Chapter 5 Aria

I could blame the strange feeling in my chest on the long day or on the way Silverpine smells different at night, like pine and cold air mixed together. But honestly, I just couldn't sleep. I keep shifting around, fluffing my pillow, then tossing it away, and pulling it back again. Nothing helped. My brain refused to settle, and I kept replaying everything from school. More unfamiliar faces, teachers that spoke too fast, and Luca, the most popular badboy of Silverpine High who had somehow managed to annoy and intrigue me at the same time. His name reminded me of that Pixar animation I loved as a kid, Luca, though he wasn’t in any way like the character. And I didn't like the way my skin prickled whenever I felt his intense gaze on me.

Mom thinks the quiet here will help us both. Maybe she is right, but tonight the quiet feels heavy, almost too much.

I check the time on my phone. 11:52pm. It has only been twenty minutes since the last time I looked, but it feels like hours. I turn onto my side, press my cheek into the pillow, and try to go to sleep. Maybe counting sheep would help. One sheep, two sheep, three sheep, … I groaned loudly. It wasn't working. The air had a chilly bite to it so I pulled my blanket up to my chin and closed my eyes, determined to force myself to sleep.

Then I heard it.

A long, low howl broke through the silence. It was distant, but in a way that sent a prickle up my arms. I open my eyes slowly, unsure if I imagined it. Silverpine is mostly the woods, so maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was a stray dog. Just like the other night. Or maybe I’m just tired.

But then it came again. For a few seconds I just sat there, listening, with my heart beating faster than it should. Curiosity eventually wins, like it always does with me. I push the blanket aside and tip toe to the window, moving quietly for no real reason considering I was the only one in the room.

I pulled the curtain back just a little and looked outside.

Our backyard was still. The grass caught the moonlight, making everything look silver. The tree branches behind the fence swayed slowly, the wind carrying the sound of their leaves and brushing against each other. It should have felt peaceful, but it didn't. Something was off.

I was about to step away when something near the edge of the woods caught my attention. At first I thought it was my eyes playing tricks on me, but no, there was definitely movement. A shape slipped between the trees really fast in an inhuman way. My breath hitched without me meaning it to.

Whatever it was, it was big and moved with an unusual ease, like it knew the woods well and belonged there. It paused just enough that I could see its outline. A wolf? It wasn't puzzling, really since I kinda expected wolves to be found here due to the woods. But this wasn’t a normal wolf, it was larger than usual.

I felt a weird jolt in my stomach and realized that the creature was probably watching me. I couldn’t see its eyes, but I could feel it looking at me. I stepped back from the window immediately. My pulse jumped and I press a hand to my chest like that will help slow it down. I stood there for a moment, barely breathing, trying to listen. The woods looked still when I pushed the curtain aside just enough to peek.

I didn't see the creature again so I let out a shaky breath and rested my forehead against the cool glass. I had no idea what kind of other animals live out here besides the usual ones. That wolf wasn't just a wolf. It was disturbing, to say the least.

I backed away from the window and crawled onto my bed again, though I sit up instead of lying down. The house feels too quiet and I wrapped my arms around my knees, trying to shake off the strange feeling clinging to me.

I told myself that this is just part of living near the woods. People probably hear animals all the time. I closed my eyes, but instead of calming down, my thoughts kept swinging back to the dark shape I just saw. The way it stood there was almost too still. The way its eyes seemed to bore into my window.

Sighing, I flipped away the covers and pushed my feet into my flip flops. I trudged downstairs hoping to find some milk in the fridge that'll help me sleep. I noticed a light and saw my mom on her laptop, probably working. She worked at Silverpine Hospital as a nurse.

“Hey Honey,” she says when she finally noticed my presence. “Couldn’t sleep?”

I nodded and proceeded to the fridge. Taking a carton of milk, I pour into a clean glass and took a sip.

“Come here,” my mom motioned, patting a space beside her.

“Work?” I asked, glancing at her laptop after settling into the space.

“Just checking my emails, Hon,” she answered.

“Any word from dad?”

A small sad smile was the only response I got.

“I miss him,” My voice was quiet.

My mom pulled me closer to herself. I felt the warmth from her embrace and couldn't help but wished things had remained the same way. That my parents hadn't divorced. That I didn't have to come to this mysterious town. And that I had a normal life.

“I don't like this place, Mom.” I whisper, still embracing my mother. She strokes my hair and lifts my face up, placing a kiss on my forehead.

“You’ll be fine, Honey.” She replies, smiling down at me.

The clock read 2:18am when I finally returned to my room. I laid down, though my eyes kept moving to the window. Eventually, I settled into a fitful sleep with dreams filled with the dark outline of a wolf howling into the darkness. When morning came, I felt like I'd been pressed with a heavy load. My eyes felt tired and the events of last night kept replaying in my mind. And for reasons I did not understand, part of me felt like this was only the beginning.