Rashawn had never been to Minnesota, where his mother was from. In fact, he never knew her family. He was only told that they disowned her after she ran off with Rashawn's dad, an aspiring black basketball player. But his dad blew out his knee and never made it to the pros. Rashawn was born and raised in New York until his fifteenth birthday, when his parents died in a car accident. Rashawn met his aunt Eva, his mother's sister, for the first time at the funeral. He was shocked at how much Eva looked like his mother. They had the same brown hair and green eyes. Rashawn was even more shock when he learned that his mother named Eva as Rashawn's guardian in her will. Rashawn didn't want to leave New York or his paternal grandmother behind, but he had no choice. His grandmother was too ill to look after him.

Rashawn felt as though he was in another world when they reached Minnesota. Eva owned a cattle farm she inherited from Rashawn's grandfather. The drive from the airport to the farm seemed to take forever. He saw nothing but prairies and farm houses. When they finally reached the house, Rashawn could not help but take in the scenery. He never been on a farm before. He saw horses, grazing cows and thick trees far off in the background. As the truck pulled into the driveway, Eva turned to Rashawn and said, "We're home."

The farm house didn't look much from the outside but the inside was neat and cozy. There was a small kitchen. The dining room table sat by a large bay window with a view of the vast fields. There was a fireplace in the living room. Rashawn also spotted a large screen television.

Eva led Rashawn upstairs to his bedroom. The room was a plain with a bed, dresser and a closet. "This was my brother's room, your uncle Charlie," Eva said as she placed Rashawn's suitcase down. "He lives in Chicago now."

Rashawn just nodded and opened his suitcase. Eva then said, "Well, I'll go fix us some dinner while you get settled in. I'm sure you're starving."

As Eva left the room, Rashawn began unpacking his clothes. He pulled out three pictures he brought with him. A picture of his parents, his grandmother and a group photo of his friends. He wished he didn't have to leave the only family and friends he knew behind. He placed the photos on the dresser, where he could look at them.

Dinner was quiet. Rashawn still felt awkward around Eva. He hardly knew her. But Eva did try to make small talk as they ate steak and potatoes.

"You like the steak?" Eva asked.

"It's alright." Rashawn answered.

"I raised that cow myself. I hope it tastes good. I fed it only the best."

Rashawn quickly lost his appetite and started eating the potatoes. Eva added, "Running a farm is a lot of work, but I think you'll do fine. I'm sure I have a lot to teach you, but its good honest work."

Rashawn looked up. "Work? You want to me work on the farm?"

"Why not? Your mother and I did while growing up. As dad used to say, everyone must earn their keep."

Rashawn looked down. Eva continued, "I know we don't know each other well, and it's going to take time for both of us to adjust. But I want you to know Rashawn that I'm happy you're here."

Rashawn said nothing and continued eating.

A few minutes of silence passed. When Rashawn was done eating he asked, "May I be excused?"

"Of course, just place your plate in the kitchen." As Rashawn stood up Eva reached out and grabbed his hand. "I want you to know that I loved your mother very much. I'm not sure why she chose me to be your guardian, but I promise to do my best."

Rashawn nodded and place his plate in the kitchen. On his way back to his bedroom, he saw a picture on the mantelpiece. When he took a closer look, he recognized it was his own baby picture. His mother must have sent it to Eva. Rashawn didn't understand his mother's actions or why she never talked about Eva before this happen. Maybe she didn't think it would ever come to this. When Rashawn reached his room, exhaustion hit him. He laid across the bed and allowed sleep to take over.

The next three days went by in a blur. He was awaken early in the morning by the sounds of a rooster. Eva always made him breakfast – bacon and eggs. She introduced him to some of her workers, who then showed him around the farm. Rashawn hated the smell of the cows, horses and manure. He prayed every morning and night to return to New York. Each night he found himself feeling filthy and took long hot showers. He would then fall onto his bed, exhausted from work. Eva told him that school would start in three weeks. Rashawn to hope it would getter, but had his doubts.

It was in the middle of night when he heard the howling. He never heard wolves before, though Eva did warn him about them. Another howl shot through the room, forcing Rashawn out of his bed. He look out the window, but saw nothing. He laid back down, but after an hour of tossing and turning, he decided to go downstairs for a glass of water.

He found downstairs dark and silent. After getting a glass of water, Rashawn was walking by the large bay window when something caught his eye. Rashawn stopped and saw a gray wolf with brown eyes looking through the window directly at him. Rashawn dropped the glass of water. The glass shattered onto the wooden floor. The wolf turned and ran off. Cursing to himself, Rashawn went back into the kitchen to find a broom to clean up his mess. After cleaning up the broken glass, Rashawn returned the broom to the closet. He then heard sounds coming from outside. Rashawn walked towards the kitchen door.

He saw a brown wolf trotting towards the porch. The wolf stopped at the front step and began whimpering and convulsing. As the wolf squirmed on the ground, its fur disappeared and revealed white skin. Before Rashawn's eyes the wolf turned into a human form with long hair. As the human stood up, Rashawn saw that it was his aunt Eva.

Rashawn froze. He began to wonder if it was something in the water that made him see such a sight. "This has to be dream" Rashawn said to himself. He watched Eva slip into a white gown and turned towards the yard. It was now occupied by a pack of five wolves.

"I wish I could run some more guys, but my nephew Rashawn lives with me now. He doesn't know. " A black wolf turned its head to the side as if it could understand Eva's words. "He's a good kid, but I'm not sure how to tell him. If he had inherited the family curse, it would be so much easier."

One of the wolves, a white one, walked towards Eva. Eva kneeled and stroked its fur. "I know I'm going to have to tell him, sooner or later. I don't want him to be afraid of me or you guys. You're my family as well."

The white wolf then made eye contact with Rashawn and growled. Eva turned and saw Rashawn before he could move.

Rashawn bolted from the doorway and ran upstairs. Eva called out his name as he ran into his room and locked the door. Eva banged on the door. "Rashawn? Rashawn please let me in. I can explain everything."

"Stay away from me you freak!" Rashawn shouted. "I'm going back to New York and you can't stop me."

"Rashawn please. I can explain everything. I know it's going to sound bizarre but it's all true."

Rashawn stayed quiet. He wasn't sure if he could trust Eva. But in truth, he knew he had no other place to go. He so far away from New York and had no money or friends in Minnesota. He was essentially trapped.

After a few tense minutes Rashawn slowly open the door. Eva was still standing there in her white nightgown.

"You can come in" Rashawn said.

Eva came in as Rashawn sat on the bed. "Can I sit down?" she asked.

"Over there" Rashawn said pointing to the desk chair.

Eva sat in the chair. They both sat in silence, neither one knowing where to start. Then Eva found her voice. "Rashawn, I need to tell you something about me." Eva took a deep breath. "I am werewolf."

Rashawn felt as if he had indeed fallen into a rabbit hole.