Werewolves-Among-Us

By Melody Howey

To begin with, teenager Ashley Johnson isn't even sure she believes in werewolves, but she is looking forward to attending the "Fesitval of the Wolf" with her new boyfriend. How could she know she would discover that werewolves are real? How could she imagine that she'd turn into one herself?

ISBN 1-59431-471-3 Teen / Horror / High Interest LRL

Cover Art by Maggie Dix



Chapter 1

Ashley Johnson, a 17-year-old black teenager, lived with her mother Nicole and her father Danny in the city of Riverview. Danny owned pizza restaurants, and Nicole owned a beauty shop. One afternoon, at the beauty shop, Ashley asked where her father was.

“I told you, he’s out of town,” her mother said.

“When will he be back?” Ashley asked.

“I don’t know,” her mother replied.

“Well then, tell me where he’s staying.”

“I told you, I don’t’ know.”

“Okay, Okay,” Ashley said. “You don’t have to yell at me.” Ashley’s father had not said anything about taking a trip. He was there one day and gone the next. Ashley had noticed that her mother acted strangely whenever she asked where her father was.

“I’m getting ready for the Festival of the Wolf,” Nicole said, changing the subject.

“I don’t believe in that nonsense,” Ashley replied.

“You don’t have to believe in it. Riverview celebrates the Festival of the Wolf because long ago the story was that a wolf protected the city from danger. Now if you—

Their conversation was cut short by a knock at the door. Ashley answered. It was her classmate Dean. Ashley rolled her eyes. Dean was Latino and very smart. He could speak both English and Spanish and he liked all kinds of music. But Ashley’s friends said he was a nerd.

“Hey Ashley, baby,” he said lovingly. He blew kisses at her.

“What do you want?” she snapped.

“I want to take you out,” he replied, taking her hand and kissing it.

“I’m busy,” she said, pulling her hand back.

“Hi, Mrs. Johnson,” Dean said, smiling. Even Ashley would admit that he had a great smile.

“Hi, Dean, and how are your parents?” Nicole asked. Ashley’s parents and Dean’s parents were good friends.

“Fine. See you later, Ashley baby,” he replied, winking at Ashley.

When he had gone, Ashley almost exploded. “I don’t like him. I hate it that he stops by—as if I wanted to see him. And I hate it that he’s always kissing my hand and winking at me.”

Nicole held up her hands. “I’m not going to get into an argument with you, Ashley. Dean is a nice boy. Now, I need you to go to the bank for me to deposit the money from the shop.”

Ashley was on her way to the bank when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned and saw two men. “Give me that money!” one man said.

Suddenly she snarled at them.

“What was that?” the other man said.

Then she started to howl like a werewolf.

The men screamed and ran. Ashley felt dizzy. Then she fainted.