July 2024 WipWordSearch Excerpts Week 2

There were odd stories that made the news every once in a while, like six full-grown pit bull terriers vanishing from the junkyard they guarded and showing up two weeks later behind an #old church, eviscerated and left for the crows.

In fact, he felt quite the #opposite of tired. He was on high alert. Presumably another side effect of the blood.

“Since you’ve just fed, they should retract any minute now.” Lawrence tapped his #own jawbone, no fangs visible from his lips.

That was the most frustrating part: the uncertainty. More than anything he wanted to be sure whether he was going nuts #or actually a vampire.

This ain’t no regular off-the-shelf sunscreen, bud. This is some special #ordered-it-from-Europe-specifically-for-vamps-like-you-and-me kinda sunscreen. It works, kid.

Nelson and Penny exchanged looks. Artemis paused with her teacup halfway to her mouth, and Sean’s mouth fell #open.

“You’re not serious.” Sean leaned forward in his banana chair. “Was it really bad or are you a wuss?”

Spurred on by adrenaline, Thomas tried to leap to his feet, but one foot landed #on ice and he fell on his hands and knees. He blinked, his vision swirling, and tried again.

He still smelled human? The scents of decay and sunscreen weren’t as powerful as she was used to, and she recognized the clove-scented aftershave mixed with coffee grounds and lavender. The scent of coffee was feeble, at least a day #old.

The two of them stared quietly, on #opposite ends of the room, neither knowing what to say.

“Thomas! Thomas! Get back here, boy,” Lawrence roared. “You #owe me your life. This is your family.”

“Maybe so,” Thomas said. “But they were my family first.”

None of the pack leaders were there, and no one was answering her frantic phone calls #or urgent text messages. They were just gone.

The entire pack was gathered in a chaotic frenzy; everyone talking at once. In the center, Donald was trying to dish out #orders, but he was not authoritative enough. Benjamin was pacing the room, looking ill.

The deer lay dead before her, its carcass ripped #open. A bloody cavity exposed where its heart had been. The wolf had succeeded. The curse was appeased.

The breeze shifted, and the potency of the group’s scent made it seem as if they were #on top of her, surrounding her. She halted, afraid. She didn’t recognize any of the wolves’ scents.