The sensation of something wet hitting my face repeatedly draws my attention, and I realize my eyes are closed. As I open them, the heaviness of my eyelids becomes apparent due to the rain intensifying by the minute. Sitting up and surveying my surroundings, I try to recollect how I ended up half-naked on the shore of a river. Frowning when nothing comes to mind, panic starts to creep in as my memory remains blank. How did I get here? Where am I? Did I fall from a cliff? But the river is so calm; it doesn't add up.

Touching the back of my head, which throbs with pain, confirms that I hit it on something, but I can't comprehend how I could have fallen off a cliff. I'm not reckless enough to approach the edge when it could give way easily. Could someone have pushed me?

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts and ease the ringing in my ears, I decide to follow the river upstream in an attempt to understand how I ended up here. After nearly an hour of walking in the pouring rain, I reach a section where the river rages, tossing from side to side with increased speed. Apparently, I woke up in the calm part of the river.

Panic surges again. What should I do now? Does my family even know I'm missing? Do I even have a family? The thought tightens my chest, and tears start to well up in my eyes. Cold, tired, confused, and scared, I move towards the tree line, the only way I can think of going since the other direction leads to the river and the cliff.

With no sense of direction, I keep walking until I hear the sound of cars ahead. I start running towards them, surprised at my speed. Maybe I'm good at sports. Without considering the risks, I jump onto the dark and wet street, waving my arms to catch someone's attention. Luckily, a car coming my way manages to avoid hitting me.

Shocked by what just happened, my mind remains clouded and confused. An elderly couple gets out of the car with umbrellas, and I try to hold back tears as I apologize for nearly causing an accident and plead for help.

The old woman offers me something to cover myself, and they invite me into their car. Trembling, I get inside, grateful to escape the heavy rain. Fearful but desperate for help, I push aside the thought that they might be dangerous and simply appreciate the warmth from the increased car heater.

As the old man drives, we move through a narrow street in what seems to be a remote area, with few street lights visible.

"Dear, what's your name?" the lady in the car asked.

"Riley," I responded quietly, my nerves getting the best of me. It felt like I had been reprogrammed and placed in an unfamiliar setting, completely out of my element, which was quite unsettling.

"Okay, Riley. Can you tell me what you were doing on the road this late in the night with this weather?" she inquired, trying to restrain her anger towards whoever had misplaced me.

"I-I don't know," I murmured, feeling a bit scared of their reaction. What if they thought I was lying and asked me to get out of the car? The thought made me breathe heavily, and I longed for my mom. But who was my mom? Did I even have a mom?

"Oh, darling, no. Calm down, we will help you, but you must be patient. The nearest hospital is two hours away, okay?" she reassured me.

I nodded silently, unable to say anything. Closing my eyes, I tried to think of my mom, wherever she might be. Not being able to remember anything was making it difficult to stay calm, but I did my best. I thought the best way to make the time pass was to sleep, luckily, I had no thoughts to disturb me.

---

The doctor conducted numerous tests to understand what had happened to me. At twelve years old, they concluded that my amnesia was caused by trauma, likely a blow to the head. The doctor couldn't predict when or if my memories would return, and that scared me more than anything. Forgetting who I was before the accident was an unimaginable fear.

Later, the police asked me many questions until my head started hurting. I noticed the confusion on the officer's face when I mentioned where I woke up. He explained that the area in West Virginia was heavily forested, and on the other side of the forest, miles away from where I fell, was a secluded town. However, Mr. Dynson, the elderly man who brought me here with his wife, wondered if maybe I had gone camping with my family. But the policeman explained that the part of the forest where I was found wasn't a designated camping area due to the prevalence of wild animals.

He suggested that I was probably running from a wild animal and had a fall, stating that I was lucky to be alive. He initially planned to take me to a foster home, but Mrs. Dynson insisted that they take care of me until further notice.

As Mr. and Mrs. Dynson took me back to their car, I couldn't help but think that despite having no memory of my life, I was fortunate to have encountered this kind-hearted elderly couple.

Four years later, as I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, I was left stunned and bewildered. It was unbelievable, but I had become a werewolf! How was this even possible? Trying not to panic, I had to keep myself composed, as I couldn't risk my parents finding out about my transformation, especially after Shawn had jokingly suggested the idea not too long ago.

Several weeks ago, my group of friends had been amazed by what they dubbed my "superpowers." My abilities included running faster than an average human, possessing incredible strength, having super hearing, and even a rapid healing ability. My parents, upon discovering my extraordinary capabilities when I officially moved in with them, were taken aback, making me feel uneasy and different. Since then, I had tried to maintain a low profile, but it wasn't always easy, as I couldn't resist the joy of running, which became somewhat of an open secret.

I had considered joining the school sports team, but the attention it would bring deterred me from doing so. Shawn, one of my friends, had even teased me, suggesting I might be a werewolf or vampire. His words stuck with me, prompting me to secretly research the topic. While some descriptions didn't align with my experiences, many mentioned super-strength, super-speed, and heightened senses – traits that aligned with my own abilities.

Despite my reservations about delving into the realm of mythological creatures, I couldn't ignore the anomalies in my life any longer. Thus, without my parents' knowledge, I would take their car and drive to the forest where everything began – the place where I had fallen over the cliff four years ago. Running through that forest made me feel connected to something familiar, a feeling I had been missing for ages. I longed to discover the truth behind these strange occurrences.

Time and again, I would call out to "my wolf" while running through the forest, hoping for some sign or connection, but nothing happened. Frustrated, I eventually gave up. However, today, while contemplating my lost family, my past, I felt an unusual connection. My bones cracked, my body trembled, and before I knew it, I was on all fours – a wolf.

Now, stranded in my wolf form, I tried desperately to shift back to my human self. The experience was unsettling, and I was unsure if my wolf could communicate with me. Chanting "shift, shift, shift" in my head, I remained trapped in this unfamiliar body. However, when I imagined myself in human form, a tremor ran through me, and I found myself back on my knees, naked, breathing heavily on the floor of my room.

Recalling the night four years ago, when I awoke naked, the mystery began to unravel. Perhaps I had been in my wolf form when the accident occurred, explaining the peculiar circumstances surrounding my transformation.

Despite the exhaustion, something felt different now. It was as if my brain had finally acknowledged a part of me that had been there all along – my wolf. How had I never felt it before? Why did it surface now? Perhaps my acceptance of being a supernatural being that shouldn't exist had triggered this awakening.

Curiosity turned towards my biological parents, wondering if they, too, were werewolves. As I pondered the unknown, a new chapter of my life had begun, full of questions and revelations about my true nature and the world I now found myself a part of.

Lost in thought, I gaze out the window, observing the car parked outside the house as darkness descends. The encroaching night doesn't bother me; after all, my supernatural eyes can easily navigate the darkness. As I come to accept my true identity as a supernatural creature, I feel a surge of empowerment and invincibility. The urge to run overtakes me, and I quickly change into a dress that will be easy to take off, slip on some sandals, and grab my purse.

"I'm going to Anna's!" I call out, reaching for the car keys. But before I can open the front door, my mom emerges from the kitchen.

"At this hour, Riley? It's late, and you have classes tomorrow," she says, her hand absently playing with her thinning hair. Cancer may be taking its toll, but she remains strong, refusing to yield to the illness. I try not to dwell on the effects of her decision to forgo chemo; it's a painful thought. I had urged her to undergo treatment, but she insists on savoring her remaining years, choosing to avoid the suffering that chemo might entail. At eighty-two, she's surprisingly agile and independent.

Part of me wants to be selfish and demand that she undergo treatment to have more time together, but I keep my thoughts to myself, cherishing every moment I spend with her.

"I know, but her dog destroyed part of the project, and she needs help," I fib, feeling the pang of guilt tugging at my heart. I don't like lying to my parents, but I fear their rejection once they discover my true identity as a supposed "freak" or an existence that shouldn't be.

With a sigh, my mom reluctantly gives in, as she always does when it comes to my independence. She doesn't want to hold me back, recognizing that I can take care of myself.

"Just don't stay out too long, okay, dear?" she cautions.

"Yes, Mom. I love you," I reply, giving her a kiss and a hug. It has become a ritual for me to do so every time I leave the house, uncertain if she'll still be there, okay, and alive when I return.

...

I drive quickly, eager to return home before it gets too late. Parking in a secluded area, I ensure no one is around before stripping off my clothes and focusing on embracing my wolf form. I call for her, visualizing the image I saw in the mirror. My heart races as my bones crack and my body trembles, once again standing on all fours as my wolf.

A surge of adrenaline and excitement courses through me, and I happily bark and leap around, in tune with my wolf's emotions. I feel guilty for ignoring her existence for four long years. She was hidden from me, and now I finally embrace her.

Bursting with joy, I let out a loud howl without expecting a response. To my surprise, I hear another howl in return. My heart pounds erratically, and instinctively, I run towards the source of the sound. I howl again, receiving another howl in response. This exchange continues until I spot another figure in the darkness.

Uncertain of what to do, my ears lower, tail tense as I cautiously approach the unknown wolf, who is smaller than me. When we get close enough, the wolf playfully barks at me, and I respond in kind. We begin chasing each other, playfully teasing, barking, and howling. It's the most fun I've ever had, feeling like a pup all over again.

Time slips away as we continue this game, but suddenly, another wolf howls, and the one with me howls back, indicating it's time for her to return home. I take this cue to head back to my car, which takes longer than expected, making me nervous as I promised my mom I wouldn't be too late.

Upon my return, my parents are on the couch watching an old telenovela. My mom looks at me with concern, but I reassure her with a watery kiss on her forehead, which she playfully complains about, leading to laughter between my dad and me. I take my pre-heated food to my room and eat while gazing at my poster wall, displaying a photo of the wild taiga forest in northern Russia—a place I'm fascinated with. I imagine the untamed beauty, flora, and animals, dreaming of photographing them. It's my desire to visit someday.

Although my parents have offered to fund the trip, the thought of leaving them behind unsettles me. Having already lost one family, I'm determined not to lose another. Besides, they wouldn't be able to keep up with my pace in the wild, so I've been saving money for the day I muster the courage to go. After all, I'm only sixteen, and I want to be done with school before embarking on any big adventures.

As the night goes on, my eyes grow heavy, and I prepare for bed. Before drifting off to sleep, I express gratitude for my parents and my newfound discovery.