Howlers

Chapter 13: Howlers

As Melvin and Aria were in shock to see the letter, they wasted no time in opening it.

Aria: "Let me open it."

The letter read:

"Well, well, Melvin Krelin, it seems like you received the letter. Yes, you're right. Both attacks on you today were by me. Who am I? Well, come and find out for yourself, tonight at 10 PM behind the warehouse road. Come alone... if you are a man, of course..."

Aria confused and angry: Attacks!? Melvin? You got attacked today?

Melvin in thought trying to process all what's written in letter: Huh.. uhh yes.. it's true.

Aria, filled with anger and annoyance, couldn't contain her emotions: "How obnoxious! This is enough now! First, they tries to hurt you, and now gives an invitation to face them! Whoever this is, they have to be stopped! Melvin you-"

Aria looked at Melvin's face, thinking something.

Aria: "Melvin, you... you're not planning to go, are you?"

Melvin (faking reluctance): "Huh! Oh... no, I'm not!"

Aria: "Good. You don't have to go anyway. We will inform Miss Karin about this tomorrow morning, okay?"

Melvin: "Oh, yes, alright..."

Aria: "Keep this letter and knife safe. We have to show them tomorrow."

Melvin: "Yes, I know. Thanks."

After a while, they both left the library and reached their respective dorms.

Aria: "Alright, my room is on the opposite side... So, bye, I guess."

Melvin: "Yup... Bye, see you tomorrow."

Aria: "Be careful, okay? We don't know if they decide to attack you again, and please.. don't go ok?"

Melvin: "Oh, don't worry. I'll be alright. It's night already, so I don't think they will..."

Aria: "Okay... B-bye."

Both went in different directions to their dorms, while Melvin contemplated in his mind.

Melvin (in his mind): "Hehe, I like how caring she is for her friends... But... I'm sorry, Aria... I will have to go and settle this myself."

Melvin knew this was a trap, but his pride and his stubborn nature couldn't let him back down from a challenge, especially when the letter taunted him with "if you are a man." For his own pride, he couldn't refuse this challenge.

After a while, at 9:50 PM, Melvin and Leo were busy in their room, each engrossed in their own work, when Melvin suddenly stood up.

Leo: "Hmm? Where are you going, dude?"

Melvin: "Oh, umm, I ate a little too much for dinner, I need to go for a walk, hehe."

Leo: "At this hour? It's time for everyone to sleep."

Melvin: "Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

With that, Melvin left the dorm, making his way to the warehouse, which was located in a far corner of the campus, away from prying eyes.

Melvin roamed around the campus, trying to find the way to the warehouse. Eventually, he reached the warehouse. The dimly lit surroundings cast eerie shadows, setting the stage for what was to come.



Melvin (to himself, puzzled): "Okay, so this is the place....

--

As he slowly walked along the road, a sudden surprise awaited him. A massive boulder was hurled at him from the front. Reacting quickly, Melvin raised his hand, employing telekinesis to halt the boulder in its tracks. The boulder trembled in mid-air, suspended by Melvin's power.

He then spotted a figure standing before him.

Melvin (confident, slightly amused): "You know.... this isn't the way you should greet someone..."

Ethan: "Well, well, Melvin Krelin... Good to see you came... surprised to see me?"

Melvin (determined): "Nah... not even a bit. I knew it would be you... Ethan Redmane. Now tell me, why did you call me here?"

Ethan (annoyed): "Isn't it obvious? To teach you a lesson, to show you how you should behave, you lowly human!"

Melvin (curious): "I don't know what grudge you have against me... but I just came here to talk."

Ethan (agitated): "Shut up! What grudge do I have? A nobody like you came into the class out of nowhere, stealing all the attention I deserve!? And even taking away the girl I've been meaning to befriend for so long!"

Melvin: "Uhh... I don't know what you mean... But am not stealing any girl... Kaya is just friend."

Ethan: "Oh really? I have seen how closely you both talk. You met her right outside of blood bar some days ago, and even made her join tennis match in sunday! I can't believe she spends time with lowly humans like you!"

Melvin (confused, thinking): "Huh? How does he know all this? Is he stalking her?"

Melvin (defensive): "You creep! Are you stalking her or something? And what's with your thinking? You think humans are some lower beings than you? You yourself are no different from barking hounds."

Ethan (angry): "Tch, you really pisses me hard! This hound will make you bleed now."

Melvin (resolved): "I was here to talk and make things right with you, but now..... *Angry smile* you made me angry too now."

Ethan (provoked): "Only here to talk? Are you scared of fighting? And let me be clear, if you're a man, you'll settle this situation by yourself and won't involve the academy authorities or teachers... will you?"

Melvin (determined): "Don't worry... I'm not like that. I won't involve them. I hope you do the same... after being defeated by me!"

Ethan (challenging): "Oh yeah? This confident? Show me what you can do..."

The tension in the air grew as the two prepared to settle their differences.

Melvin: Fine... as you wish. *Lifts his hand up*

*Telekinesis*

Melvin effortlessly levitates the boulder that had been thrown at him and hurls it towards Ethan. With unwavering confidence, Ethan smashes the boulder into pieces with his bare hands.

Ethan (taunting): "That won't hurt me. You see, we werewolves possess way more strength than you humans."

Melvin (calmly): "Yes, indeed... but I don't need physical strength to beat you, do I?"

Melvin (in his mind, determined): Guess I have to do it then.

Melvin raises Ethan into the air using his telekinesis, rendering him unable to move. He then forcefully slams Ethan into the ground. Then again lifts him up on air and another slam. Despite some injuries, Ethan maintains an evil grin on his face.

Melvin: "You know i can keep doing this... but I don't want to. So please, can you end your grudge right here?"

Ethan (smirking): "Heheh, hell no! What makes you think I would? You think I can't do anything while in your grasp?"

Melvin (confused): "Huh? What!"

Ethan: "Wolf technique, Redmane Alpha howl!!!"

Ethan releases a spine-chilling howl that washes over Melvin, sending shivers throughout his entire body and leaving him paralyzed in his tracks.

Melvin (struggling to speak): "Aghh! W-what the! I'm paralyzed!? Just like when Miss Karin used her power on me."

Ethan (smirking): "Heheh, guess you've never heard of a Werewolf's paralyzing howl."

Melvin (in his mind, realizing the situation): This is bad... my body... that sound felt like it surrounded my whole body in darkness... just like predators do! But this doesn't seem as strong as Miss Karin's. Maybe I can break out.

Melvin (struggling): "Aaaghhhhh!!!"

Melvin desperately fights against the paralyzing effects, gradually regaining some movement.

Melvin struggles: Aghhh! Little mo-ree and am freee!!!

Ethan: "Lui!! Your turn!"

Lui emerges from behind Melvin and unleashes another wave of the Alpha howl.

Lui: "Alpha howl!!!"

Melvin (in excruciating pain): "Aaaaah!!!"

Melvin's attempts to break free from the paralyzing effects are thwarted by the intensified howls of Ethan and Lui.

Melvin (in his mind, furious): Bastard!! Of course, Lui is with him too!

Lui (mocking): "Don't think you are breaking out of this paralysis easily."

Ethan (grinning): "Hehehh, without your hands moving, you can't use telekinesis, right? You've lost now."

With Ethan and Lui joining forces against Melvin, the situation looks dire. Will Melvin find a way to escape their paralyzing grip? Will someone come to his aid? Or will Melvin devise a new strategy? The answers lie in the next chapter.

To be continued ~