Lycan

The engine's steady hum served as a constant background noise for the quiet tension that permeated the back of the car where I was sitting. My parents sat up front, their faces set in somber expressions as they wound their way through the narrow streets toward my uncle's home. The silence dragged on, and it occurred to me that now would have been a good moment to try and break through the atmosphere's oppressive weight. [["Mom, Dad. Are you guys fighting?"]] [["..."]] [["I haven't seen Uncle Luke in a long time."]]

There was a long moment of tension in the air, and then my mother sighed deeply. "No, honey. Like we said, it's just for the weekend." Dad nodded and slightly tensed his grip on the steering wheel. "Your mother's right. It's just like a little vacation." I bit my lip, not sure if I should pursue the issue or accept it. [["Is it my fault...?"]] [["..."]]

The silence inside the car surrounded us like a dense fog as it smoothly slid down the winding road toward Uncle Luke's house. Mile after mile seemed to drag on, the outside world fading into a mist of trees and pavement. As the engine continued to hum rhythmically, bringing us closer to our destination, the minutes seemed to go on forever. And yet, even in the stillness, there was an unpleasant feeling of anticipation. Eventually, I let out a deep breath when I saw the familiar outline of Uncle Luke's house. My father turned around after turning the car off. "Be good, son." "We love you, so much," my mother added. [["Love you, Mom. Love you, Dad."]] [["Okay."]]

Mom swiveled in her chair a little, a hint of nostalgia softening her expression. "Are you excited? He's really looking forward to having you stay the weekend!" Dad added a comforting smile to his remark. "Yeah, Uncle Luke's been asking about you all week. Bet he's got some cool stuff for you both to do, huh?" [["What has he been up to?"]]

With a soft smile, Mom turned to face me, her eyes softening with confidence. "No, sweetie. This is just something your father and I have to do." Dad extended his arm to place a hand on my shoulder. "Everything's fine, buddy. Just relax until we get there." [["..."]]

"Well, it seems like Uncle Luke has been quite busy gardening lately," Mom said, her gaze returning to the road. "Maybe you'll learn something new." Dad nodded in agreement. "Yeah, fishing too. We had so much fun last time." I nodded in response. Maybe this weekend wouldn't be so bad after all. [["..."]]

With a gentle reply, I expressed my gratitude and affection. As a feeling of comfort settled over me, I opened the car door and walked out onto the well-known gravel driveway. The engine of the car gently revved behind me, and I glanced back to see my parents giving me one last wave before they took off. I was left standing alone in the peaceful, quiet surroundings of Uncle Luke's driveway as the sound of the car gradually faded away. My hand hesitated a fraction of a second as I got closer to the front door. [[Knock.]] [[Call my parents to return.]]

I remained silent as I wondered about the true implications of their trip. As a feeling of anxiety settled over me, I opened the car door and walked out onto the well-known gravel driveway. The engine of the car gently revved behind me, and I glanced back to see my parents giving me one last look before they took off. I was left standing alone in the peaceful, quiet surroundings of Uncle Luke's driveway as the sound of the car gradually faded away. My hand hesitated a fraction of a second as I got closer to the front door. [[Knock.]] [[Call my parents to return.]]

I took out my phone and called my parents, feeling a wave of suddenly intense anxiety. The call connected, but the line died almost instantly. When my eyes slid across the screen, the dreaded "No Service" message stared back at me. I pocketed the phone and let out a heavy sigh, realizing there was no going back. Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself and knocked on the door. Almost instantly, it creaked open, and Uncle Luke smiled warmly to greet me. "Hey there, Caleb!" he said, his eyes gleaming. "You got so big! Come on in, let's get you settled!" The smell of home-cooked meals and the comforting warmth of the house surrounded me as soon as I walked inside. With a comforting and gentle presence, Uncle Luke shut the door behind us. "How was the drive?" [["It was nice."]] [["...It was quiet."]]

Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself and knocked on the door. Almost instantly, it creaked open, and Uncle Luke smiled warmly to greet me. "Hey there, Caleb!" he said, his eyes gleaming. "You got so big! Come on in, let's get you settled!" The smell of home-cooked meals and the comforting warmth of the house surrounded me as soon as I walked inside. With a comforting and gentle presence, Uncle Luke shut the door behind us. "How was the drive?" [["It was nice."]] [["...It was quiet."]]

"Well, sometimes quiet is good. Gives you time to think," he said, his tone dismissing a fleeting pout. "Come on, let's get you to the guest room so you can drop off your things." I trailed after him down the warm, well-known hallway, which had mementos and family pictures hanging on the walls that brought back memories of previous visits. Uncle Luke opened the door to the guest room, revealing a neatly made bed and a small desk by the window. "Here we are," he said, stepping aside for me to enter. "Just like you remember, right?" [["Yes, thank you.'']] [["It looks a bit old..."]]

"Good to hear," Uncle Luke said, giving my shoulder a soft pat. "Come on, let's get you to the guest room so you can drop off your things." I trailed after him down the warm, well-known hallway, which had mementos and family pictures hanging on the walls that brought back memories of previous visits. Uncle Luke opened the door to the guest room, revealing a neatly made bed and a small desk by the window. "Here we are," he said, stepping aside for me to enter. "Just like you remember, right?" [["Yes, thank you.'']] [["It looks a bit old..."]]

"You're welcome," he said with a warm smile. "Do you need any help packing?" I shook my head. Uncle Luke backed away after giving a smile and tapping his finger reflectively on the door frame. "Okay, I'll leave you to it! Once you're ready, come down to the kitchen. I bet you're hungry after such a long drive." I nodded, excitedly. The comfortable and familiar atmosphere of Uncle Luke's home began to calm my nerves as I started to unpack my belongings. This weekend might be just what I needed after all. [[Go to kitchen.]]

Uncle Luke's smile faltered for a fraction of a second, a strange glint in his eye as he chuckled softly. "Well, things change over time do they not? Don't worry, the room won't fall apart." I slowly nodded as an odd shiver went down my spine. "That's true, thanks." "Yes," he said quietly observing me. "Anyways. Get settled, unpack. I'll be in the kitchen downstairs if you need anything." "Thanks, Uncle Luke," I replied, attempting to shake off the uneasy feeling. I couldn't resist taking another look around the room as I started to unpack my belongings. It was old, but it had a nostalgic, cozy quality that immediately put me at ease. But there was still a persistent feeling of unease. Was it all in my head, or was there really a slight shift in his eyes? [[Go to kitchen.]]

The smell of freshly baked cookies filled the hallway as I strolled down it, drawing me closer to Uncle Luke's busy kitchen. As I walked in, I heard the gentle sounds of slicing, and I noticed him standing at the counter, focused on chopping up a sandwich, his happy smile never waning. "All done there, kiddo?" Uncle Luke looked over his shoulder with a happy question, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Just finishing up your sandwich. I hope you're hungry!" I nodded. "Yeah, thanks, Uncle Luke." After plating the sandwich, he gestured for me to take a seat at the table. "There's more where that came from if you're still hungry after, too!" A tantalizing aroma filled the air as I examined the sandwich, revealing to me that the bread was slightly golden in color and contained thin layers of what appeared to be high-quality meat—possibly roast beef? But I wasn't entirely certain. I assumed the meat was freshly cut because I saw tiny crimson droplets coming from it. The inside was adorned with slices of ripe tomatoes and vibrant green lettuce leaves, with a thin layer of mustard glistening subtly in between. I had never seen a sandwich so strangely appealing. [["This looks great, thank you."]]

Uncle Luke grinned broadly. "I'm glad you're enjoying it. Cooking with different types of meat is my passion." The flavor of the succulent roast beef exploded in my mouth as soon as I took a bite, contrasting beautifully with the crispness of the lettuce and tomatoes. I nodded in agreement. "I can tell." I finished the sandwich shortly after, moving over to the sink and then gently cleaning the plate, feeling the warm water and soap suds soothe my hands. Uncle Luke excused himself from the kitchen in the meantime, saying he would be back soon. [[Wait for him to return.]] [[Look for him.]]

Resuming my seat at the table, I tapped my fingers pointlessly on the wooden surface while I waited. With the exception of the wall clock ticking, the kitchen was silent now, and the minutes seemed to drag by. I looked around, taking in the well-known surroundings, but my thoughts strayed to my Uncle's whereabouts and the reason he was taking so long. Uncle Luke reappeared a few minutes later, his smile intact and a deck of cards in his hand. "Sorry about that, Caleb. Just had to grab something. How about a game of cards?" I nodded eagerly. "Sure, Uncle Luke. What game?" Sitting opposite me, Uncle Luke shuffled the cards with a smooth, practiced motion. "Cheat! Hopefully you remember how to play." [[Play cards with Uncle Luke.]]

Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to look for Uncle Luke. I strolled out of the kitchen and down the hallway, peering into rooms along the way. The house was deathly quiet, every floorboard creak echoing in the silence. When I eventually located Uncle Luke, he was standing by the window in his study, his eyes distant. He appeared absorbed in contemplation, and for an instant, I was hesitant to disturb him. However, he turned around as soon as he sensed my presence, and his expression changed to one of surprise. "Caleb, what are you doing in here?" he asked, sounding a little annoyed. "I was just wondering where you went," I replied, trying to sound casual. Uncle Luke sighed and forced a smile, though his eyes narrowed a little. "I said I'd be right back, didn't I?" "Yes." He reached into a nearby drawer and pulled out a deck of cards. "Let's go back to the kitchen." I followed him back into the kitchen, feeling a little uneasy. We sat down at the table, and Uncle Luke started to shuffle the cards, but the feeling of comfort that had been there before had faded. [[Play cards with Uncle Luke.]]

Uncle Luke skillfully dealt out the cards, the sound of cardboard on wood filling the quiet kitchen as he did so. With mischievous eyes, he gave me my portion. "Here you go, kiddo. Ready when you are." I put my cards face down in the middle and we each announced our plays as the game started. The need to bluff became more pressing as the pile in the middle grew higher. "Two twos," I said, steadily setting the cards down. Uncle Luke gave me a close inspection, his smile never wavering. "BS," he said with confidence. Turning over the cards to reveal my honest play, I held my breath. Grasping the cards, Uncle Luke nodded while laughing. "Well played, kiddo." The game continued. [[Play cards honestly.]] [[Play cards dishonestly.]]

With a quiet giggle, Uncle Luke absentmindedly shuffled the deck. "Don't worry, kiddo. Your dad's got a lot on his plate these days, I'm sure he'd love to spend more time with you if he could." I nodded as I gave his words some thought. "Maybe." Uncle Luke put the deck down and gave me a contemplative look. "But hey, how about you and me go on a little adventure?" "What kind of adventure?" "Hunting, there's a lot to learn out in those woods. Think you're up for it?" [["Alright, why not?"]] [["Um... I don't know..."]]

With a practiced hand, Uncle Luke shuffled the deck while laughing. "Really now? What are you better at?" I reclined in my chair and continued to think. "Well, I’m pretty good at video games. And I’m faster at running too." His eyes glistened with laughter as he nodded. "Sounds like you're a real all-rounder. Your dad used to be quite the runner back in the day, you know. It’s good to see you’re taking after him in some ways." I smiled, beaming with pride at the compliment. "Yeah, I guess so." Uncle Luke put the deck down and gave me a contemplative look. "You know, Caleb, it's still early. There's a lot more to being good at things than just games. How about a little adventure?" "What kind of adventure?" "How about we go hunting? It'll be a great way to see how good you really are. Think you're up for it?" [["Alright, why not?"]] [["Um... I don't know..."]]

Uncle Luke's eyes lit up with satisfaction. "That's the spirit! Go grab a jacket. It's getting a bit chilly outside." After grabbing my jacket quickly, we stepped outside into the evening. The woods around Uncle Luke's house were alive with the sounds of nature, and the air was crisp. Uncle Luke gave me a small hunting knife and a flashlight. In a soothing, calm voice, he gave the order, "Stay close, okay?" I was excited as we made our way farther into the woods. Uncle Luke talked nonstop while we strolled, pointing out various plants and animal traces. Using his flashlight to scan the area, he questioned, "You see these tracks here? That's a deer. They're usually pretty cautious, but if you're quiet and patient, you might just spot one." "Really?" "Why don't you take the lead for a bit? It's a good way to get used to moving quietly in the woods." I took a few cautious steps forward, before turning around with a weak smile. "You're gonna stay with me, right?" "Of course, buddy," Uncle Luke smiled. "Right behind ya." As I continued forward, the forest appeared to encircle me, with the flashlight creating lengthy shadows that played with the branches. [[Continue walking.]] [[Stop and listen.]]

Uncle Luke's face softened. "That's alright, Caleb. It's not for everyone. We can always do something else." After pausing briefly, he gave a kind smile. "How about something simpler? Maybe we can explore the woods a bit, and I can show you some basic skills. How does that sound?" Feeling relieved, I nodded. "That sounds better. Thanks, Uncle Luke." After grabbing my jacket quickly, we stepped outside into the evening. The woods around Uncle Luke's house were alive with the sounds of nature, and the air was crisp. Uncle Luke gave me a small hunting knife and a flashlight. In a soothing, calm voice, he gave the order, "Stay close, okay?" I was uneasy as we made our way farther into the woods. Uncle Luke talked nonstop while we strolled, pointing out various plants and animal traces. Using his flashlight to scan the area, he questioned, "You see these tracks here? That's a deer. They're usually pretty cautious, but if you're quiet and patient, you might just spot one." "Really?" "Why don't you take the lead for a bit? It's a good way to get used to moving quietly in the woods." I took a few cautious steps forward, before turning around with a weak smile. "You're gonna stay with me, right?" "Of course, buddy," Uncle Luke smiled. "Right behind ya." As I continued forward, the forest appeared to encircle me, with the flashlight creating lengthy shadows that played with the branches. [[Continue walking.]] [[Stop and listen.]]

I kept walking, placing my steps carefully to make as little noise as possible. With every step, the woods became mysterious and dark. Just then, I heard something rustle to my left. I came to a halt and directed my flashlight towards the source of the sound. "Did you hear that?" I muttered. The steady, calm voice of Uncle Luke came from right behind me. "Could be a deer. Stay alert." My fingers clenched around the knife and flashlight as I peered around, the light beam exposing only the thick foliage. [[Investigate.]] [[Wait for instructions.]]

I paused, allowing my eyes to acclimate to the darkness before turning off my flashlight. With the sounds of rustling leaves and far-off animal calls filling the air, the forest seemed to come alive all around me. It felt good to have Uncle Luke behind me, so I inhaled deeply and tried to pay attention to the forest's subtle cues. "Good," Uncle Luke whispered. "Let it come to you..." [[Wait for instructions.]]

Overcome by curiosity, I cautiously moved in the direction of the rustling sound. More of the bushes were visible as my flashlight beam sliced through the darkness. "Careful," Uncle Luke whispered. "Steady now." I nodded as I drew nearer to the sound, my heart racing with excitement. As the rustling increased in volume, I felt anxious. Just then, out of the shadows, I saw a set of eyes reflecting back at me. Unsure of what to do next, I froze. [[Wait for instructions.]] [[Ask for help.]]

I stayed put and paid close attention to the noises all around me. The sound of rustling intensified, and my heart rate shot up. The source of the noise was approaching. Uncle Luke moved to stand next to me, brightening the night with both of our flashlights. "Wait a second," he whispered. "It's coming." Together, we saw a small deer emerge from the forest, its eyes wide and wary. With our flashlights shining on it, it froze and stared back at us. Uncle Luke smiled. "Wow, what a beauty." I nodded slowly, not wanting to scare off the deer. "Yeah." [[Quietly observe the deer.]] [[Ask Uncle Luke what's next.]]

Uncle Luke moved in closer, his flashlight illuminating the eyes that were staring back at us from the shadows along with mine. His hand settled reassuringly on my shoulder. "It's alright, let it come." Together, we saw a small deer emerge from the forest, its eyes wide and wary. With our flashlights shining on it, it froze and stared back at us. Uncle Luke smiled. "Wow, what a beauty." I nodded slowly, not wanting to scare off the deer. "Yeah." [[Quietly observe the deer.]] [[Ask Uncle Luke what's next.]]

Feeling a little uneasy and curious at the same time, I turned to Uncle Luke. "What should we do now?" With an unusual intensity, Uncle Luke's eyes twinkled. "Watch closely, this is important for hunting." Uncle Luke took off with unexpected quickness and grace, snagging the deer by the neck. The deer gave a brief struggle, but Uncle Luke held fast to his grip. He twisted and brought the deer to the ground in a single, quick, almost crude motion, instantly killing it. The sudden violence kind of stunned me as I watched. Everything seemed a little strange. What followed, though, was even stranger. Uncle Luke did not get to his feet, but instead bit into the deer's neck, tearing the skin with a viciousness that was more animal than human. With blood all over his face, he shot me a quick glance. "Want to have some, Caleb?" he said, in a surprisingly soothing and friendly tone. [["Y-You killed it..."]] [["N-No thank you, I'm full from lunch."]]

Silently, we observed the deer from where we stood. Despite our presence, it appeared serene as it moved delicately to nibble on the foliage. With the exception of the gentle sound of rustling leaves, the forest was silent around us. Uncle Luke moved forward, a slow, deliberate step. He gave me a comforting nod as he looked back at me. "Stay still, Caleb. I'll take care of this." Uncle Luke took off with unexpected quickness and grace, snagging the deer by the neck. The deer gave a brief struggle, but Uncle Luke held fast to his grip. He twisted and brought the deer to the ground in a single, quick, almost crude motion, instantly killing it. The sudden violence kind of stunned me as I watched. Everything seemed a little strange. What followed, though, was even stranger. Uncle Luke did not get to his feet, but instead bit into the deer's neck, tearing the skin with a viciousness that was more animal than human. With blood all over his face, he shot me a quick glance. "Want to have some, Caleb?" he said, in a surprisingly soothing and friendly tone. [["Y-You killed it..."]] [["N-No thank you, I'm full from lunch."]]

Taking off the deer's neck, Uncle Luke's expression softened. He spread the blood around his mouth as he wiped it with the back of his hand. "I'm sorry, Caleb. That must have been hard to watch." Taking a deep breath, he stood up, his tone soft. "Being out here, you gotta do what you gotta do, y'know? And this deer, that'll last for days." I slowly nodded as I tried to take in what I had just witnessed. Uncle Luke appeared genuine, but I couldn't shake a nagging doubt in the back of my mind that something was deeply wrong with him. Uncle Luke covered my shoulder with a reassuring hand. "Come on, let's go to the lake. I gotta get rid of all this deer blood, you can wash your face too, if you'd like. It'll help clear your head." Feeling uneasy, I trailed behind him as we navigated through the forest. [["O-Okay..."]]

As we arrived at the lake, the surface of the water was illuminated by the moon. Uncle Luke got down on his knees by the edge, splattering the clear, cold water on his face to remove the blood. I stood close by, enjoying the cool breeze while attempting to forget the unpleasant things that had happened just moments before. Uncle Luke looked at me thoughtfully after he was done cleaning. "Caleb, how are things at home? Your mom and dad, they've been okay?" I shrugged, not wishing to revisit the fights I'd heard. "They're fine." Uncle Luke slowly nodded while keeping his eyes on the lake. "You know, families go through changes all the time. It's not always easy, but you gotta do what you gotta do, y'know?" I stared at him, not quite getting it. "S-Sure?" He let out a sigh and turned to face me, his expression wistful. "Yeah, difficult decisions. We all gotta make 'em." "I guess so," I said frowning. Uncle Luke smiled a tiny, dejected smile. "You're a good kid, Caleb." The rising moon, its light growing stronger, cut off our conversation before I could find out what he meant. Uncle Luke glanced at it before turning to face me again, slightly nervous. "How about we have a little game? It's a bit dated, but how about hide and seek? It'll be fun." "H-Hide and seek?" Uncle Luke smiled again, albeit a little too forcefully. "Yes! It's the perfect time! Whaddaya say?" [["S-Sure..."]] [["But why?"]]

A moment of hesitation crossed Uncle Luke's face, but then he straightened out. "Just do it, Caleb." Even so, Uncle Luke's firm voice made it difficult for me to say no. "Okay... if you say so." With glowing eyes under the moonlight, he nodded. "Good. I'll count to fifty. You go hide." I nodded grudgingly and turned to head into the woods, my mind full of uncertainties and questions. I stumbled upon a thicket of bushes and knelt, my heart thumping fiercely inside my chest. Uncle Luke's slow counting voice reverberated through the woods, and I listened intently. "One... two... three..." After a while, I was unable to hear Uncle Luke and said nothing. The seconds seemed to go on forever, and I was plagued with a persistent sense that something was seriously wrong. [[Stay hidden.]] [[Sneak to check on Uncle Luke.]]

Uncle Luke carried on with his meal as if nothing unusual had happened. With an almost carefree ease, he tore into the deer's flesh, creating a troubling and bizarre sight. A few moments later, his mouth still bloody, he raised an eyebrow at me. "Suit yourself, kiddo. Fresh meat is always the best. Come on, let's go to the lake. I gotta get rid of all this deer blood." I nodded and followed him, attempting to remain calm. I was deeply unsettled by his casual attitude towards the situation, but I avoided questioning him further. [["O-Okay..."]]

Uncle Luke's mouth widened. "Great! I'll count to fifty. Go on, find a good spot." With a racing heart, I turned and hurried into the forest. Dark shadows appeared on the ground as the moonlight peeked through the trees. I squatted down in a thicket of bushes and tried to breathe steadily. The sounds of the forest at night seemed amplified, every rustle and creak sending shivers down my spine. Uncle Luke's slow counting voice reverberated through the woods, and I listened intently. "One... two... three..." After a while, I was unable to hear Uncle Luke and said nothing. The seconds seemed to go on forever, and I was plagued with a persistent sense that something was seriously wrong. [[Stay hidden.]] [[Sneak to check on Uncle Luke.]]

I hunched down among the plants, breathing in short, tense gasps. It was too much to bear the tension. My heart raced at the rhythm of every little sound all around me, magnified to a horrific degree. Abruptly, I heard an odd sound—heavy footsteps, as if something large was passing through the forest. My heartbeat became faster, and I attempted to control my breathing. Just as I was about to lose it all, the footsteps stopped, and a spooky silence descended upon the woods. Suddenly, I felt a rush of air, and a large, dark figure appeared behind me. "U-Uncle L-Luke...?" With a savage snarl, the figure charged towards me. "Ahh!" I started to run as soon as fear took hold of me, my adrenaline propelling me forward with each step. [[Run deeper into the forest.]] [[Run to the lake.]] [[Run to the house.]]

I got up out of curiosity and a mounting feeling of dread. I kept as silent as I could as I made my way back through the forest. Every sound of the rustling leaves seemed to be a warning, and the moonlight created long, sinister shadows. Upon arriving at the location where Uncle Luke had been counting, all I saw was a vacant space. "Uncle Luke...?" Feeling bewildered, I scanned my surroundings while my heart raced. At that moment, I saw something on the ground; ragged clothing that looked like Uncle Luke's. My mind was buzzing with ideas, none of them good. Before I could process what I was seeing, a shadow fell over me. I spun around just in time to witness a massive, burly figure with glowing eyes come out of the shadows. With a savage snarl, the figure charged towards me. "Ahh!" I screamed, running as soon as fear took hold of me. [[Run back to the forest.]] [[Run to the house.]]

I ran back into the forest, the trees fading in front of me, my heart thumping like a drum. Despite the uneven ground and my occasional stumble over rocks and roots, fear kept me moving. I could hear the creature following me with its heavy footsteps, growing more menacing with each growl. Branches pulled at my face and clothing as I pressed forward, attempting to create as much space as possible between myself and the hideous silhouette. The moonlight hardly made it through the thick greenery above, and the forest seemed to close in around me. Abruptly, I stumbled over a fallen log and fell hard. Despite the searing pain in my ankle, I forced myself to stand up. I had to run for it. I needed to make it through. [[Hide behind a log.]]

With the moonlight reflecting off the water guiding me, I turned and ran toward the lake. My legs burned from the effort, and I was breathing in short gasps, but I was unable to stop. I could hear the footsteps and snarls all around me. The edge of the lake became visible, the water glistening in the moonlight. I slid to a stop and scanned my surroundings for somewhere to hide. What looked like my best option were the big rocks near the shore. Squatting behind the group of rocks, I attempted to stop breathing and pay attention. The sound of footsteps approached and then ceased. I prayed the creature would not find me, my heart pounding in my chest. [[Wait behind the rocks.]] [[Throw something as a diversion.]]

I turned around and ran back towards the house with all of my might. With my feet banging on the forest floor, I could hear the creature breathing heavily not far behind. I forced myself to run faster when I saw Uncle Luke's house peeking out from behind the trees. When I finally arrived at the front door, I fumbled with the handle, flinging it open and slamming it shut. I could hardly catch my breath, and my heart was pounding. Despite the darkness, the house felt more secure than the forest. Trying to calm down, I hurriedly locked the door and moved back. It was almost unsettlingly quiet inside, and I listened to hear anything outside. Did I lose it? Was that thing still out there? [[Check the windows.]]

I ran farther into the forest, the trees fading in front of me, my heart thumping like a drum. Despite the uneven ground and my occasional stumble over rocks and roots, fear kept me moving. I could hear the creature following me with its heavy footsteps, growing more menacing with each growl. Branches pulled at my face and clothing as I pressed forward, attempting to create as much space as possible between myself and the hideous silhouette. The moonlight hardly made it through the thick greenery above, and the forest seemed to close in around me. Abruptly, I stumbled over a fallen log and fell hard. Despite the searing pain in my ankle, I forced myself to stand up. I had to run for it. I needed to make it through. [[Hide behind a log.]]

I saw a fallen log and hid behind it, making myself as small and silent as I could. I held my breath, hoping the creature wouldn't find me as its footsteps grew louder. I could hear it sniffing the air and the growls were frighteningly close. Every second seemed to drag on forever, and my heart was thumping in my ears. The creature retreated after a few tense moments, its growls disappearing into the distance. With a sigh of relief, I slowly stood up, the tension in my muscles aching. I knew that before it came back, I had to get back to the house. Even though my lungs felt like they were on fire and my legs were burning, I continued running until I got to the front door. I threw it open, hurried inside, and slammed it shut. Catching my breath, I observed Uncle Luke hastily entering his bedroom. With a fleeting look of concern on his face, he glanced at me. "Uncle Luke...? You left me..." He did not look back. "Go to your room, Caleb. I'll see you in the morning," he said hurriedly before disappearing into his room. I stood there, my heart still pounding. What just happened? [[Go to your room.]]

I moved to hide behind the big rocks and pressed myself up against them. I heard the creature sniffing the air as it got closer, trying to find me. Wishing it would go away, I held my breath. The minutes passed slowly, with every second seeming to last forever. At last the growls and footsteps stopped, and I exhaled a trembling breath. I cautiously peered past the rocks and saw that the coast was clear. Even though my lungs felt like they were on fire and my legs were burning, I continued running until I got to the front door. I threw it open, hurried inside, and slammed it shut. Catching my breath, I observed Uncle Luke hastily entering his bedroom. With a fleeting look of concern on his face, he glanced at me. "Uncle Luke...? You left me..." He did not look back. "Go to your room, Caleb. I'll see you in the morning," he said hurriedly before disappearing into his room. I stood there, my heart still pounding. What just happened? [[Go to your room.]]

I approached the windows warily and peered out into the pitch-black yard. There was no sign of the creature, and the night was silent and still. With a sigh of relief, I watched carefully, my eyes searching the shadows for any signs of movement. Despite my best efforts to stay awake, I found myself nodding off as the minutes passed. My exhaustion finally catching up to me. I eventually dozed off by the window in a tense sleep. An hour later, I was startled out of sleep by the sound of Uncle Luke racing into his bedroom. Rubbing my eyes, I looked through the weak light and saw that he was moving fast, almost frantically. "Uncle Luke...? You left me..." He did not look back. "Go to your room, Caleb. I'll see you in the morning," he said hurriedly before disappearing into his room. I stood there, my heart still pounding. What just happened? [[Go to your room.]]

I grabbed a tiny rock and hurled it as far away from me as I could. With a loud thud, the rock struck a tree, and the creature turned and lunged in the path of the sound. Using the distraction to my advantage, I ran in the direction of the house. Even though my lungs felt like they were on fire and my legs were burning, I continued running until I got to the front door. I threw it open, hurried inside, and slammed it shut. Catching my breath, I observed Uncle Luke hastily entering his bedroom. With a fleeting look of concern on his face, he glanced at me. "Uncle Luke...? You left me..." He did not look back. "Go to your room, Caleb. I'll see you in the morning," he said hurriedly before disappearing into his room. I stood there, my heart still pounding. What just happened? [[Go to your room.]]

I headed to my room, Uncle Luke's urgent words still ringing in my ears. My steps seemed to be leading me further into a maze filled with confusion as the hallway appeared longer and darker than usual. Leaning against the door, I shut it behind me and took a moment to gather my thoughts. The guest room's decor didn't provide much comfort. I walked over to the window and looked out into the night, but I didn't see anything unusual. The forest remained still and silent. As I sat on the bed's edge, my mind was constantly racing. The events of the night continued to weigh heavily on my mind, and Uncle Luke's behavior had become more bizarre. What did he have to hide? That thing in the woods, what was it? The minutes passed, and I noticed that my anxiety was rising. I kept going over what had happened that night in my head in an attempt to find answers that seemed unreachable. I looked at the time. After everything that had happened, I wasn't sure if I could sleep even though it was getting late. Though my body was tired, my mind was alert and focused. [[Go to sleep.]]

Choosing to go to bed, I pulled the covers up to my chin and went to sleep. Though I was having a lot of mental turmoil, fatigue swiftly took me out. My eyelids became heavy, and I soon fell into a restless sleep. I awoke with a start, my heart pounding in my chest. The only source of light in the room was the glimmer of moonlight that could be seen through the curtains. I heard it as I lay there attempting to wake up from the last remnants of sleep—a faint but distinct scratching sound coming from behind the door. Stretching to listen, I sat up in bed. The scratching persisted and became more forceful. Something—or someone—was right outside my door, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. [[Investigate the noise.]] [[Stay in bed and pretend to be asleep.]]

Breathing deeply, I prepared myself for whatever awaited me beyond the door. I slowly got out of bed and walked carefully over to the door. The scratching became more desperate and louder. I reached for the doorknob and gingerly pulled the door open, my hand shaking. I was surprised to find the hallway deserted. The noise appeared to have come from nowhere, from nothing at all. I scowled, perplexed. "The hell?" [[Look for Uncle Luke.]]

The scratching went on and I froze, my breath catching in my throat. Imaginations flew through my head, none of them comforting. The thought of opening the door was too much for me. I decided to stay in bed instead, tucking the covers tightly around me. After a few short moments of silence, the sound of scratching came back, this time with greater desperation and fury. [[Jump out of the window.]] [[Hide under the bed.]]

Choosing to see if Uncle Luke could explain the weird noises, I went to check on him. I made my way down the hallway soundlessly, my footsteps barely audible on the wood floor. When I got to Uncle Luke's bedroom, I gave a gentle knock. There was no answer. I cautiously cracked open the door and took a quick look inside. The room was dark and empty—he wasn't there. I turned as I heard a loud noise behind me. There was a big wolf at the end of the hallway, its eyes glowing in the faint light, and it made my heart leap into my throat. "Uncle Luke?" I whispered, my voice trembling. With its eyes fixed on me, the wolf gave a low growl. I felt a wave of panic come over me, and I knew I had to run. [[Run into Uncle Luke's room.]] [[Run into the guest room.]]

I turned and sprinted back to Uncle Luke's room, slamming the door behind me and locking it. I put my ear to the door to listen for any sign of the wolf, my heart racing. The sound of scratching came back, this time with greater desperation and fury. The door blew open, and the wolf sprang toward me. My voice got stuck in my throat as I tried to scream. Its shining teeth were the last thing I saw. Everything went black. [[Next...]]

I turned and sprinted back to my room, slamming the door behind me and locking it. I put my ear to the door to listen for any sign of the wolf, my heart racing. The sound of scratching came back, this time with greater desperation and fury. The door blew open, and the wolf sprang toward me. My voice got stuck in my throat as I tried to scream. Its shining teeth were the last thing I saw. Everything went black. [[Next...]]

I woke up startled, my heart racing in my chest, and I was sweating profusely from the vivid nightmare that was still fresh in my memory. The beast in the dream had amber-glow eyes, and its fur and shadows had blended together to form a terrifying silhouette. Shaking off the lingering fear, I glanced around my room, seeking reassurance in the familiar. A warm glow was cast on the floor as the morning sunlight made its way through the curtains. But the discomfort from the dream persisted as I swung my legs out of bed and got to my feet. The house was unusually quiet for this time of day, and the silence felt heavy. I walked down the stairs gingerly, every sense keenly aware. Uncle Luke's morning ritual of brewing coffee and clinking pans should have been making the kitchen a hive of activity, but instead it was empty and motionless. A shiver went through my body. "Uncle Luke?" I whispered. There was no sign of Uncle Luke. Not knowing what to do, I stood in the middle of the kitchen. My stomach rumbled, but after the nightmare, the mere thought of food made me feel sick. [[Watch TV.]] [[Make breakfast.]]

I looked out the window, my only means of getting away. Gathering all my bravery, I silently raised the window and slipped out onto the roof. I stepped carefully onto the sloping surface, feeling around for a stable place to sit, and felt the cool night air hit my face. I could hear faint sounds of scratching coming from inside as I sat down on the roof. Despite my racing heart, the clear sky and crisp air helped to relax me. I finally nodded off to sleep, the stars shining overhead, exhausted from the events of the night. [[Continue...]]

With my heart thumping in my ears, I quietly slid off the bed and crawled underneath. I tried to make myself as small as possible, pressing myself flat against the cold wooden floor. Abruptly, the scratching stopped, and I listened with my mouth agape. After several minutes of tense silence, the door blew open. There came heavy footsteps and a low growl into the room. I could see the shadow of a large figure moving around the room. Smothering a gasp, I covered my mouth with my hand as I saw a wolf's nose emerge and begin to sniff the air. It bowed its head, and I caught sight of its bright eyes glancing beneath the mattress. I felt a wave of panic as the wolf bared its teeth and growled. "No, Uncle Luke," I whimpered. It lunged at me and dragged me out from under the bed before I could react. Its bright fangs closing in was the last thing I saw. [[Next...]]

I lay clumsily on the slanted roof, the cool morning air piercing through my confusion as consciousness slowly returned. All of the night's events came flooding back; the card game, Uncle Luke's hunt, and the sounds coming from behind the door. How did I get here? "Caleb? Caleb, where are you?" A faint voice came from the open window—Uncle Luke's. Wiping away the gloom from my eyes, I sat up. "Uncle Luke?" I returned the call, my voice raspy. "I'm... on the roof." Uncle Luke hesitated before answering, a hint of worry in his tone. "It's not safe up there, kiddo! Do you need me to help you get down?" I nodded, puzzled but glad to hear his voice. "Yes." I carefully maneuvered back to the window and peered inside. Uncle Luke stood in the bedroom and gave me a confused but relieved look. "You okay?" he asked, stepping closer to the window. "Mhm," I answered as I made my way back through the window with Uncle Luke's help. "I don't know how I ended up out there." As I staggered into the room, he gave me a comforting pat on the shoulder. "Must've been... quite a night for you, you do this 'roof' thing a lot?" [[No.]] [[Yes.]]

Uncle Luke laughed softly, but there was still concern in his eyes. "Well, let's not make it a habit, okay? You gave me a heart attack." I nodded. "Anyways, let's get you warmed up. I got breakfast made for you." "Okay." With my head still spinning from the bizarre events of the night before, I followed him downstairs. The smell of freshly made coffee and pancakes wafted into the kitchen, briefly taking my mind off of my questions. After setting a plate of pancakes in front of me and pouring me a cup of coffee, Uncle Luke motioned for me to sit down at the table. [["Thank you."]] [["Um..."]]

Uncle Luke raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Really, well... just be careful, okay? You gave me a heart attack." I nodded. "Anyways, let's get you warmed up. I got breakfast made for you." "Okay." With my head still spinning from the bizarre events of the night before, I followed him downstairs. The smell of freshly made coffee and pancakes wafted into the kitchen, briefly taking my mind off of my questions. After setting a plate of pancakes in front of me and pouring me a cup of coffee, Uncle Luke motioned for me to sit down at the table. [["Thank you."]] [["Um..."]]

Grinning, Uncle Luke sat down across from me. "No problem, kiddo." A few moments of silence stretched between us, Uncle Luke watched me as I hesitated, staring at the pancakes in front of me. "The roof, huh?" he asked. "How'd you even get up there?" I shook my head and gave the question a slight smile. Yes, it was an odd place to find yourself, especially in the wee hours of the morning. However, I imagine that nothing could top the chaos from the previous evening. "The window." "What made you go up there?" I hesitated. "I... had a bad dream." While setting down the coffee cup in front of me, Uncle Luke's hand trembled a little, clearly attempting to calm himself. "A dream? What about?" [["I... I saw a wolf."]] [["It was nothing..."]]

Uncle Luke cast a bewildered and worried glance at me. "What's wrong, kiddo?" I paused, not knowing quite how to put it. "I was just thinking about last night." His tone remained soft, but his eyes narrowed slightly. "What about it?" With the events of the previous night still fresh in my memory, I inhaled deeply. "It's just... were you mad at me?" Uncle Luke became tense, worry casting a shadow over his usually warm eyes. "No, not at all, kiddo." "You... you left me in the woods." "No, I... I said to follow me, weren't you right behind me?" What was he talking about? This was undoubtedly untrue, but at this point, I was unable to distinguish between fact and fiction. Was I just dreaming, or did he actually tell me to follow him? "Maybe... maybe it was just a bad dream," I said, slightly deflating in my chair. While setting down the coffee cup in front of me, Uncle Luke's hand trembled a little, clearly attempting to calm himself. "What was your dream about?" [["I... I saw a wolf."]] [["It was nothing..."]]

In an attempt to detach myself from the uncomfortable morning, I turned on the television. The news blared in the background as I settled into the couch and turned through the channels, but my thoughts kept returning to the strange dream and the eerie silence of the house. I noticed a movement—a person walking by the living room doorway. Uncle Luke was walking with a big bag slung over his shoulder and his footsteps were purposeful and heavy. He paused for a moment, looking at me with an unclear expression. "Morning, kiddo," he greeted, his voice slightly strained. "Morning," I hesitantly said, my gaze darting to the bag. "Where were you?" Uncle Luke looked away, a hint of unease passing over his features. "I was out in the yard for a bit..." "The yard?" "Just checking around for animals. More deer, y'know?" I was not satisfied with the evasive response. Before I could ask more questions, Uncle Luke smiled narrowly and walked over to the stairs. "I'll be in my room, let me know if you—" The doorbell rang abruptly. With a sigh, Uncle Luke let go of the bag and thumped it to the floor before moving to open the door. [[Go to Uncle Luke.]]

The house's silence surrounded me uncomfortably as I cracked eggs into a bowl. I heard the creak of the kitchen door and looked up to see Uncle Luke entering with a large bag slung over his shoulder. His expression froze at the sight of me, a flicker of surprise mixed with something else, maybe guilt? "Morning, kiddo," he greeted gingerly, thumping the bag on the counter. "Morning," I hesitantly said, my gaze darting to the bag. "Where were you?" Uncle Luke looked away, a hint of unease passing over his features. "I was out in the yard for a bit..." "The yard?" "Just checking around for animals. More deer, y'know?" I was not satisfied with the evasive response. Before I could ask more questions, Uncle Luke smiled narrowly and picked up the bag, walking over to the stairs swiftly. "I'll be in my room, let me know if you—" The doorbell rang abruptly. With a sigh, Uncle Luke let go of the bag and thumped it to the floor before moving to open the door. [[Go to Uncle Luke.]]

Feeling irritated, Uncle Luke approached the door and muttered to himself as he reached for the doorknob. The doorbell rang more forcefully, and he gave it a firm tug to open. A man I could only half remember from a couple of family get-togethers stood in the doorway; he was Uncle Luke's friend, but I couldn't remember his name. "Hey, Luke," the man said, his voice lighthearted but slightly formal. With a hint of surprise, his eyes darted over Uncle Luke's shoulder and landed on me. "And who's this?" Uncle Luke shifted uneasily and glanced back at me before responding. "Oh, this is my nephew, Caleb. He's staying with me for a bit." The man arched an eyebrow and looked at me for a longer-than-needed moment. "Nice to meet you, Caleb," he said finally, though his eyes were not quite smiling. "My name is Tom." "Hi," I replied quietly. "What do you think of your Uncle? You like it here? Anything weird happen? Tom asked, placing an arm around Uncle Luke. I examined Uncle Luke's face; everything about it begged me to stay out of the way. [["Everything's great."]] [["Well actually..."]]

I set down my last card. "One seven." Uncle Luke looked at me for a minute before nodding. "I believe you." As soon as I turned the card over to show the number seven, Uncle Luke clapped his hands. "Good job, buddy! Looks like you won this round." I smiled with a feeling of satisfaction. "Thanks, Uncle Luke." He grinned contentedly as he collected the cards. "You played a great game, too bad you most definitely have your father's poker face." "Is my dad bad at lying?" "Oh yeah, the worst!" Uncle Luke said, chuckling. "I'm impressed that you won. I always beat him at these games." [["I'm better than him at a lot of things."]] [["He doesn't do anything with me anymore."]]

I set my final card down, willing to take one last chance. "One queen." Uncle Luke gave a small narrowed look and nodded. "I believe you." I showed my bluff by flipping the card. Uncle Luke scoffed. "Wow! You beat me at my own game. Good job, kid." I grinned, relief crossing my features. "Thanks, Uncle Luke." He grinned contentedly as he collected the cards. "You played a great game, your poker face is way better than your father's." "Is my dad bad at lying?" "Oh yeah, the worst!" Uncle Luke said, chuckling. "I'm impressed that you won. I always beat him at these games." [["I'm better than him at a lot of things."]] [["He doesn't do anything with me anymore."]]

In an effort to defuse the situation, I forced a smile. "Everything's okay." Uncle Luke looked at me appreciatively as his shoulders began to loosen. "See? Just a normal family visit, Tom." Tom's eyes flashed with something unreadable before he chuckled briefly. "Glad to hear it." Uncle Luke gave a nod, his gaze cautious. "Anything else, Tom?" Before returning his attention to Uncle Luke, Tom shot me one last, long glance. "Let's talk outside, Luke. Need a bit of privacy." Uncle Luke paused, then gave a nod. "Alright. Caleb, stay here." My stomach turned to mush as they sauntered out the front door. [[Watch through the window.]] [[Inspect the bag.]]

I paused. "Well, actually..." I started, looking at Uncle Luke's face. His eyes grew a little wider, a silent request that I keep quiet. Uncle Luke moved forward in an attempt to step in. "Caleb, it's okay. You don't have to—" Tom's hold on Uncle Luke's shoulder became more firm. "Let the boy speak, Luke." I inhaled deeply, sensing some pressure. "I had a really strange dream last night, about a monster." Curiosity glowed in Tom's eyes. "Is that so?" he said, his tone sinister. Uncle Luke's went pale. "Tom, that's enough. Let's not overstay our welcome." Tom looked towards me, his eyes narrowing. "You're an honest boy, I like that." Tom's shape started to morph out of control. Uncle Luke pushed Tom back in an instant. "Caleb, get back, now!" Tom growled, his back getting bigger every second. "Luke, you can't hide it forever." Uncle Luke remained silent. Rather, he took hold of Tom and dragged him out into the front yard. "Stay here, Caleb!" [[Watch through the window.]] [[Inspect the bag.]]

I slipped over to the window and looked through a tiny opening in the curtains. Tom and Uncle Luke were in the front yard, talking in hushed tones. Uncle Luke growled, frantically scanning his surroundings. "You need to leave. This isn't the time or place." Anger flashed in Tom's eyes. "He's going to find out sooner or later!" "That's not your damn decision!" Uncle Luke's body was tense and his eyes were flickering to the side as they argued. I had a sickening feeling that something horrible was going to happen as the situation worsened. Unexpectedly, an odd ripple swept across their forms. I blinked rapidly, not believing what I was seeing. Limbs stretched and twisted into new forms, and fur erupted from their skin in a swift waterfall. Their features stretched into snouts, their teeth showing strangely in the sunlight. In a matter of moments, what stood before me were not men but werewolves, with earthy coats and a sinister growl. "Uncle..." I said, backing away. I stood motionless at the window, my heart thumping in my chest, as the two wolves collided in a blur of fur and teeth, their growls echoing through the air. The scene in front of me was bizarre; Uncle Luke and Tom had changed into vicious, growling animals engaged in combat. The terror was almost overwhelming me, but then I heard Uncle Luke's phone ding on the coffee table. [[Read the message.]]

I stepped closer to the bag Uncle Luke had dropped out of sheer curiosity. After a brief moment of hesitation, I opened it to find fresh meat inside, along with what appeared to be rabbit and deer parts. The sight of human fingers mixed in with the others made me stumble backward. I heard the argument outside getting hotter, and my heart pounded in my chest. Tom and Uncle Luke's voices were growing louder and more abrasive. "Stay out of this, Tom!" Uncle Luke bellowed. "You can't keep running from what you are!" Tom's voice had changed to a more animalistic growl. A shiver went down my back. I needed to decide quickly. [[Confront Uncle Luke.]] [[Escape from the house.]]

Grasping the bag as proof, I inhaled deeply and stood up. The back door swung open wildly just as I turned. Uncle Luke emerged, blood all over him; it was definitely Tom's. "Uncle Luke, what is this?" I demanded, my voice shaking. Uncle Luke stepped closer to me as his eyes grew wide. "Caleb, put that down. You don't understand." "I understand enough," I shot back. "No more adults lying to me! What are you?!" Uncle Luke's expression twisted into a regretfully determined one. "I'm sorry, Caleb. This is for your own good." Uncle Luke gripped my arm, and before I could resist, he yanked me towards a door I hadn't noticed before. "Sorry, kiddo," he muttered, his voice dejected. As he pulled me down the dim, winding stairs and into the merciless, cold basement, I screamed and struggled but his strength was too great. I was knocked down to the center of the floor. Uncle Luke started to climb the stairs before I could even adjust to the darkness. As he shut the door behind him, his last look locked with mine. I stumbled to my feet and lashed out at the door, but it stayed firmly closed. "Uncle! Uncle, please! I'll be good, I promise!" However, I heard something through my tears, the sound of a cold growl resounding from the darkness at the foot of the stairs. (text-colour:red)[= Bad Ending 1 (link: "Start over?")[(reload:)]

I stumbled over to the living room, where the car keys were hanging from a wall hook. I stumbled to grab them, my hands shaking wildly, my heart hammering in my chest. The house reverberated with the growls from outside, telling me to pick up my pace. With a last-ditch effort, I freed the keys from their hook. With panicked gasps for air, I bolted out the front door. When I finally arrived at the car parked in the driveway, adrenaline shot through my veins, the fight had gone into the forest. "Come on, come on," I said, struggling to get the key in the ignition. At last, the engine roared to life with a shaky twist. The sound was thrilling and terrifying at the same time. "Okay, okay," I whispered. "Just drive." I hurled the car into reverse, my foot pressing down awkwardly on the pedal, my thoughts clouded by fear and urgency. The vehicle staggered back, barely missing the mailbox. With my heart pounding, I shifted into drive and staggered out onto the road. The road ahead was unfamiliar and intimidating. I had never driven a car before; all I had ever done was watch my parents drive. Struggling to recall what little I knew about driving, panic threatened to overwhelm me. "You're okay, you're okay," I whispered again. A howl sounded off in the distance, chilling my spine as I drove away. I stole a final look in the rearview mirror at Uncle Luke's house, watching its dark silhouette disappear into the distance. "Goodbye, Uncle Luke." (text-colour:green)[= True Ending (link: "Start over?")[(reload:)]

"Hey Luke, it's Dan. Mary and I finally signed the papers, I'm free. Enjoy the kid, I know I don't need to anymore lol." I was so shaken by what I'd seen that I clenched Uncle Luke's phone tightly. "They... deserted me." The realization bit into my chest mixed with the horror of witnessing Uncle Luke and Tom change into werewolves in front of me. The growls outside grew louder, bringing me back to the present threat. A shiver went down my back. I needed to decide quickly. [[Escape from the house.]]

Uncle Luke's expression darkened and his eyes widened a little. "A wolf, huh?" Taking a deep breath, he turned to face his hands. "That's interesting..." My heart faltered a little—did he really know something that I was unaware of? I just wanted an answer at this point, didn't care what the answer was. "What's interesting?" His forehead wrinkled into a deep frown as he appeared to struggle with finding the right words. "Kid... listen, our family... it has some secrets." "What kind of secrets?" The sound of the doorbell broke the tension before he could respond. Uncle Luke shot to his feet, looking equally relieved and concerned. "Stay here, Caleb." My interest was piqued as I watched him leave the kitchen. What could he possibly say? Why did he think it was so important that I shouldn't move? The door opened, and I strain to listen in on what was being said. "Morning, Luke," a gruff voice greeted him. "Long time no see." "Tom," Uncle Luke replied, his voice tense. "What are you doing here?" "Just thought I'd drop by," Tom said casually. "Is now a bad time?" There was a bit of silence. [[Sneak to overhear the conversation.]] [[Stay in the kitchen and wait.]]

Uncle Luke shot me a pitiful glance but didn't say anything more. "Alright, kiddo... but if you ever need to talk about anything, Uncle's always here for you." He reached across the table and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "Nobody's gonna hurt you here, okay?" I nodded and tried to concentrate on eating. The pancakes tasted great, but I couldn't help but think about what had happened the night before. Uncle Luke watched me pick at my food, his eyes thoughtful. For a brief while, there was only the sound of silverware clinking against plates as we sat in silence. The doorbell rang just as I was beginning to settle in, giving us both a start. Uncle Luke shot to his feet, narrowing his eyes. "Stay here, Caleb." My interest was piqued as I watched him leave the kitchen. Why did he think it was so important that I shouldn't move? The door opened, and I strain to listen in on what was being said. "Morning, Luke," a gruff voice greeted him. "Long time no see." "Tom," Uncle Luke replied, his voice tense. "What are you doing here?" "Just thought I'd drop by," Tom said casually. "Is now a bad time?" There was a bit of silence. [[Sneak to overhear the conversation.]] [[Stay in the kitchen and wait.]]

I pressed myself up against the wall by the door, inching closer. "What are you really here for, Tom?" Uncle Luke's tone was stern, bordering on a warning. "Was in there area, you know," Tom chuckled. "Though... I did smell something pretty strange." "Strange? I don't get you." "Ohoho, yeah you do. C'mon Luke, who you got in here?" Uncle Luke snarled, "You shouldn't be here, it isn't your concern." "Isn't it?" Tom replied, his voice dripping with insinuation. "You know the rules, Luke. The pack shares the food." My thoughts were racing. Food, pack? What were they talking about? "Enough," Uncle Luke said, his tone final. "We can discuss this later. Not now." Tom chuckled darkly. "Whatever you say, pal, whatever you say." Peeping around the corner, I saw Uncle Luke holding the door handle tightly while escorting Tom out the door. I hurried back to the kitchen as the door shut, my head buzzing from everything I had heard. A few moments later, Uncle Luke reappeared, looking more disturbed than before. He tried to force a smile when he saw me sitting there. "Sorry about that, kiddo." "It's okay, who was that?" "Just an old friend. Nothing for you to worry about." [[Press for answers.]] [[Stay silent.]]

I sat at the kitchen table, listening intently for tidbits of information from the conversation happening outside the door. Uncle Luke and Tom were speaking in low voices, their tones serious despite the blurriness of their words. With a knot of doubt in my stomach, I fumbled with my fork, wondering what they could have been saying. There was a noticeable sense of tension in the air as the minutes seemed to drag on forever. I wanted to listen in, but I fought the urge and followed Uncle Luke's advice to remain where I was. In the silence, the loud ticking of the kitchen clock indicated the passing of time until, at last, the voices outside abruptly stopped. I tensed, not knowing what to expect as footsteps got closer to the door. Uncle Luke turned the doorknob and stepped back into the kitchen, looking guarded but oddly relieved. He tried to force a smile when he saw me sitting there. "Sorry about that, kiddo." "It's okay, who was that?" "Just an old friend. Nothing for you to worry about." [[Press for answers.]] [[Stay silent.]]

Uncle Luke's cryptic conversation with Tom weighed heavily on me, and the uneasy feeling it created lingered. "Uncle Luke," I said slowly, making sure to choose my words carefully. "I heard a man, he sounded... serious." Uncle Luke hesitated, looking into my eyes as though he wasn't sure how much to say. There was silence for a moment, then he sighed and buried his face in his hands. "How much of that did you hear?" "Well..." Uncle Luke chuckled softly and ruffled my hair with one hand. "Don't apologize... you really are just like me. But... Caleb, there are things that you don't understand." "But I want to," I insisted, leaning forward. "Please, Uncle Luke... just tell me," I begged. Uncle Luke spoke softly and met my gaze with a serious intensity. "Caleb, I have certain... traits. Sometimes, under certain circumstances, I... change." "Change how...?" Uncle Luke hesitated. "Like your instincts take over. Sometimes those instincts change us. But it's nothing to be afraid of, it's who we are." "We?" I cocked an inquistive brow. "What do you mean, we?" Uncle Luke met my gaze and hesitated, regret shining in his eyes. "I'm sorry, kiddo. This is to protect you." I watched in shock as Luke's body twisted into an excruciating transformation under the bright midday sun that was streaming through the kitchen window. His eyes gleamed with an unnatural intensity, fur erupted from his skin, and his bones shifted and stretched. "Uncle...?" I said, slowly backing away in my chair. As I called out Uncle Luke's name, I watched in stunned disbelief as his eyes, now wild and intense, locked onto mine. In stark contrast to the warm person I knew, his fur-covered form towered over me. His lips turned to a growl, and he let out a guttural growl before launching himself forward and slicing through the air with terrifying speed. [[Duck under the table.]] [[Use utensils on the table.]]

I didn't say anything, but the questions were burning like an insatiable fire inside of me. Uncle Luke's evasive answer didn't exactly quell my curiosity. I couldn't get rid of the feeling that there was so much more he wasn't telling me as he cleaned up the kitchen with practiced efficiency. "Finish up your breakfast, kiddo. I have something I need to show you in the basement today," he said, using a rag to clean the sink faucet. "Okay..." I replied wistfully. Uncle Luke took a quick look at me, sensing my leftover anxiety. "Kiddo, don't worry. Sometimes adults do things to protect their kids, okay?" "That's a lie, adults are selfish," I silently confessed, glancing at the table. With a sigh, he rested a soft hand on my shoulder. "Not me, your uncle won't lie to you." Despite my lingering uncertainty, I nodded. Uncle Luke turned back to the sink, but as he did so, I couldn't help but wonder what was said in that conversation between him and that man, what the unspoken realities of his life were, and was I involved in any of them? In the midday sun, Uncle Luke's shadow splayed across the kitchen tiles as he washed the dishes, giving the impression of a shape that wasn't quite human. I tilted my head like a dog at this discovery. It was an ending, but not a resolution... (text-colour:yellow)[= Good Ending (link: "Start over?")[(reload:)]

I instantly ducked under the heavy kitchen table, thinking its weight would protect me from Uncle Luke's vicious blow. But before I could even gather my thoughts, the air was filled with the sound of tearing fabric and a sharp, agonized howl. Uncle Luke's claws found their target and tore viciously into my shoulder, sending a sharp pain shooting through me. I fell to the ground, unconscious, and at the mercy of the hideous transformation that took place in front of me as darkness quickly descended. "Uncle, why..." [[Wake up...]]

With haste, I snatched a fork from the table and rushed in the direction of Uncle Luke's massive frame. "Snap out of it, Uncle Luke...!" Just as his claws were about to sever me, I used all my strength and fear-driven resolve to drive the fork into his chest. The blow knocked him back, momentarily stunned, and a pained growl came out of his snout. "Stay back!" I yelled. However, the relief was only temporary. Uncle Luke recovered his composure and lunged at me once more in a blur of anger and rage. His claws sliced deep, bleeding scrapes down my arm. Adrenaline drove my desperate struggle despite the unbearable pain. I was able to seize a chair that was close by and swing it at him, buying myself some valuable time to quickly flee. Uncle Luke shook off the blow as I retreated to the kitchen counter, his cold eyes staring right into mine. Beneath the hideous exterior, I caught a brief glimpse of the uncle I used to know, flickering with recognition. "Uncle..." As Uncle Luke lunged at me again, I grabbed the nearest object—a silver tray hanging on a hook near the counter. I swung it as hard as I could, slamming it into Uncle Luke's head with a desperate burst of strength. Uncle Luke stumbled back, letting out a pained growl as the tray clanged loudly. Uncle Luke swayed slightly as I leaned on the kitchen counter for support. His eyes flickered and then his massive form collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud. "Uncle Luke...?" I staggered over to Uncle Luke, my arm drenched in blood. I crouched down next to Uncle Luke's limp body and softly touched his furry shoulder. [[Tie Uncle Luke up.]]

I woke up startled and feeling a little dazed. The soft glow of the afternoon filtered through the window and covered my bedroom. Blinking horribly, I attempted to reconstruct what had happened in the kitchen—the man at the door, Uncle Luke—but it all seemed blurry, like a far-off nightmare. I felt a stab of pain as I turned in bed, and when I looked down, I saw that my arm was bandaged. As I continued to move in bed, a figure stirred beside me. My heart skipped a beat as I turned to see Uncle Luke sitting by my bedside, looking regretfully at me. "Shh, shh... hey, it's okay, kiddo," he spoke softly, barely audible above a whisper, "you're okay." I tried to speak, but my throat felt scratchy and dry. "U-Uncle...?" "I'm so sorry, kid... I had to do it." "I... wh-why..." His eyes dipped to his hands as he hesitated. "Your parents... they trusted me. They know about me..." I was filled with confusion and anger, but I lacked the strength to express them. "You... you almost..." Uncle Luke nodded, shoulders slouching. "I know, I know. But Caleb, being like this... it's not all bad. I'll take care of you. I promise." My voice trailed off as I tried to understand what he had said. "My arm... you..." With hesitation, he extended his hand and brought it close to mine. "Please, Caleb... the pack couldn't know..." I started to cry, utterly defeated. I looked away, unable to meet his gaze. "Okay." A hint of relief passed over Uncle Luke's face as his expression softened. "Thank you, son." A thick silence descended upon us as he sat next to me, broken only by the gentle murmurs of the morning outside the window. Desperately, I wanted to believe him, to hold on to the uncle I'd known and loved my entire life. But I couldn't deny the cold realization that my irreversible fate awaiting me was equally as terrifying as that fragile window of trust. Defeated, I closed my eyes once more... (text-colour:red)[= Bad Ending 2 (link: "Start over?")[(reload:)]

A few hours later, Uncle Luke woke up in his bed, his eyes wide with anguish and confusion. Despite his attempts to move, the restraints held him in place. His eyes darted around the dimly lit room, filled with panic. "Caleb?" He said in a raspy, urgent voice. With a heavy heart, I gazed at Uncle Luke lying there, constrained by ropes that felt too tight to be comfortable. I hesitantly took a step closer, my hand shaking as I reached for his. "Uncle... I'm here." With labored breathing, he struggled against the ropes. "Caleb, what happened? Why am I tied up...?" "You attacked me," I spoke softly, trembling as I related the horrifying moments from earlier. "You turned into... a wolf." Uncle Luke's eyes narrowed in confusion as realization finally set in. "No... no, I.." He noticed my soaked arm, blood staining my sleeve. "Kid, I had to..." "Why?" I dodged, not wanting to take my mind off the pressing matter. "What's happening to you, Uncle? What's going on?" He paused, staring off into space as though he was having trouble thinking. "They'll be coming soon..." He turned to look at me, eyes frantic. "But you're safe, Caleb. I made sure of it! You're... you're one of us now." I blinked in confusion. "One of... what?" Uncle Luke flinched and spoke in a hushed whisper. "Quick, Caleb! You've got to untie me." Before I could reply, I heard something off into the distance from the window. With just our shallow breaths, the room felt overly quiet. Uncle Luke's eyes locked with mine, a silent apology and a request for faith in the midst of the mayhem that was now all around us. In that silence, I heard padded footsteps rushing to the window... (text-colour:blue)[= Neutral Ending (link: "Start over?")[(reload:)]