moonlit: Blessings in the shadows

Levia was rushed to the hospital, her mom trailing behind like a contestant in a speed-walking competition. Meanwhile, Levin was back at camp being treated by doctors sent by Exzy's father. The doctors claimed they were "on an adventure in the woods" and conveniently stumbled upon him. Smooth.

(At the hospital)

Mrs. Johnson met Mr. Corner in the hospital corridor. "How's she doing?" Corner asked, his voice loaded with concern. Mrs. Johnson gave him the universal "I-don't-know-but-I'm-panicking" look.

Two hours later, Levia opened her eyes and croaked, "Mom?"

"Yes, honey, I'm here! How are you feeling?" Her mom asked, her voice trembling.

"Great, I guess. Last thing I remember, I was up a tree... then gravity happened."

Mrs. Johnson didn't laugh. "I'll get the doctor," she said, rushing out like it was a sprint event. Moments later, she returned with a woman in a white coat.

"Hello, Levia. I'm Dr. Taylor. How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good. I mean, for someone who allegedly broke a few ribs," Levia said, twisting her body as if testing for damage.

Dr. Taylor blinked. "Uh, well, you should avoid doing that. Dr. Taylor stepped back. With calm expressions gestured to Mrs Johnson. We need to take another x-ray test. I need to confirm something.

Something Like what? Mrs Johnson asked, her voice singing sorrow.

Oh..Maybe our machine was glitchy. I'd have to call the... anyways, Was the fall high?"

"Not really," Levia cut in.

"Don't lie to her," Mrs. Johnson interjected.

"It's fine, ma'am," Dr. Taylor said with a reassuring smile. "She can go home, but keep the bandages on for a few days."

Levia jumped out of bed, grinning. "Thanks, Doc! Mom, settle the bills? I'll wait in the lobby."

Dr. Taylor lingered in the room, frowning at the X-rays. "Huh that's odd." she saw two sharp, elongated shapes where normal teeth should be. Are those fangs....."woah I really need some coffee." she muttered.

Back at camp, Levin was waking up.

"How are you feeling?" Exzy asked.

"Like I got hit by a truck. But, you know, alive."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Where is everyone?"

"They're outside. Ember went to get a bottle of water."

"Bo-bo-bo—ile o' wah-er," Levin mimicked, exaggerating Exzy's accent.

"You idiot!" she said, punching his arm before hugging him. "I missed you. I thought…"

"You thought what?"

"Never mind," she said quickly.

Levin's stomach growled. "I'm starving."

"Not now levin. What happened last night?"

He sighed. "I was heading back when I found a dead deer. While I was examining it, I heard a howl. Next thing I knew, this massive wolf—like, horse-sized—was chasing me. It bit me on the arm!"

He rolled up his sleeve dramatically.

Exzy squinted. "Uh, Levin… there's no bite mark."

"What?!" Levin looked at his arm. Sure enough, it was smooth as a baby's cheek. "But it was there!"

"Sure, buddy," Exzy teased. "You're just trying to mess with me because I got you into this."

"I'm not lying!" Levin insisted.

"Let's get some air," Exzy said, steering him outside.

As they walked, she stopped abruptly and stared at him. "Wait a minute. Were you this tall yesterday?"

"You're just shrinking," Levin quipped.

At the edge of the woods, a crowd had gathered, their murmurs growing louder.

As Levin and Exzy pushed through the crowd at the edge of the woods, the murmurs turned into anxious whispers. One of the students, turned to Exzy, her face pale.

"It's Anne," she said breathlessly. "She was out taking photos of the forest. We heard a loud scream, and when we got here, she was on the ground, freaking out."

Exzy knelt beside Anne, whose hands were trembling as she pointed into the dark woods. "Anne, what happened? What did you see?"

Anne's wide eyes darted back and forth, as if she were still searching for an escape. "A wo... wo…"

"Anne, focus! What did you see?" Exzy demanded.

"A wolf," Anne whispered, her voice barely audible. Then, louder: "A huge wolf. It was staring at me. Over there, behind the log." She pointed shakily into the dense underbrush.

The crowd turned as one, their gazes following her trembling finger into the shadows.

"A wolf?" Exzy echoed, her voice uncertain.

Levin stepped closer, his face unreadable. "You believe me now?" he asked quietly.

Exzy turned to him, her expression a mixture of fear and reluctant acknowledgment. She nodded.

Just then, a low growl rumbled from the direction Anne had pointed. The crowd froze. Leaves rustled, and a pair of glowing amber eyes appeared, peering from the darkness.

The students screamed and scattered in every direction, interns included. Even though they had zero clue what the mayhem was about. but Levin stood rooted in place, staring into the woods. his feet glued to the spot like he'd forgotten the concept of running. His heart pounded, but not with fear—something deeper, more primal.

The eyes blinked once, then vanished as the creature melted back into the forest, leaving behind a loud silence and a single, very confused cricket.

Exzy grabbed Levin's arm, her voice trembling, like a bad WI-FI signal. "Levin... that wolf… it was looking right at you."

He nodded, his gaze fixed on the trees.

"Why?"

Levin turned to her, reluctantly. He said " it's not just a wolf. And it makes me feel different. "