Chapter 5

Preston had reached his house an hour after his little talk with Lawson. In an hour he'd have to apologize to Tracey and show up to her party. "Why is this day so long?" Preston groaned as he jumped into the shower.
He quickly cleaned and got dressed. When he went downstairs to grab a quick snack his dad walked in the front door. He was frowning. Something was wrong.
"What's up Pops?" Preston asked as he reached into the fridge to pull out an apple.
"An animal attack."
"You mean the one at the Grill?"
"No, this time it didn't leave it's victim alive." Mr Hale's face was grim.
"You mean, the person died?" Preston asked.
"Yes, Preston. It means he died. What else?" Mr Hale snapped. His brown eyes were hard. He had a frustrating day. It seemed everyone was afraid of the wolf threatening their once quiet, peaceful town. What else could go wrong?
"Well sorry! I can't help be the perfect son, Dad! Not everyone is like you, you know! I'm not a crime specialist, I can't determine just by talk that the wolf attack victim is dead." Preston growled and left. He got in his car. A blue Dodge Ram he had gotten for his seventeenth birthday. He drove it down the long winding road and turned the long corner. He sighed and looked down for a brief moment. This day couldn't have been more horrible.

When he looked up he was startled to see a jet black wolf standing in the middle of the road. It's black eyes staring intently at Preston. He swerved to hit the animal and almost bailed off the side of the road. "Stupid animal," he muttered and continued driving. He didn't even notice the hair on the back of his neck and on his arm was sticking up. His instincts told him to be wary of the animal but he paid no attention.
He pulled into Tracey's long, smoothly paved driveway and parked near a row of cars. He wasn't the first one here. Tracey would be mad.

Preston made his way into her house. From the outside he could hear the music thumping. Surely his dad would be here to "quiet the kids down".
Tracey was waiting for him.
He entered the big house and spotted her leaning on a table. She was standing with Lawson. He walked over to them and sighed. "Tracey, look I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you, I was just sidetracked. Distracted. I thought how horrible I was being for not bringing my stuff to practice. I'm not fit to be captain."
"Preston, it's alright. We... er, all make mistakes sometimes. Right?" Lawson said, glancing at Tracey.
"Yeah." Tracey agreed, she was looking down.
"Is something wrong?" Preston asked, his eyebrow cocked questioningly.
"Uh, no. Let's go dance," Tracey smiled and grabbed his hand. She lead him to her living room and began dancing. He wouldn't be able to hear her talk, the music was blasting and he had to furrow his eyebrows. Soon The Time by The Black Eyed Peas began to play. Tracey's favourite song. He danced with her and looked around her house. Cups and bowls laid everywhere.
He continued scanning the room and met his gaze with Lawson. He looked tense. Something was wrong and he didn't know what.
"Trace, I'm going to get air for a second," Preston said and headed outside. Tracey frowned but nodded.

Preston leaned over the railing on the patio. He breathed in the cool, fresh night air. It seemed natural to be outside. He looked at the moon. He hadn't noticed how full it was getting recently. It would be full tomorrow night. He smiled and looked at the front yard. Many people were outside chatting. Some party. He sighed and turned around to go inside.
He opened the door, closed it and made his way to the living room once again. He searched for Lawson but he wasn't where he was standing ten minutes ago. Instead he spotted his best friend slow dancing with his girlfriend. Odd. Maybe she just needed a dancing partner, Preston thought. It was a slow song and Tracey hated to dance alone. He was about to let them enjoy their song when Lawson leaned down to kiss Tracey. His lips touched hers and she didn't even pull away.
"What?" Preston gasped and Lawson looked up, Tracey as well. They both looked startled. Like a deer caught in headlights.
Tracey pulled away and shoved Lawson off.
"Preston!" Lawson called but Preston was already storming out of Tracey's house. Both Lawson and Tracey following behind.
"Preston wait!" Tracey cried.
Preston whipped around. "What?" He hissed. "So I can see my girlfriend and best friend make out again? No thanks."
"We weren't making out," Lawson said and stepped forward.

Preston sighed. "How long has this been going on?"
"What do you mean?" Lawson asked.
"You damn well know what I mean," Preston snapped.
Tracey flinched and Lawson laid his hand on her shoulder. Trying to comfort her. "Three weeks," He looked down.
"You've been dating for three weeks? My best friend. My girlfriend." Preston shook his head. Disgusted.
"I'm sorry," Tracey pleaded. A tear running down her cheek. Lawson wiped it away but Tracey pulled his hand away.
"You might as well take my hockey team away as well," Preston hissed.
Lawson looked away.
"Oh right, they don't like me as well. Well captain, have fun running the team. I quit. I don't want anything to do with you two anymore," Preston turned around and headed to his house. He'd have to go through the dense forest first.
"Preston, don't leave me!" Tracey cried but he had already disappeared through the trees.