Nightmares at Everglade Falls

25. Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Gabriel

I look around at the bustling parade, trying to push away the heavy weight in my chest. Isabella’s absence looms over me like a dark cloud, casting a shadow on everything.

Principal Celestia’s voice breaks through the chatter, drawing my attention. “Remember, wolves, during the full moon, we have to follow protocol—no exceptions,” she announces, her voice firm.

I nod along with the others, my mind already drifting to the inevitable isolation that awaits us. Isabella and I always isolated together, but now... now things are different.

As the parade disperses, I can’t shake the ache in my chest. It’s like a constant reminder of what I’ve lost.

“All wolves, meet at the hall after classes,” Principal Celestia’s voice echoes in my mind. It’s time for protocol. Time to lock ourselves away and wait out the full moon.

I make my way to the hall, the weight of the upcoming isolation pressing down on me. I know it’s necessary, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

The other wolves gather around, murmuring amongst themselves. I catch Owen’s eye, and he gives me a sympathetic look. He knows how much I’m struggling.

Principal Celestia steps forward, her voice commanding attention. “Alright, listen up. We all know the drill. Lockdown starts tonight. No one leaves until the moon has set.”

There’s a collective murmur of agreement, but I can sense the tension in the air. Isolation isn’t easy for any of us, but tonight feels especially difficult.

After Celestia finishes outlining the protocol, she dismisses us to our rooms. I trudge along with the others, the weight of the upcoming isolation heavy on my shoulders.

Back in my room, I sit on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the wall. The thought of spending the night alone is almost unbearable.

But then I shake myself out of it. I have to stay strong.

I can’t let this break me.

As the sun begins to set, I make my way to the designated meeting spot. The other wolves are already there, their expressions solemn.

We go through the motions of feeding, trying to push aside the looming isolation. But it’s there, hanging over us like a dark cloud.

This is the one night none of us have control over our turning.

The aroma of food fills the hall as we gather for our last meal before isolation. I scan the room, expecting to see Ophelia, but she’s nowhere to be found.

Anxiety creeps in as I wonder where she could be.

I had hoped that she would have at least shown up to wish me luck. I told her I loved her, shouldn’t that trump any of this?

Maybe she does not understand how the first night forced change works, how it tears us limb by limb. It gets easier but that very first night is so brutal.

We are all honestly dreading it.

Owen approaches me, his expression filled with concern. “Hey, man. You okay?” he asks, his voice low.

I nod, trying to convince myself as much as him. “Yeah, just... worried about Ophelia,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “Is she still having migraines? How is she coping with classwork?”

Owen gives me a reassuring pat on the back. “She’ll be alright. She’s tough,” he says, trying to offer some comfort. “You need to focus on you, brother. Tonight is going to be rough.”

Before I can respond, Isabella enters the hall, her presence sending a ripple of tension through the room. She ignores us completely, making a beeline for the food.

Owen gives me a sympathetic look before excusing himself, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Principal Celestia’s voice cuts through the chatter, drawing everyone’s attention. “Alright, everyone. Time to go,” she announces, her tone authoritative.

We file out of the hall, heading towards the secluded part of the school where we’ll spend the night.

The rooms are small and bare, with just a bed and a small window letting in slivers of moonlight. It’s not much, but it’s all we have for the night.

I settle into my room, trying to shake off the feeling of unease that’s been gnawing at me all day.

Isabella enters the room, her presence unexpected. “Are you going to ignore me all night?” I ask, unable to keep the frustration out of my voice.

She shoots me a glare, her eyes flashing with anger. “You already ruined my life. Leave me alone,” she snaps before turning away.

Before I can respond, Principal Celestia enters the room, her expression solemn. “How are you guys? Nervous?”

“Yes,” I say.

“You’ll be okay. Remember, take care of each other,” she says, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. “You are always paired up so that if something goes wrong, you have to make sure the other is safe. You know this Gabe.”

I nod.

She asks Izzy if she is okay before leaving us to head to the next room.

It’s a speech we’ve all heard before, a reminder of the responsibility we bear during the full moon.

With that, the door is locked behind us, sealing us in for the night. I take a deep breath, trying to steel myself for what’s to come.

Isolation isn’t easy, especially when you’re heartbroken. But somehow, I’ll get through it.

We all will.

The transformation begins with a primal surge, a tingling sensation that creeps up my spine. Isabella’s body contorts, her muscles straining against the inevitable change. I lurch forward, desperate to help her, but she pushes me away with surprising strength.

“Stay... away...” Her voice is a strained whisper, her eyes icy and wild as they meet mine. Her canines elongate, peeking out from between her lips as she struggles to hold back the inevitable.

“I’m sorry, Isabella. I’m so sorry for everything,” I plead, my heart heavy with guilt. But I know I have to help her, no matter how much she resists.

“Do you even care?” Her voice is a mixture of anguish and anger, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looks at me with pleading eyes.

“I do care, Isabella. I always have,” I reply, my own voice trembling with emotion. “But I have to help you. Please, let me help.”

The pain ripples through her body, her cries echoing off the walls of the room. I can feel my own body beginning to shift, the familiar ache of transformation settling in.

“It hurts, Gabriel. It hurts so much,” she sobs, her voice raw with agony.

“I know, Isabella. I’m so sorry,” I say, my own voice strained with pain as my bones begin to reshape themselves. “I’m sorry for everything.”

As the excruciating change continues, I reach out to her, my hand trembling as I brush her hair back from her face. She leans into my touch, seeking comfort even in the midst of her suffering.

Together, we endure the agonizing transformation, each moment feeling like an eternity. Her screams mix with my own as our bones crack and shift, muscles tearing and reforming. The agony is unbearable, but I can’t let go of her. We’re in this together, every breath a shared struggle.

Just as her transformation reaches its peak, I can feel my own body fully succumbing to the relentless pull of the full moon. Every muscle tenses, every nerve ending tingles with an electric intensity. The world around me blurs as my senses sharpen, my vision becoming clearer, more attuned to the slightest movement in the darkness.

The scent of Isabella’s fear fills the air, mingling with the metallic tang of blood and the earthy aroma of the forest outside. With a gut-wrenching twist, I feel the bones in my body shift, rearranging themselves into something primal, something wild.

And then, as if on cue, Isabella turns to face me, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. There’s a primal ferocity in her gaze, a hunger that mirrors my own. In that moment, I know we are no longer human, no longer bound by our fragile bodies.

With a deafening roar, we both let loose a primal howl, a symphony of sound that echoes through the night. It’s a sound of release, of liberation, as we embrace the wildness within us. The moon hangs high in the sky, bathing us in its silver light, and we join the chorus of our brethren, howling into the night as one.