d sting of antiseptic filled his nostrils. Laim's Ford hatchback screeche

ibs, he thought he'd hear it pound back at him. In the distance, sirens screamed.

's door, hauling him upright. Ethan's legs

laps on the track, yet now ever

uma!" she called , punching a button that summoned more staff. Seconds la

orridor so brightly lit i

he distant snap of a clipboard, e

m, stethoscope draped over his neck,

wound? he

alm across his left side where a moment ago, clotted blood and a

a scab, or a

a nearby nurse. "No external trauma

ir. An animal... bear o

ed small in the

e is telling the truth. We hea

tapped his clipboard. "Vitals are normal. Heart rate, blood pressur

arge. If you feel pain or notice anyt

ve in a rumpled windbreaker stepped

man introduced himself

pale blue eyes like

ou understand the gravity of what happened ou

ss, Ethan

of those woods. If you remember anything if you he

exchanged wary

emple. "Something's not rig

each other toward the exit. Cool night air washed ov

as if someone had peeled

ng," he whispered, c

Laim

ne." Ethan's voice cracked.

baffled. A disappearing wound..

feel anything?

t, shrugged. Beneath his skin, nerves tingl

car and drove away, the distant flash o

Ethan's alarm. He rolled out of bed, leg

ink in a floral robe, hai

concern in her eyes when

sliding onto a stool. Everything

ing him toast with strawberry jam. He bit int

ound and sensatio

alls like hornets. Ethan and Laim found Jake b

ing to Ethan's ashen complexion. How's li

never happened. He rolled up his sleeve to

ss you got bitten b

e the pattern? Puncture

th hastily scribbled observations. We should tell someo

ady healed. No bruise, no scar gone like magic." He flipped his phone to a viral pr

sy glances. Ridgewood had mov

n table, lined notebooks, textbooks, biology vials and

abric in suds, expecting crimson to swirl away. Instea

air. His mother's lavender hand soap Liam's cologne from yesterday even a trace of

irror above the sink, his reflectio

ute? What was happening to him? Detective Ransom's

. Ethan pressed his palm to the cool glass, heart hamme

him. Every step forward would carry him deeper into

it again a low, distant growl, as t