Nate walked up the driveway to Jenny's house and as he did he found himself with an overwhelming feeling he had just been there before. That's because you were, you doofus, thought Nate. The police had already cleared out, already looking for the wild animal that was terrorizing the town. He rang the doorbell and heard someone approaching. Jenny had been a lifelong classmate and at one point had been reasonably close friends. To his relief, she was the one that opened the door.
"Nate, hi." Jenny was surprised to see Nate there. The two had slowly drifted apart once they hit high school. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard what happened and I just needed to make sure you're ok."
"Oh." Jenny stood there in silence for a moment. "I appreciate that."
"I know we haven't talked much. But I still think about you sometimes and...I don't know...this was stupid." Nate turned and started to walk away.
"Nate, wait. Can we talk?" Jenny watched Nate turn around and walk back towards the front door. "It's about last night."
"Okay." Jenny stepped back, letting Nate into the house. She led them into the living room, gesturing for Nate to take a seat on the couch.
"Can I get you something to drink?" she asked.
"Some Ice Water would be nice, thanks." Nate watched as she left and looked around the room from his spot on the couch. Family photos decorated the walls and there was a bay window on the wall, a grand piano and bench parked in front of it. A moment later, Jenny returned with two glasses of water and handed one to Nate. He took a sip and then set it down on a coaster on the coffee table.
"Remember when we were kids, in middle school together?" asked Jenny.
"Yeah, I suppose. Why?" Nate was wondering where she was going with this.
"You were that monster obsessed kid. I always loved that about you. Are you still that way?" she looked at him hopefully.
"Yeah, I suppose so." Nate thought to himself, if you only knew...
"The thing that attacked us last night, that killed Justin, was...I think it was a werewolf."
Two things hit him right then. One, Justin was the one that he killed. Two, she knew it was a werewolf. Nate tried to play it cool.
"What makes you say that?" asked Nate.
"Well, I got a pretty good look at the beast and it was standing on two legs and wearing the tattered remains of a pair of blue jeans being pretty good indicators." Jenny looked at him, hoping Nate didn't think she was crazy. He was the first person she dared tell this to. Everyone else she just told it was a wild animal. But Nate was different. She thought maybe he would believe her.
"Have you told this to anyone else?" asked Nate. Jenny shook her head no. "Probably a good idea. Not many people would be inclined to believe you, but I do."
"Do you think you could help me find him? You must know the signs, right?" asked Jenny.
"Why do you want to find him? To kill him?" asked Nate.
"No, to thank him. I mean, what happened was horrible and awful as I watched him tear Justin apart and eat him..."
Nate felt his heart drop. He ate Justin. Part of him felt like he was going to retch a bit. He managed not to though as he continued to listen to Jenny.
"...but as I calmed down and realized what had been happening before, Justin was getting ready to rape me and that man stopped him. He was almost a hero in a way. I don't know what would've happened otherwise, but I wouldn't have been able to fight Justin off..."
Nate sat there in stunned silence as what Jenny said sunk in. "Well, I would have to do some research and see what I can find out."
"Thanks Nate. I knew you'd believe me." She glanced at the clock on the side table. "Oh, I have to go. I told Justin's parents I would stop by. But let me know if you find anything and I have to go play grieving girlfriend."
"Oh, yeah, ok." Nate and Jenny walked back to the front door where she bid farewell to him. Nate walked down the driveway, stunned. A hero, huh? he thought to himself. Maybe this being a werewolf thing wasn't so bad after all. If only he could keep his werewolf side from actually eating the people. That part was gross.