The deer continued to graze along the road. I heard the sound its teeth made as it chewed. The deer was large, with antlers arching outwards like gnarled tree branches and wicked-looking points.

I remained frozen in my spot, scared that I would startle the animal if I so much as breathed. My own thoughts made me sick but they were drowned out by hunger. Those needles digging into my skin were on fire, licking away at my flesh. The vice around my stomach clenched without mercy.

My hand twitched and beady black eyes swung in my direction. We stared at each other like the prey would watch the predator. The deer remained motionless as it gazed at me, then with a snort, it turned around and bolted, crashing through the bushes.

Instinct took over as I launched myself towards the deer. My speed doubled as I took chase. It was fast, but I was faster, weaving between trees and jumping over small bushes. Adrenaline pumped through my veins, urging me forward. No thought penetrated my mind only the thrill of the chase. I heard the deer's heartbeat, it's snorted breathing and galloping hooves as they desperately pounded against the ground.

It didn't get far and just as it reached the dark part of the woods, I used my legs to jump as far as I could, propelling myself through the air.

Cold wind slapped at my face and I landed on his back with a hard thud. He started to buck me off, throwing my body around in a vicious spiral. I kept a firm grip on skin and fur but he didn't stop fighting. Bucking his head back he caught my shoulder with one of his antlers.

A hiss escaped my lips as a dull pain shot down my arm. I moved my head low so he wouldn't catch me again and brought my other arm around its throat. With a quick pull to the left, I forced his neck to an awkward angle. The snap of bones bled into the night and the deer's body went slack.

As he went down I rolled to the side to avoid collapsing on top of it. I listened but I couldn't hear a heartbeat. I didn't ponder long on what to do next, instinct drove my movements. I started to rip apart its flesh, digging my fingers into its hard skin. I started on the belly first as blood and mud-covered my fingers.

I used my teeth and fingers to pull apart the meat that I swallowed down in one go. A sweet and warm taste filled my mouth making me moan in delight. In the deathly quiet of the night, the ripping and slurping sound echoed in the empty woods.

My mind cleared as my stomach reached capacity. Like a fog cloud lifted and I surveyed my handiwork for the first time.

The deer's head was bent at an awkward angle staring blankly into the dark sky. Its stomach was torn open and innards and blood were sprayed on the ground.

I brought my shaky hands in front of my eyes, they were covered in blood up to my elbows. Although my clothes were dark I could feel the warm blood soaking into the fabric where it burned against my skin.

With my mind clear and the initial chase leaving my body, I was left appalled by what I had done. Tears stung my eyes and the air in my lungs refused to leave. The gruesome scene seared itself into my mind and I was sure I would never forget this moment. The moment I turned into a monster.

I jumped up and started running, pushing my legs to go as far away as possible. Trying to run to something familiar. Tears stung my eyes when my house came into view. The same welcoming scene as always now tainted in darkness.

My window was still open and I snuck back into my room. I felt like turning the room on its head, it taunted me with its normalcy and I couldn't bear the thought of everything staying as it was when I knew it wasn't. And it never would be.

I closed the window with a soft thud. In my heart, I wanted to smash it, shatter the glass until there was no more silence left. Just the same chaos I felt inside me.

The blood on my clothes was no longer warm, it stuck to my skin but the sweet smell still lingered with that metallic hint serving as a reminder to what I had done. I stripped them off peeling the sticky fabric away from my skin with a sickening slosh.

I couldn't bite back the grimace and felt instantly relieved when they were finally off my body. There was no way I would ever be wearing them again so I'd be getting rid of them in the morning.

There was still blood on my skin and face and I rushed to the bathroom, desperate to get rid of it, to scrub my skin until it bleeds to erase the memory like it never happened.

I laid my back against the cool tiles inside the shower and forced the faucet open. The first blast of cold water had me sucking in a sharp breath and turning the faucet to hot until the water turned scalding. Steam filled the small bathroom but I still couldn't take a deep breath without heaving.

Sinking to the bottom of the shower, I let the almost boiling water run over me. The water was tinged with red as it ran down the drain along with the first of my tears. Regret, repulsion, and fear made my insides coil. What had I turned into? I didn't just kill the deer, I hunted it and I loved it. At that moment nothing but feeding the monster mattered.

I felt torn, the hunger was sated but at what cost?

What the hell was I turning into?

The warm covers of my bed embraced me as I snuggled deeper into them. In my mind I was trying to hide away from the world, hoping this was all some sick nightmare that I would wake up from.

For the first time since the attack, I could think clearly. Whatever was happening to me wasn't some random flu virus, this was bigger than that. Secondly, the creature in the woods, if it attacked me it was bound to attack others as well and why was no one reporting it?

I couldn't tell anyone, that was clear, they wouldn't believe me because even I had a hard time believing what was happening to me. No, I was in this alone. I smacked my pillow, frustration inside reaching boiling point. My tears didn't stop flowing and my memories were there, goading me to give in.

I had nothing. No answers and surely no solutions to the mounting problems. I couldn't even begin to asses the situation because I didn't even know what I have let alone how to deal with it.

I fell asleep somewhere late into the night, my thoughts reeling. When I woke up my eyelids felt like sandpaper scraping my eyes. I got up with a groan ready to face another day.

The usual hunger that I had grown used to was missing as I trudged to my bathroom. My stomach felt full, satisfied even. Hunger had become such a part of me that it was almost strange not to have it assault every part of my being. It was still there, churning in my stomach but not so much to make me feel weak. The monster was sated but I knew in my bones it would be back.

I reached the bathroom but froze when my eyes landed on my reflection. My cheeks were plump and the dark circles under my eyes were gone. I tipped my head to the side, fascinated by how the surreal my features seemed, my pale skin showed like porcelain clear and smooth. My usually dull blue eyes were as clear as the cleanest reef reflecting brilliant light. The silver hair was another matter altogether. 

I seem normal for all intents and purposes. That is until the hunger sets in and I lose my mind, then I go on a Bambie killing spree. Last night's memory is like a slap in the face and I pull back from my reflection. I buried the memory at the far back of my mind.

After getting dressed, I rushed to the kitchen to find Leland sitting by the breakfast counter. He was playing with his fruit loops but his eyes went wide when they landed on me. He pointed a finger in my direction, "Your hair is white," a  slow grin spread across his face. "I'm telling."

I narrowed my eyes, "You wouldn't dare."

He raised a challenging eyebrow and I pursed my lips so that I wouldn't snap my teeth at him. It's not that I thought I could hide it from mom, but if I told her about my hairstyle change it would soften the blow. Leland made a show of pulling in a deep breath, "Mom! Sydney dyed her hair!"

I pulled my hoodie over my head, "You little twirp, I'm going to kill you!" I hissed.

Leland jumped off the chair and ran around the counter. On the other side, only half of his head stuck out above the counter but I could only imagine the huge smile on his face. "That's for telling me to starve!"

I growled and tried to run after him but he just kept evading me. We kept it up with a few screams thrown in and laughter from the jerk.

"Okay, that's enough you two!"

I froze in my spot, pulling my hoodie closer to my face. I sent Leland a withering glare. If he opened his big mouth I was going to murder him. Mom was lenient to a point but certain things you just didn't mess with such as alcohol, drugs, and coloring your hair a wacky color without permission.

"Do I even want to know why the two of you are shouting at each other so early in the morning?"

Mom looked between us her brow raised in question. A quick look passed between me and Leland before he belted out at the top of his lungs "Syd's hair is granny white!"

After the little snip outed me he made like a rocket and disappeared. Before I could take chase and carry out my promise of torture my mom stopped me with one hand. She pointed to my head, "Take it off, now."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and slowly removed the cap. I should be glad that my hair had a silver tint to it instead of the deathly white it had been two days ago. Mom worked long hours and wasn't always home at the same time as me. Avoiding her had been easy for the most part at least.

When the hood came all the way off mom gasped.

She fumbled for words as her face flushed red, "Why did you do this? And who gave you permission?"

A million and one excuses flew through my head but when it came time to speak, I was blank. My mouth opened and closed yet no word seemed to reach my ears.

"Sydney Walsh, I am only going to ask one more time. What is the meaning of this?"

"I uh, was just trying something new, and, well the box said the light blonde, and then I left it on too long and..."

My mother held up a hand silencing my tirade, "I guess you're old enough to make these kinds of decisions for yourself. Just discuss them with me beforehand."

My eyes went wide and my jaw slack. Did that really just come out of her mouth? Am I hearing things again? Mom snorted at my expression, "No matter what you think I was a teenager once myself. Just promise me no crazy colors or piercings or tattoos. Okay?"

"Wait, your not mad?"

Mom took a deep breath and let it put in a swoosh, "I am, but now I know what I put my mother through."

For the first time in a week, I pushed open Brookfield High's door with confidence. I still smelled them, but I wasn't on the verge of devouring one of them like a happy meal. I almost felt like myself again. I wanted to speak to Coach, hopefully, my slot was still open. I knew I had missed tryouts but I still had hope.

The school wasn't big at all, one long hallway with lockers against the walls. In between were the doors to the classrooms and even the bathrooms. Notice boards were stuck to the walls with the week's activity, even if no one bothered to read it. At the end of the hallway were two double doors that led to the cafeteria, nurse's office, and a small courtyard. Beyond the courtyard were the bleachers and track field. My locker was located at the back, so I had to walk past all the students. Whispers soon reached my ears, as if I were standing right next to them.

"She looks better..."

"Maybe she was sick..."

"I still think it was drugs..."

I refused to let it get to me, so instead of sparing them even a glance, I pulled my hoodie off my head and flipped my now bleach-like hair across my shoulders.

If they want to talk, I'll give them something to talk about. 

When I finally made it to my locker, I didn't even have the chance to open it when someone bellowed my name from down the hallway.

"Syd!"

I groaned and turned around until I saw Leah rushing over to me. Her eyes flicked from my hair back to my face.

"You look better, I see you changed your hair?" Leah said finally catching up with me. "Are you feeling any better, like enough to maybe talk to me?"

I sighed, I had gotten used to the pestering but it was easy to block it out. Now that I was slightly more focused I had to make a choice. "Look, Leah, I'm going through some things and I can't have you a part of that, okay?" I said, hoping honesty would get her to understand.

I was still reluctant to tell her what was going on, and until I figured that out, I would have to keep my distance.

"Syd, please whatever this is, I can help okay? We're best friends and I'll always be there for you."

She reached for my arm but I pulled away. I needed her to leave because I couldn't trust the monster inside me. "Are you deaf? I said leave me alone!" as I screamed heads turned in our direction and murmurs rose around us.

Leah's eyes pooled with tears as her face flushed red. Her eyes flicked nervously to the growing crowd. "Syd, this isn't you."

I snorted, "Maybe you don't know me as well as you like to think."

My words made me feel vile, but I had no choice. Or maybe I did but this was the easiest route to take. Leah's lip quivered and I could tell she was close to tears. I turned back to my locker and fiddled with the dial.

"Fine, I'll leave you alone," she finally said before turning and running to the girl's bathroom.

With Leah finally out of sight, I felt the first tear slide down my cheek. I wanted to run after her, to apologize. I wanted to tell her everything. Then the sight of the mangled deer flooded my vision and my resolve strengthened. So much blood, so little remorse for I did. What if I had to lose control around Leah?

No, I wouldn't allow it.

I opened the locker and a piece of folded paper fell to the floor just as the bell rang out. I knew for a fact that that was not there before. With a trembling hand, I bent down to pick it up. My fingers brushed the paper and I scanned the hallway. Kids walked into classrooms and soon the hallway was empty. The paper crinkled as I unfolded it. My eyes quickly skimmed over the letters scrawled down in a messy hand and I had to fight the urge to smash my fist through the lockers.

Nice night for a stroll through the Coroner's office.

~N~

I sucked in a sharp breath. This N character could only be one person. Stupid Noah Miller and he saw me last night.

Shit.