The fog hung thick over Bellingham, Washington, on Sunday, April 19, 2015, cloaking Eldridge Avenue in a gray veil. Ethan Cross woke in his bedroom, the soft patter of rain against his window pulling him from another restless sleep. Tomorrow was Monday, marking Ryan Matthews's return to school after a week's absence. Seven days had passed since Ethan's Minecraft gaming session with Jamie, a fleeting escape from the chaos that had upended his life. This week had brought both progress and challenges, and as Ethan sat up, his sweat-damp sheets clinging to his skin, he took stock of it all.
The good was undeniable. Ethan's strength had surged, his muscles hardening, his reflexes sharpening. He'd tested himself in secret, lifting weights in his garage that should've crushed him and sprinting laps around the backyard faster than any human should. He was certain now: his power surpassed anything ordinary. Even better, Mia had warmed to him, her smiles and easy chatter in class making her more than just a classmate. She felt like a friend—maybe more. Ethan's heart raced at the thought of asking her on a date, the idea thrilling but tempered by fear of rejection, a ghost of the shy boy he'd been before the ritual.
But there were challenges, not quite "bad." Controlling his strength in public was a constant struggle. He'd nearly crushed a doorknob at school, the metal groaning under his grip, and had to ease up during P.E. to avoid drawing attention. It was exhausting, but he was adapting, learning to move with deliberate care. The dreams, however, offered no such control. Every night, they returned: flames roaring around him, warm yet fierce, and a massive wolf with fiery eyes staring through him, unyielding. The wolf sat bathed in fire, its presence both comforting and menacing, as if it were part of him, waiting to be unleashed.
Tomorrow loomed large in Ethan's mind, a mix of anticipation and dread. Ryan's return was a chance to demand answers—why had Ryan targeted him, what had the ritual done? But fear tempered his resolve. Ryan hadn't contacted him since that night, despite surviving the ritual's chaos. Is it vampire rules, or is he plotting something worse? Ethan couldn't wrap his head around it. The memory of Ryan's red eyes haunted him, the mystery too deep to unravel alone.
Ethan paced his room, the floorboards creaking under his newfound strength, and weighed his options. Should he wait for Ryan to approach him or take the initiative? Waiting felt passive, leaving him vulnerable to Ryan's terms—a secluded meeting, maybe, where Ryan could act unpredictably. No, Ethan decided, he'd confront Ryan first. If he chose the place—a crowded hallway, the cafeteria—he could control the encounter, minimizing the risk. The ritual's events still scared him, but he had no choice. Facing Ryan head-on was the only way to get answers and protect himself.
He thought about asking Jamie for advice and picked up his phone to call him. As the call connected, he heard Jamie's voice, loud and frantic, over rapid keyboard clicks. "Hi, Ethan! I'm in a 1v3 right now! Got noob teammates, and I'm carrying the team. I'll get to you in a sec!"
Ethan laughed, the normalcy of Jamie's gaming chaos a brief reprieve. I'd be sweating like him if things were different. "Okay, buddy, I understand," he replied calmly.
After a minute of silence, Jamie spoke, out of breath. "Sigh, finally done. Didn't think I'd survive that 1v3. Damn lucky."
"Glad you're having fun, Jamie," Ethan said, his tone shifting. "I need your help with something."
"What's up?" Jamie asked, the clicks fading as he focused.
"I need a plan for tomorrow. You know Ryan's coming back, and he's the only one who can give me answers right now."
Jamie was quiet for a moment before replying. "That's tricky, but I think you should observe him first. See if he tries to talk to you or what he's up to. If he doesn't approach you, then you can go to him, but be cautious. We don't know his plan."
Ethan nodded, even though Jamie couldn't see. He's right. "Yeah, I'll watch him and pick a public spot if I need to confront him. if something happens i don't think he can compel the whole school."
"Exactly," Jamie said. "Stay sharp, man. You got this."
"Thanks, Jamie," Ethan said, ending the call. He sat on his bed, the rain's rhythm steady outside. Jamie's advice grounded him, but the weight of tomorrow pressed harder. Ryan's dangerous, but I'm not the same kid he dragged into that ritual. His strength, his senses—they were proof of that. He just needed to use them wisely.
Ryan's POV
For the past week, I've been racking my brain, trying to come up with a plan to deal with Ethan. Nothing solid yet. The most disturbing question keeps circling: Was Ethan already supernatural before the ritual? If he was, why didn't he act sooner? Or did the ritual awaken his supernatural side? If so, does he have full control of his power or not?
For now, the best move is to return to school and monitor him from a distance. If things go south, I can use Frank as a scapegoat. Speaking of Frank, that bastard's been acting like he runs the show, demanding I tell him everything. Let's see how long you keep up that act, Frank. You're only alive because you're useful.
As for Lady Freya, even if Frank dies, as long as we deal with Ethan, I can pin the blame on him. I'll brand Ethan as another supernatural causing the killings, and Freya won't punish me. The thought brought a grim smile. I grabbed my phone and dialed Frank's number.
"Frank," I said when he picked up.
"Ryan," he replied, his voice cautious.
"We need to figure out what to do about Ethan," I said, keeping my tone firm.
"Yeah, I've been thinking about that too. What's your plan?" Frank asked.
"We're not confronting him yet," I said. "We don't know what he can do. For now, we monitor him from afar—watch his moves, see if he slips up. We need to know if he's in control or not. No direct interaction."
"Got it," Frank said. "I'll keep an eye on him at school. You do the same?"
"Yeah," I agreed. "We stay smart about this. No mistakes."
"Fine by me," Frank said. "Let's keep it quiet."
I hung up, satisfied for now. The plan was simple but solid. Ethan was a wildcard, but if I played this right, I could stay one step ahead. Freya's shadow loomed, but I'd deal with her when the time came. For now, Ethan was the priority—and I wouldn't underestimate him again.
Third Person POV
Ethan stood by his window, the rain streaking the glass as he stared into the fog. Tomorrow would bring Ryan back into his world, a collision he both craved and feared. His strength, his dreams, the wolf—they were pieces of a puzzle he didn't fully understand, but he was done hiding. Jamie's advice echoed in his mind: observe, be cautious, and choose the ground. He nodded to himself, resolve hardening. I'll face Ryan, and I'll get my answers. The wolf's fiery eyes flashed in his memory, a call to action. Whatever he was becoming, he'd meet it head-on.