It's only been a week since that fateful day at the mall, and since then, I've gone through the seven stages of grief.
Monday: Shock
I sit silently at the lunch table. My throat felt dry and my head filled with tv Static. Jack and Daniel sit across from me while Flynn is beside me, eating in silence.
"How long has he been like this?" Flynn asks.
Daniel throws a tater tot at me. Jack shrugs.
"Beats the hell out of me. Are you two really dating?"
She nods. "We are."
I look at her, shocked. "WE ARE?!"
Tuesday: Denial
As I'm walking down the hallway with Jack on the way to science class, I ramble to him,
"No way. She must be mistaken. She's gotta be mistaken somehow. You think she could've meant something else?"
Jack looks at me. "Dude, she quite literally said dating."
I stare at him. "B… But… WHAT KIND OF DATING?!"
He rolls his eyes and walks ahead of me.
"Jack! Wait! I need to know!"
Wednesday: Anger
I stood up from my seat and slammed my hands on the lunch table. I was getting tired of this.
"Now you listen here, Flynn! If this is a prank, you can just drop it—"
"SIT YO DUMBASS DOWN."
She shouted with such authority and power, people from across the cafeteria obeyed.
I sat down quietly.
"Good boy."
She shoved a grape into my mouth.
I begrudgingly chewed the grape. Apparently, I wasn't tired enough.
I opened my mouth to take another grape—
Only to see Daniel smirking as he tried to feed me a tater tot.
I smacked it away. "Grow up."
Thursday: Bargaining
"Tom. Tom, you don't understand. I'm not asking you to stalk Flynn. I'm asking you to follow her and see if dating me is a prank."
"And in return, I'll do it for you and Eve."
Tom looked at me, confused. "You got issues, tiny boss."
Maxine barked, as if agreeing.
"Oh, what do you know!?"
Friday: Depression
I held my baby sister, Unis, as we all ate breakfast.
My mother noticed my face.
"Sweetie, I quite literally saw her confess to you. If you're still not sure, then you should be riding the short bus."
Unis, her mouth full of cereal, shouted, "Dort dus!"
I looked at her. "Traitor."
Saturday: Testing
As Flynn and I walked down the road, I decided to do something drastic.
She was talking about how I should start playing baseball again when I reached over and grabbed her hand.
She paused. "What... are you doing?"
My legs grew shaky. Why does she have such control over me?
I cleared my throat. "W... w... what's wrong with holding hands? We're dating, aren't we?"
She looked at me and scoffed. "Whatever, you're so corny. Come on."
She walked forward, dragging me along.
But she didn't let go of my hand.
In fact, she held it even tighter.
A stupid, goofy grin plastered itself across my face.
Sunday: Acceptance
I lay on my couch, Flynn resting against my shoulder as we watched the Wrong Turn movies.
She smelled like bananas and blueberries.
This entire week, I'd been stressing and worrying about nothing.
I finally believed she liked me.
The grip she had on my arm—like a vice—seemed like confirmation enough.
I looked up at the ceiling, a happy smile on my face.
Fuck it. We ball.
It was Monday at school. I was walking to my first period with Daniel.
"So? How's the dating life going, lover boy?" he asked.
I chuckled to myself. "You know, my little apprentice... it's all I've dreamed of. We've only been going out for a week, but it's amazing—when I'm not contemplating my own existence."
"All things considered, Flynn is a great girlfriend. Just this morning, she punched me in the arm and gave me this note."
I pulled out a piece of paper and showed him. It said:
"Kill yourself," followed by a black lipstick kiss mark.
I sighed. "I'm living the dream."
Daniel laughed. "Good for you... I guess. But just wait until I find a woman. Then we could double date. Or triple date, if Jack ever figures out what he likes."
Ever since I met Daniel, it was clear he had a thing for older women.
From confessing his love to our middle school math teacher,
To crying for hours when Samara from Mass Effect didn't have a proper romance option...
Jack, on the other hand?
To be honest, I don't know what he is. He's been asked out by everyone and their grandmother.
Literally. Some guy's grandmother asked him out once. He said no—thank God.
But he doesn't really seem to want to date.
And when he does—whether he's straight or gay—it better not affect his gaming skills.
"So did you want to hang out after school? Or are you busy?" Daniel asked.
I sighed, scratching the back of my head.
"I gotta work late tonight. I promised to give Tom and Eve the night off as an apology for last week. Thursday was... a weird day for me."
Daniel groaned. "Can't wait until I get a job. Maybe Jack's mom could give me one at her shop."
I chuckled. "As if Jack would let you work with his mom. You'd probably never get any work done."
Daniel rolled his eyes—but he didn't exactly disagree.
I suddenly felt a strong arm wrap around my shoulder.
"Yo," Flynn greeted nonchalantly.
I tried to hide my goofy grin—and failed miserably.
"Hey, how are you?"
She shrugged. "Can't complain."
She nodded at Daniel. "Porkchop."
Daniel nodded back. "Attila the Hun."
She punched his arm playfully.
Then she turned to me. "Hey, tonight you and I are watching movies at your place."
I winced. "Actually, Flynn... I gotta work late tonight. So maybe we could do it tomorrow?"
I braced for her to yell at me. But instead, she just sighed.
"Okay. But you're gonna make up for it."
She leaned in, her breath tickling my ear.
"Little spoon."
With a smug smirk, she walked off.
Daniel whistled. "Can't wait to tell Jack about this."
He was taunting, but I didn't care.
For once in my life, things were going my way.
From being held back in second grade,
To losing motivation for baseball—the only thing I thought I was good at back then—
I really thought my life was on a downward spiral before it had even started.
But now?
Now I felt silly for ever thinking it was all bad.
I smiled to myself.
Nothing could ruin this day.
"Shut up, Daniel. Let's just go to class."
Later That Evening – At the Pound
I stared at the container in the corner of the room.
Tubes extended from it like tentacles, each one leading to three cages.
The first cage held Pit and Pat—twin bunny rabbits with white fur and identical black spots just below their chins.
It made them look like they were wearing little bow ties.
The second cage was Old Man Hank's.
An aging hound dog who loved biscuits and chasing things he never quite caught.
And the third tube led into Maxine's cage.
"Tom, buddy ol' pal," I asked, narrowing my eyes. "What the hell is this?"
Tom was packing up his stuff while Eve waited outside in his red sedan.
"It's something I've been working on in the back of my head," he said, walking over. "The container's filled with water, and I rigged a timer that refills their bowls automatically. Makes things easier for people who occasionally forget to change their water bowls."
He gave me a pointed look.
I had to admit, it was kind of brilliant.
Tom was so laid-back you'd forget he was an engineering student—and a damn good one.
"Anything to avoid actually earning the money on your paycheck, huh?" I smirked.
He rolled his eyes, grabbing his bag.
Eve honked from outside.
They had planned on going to the movies tonight.
"Tiny boss, are you sure you can work late by yourself?" Tom asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
I took off my jacket and hung it on the rack.
"Ugh, you sound like my mom. I'll be fine. I'm eighteen. I'm a big boy."
He chuckled and gave me a fist bump. "Whatever you say. See you tomorrow."
With that, he left.
Time passed like I was trapped in a little pocket dimension. If it weren't for my phone, I'd have thought I'd stepped into the Twilight Zone.
My mom called occasionally to check on me.
I traded memes with Flynn, Jack, and Daniel.
I even tried teaching Maxine some tricks.
Keyword: tried.
When I say "sit," she hears, "Try and pee on my shoe."
As the shift wound down and closing time crept up, Maxine began to growl—low and harsh—at the door.
I didn't see or hear anything out of the ordinary.
"Come here, Maxine. Time to go back in the cage."
But she didn't budge.
Her growling intensified.
"Hey, Maxine! Come on, there's nothing out there."
I stepped toward her to grab her collar—and that's when I felt it.
Someone was watching me.
I couldn't see anyone, couldn't hear anything unusual.
But I felt it—like a pair of eyes trying to set me on fire with their stare alone.
A chill rolled down my spine.
I tried to shake it off.
"C-Come on, Maxine… It's probably just a squirrel."
I grabbed her collar and pulled her away toward the back. She barked like mad, resisting every step, but I finally managed to lock her in her cage.
Then I double-checked everything.
Lights off. Doors locked. Everything in place.
I slipped on my coat, but for some reason, I hesitated at the front door.
Just for a second.
Then I stepped out into the night, starting the quiet walk home, Every little noise keeping me on edge.
I tried to keep myself calm.
I was just being paranoid.
I'm fine... I'm fine...
Come on, Isaac. It's Ashvale.
What could possibly happen in Ashvale?
"Hello, handsome."
A voice from behind made me yelp.
I spun around—and there she was.
That woman from before.
The one who licked my hand.
She giggled, unapologetically. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
I glared. "Well, you did. Poorly."
I kept my distance, but she didn't respect it—stepping right into my space.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said, pouting playfully. "I just wanted to see you again."
She was creepy the first time we met. But now? Out here. At night. On a quiet road.
She was terrifying.
But I wasn't going to let her know that.
"Ma'am, this is beyond unprofessional. First, you licked my hand. Now you're following me home?"
I held up my phone. "If you don't leave me alone, I'll call the police."
She giggled again, as if this were a joke.
"Come on, no need for that. I just wanted to see you again."
She reached out, trailing her fingers up my chest.
"Is that a crime?"
I stepped back, firm. "YES. IF IT'S NOT CONSENSUAL."
I took a deep breath, doing everything I could to keep calm.
"Ma'am. I'm flattered. But I'm happily in a relationship."
Her smile faltered. For a split second, her expression twisted. But then it returned.
"Oh? The little man has a girlfriend? That's adorable."
She struck a pose, voice low and sultry.
"But trust me... I think I'm the better option."
I couldn't help it. I laughed.
Hard.
And I made sure to be as loud, dramatic, and disrespectful as possible.
"Oh please. My girlfriend is amazing. She's beautiful. Strong. Sweet. Caring. And not a creepy-ass stalker."
I took a step forward.
"And most importantly? She's not you. Which makes her, like, an eleven million out of ten in my book."
Her smile disappeared, replaced by a cold, bitter frown.
"So I'm not good enough for you? Is that it?"
I stared her down.
"Lady. I don't know you. And frankly? I'd like to keep it that way.
Goodbye."
I turned to leave—
Only to feel a tight grip wrap around my arm.
"You're not going anywhere," she growled.
I yanked, tried to twist away—
But her grip was like iron, just like before.
"Let go of me, you crazy bitch!"
She laughed.
Maniacal.
Loud.
Unhinged.
And her grip tightened—crushing into my skin like a vice.
"AHH—LET GO!"
Her eyes locked onto mine, wide and unblinking.
"I'M PERFECT.
I'M AMAZING!
And you reject me?! After I lower my standards to approach you?"
She sneered, disgusted.
"Your brain must not be working... human."
My heart dropped.
Human...?
"Maybe I should just take you for myself.
Right here.
Right now."
No.
No, no, no—
"I said—LET GO!"
I slashed at her arm with my house keys.
They bit into her skin.
She shrieked.
Then laughed.
Again.
A wild, bone-chilling laughter that made my stomach flip.
"Ooooh, you're so feisty!
Just like you were... all those years ago.
But you forgot—you forgot your place."
That's when I saw it.
Her pupils dilated—then turned yellow.
A glowing, predatory gold.
Her fingernails grew longer. Sharper.
Claws.
Her joints popped and cracked—horrific, unnatural sounds—
as her bones rearranged themselves under her skin.
Fur sprouted from her arms, her neck.
Her teeth elongated.
Nope. Hell no. I'm not sticking around for this.
I turned and bolted.
"You can't run from me, boy!"
Her voice shifted—deeper, raspier, inhuman.
I heard her feet pounding the pavement behind me.
Not heels. Not bare feet.
Paws. Heavy, clawed, and fast.
I glanced back—just once.
Fur covered her body.
Her clothes hung in shreds.
A canine snout jutted from her face.
A monster was chasing me.
Suddenly—
Her claws yanked the back of my jacket.
And I flew.
My body hit the pavement hard. Face-first.
Pain exploded through my jaw and shoulder.
Still, I didn't stop.
I scrambled to my feet.
But before I could run—
She grabbed me by the throat.
Her claws dug in.
I could feel the blood trickling down my neck.
"LOOK at me, boy!
LOOK. AT. ME!"
I clenched my eyes shut.
Refused to see her face.
Refused to give in.
To the fear.
To her.
She squeezed my neck harder,
Her fingers digging into my throat like iron clamps.
"I SAID LOOK AT ME, BOY, BEFORE I PLUCK YOUR EYES OUT!"
Reluctantly, I opened my eyes.
A scream choked in my throat.
Her body was completely covered in fur now.
She was taller, so much taller than she was when she was human.
Her face twisted in a manic, deranged grin.
Eyes glowing with fury, teeth bared like a beast.
I could barely breathe.
Her presence was suffocating.
"Now tell me, little boy," she snarled, her voice vibrating with fury,
"Do you want me?
Or that girl?"
Her gaze pierced me—an unrelenting, hungry stare.
I knew there was only one answer.
Flynn.
"F… Flynn…" I whispered, barely able to choke out the words.
"I choose her."
She snarled, the sound erupting from deep within her chest.
Before I could brace, her claws tightened around my neck.
The pressure increased, suffocating me.
"No one refuses me!
NO ONE!"
Her voice twisted with madness.
"You made a big fucking mistake, boy."
She stopped mid-sentence.
A strange sniffing sound filled the air.
I felt my blood run cold as she sniffed the air—
Then, she leaned down and sniffed my pants.
The laughter came then.
A high-pitched, guttural, sadistic laugh.
Her face twisted into a triumphant grin.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
I pissed myself.
I couldn't breathe.
Couldn't think.
Couldn't move.
I was so helpless.
"Please, let me go…" I whispered.
"Please…" I begged.
My vision blurred.
Everything was fading—
The world around me dimming.
The only thing I could see was her twisted, monstrous face—
Grinning. Laughing.
"I'm gonna teach you a lesson you won't forget… boy."
Her laughter grew louder—
Maniacal, deafening, as my world dissolved into darkness