R.L. Stine: Werewolf of Fever Swamp (Goosebumps #14) 1 We moved to Florida durin !"ristmas va#ation.

$ wee% later& ' "eard t"e fri "tenin "owls in t"e swamp for t"e first time. (i "t after ni "t& t"e "owls made me sit up in bed. ' would "old m) breat" and wrap m) arms around m)self to %eep from s"iverin . ' would stare out m) bedroom window at t"e #"al%*#olored full moon. $nd ' would listen. W"at %ind of #reature ma%es su#" a #r)+ ' would as% m)self. $nd "ow #lose is it+ W") does it sound as if it,s ri "t outside m) window+ -"e wails rose and fell li%e poli#e #ar sirens. -"e) weren,t sad or mournful. -"e) were mena#in . $n r). -"e) sounded to me li%e a warnin . Sta) out of t"e swamp. .ou do not belon "ere. W"en m) famil) first moved to Florida& to our new "ouse at t"e ed e of t"e swamp& ' #ouldn,t wait to e/plore. ' stood in t"e ba#% )ard wit" t"e bino#ulars m) dad "ad iven me for m) twelft" birt"da) and a0ed toward t"e swamp. -rees wit" slender& w"ite trun%s tilted over ea#" ot"er. -"eir flat& broad leaves appeared to form a roof& #overin t"e swamp floor in blue s"adow. 1e"ind me& t"e deer pa#ed uneasil) in t"eir wire*mes" pen. ' #ould "ear t"em pawin t"e soft& sand) round& rubbin t"eir antlers a ainst t"e walls of t"eir pen. Lowerin m) bino#ulars& ' turned to loo% at t"em. -"e deer were t"e reason we "ad moved to Florida. .ou see& m) dad& 2i#"ael F. -u#%er& is a s#ientist. 3e wor%s for t"e 4niversit) of 5ermont in 1urlin ton& w"i#"& believe me& is a lon wa) from t"e Florida swamps6 7ad ot t"ese si/ deer from some #ountr) in Sout" $meri#a. -"e),re #alled swamp deer. -"e),re not li%e re ular deer. ' mean& t"e) don,t loo% li%e 1ambi. For one t"in & t"eir fur is ver) red& not brown. $nd t"eir "ooves are reall) bi and %ind of webbed. For wal%in on wet& swamp) round& ' uess. 7ad wants to see if t"ese Sout" $meri#an swamp deer #an survive in Florida. 3e plans to put little radio transmitters on t"em& and set t"em free in t"e swamp. -"en "e,ll stud) "ow t"e) et alon . W"en "e told us ba#% in 1urlin ton t"at we were movin to Florida be#ause of t"e deer& we all totall) frea%ed. We didn,t want to move. 2) sister& 8mil)& #ried for da)s. S"e,s si/teen& and s"e didn,t want to miss "er senior )ear in "i " s#"ool. ' didn,t want to leave m) friends& eit"er. 1ut 7ad 9ui#%l) ot 2om on "is side. 2om is a s#ientist& too. S"e and 7ad wor% to et"er on a lot of pro:e#ts. So& of #ourse& s"e a reed wit" "im. $nd t"e two of t"em tried to persuade 8mil) and me t"at t"is was t"e #"an#e of a lifetime& t"at it was oin to be reall) e/#itin . $n adventure we,d never for et. So "ere we were& livin in a little w"ite "ouse in a nei "bor"ood of four or five ot"er little w"ite "ouses. We "ad si/ weird*loo%in red deer penned up be"ind t"e "ouse. -"e "ot Florida sun was beamin down. $nd an endless swamp stret#"ed be)ond our flat& rass) ba#% )ard. ' turned awa) from t"e deer and raised t"e bino#ulars to m) fa#e. ;<"&; ' #ried out as two dar% e)es seemed to be starin ba#% at me. ' pulled t"e bino#ulars awa) and s9uinted toward t"e swamp. 'n t"e near distan#e ' saw a lar e w"ite bird on two lon & spindl) le s. ;'t,s a #rane&; 8mil) said. ' "adn,t reali0ed 8mil) "ad stepped up beside me. S"e was wearin a sleeveless w"ite -*s"irt and s"ort red denim s"orts. 2) sister is tall and t"in and ver) blonde. S"e loo%s a lot li%e a #rane. -"e bird turned and be an "i "*steppin toward t"e swamp. ;Let,s follow it&; ' said. 8mil) made "er poutin fa#e& an e/pression we,d all seen a lot of sin#e movin

down "ere. ;(o wa). 't,s too "ot.; ;$w& #ome on.; ' tu ed "er s%inn) arm. ;Let,s do some e/plorin & #"e#% out t"e swamp.; S"e s"oo% "er "ead& "er w"ite*blonde pon)tail swin in be"ind "er. ;' reall) don,t want to& Grad).; S"e ad:usted "er sun lasses on "er nose. ;',m %ind of waitin for t"e mail.; Sin#e we,re so far from t"e nearest post offi#e& we onl) et mail two times a wee%. 8mil) "ad been spendin most of "er time waitin for t"e mail. ;Waitin for a love letter from 2artin+; ' as%ed wit" a rin. S"e "ated w"en ' teased "er about 2artin& "er bo)friend ba#% in 1urlin ton. So ' teased "er as often as ' #ould. ;2a)be&; s"e said. S"e rea#"ed out wit" bot" "ands and messed up m) "air. S"e %nows ' "ate to "ave m) "air messed up. ;=lease+; ' pleaded. ;!ome on& 8mil). >ust a s"ort wal%. 5er) s"ort.; ;8mil)& ta%e a s"ort wal% wit" Grad)&; 7ad,s voi#e bro%e in. We turned to see "im inside t"e deer pen. 3e "ad a #lipboard in one "and and was oin from deer to deer& ta%in notes. ;Go a"ead&; "e ur ed m) sister. ;.ou,re not doin an)t"in else.; ;1ut& 7ad ; 8mil) #ould w"ine wit" t"e best of t"em w"en s"e wanted. ;Go a"ead& 8m&; 7ad insisted. ;'t will be interestin . 2ore interestin t"an standin around in t"e "eat ar uin wit" "im.; 8mil) pus"ed t"e sun lasses up a ain. -"e) %ept slippin down "er nose. ;Well . . .; ;Great6; ' #ried. ' was reall) e/#ited. ',d never been in a real swamp before. ;Let,s o6; ' rabbed m) sister,s "and and pulled. 8mil) relu#tantl) followed& a fretful e/pression on "er fa#e. ;' "ave a bad feelin about t"is&; s"e muttered. 2) s"adow slantin be"ind me& ' "urried toward t"e low& tiltin trees. ;8mil)& w"at #ould o wron +; ' as%ed. ? 't was "ot and wet under t"e trees. -"e air felt sti#%) a ainst m) fa#e. -"e broad palm leaves were so low& ' #ould almost rea#" up and tou#" t"em. -"e) nearl) blo#%ed out t"e sun& but s"afts of )ellow li "t bro%e t"rou "& beamin down on t"e swamp floor li%e spotli "ts. S#rat#") weeds and fern leaves brus"ed a ainst m) bare le s. ' wis"ed ',d worn :eans instead of s"orts. ' %ept #lose to m) sister as we made our wa) alon a narrow& windin trail. -"e bino#ulars& strapped around m) ne#%& be an to feel "eav) a ainst m) #"est. ' s"ould,ve left t"em at "ome& ' reali0ed. ;'t,s so nois) "ere&; 8mil) #omplained& steppin over a de#a)in lo . S"e was ri "t. -"e most surprisin t"in about t"e swamp was all t"e sounds. $ bird trilled from somew"ere above. $not"er bird replied wit" a s"rill w"istle. 'nse#ts #"ittered loudl) all around us. ' "eard a stead) tap*tap*tap& li%e someone "ammerin on wood. $ woodpe#%er+ =alm leaves #ra#%led as t"e) swa)ed. Slender tree trun%s #rea%ed. 2) sandals made t"up t"up sounds& sin%in into t"e mars") round as ' wal%ed. ;3e)& loo%&; 8mil) said& pointin . S"e pulled off "er dar% lasses to see better. We "ad #ome to a small& oval*s"aped pond. -"e water was dar% reen& "alf*"idden in s"ade. Floatin on top were w"ite water lilies& bendin ra#efull) over flat& reen lil) pads. ;=rett)&; 8mil) said& brus"in a bu off "er s"oulder. ;',m oin to #ome ba#% "ere wit" m) #amera and ta%e pi#tures of t"is pond. Loo% at t"e reat li "t.; ' followed "er a0e. -"e near end of t"e pond was dar%ened b) lon s"adows. 1ut li "t slanted down t"rou " t"e trees at t"e ot"er end& formin w"at loo%ed li%e a bri "t #urtain t"at spilled into t"e still pond water. ;'t is %ind of #ool&; ' admitted. ' wasn,t reall) into ponds. ' was more

interested in wildlife. ' let 8mil) admire t"e pond and t"e water lilies a little lon er. -"en ' "eaded around t"e pond and deeper into t"e swamp. 2) sandals slapped over t"e wet round. 4p a"ead& a swarm of tin) nats& t"ousands of t"em& dan#ed silentl) in a s"aft of sunli "t. ;.u#%&; 8mil) muttered. ;' "ate nats. 't ma%es me it#") :ust to loo% at t"em.; S"e s#rat#"ed "er arms. We turned awa) and bot" saw somet"in s#amper be"ind a fallen& moss*#overed lo . ;3e) w"at was t"at+; 8mil) #ried& rabbin m) elbow. ;$n alli ator6; ' s"outed. ;$ "un r) alli ator6; S"e uttered a s"ort& fri "tened #r). ' lau "ed. ;W"at,s )our problem& 8m+ 't was :ust some %ind of li0ard.; S"e s9uee0ed m) arm "ard& tr)in to ma%e me flin#". ;.ou,re a #reep& Grad)&; s"e muttered. S"e s#rat#"ed "er arms some more. ;'t,s too it#") in t"is swamp&; s"e #omplained. ;Let,s "ead ba#%.; ;>ust a little bit fart"er&; ' pleaded. ;(o. !ome on. ' reall) want to et ba#%.; S"e tried to pull me& but ' ba#%ed out of "er rasp. ;Grad) ; ' turned and started wal%in awa) from "er& deeper into t"e swamp. ' "eard t"e tap*tap*tap a ain& dire#tl) over"ead. -"e low palm leaves s#raped a ainst ea#" ot"er& s"iftin in a soft& wet bree0e. -"e s"rill #"itterin of t"e inse#ts rew louder. ;',m oin "ome and leavin )ou "ere&; 8mil) t"reatened. ' i nored "er and %ept wal%in . ' %new s"e was bluffin . 2) sandals #ra#%led over dried& brown palm leaves. Wit"out turnin around& ' #ould "ear 8mil) a few steps be"ind me. $not"er little li0ard s#ampered a#ross t"e pat"& :ust in front of m) sandals. 't loo%ed li%e a dar% arrow& s"ootin into t"e underbrus". -"e round suddenl) sloped upward. We found ourselves #limbin a low "ill into bri "t sunli "t. $ #learin of some sort. 1eads of sweat ran down m) #"ee%s. -"e air was so wet& ' felt as if ' were swimmin . $t t"e top of t"e "ill& we stopped to loo% around. ;3e) anot"er pond6; ' #ried& runnin over fat& )ellow swamp rass& "urr)in up to t"e water,s ed e. 1ut t"is pond loo%ed different. -"e dar% reen water wasn,t flat and smoot". Leanin over it& ' #ould see t"at it was mur%) and t"i#%& li%e split*pea soup. 't made dis ustin ur lin and ploppin sounds as it #"urned. ' leaned down #loser to et a better loo%. ;'t,s 9ui#%sand6; ' "eard 8mil) #r) in "orror. $nd t"en two "ands s"oved me "ard from be"ind. @ $s ' started to fall into t"e bubblin reen stew& t"e same "ands rabbed m) waist and pulled me ba#%. 8mil) i led. ;Got#"a6; s"e #ried& "oldin on to me& %eepin me from turnin around and slu in "er. ;3e) let o6; ' #ried an ril). ;.ou almost pus"ed me into 9ui#%sand6 -"at,s not funn)6; S"e lau "ed some more& t"en let me o. ;'t isn,t 9ui#%sand& dor%&; s"e muttered. ;'t,s a bo .; ;3u"+; ' turned to stare into t"e lopp) reen water. ;'t,s a bo . $ peat bo &; s"e repeated impatientl). ;7on,t )ou %now an)t"in +; ;W"at,s a peat bo +; ' as%ed& i norin "er insults. 8mil) t"e Anow*'t*$ll. S"e,s alwa)s bra in about "ow s"e %nows ever)t"in and ',m a stupid #lod. 1ut s"e ets 1,s in s#"ool& and ' et $,s. So w"o,s t"e smart one+

;We learned about t"is last )ear w"en we studied t"e wetlands and rain forests&; s"e replied smu l). ;-"e pond is t"i#% be#ause it "as peat moss rowin in it. -"e moss rows and rows. 't absorbs twent)*five times its own wei "t in water.; ;'t,s ross*loo%in &; ' said. ;W") don,t )ou drin% some and see "ow it tastes&; s"e ur ed. S"e tried to pus" me a ain& but ' du#%ed and s%irted awa). ;',m not t"irst)&; ' muttered. ' reali0e it wasn,t too #lever& but it was t"e best repl) ' #ould t"in% of. ;Let,s et oin &; s"e said& wipin sweat off "er fore"ead wit" "er "and. ;',m reall) "ot.; ;.ea". <%a)&; ' relu#tantl) a reed. ;-"is was a prett) neat wal%.; We turned awa) from t"e peat bo and started ba#% down t"e "ill. ;3e)& loo%6; ' #ried& pointin to two bla#% s"adows floatin "i " above us under a w"ite #loud. ;Fal#ons&; 8mil) said& s"ieldin "er e)es wit" one "and as s"e a0ed up. ;' t"in% t"e),re fal#ons. 't,s "ard to see. -"e) sure are bi .; We wat#"ed t"em soar out of si "t. -"en we #ontinued down t"e "ill& ma%in our wa) #arefull) on t"e damp& sand) round. $t t"e bottom of t"e "ill& ba#% under t"e deep s"ade of t"e trees& we stopped to #at#" our breat". ' was reall) sweatin now. -"e ba#% of m) ne#% felt "ot and it#"). ' rubbed it wit" one "and& but it didn,t seem to "elp. -"e bree0e "ad stopped. -"e air felt "eav). (ot"in moved. Loud #awin sounds made me lan#e up. -wo enormous bla#%birds peered down at us from a low bran#" of a #)press tree. -"e) #awed a ain& as if tellin us to o awa). ;-"is wa)&; 8mil) said wit" a si ". ' followed "er& feelin pri#%l) and it#") all over. ;' wis" we "ad a swimmin pool at our new "ouse&; ' said. ;',d :ump ri "t in wit" m) #lot"es on6; We wal%ed for several minutes. -"e trees rew t"i#%er. -"e li "t rew dimmer. -"e pat" ended. We "ad to pus" our wa) t"rou " tall& leaf) ferns. ;' ' don,t t"in% we,ve been "ere before&; ' stammered. ;' don,t t"in% t"is is t"e ri "t wa).; We stared at ea#" ot"er& wat#"in ea#" ot"er,s fa#e fill wit" fri "t. We bot" reali0ed we were lost. !ompletel) lost. 4 ;' don,t believe t"is6; 8mil) s"rie%ed. 3er loud s"out made t"e two bla#%birds flutter off t"eir tree limb. -"e) soared awa)& #awin an ril). ;W"at am ' doin "ere+; s"e #ried. 8mil) is not ood in emer en#ies. W"en s"e ot a flat tire durin one of "er first drivin lessons ba#% "ome in 1urlin ton& s"e :umped out of t"e #ar and ran awa)6 So ' didn,t e/a#tl) e/pe#t "er to be #alm and #ool now. Sin#e we were totall) lost in t"e middle of a dar%& "ot swamp& ' e/pe#ted "er to pani#. $nd s"e did. ',m t"e #alm one in t"e famil). ' ta%e after 7ad. !ool and s#ientifi#. ;Let,s :ust fi ure out t"e dire#tion of t"e sun&; ' said& i norin t"e flutterin in m) #"est. ;W"at sun+; 8mil) #ried& t"rowin "er "ands up. 't was reall) dar%. -"e palm trees wit" t"eir wide leaves formed a prett) solid roof above us. ;Well& we #ould #"e#% out some moss&; ' su ested. -"e flutterin in m) #"est was rowin stron er. ;'sn,t moss supposed to row on t"e nort" side of trees+; ;8ast side& ' t"in%&; 8mil) muttered. ;<r is it t"e west+; ;',m prett) sure it,s t"e nort"&; ' insisted& a0in around. ;=rett) sure+ W"at ood is prett) sure+; 8mil) #ried s"rill). ;For et t"e moss&; ' said& rollin m) e)es. ;',m not even sure w"at moss loo%s li%e.;

We stared at ea#" ot"er for a lon time. ;7idn,t )ou used to #arr) a #ompass wit" )ou w"erever )ou went+; 8mil) as%ed& soundin a little s"a%). ;.ea". W"en ' was four&; ' replied. ;' #an,t believe we were so stupid&; 8mil) wailed. ;We s"ould "ave worn one of t"e radio transmitters. .ou %now. For t"e deer. -"en 7ad #ould tra#% us down.; ;' s"ould "ave worn :eans&; ' muttered& noti#in some tin) red bumps alon m) #alf. =oison iv)+ Some %ind of ras"+ ;W"at s"ould we do+; 8mil) as%ed impatientl)& wipin sweat off "er fore"ead wit" "er "and. ;Go ba#% up t"e "ill& ' uess&; ' told "er. ;-"ere were no trees t"ere. 't was sunn). <n#e we see w"ere t"e sun is& we #an fi ure out t"e dire#tion to et ba#%.; ;1ut w"i#" wa) is t"e "ill+; 8mil) demanded. ' spun around. Was it be"ind us+ -o our ri "t+ $ #old #"ill ran down m) ba#% as ' reali0ed ' wasn,t sure. ' s"ru ed. ;We,re reall) lost&; ' murmured wit" a si ". ;Let,s o t"is wa)&; 8mil) said& startin to wal% awa). ;' :ust "ave a feelin t"is is t"e wa). 'f we #ome to t"at bo & we,ll %now we,re oin ri "t.; ;$nd if we don,t+; ' demanded. ;We,ll #ome to somet"in else& ma)be&; s"e replied. 1rilliant. 1ut ' didn,t see an) ood in ar uin wit" "er. So ' followed. We wal%ed in silen#e& t"e s"rill rin in of t"e inse#ts on all sides& t"e #alls of birds startlin us from above. $fter a s"ort w"ile& we pus"ed our wa) t"rou " a #lump of tall& stiff reeds. ;3ave we been "ere before+; 8mil) as%ed. ' #ouldn,t remember. ' pus"ed a reed awa) to step t"rou " and reali0ed it "ad left somet"in sti#%) on m) "and. ;.u#%6; ;3e)& loo%6; 8mil),s e/#ited #r) made me lan#e up from t"e sti#%) reen un% t"at #lun to m) "and. -"e bo 6 't was ri "t in front of us. -"e same bo we "ad stopped at before. ;.a)6; 8mil) #ried. ;' %new ' was ri "t. ' :ust "ad a feelin .; -"e si "t of t"e ur lin reen pond #"eered us bot" up. <n#e past it& we be an to run. We %new we were on t"e ri "t pat"& nearl) "ome. ;Wa) to o6; ' #ried "appil)& runnin past m) sister. ;Wa) to o6; ' was feelin reall) ood a ain. -"en somet"in rea#"ed up& rabbed m) an%le& and pulled me down to t"e swamp) round. B ' "it t"e round "ard& landin on m) elbows and %nees. 2) "eart leapt into m) mout". ' tasted blood. ;Get up6 Get up6; 8mil) was s#reamin . ;'t it,s ot me6; ' #ried in a ti "t& tremblin voi#e. -"e flutterin in m) #"est "ad be#ome a poundin . $ ain& ' tasted blood. ' raised m) e)es to see 8mil) lau "in . Lau "in + ;'t,s :ust a tree root&; s"e said& pointin . ' followed t"e dire#tion of "er fin er and instantl) reali0ed ' "adn,t been pulled down. ' "ad tripped over one of t"e man) upraised tree roots t"at ar#"ed over t"e round. ' stared at t"e boneli%e root. 't was bent in t"e middle and loo%ed li%e a s%inn)& w"ite le . 1ut w"at was t"e blood ' tasted+ ' felt m) a#"in lip. ' "ad bitten it w"en ' fell.

Wit" a loud roan& ' pulled m)self to m) feet. 2) %nees a#"ed. 2) lip t"robbed. 1lood tri#%led down m) #"in. ;-"at was prett) #lums)&; 8mil) said softl). $nd t"en s"e added& ;$re )ou o%a)+; S"e brus"ed some dried leaves off t"e ba#% of m) -*s"irt. ;.ea"& ' uess&; ' replied& still feelin a little s"a%). ;' reall) t"ou "t somet"in "ad rabbed me.; ' for#ed a lau ". S"e rested a "and on m) s"oulder& and we started wal%in a ain& slower t"an before& side b) side. Slender beams of li "t po%ed down t"rou " t"e t"i#% tree leaves& dottin t"e round in front of us. 't all loo%ed unreal& li%e somet"in in a dream. Some #reature s#ampered noisil) be"ind t"e tan le of low s"rubs at our ri "t. 8mil) and ' didn,t even turn to tr) to see it. We :ust wanted to et "ome. 't didn,t ta%e us lon to reali0e we were "eaded in t"e wron dire#tion. We stopped at t"e ed e of a small& round #learin . 1irds #"attered noisil) above us. $ li "t bree0e made t"e palm leaves s#rape and #rea%. ;W"at are t"ose "u e ra) t"in s+; ' as%ed& lin erin be"ind m) sister. ;2us"rooms& ' t"in%&; s"e replied 9uietl). ;2us"rooms as bi as footballs&; ' murmured. We bot" saw t"e small s"a#% at t"e same time. 't was "idden in t"e s"adow of two low #)press trees be)ond t"e field of iant mus"rooms at t"e ot"er side of t"e #learin . We bot" aped at it in surprise& stud)in it in s"o#%ed silen#e. We too% a few steps toward it. -"en a few more. -"e s"a#% was tin)& built low to t"e round& not mu#" taller t"an me. 't "ad some %ind of t"at#"ed roof& made of lon reeds or dried rass. -"e walls were made of la)ers of dried palm leaves. -"e door& built of slender tree limbs bound to et"er& was s"ut ti "t. -"ere were no windows. $ pile of ra) as"es formed a #ir#le a few )ards from t"e door. Si ns of a #ampfire. ' saw a pair of battered& old wor%boots l)in at t"e side of t"e s"a#%. 1eside t"em were several empt) tin #ans on t"eir sides and a plasti# water bottle& also empt)& partl) #rumpled. ' turned to 8mil) and w"ispered& ;7o )ou t"in% someone lives "ere+ 'n t"e middle of t"e swamp+; S"e s"ru ed& "er features ti "t wit" fear. ;'f someone lives "ere& ma)be "e #an tell us w"i#" wa) to o to et "ome&; ' su ested. ;2a)be&; 8mil) murmured. 3er e)es were strai "t a"ead on t"e tin) s"a#% #overed in blue s"adow. We too% anot"er #ouple of steps #loser. W") would someone want to live in a tin) s"a#% li%e t"is in t"e middle of a swamp+ ' wondered. $n answer flas"ed into m) mind: 1e#ause w"oever it is wants to "ide from t"e world. ;'t,s a "ideout&; ' muttered& not reali0in ' was spea%in out loud. ;$ #riminal. $ ban% robber. <r a %iller. 3e,s "idin "ere.; ;Ss""".; 8mil) put a fin er on m) mout" to silen#e me& "ittin t"e #ut on m) lip. ' pulled awa). ;$n)one "ome+; s"e #alled. 3er voi#e #ame out low and s"a%)& so low ' #ould barel) "ear "er. ;$n)one "ome+; s"e repeated& a little more for#efull). ' de#ided to :oin in. We s"outed to et"er: ;$n)one "ome+ $n)one in t"ere+; We listened. (o repl). We stepped up to t"e low door. ;$n)one in t"ere+; ' #alled one more time. -"en ' rea#"ed for t"e door%nob.

C >ust as ' was about to pull open t"e #rude wooden door& it swun out& nearl) "ittin us bot". We leapt ba#% as a man burst out from t"e dar% doorwa) of t"e "ut. 3e lared at us wit" wild bla#% e)es. 3e "ad lon & ra)*w"ite "air& down past "is s"oulders& tied be"ind "im in a loose pon)tail. 3is fa#e was bri "t red& sunburned& ma)be. <r ma)be red from an er. 3e stared at us wit" a mena#in s#owl& standin bent over& stooped from bein inside t"e low "ut. 3e wore a loose*fittin w"ite -*s"irt& dirt*stained and wrin%led& over "eav) bla#% trousers t"at ba ed over "is sandals. $s "e lared at us wit" t"ose ama0in bla#% e)es& "is mout" opened& revealin rows of :a ed )ellow teet". 3uddlin #lose to m) sister& ' too% a step ba#%. ' wanted to as% "im w"o "e was& w") "e lived in t"e swamp. ' wanted to as% if "e #ould "elp us find our wa) ba#% "ome. $ do0en 9uestions flas"ed t"rou " m) mind. 1ut all ' #ould utter was& ;4" . . . sorr).; -"en ' reali0ed t"at 8mil) was alread) runnin awa). 3er pon)tail flew be"ind "er as s"e dived t"rou " t"e tall weeds. $nd a se#ond later& ' was runnin after "er. 2) "eart pounded. 2) sandals s9uis"ed over t"e soft round. ;3e)& 8mil) wait up6 Wait up6; ' ran over t"e rou " #arpet of dead leaves and twi s. $s ' stru led to #at#" up to "er& ' lan#ed be"ind me and #ried out in terror. ;8mil) "e,s #"asin us6; D 1ent low to t"e round& t"e man from t"e "ut moved steadil) after us& ta%in lon strides. 3is "ands bobbed at "is sides. 3e was breat"in "ard& and "is mout" was open& revealin t"e :a ed teet". ;Run6; 8mil) #ried. ;Run& Grad)6; We were followin a narrow pat" between tall weeds. -"e trees t"inned out. We ran t"rou " s"adow and sunli "t and ba#% into s"adow. ;8mil) wait up6; ' #alled breat"lessl). 1ut s"e didn,t slow down. $ lon & narrow pond appeared to our left. Stran e trees lifted up from t"e middle of t"e water. -"e slender trun%s were surrounded b) a t"i#%et of dar% roots. 2an rove trees. ' wanted to stop and loo% at t"e eerie*loo%in trees. 1ut t"is wasn,t t"e time for si "tseein . We ran alon t"e ed e of t"e pond& our sandals sin%in into t"e mars") round. -"en& m) #"est "eavin & m) t"roat #"o%ed and dr)& ' followed 8mil) as t"e pat" #urved into t"e trees. $ s"arp pain in m) side made me #r) out. ' stopped runnin . ' asped for breat". ;3e) "e,s one&; 8mil) said& swallowin "ard. S"e stopped a few )ards a"ead of me and leaned a ainst a tree trun%. ;We lost "im.; ' bent over& tr)in to for#e awa) t"e pain in m) side. $fter a s"ort w"ile& m) breat"in slowed to normal. ;Weird&; ' said. ' #ouldn,t t"in% of an)t"in else. ;.ea". Weird&; 8mil) a reed. S"e wal%ed ba#% to me and pulled me up strai "t. ;.ou o%a)+; ;' uess.; $t least t"e pain "ad faded awa). ' alwa)s et a pain in m) ri "t side w"en ' run a lon time. -"is one was worse t"an usual. ' usuall) don,t "ave to run for m) life6 ;!ome on&; 8mil) said. S"e let o of me and started wal%in 9ui#%l)& followin t"e

pat". ;3e)& t"is loo%s familiar&; ' said. ' be an to feel a little better. ' started to :o . We passed #lusters of trees and ferns t"at loo%ed familiar. ' #ould see our footprints in t"e sand) round& oin t"e ot"er wa). $ s"ort w"ile later& our ba#% )ard #ame into view. ;3ome sweet "ome6; ' #ried. 8mil) and ' stepped out from t"e low trees and be an runnin a#ross t"e rass toward t"e ba#% of t"e "ouse. 2om and 7ad were in t"e ba#% )ard settin up outdoor furniture. 7ad was lowerin an umbrella into t"e w"ite umbrella table. 2om was was"in off t"e w"ite lawn #"airs wit" t"e arden "ose. ;3e) wel#ome ba#%&; 7ad said& smilin . ;We t"ou "t )ou ot lost&; 2om said. ;We did6; ' #ried breat"lessl). 2om turned off t"e no00le& stoppin t"e spra) of water. ;.ou w"at+; ;$ man #"ased us6; 8mil) e/#laimed. ;$ stran e man wit" lon w"ite "air.; ;3e lives in a "ut. 'n t"e middle of t"e swamp&; ' added& droppin down into one of t"e lawn #"airs. 't was wet& but ' didn,t #are. ;3u"+ 3e #"ased )ou+; 7ad,s e)es narrowed in alarm. -"en "e said& ;' "eard in town t"ere,s a swamp "ermit out t"ere.; ;.es& "e #"ased us6; 8mil) repeated. 3er normall) pale fa#e was bri "t red. 3er "air "ad #ome loose and fell wildl) around "er fa#e. ;'t it was s#ar).; ;$ u) in t"e "ardware store told me about "im&; 7ad said. ;Said "e was stran e& but perfe#tl) "armless. (o one %nows "is name.; ;3armless+; 8mil) #ried. ;-"en w") did "e #"ase us+; 7ad s"ru ed. ;',m onl) repeatin w"at ' "eard. 8videntl) "e,s lived in t"e swamp most of "is life. 1) "imself. 3e never #omes to town.; 2om dropped t"e "ose and wal%ed over to 8mil). S"e pla#ed a "and on 8mil),s s"oulder. 'n t"e bri "t sunli "t& t"e) loo%ed li%e sisters. -"e),re bot" tall and t"in& wit" lon & strai "t blonde "air. ' loo% more li%e m) dad. Wav) brown "air. 7ar% e)es. $ little #"un%). ;2a)be t"e) s"ouldn,t o ba#% in t"e swamp b) t"emselves&; 2om said& bitin "er lower lip fretfull). S"e started to at"er 8mil),s "air ba#% up into a pon)tail. ;-"e "ermit is supposed to be #ompletel) "armless&; 7ad repeated. 3e was still stru lin to lower t"e umbrella into t"e #on#rete base. 8ver) time "e lowered it& "e missed t"e openin . ;3ere& 7ad. ',ll "elp )ou.; ' s#ooted under t"e table and uided t"e umbrella stem into t"e base. ;7on,t worr)&; 8mil) said. ;.ou won,t #at#" me ba#% in t"at swamp.; S"e s#rat#"ed bot" s"oulders. ;',m oin to be it#") for t"e rest of m) life6; s"e roaned. ;We saw a lot of neat t"in s&; ' said& startin to feel normal a ain. ;$ peat bo and man rove trees . . .; ;' told )ou t"is was oin to be an e/perien#e&; 7ad said& arran in t"e w"ite #"airs around t"e table. ;Some e/perien#e&; 8mil) rumbled& rollin "er e)es. ;',m oin in to ta%e a s"ower. 2a)be if ' sta) in it for an "our or so& ',ll stop it#"in .; 2om s"oo% "er "ead& wat#"in 8mil) stomp toward t"e ba#% door. ;-"is is oin to be a "ard )ear for 8m&; s"e muttered. 7ad wiped "is dirt) "ands on t"e sides of "is :eans. ;!ome wit" me& Grad)&; "e said& motionin for me to follow "im. ;-ime to feed t"e deer.; We tal%ed more about t"e swamp at dinner. 7ad told us stories about "ow t"e) "unted and trapped t"e swamp deer t"at "e was usin for "is e/periment. 7ad and "is "elpers sear#"ed t"e Sout" $meri#an :un les for wee%s. -"e) used tran9uili0er uns to #apture t"e deer. -"en t"e) "ad to brin in "eli#opters to pull t"e deer out& and t"e deer were not too "app) about fl)in . ;-"e swamp )ou two were e/plorin t"is afternoon&; "e said& twirlin "is spa "etti. ;Anow w"at it,s #alled+ Fever Swamp. -"at,s w"at t"e lo#al people #all it& an)wa).;

;W")+; 8mil) as%ed. ;1e#ause it,s so "ot in t"ere+; 7ad #"ewed and swallowed a mout"ful of spa "etti. 3e "ad oran e splot#"es of tomato sau#e on bot" sides of "is mout". ;' don,t %now w") it,s #alled Fever Swamp. 1ut ',m sure we,ll find out eventuall).; ;'t was probabl) dis#overed b) a u) named 2r. Fever&; 2om :o%ed. ;' want to o "ome to 5ermont6; 8mil) wailed. $fter dinner& ' found m)self feelin a little "omesi#%& too. ' too% a tennis ball out to t"e ba#% of t"e "ouse. ' t"ou "t ma)be ' #ould boun#e it off t"e wall and #at#" it t"e wa) ' "ad done ba#% "ome. 1ut t"e deer pen was in t"e wa). ' t"ou "t about m) two best friends ba#% in 1urlin ton& 1en and $dam. We "ad lived on t"e same blo#% and used to "an out after dinner. We,d t"row a ball around or wal% down to t"e pla) round and :ust mess around. Starin at t"e deer& w"o milled silentl) at one end of t"e pen& ' reali0ed ' reall) missed m) friends. ' wondered w"at t"e) were doin ri "t now. =robabl) "an in out in 1en,s ba#% )ard. Feelin lum& ' was about to o ba#% inside and see w"at was on -5 w"en a "and rabbed me from be"ind. -"e swamp "ermit6 E 3e found me6 -"e swamp "ermit found me6 $nd now "e,s ot me6 -"ose are t"e t"ou "ts t"at burst into m) mind. ' spun around and uttered a startled #r) w"en ' saw t"at it wasn,t t"e swamp "ermit. 't was a bo). ;3i&; "e said. ;' t"ou "t )ou saw me. ' didn,t mean to s#are )ou.; 3e "ad a funn) voi#e& ravell) and "oarse. ;<". 4" . . . t"at,s o%a)&; ' stammered. ;' saw )ou in )our )ard&; "e said. ;' live over t"ere.; 3e pointed to t"e "ouse two doors down. ;.ou :ust moved in+; ' nodded. ;.ea". ',m Grad) -u#%er.; ' slapped t"e tennis ball into m) "and. ;W"at,s )our name+; ;Will. Will 1la%e&; "e said in "is "oarse voi#e. 3e was about m) "ei "t& but "e was "eavier& bi er some"ow. 3is s"oulders were broader. 3is ne#% was t"i#%er. 3e reminded me of a football lineman. 3e "ad dar% brown "air& #ut ver) s"ort. 't stood strai "t up on top& li%e a flattop& and was swept ba#% on t"e sides. 3e wore a blue*and*w"ite*striped -*s"irt and denim #utoffs. ;3ow old are )ou+; "e as%ed. ;-welve&; ' answered. ;2e& too&; "e told me& lan#in over m) s"oulder at t"e deer. ;' t"ou "t ma)be )ou were eleven. ' mean& )ou loo% %ind of )oun .; ' was insulted b) t"at remar%& but ' de#ided to i nore it. ;3ow lon "ave )ou lived "ere+; ' as%ed& tossin t"e tennis ball from "and to "and. ;$ few mont"s&; Will said. ;$re t"ere an) ot"er %ids our a e+; ' as%ed& lan#in down t"e row of si/ "ouses. ;.ea". <ne&; Will replied. ;1ut s"e,s a irl. $nd s"e,s %ind of weird.; 'n t"e distan#e& t"e sun was lowerin itself be"ind t"e swamp trees. -"e s%) was a dar% s#arlet. -"e air suddenl) be#ame #ooler. Ga0in "i " in t"e s%)& ' #ould see a pale moon& nearl) full. Will "eaded over to t"e deer pen& and ' followed "im. 3e wal%ed "eavil)& "is bi s"oulders bobbin wit" ea#" step. 3e po%ed "is "and t"rou " t"e wire mes" and let a deer li#% "is palm. ;.our fat"er wor%s for t"e Forest Servi#e& too+; "e as%ed& "is e)es stud)in t"e

deer. ;(o&; ' told "im. ;2) mom and dad are bot" s#ientists. -"e),re doin studies wit" t"ese deer.; ;Weird*loo%in deer&; Will said. 3e pulled "is wet "and from t"e pen and "eld it up. ;.u#%. 7eer slime.; ' lau "ed. ;-"e),re #alled swamp deer&; ' told "im. ' tossed "im t"e tennis ball. We ba#%ed awa) from t"e deer pen and started to t"row t"e ball ba#% and fort". ;3ave )ou been in t"e swamp+; "e as%ed. ' missed t"e ball and "ad to #"ase it a#ross t"e rass. ;.ea". -"is afternoon&; ' told "im. ;2) sister and '& we ot lost.; 3e sni#%ered. ;7o )ou %now w") it,s #alled Fever Swamp+; ' as%ed& tossin "im a "i " one. 't was ettin prett) dar%& "arder to see. 1ut "e #au "t t"e ball one*"anded. ;.ea". 2) dad told me t"e stor)&; Will said. ;' t"in% it was a "undred )ears a o. 2a)be lon er. 8ver)one in town #ame down wit" a stran e fever.; ;8ver)one+; ' as%ed. 3e nodded. ;8ver)one w"o "ad been in t"e swamp.; 3e "eld on to t"e ball and moved #loser. ;2) dad said t"e fever lasted for wee%s& sometimes even mont"s. $nd lots of people died from it.; ;-"at,s "orrible&; ' murmured& lan#in a#ross t"e ba#% )ard to t"e dar%enin trees at t"e swamp ed e. ;$nd t"ose w"o didn,t die from t"e fever be an a#tin ver) stran e&; Will #ontinued. 3e "ad small& round e)es. $nd as "e told "is stor)& "is e)es leamed. ;-"e) started tal%in #ra0)& not ma%in an) sense& :ust sa)in nonsense words. $nd t"e) #ouldn,t wal% ver) well. -"e),d fall down a lot or wal% around in #ir#les.; ;Weird&; ' said& m) e)es still trained on t"e swamp. -"e s%) dar%ened from s#arlet to a deep purple. -"e nearl) full moon seemed to low bri "ter. ;8ver sin#e t"at time& t"e) #alled it Fever Swamp&; Will said& finis"in "is stor). 3e flipped t"e tennis ball to me. ;',d better et "ome.; ;7id )ou ever see t"e swamp "ermit+; ' as%ed. 3e s"oo% "is "ead. ;(o. ' "eard about "im& but ',ve never seen "im.; ;' did&; ' told "im. ;2) sister and ' saw "im t"is afternoon. We found "is "ut.; ;-"at,s #ool6; Will e/#laimed. ;7id )ou tal% to "im or an)t"in +; ;(o wa)&; ' replied. ;3e #"ased us.; ;3e did+; Will,s e/pression turned t"ou "tful. ;W")+; ;' don,t %now. We were prett) s#ared&; ' admitted. ;',ve ot to o&; Will said. 3e started :o in toward "is "ouse. ;3e)& ma)be )ou and ' #an o e/plorin in t"e swamp to et"er&; "e #alled ba#%. ;.ea". Great6; ' replied. ' felt a little #"eered up. ',d made a new friend. 2a)be it won,t be so bad livin "ere& ' t"ou "t. ' wat#"ed Will "ead around t"e side of "is "ouse two doors down. 3is "ouse loo%ed almost identi#al to ours& e/#ept t"ere was no deer pen in ba#%& of #ourse. ' saw a swin set wit" a small slide and seesaw in "is ba#% )ard. ' wondered if "e "ad a little brot"er or sister. ' t"ou "t about 8mil) as ' "eaded to t"e "ouse. ' %new s"e,d be :ealous t"at ',d made a friend. =oor 8mil) was reall) sad wit"out t"at oon 2artin "an in around "er. ' never li%ed 2artin. 3e alwa)s #alled me ;Aiddo.; ' wat#"ed one of t"e deer lower itself to t"e round& foldin its le s ra#efull). $not"er deer did t"e same. -"e) were settlin in for t"e ni "t. ' made m) wa) inside and :oined m) famil) in t"e livin room. -"e) were wat#"in a s"ow about s"ar%s on t"e 7is#over) !"annel. 2) parents love t"e 7is#over) !"annel. 1i surprise& "u"+ ' wat#"ed for a s"ort w"ile. -"en ' be an to reali0e ' wasn,t feelin ver) well. ' "ad a "eada#"e& a s"arp t"robbin at m) temples. $nd ' "ad #"ills. ' told 2om. S"e ot up and wal%ed over to m) #"air. ;.ou loo% a little flus"ed&; s"e said& stud)in me wit" #on#ern. S"e pla#ed a #ool "and on m) fore"ead and left

it t"ere for a few se#onds. ;Grad)& ' t"in% )ou "ave a little fever&; s"e said. F $ few ni "ts later& ' "eard t"e stran e& fri "tenin "owls for t"e first time. 2) fever "ad one up to 1G1 de rees and sta)ed t"ere for a da). -"en it went awa). -"en it #ame ba#%. ;'t,s t"e swamp fever6; ' told m) parents earlier t"at ni "t. ;=rett) soon ',m oin to start a#tin #ra0).; ;.ou alread) a#t #ra0)&; 2om teased. S"e "anded me a lass of oran e :ui#e. ;7rin%. Aeep drin%in .; ;7rin%in won,t "elp swamp fever&; ' insisted luml)& ta%in t"e lass an)wa). ;-"ere,s no #ure for it.; 2om ts%*ts%ed. 7ad #ontinued to read "is s#ien#e ma a0ine. ' "ad stran e dreams t"at ni "t& disturbin dreams. ' was ba#% in 5ermont& runnin t"rou " t"e snow. Somet"in was #"asin me. ' t"ou "t ma)be it was t"e swamp "ermit. ' %ept runnin and runnin . ' was ver) #old. ' was s"iverin in t"e dream. ' turned ba#% to see w"o was #"asin me. -"ere wasn,t an)one t"ere. $nd suddenl)& ' was in t"e swamp. ' was sin%in in a peat bo . 't ur led all around me& reen and t"i#%& ma%in t"ese si#% su#%in sounds. 't was su#%in me down. 7own . . . -"e "owls wo%e me up. ' sat strai "t up in m) bed and stared out t"e window at t"e nearl) full moon. 't floated ri "t be)ond t"e window& silver) and bri "t a ainst t"e blue*bla#% s%). $not"er lon "owl rose on t"e ni "t air. ' reali0ed ' was s"a%in all over. ' was sweatin . 2) pa:ama s"irt stu#% to m) ba#%. Grippin t"e #overs wit" bot" "ands& ' listened "ard. $not"er "owl. -"e #r) of an animal. From t"e swamp+ -"e #ries sounded so #lose. Ri "t outside t"e window. Lon & an r) "owls. ' s"oved down t"e #overs and lowered m) feet to t"e floor. ' was still tremblin & and m) "ead t"robbed as ' stood up. ' uessed ' still "ad a fever. $not"er lon "owl. ' made m) wa) to t"e "all on s"a%) le s. ' "ad to find out if m) parents "ad "eard t"e "owls& too. Wal%in t"rou " t"e dar%ness& ' bumped into a low table in t"e "all. ' still wasn,t used to t"is new "ouse. 2) feet were #old as i#e& but m) "ead felt burnin "ot& as if it were on fire. Rubbin t"e %nee ' "ad ban ed& ' waited for m) e)es to ad:ust to t"e dar%ness. -"en ' #ontinued down t"e "all. 2) parents, room was :ust past t"e %it#"en in t"e ba#% of t"e "ouse. ' was "alfwa) a#ross t"e %it#"en w"en ' stopped s"ort. W"at was t"at sound+ $ s#rat#"in sound. 2) breat" #au "t in m) t"roat. ' fro0e& m) arms stiff at m) sides. ' listened. -"ere it was a ain. <ver t"e poundin of m) "eart& ' "eard it. S#rat#" s#rat#" s#rat#". Someone or somet"in s#rat#"in at t"e %it#"en door. -"en anot"er "owl. So #lose. So terrif)in l) #lose. S#rat#" s#rat#" s#rat#". W"at #ould it be+ Some %ind of animal+ >ust outside t"e "ouse+ Some %ind of swamp animal "owlin and s#rat#"in at t"e door+ ' reali0ed ',d been "oldin m) breat" a lon w"ile& ' let it out in a w"oos"& t"en

su#%ed in anot"er breat". ' listened "ard& strainin to "ear over t"e poundin of m) "eart. -"e refri erator #li#%ed on. -"e loud #li#% nearl) made me :ump out of m) s%in. ' rabbed t"e #ountertop. 2) "ands were as #old as m) feet& #old and #lamm). ' listened. S#rat#" s#rat#" s#rat#"& ' too% a step toward t"e %it#"en door. <ne step& t"en ' stopped. $ s"udder of fear ran down m) ba#%. ' reali0ed ' wasn,t alone. Someone was t"ere& breat"in beside me in t"e dar% %it#"en. 1G ' asped. ' was rippin t"e #ountertop so "ard& m) "and a#"ed. ;W"*w"o,s t"ere+; ' w"ispered. -"e %it#"en li "t flas"ed on. ;8mil)6; ' pra#ti#all) s"outed "er name& in surprise and relief. ;8mil) ; ;7id )ou "ear t"e "owls+; s"e as%ed& spea%in :ust above a w"isper. 3er blue e)es burned into mine. ;.es. -"e) wo%e me up&; ' said. ;-"e) sound so an r).; ;Li%e a #r) of atta#%&; 8mil) w"ispered. ;W") do )ou loo% so weird& Grad)+; ;3u"+; 3er 9uestion #au "t me off uard. ;.our fa#e is all red&; s"e said. ;$nd loo% at )ou )ou,re all s"a%).; ;' t"in% m) fever is ba#%&; ' told "er. ;Swamp fever&; s"e murmured& e/aminin me wit" "er e)es. ;2a)be it,s t"e swamp fever )ou were tellin me about.; ' turned to t"e %it#"en door& ;7id )ou "ear t"e s#rat#"in sounds+; ' as%ed. ;Somet"in was s#rat#"in on t"e ba#% door.; ;.es&; s"e w"ispered. S"e stared at t"e door. We bot" listened. Silen#e. ;7o )ou t"in% one of t"e deer es#aped+; s"e as%ed& ta%in a few steps toward t"e door& "er arms #rossed in front of "er pin%*and*w"ite robe. ;7o )ou t"in% a deer would s#rat#" at t"e door+; ' as%ed. 't was su#" a sill) 9uestion& we bot" burst out lau "in . ;2a)be it wanted a lass of water6; 8mil) e/#laimed& and we bot" lau "ed some more. Gidd) lau "ter. (ervous lau "ter. We bot" #ut our lau "ter s"ort at t"e same time& and listened. $not"er "owl rose up outside li%e a poli#e siren. ' saw 8mil),s e)es narrow in fear. ;'t,s a wolf6; s"e #ried in a "us"ed w"isper. S"e raised a "and to "er mout". ;<nl) a wolf ma%es a sound li%e t"at& Grad).; ;8mil)& #ome on ; ' started to protest. ;(o. ',m ri "t&; s"e insisted. ;'t,s a wolf "owl.; ;8m& stop&; ' said& sin%in onto a %it#"en stool. ;-"ere are no wolves in t"e Florida swamps. .ou #an loo% in t"e uideboo%s. <r better )et& as% 2om and 7ad. Wolves don,t live in swamps.; S"e started to ar ue& but a s#rat#"in at t"e door made "er stop. S#rat#" s#rat#" s#rat#". We bot" "eard it. We bot" rea#ted wit" s"arp asps. ;W"at is t"at+; ' w"ispered. $nd t"en& readin "er e/pression& ' 9ui#%l) added& ;7on,t sa) it,s a wolf.; ;' ' don,t %now&; s"e replied& bot" "ands raised to "er fa#e. ' re#o ni0ed "er loo% of pani#. ;Let,s et 2om and 7ad.; ' rabbed t"e door "andle. ;Let,s :ust ta%e a loo%&; ' said. ' don,t %now w"ere m) sudden #oura e #ame from. 2a)be it was t"e fever. 1ut& suddenl)& ' :ust wanted to solve t"e m)ster).

W"o or w"at was s#rat#"in at t"e door+ -"ere was one ood wa) to find out open t"e door and loo% outside. ;(o& Grad) wait6; 8mil) pleaded. 1ut ' waved awa) "er protests. -"en ' turned t"e door%nob and pulled open t"e %it#"en door. 11 $ ust of "ot& wet air rus"ed in t"rou " t"e open door. -"e #"irp of #i#adas reeted m) ears. 3oldin on to t"e door& ' peered into t"e dar%ness of t"e ba#% )ard. (ot"in . -"e nearl) full moon& )ellow as a lemon& floated "i " in t"e s%). -"in wisps of bla#% #louds drifted over it. -"e #i#adas stopped suddenl)& and all was 9uiet. -oo 9uiet. ' s9uinted into t"e distan#e& toward t"e bla#%ness of t"e swamp. (ot"in moved. (ot"in made a sound. ' waited for m) e)es to ad:ust to t"e dar%ness. -"e moonli "t sent a pale low over t"e rass. 'n t"e far distan#e& ' #ould see t"e bla#% outline of slantin trees w"ere t"e swamp be an. W"o or w"at "ad s#rat#"ed at t"e door+ Were t"e) "idin in t"e dar%ness now+ Wat#"in me+ Waitin for me to #lose t"e door so t"e) #ould be in t"eir fri "tenin "owls a ain+ ;Grad) #lose t"e door.; ' #ould "ear m) sister,s voi#e be"ind me. S"e sounded so fri "tened. ;Grad) do )ou see somet"in + 7o )ou+; ;(o&; ' told "er. ;>ust t"e moon.; ' ventured out onto t"e ba#% stoop. -"e air was "ot and steam)& li%e t"e air in t"e bat"room after )ou,ve ta%en a "ot s"ower. ;Grad) #ome ba#%. !lose t"e door.; 8mil),s voi#e was s"rill and trembl). ' a0ed toward t"e deer pen. ' #ould see t"eir s"adow) forms& still and silent. -"e "ot wind rustled t"e rass. -"e #i#adas be an #"irpin a ain. ;'s an)bod) out "ere+; ' #alled. ' immediatel) felt foolis". -"ere was no one out "ere. ;Grad) s"ut t"e door. (ow.; ' felt 8mil),s "and on m) pa:ama sleeve. S"e tu ed me ba#% into t"e %it#"en. ' #losed t"e door and lo#%ed it. 2) fa#e felt wet from t"e damp ni "t air. ' "ad #"ills. 2) %nees were s"a%in . ;.ou loo% %ind of si#%&; 8mil) said. S"e lan#ed over m) s"oulder to t"e door. ;7id )ou see an)t"in +; ;(o&; ' told "er. ;(ot"in . 't,s so dar% in ba#%& even wit" a full moon.; ;W"at,s oin on in "ere+; $ stern voi#e interrupted us. 7ad lumbered into t"e %it#"en& ad:ustin t"e #ollar of t"e lon ni "ts"irt "e alwa)s wore. ;'t,s past midni "t.; 3e lan#ed from 8mil) to me& t"en ba#% to 8mil)& loo%in for a #lue. ;We "eard noises&; 8mil) said. ;3owls outside.; ;$nd t"en somet"in was s#rat#"in on t"e door&; ' added& tr)in to %eep m) %nees from s"a%in . ;Fever dreams&; 7ad said to me. ;Loo% at )ou. .ou,re red as a tomato. $nd )ou,re s"a%in . Let,s ta%e )our temperature. .ou must be burnin up.; 3e started toward t"e bat"room to et t"e t"ermometer. ;'t wasn,t a dream&; 8mil) #alled after "im. ;' "eard t"e noises& too.; 7ad stopped in t"e doorwa). ;7id )ou #"e#% t"e deer+; ;.ea". -"e),re o%a)&; ' said. ;-"en ma)be it was :ust t"e wind. <r some #reatures in t"e swamp. 't,s "ard to sleep in a new "ouse. -"e sounds are all so new& so unfamiliar. 1ut )ou,ll bot"

et used to t"em after a w"ile.; ',ll never et used to t"ose "orrible "owls& ' t"ou "t stubbornl). 1ut ' "eaded ba#% to m) room. 7ad too% m) temperature. 't was :ust sli "tl) above normal. ;.ou s"ould be fine b) tomorrow&; "e said& smoot"in m) blan%et over me. ;(o more wanderin around toni "t& o%a)+; ' murmured a repl) and almost instantl) drifted into a restless sleep. $ ain ' "ad stran e& troublin dreams. ' dreamed ' was wal%in in t"e swamp. ' "eard t"e "owls. ' #ould see t"e full moon between t"e slender tree trun%s of t"e swamp. ' started to run. $nd t"en suddenl) ' was up to m) waist in a t"i#%& reen bo . $nd t"e "owls #ontinued& one after t"e ot"er& e#"oin t"rou " t"e trees as ' san% into t"e mur%) bo . W"en ' awo%e t"e ne/t mornin & t"e dream lin ered in m) mind. ' wondered if t"e "owls were real& or :ust part of t"e dream. !limbin out of bed& ' reali0ed ' felt fine. .ellow mornin sunli "t poured in t"rou " t"e window. ' #ould see a #lear blue s%). -"e beautiful mornin made me for et m) ni "tmares. ' wondered if Will was around t"is mornin . 2a)be "e and ' #ould o e/plorin in t"e swamp. ' ot dressed 9ui#%l)& pullin on pale blue :eans and a bla#%*and*silver Raiders -*s"irt. (',m not a Raiders fan. ' :ust li%e t"eir #olors.) ' ulped down a bowl of Frosted Fla%es& allowed m) mom to feel m) "ead to ma%e sure m) fever was one& and "urried to t"e ba#% door. ;W"oa. 3old on&; 2om #alled& settin down "er #offee #up. ;W"ere are )ou oin so earl)+; ;' want to see if Will is "ome&; ' said. ;2a)be we,ll "an out or somet"in .; ;<%a). >ust don,t overdo it&; s"e warned. ;=romise+; ;.ea". =romise&; ' replied. ' pulled open t"e %it#"en door& stepped out into blindin sunli "t and s#reamed as an enormous& dar% monster leapt onto m) #"est and "eaved me to t"e round. 1? ;'t it,s ot me6; ' s#reamed as it pus"ed me to t"e round and :umped on m) #"est. ;3elp6 't it,s li#%in m) fa#e6; ' was so startled& it too% me a lon time to reali0e m) atta#%er was a do . 1) t"e time 2om and 7ad #ame to m) res#ue and started to pull t"e bi #reature off m) #"est& ' was lau "in . ;3e) t"at ti#%les6 Stop6; ' wiped t"e do spit off m) fa#e wit" m) "ands and s#rambled to m) feet. ;W"ere,d )ou #ome from+; 2om as%ed t"e do . S"e and 7ad were "oldin on to t"e enormous beast. -"e) bot" let o& and it stood wa in its tail e/#itedl)& pantin & its bi red ton ue "an in down pra#ti#all) to t"e round. ;3e,s enormous6; 7ad e/#laimed. ;3e must be part s"ep"erd.; ' was still wipin t"e sti#%) saliva off m) #"ee%s. ;3e s#ared me to deat"&; ' #onfessed. ;7idn,t )ou& fella+; ' rea#"ed down and stro%ed t"e dar% ra) fur on t"e top of "is "ead. 3is lon tail started wa in faster. ;3e li%es )ou&; 2om said. ;3e pra#ti#all) %illed me6; ' e/#laimed. ;Loo% at "im. 3e must wei " more t"an a "undred pounds6; ;Were )ou t"e one s#rat#"in at our door last ni "t+; 8mil) appeared in t"e doorwa)& still in t"e lon -*s"irt s"e used as a ni "ts"irt. ;' t"in% t"is #lears up t"e m)ster)&; s"e said to me& )awnin sleepil) and pullin "er blonde "air be"ind "er s"oulders wit" bot" "ands.

;' uess&; ' muttered. ' ot down on m) %nees beside t"e bi do and stro%ed "is ba#%. 3e turned "is "ead and li#%ed m) #"ee% a ain. ;.u#%6 Huit t"at6; ' told "im. ;' wonder w"o "e belon s to+; 2om said& starin at t"e do t"ou "tfull). ;Grad)& #"e#% "is #ollar. -"ere,s probabl) an '7 ta .; ' rea#"ed up to t"e do ,s broad ne#% and felt around in "is fur for a #ollar. ;(ot"in t"ere&; ' reported. ;2a)be "e,s a stra)&; 8mil) said from inside t"e %it#"en. ;2a)be t"at,s w") "e was s#rat#"in t"e door last ni "t.; ;.ea"&; ' said 9ui#%l). ;3e needs a pla#e to live.; ;W"oa&; 2om said& s"a%in "er "ead. ;' don,t t"in% we need a do ri "t now& Grad). We :ust moved in& and ; ;1ut ' need a pet6; ' insisted. ;'t,s so lonel) "ere. $ do would be reat& 2om. 3e #ould %eep me #ompan).; ;.ou "ave t"e deer for pets&; 7ad said& frownin . 3e turned to t"e deer pen. -"e si/ deer were all standin alertl) at attention& starin waril) at t"e do . ;.ou #an,t wal% a deer6; ' protested. ;1esides& )ou,re oin to set t"e deer free& ri "t+; ;-"e do probabl) belon s to someone&; 2om said. ;.ou #an,t :ust #laim an) do t"at wanders b). 1esides& "e,s so bi & Grad). 3e,s too bi to ; ;$w& let "im %eep it&; 8mil) #alled from t"e "ouse. ' stared at "er in s"o#%. ' #ouldn,t remember t"e last time 8mil) and ' "ad been on t"e same side of a famil) ar ument. -"e dis#ussion #ontinued for several minutes more. 8ver)one a reed t"at "e seemed li%e a sweet*tempered& entle do despite "is "u e si0e. $nd "e #ertainl) was affe#tionate. ' #ouldn,t ma%e "im stop li#%in me. Glan#in up& ' saw Will #ome out of "is "ouse and "ead a#ross t"e ba#% lawns toward us. 3e was wearin a sleeveless blue -*s"irt and blue L)#ra bi#)#le s"orts. ;3i6 Loo% w"at we found6; ' #alled. ' introdu#ed Will to m) mom and dad. 8mil) "ad disappeared ba#% to "er room to et dressed. ;3ave )ou seen t"is do before+; 7ad as%ed Will. ;7oes "e belon to someone in t"e nei "bor"ood+; Will s"oo% "is "ead. ;(ope. (ever seen "im.; 3e #autiousl) petted t"e do ,s "ead. ;W"ere,d )ou #ome from& fella+; ' as%ed& starin into t"e #reature,s e)es. -"e) were blue. S%)*blue. ;3e loo%s more li%e a wolf t"an a do &; Will said. ;.ea". 3e reall) does&; ' a reed. ;Was t"at )ou "owlin li%e a wolf all last ni "t+; ' as%ed t"e do . 3e tried to li#% m) nose& but ' pulled m) fa#e ba#% in time. ' lan#ed up at Will. ;7id )ou "ear t"ose "owls last ni "t+ -"e) were reall) weird.; ;(o. ' didn,t "ear an)t"in &; Will replied. ;',m a ver) sound sleeper. 2) dad #omes into m) room and s"outs t"rou " a me ap"one to wa%e me up in t"e mornin . Reall)6; We all lau "ed. ;3e reall) does loo% li%e a wolf&; 2om #ommented& starin at t"e do ,s blue e)es. ;Wolves are s%innier&; 7ad remar%ed. ;-"eir snouts are narrower. 3e #ould be part wolf& ' suppose. 1ut it,s not ver) li%el) in t"is eo rap"i#al area.; ;Let,s #all "im Wolf&; ' su ested ent"usiasti#all). ;'t,s t"e perfe#t name for "im.; ' #limbed to m) feet. ;3i& Wolf&; ' #alled to t"e do . ;Wolf6 3i& Wolf6; 3is ears per%ed strai "t up. ;See+ 3e li%es t"e name6; ' e/#laimed. ;Wolf6 Wolf6; 3e bar%ed at me& a sin le )ip. ;!an ' %eep "im+; ' as%ed. 2om and 7ad e/#"an ed lon lan#es. ;We,ll see&; 2om said. -"at afternoon& Will and ' "eaded to t"e swamp to do some e/plorin . 2) ni "tmares about t"e swamp lin ered in m) mind. 1ut ' did m) best to for#e t"em awa).

't was a bla0in "ot da). -"e sun burned down in a #lear& #loudless s%). $s we #rossed m) ba#% )ard& ' "oped it would be #ooler in t"e leaf) s"ade of t"e swamp. ' lan#ed ba#% at Wolf. 3e was nappin in t"e "ot sunli "t on "is side& "is four le s stret#"ed strai "t out in front of "im. We "ad fed "im before lun#"& some leftover roast beef s#raps from our dinner t"e ni "t before. 3e obbled it up "un ril). -"en& after slurpin up an entire bowl of water& "e dropped down in t"e rass in front of t"e ba#% stoop to ta%e "is nap. Will and ' followed t"e dirt pat" into t"e slantin trees. 1la#%*and*oran e monar#" butterflies& four or five of t"em& fluttered over a ban% of tall wildflowers. ;3e)6; ' #ried out as m) foot san% into a mars") spot in t"e dirt. W"en ' pulled m) snea%er out& it was #overed wit" wet sand. ;3ave )ou seen t"e bo +; Will as%ed. ;'t,s %ind of neat.; ;.ea". Let,s o t"ere&; ' said ent"usiasti#all). ;We #an t"row sti#%s in and stun;& and wat#" t"em sin%.; ;7o )ou t"in% an) people ever ot sun% in t"e bo +; Will as%ed t"ou "tfull). 3e brus"ed a mos9uito off "is broad fore"ead& t"en s#rat#"ed "is s"ort& dar% brown "air. ;2a)be&; ' replied& followin "im as "e turned off t"e pat" and "eaded t"rou " a wide pat#" of tall reeds. ;7o )ou t"in% it would reall) su#% )ou down into it& li%e 9ui#%sand+; ;2) dad sa)s t"ere,s no su#" t"in as 9ui#%sand&; Will said. ;' bet t"ere is&; ' told "im. ;' bet people "ave fallen into t"e bo a##identall) and otten su#%ed down. 'f we brou "t a fis"in rod& we #ould #ast a line in and pull up t"eir bones.; ;Gross&; "e said. We were wal%in over a #arpet of dead brown leaves. <ur snea%ers #run#"ed noisil) as we made our wa) under tan led palm trees toward t"e bo . Suddenl)& Will stopped. ;Sss""".; 3e raised a fin er to "is lips. ' "eard it& too. !run#"in be"ind us. Footsteps. We bot" fro0e in pla#e& listenin "ard. -"e footsteps drew #loser. Will,s dar% e)es narrowed in fear. ;Someone,s followin us&; "e murmured. ;'t,s t"e swamp "ermit6; 1@ ;Hui#% "ide6; ' #ried. Will dived be"ind a t"i#% #lump of tall weeds. ' tried to follow "im& but t"ere wasn,t room for bot" of us. !rawlin on m) "ands and %nees& ' sear#"ed franti#all) for somet"in to "ide be"ind. -"e #ra#%lin of dead leaves be#ame louder. -"e footsteps "urried #loser. ' s#rambled toward a nest of brambles. (o. -"e) wouldn,t "ide me. $ #lump of ferns a#ross from me was too low. -"e footsteps #ra#%led #loser. !loser. ;3ide6 3ide6; Will ur ed. 1ut ' was trapped out in t"e open. !au "t. ' stru led to m) feet :ust as our pursuer #ame into view. ;Wolf6; ' #ried. -"e bi do ,s tail be an wa in furiousl) as soon as "e saw me. 3e uttered a :o)ful bar% and :umped. ;(o6; ' mana ed to #r). 3is front paws landed "ard on m) #"est. ' stumbled ba#%wards into t"e tall weeds and fell onto Will.

;3e)6; 3e #ried out and s#rambled to "is feet. Wolf bar%ed "appil) and pra#ti#all) smot"ered me& tr)in to li#% m) fa#e. ;Wolf down6 7own6; ' s"outed. ' stood up and started brus"in dead leaves off m) -*s"irt. ;Wolf& )ou,ve ot to stop doin t"at& bo)&; ' told "im. ;.ou,re not a little pupp)& )ou %now+; ;3ow did "e find us+; Will as%ed& pullin a burr off t"e seat of "is blue L)#ra s"orts. ;Good nose& ' uess&; ' replied& starin down at t"e "appil) pantin do . ;2a)be "e,s part "untin do or somet"in .; ;Let,s et to t"e bo &; Will said impatientl). 3e be an leadin t"e wa)& but Wolf pus"ed past "im& nearl) bumpin "im over& and #ontinued trottin toward t"e bo & "is powerful le s ta%in lon & stead) strides. ;Wolf a#ts as if "e %nows w"ere we,re oin &; ' said& a little surprised. ;2a)be "e,s been "ere before&; Will replied. ;2a)be "e,s a swamp do .; ;2a)be&; ' replied t"ou "tfull)& starin down at Wolf. W"ere do )ou #ome from& do + ' wondered. 3e #ertainl) did seem at "ome in t"e swamp. 'n a s"ort w"ile& we #ame to t"e ed e of t"e peat bo . ' wiped t"e sweat off m) fore"ead wit" t"e ba#% of m) "and and stared a#ross t"e oval*s"aped pond. S"afts of sunli "t made t"e reen surfa#e spar%le. -"ousands of tin) w"ite inse#ts fluttered :ust above it& #at#"in t"e li "t& listenin li%e little diamonds. Will pi#%ed up a small tree bran#". 3e #ra#%ed it in "alf between "is "ands. -"en "e "eaved one of t"e "alves "i " into t"e air. 't "it t"e surfa#e of t"e bo wit" more of a t"un% t"an a splas". $nd t"en it :ust la) t"ere. 't didn,t sin%. ;Weird&; ' said. ;Let,s tr) somet"in "eavier.; ' started to sear#" for somet"in & but a low rowl #au "t m) attention. ' turned toward t"e sound. -o m) surprise& it was #omin from Wolf. -"e do "ad lowered its bi "ead. 'ts entire bod) stood tensed& as if in atta#% position. 'ts dar% lips were pulled ba#%& revealin two s"arp rows of teet". 't uttered a low rowl& t"en anot"er. ;' t"in% "e senses dan er&; Will said softl). 14 Wolf uttered anot"er mena#in rowl& barin "is :a ed teet". -"e fur on "is ba#% stood up stiffl). 3is le s tensed as if preparin to atta#%. -"e sound of #ra#%lin twi s made me raise m) e)es. ' saw a ra) fi ure dartin be"ind tall weeds on t"e ot"er side of t"e bo . ;W"o w"o,s t"at+; Will w"ispered. ' stared strai "t a"ead& unable to spea%. ;'s t"at ; Will started. ;.es&; ' mana ed to #"o%e out. ;'t,s "im. -"e swamp "ermit.; ' dropped 9ui#%l) to m) %nees& "opin to %eep out of view. 1ut "ad "e alread) seen us+ 3ad "e been t"ere at t"e ot"er side of t"e bo all alon + Will must "ave been s"arin m) t"ou "ts. ;3as t"at weirdo been sp)in on us+; "e demanded& "uddlin beside me. Wolf uttered a 9uiet rowl& still fro0en in pla#e& read) to atta#%. Aeepin low& ' s#ooted #loser to t"e do . For prote#tion& ' uess. ' wat#"ed t"e stran e man as "e made "is wa) t"rou " t"e weeds. 3is lon & ra)* w"ite "air was wild& standin strai "t out around "is fa#e. 3e %ept lan#in be"ind "im as "e wal%ed& as if ma%in sure "e wasn,t bein followed. 3e #arried a brown sa#% over one s"oulder. 3e turned "is a0e in our dire#tion. ' dropped down lower& tr)in to "ide be"ind Wolf& m) "eart poundin . Wolf "adn,t moved& but "e was silent now. 3is ears were still pulled ba#%& "is lips still open in a soundless snarl.

W"at were t"ose dar% stains on t"e front of t"e swamp "ermit,s rim) s"irt+ 1loodstains+ $ s"iver of fear ran down m) ba#%. Wolf stared strai "t a"ead wit"out blin%in & wit"out movin a mus#le. -"e swamp "ermit disappeared be"ind t"e tall weeds. We #ouldn,t see "im& but we #ould still "ear "is footsteps #run#"in over dead leaves and fallen twi s. ' lan#ed over at Wolf. -"e bi do s"oo% "imself& as if s"a%in t"e swamp "ermit from "is mind. 3is tail wa ed slowl). 3is bod) rela/ed. 3e uttered soft w"impers& as if tellin me "ow s#ared "e "ad been. ;'t,s o%a)& bo)&; ' said 9uietl)& and rubbed t"e soft fur on top of t"e do ,s "ead. 3e stopped w"imperin and li#%ed at m) wrist. ;-"at u) is #reep)6; Will e/#laimed& #limbin slowl) to "is feet. ;3e even s#ared t"e do &; ' said& pettin Wolf some more. ;W"at do )ou t"in% "e "ad in t"e sa#%+; ;=robabl) someone,s "ead6; Will said& "is dar% e)es wide wit" "orror. ' lau "ed. 1ut ' stopped w"en ' saw t"at Will wasn,t :o%in . ;8ver)one sa)s "e,s "armless&; ' said. ;3e "ad blood all over t"e front of "is s"irt&; Will said wit" a s"udder. 3e s#rat#"ed "is s"ort& dar% "air nervousl). -"e sunli "t faded 9ui#%l) as #louds rolled over t"e sun. Lon s"adows #rept over t"e bo . -"e sti#% Will "ad t"rown "ad disappeared& su#%ed into t"e t"i#%& mur%) water. ;Let,s et "ome&; ' su ested. ;.ea". <%a)&; Will a reed 9ui#%l). ' #alled to Wolf& w"o was e/plorin in t"e tall weeds. -"en we turned and started to ma%e our wa) ba#% alon t"e twistin dirt pat". $ soft bree0e fluttered t"e trees& ma%in t"e palm leaves s#rape and #latter. -all ferns s"ivered in t"e wind. -"e s"adows rew deeper and dar%er. ' #ould "ear Wolf be"ind us. ' #ould "ear "is bod) brus"in t"rou " low s"rubs and weeds. We were nearl) to w"ere t"e trees ended and t"e flat rass leadin to our ba#% )ards be an. We were nearl) out of t"e swamp w"en Will stopped suddenl). ' saw "is mout" drop open in "orror. ' turned to follow "is a0e. -"en ' uttered a s"o#%ed #r) and #overed m) e)es to s"ut out t"e ruesome si "t. 1B W"en ' opened m) e)es& t"e "ideous pile of feat"ers and blood*#overed fles" was still at m) feet. ;W"*w"at is it+; Will stammered. 't too% me a lon w"ile to reali0e we were starin at a bird. $ lar e "eron. 't was "ard to re#o ni0e be#ause it "ad been torn apart. Lon & w"ite feat"ers were s#attered over t"e soft round. -"e poor bird,s #"est "ad been torn wide open. ;-"e swamp "ermit6; Will #ried. ;3u"+; ' #ried. ' turned awa) from t"e "ideous si "t and tried to for#e t"e ima e from m) mind. ;-"at,s w") "e "ad blood all over "is s"irt6; Will de#lared. ;1ut w") would "e rip a bird apart+; ' as%ed wea%l). ;1e#ause . . . be#ause "e,s a monster6; Will e/#laimed. ;3e,s :ust a weird old u) w"o lives alone in t"e swamp&; ' said. ;3e didn,t do t"is& Will. Some %ind of animal did it. Loo%6; ' pointed to t"e round. -"ere were paw prints in t"e soft round. $ll around t"e dead bird. ;-"e) loo% li%e do ,s paws&; ' said& t"in%in out loud. ;7o s don,t rip apart birds&; Will replied 9uietl). $t t"at moment& Wolf #ame boundin up to us t"rou " t"e weeds. 3e #ame to a stop

in front of t"e dead bird and started to sniff it. ;Get awa) from t"ere& Wolf&; ' ordered. ;!ome on. Get awa).; ' tu ed "im ba#%& pullin "im wit" bot" "ands around "is t"i#% ne#%. ;Let,s et "ome&; Will said. ;Let,s et awa) from t"is t"in . ',m oin to "ave bad dreams. ' reall) will.; ' pulled Wolf wit" bot" "ands. We stepped #arefull) around t"e dead "eron and t"en "urried toward t"e swamp ed e. (eit"er of us said a word. ' uess we were bot" still pi#turin w"at we "ad seen. $s we rea#"ed t"e flat rass be"ind our "ouses& ' said ood*b)e to Will. ' wat#"ed "im "urr) to "is "ouse. Wolf s#ampered after "im for part of t"e wa). -"en "e turned and "urried ba#% to me. -"e late afternoon sun burned its wa) t"rou " t"e #louds. ' s"ielded m) e)es from t"e sudden bri "tness& and saw m) dad wor%in in t"e deer pen be"ind t"e "ouse. ;3e)& 7ad ; ' ran toward "im over t"e rass. 3e lan#ed up w"en ' #alled to "im. 3e was wearin denim #utoffs and a sleeveless )ellow -*s"irt. 3e "ad an <rlando 2a i# #ap pulled down over "is fore"ead. ;W"at,s up& Grad)+; ;Will and ' we saw a dead "eron&; ' told "im breat"lessl). ;W"ere+ 'n t"e swamp+; "e as%ed #asuall). 3e pulled off t"e #ap& wiped "is fore"ead wit" t"e ba#% of "is "and& and repla#ed t"e #ap. ;7ad& it it was torn apart6; ' #ried. 3e didn,t rea#t. ;-"at,s part of life in t"e wild&; "e said& pullin up one of t"e deer,s "ooves to e/amine t"e bottom. ;.ou %now t"at& Grad). 't #an et prett) violent out t"ere. We,ve tal%ed about survival of t"e fittest and stuff li%e t"at.; ;(o& 7ad. -"is is different&; ' insisted. ;-"e "eron it was ripped in two. ' mean& li%e someone too% it& and ; ;$not"er bird& ma)be&; 7ad said& #on#entratin on t"e deer "oof. ;$ lar er bird of pre). 't #ould "ave been ; ;We saw t"e swamp "ermit&; ' interrupted. ;3e "ad blood all over "is s"irt. -"en we saw paw prints in t"e round. $ll around t"e dead bird.; ;Grad)& #alm down&; 7ad said& settin down t"e deer,s le . ;'f )ou o e/plorin in t"e swamp& )ou,re oin to see a lot of fri "tenin *loo%in t"in s. 1ut don,t let )our ima ination run awa) wit" )ou.; ;Will said it was done b) a monster6; ' e/#laimed. 7ad frowned and s#rat#"ed "is "ead t"rou " t"e #ap. ;' see )our new friend "as a ood ima ination& too&; "e said 9uietl). -"at ni "t& ' was lad m) parents a reed to let Wolf sleep in m) room. ' felt a lot safer wit" t"e bi do #urled up on t"e ru beside m) bed. ' "adn,t been able to s"a%e t"e u l) pi#ture of t"e dead "eron from m) mind. ' wat#"ed some -5 until dinnertime. -"en after dinner& ' pla)ed a lon #"ess ame wit" 8mil). 1ut no matter w"at ' did& ' %ept seein t"e w"ite feat"ers s#attered over t"e round& t"e torn*apart bird l)in #rumpled on t"e pat". So now ' felt a little #omforted wit" Wolf sleepin in t"e room. ;.ou,ll prote#t me& won,t )ou& bo)+; ' w"ispered from m) bed. 3e uttered a low snort. Li "t from t"e full moon spilled over "im t"rou " t"e window. ' saw t"at "e was sleepin wit" "is "ead restin on "is two front paws. -"en ' drifted into a dreamless sleep. ' don,t %now "ow lon ' slept. ' was awa%ened some time later b) a "orrif)in #ras". ' sat strai "t up wit" a startled asp. -"e #ras" "ad #ome from t"e livin room& ' reali0ed. Someone was brea%in in6 1C

Was it a bur lar+ ' #limbed out of bed& m) "eart poundin & and #rept to t"e door. $not"er #ras". $ loud t"ump. Footsteps. ;W"o w"o is it+; ' #ried. 2) voi#e #ame out in a #"o%ed w"isper. Aeepin a ainst t"e wall& ' made m) wa) slowl) toward t"e livin room. ;W"o,s t"ere+; ' s"outed. 2om and 7ad and 8mil) met me in t"e dar% "allwa). 8ven in t"e dar%ness ' #ould see t"e fear and #onfusion on t"eir fa#es. ' was t"e first to t"e livin room. =ale )ellow li "t from t"e full moon was"ed a#ross t"e room. ;3e)6; ' #alled out. Wolf leaped a ainst t"e bi front window. 3is s"oulders made a loud t"ud a ainst t"e lass. ;Wolf stop6; ' #ried. 'n t"e pale li "t& ' saw w"at "ad #aused t"e loud #ras". Wolf "ad %no#%ed over t"e table and a lamp t"at "ad stood in front of t"e window. ;3e "e,s tr)in to et outside&; ' stammered. ' felt 7ad,s "and on t"e s"oulder of m) pa:ama s"irt. ;W"at a mess "e,s made&; "e murmured. ;Wolf stop6; ' #alled a ain. -"e bi do turned& breat"in "ard. 3is e)es lowed red in t"e moonli "t t"rou " t"e window. ;W") is "e so desperate to et out+; 8mil) demanded. ;We #an,t "ave "im in t"e "ouse if "e does t"is ever) ni "t&; 2om said& "er voi#e "oarse from sleep. -"e bi do lowered "is "ead and let out an e/#ited rowl. 3is tail stood strai "t up be"ind "im. ;<pen t"e front door. Let "im out&; 2om said. ;1efore "e wre#%s t"e w"ole "ouse.; 7ad "urried a#ross t"e room and pulled open t"e door. Wolf didn,t "esitate for a se#ond. 3e bounded to t"e door and burst out. ' ran to t"e window to wat#" "im. 1ut t"e bi do disappeared around t"e side of t"e "ouse& runnin toward t"e ba#% )ard. ;3e,s "eadin to t"e swamp&; ' uessed. ;3e tried to brea% ri "t t"rou " t"e window&; 2om said. 8mil) #li#%ed on a lamp. ;3e,s so stron & "e probabl) #ould "ave bro%en t"e window&; s"e said 9uietl). 7ad #losed t"e front door. 3e )awned. -"en "e turned "is a0e on me. ;.ou %now w"at t"is means& don,t )ou& Grad)+; ' was still starin out at t"e full moon. ;(o. W"at+; ;Wolf will "ave to sta) outdoors from now on&; 7ad said. 3e stooped and be an pi#%in up pie#es of t"e bro%en lamp. ;1ut& 7ad ; ' started to protest. ;3e,s too bi and too restless to sta) in t"e "ouse&; 7ad #ontinued. 3e "anded t"e lamp pie#es to 8mil). -"en "e pulled t"e table ri "tside up and returned it to its pla#e in front of t"e window. ;Wolf didn,t mean to brea% t"e lamp&; ' ar ued wea%l). ;3e,ll brea% ever)t"in we "ave&; 2om said 9uietl). ;3e,s :ust too bi &; 7ad added. ;3e,ll "ave to sta) outside& Grad).; ;W") did "e want out so desperatel)+; 8mil) demanded. ;3e,s probabl) used to bein outside&; 7ad told "er. ;3e,ll be "appier out t"ere&; "e said& turnin to me. ;.ea". 2a)be&; ' replied luml). ' li%ed "avin Wolf sleep beside me in m) bedroom. 1ut ' %new t"ere was no wa) ' #ould #onvin#e m) parents to ive t"e do a se#ond #"an#e. -"eir minds were made up. $nd at least t"e) were lettin me %eep Wolf. ' pulled t"e va#uum #leaner out of t"e #loset and plu ed it in. 7ad too% t"e no00le and be an va#uumin up t"e tin) pie#es of lass from t"e #arpet.

-"at #ra0) do & ' t"ou "t& s"a%in m) "ead un"appil). W"at is "is problem& an)wa)+ W"en 7ad finis"ed& ' #arried t"e va#uum #leaner ba#% to t"e #loset. ;(ow ma)be we #an all sleep in pea#e&; 2om said& )awnin . S"e was wron . 1D ' "eard t"e fri "tenin "owls a ain a s"ort w"ile later. $t first ' t"ou "t ' was dreamin t"em. 1ut w"en ' opened m) e)es and a0ed around m) dar% bedroom& t"e "owls #ontinued. Still "alf asleep& ' ripped t"e #overs wit" bot" "ands and pulled t"em up to m) #"in. -"e "owls sounded so #lose& as if t"e) were ri "t outside m) window. -"e) didn,t seem li%e t"e #ries of an animal. -"e) were too an r)& too deliberate. -oo "uman. Stop tr)in to fri "ten )ourself& ' t"ou "t. 't,s a wolf. 't "as to be some %ind of swamp wolf. 'n t"e ba#% of m) mind& ' %new it mi "t be Wolf ma%in t"ose fri "tenin sounds. 1ut ' %ept pus"in t"e t"ou "t awa). W") would t"e do "owl li%e t"at+ 7o s bar%. -"e) don,t "owl unless t"e),re ver) sad or upset. ' s"ut m) e)es& wis"in t"e fri "tenin wails awa). Suddenl)& t"e) stopped. Silen#e. -"en ' "eard rapid t"umps on t"e round. Footsteps. Some %ind of a stru le. ' "eard a s"ort& terrif)in #r). 't #ut off almost as soon as it be an. 't,s ri "t in ba#% of t"e "ouse& ' reali0ed. Wide awa%e now& ' :umped out of bed& dra in t"e #overs wit" me. ' stumbled to t"e bedroom window and rabbed t"e windowsill. -"e full moon "ad risen "i " in t"e ni "t s%). -"e ba#% )ard stret#"ed out silver) in t"e moonli "t& t"e dew) rass s"immerin in t"e bri "t li "t. =ressin m) fore"ead a ainst t"e windowpane& ' peered out toward t"e dar% swamp. ' uttered a near*silent asp w"en ' saw t"e s"adow) #reature runnin toward t"e trees. $ lar e #reature& runnin on all fours. 't was onl) a bla#% outline fadin into t"e dar%ness. 1ut ' #ould see "ow bi it was& and ' #ould see "ow fast it was runnin . $nd ' "eard its "owls. -riump"ant "owls& ' t"ou "t. 's it Wolf+ ' wondered. ' peered out t"e window wit"out movin & even t"ou " t"e dar%ness "ad swallowed t"e #reature up. ' #ould see onl) t"e outline of distant trees. 1ut ' #ould still "ear t"e "owls risin and fallin on t"e "eav) ni "t air. 's it Wolf+ 't #an,t be Wolf #an it+ ' lowered m) a0e. 2) breat" #au "t in m) t"roat. ' saw somet"in . 'n t"e middle of t"e ba#%)ard. $ few feet from t"e deer pen. $t first ' t"ou "t it was a pile of ra s. 2) "ands trembled as ' pulled open m) window. ' "ad to et a better loo%. ' "ad to see w"at t"at was in t"e ba#% )ard. ' pulled up m) pa:ama bottoms. -"en& rippin t"e windowsill& ' lowered m)self out t"e window onto t"e rass. -"e wet rass felt #old under m) bare feet. ' turned to t"e deer pen. -"e si/ swamp deer were standin tensel)& "uddled to et"er a ainst t"e "ouse. -"eir dar% e)es followed me as ' be an to #reep a#ross t"e rass. W"at is t"at t"in + ' wondered& starin into t"e silver) li "t. 's it :ust a pile of old ra s+ (o.

W"at is it+ 1E 2) bare feet felt #old and wet as ' made m) wa) slowl) a#ross t"e dew*#overed rass. -"e ni "t air was "eav) and still& still as deat". W"en ' #ame #lose enou " to see w"at was l)in in a "eap on t"e rass& ' uttered a faint #r) and started to a . ' pressed a "and a ainst m) mout" and swallowed "ard. ' reali0ed ' was starin down at a rabbit. 'ts small& bla#% e)es were fro0en open in terror. <ne of its ears "ad been pulled off. -"e rabbit "ad been ripped open& nearl) torn in "alf. ' for#ed m)self to loo% awa). 2) stoma#" still "eavin & ' "urried ba#% over t"e wet rass to m) open window and s#rambled ba#% in. $s ' stru led to pull t"e window s"ut& t"e "owls ran out a ain& risin triump"antl) from t"e nearb) swamp. $fter brea%fast t"e ne/t mornin & ' led 7ad out to t"e ba#% )ard to s"ow "im t"e murdered rabbit. 't was a bri "t& "ot da)& and a red sun #limbed a pale& #lear s%). $s soon as we stepped off t"e ba#% stoop& Wolf appeared from around t"e side of "is "ouse. 3is tail be an wa in furiousl). 3e #ame runnin e/#itedl) to reet me& as if "e "adn,t seen me in )ears& leapin onto m) #"est& nearl) %no#%in me over. ;7own& Wolf6 7own6; ' #ried& lau "in as t"e do stret#"ed to li#% m) fa#e. ;.our do is a %iller&; a voi#e said be"ind me. ' turned to see t"at 8mil) "ad followed us. S"e was wearin a red -*s"irt over w"ite tennis s"orts. S"e "ad "er arms #rossed in front of "er& and s"e was larin disapprovin l) at Wolf. ;Loo% w"at "e did to t"at poor bunn) rabbit&; s"e said& s"a%in "er "ead. ;W"oa. 3old on&; ' replied& pettin Wolf,s ra) fur. ;W"o said Wolf did t"is+; ;W"o else would "ave done it+; 8mil) demanded. ;3e,s a %iller.; ;<"& )ea"+ Loo% "ow entle "e is&; ' insisted. ' put m) wrist in Wolf,s mout". 3e #lamped down entl) on it& bein #areful not to "urt me. ;Wolf ma) be a bit of a "unter&; 7ad said t"ou "tfull). 3e "ad been starin down at t"e rabbit& but now "e turned "is lan#e to t"e deer pen. 3uddled to et"er at one end of t"e pen& t"e deer were all starin waril) at Wolf. -"e) "ad t"eir "eads lowered #autiousl) as t"e) followed t"e do ,s ever) move. ;',m lad t"e),re safe inside t"at pen&; 7ad said softl). ;7ad& )ou "ave to et rid of t"is do &; 8mil) said s"rill). ;(o wa)6; ' #ried. ' turned an ril) to m) sister. ;.ou "ave no proof t"at Wolf did an)t"in wron 6; ' s"outed. ;(o proof at all6; ;.ou "ave no proof t"at "e didn,t do it6; 8mil) replied nastil). ;<f #ourse "e didn,t6; ' #ried& feelin m) self lose #ontrol. ;7idn,t )ou "ear t"e "owls last ni "t+ 7idn,t )ou "ear t"ose fri "tenin "owls+ 't wasn,t a do "owlin li%e t"at. 7o s don,t "owl li%e t"at6; ;-"en w"at was it+; 8mil) demanded. ;' "eard t"em& too&; 7ad said& steppin between us. ;-"e) sounded more li%e wolf "owls. <r ma)be a #o)ote.; ;See+; ' told 8mil). ;1ut ',d be ver) surprised to find a wolf or #o)ote in t"is area&; 7ad #ontinued& a0in out toward t"e swamp. 8mil) still "ad "er arms #rossed ti "tl) over "er #"est. S"e a0ed down at Wolf and s"uddered. ;3e,s dan erous& 7ad. .ou reall) "ave to et rid of "im.; 7ad wal%ed over and patted Wolf,s "ead. 3e s#rat#"ed Wolf under t"e #"in. Wolf li#%ed 7ad,s "and. ;Let,s :ust be #areful around "im&; 7ad said. ;3e seems ver) entle. 1ut we don,t

reall) %now an)t"in about "im do we+ So let,s be ver) #areful& o%a)+; ;',m oin to be #areful&; 8mil) replied& narrowin "er e)es at Wolf. ;',m oin to sta) as far awa) from t"at monster as ' #an.; S"e turned and stormed ba#% to t"e "ouse. 7ad made "is wa) to t"e s"ed to et a s"ovel and bo/ to #arr) awa) t"e dead rabbit in. ' dropped to m) %nees and "u ed Wolf,s broad ne#%. ;.ou aren,t a monster& are )ou& bo)+; ' as%ed. ;8mil) is #ra0)& isn,t s"e+ .ou,re not a monster. -"at wasn,t )ou ' saw runnin toward t"e swamp last ni "t& was it+; Wolf raised "is deep blue e)es to mine. 3e stared "ard at me. 3e seemed to be tr)in to tell me somet"in . 1ut ' "ad no idea w"at it #ould be. 1F -"at ni "t ' didn,t "ear t"e "owls. ' wo%e up in t"e middle of t"e ni "t and stared out t"e window. Wolf was one& probabl) e/plorin t"e swamp. 'n t"e mornin & ' %new "e,d #ome runnin ba#% to reet me as if ' were a lon lost friend. -"e ne/t mornin Will s"owed up :ust as ' was ivin Wolf "is brea%fast& a bi bowl of #run#")& dr) do food. ;3e)& w"at,s up+; Will as%ed& "is usual reetin . ;(ot"in mu#"&; ' said. ' rolled up t"e top of t"e bi ba of do food and dra ed it ba#% into t"e %it#"en. Wolf stood over "is bowl& "is "ead lowered& #"ewin noisil) awa). ' pus"ed open t"e s#reen door and returned to Will. 3e was wearin a dar% blue mus#le s"irt and bla#% L)#ra bi%e s"orts. 3e "ad a reen*and*)ellow Forest Servi#e #ap pulled down over "is dar% "air. ;Want to o e/plorin +; "e as%ed in "is "oarse voi#e& wat#"in Wolf "un ril) obble down "is brea%fast. ;.ou %now. 'n t"e swamp+; ;.ea". Sure&; ' said. ' #alled inside to tell m) parents w"ere ' was oin . -"en ' followed Will a#ross t"e ba#% lawn toward t"e swamp. Wolf #ame s#amperin after us. 3e,d run past us& t"en let us #at#" up. -"en "e,d run in #ra0) 0i 0a s in front of us& be"ind us& rompin "appil) under t"e "ot mornin sun. ;7id )ou "ear about 2r. Warner+; Will as%ed. 3e stopped to pi#% up a lon blade of rass and put it between "is teet". ;W"o+; ;8d Warner&; Will replied. ;' uess )ou "aven,t met t"e Warners )et. -"e) live in t"e ver) last "ouse.; 3e turned and pointed be"ind us to t"e last w"ite "ouse at t"e end of t"e row of w"ite "ouses. ;W"at about "im+; ' as%ed& nearl) trippin over Wolf& w"o "ad #ome rumblin past m) feet. ;3e,s missin &; Will replied& #"ewin on t"e rass blade. ;3e didn,t #ome "ome last ni "t.; ;3u"+ From w"ere+; ' as%ed& turnin to stare at t"e Warners, "ouse. 3eat waves s"immered up from t"e rass& ma%in t"e "ouse appear to bend and 9uiver. ;From t"e swamp&; Will replied dar%l). ;2rs. Warner #alled m) mom t"is mornin . S"e said 2r. Warner went "untin )esterda) afternoon. 3e li%es to "unt wild tur%e)s. 3e too% me wit" "im a #ouple times. 3e,s real ood at #"asin t"em down. W"en "e %ills one& "e "an s its feet up on "is den wall.; ;3e does+; ' #ried. 't sounded prett) ross to me. ;.ea". .ou %now. Li%e a trop")&; Will #ontinued. ;$n)wa)& "e went "untin wild tur%e)s in t"e swamp )esterda) afternoon& and "e "asn,t #ome "ome.; ;Weird&; ' said& wat#"in Wolf stop at t"e ed e of t"e trees. ;2a)be "e ot lost.; ;(o wa)&; Will insisted& s"a%in "is "ead. ;(ot 2r. Warner. 3e,s lived "ere a lon time. 3e was t"e first one to move "ere. 2r. Warner wouldn,t et lost.; ;-"en ma)be t"e werewolf ot "im6; #alled a stran e voi#e be"ind us.

?G Startled& we bot" spun around to see a irl about our a e. S"e "ad rust*#olored red "air tied in a pon)tail on one side. S"e "ad #atli%e reen e)es& and a s"ort stub of a nose& and fre#%les all over "er fa#e. S"e was wearin faded red denim :eans and a -*s"irt wit" a rinnin reen alli ator on t"e front. ;!assie& w"at are )ou doin "ere+; Will demanded. ;Followin )ou&; s"e replied& ma%in a fa#e at "im. S"e turned to me. ;.ou,re t"e new %id& Grad)& ri "t+ Will told me about )ou.; ;3i&; ' said aw%wardl). ;3e told me a irl lived in t"e nei "bor"ood. 1ut "e didn,t tell me mu#" about )ou.; ;W"at,s to tell+; Will teased. ;',m !assie <,Rour%e&; s"e said. S"e s"ot up "er "and and pulled t"e blade of rass from Will,s mout". ;3e)6; 3e pla)full) tried to slu "er& but missed. ;W"at did )ou sa) about a werewolf+; ' as%ed. ;7on,t start wit" t"at stuff a ain&; Will rumbled to !assie. ;'t,s so stupid.; ;.ou,re :ust afraid&; !assie a##used. ;(o& ',m not. 't,s too stupid&; Will insisted. We stepped into t"e s"ade of t"e trees at t"e swamp ed e. $ funnel #loud of w"ite nats w"irred #ra0il) in a s"aft of li "t between t"e trees. ;-"ere,s a werewolf in t"e swamp&; !assie said& lowerin "er voi#e as we du#%ed past t"e nats and moved deeper into t"e s"ade. ;$nd ',m oin to flap m) win s and fl) to 2ars&; Will said sar#asti#all). ;S"ut up& Will&; !assie snapped. ;Grad) doesn,t t"in% it,s stupid do )ou+; ' s"ru ed. ;' don,t %now&; ' said. ;' don,t t"in% ' believe in werewolves.; Will lau "ed. ;!assie believes in t"e 8aster 1unn)& too&; "e said. !assie so#%ed "im "ard in t"e #"est. ;3e)6; Will #ried out an ril) as "e sta ered ba#%. ;W"at,s )our problem+; ;2os9uito&; s"e said& pointin . ;$ bi one. ' ot "im.; S#owlin & Will lan#ed down. ;' don,t see an) mos9uito. Give me a brea%& !assie.; We made our wa) alon t"e windin pat". 't "ad rained t"e da) before. -"e round was mars"ier t"an usual. We %ept slippin in t"e soft mud. ;7o )ou "ear t"e "owlin sounds at ni "t+; ' as%ed !assie. ;-"at,s t"e werewolf&; s"e replied softl). 3er reen #at*e)es burned into mine. ;',m not %iddin around& Grad). ',m serious. -"ose "owls aren,t "uman. -"ose "owls #ome from a werewolf w"o "as :ust %illed.; Will sni#%ered. ;.ou,ve ot a ood ima ination& !assie. ' uess )ou wat#" a lot of s#ar) movies on -5& "u"+; ;Real life is s#arier t"an t"e movies&; s"e said& lowerin "er voi#e to a w"isper. ;<o"& stop. .ou,re ma%in me s"a%e all over6; Will e/#laimed sar#asti#all). S"e didn,t repl). S"e was still starin at me as we wal%ed. ;.ou believe me& don,t )ou+; ;' don,t %now&; ' said. -"e bo #ame into view. -"e air be#ame "eavier& wetter. -"e tall weeds on t"e ot"er side stood strai "t up. -"e bo ur led 9uietl). -wo bi flies dan#ed over t"e dar% reen surfa#e. ;-"ere,s no su#" t"in as werewolves& !assie&; Will muttered& sear#"in for somet"in to t"row into t"e bo . 3e rinned at "er. ;4nless ma)be )ou,re one6; S"e rolled "er e)es. ;5er) funn).; S"e made bitin motions wit" "er teet" as if s"e were oin to bite "im. ' "eard a rustlin sound a#ross t"e oval*s"aped bo . -"e tall weeds suddenl) parted& and Wolf appeared at t"e ed e of t"e water. ;W"at does t"e werewolf loo% li%e+; Will as%ed sar#asti#all). ;7oes it "ave red "air and fre#%les+; !assie didn,t repl).

' turned to see a loo% of terror free0e on "er fa#e. 3er reen e)es rew wide& and "er fre#%les seemed to fade. ;-"*t"ere,s t"e werewolf6; s"e stammered in a #"o%ed w"isper. S"e pointed. Feelin a #"ill of fear& ' turned to see w"ere s"e was pointin . -o m) "orror& s"e was pointin ri "t at Wolf6 ?1 ;(o6; ' started to protest. 1ut t"en ' saw t"at ' "ad misunderstood. !assie wasn,t pointin at Wolf. S"e was pointin to t"e fi ure movin t"rou " t"e tall weeds be"ind t"e do . -"e swamp "ermit6 ' saw "im wal%in 9ui#%l) be"ind t"e weeds& "is s"oulders bent& "is man ) "ead bobbin wit" ea#" step. $s "e moved into a small brea% in t"e weeds& ' #ould see w") "e was leanin forward. 3e #arried somet"in over one s"oulder. $ ba of some sort. Wolf started to rowl. -"e "ermit stopped wal%in . 't wasn,t a ba slun over "is s"oulder& ' saw. 't was a tur%e). $ wild tur%e). $ #"illin t"ou "t burst into m) mind: 3ad "e ta%en it from 2r. Warner+ Was !assie ri "t about t"e swamp "ermit+ Was "e a werewolf+ 3ad "e done somet"in "orrible to 2r. Warner and #laimed t"e wild tur%e) as "is pri0e+ ' tried to dismiss t"ese "orrible t"ou "ts. -"e) were #ra0). 'mpossible. 1ut !assie loo%ed so fri "tened& starin a#ross t"e ur lin reen bo at t"e wild*e)ed "ermit. $nd t"e "owls at ni "t& t"e "owls "ad been so fri "tenin & so "uman. $nd t"e dead animals ',d seen& torn so brutall) apart& as if . . . as if b) a werewolf6 Wolf uttered anot"er warnin rowl. 3e stared at t"e "ermit& "is tail standin stiffl) be"ind "im& "is fur risin up on "is ba#%. -"e "ermit moved 9ui#%l). ' saw "is dar% e)es flas" :ust before "e disappeared be"ind t"e weeds. ;'t,s "im6; !assie #ried& still pointin . ;'t,s t"e werewolf6; ;!assie s"ut up6; Will warned. ;3e,ll "ear )ou6; ' swallowed "ard& fro0en in pla#e b) m) fear. ' saw t"e weeds tremble a#ross t"e bo . ' "eard rustlin sounds rowin #loser. ;Run6; Will #ried& "is "oarse voi#e s"rill and fri "tened. ;!ome on run6; -oo late. -"e swamp "ermit burst out of t"e weeds ri "t be"ind us. ;',m t"e werewolf6; "e s"rie%ed. 3is e)es were wild& e/#ited. 3is fa#e& surrounded b) "is lon & tan led "air& was bri "t red. ;',m t"e werewolf6; 3e "ad "eard !assie6 Lau "in at t"e top of "is lun s& "e tossed up bot" "ands& t"en be an to swin t"e tur%e) in a wide #ir#le over "is "ead. ;',m t"e werewolf6; "e #ried. !assie& Will& and ' all #ried out at t"e same time. -"en we started to run. <ut of t"e #orner of m) e)e& ' #ould see Wolf. 3e "adn,t moved from "is spot a#ross t"e bo . 1ut now& as ' started to run& "e #ame boundin toward us& bar%in e/#itedl). ;',m t"e werewolf6; t"e "ermit s"rie%ed. 3e "owled wit" lau "ter& still swin in t"e tur%e) as "e #"ased after us. ;Leave us alone6; !assie #ried& runnin beside Will a few steps a"ead of me. ;7o )ou "ear me+ Leave us alone6; 3er pleas made t"e "ermit "owl a ain. 2) s"oes slipped in t"e mudd) round. ' turned ba#%. 3e was ainin on me. Ri "t be"ind me. Gaspin for breat"& ' stru led to run faster. S"arp vines and "eav) leaves

slapped at m) fa#e and arms as ' plun ed forward. 't was all a blur now. $ blur of li "t and s"ade& trees and vines& tall weeds and s"arp brambles. ;',m t"e werewolf6 ',m t"e werewolf6; -"e #ra0ed "ermit,s "i "*pit#"ed wails of lau "ter e#"oed t"rou " t"e swamp. Aeep oin & Grad)& ' ur ed m)self. Aeep oin . -"en& wit" a terrified #r)& ' felt m) feet slide out from under me. ' fell fa#e forward into t"e mud& landin "ard on m) "ands and %nees. 3e,s ot me& ' reali0ed. -"e werewolf "as ot me. ?? ' tried franti#all) to s#ramble up from t"e mud. 1ut ' slipped a ain and tumbled forward wit" a splat. 3e,s ot me now& ' t"ou "t. -"e werewolf "as ot me now. ' #annot es#ape. 2) mus#les all fro0e in pani#. ' stru led to #rawl awa). ' turned ba#%& e/pe#tin t"e "ermit to rab me. 1ut "e "ad stopped several )ards awa). -"e tur%e) dan led to t"e round as "e stared down at me& a stran e rin on "is weat"ered fa#e. W"ere was Wolf+ ' wondered. Wolf "ad been rowlin furiousl) at t"e swamp "ermit. W") "adn,t Wolf atta#%ed+ ;3elp6 Will6 !assie6; ' #alled desperatel). Silen#e. -"e) were one. -"e) were bot" probabl) out of t"e swamp b) now& runnin for "ome. ' was alone. $lone to fa#e t"e "ermit. ' stumbled to m) feet& m) e)es lo#%ed on "is. W") was "e rinnin at me li%e t"at+ ;Go on. Go&; "e murmured& esturin wit" "is free "and. ;>ust teasin )ou.; ;W"at+; 2) voi#e #ame out tin) and fri "tened. ;Go. ',m not oin to bite )ou&; "e said. 3is rin faded. -"e li "t seemed to dim in "is s"in) bla#% e)es. Wolf appeared be"ind "im. -"e do a0ed up at t"e "ermit& t"en lowered "is e)es to t"e dead tur%e). 3e bar%ed on#e& a s"rill )ip. 1ut ' #ould see t"at Wolf "ad rela/ed. 3e "ad no intention of atta#%in t"e "ermit. ;-"is do )ours+; t"e "ermit as%ed& e)ein Wolf waril). ;.ea"&; ' replied& still breat"in "ard. ;' . . . found "im.; ;Wat#" out for "im&; t"e "ermit said s"arpl). -"en "e turned and& "oistin t"e lar e bird on "is s"oulder& "eaded ba#% into t"e weeds. ;W*wat#" out for "im+; ' stammered. ;W"at do )ou mean+; 1ut t"e "ermit didn,t repl). ' #ould "ear "im brus"in t"e tall weeds awa) as "e disappeared ba#% into t"e swamp. ;W"at do )ou mean+; ' #alled after "im. 1ut "e was one. -"e swamp was silent now e/#ept for t"e #"irpin and #li#%in of inse#ts and t"e dr) sound of palm leaves brus"in a ainst ea#" ot"er. ' stared strai "t a"ead at t"e tall weeds. ' uess ' e/pe#ted t"e swamp "ermit to return& to burst ba#% into view& to atta#% a ain. -wo w"ite mot"s fluttered to et"er over t"e weeds. (ot"in else moved. 3e was teasin us& "e "ad said. -"at,s all it was& :ust teasin . ' swallowed "ard. -"en ' for#ed m)self to breat"e normall) a ain. $fter a w"ile& ' lowered m) a0e to Wolf. -"e do was busil) sniffin t"e round w"ere t"e "ermit "ad stood. ;Wolf w") didn,t )ou prote#t me+; ' s#olded. -"e do lan#ed up& t"en returned to "is sniffin . ;3e)& do are )ou a bi #oward+; ' as%ed& brus"in at t"e wet dirt on t"e %nees of m) :eans. ;'s t"at )our problem+ .ou sound real tou "& but )ou,re a#tuall) a

bi #"i#%en+; Wolf i nored me. ' turned and "eaded "ome& t"in%in about t"e "ermit,s warnin . $s ' made m) wa) alon t"e narrow pat"& ' #ould "ear Wolf runnin t"rou " t"e weeds and tall rass& followin #lose be"ind. ;Wat#" out for "im&; t"e "ermit "ad said. Was "e teasin about t"at& too+ Was "e :ust tr)in to s#are me+ -"e stran e man saw t"at Will& !assie& and ' were afraid of "im. So "e de#ided to "ave some fun wit" us. -"at,s all it was& ' de#ided. 3e "eard !assie #all "im a werewolf. So "e de#ided to ive us a real s#are. $s ' wal%ed alon t"e mars") round under t"e s"ade of t"e tilted palm trees& m) mind spun wit" t"ou "ts about !assie and Will and Wolf and werewolves. ' didn,t see t"e sna%e until ' stepped on it. ' lan#ed down in time to see its bri "t reen "ead s"oot forward. ' felt a s"arp stab of pain as its fan s du into m) an%le. -"e pain :olted up m) le . ' uttered a #"o%ed asp before ' #rumpled to t"e round. ?@ ' "it t"e round and #urled into a ti "t ball as t"e pain t"robbed t"rou " m) bod). Red dots formed in m) e)es. -"e dots rew lar er and lar er until ' saw onl) red. -"e #olor s"immered in r")t"m to t"e t"robbin pain. -"rou " t"e #urtain of red& ' saw t"e sna%e slit"er into t"e bus"es. ' rabbed m) an%le& tr)in to for#e t"e pain down. Slowl)& t"e red faded& t"en vanis"ed& leavin onl) t"e pain. 2) "and suddenl) felt wet. 1lood+ ' lan#ed down to see Wolf li#%in m) "and. Fier#e li#%in & as if tr)in to #ure me& tr)in to ma%e ever)t"in o%a) a ain. 7espite t"e pain& ' lau "ed. ;'t,s o%a)& bo)&; ' said. ;',m o%a).; 3e %ept li#%in m) "and until ' #limbed to m) feet. ' felt a little di00). 2) le s were s"a%). ' tried puttin wei "t on t"e foot t"at "ad been bitten. 't felt a little better. ' too% a step& limpin . -"en anot"er. ;Let,s o& Wolf&; ' said. 3e a0ed up at me s)mpat"eti#all). ' %new ' "ad to et "ome 9ui#%l). 'f t"e sna%e was poisonous& ' was in bi trouble. ' "ad no wa) of %nowin "ow mu#" time ' "ad before t"e venom would paral)0e me #ompletel) or worse. Wolf sta)ed b) m) side as ' limped over t"e soft round toward "ome. ' was aspin for breat". 2) #"est felt ti "t. -"e round swa)ed beneat" me. Was it be#ause of t"e sna%e venom+ <r was it :ust be#ause ' was so fri "tened+ =ain s"ot up m) side wit" ever) step ' too%. 1ut ' %ept pullin m)self alon & tal%in to Wolf all t"e w"ile& i norin t"e t"robbin a#"e of m) an%le. ;We,re almost t"ere& Wolf&; ' said& pantin loudl). ;$lmost t"ere& bo).; -"e do sensed t"at somet"in was seriousl) wron . 3e sta)ed b) m) side instead of runnin "is usual 0i 0a patterns in front of me and be"ind me. -"e end of t"e trees #ame into view. ' #ould see bri "t sunli "t :ust be)ond t"e swamp. ;3e) ; a voi#e #alled to me. ' saw Will and !assie waitin for me on t"e flat rass. -"e) be an runnin toward me. ;$re )ou o%a)+; !assie #alled. ;(o. ' . . . ' ot bit6; ' mana ed to #"o%e out. ;=lease o et m) dad6;

-"e) bot" too% off& runnin full speed to m) "ouse. ' dropped down on t"e rass& spreadin m) le s strai "t out& and waited. ' tried to sta) #alm& but it was impossible. Was t"e sna%e poisonous+ Was t"e venom "eadin strai "t to m) "eart+ Was ' about to die an) se#ond+ ' rea#"ed down wit" bot" "ands and #arefull)& #arefull)& pulled off m) mud*#overed snea%er. -"en& movin it a tin) bit at a time& ' lowered m) w"ite so#% down over t"e an%le and off m) foot. -"e an%le was a little swollen. -"e s%in was red e/#ept for a w"ite& pu#%ered spot around t"e bite. 'nside t"at spot& ' saw two small pun#ture mar%s& bri "t red droplets of blood oo0in from ea#" "ole. W"en ' raised m) e)es from t"e wound& ' saw m) dad& dressed in brown s"orts and a w"ite -*s"irt& "urr)in alon t"e flat rass toward me& followed #losel) b) Will and !assie. ;W"at "appened+; ' "eard m) dad as% t"em. ;W"at "appened to Grad)+; ;3e was bitten b) a werewolf6; ' "eard !assie repl). ;Aeep t"e i#e pa#% on it&; 7ad instru#ted. ;-"e swellin will o down.; ' roaned and "eld t"e i#e pa#% a ainst m) an%le. 2om ts%*ts%ed from t"e %it#"en table. S"e "ad a newspaper spread out in front of "er. ' #ouldn,t tell if s"e was ts%*ts%in over me or over t"e da),s news. <utside t"e s#reen door ' #ould see Wolf& on "is side on t"e rass :ust past t"e ba#% stoop& sound asleep. 8mil) was in t"e front room& wat#"in some soap on -5. ;3ow does it feel+; 2om as%ed. ;$ lot better&; ' told "er. ;' t"in% ' was mainl) s#ared.; ;Green sna%es aren,t poisonous&; 7ad reminded me for t"e tent" time. ;1ut ' too% ever) pre#aution& :ust in #ase. We,ll wrap it up reall) ood w"en )ou,re t"rou " puttin i#e on it.; ;W"at was all t"at tal% about werewolves+; 2om as%ed. ;!assie "as werewolves on t"e brain&; ' said. ;S"e t"in%s t"e swamp "ermit is a werewolf.; ;S"e seems li%e a sweet irl&; 2om said 9uietl). ;' "ad a ni#e tal% wit" "er w"ile )our fat"er was ta%in #are of )our bite. .ou,re lu#%)& Grad)& to find two %ids )our a e out "ere on t"e ed e of a swamp.; ;.ea"& ' uess&; ' replied& s"iftin t"e i#e pa#% on t"e an%le. ;1ut s"e was drivin Will and me nuts wit" all "er werewolf tal%.; 7ad was was"in "is "ands in t"e %it#"en sin%. 3e dried t"em on a dis" towel& t"en turned to me. ;-"at old swamp "ermit is supposed to be "armless&; "e said. ;$t least& t"at,s w"at ever)one sa)s.; ;Well& "e ave us a real s#are&; ' told "im. ;3e #"ased us t"rou " t"e swamp& s"outin & -m t"e werewolf6, ; ;Weird&; 7ad replied t"ou "tfull). 3e tossed t"e dis" towel onto t"e #ounter. ;.ou s"ould sta) awa) from "im&; 2om said& loo%in up from t"e newspaper. ;7o )ou believe in werewolves+; ' as%ed. 7ad sni#%ered. ;.our mom and ' are s#ientists& Grad). We,re not supposed to believe in supernatural t"in s li%e werewolves.; ;.our fat"er is a werewolf&; 2om :o%ed. ;' "ave to s"ave "is ba#% ever) mornin so "e,ll loo% "uman.; ;3a*"a&; ' said sar#asti#all). ;',m serious. ' mean& "aven,t )ou "eard t"e weird "owls at ni "t+; ;Lots of #reatures "owl&; 2om replied. ;',ll bet )ou "owled w"en t"at sna%e bit )our an%le6; ;!an,t )ou be serious+; ' #ried s"rill). ;.ou %now& t"e "owls didn,t start until it was a full moon.; ;' remember. -"e "owls didn,t start until t"at do s"owed up6; 8mil) #alled from t"e front room. ;8mil)& ive me a brea%6; ' s"outed. ;.our do is a werewolf.; 8mil) #alled.

;8nou " werewolf tal%&; 2om muttered. ;Loo%. ',ve ot "air rowin on m) palms6; S"e "eld up "er "ands. ;-"at,s :ust in% off t"e newspaper&; 7ad said. 3e turned to me. ;See+ -"ere,s a s#ientifi# e/planation for ever)t"in .; ;' reall) would li%e to be ta%en seriousl)&; ' said t"rou " #len#"ed teet". ;Well . . .; 7ad lan#ed outside. Wolf "ad rolled onto "is ba#% and was sleepin wit" all four le s up in t"e air. ;-"e moon will loo% full for onl) two more ni "ts&; 7ad told me. ;-oni "t and tomorrow ni "t. 'f t"e "owls stop after tomorrow ni "t& we,ll %now it was a werewolf& "owlin at t"e full moon.; 7ad #"u#%led. 3e t"ou "t it was all a bi :o%e. We "ad no idea t"at somet"in was about to "appen t"at ni "t t"at mi "t #"an e "is opinion about werewolves forever. ?4 Will and !assie #ame over after dinner. 2om and 7ad were still loadin dis"es into t"e dis"was"er and #leanin up. 8mil) "ad "urried into town to o to t"e onl) movie pla)in . ' was wal%in around prett) well. -"e an%le barel) "urt at all. 7ad,s a prett) ood do#tor& ' uess. -"e t"ree of us settled in t"e front room& and we instantl) ot into an ar ument about werewolves. !assie insisted t"at t"e swamp "ermit wasn,t %iddin & t"at "e reall) was a werewolf. Will told "er s"e was a #omplete :er%. ;3e onl) #"ased us be#ause "e "eard )ou #all "im a werewolf&; "e told !assie an ril). ;W") do )ou t"in% "e lives b) "imself wa) deep in t"e swamp+; !assie demanded of Will. ;1e#ause "e %nows w"at "appens to "im w"en t"e moon is full& and "e doesn,t want an)one else to %now it6; ;-"en w") did "e s#ream to us t"at "e was a werewolf t"is afternoon+; Will as%ed impatientl). ;1e#ause "e was :ust :o%in & t"at,s w").; ;!ome on& u)s. Let,s #"an e t"e sub:e#t&; ' said. ;2) parents are bot" s#ientists& and t"e) sa) t"ere,s no proof t"at werewolves e/ist.; ;-"at,s w"at s#ientists alwa)s sa)&; !assie insisted. ;-"e),re ri "t&; Will said. ;-"ere are no werewolves e/#ept in movies. .ou,re a real :er%& !assie.; ;.ou,re a :er%6; !assie s"outed ba#%. ' #ould see t"e),d "ad fi "ts li%e t"is before. ;Let,s pla) a ame or somet"in &; ' su ested. ;Want to pla) some (intendo+ 't,s in m) room.; ;2r. Warner still "asn,t s"own up&; !assie told Will& i norin me. S"e tu ed at "er red pon)tail& t"en tossed it be"ind "er "ead. ;.ou %now w")+ 1e#ause "e was murdered b) t"e werewolf.; ;7on,t be stupid&; Will said. ;3ow do )ou %now+; ;2a)be )ou,re t"e werewolf6; ' told !assie. Will lau "ed. ;.ea". -"at,s w") )ou,re su#" an e/pert& !assie.; ;<"& s"ut up&; !assie rumbled. ;.ou loo% more li%e a werewolf t"an me& Will6; ;.ou loo% li%e a vampire6; "e told "er. ;Well& )ou loo% li%e Ain Aon 6; s"e #ried. ;W"at are )ou %ids tal%in about+; 2om interrupted& po%in "er "ead into t"e room. ;>ust tal%in about movies and t"in s&; ' replied 9ui#%l). ' #ouldn,t et to sleep t"at ni "t. ' %ept rollin onto one side& t"en t"e ot"er. ' #ouldn,t et #omfortable. ' %ept listenin for t"e "owls. $ stron wind "ad #ome up from t"e Gulf. ' #ould "ear it rus"in past our small "ouse. 't rattled t"e wire mes" of t"e deer pen out ba#%. 't made a #onstant sss"""""" sound& and ' strained to "ear t"e familiar "owls.

' "ad :ust about drifted off to sleep w"en t"e "owls be an. 'nstantl) alert& ' :umped to m) feet. 2) left an%le a#"ed as ' stepped down on it. $not"er "owl. Far off. 1arel) #arr)in over t"e stead) rus" of t"e wind. ' limped to m) bedroom window. -"e an%le "ad stiffened up a bit w"ile ' was l)in in bed. ' pressed m) fa#e a ainst t"e lass and peered out. -"e full moon& ra) as a s%ull& "overed low in t"e #"ar#oal s%). -"e dew) rass leamed under its blan%et of pale li "t. $ burst of wind rattled m) window. Startled& ' pulled ba#%. $nd listened. $not"er "owl. !loser. -"is one sent a #old s"udder down m) ba#%. 't sounded reall) #lose. <r was t"e wind #arr)in it from t"e swamp+ ' s9uinted out t"e window. Swirls of wind made t"e rass swa) from one side to t"e ot"er. -"e round appeared to be spinnin & lowin in t"e pale moonli "t as it twirled. $not"er "owl. 8ven #loser. ' #ouldn,t see an)t"in . ' "ad to %now w"o or w"at was ma%in t"at terrif)in sound. ' pulled m) :eans on over m) pa:ama bottoms. Stru lin in t"e dar%& ' mana ed to slide m) feet into a pair of flip*flops. ' started out of m) room& but stopped s"ort w"en ' "eard a ban in . $ loud #ras". $ poundin . $ "ars" t"ud. Ri "t outside. Ri "t outside m) "ouse. 2) "eart poundin & ' ran t"rou " t"e dar% "allwa). 2) an%le a#"ed& but ' i nored it. ' "urried t"rou " t"e %it#"en& unlo#%ed t"e ba#% door& and pulled it open. $ stron ust of wind pus"ed me ba#% as ' opened t"e s#reen door. -"e wind was "ot and wet. $not"er stron ust pus"ed me ba#%. -"e wind is tr)in to %eep me inside& ' t"ou "t. -r)in to %eep me from solvin t"e m)ster) of t"e terrif)in "owls. ' lowered m) "ead a ainst t"e drivin usts and leapt down off t"e stoop. ;<w6; ' #ried out as pain s"ot up m) le . Waitin for m) e)es to ad:ust to t"e dim li "t& ' listened "ard. (o "owls now. >ust t"e s"rill& stead) rus" of wind& pus"in & pus"in me ba#% a ainst t"e "ouse. -"e ba#% )ard lowed in t"e moonli "t. 8ver)t"in was silver and ra). $nd silent. ' sear#"ed t"e ba#% )ard& m) e)es sweepin slowl) a#ross t"e s"iftin rass. 8mpt). 1ut w"at "ad #aused all t"e #ommotion ',d "eard in m) room+ -"e ban in + -"e loud t"uds+ -"e rattlin sounds+ W") "ad t"e "owls stopped w"en ' #ame outside+ W"at a m)ster)& ' t"ou "t. W"at a stran e m)ster). -"e wind swirled around me. 2) fa#e was drippin wet from t"e "eav) dampness of t"e air. Feelin defeated& ' turned ba#% toward t"e "ouse. $nd uttered a s"o#%ed #r) w"en ' saw t"at t"e werewolf "ad murdered a ain. ?B ' too% a step t"rou " t"e swirlin wind toward t"e deer pen. ;7ad6; ' #alled. 1ut m) voi#e #ame out a "us"ed w"isper. ;7ad6; ' tried to s"out& but m) t"roat was too dr) and #"o%ed wit" fear. Starin strai "t a"ead& ' too% anot"er step. ' #ould see it all #learl) now. $ s#ene of deat". =ale li "t and s"adows. -"e onl) sounds were t"e poundin of m) "eart& t"e swell of t"e wind& and t"e rattlin of t"e wire mes" of t"e pen.

' too% anot"er step #loser. ;7ad+ 7ad+; ' #ried out wit"out t"in%in & wit"out "earin m)self& %nowin "e #ouldn,t "ear. 1ut ' wanted "im to be t"ere. ' wanted someone to be t"ere wit" me. ' didn,t want to be all alone out t"ere in t"e ba#% )ard. ' didn,t want to be starin at t"e "ole t"at "ad been ripped from t"e side of t"e pen. ' didn,t want to see t"e murdered deer l)in so pitifull) on its side. -"e five remainin deer "uddled to et"er at t"e ot"er end of t"e pen. -"eir e)es were on me. Fri "tened e)es. -"e wind swept around me& "ot and wet. 1ut ' felt #old all over. $ #old s"udder of terror ran down m) bod). ' swallowed "ard. <n#e. -wi#e. -r)in to #"o%e down t"e "eav) lump in m) t"roat. -"en& before ' even reali0ed w"at ' was doin & ' be an runnin to t"e "ouse& s#reamin & ;7ad6 2om6 7ad6 2om6; at t"e top of m) lun s. 2) #ries rose on t"e ustin wind li%e t"e terrif)in "owls ',d "eard :ust a few moments before. 3is pa:ama s"irt flappin over t"e :eans "e "ad pulled on& 7ad dra ed t"e dead deer to t"e ba#% of t"e )ard. -"en& as ' wat#"ed from t"e %it#"en window& "e pat#"ed t"e deer pen wit" a lar e s"eet of bo/ #ardboard. $s "e tried to return to t"e "ouse& t"e stron winds nearl) blew t"e s#reen door off its "in es. 7ad :er%ed t"e door s"ut& t"en lo#%ed it. 3is fa#e was drippin wit" perspiration. 3e "ad mud down t"e side of one pa:ama sleeve. 2om poured "im a lass of water from t"e sin%& and "e dran% it down wit"out ta%in a breat". -"en "e wiped t"e sweat from "is fore"ead wit" a dis" towel. ;',m afraid )our do is a %iller&; "e said softl) to me. 3e tossed t"e towel ba#% onto t"e #ounter. ;'t wasn,t Wolf6; ' #ried. ;'t wasn,t6; 7ad didn,t repl). 3e too% a deep breat"& t"en let it out slowl). 2om and 8mil) wat#"ed silentl) from in front of t"e sin%. ;W"at ma%es )ou t"in% it was Wolf+; ' demanded. ;' saw t"e prints on t"e round&; "e replied& frownin . ;=aw prints.; ;'t wasn,t Wolf&; ' insisted. ;',m oin to "ave to ta%e "im to t"e pound in t"e mornin &; 7ad said. ;-"e one over in t"e ne/t #ount).; ;1ut t"e),ll %ill "im6; ' #ried. ;-"e do is a %iller&; 7ad insisted softl). ;' %now "ow )ou feel& Grad). ' %now. 1ut t"e do is a %iller.; ;'t wasn,t Wolf&; ' #ried. ;7ad& ' %now it wasn,t Wolf. ' "eard t"e "owls& 7ad. 't was a wolf.; ;Grad)& please ; "e started wearil). -"en t"e words :ust burst out of me. ' lost all #ontrol of t"em. -"e) :ust poured out in a flood. ;'t was a werewolf& 7ad. -"ere,s a werewolf in t"e swamp. !assie is ri "t. 't wasn,t a do & and it wasn,t a wolf. 't,s a werewolf w"o,s been %illin animals& w"o %illed )our deer.; ;Grad)& stop ; 7ad pleaded impatientl). 1ut ' #ouldn,t stop. ;' %now ',m ri "t& 7ad&; ' #ried in a s"rill voi#e t"at didn,t sound li%e me. ;'t,s been a full moon t"is wee%& ri "t+ $nd t"at,s w"en t"e "owls be an. 't,s a werewolf& 7ad. -"e swamp "ermit. -"at #ra0) u) w"o lives in t"e s"a#% in t"e swamp. 3e,s a werewolf. 3e told us "e is. 3e #"ased us and "e told us "e,s a werewolf. 3e did it& 7ad. (ot Wolf. 3e %illed t"e deer toni "t. ' "eard "im "owlin outside& and t"en t"en ; 2) voi#e #au "t in m) t"roat. ' started to #"o%e. 7ad filled t"e lass wit" water and "anded it to me. ' ulped it down t"irstil). 3e put a "and on m) s"oulder. ;Grad)& let,s tal% about it in t"e mornin & o%a)+ We,re bot" too tired to t"in% strai "t now. W"at do )ou sa)+; ;'t wasn,t Wolf6; ' #ried stubbornl). ;' %now it wasn,t.; ;'n t"e mornin &; 7ad repeated& "is "and still on m) s"oulder. 3e "eld it t"ere to

#omfort me& to stead) me. ' felt s"a%). ' was pantin . 2) "eart pounded. ;.ea". <%a)&; ' a reed finall). ;'n t"e mornin .; ' made m) wa) slowl) to m) room& but ' %new ' wouldn,t sleep. -"e ne/t mornin & 7ad was one w"en ' ot up. ;3e went to t"e lumber )ard&; 2om told me& ;to et wire mes" to repair t"e pen.; ' )awned and stret#"ed. ' "ad fallen into a restless sleep at about two*t"irt). 1ut ' still felt tired and nervous. ;'s Wolf out t"ere+; ' as%ed an/iousl). ' ran to t"e %it#"en window before s"e #ould repl). ' #ould see Wolf at t"e "ead of t"e drivewa). 3e "ad a blue rubber ball between "is front paws& and "e was #"ewin at it furiousl). ;1et "e,s "un r) for brea%fast&; ' muttered. ' "eard t"e #run#" of ravel& and 7ad,s #ar pulled up t"e drive. -"e trun% was opened partwa)& a roll of wire mes" bul in inside. ;2ornin &; 7ad said as "e #ame into t"e %it#"en. 3is e/pression was rim. ;$re )ou oin to ta%e Wolf+; ' demanded immediatel). 2) e)es were on t"e do & #"ewin on t"e rubber ball outside. 3e loo%ed so #ute. ;=eople in town are upset&; 7ad replied& pourin "imself a #up of #offee from t"e #offeema%er. ;$ lot of animals "ave been %illed t"is wee%. $nd a u) w"o lives down t"e wa)& 8d Warner& "as disappeared in t"e swamp. =eople are ver) worried. -"e),ve "eard t"e "owls& too.; ;$re )ou ta%in Wolf awa)+; ' repeated s"rill)& m) voi#e tremblin . 7ad nodded. 3is e/pression remained rim. 3e too% a lon sip of #offee. ;Go loo% at t"e paw prints outside t"e pen& Grad)&; "e said& lo#%in "is e)es on mine. ;Go a"ead. -a%e a loo%.; ;' don,t #are about prints&; ' moaned. ;' :ust %now ; ;' #an,t ta%e an) more #"an#es&; 7ad said. ;' don,t #are6 3e,s m) do 6; ' s#reamed. ;Grad) ; 7ad set down t"e #up and started toward me. 1ut ' burst past "im and ran to t"e door. =us"in open t"e s#reen door& ' leapt off t"e ba#% stoop. Wolf stood up as soon as "e saw me. 3is tail started to wa . Leavin t"e blue rubber ball be"ind& "e be an lopin toward me ea erl). 7ad was ri "t be"ind me. ;',m oin to ta%e t"e do awa) now& Grad)&; "e said. ;7o )ou want to #ome alon +; ;(o6; ' #ried. ;' "ave no #"oi#e&; 7ad said& "is voi#e :ust above a w"isper. 3e stepped forward and rea#"ed for Wolf. ;(o6; ' s"outed. ;(o6 Run& Wolf6 Run6; ' ave t"e do a s"ove. Wolf turned to me un#ertainl). ;Run6; ' s#reamed. ;Run6 Run6; ?C ' ave Wolf anot"er "ard s"ove. ;Run6 Run& bo)6 Go6; 7ad "ad "is "ands around Wolf,s s"oulders& but "e didn,t "ave a ood rip. Wolf bro%e free and started to run toward t"e swamp. ;3e) 6; 7ad #alled an ril). 3e #"ased Wolf to t"e end of t"e ba#% )ard. 1ut t"e bi do was too fast for "im. ' stood be"ind t"e "ouse& breat"in "ard& and wat#"ed Wolf until "e disappeared into t"e low trees at t"e ed e of t"e swamp. 7ad turned ba#% toward me& an an r) e/pression on "is fa#e. ;-"at was dumb& Grad)&; "e muttered. ' didn,t sa) an)t"in . ;Wolf will #ome ba#% later&; 7ad said. ;W"en "e does& ',ll "ave to ta%e "im awa).;

;1ut& 7ad ; ' started. ;(o more dis#ussion&; "e said sternl). ;$s soon as t"e do returns& ',m ta%in "im to t"e pound.; ;.ou #an,t6; ' s#reamed. ;-"e do is a %iller& Grad). ' "ave no #"oi#e.; 7ad "eaded toward t"e #ar. ;!ome "elp me unload t"is wire mes". ',ll need )our "elp ettin t"e pen pat#"ed up.; ' a0ed toward t"e swamp as ' followed 7ad to t"e #ar. 7on,t #ome ba#%& Wolf& ' pleaded silentl). =lease& don,t #ome ba#%. $ll da) lon & ' wat#"ed t"e swamp. ' felt nervous& s"a%). ' "ad no appetite at all. $fter ' "elped 7ad repair t"e deer pen& ' sta)ed in m) room. ' tried to read a boo%& but t"e words were :ust a blur. 1) evenin & Wolf "adn,t returned. .ou,re safe& Wolf& ' t"ou "t. $t least for toda). 2) w"ole famil) was tense. $t dinner& we "ardl) spo%e. 8mil) tal%ed about t"e movie s"e "ad seen t"e ni "t before& but no one :oined in wit" an) #omments. ' went to bed earl). ' was reall) tired. From tension& ' uess. $nd from bein up most of t"e ni "t before. 2) room was dar%er t"an usual. 't was t"e last ni "t of t"e full moon& but "eav) blan%ets of #louds #overed t"e moonli "t. ' settled m) "ead onto m) pillow and tried to et to sleep. 1ut ' %ept t"in%in about Wolf. -"e "owls started a s"ort w"ile later. ' #rept out of bed and "urried to t"e window. ' s9uinted out into t"e dar%ness. 3eav)& bla#% #louds still #overed t"e moon. -"e air was still. (ot"in moved. ' "eard a low rowl& and Wolf #ame into fo#us. 3e was standin stiffl) in t"e middle of t"e ba#% )ard& "is "ead tilted up to t"e s%)& utterin low rowls. $s ' stared out t"e window at "im& t"e bi do be an to pa#e& ba#% and fort" from one side of t"e )ard to t"e ot"er. 3e,s pa#in li%e a #a ed animal& ' t"ou "t. =a#in and rowlin & as if somet"in is reall) troublin "im. <r s#arin "im. $s "e pa#ed& "e %ept raisin "is "ead toward t"e full moon be"ind t"e #louds and rowlin . W"at is oin on+ ' wondered. ' "ad to find out. ' ot dressed 9ui#%l) in t"e dar%ness& pullin on t"e :eans and -*s"irt ' "ad worn all da). ' fumbled into m) snea%ers. $t first ' "ad t"e left one on t"e ri "t foot. 't was so dar% in m) room wit"out t"e moonli "t pourin in6 $s soon as m) snea%ers were tied& ' "urried ba#% to t"e window. Wolf was leavin t"e ba#% )ard& ' saw. 3e was lumberin slowl) in t"e dire#tion of t"e swamp. ',m oin to follow Wolf& ' de#ided. ',m oin to prove on#e and for all t"at "e isn,t a %iller or a werewolf. ' was afraid m) parents mi "t "ear me if ' went to t"e %it#"en door. So ' #rawled out m) window. -"e rass was wet from a "eav) dew. -"e air was wet& too& and nearl) as "ot as durin t"e da). 2) snea%ers s9uea%ed and slid on t"e damp rass as ' "urried to follow Wolf. ' stopped at t"e end of t"e ba#% )ard. ',d lost "im. ' #ould still "ear "im somew"ere up a"ead. ' #ould "ear t"e soft t"ud of "is paws on t"e mars") round. 1ut it was too dar% to see "im. ' followed t"e sound of "is footsteps& a0in up at t"e s"iftin & s"adow) #louds. ' was nearl) to t"e swamp w"en ' "eard footsteps be"ind me. Wit" a asp of fri "t& ' stopped and listened "ard. .es. Footsteps. 2ovin rapidl) toward me.

?D ;3e)6; ' let out a #"o%ed #r) and spun around. $t first& all ' #ould see was bla#%ness. ;3e) w"o,s t"ere+; 2) voi#e #ame out in a "us"ed w"isper. Will stepped out from t"e dar%ness. ;Grad) it,s )ou6; "e #ried. 3e #ame #loser. 3e was wearin a dar% sweats"irt over bla#% :eans. ;Will w"at are )ou doin out "ere+; ' as%ed breat"lessl). ;' "eard t"e "owls&; "e replied. ;' de#ided to investi ate.; ;2e& too. ',m so lad to see )ou6; ' e/#laimed. ;We #an e/plore to et"er.; ;',m lad to see )ou& too&; "e said. ;'t was so dar%& ' ' didn,t %now it was )ou. ' t"ou "t ; ;',m followin Wolf&; ' told "im. ' led t"e wa) into t"e swamp. 't rew even dar%er as we made our wa) under t"e low trees. $s we wal%ed& ' told Will about t"e ni "t before& about t"e murdered deer& t"e paw prints around t"e deer pen. ' told "im about "ow people in town were tal%in . $nd about "ow m) dad planned to ta%e Wolf awa) to t"e pound. ;' %now Wolf isn,t t"e %iller&; ' told "im. ;' :ust %now it. 1ut !assie ot me so s#ared wit" all "er werewolf stories& and ; ;!assie is a :er%&; Will muttered. 3e pointed into t"e weeds. ;Loo% t"ere,s Wolf6; ' #ould see "is bla#% outline movin steadil) t"rou " t"e "eav) dar%ness. ;' was so stupid. ' s"ould "ave brou "t a flas"li "t&; ' murmured. Wolf disappeared be"ind t"e weeds. Will and ' followed t"e sound of "is footsteps. We wal%ed for several minutes. Suddenl)& ' reali0ed ' #ould no lon er "ear t"e do . ;W"ere,s Wolf+; ' w"ispered& m) e)es sear#"in t"e dar% bus"es and low trees. ;' don,t want to lose "im.; ;3e went t"is wa)&; Will #alled ba#% to me. ;Follow me.; <ur snea%ers slid over t"e damp& mars") round. ' slapped at a mos9uito on t"e ba#% of m) ne#%. -oo late. ' #ould feel warm blood. 7eeper into t"e swamp. =ast t"e bo & eeril) silent now. ;3e)& Will+; ' stopped and sear#"ed. ;<".; $ soft #r) es#aped m) lips as ' reali0ed ' "ad lost "im. Some"ow we "ad otten separated. ' "eard rustlin up a"ead. -"e #ra#% of twi s. -"e w"isperin brus" of weeds bein stepped on and pus"ed out of t"e wa). ;Will+ 's t"at )ou+; <r was it Wolf+ ;Will+; ;W"ere are )ou+; =ale li "t suddenl) was"ed over me& was"ed slowl) over t"e round. Glan#in up& ' saw t"e "eav) #louds pull awa). -"e )ellow full moon "overed "i " in t"e s%). $s t"e li "t slowl) swept over t"e swamp& a low stru#ture #ame into view strai "t a"ead of me. $t first& ' #ouldn,t fi ure out w"at it was. Some %ind of i anti# plant+ (o. $s t"e moonli "t s"one down& ' reali0ed ' was starin at t"e swamp "ermit,s s"a#%. ' stopped& fro0en in sudden fear. $nd t"en t"e "owls be an. -"e fri "tenin sound tore t"rou " t"e "eav) silen#e. $ "orrif)in wail& so loud& so nearb)& rose on t"e still air& rose and t"en fell. -"e sound was so terrif)in & ' raised m) "ands to #over m) ears. -"e swamp "ermit6 ' t"ou "t. 3e is a werewolf6

' %new "e was t"e werewolf6 ',ve ot to et awa) from "ere& ' reali0ed. ',ve ot to et "ome. ' turned awa) from t"e small s"a#%. 2) le s were tremblin so "ard& ' didn,t %now if ' #ould wal%. Got to o6 Got to o6 Got to o6 -"e words repeated in m) mind. 1ut before ' #ould move& t"e werewolf burst out from be"ind a tree and& "owlin its "ideous "owl& leapt onto m) s"oulders and s"oved me to t"e round. ?E $s t"e )ellow li "t of t"e full moon s"one down& ' a0ed into t"e fa#e of t"e werewolf as it pinned me to t"e round. 'ts dar% e)es lared out at me from a "uman fa#e& a "uman fa#e #overed in wolf fur. 't "owled its ra e& its animal snout openin wide to reveal two leamin rows of wolf fan s. 't,s a "uman wolf6 ' reali0ed to m) terror. $ werewolf6 ;Get off6; ' s"rie%ed. ;Will et off me6; 't was Will. -"e werewolf was Will. 8ven t"rou " t"e t"i#%& matted wolf fur& ' #ould re#o ni0e "is dar% features& "is small& bla#% e)es& "is t"i#%& stubb) ne#%. ;Will 6; ' s#reamed. ' stru led to pus" "im awa)& to s9uirm out from under. 1ut "e was too powerful. ' #ouldn,t move. ;Will et off6; 3e raised "is fur*#overed fa#e to t"e moon and uttered an animal "owl. -"en& snarlin out "is ra e& "e lowered "is beastl) "ead and du "is fan s into m) s"oulder. ' let out a s"rie% of pain. 1lindin flas"es of red filled m) e)es. ' t"rust out m) "ands& %i#%ed m) le s stru led blindl) to free m)self. 1ut "e "ad animal stren t". 3e was mu#" too stron for me . . . too stron . . . . -"e flas"in red faded& turned to bla#%. 8ver)t"in was fadin to bla#%. ' #ould feel m)self sin%in & sin%in down a bla#% tunnel& sin%in forever into deep& deep& endlessl) deep dar%ness. $ loud rowl brou "t me ba#%. 1ewildered& ' a0ed up to see Wolf leap onto Will. Will uttered a s"rill "owl of an er and turned to wrestle wit" t"e snarlin do . ' wat#"ed in stunned disbelief as t"e) s#rabbled over t"e round& bitin and #lawin & ra in at ea#" ot"er& rowlin and runtin . ;Will . . . Will& it was )ou . . . it was )ou all alon . . . .; ' murmured& stru lin to m) feet. ' ripped a tree trun%. -"e round appeared to be slidin beneat" me. -"e two #reatures #ontinued to battle& runtin and rowlin as t"e) #lawed at ea#" ot"er& wrestlin over t"e wet round. ;' %new it wasn,t Wolf&; ' muttered aloud. ;' %new . . .; $nd t"en a deafenin "i "*pit#"ed s"rie% startled me& and ' tumbled to m) %nees. ' loo%ed up in time to see Will runnin awa)& fleein on all fours t"rou " t"e tall weeds. Wolf followed #lose be"ind& snappin at Will,s an%les& :umpin on "im& bitin and #lawin "im as t"e) ran. -"en& ' "eard Will utter anot"er #r) of pain& a wail of defeat. $s t"e an uis"ed sound faded& ' san% down& down& down into t"e blue*bla#% dar%ness. ?F

;.ou "ave a sli "t fever&; 2om said. ;1ut )ou,ll be o%a).; ;Swamp fever&; ' murmured wea%l). ' a0ed up at "er& tr)in to fo#us. 3er fa#e was blurred& "overin over me in t"e soft li "t. 't too% me a lon w"ile to reali0e ' was in m) own bedroom. ;3ow "ow did ' et "ere+; ' stammered. ;-"e swamp "ermit "e found )ou in t"e swamp and #arried )ou "ome&; 2om said. ;3e did+; ' tried to sit up& but m) s"oulder a#"ed. -o m) surprise& it was ti "tl) banda ed. ;-"e t"e werewolf Will "e bit me&; ' said& swallowin "ard. 7ad,s fa#e "overed beside 2om,s. ;W"at are )ou sa)in & Grad)+ W") do )ou %eep mutterin about a werewolf+; ' pulled m)self up a little and told t"em t"e w"ole stor). -"e) listened in silen#e& lan#in at ea#" ot"er from time to time as ' tal%ed. ;Will is a werewolf&; ' #on#luded. ;3e #"an ed. 4nder t"e full moon. 3e #"an ed into a wolf& and ; ;',m oin to #"e#% t"is out ri "t now&; 7ad said& starin intentl) down at me. ;.our stor) is #ra0)& Grad). >ust #ra0). 2a)be it,s t"e fever. ' don,t %now. 1ut ',m oin ri "t over to )our friend,s "ouse and see w"at,s w"at.; ;7ad be #areful&; ' #alled after "im. ;1e #areful.; 7ad returned a s"ort w"ile later& a bewildered loo% on "is fa#e. ' was sittin in t"e livin room& feelin a lot better& a bi bowl of pop#orn in m) lap. ;-"ere,s no one t"ere&; 7ad said& s#rat#"in "is "ead. ;3u"+ W"at do )ou mean+; 2om as%ed. ;-"e "ouse is empt)&; 7ad told us. ;7eserted. 't doesn,t loo% li%e an)one "as lived t"ere in mont"s6; ;Wow& Grad). .ou #ertainl) "ave stran e friends6; 8mil) e/#laimed& rollin "er e)es. ;' don,t et it&; 7ad said& s"a%in "is "ead. ' didn,t& eit"er. 1ut ' didn,t #are. Will was one. -"e werewolf was one for ood. ;So #an ' %eep Wolf+; ' as%ed 7ad& #limbin up from t"e #"air and #rossin t"e room to "im. ;Wolf saved m) life. !an ' %eep "im+; 7ad stared ba#% at me t"ou "tfull)& but didn,t repl). ;-"e swamp "ermit told us "e saw t"e do #"ase some %ind of animal awa) from Grad)&; 2om said. ;=robabl) a s9uirrel&; 8mil) :o%ed. ;8mil)& ive me a brea%&; ' roaned. ;Wolf reall) saved m) life&; ' told t"em. ;' uess )ou #an %eep "im&; 7ad said relu#tantl). ;.$.6; ' t"an%ed "im and ea erl) made m) wa) to t"e ba#% )ard to ive Wolf a "app) "u . -"at all "appened nearl) a mont" a o. Sin#e t"en& Wolf and ' "ave "ad a wonderful time e/plorin t"e swamp. ',ve otten to %now :ust about ever) in#" of Fever Swamp. 't,s li%e m) se#ond "ome. Sometimes Wolf and ' let !assie #ome alon e/plorin wit" us. S"e,s %ind of fun& even t"ou " s"e,s alwa)s on t"e loo%out for werewolves. ' reall) wis" s"e,d :ust drop t"e sub:e#t. ',m standin at m) bedroom window now& wat#"in t"e full moon risin over t"e distant trees. -"is first full moon in a mont" ma%es me t"in% of Will. Will ma) be one& but "e #"an ed m) life. ' %now ',ll never for et "im. ' #an feel t"e fur sproutin on m) fa#e. 2) snout is e/pandin & and m) fan s are slidin out between m) dar% lips. .es& w"en "e bit me& Will passed t"e #urse on to me. 1ut ' don,t mind. ',m not upset. ' mean& wit" Will out of t"e wa)& t"e swamp is now mine6 $ll mine6 ',m #limbin out of m) window now. -"ere,s Wolf waitin for me& ea er to do some ni "t e/plorin . ' drop easil) to t"e round on all fours. ' raise m) fur*#overed fa#e to t"e moon

and utter a lon & :o)ful "owl. Let,s o& Wolf. Let,s "urr) to Fever Swamp. ',m read) to "unt.