4 An Actual Werewolf

As Red reaches the top of the stairs she can see Randy standing by the side of the bed as Jerard puts on some sweatpants. Their conversation becomes within ear shot.

"I-I, have no idea," Jerard says, his eyes and voice filled with exhaustion, "Everything that happened after it became night is just a blur to me,"

"And you've, never, had anything like this happen?"

"No. Even when I, would lose my temper…" Jerard puts on a red long-sleeve thermal, "I could still remember what I did perfectly fine,"

"Was there anything that was different about last night?"

"There, was a full moon," Red butts in as she steps inside, "I think, that might have been why,"

"The full moon's never had an affect on me before,"

"Well, you aren't, really, the same. You don't turn into a giant wolf anymore, at least, I haven't seen you turn into one since we beat that demon," Jerard and Randy stand there, contemplating.

"Maybe, the demon had something to prevent the effects?" Randy asks.

"I don't think that's it," Jerard replies. He glances over at his nightstand, where a picture of him and Clara sits, "I changed before we sent it back. Clara was the one who changed me into what I am now, an actual werewolf,"

"An actual werewolf? What do you mean by that?"

"You know, a man whose cursed to transform into a half-man, half-wolf, creature during a full moon. While I was still the, Demon Wolf," Just saying the name brings back terrible memories for him, "I, never turned into a mixture, I was just a wolf, until that night with Clara, and then I could turn human. I wasn't a werwolf, just a giant demonic wolf that could turn into a man,"

"Oh, a lycan," Red says, "That makes sense," Jerard looks at Red with a raised eyebrow, then looks to Randy.

"I told you to keep those books locked away," Jerard states irritably.

"Jerard, we don't know what else could be out there," Randy replies, "It's best if all of us know as much as possible to be safe, besides it's not like she wasn't there during the whole thing at the sawmill, or the prison," Jerard doesn't respond, unable to think of an argument.

"...Fine," Jerard replies, "Smells like breakfast has been ready for awhile now anyways," Jerard walks past them and heads downstairs. Red glances up at Randy, who looks away as he scratches the back of his.

"For your father's sake," Randy says as he looks at her, "Just stick with watching movies to do your research, alright?"

"Okay,"

The two of them head downstairs, Jerard's walking out of the kitchen with a plate of food as they enter it. Jerard turns on the tv, a drama show about teenage werewolves is on.

"Red, why is this show being recorded?," Jerard asks as his soul dies a little inside as a boy who looks to be a little older than Red is taking off their shirt like some sort of model.

"Huh? Oh! That must have been a misclick! Hahaha," Red laughs nervously, "That show plays right before all the good movies," A little part of her heart breaks as she watches her dad take the show off the recordings list and change the channel. As he scrolls through the channels, another documentary, this one about big foot, is on.

"Keep it there!" Randy exclaims as he runs over to his chair, "I've been waiting for this special," He snatches the remote from Jerard and turns up the volume. Jerard let's out a sigh of annoyance before he starts eating his food.

"Hey, dad," Red asks as she sits down next to him.

"Yeah?"

"Are you sure you don't remember, anything, from last night?" Slight concern comes across his face.

"You're not hurt, are you? Did I do anything to you?" He asks, gently placing a hand on her shoulder and brushing aside her hair to look for any cuts.

"No, you didn't do anything to me," Red replies as she grabs his hand before he messes up her hair too much, "That's why I asked," Randy is too focused on the documentary to hear or see what's happening, "I, came downstairs last night shortly after you broke in and started rummaging through the fridge. When you heard me, you just looked at me then darted out back into the forest. Normally, werewolves are much more-"

"Red," Her dad interrupts, "Next time something like that happens, stay in your room, please," He orders with worried eyes, "This was my first full moon since I've changed and I already can't remember anything that happened during it," He looks down at his plate of food, "We don't know if that's all that's going to happen,"

"Well," Red leans forward, lowering her head in front of his, "Maybe you only forgot because it was your first full moon,"

"I hope so," He says with a slight chuckle as Red straightens back up, "But still, I don't wanna risk waking up one day in the woods and being worried sick about you,"

"Okay dad," Red replies with a warm smile, the sight making him smile. They turn their attention to the tv, Red leaning against him as they eat their breakfast. As it starts to grow even colder, Jerard gets some firewood, tossing it into the fireplace and lighting it, giving the living room a camp like feeling. Randy's phone suddenly goes off. He posses the show and picks up.

"Hello? Yeah, what's up? Intruders?! Oh, just some teens. Okay, I'll be right there," Randy hangs up and starts heading to his room, "And I just started to get cozy," He goes into his room, quickly coming back out in jeans and his signature thick, flannel jacket, "I'll be back. If you two are going to continue watching the documentary, make sure to write down the time I was on, got it?" He asks, pointing at them, a stern expression on his face. They nod in response and he takes his leave.