Blurb: Ethan and his friends were just three ordinary high school students-until one fateful night in the woods changed everything. Attacked by a creature they couldn't even identify, Ethan barely escaped with his life. But when his wounds vanish overnight and his senses sharpen beyond human limits, he realizes something is very, very wrong. Nathan who is also called laim , the bookworm, who was with Ethan that day but was distracted by a flower during the incident. Jake, the skeptic, finally starts believing when Ethan hears conversations happening rooms away. As they search for answers, one question looms over them like a shadow. Who or what-bit Ethan that night?
Chapter 1 LIFE AT RIDGEWOOD
Life at Ridgewood High was anything but extraordinary for Liam Carter, Jake Monroe, and Ethan Brooks. They were an inseparable trio, bonded by years of friendship, a shared love for arguing over pointless things, and a mutual agreement that Mr. Simmons' biology class was a special kind of torture.
Each of them had their own talents-Liam was the straight-A student who could solve complex equations in his sleep. Jake was the basketball prodigy and self-proclaimed ladies' man. And then there was Ethan, the adventurer, the thrill-seeker who never backed down from a challenge.
They thought their biggest worry was high school drama and upcoming exams.
They had no idea that their lives were about to change forever.
A Favor That Led to Doom
"Come on, guys, you gotta do this for me," Jake said, leaning against his locker with a cocky grin. "Prija finally agreed to go out with me. Do you know how long I have been waiting for this?
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, the great Prija. You act like she is a goddess or something."
"She basically is."
Liam sighed, adjusting his glasses. "And what, exactly, are we supposed to do for you?"
Jake smirked. "The science experiment! You know, the one where we have to collect soil samples from the woods? I was supposed to go with you guys, but now... well, you see my dilemma.
Ethan scoffed. "Your dilemma is that you would rather chase a girl than pass biology?
Jake clapped his hands together. "Exactly! See, you get me."
Liam frowned. "If Mr. Simmons finds out..........
"He won't! That's why you guys are covering for me. Just tell him I got food poisoning or something."
Liam looked at Ethan, who shrugged.
"...Fine," Liam muttered.
Jake grinned. "That's why I love you guys. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a date to prepare for."
And with that, he was gone.
Into the Woods
The Ridgewood Woods weren't exactly unexplored territory for Ethan. He had been there before-mostly for dares, sometimes just for the thrill. But today, something about the place felt different.
The deeper they went, the thicker the trees grew. The sunlight barely pierced through the canopy, casting long shadows.
Liam shivered. "Let's just get the samples and get out of here."
Ethan smirked. Relax, nerd. It is just a bunch of trees.
They walked further, looking for the perfect spot to dig. That's when they heard it.
A snap.
Liam froze. "Did you hear that?"
Ethan turned toward the sound. "Yeah... Probably just a squirrel or something."
Another snap. Closer.
Liam's pulse quickened. "Ethan... let's go."
Then came the growl.
Deep. Low. Wrong.
From the shadows, a pair of glowing yellow eyes emerged. The creature was massive, its silhouette barely visible. But there was no mistaking it-a wolf.
A huge Animal.
Ethan took a slow step back, raising his hands. "Nice doggy..."
Then it lunged.
Ethan barely had time to react before the beast tackled him to the ground. He screamed as its teeth sank into his arm.
Pain. Burning, searing pain.
He kicked, thrashed, but the animal was too strong.
"Liam-!"
Liam's eyes widened in horror. He grabbed a rock and threw it, hitting the beast on its side. It barely flinched.
"Ethan!" Liam's voice cracked. He grabbed another rock, bigger this time.
But before he could throw it-
Gunshots rang out.
The animal snarled and snapped its head toward the noise. Flashlights cut through the darkness.
"Over here!" a voice shouted.
The animal released Ethan and bolted into the trees, disappearing into the shadows.
Liam rushed to Ethan's side, his hands shaking. "Ethan? Ethan, stay with me!"
Ethan was bleeding badly. His face was pale, his breathing shallow.
Then the flashlights reached them, and men in uniforms appeared.
A police search team.
Rescued, But Not Safe
Liam barely registered the voices around him. Someone was calling for an ambulance. Someone else was talking about "tracking the beast."
But all Liam could focus on was Ethan.
He was burning up. His skin was hot to the touch, his breathing ragged.
"Ethan," Liam whispered, gripping his friend's wrist. "You're gonna be okay, alright? Just stay awake."
Ethan groaned, his eyelids heavy. "What... what was that thing?"
Liam swallowed hard. He had a guess. A terrible, impossible guess.
But he couldn't say it. Not yet.
Because if he was right...
Ethan was rushed to the hospital.
Chapter 1 LIFE AT RIDGEWOOD
08/03/2025
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