#Chapter 79: Dire Circumstances

They must sense something because their pace quickens. When we hit the stream, they take a right through the water, splashing me and adding to my discomfort. I buck up and tough it out, but soon we are back out of the water and below the mountain, ready to climb. Then I smell it. Blood. And pine. It’s Alex! We can’t see him yet and begin making our way up the mountain, but the progress is slow and my sight is back to zilch. The smell is getting stronger, and my body is beginning to tingle. That familiar tingle. We must be getting really close… Suddenly, Rita rears back and I slide off. She shoots forward and my eyes follow her and Charles. I still can’t see anything, so I run to get closer until my developed night vision locks onto the sight that is driving them. Below an overhand of rock, in a small crevice, lies a werewolf. It isn’t moving—and I know it’s Alex! Another werewolf, Ryan, is crouched over him, like he’s about to go in for the kill. I scream, unable to stop myself.