“How could you just vanish like that?” Ruby asked Frank angrily.

Frank stretched his head annoyed, wondering what answer she would believe. They were sitting in the classroom before the lessons began. It was still 7am, and the learners were still on their way to school because classes began at 8. She hadn’t fetched him from home that day because he had texted her that he would meet her at school, and she went early because she needed answers. The curiosity was killing the cat.

“Frank, Something happened in that church,” Ruby said while opening her eyes wider, showing that she was fishing to see if he knew anything. She knew the incident had something to do with him, but she wasn’t sure.

“What happened?” Frank responded, pretending like he didn’t know anything.

While they were talking, Frank recalled how he had changed into a monster, and how he had had fur all over his body and long nails. He knew he had done the right thing by running away because he was craving raw meat at the time, and he recalled how he had devoured a rabbit with its skin on. His stomach growled at the thought, and he touched it.

“Did you hear what I said?” Ruby said loudly.

“What?” Frank asked, and Rudy raised her eyebrows in response, irritated that she was talking on her own. She was unhappy that his voice had turned from a sweet one to a thick one almost instantaneously.

“Are you cheating on me,” Rudy asked while folding her arms, then she stood up while raising her eyebrows and showing rage on her face.

“What? I’m not cheating. I was just wondering what happened after I ran home,” Frank said, speaking whatever came in his mind.

After giving his answer, Frank realised that Ruby was still waiting for a good answer. She wouldn’t let it go. He then drew closer to her, hugging her and brushing her in assurance, and he faked a weak smile in order to make her drop the subject.

“My dad told me to hurry home quickly. But wait, you were in the church?” Frank said, speaking with a shaky voice, hoping it would make Ruby not suspicious of him. She nodded in response and sat on the chair next to him. “I told you to wait outside. What did you see?” Frank continued, acting like he was being protective and concerned.

“They saw a wolf coming from … I’m not sure where, and it ran fast,” Ruby replied, then she leaned her elbow on the desk and placed her hand on her face.

On hearing Rudy’s answer, Frank felt his heart beating fast and his stomach clutching tight. “Did you see it?” he asked, and she shook her head and smiled in response. “We’re in danger. A wolf in church? I told you I didn’t feel good about going to church,” he continued, pretending to be angry. Then he took out his book, avoiding eye contact with Ruby.

“Which door did you use for exit?” Ruby asked curiously.

Before answering, Frank opened his eyes wider but still avoided eye contact. “The same one I entered with,” he replied.

“You didn’t see me when you passed the door?” Ruby asked while pinching him playfully.

“I thought you were outside. I thought you were gone, so I went home quickly,” Frank replied, then he began to write something in his book.

While they were talking, the bell rang, indicating that the class was about to begin, and Ruby kissed Frank on the cheek and went to sit three desks in front of him. After she was gone, he took a deep breath because he now understood the dreams.

Later that day, at night, Frank slept late because he was researching about what was happening to his body. He was a werewolf, and he decided that he needed to sit down with father in order to know what was going on with him. There could be a history there, and he could have generated from it.

The following day, Frank was well behaved in class, and he concentrated well on the lessons. He was sure he would pass, and Ruby was excited that both of them would not fail, and that the priest had helped him.

Later that day, Frank and Ruby held hands like inseparable twins as they strolled down the road home. Throughout the walk, Ruby’s head felt like she was head over hills again. It was in the clouds, and she felt love struck again. It was like how it was the first time they me, and she felt good after being uprooted from the negative thoughts of the previous day.

During the walk, Frank sneakily told jokes, and Ruby warmed up to his charm. She loved that he was interesting, warm, and funny, and that he was always right about things. It made her felt good, and that was one thing that she loved about him. After a while, they sat under a tree with his arms around her shoulder.

“The priest helped you, so if it happens again, please go see him!” Ruby ordered.

“Yes, boss,” Frank answered like a servant while swaying his head playfully.

“I miss this Frank,” Ruby said while leaning her head on his shoulder. A smile dented on his cheek, and his sparkling eyes made her melt, then he laughed.

In Frank ‘s head, he needed to see the priest when he was his normal self, and when the moon was not full. He wondered if it would turn full that day, and after he saw the three quarters, a ripple of anxiety spoiled his moments with Ruby.

***

Tell us: Do you think it’s right for Frank to hide the fact that the priest didn’t help him from Ruby?