R. Stine - Werewolf Skin

Would I have to confess that I lied to them?

No, I decided. I had a better plan.

“I’m going to sneak out tonight and take pictures of the Marlings’ house,” I whispered into the phone.

“Huh? Alex? Why are you whispering?” Hannah’s voice rang shrilly in my ear.

I was whispering because my aunt and uncle had only one telephone. An old-fashioned black phone set on a table in the living room. And the two of them were in the next room preparing dinner. I could see them from the armchair I slumped in.

“Hannah, I’m going to hide at the side of the house,” I whispered. “And I’m going to snap some pictures of whoever-or whatever-jumps out of that bedroom window tonight.”

“Do you have a sore throat or something?” Hannah demanded. “I can’t hear you, Alex.”

I opened my mouth to repeat what I’d said-but Aunt Marta entered the room. “Dinner is ready, Alex. Who are you talking to?” she asked.

“Hannah,” I told my aunt. “I’ve got to go,” I said into the phone. “Talk to you later.” I hung up the receiver.

I hoped that maybe Hannah might want to sneak out at midnight and keep me company. I’ll have to ask her later, I decided.

Yawning, pretending to be very sleepy, I went to my room a little after ten o’clock. A few minutes later, I heard the lock click outside my door. My aunt or uncle had locked me in again.

But this time, I fooled them. This time, I was prepared.

Before dinner, I’d jammed a wad of bubblegum into the latch. The door wasn’t really closed.

Once again, I pulled on an extra sweater. And checked out my camera. And waited, gazing at the bed-table clock.

Just before midnight, I swung the camera case over my shoulder. Slid the bedroom door open easily. And crept out of the house, under the white light of the moon, ready to solve the mystery of the Marlings.

I cast a quick glance at the Marlings’ house. Then I turned away and trotted across the wet grass to Hannah’s house.

No lights were on. The storm door in back hadn’t been shut. The wind made it swing open, as if inviting me in.

But I made my way up to Hannah’s bedroom window on the other side of the house. Silver moonlight washed over the glass, making it reflect the trees like a mirror.

I couldn’t see inside. But the window was open a few inches.

“Hannah-?” I called in a loud whisper. “Hannah-are you awake?”

I heard someone stirring inside. The curtains shifted. “Who’s there?” Hannah called out sleepily.

“It’s me!” I whispered, standing on tiptoe. “It’s Alex. Come to the window.”

“Alex? What are you doing out there?” she demanded.

“I’m going to take photos of the Marlings,” I told her. “Come out with me, Hannah.”

“Huh? Photos?” she called out. “But it’s so late, Alex. I was asleep, and-”

“Every night I hear howls from their house,” I told her. “And then someone-or something-jumps out of their bedroom window and runs into the woods. My uncle says it’s their dogs, but-”

“I told you,” she interrupted. “The Marlings don’t have dogs. They’re werewolves. I know you don’t believe me. But it’s true. Your aunt and uncle know it’s true. But they don’t want you to be scared.”

“That’s why I want to take photos,” I explained. “I mean, I could be the first person in the world to get a werewolf on film! Get dressed, Hannah. Come on!” I pleaded. “I want you to see too.”

“You’re crazy, Alex! Get back in the house!” Hannah warned. She appeared at the window. She pulled it up higher and leaned out.

“I’m not coming out there,” she insisted. “It’s too dangerous. You told me about those two animals you saw. They were ripped to shreds-right? If the Marlings see you, they’ll do the same thing to you!”

Her words sent a cold shiver down the back of my neck. But I was desperate to solve the mystery-and to snap a great photo.

“They won’t see us!” I told her. “We’ll hide behind the bushes at the side of the house.”

“Don’t say us,” Hannah called out. “I’m not doing it, Alex. I’m too scared. I’m warning you, go back inside.”

“Please!” I pleaded. I grabbed her arm. “Come on out, Hannah. You want to see the werewolves too-don’t you?”

“No way!” She jerked her arm away. “Go home, Alex,” she repeated. “It’s not a game. It’s really dangerous.”

“Listen, Hannah-” I started.

But she slid the window shut.

I stared at the reflection of the trees in the glass. Maybe she’s right, I thought. Another cold shiver ran down my back. Maybe this is a big mistake. Maybe it is too dangerous. If the Marlings catch me…

I gasped when I heard a low growl.

I froze.

I didn’t have to turn around. I knew from the sound.

A werewolf-it had sneaked up behind me.

Another low grunt made me cry out.

My knees started to collapse. I took a deep, shivering breath and spun around to face the creature.

No.

Not there.

No one there.

I swallowed. Swallowed again. My mouth suddenly felt bone-dry.

Another growl. I realized where it came from. From the back of the Marlings’ house.

They’re about to jump out the window, I told myself. Those are the sounds I hear every night just before they climb out the bedroom window.

And I’m standing out here in the open. I’ll be the first thing they see!

My legs didn’t want to work. But I gritted my teeth, took a deep breath-and forced myself to move.

My sneakers slid on the wet grass. I slipped, but I didn’t fall.

I scrambled to the bushes that divided my aunt and uncle’s house from the Marlings’ house.

I dropped to my knees, panting noisily. My heart pounded so hard, my chest hurt.

I ducked my head. And grabbed for the straps on my camera case.

A high, shrill animal howl floated out from the Marlings’ open bedroom window. The light of the moon made the side of their house gleam.

The yard was nearly as bright as day. Everything glistened from the frosty dew.

Ducking low behind the bushes, I could see every leaf, every dew-covered blade of grass.

I tugged at the zipper of my camera case. I knew I had to pull the camera out-fast. But my hands were shaking so bad, I couldn’t budge the zipper.

Another howl made me turn back to the window.

A shadow moved.

A leg slid out.

Another leg.

A slender form dropped to the ground.

It all happened so quickly. As if time had been put on fast-forward.

My eyes on the window, I struggled to unzip the camera case.

Another body crawled out from the darkness of the Marlings’ bedroom window.

Two forms stood on the ground and stretched.

Two humans!

Not wolves.

Humans.

What were they wearing?

Capes?

Dark fur capes, draped over their shoulders, hanging heavily behind them.

They had their backs to me. I couldn’t see their faces.

Hands on their waists, they stretched, bending back, bending from side to side, as if limbering up their muscles for a long jog.

And then they raised their heads to the moon-and howled.

Turn around! I pleaded silently, trembling behind the bushes. Please turn around! I want to see your faces!

“Ohhhh…” I uttered a startled moan as their fur capes began to move. The heavy capes began to curl around them, to tighten around their bodies.

And I realized they weren’t capes. They were some kind of animal skins.

Furry skins. With arms. And legs…

The dark skins wrapped themselves tightly over the two humans. The fur spread over their bodies, slid over their heads, covered their legs, their arms, their hands.