Stacy said, “but it’s true. The police say the guy got knocked out in the fight, and they’re not blaming the other combatant for the death, but they’re trying to find and question him anyway.”
“Wait, so the other guy got away?”
“For now, but that’s not the real important bit.”
“And then what is…?”
“The police issued an animal warning.”
“An animal warning?”
“Yes. They say the guy got knocked out in the fight, and when he was unconscious outside on the ground, some animal killed him.”
“An animal sucked his blood?”
“Yes, that’s what they say.”
“But what kind of an animal could do that?”
“They don’t know,” Tracy admitted. “My dad told me they called in specialists from Portland, agents from the CIA and FBI, different scientists, zoologists, and those morgue guys to try to figure it out.”
“So then if it’s all taken care of,” Laura said, thinking, “and there’s no like… hitman, or serial killer on the loose, why were you so worried?”
“Well, they placed that warning out for the animal. They don’t know how dangerous it might be. They told everyone to keep off the streets, especially if they were by themselves. And it happened so close to us, you just never know…”
“Know what?”
“Know what might have happened! You walked alone here this morning, and from school yesterday, right?”
“Oh my God, that’s right,” Laura said, finally understanding the gravity of the danger in her mind.
“That’s why we were worried something might have happened to you. You didn’t come to last class yesterday, after all, and after I started getting the updates from my dad, I just didn’t know…”
“Wow. Well, thankfully nothing happened.”
“That’s right. Thankfully not.”
Chapter Six
~An Unexpected Offer~
Afterschool that day, Laura walked home together with Stacy. News about the animal warning had spread through the entire school, and an assembly was called that day to alert the students to it. There, the principal emphasized that the threat was likely very small in nature, but advised them all to take precautions necessary to make sure nothing untoward happened.
From there, for the second time in less than a week, the school was abuzz with something new. It was like everybody had forgotten all about Logan’s arrival, and now shifted their attention to the bizarre animal warning. Again, all sorts of rumors started going around, from the completely implausible (that somebody had been bitten by a wolf and transformed into a werewolf, and the hitman was the latest victim), to the more sane (that a bear had become rabid and killed the guy). But mostly, everyone was just uncertain. Uncertain about what to expect, and uncertain about the scope of danger facing them.
When Laura got home, her mother raced over to embrace her in a giant hug, proclaiming that her sour mood from yesterday had been forgiven and that she was just glad that Laura was safe. It seemed like news of the death had rattled the entire town of Vancouver to its core, especially here in the suburban area – since it happened in such close proximity.
Stacy stayed the night, and the girls spent time gossiping and watching movies together with Laura’s little sister. Laura debated telling Stacy about what happened Thursday afternoon in school, but ultimately decided not to – at least not before talking to Logan about it. And Stacy, sensing Laura’s decision, thankfully didn’t press the subject.
Sunday evening, just as Laura was about to go to bed, her mom informed her that since there have been no new developments in finding the rogue animal, she was going to drive her to school in the mornings from now on. Laura had no problem with that, and didn’t protest.
On the drive to school on Monday, Laura found herself wondering if she’d see Logan that day. She needed to talk to him. And the sooner it happened, the better it was for the both of them.
Since her mother had to get to work in the morning as well, Laura arrived at school well before her usual time. As she walked by her locker, hearing the echo of her steps bouncing around the empty hallway, she shivered involuntarily and hurried on. Memories from what happened there last week flashed in her mind, but she shoved them down harshly. She didn’t want to stir up any repressed emotions. And the further away she was from this spot, the better.
She entered her first period math class, and found that she was the first to arrive. Mrs. Millburn looked up from her desk to frown at Laura, but otherwise didn’t comment.