The Legacy of Kilkenny

I slip out the front door with the rest of our group. I feel someone grab my hand, flinching I pull away. I look up and see Mrs. Smith with some type of ink pad and hand stamp, before I can protest she tags my hand. “Hold up guys, get your hand stamped or we can’t get back in.” I yell out to everyone. After we all climb back into the limo; the driver starts telling us about how he had been watching the 10:00 news and they were reporting about a wild wolf attack just outside Choctaw. Two teenage boys had been out hunting when a huge wild wolf jumped out of the woods and tore out the throat of one of the boys, killing him. The other one shot the wolf, but it got away. The authorities are warning everyone to be on guard. The reporters did interviews with a couple of the locals. They are on a hunt for wolves and have said they will shoot any they see. The news reporter did warn them that wolves are endangered; they can be fined or go to prison. The locals said that their livestock and kids matter more than a fine. General Phelan has ordered all of us to stay out of the woods and no running at the farm until this passes.

  “Was it a were?” I ask Oakley.

  “Well, the kid was too traumatized to talk to the media but he told his parents the wolf was almost as tall as him. The parents think it might be an exaggeration but it sounds were to the General.” Oakley said, his jaw clenching as he tries to keep his cool.

  “Why? Who would attack a human? It wouldn’t be part of our Pack; everyone is in Piedsville waiting for us. Only the guards are out there, so who?” Pru said fidgeting around with nervous energy. “The implications are undeniable but I’m positive our Pack wouldn’t participate in anything like that.”

  “Honestly? I don’t know. I can’t help but think the vamps are behind this somehow. No one is dumb enough to attack a kid and implicate our Pack. I’m thinking a rogue was approached by a vampire and convinced to play a deadly game. We’re all losers in this though. The general wants us to stay at the dance and continue on like nothing happened.” Oakley put his hand on Pru’s back rubbing her bare skin. “Before they think I’m letting you guys drink in here, we need to get back inside. I told them we had a family emergency and needed to call home.”

  I watch as Oakley put his arms around Pru; pulling her in for a hug. I see her close her eyes and I know that any chance of her liking me just fizzled out.

  “Hey Oak, can I talk to you for a second?” I ask. We stay in the limo as the others head back inside. “Look, I know my date with Pru is fake and all, but I’d like everyone else to think I’m on an awesome date, so if you don’t mind…. Could you keep your hands to yourself?”

  “Man, it’s not like that. I’m sorry. Look, I’ll just go over to the chaperone table and leave you all to your dance.” He put his hand out to me and we man hugged patting each other’s back.

  I go over to Pru and grab her hand dragging her to the dance floor with me. I finally get down the steps to one of the line dances and the principal announces we have to go home. The senior class president apparently snuck in some Jack Daniels and proceeded to barf all over the punch table and in the punch.

  Most everyone at prom knew about the after-party over at Pru’s house. Earlier in the day Bryon and I had gathered a bunch of wood for a bonfire. Being the pyro that he is, Bryon starts the fire with lighter fluid and a stick he made into a torch. If a fire is ever needed, Bryon is your man. Dolly hooked us up with a chef to cook some food on the grill. “Hey Bryon, who’s the dude with the system?”

  “Oh, that’s Mike, he’s someone’s big brother or something. He is a DJ that does a lot of weddings and quinceañeras. I think that’s how you say it. A dance that the Hispanic families do for their daughter when she turns 15. I hear he is pretty rad. I’m so hungry. I’m going to go get a burger from that chef guy. Want one?”

  “No. I think I’m going to go find the General. If anyone asks, keep it on the down-low,” I say.

  “Okay.” Bryon asks as he turns around heading towards the grill.

  Chapter 18.