying desperately for: Allyn. Immediately, she came and broke the chains, releasing Drew’s strained arms.
“Where the hell have you been?” Drew interrogated. He was elated to have finally found Allyn again, but why had she only turned up now?
“It doesn’t matter, we need to get away from whatever the hell that was,” Allyn decided. She wasn’t wrong – they needed to get away in case it came back. It was wounded, but obviously very strong.
“I know where to go,” Drew thought. Mrs. Johnson always knew more than they did, surely she would have some intel?
“We can’t go far carrying him too,” Allyn went to pick Josh up, “Follow me.” Drew wasn’t going to argue. Maybe this is where Allyn and her pack have been hiding out?
Bounding down the stairs, Freddie knew George was home from an early shift at work. He had worked for much of the summer, earning extra money so they could afford to live a little comfortably for a change.
Freddie himself had spent a lot of time looking at part-time jobs, but minimum wage felt pointless. He wanted to do something worthwhile while he earned money. There had to be jobs better suited to his skillset, but none had shown up in Crystalshaw.
Now he was getting distracted again. Any time something supernatural cropped up, Freddie lost his motivation. Ultimately, the way he saw it was that if he didn’t help Dylan out, he’d be applying for jobs from beyond the grave. At least he was making a difference, just a shame it wasn’t paying the bills.
“Hey, what’s going on?” George enquired, immediately joining Freddie and Yasmin at the kitchen table.
“Yasmin saved my life,” Freddie had to big her up. He wanted her to feel appreciated and powerful.
“Dude, it’s ten past seven in the morning, already? Besides, she saves your life all the time, it’s cause you suck,” George teased.
“You should have seen it though. Goddess of water,” Freddie titled her, half-joking.
“Lí Ban,” Yasmin added, “Celtic water goddess. And it’s not that awesome. I don’t know what I did.” Freddie didn’t want her to put herself down any longer.
“You literally took water from my body when I was drowning,” Freddie reminded, “Take the win.”
“You can move in, we might need you for water if I don’t get this overtime,” George toyed. Freddie felt awful. A little extra money could do so much. He had to get a job, even the most basic one. George needed him.
“No,” Yasmin bluntly responded.
“Oh, I was joking,” George clarified.
“No, no,” Yasmin repeated. Freddie recognised this. She wasn’t talking to George, or to either of them for that matter.
“What do you see?” Freddie questioned.
“Us. All of us,” Yasmin answered. A chill went through Freddie’s body. If Yasmin had seen everyone, it only meant one thing – they were all dead.