Three –
“Please – don't hurt me.” said Natasia, trembling. With her eyes strenuously shut tight and her knees cradled against her chest, she braced herself.
The creature stood still. The panting intensified, its heavy breathing escaping in vehement wheezes, steadying itself, its claws puncturing the tree bark. Natasia's eyes fluttered open, her forehead wrinkled in confusion. Behind the creature was a mangled, black iron fence. There was a disturbed gap between the posts, with chunks of iron strewn across the grass. A piece was missing from the neat row of triangular spikes that adorned the top of the fence. Her darting gaze settled upon the glinting spike, protruding from the creature's arm. She softened, finally understanding.
“You're hurt.” She stood up slowly, still shaking, as she cautiously approached the creature.
The creature grunted, turning away defensively. Natasia raised her hands carefully – her palms open, fingers spread apart. She managed a fleeting smile. “Shh...It's okay.”
Natasia reached out soothingly, gently stroking its arm, pleasantly surprised at the texture of the creature's fur. The strands felt almost velvety against her fingertips. She noticed a silvery streak between the creature's glowing, amber eyes. She placed her wobbling hands on the spike, biting her lip nervously, and gave it a strong, hard yank.
A thundering, agonized growl erupted from its mouth as the creature doubled over in pain. Natasia gasped, staggering backwards, as the creature transformed before her eyes. The rich coat of fur dissolved, revealing tanned, olive skin slicked with a sheen of sweat. The creature's bright yellow eyes were now a deep shade of brown. Its stained, serrated teeth shrank significantly in size.
“Wei?” squeaked Natasia.
Wei looked up, clutching his arm. “Thanks,” he croaked.
Natasia stared at him in stunned silence. She blinked.
“Oh my god – what the fuck is going on?! What just happened?! No – this can't – HELP –”
Wei hurtled forward, thrusting his hand against her mouth, instantly muffling her horrified screams. His eyes enlarged dramatically.
“Shh – shut up! I'm not gonna hurt you. Just keep it down – please. There's people everywhere.” Wei lowered his hand delicately. Natasia, shaking vigorously, took a deep breath as she attempted to regain her composure.
“And oh my god, you're naked,” said Natasia loudly, her mouth clamping shut abruptly. She averted her eyes quickly, florid with embarrassment.
Wei smirked, retrieving a pair of jeans from his backpack. He slipped on his jeans, eyeing Natasia. Her chestnut curls were tousled, the red lipstick on her naturally pouting lips, slightly smeared. She had a round, full face, flushed light pink, and a sharp, pointed nose, and her eyes were a striking emerald green. He couldn't help but notice the stressed buttons on her blouse, sitting atop her large breasts, threatening to burst. Her wide hips hugged the woven fabric of her skirt, and the flesh of her waist poured out slightly at the waistline. She gazed fixedly on the patch of grass next to her shoes as she waited for him to get dressed.
“I don't have a spare shirt,” said Wei pointedly, “You mind helping me with this?”
“Of course,” muttered Natasia as she picked up the tattered remains of Wei's shirt, wrapping it tightly around his arm.
“Alright, thanks again,” said Wei, wincing, “Natasia, is it? You're the new hire.” He spoke with a slight accent.
“Yes, I'm Natasia, it's good to meet – no, wait – I still don't understand,” said Natasia, exasperated.
“It's a long story.”
“Well I've got all night,” said Natasia, crossing her arms against her chest.
“Fine,” grumbled Wei, “But we can't talk here. Come with me.”
The brilliantly lit hallway of Wei's apartment building was a stark contrast to the seemingly lightless, mystifying atmosphere of his spacious apartment. There was a bookcase in the center of the living room that embellished rows of hardcover books. The walls, painted several coats of black, were lined with black and white photographs in rusted gold frames. Despite the lack of warmth in the room, there were no visible creases on the plum colored sofa, the books were arranged in alphabetical order – everything was kept immaculately in place.
“You're a werewolf?” blurted Natasia. The word rolled off her tongue, yet it seemed so foreign.
“Technically, yes – but I prefer lycanthrope. It's just got a less Halloween-y vibe to it,” said Wei casually, walking towards the kitchen counter, “Want something to drink?”
“No, thank you. I've got so many questions.”
“Here,” said Wei, ignoring her. He handed her an open bottle of cold beer, “Drink this. You'll like this.”
“Thanks,” muttered Natasia, taking the bottle.
“So, ask away.” Wei plopped down on the sofa, patting the empty space next to him. Natasia obliged, taking a seat next to him.
“Where's your TV?” asked Natasia, confused.
“That's your first question? I've got a laptop. I stream,” said Wei, cocking an eyebrow, “I may be a lycanthrope but I'm not completely out of touch.”
“Right,” said Natasia, giggling nervously, “I didn't know werewolves – I mean – lycanthropes, existed.”
“There's a few of us.”
“How's your arm? Doesn't it heal?”
“It's not magic. We heal much quicker than the average human, but it's not instantaneous,” said Wei, combing through the drawer of his coffee table. He picked up a roll of gauze.
“Let me help you with that.” Natasia unfurled the roll of gauze around the raw gash on his arm. Her breathing sharpened as her hands traced the lines of his defined bicep.
“Thanks.”
“How did this happen to you? Were you born this way?”
“No. It's like an infection. Well, I call it an infection, but there's no cure. I was out camping with a few of my boys, senior year. For some reason, I was left alone on the campsite. I don't know what it was – I'm assuming another one of my kind – mauled me while I was asleep,” said Wei, pointing to his back, “That's how I got the scar.”
“That's terrible. I'm sorry,” said Natasia softly.
“Don't be.”
“Can you shift at will?”
“I'm in control most of the time. It took several years for me to master it. Some who are infected transform unwillingly when it turns dark, some under extreme emotion,” explained Wei, “I've never been seen. I was sloppy tonight. You need to promise me that you're not going to tell anyone.”
“I promise.”
“Good. I trust you.”
“So I'd like to take you out this weekend. You know, to say thank you.”
“What?” said Natasia, taken aback at his assertiveness.
“Korean barbeque place on 7th , sound good?” Wei gave her a small, lopsided smile.
“Oh, I –”
“Good, that's settled. I'll see you Saturday at eight.”