Hospital Corridor...
The cupboard shook violently as the werewolf growled, drool spilling from its jaws.
Landon gripped the edge of the cabinet, trembling.
"HEY, FURBALL!"
Jojo shouted, his voice thundering down the hallway.
"YOU CALL THAT A JUMP? I'VE SEEN MONKEYS DO BETTER AT THE ZOO!"
The werewolf's head snapped in Jojo's direction.
"____"
Its red eyes flared with rage.
Its claws scraped the metal.
Then—
It leapt.
BOOM.
The creature landed hard, the floor cracking beneath its weight.
Jojo didn't flinch.
His stance was firm, daring it to come closer.
Hope took a step forward, eyes glowing faintly with magic.
"Jojo,"
She said under her breath,
"That transformation... It's not complete."
He glanced at her.
"This isn't natural. He's being forced through it."
She continued.
"That means he hasn't killed yet—he has not met the condition."
Jojo's brow furrowed.
Frown!
"____"
"So, the curse is trying to take over?"
Hope nodded grimly.
Nod~
"If it succeeds, he'll lose his human form—permanently. He might never turn back."
Caroline exchanged a look with Alaric.
"Then we need to subdue him. Fast."
Jojo's fists ignited faintly with Hellfire.
"I'll hold him. Hope—get ready with a binding spell. And no one hurt him unless it's the only option."
The werewolf let out a snarl, its hulking form lumbering forward.
Eyes locked on Jojo.
"COME ON, MUTT,"
Jojo growled.
Growl~
"SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT BEFORE YOU LOSE YOUR HUMANITY FOR GOOD."
And with a roar.
The werewolf charged—
Its claws ripping into the smooth linoleum floor,
Its massive limbs thundering forward like a freight train of muscle and rage.
WHOOSH!
PUFF!
In a burst of hellfire,
Jojo vanished—
Replaced by the flaming skeleton of the Ghost Rider.
Flames licked the ceiling as the Rider's skull gleamed menacingly,
Chains slithering at his side like living serpents.
"____"
SCREEECH!
The werewolf screeched to a halt—
But the floor gave no grip.
Its paws skidded.
Its eyes widened in confusion and panic.
And then—
THUNK.
The Ghost Rider's heavy boot came down—
Right on its tail.
"ARRRRROOOO!"
The werewolf howled in agony, trying to twist away.
WHAM!
A sudden iron-hard punch landed square on its jaw.
But it wasn't from Ghost Rider.
Caroline stepped in from the side, her face cold, focused.
"Stay down, Fido."
She muttered.
At the same time,
Hope raised her hands, her eyes glowing with gold light.
Magical threads shimmered into existence, wrapping around the beast's limbs and torso.
The werewolf thrashed, but the more it fought, the tighter the bindings gripped.
"We have to knock him out."
Hope said quickly.
"It's the only way to force the transformation back—without permanent damage."
Caroline didn't hesitate.
She turned, snapped the leg off a nearby metal desk, and spun it in her grip like a club.
Then she brought it down—
HARD.
THWACK!
The werewolf stumbled.
THWACK!
Its knees buckled.
THWACK!
With one last groan, the beast collapsed in a heap—
Its monstrous form fading slightly.
Ashes from the Ghost Rider's flames danced across the floor as silence returned to the hallway.
Jojo, still flaming and skeletal, looked down at the unconscious form.
"HE'S NOT GONE,"
He growled.
"BUT HE'S GOT A LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY."
Hope knelt beside the boy—
His features slowly shifting back into human.
"We'll make sure he walks it."
"____"
"____"
"____"
The silence was broken by a faint voice.
A strained, desperate cry from somewhere nearby—
"H-Help! Please—someone!"
Everyone froze, turning toward the source.
Jojo's flaming skull pivoted toward the toppled metal cupboard behind them.
"UNDER THERE,"
He growled.
The Ghost Rider stomped forward, fire coiling around his arms.
He grabbed the edge of the iron cupboard, and with a loud hiss, the metal turned red-hot under his grip.
SCREEEECH—CLANG!
In one smooth motion, he heaved it aside.
Beneath it, curled in a defensive ball, was Landon, trembling and covered in dust.
Landon exhaled in relief—
Until he looked up.
Right into the hollow, flaming sockets of the Ghost Rider's skull.
"____"
His eyes widened in horror.
"MONSTER!!!"
He shrieked, scrambling backwards like a wild animal.
"SOMEONE HELP!! GET IT AWAY FROM ME!!"
He spun, tried to bolt—
SLIP! THUD!
Face-first onto the tile.
Jojo winced behind the flames.
FWOOSH.
In a puff of sulfur and smoke, the Ghost Rider vanished—
And Jojo stood in his place, wiping soot from his coat.
"Hey, kid,"
He said gently, kneeling down.
"You're okay now. It's over."
But Landon wasn't hearing any of it.
Still in a panic, he spotted a janitor's mop leaning against the wall.
He grabbed it like a spear and brandished it at Jojo, hands shaking.
"STAY BACK!"
Landon yelled.
"I swear I'll—I'll hit you!"
Jojo blinked at the mop… then looked at Caroline and Hope, deadpan.
"____"
"…I get called a monster, and then threatened with a mop,"
He muttered under his breath.
Landon kept the mop pointed at Jojo like a sacred relic—
Until his eyes caught a glimpse of something just beyond him.
"Rafael?"
The mop clattered to the floor.
Without a second thought,
Landon bolted past Jojo, skidding across the tiled floor, and dropped to his knees beside his brother's unconscious body.
"Rafe—hey, hey! Wake up, man! Please!"
He pleaded, patting his brother's cheek, voice cracking with panic.
But before he could do anything more, a firm hand grabbed his shoulder.
Alaric.
"Calm down,"
Alaric said, voice even, but commanding.
"He's alive. Just unconscious. He needs time."
Landon looked up—
Wild-eyed and disoriented—
And finally took in the full group gathered around him:
Jojo, still dusting soot from his coat.
Caroline, arms crossed, eyes scanning the corridor.
Hope, arms folded, gaze fixed on him.
Alice was just behind them, quiet but alert.
Then it clicked.
His eyes snapped to Hope.
"You… I know you."
He said, squinting.
"You're… Hope. We met."
Hope blinked.
"What?"
"At the Mystic Grill,"
Landon said quickly,
"A few weeks ago. You were sitting by yourself near the jukebox… reading."
Hope's eyes lit up with realisation.
She gave him a small nod.
"Right."
Meanwhile, Alaric finished binding Rafael's wrists and ankles with reinforced straps designed for supernatural containment.
With a grunt, he lifted Rafael onto his shoulder with practised ease.
"We'll secure him at the Salvatore School until he wakes,"
Alaric said.
"Make sure he doesn't shift again."
Caroline stepped closer, brushing Rafael's hair back gently.
"Poor kid. He's lucky his first shift didn't kill someone."
"Or Unlucky,"
Jojo added grimly.
Landon stood off to the side now, shoulders heavy with confusion and fear—
Watching as these strangers before him.
Alaric adjusted Rafael's unconscious form on his shoulder, preparing to carry him out.
But just as he turned, a hesitant voice broke through the tension.
"Wait—"
Landon stepped forward, voice quivering but determined.
"Where are you taking my brother?"
Everyone paused.
Alaric turned, eyes calm but unreadable.
"To a place where he can be kept safe. Where he won't hurt anyone—or himself."
Landon looked from Alaric to Rafael, uncertainty flickering behind his eyes.
"Is he… going to be okay?"
Alaric gave a short nod.
Nod~
"If he gets the right help—yes."
Before Landon could say more,
Hope walked up to Jojo, gently tugging his arm, pulling him slightly away from the group.
Alice caught the motion and raised a brow, a teasing smile ghosting her lips before she turned her attention to Caroline.
Hope leaned close, her voice barely above a whisper.
"When you head back to Forks,"
She said softly,
"I'm coming with you."
Jojo's brows lifted.
"You sure?"
She gave him a look.
Mischievous.
Certain.
"Try and stop me."
And with that, she winked and turned on her heel—
Walking away with a smirk playing across her lips, boots echoing down the corridor.
Jojo exhaled slowly, scratching the back of his neck, an amused sigh escaping him as a silly smile tugged at his lips.
Sigh~
From within his coat, his AI assistant Sara's voice crackled softly in his earpiece.
"All video and audio records of the werewolf event have been purged from the hospital's internal servers. Surveillance coverage in the entire ward has been looped and masked."
"Thanks, Sara,"
Jojo muttered under his breath.
"Standard DMC cleanup protocol: flawless, as always."
Jojo moved to rejoin the others, casting one last glance at Landon—
"____"
Who stood in silent worry over his brother—
And then to the long, dim hallway where Rafael's fate had just changed forever.
Alaric led the way, still carrying Rafael's unconscious body with practised strength.
Caroline flanked his side.
Hope trailed behind with Jojo and Alice, the tension of the recent confrontation still lingering in the air.
Behind them,
Landon hesitated—
His hand was gripping the frame of the door.
"____"
His heart was racing.
His thoughts scrambled.
A monstrous dog.
A man engulfed in flames.
His brother is turning into… that.
It was like something out of a nightmare.
But Rafael was his brother.
And if he didn't speak up now—
"Wait,"
Landon called out, jogging to catch up.
Everyone turned.
He planted himself beside Jojo, his voice unsteady but resolute.
"I'm coming with you. I don't care what's going on—I'm not leaving my brother with strangers."
There was a silence.
"____"
Hope glanced toward Jojo, curious how he'd respond.
Jojo looked at Landon for a moment, gaze unreadable, then spoke with calm certainty.
"You won't be left out. First, we're meeting your parents. They deserve to know everything—and to decide how best to help Rafael moving forward."
Landon's jaw tightened, but he nodded.
Nod~
"Good,"
Jojo said, giving him a reassuring nod.
"You've got guts. You'll need them."
With that, the group resumed walking, exiting through the now-quiet hospital halls.
Outside, the night was cool and silent, but the tension hadn't eased.
Jojo tilted his head slightly, acknowledging the report without a word.
Behind him, Landon followed closely—
Still overwhelmed, still scared—
But determined to stand beside his brother, no matter how dark the path ahead became.
Minutes Later...
A lone alley behind the hospital served as their exit route—
Dimly lit and quiet, far from the chaos unfolding at the main entrance.
Jojo, Alaric, and the others moved swiftly.
As they stepped into the open air,
Jojo handed Landon his phone.
"Call them,"
He said firmly.
"No panic, no drama. Just tell them Rafael is safe and they need to come quietly. Now."
Landon nodded, still trying to catch his breath from the night's insanity.
His fingers trembled as he dialled the number.
The line connected.
"Mom… Dad… It's me. I'm okay. But—listen—Rafael's with me. He's hurt, but he's safe. Please… come to the back side of the hospital. Don't make a scene. Just trust me."
It didn't take long.
Hospital Back...
Ten Minutes Later...
A silver SUV pulled up.
The headlights flashed across the group, illuminating the grave expressions and the sight of Rafael—
Still unconscious, strapped in with magical bindings inside the backseat of Alaric's car.
Maria and Hector Gonzales stepped out of the SUV, confused, panicked.
They rushed forward.
"Landon!"
Maria cried, embracing her son before her eyes locked onto her foster son's limp body.
"Rafael? What the hell happened?"
Jojo stepped forward, calm and steady, hands visible.
"Ma'am. Sir. I know this looks insane—but please, we need you to step into the car. I promise, we'll explain everything. But not here. Not in public."
Their expressions darkened with suspicion.
"____"
"____"
Hector instinctively stepped in front of his wife.
Maria held tightly to Landon.
"Who are you people? This looks like a damn kidnapping!"
Hector growled.
Jojo met his glare head-on.
"I understand how this looks. But your son is caught in something... bigger than what you know. Bigger than medicine or police can handle."
Landon gently stepped between them.
"Dad. Mom. Please. Trust me. They saved my life. And they saved Rafael's, too. Just… come with us. You'll understand soon."
The parents exchanged a tense look, then slowly nodded.
Nod~
Jojo gestured to the SUV.
"Please. We'll drive together. You'll have your answers."
Maria hesitated, casting a long look at Rafael through the window.
Then, with trembling hands, she nodded and got in.
Hector followed, still tense but silent.
As the convoy of vehicles pulled away from the hospital under the cover of night,
Jojo glanced in the rearview mirror—
Landon was sitting, pale but composed.
Along with his parents.
The hum of the tires was the only sound for several minutes.
Maria Gonzales sat stiff in the front seat, clutching her purse with white knuckles.
Beside her, Hector stared, eyes darting to Landon every few seconds.
In the back seat,
Landon sat between his parents and the unconscious Rafael,
Whose breathing had calmed, but whose wrists and ankles remained bound with magical sigils barely visible in the dim light.
"Where are we going?"
Maria finally asked, her voice trembling.
"Who are you people? What happened to my son?"
Hector followed, sharper and more demanding.
Jojo kept his eyes on the road, his voice calm.
"All your questions will be answered. I give you my word. But it's not something I can explain in a moving vehicle. Once we reach Salvatore School, you'll understand."
Landon placed a hand on his father's shoulder from behind. "
Just trust them, Dad. Please."
Hector's jaw tensed, but he nodded.
Nod~
"____"
An Hour Later...
Salvatore Boarding School...
The black gates opened with a soft groan as the cars pulled in.
The old manor stood tall and silent, lights glowing softly in the windows.
Despite its serene exterior, a strange heaviness clung to the air—
Almost like the place was aware of who had just arrived.
Alaric Saltzman stood at the entrance, arms crossed.
Caroline was beside him.
Hope leaned against the doorway, observing curiously.
Jojo helped the Gonzales family out of the car.
Two students wheeled Rafael, still bound and unconscious, toward the infirmary under Caroline's supervision.
The rest were escorted inside.
Principal's Office...
Moments Later...
The room was warm, wood-panelled and softly lit.
Books lined the shelves, and photos of students—
Some smiling, some looking oddly intense—
Decorated the walls.
Maria and Hector sat across from Alaric, while Jojo, Hope, and Landon remained standing nearby.
Alaric leaned forward, folding his hands on the desk.
"I know this is overwhelming,"
He began, voice measured,
"But your son—Rafael—is... special."
Maria narrowed her eyes.
"What do you mean by 'special'? Is this some kind of medical condition?"
Alaric exchanged a glance with Caroline, then looked back at them.
"No. This isn't a hospital. It's a school for people who were born different. Your son, Rafael… is a werewolf."
The room fell silent.
"____"
"____"
Hector's brows furrowed.
"Excuse me?"
Jojo stepped in gently.
"Tonight wasn't just an accident. Rafael's transformation was triggered by trauma and stress. It was his first time turning. Painful. Confusing. Dangerous."
Maria blinked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"But… that's not possible."
Hope stepped forward, her tone firm but kind.
"It is. I'm a tribrid—witch, vampire, and werewolf. There are others like me here. Like Rafael. This school is meant to help them learn control… and find a place where they belong."
Jojo added,
"Had we not arrived in time, Rafael could've killed someone. Or lost himself to the curse entirely."
Hector slumped back in the chair, eyes hollow.
Maria's hand clutched his.
"What happens now?"
She asked, her voice trembling.
Alaric looked at them with quiet gravity.
"That's up to you. But if you want him to live, to thrive… then he needs to stay. Here. With us. Where can we help him control this part of himself?"
The parents exchanged a long, heavy look.
Then—
Maria turned to Jojo.
"Will he be safe here?"
Jojo nodded.
Nod~
"As safe as he can be. If he graduates, he can even work for me. At DMC."
With a shaky breath, Maria whispered.
"Then… help him. Please."
Even though she couldn't believe fully what they were saying by Landon's reaction when they claimed Rafale is a werewolf, he looked helpless, like he had witnessed it.
All she knew was that Landon would never hurt his brother.
**********************************************************************************************************************************************************
(Author's POV)
(A/N):
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review and power stone!!!