I got home and put the files in a drawer under my bed, it would be better if my mom didn't find them. My phone vibrated, taking it out of my pocket, I looked at the screen, “Texted as soon as I could, what's wrong?”
I sighed and sat on the edge of my bed.
“Just found out something about you guys. Need to talk. Meet me in the woods behind my house tonight.”

That night was cloudy and cold, so I grabbed my jacket and headed out back. My mom wasn't home, so I didn't have to sneak out. I could hear Brett before I could see him, odd. “Julie, what's up? What's going on?” He was standing under a tree with two others. “Well, Dylan invited me to his place to talk. Turns out he's some creepy dude who likes to make science experiments!” All three of them looked shocked. “Care to explain these?” I held up the files.
“Let me see them.” I recognized the voice, it was Thaddeus. He was tall and pale, with graying hair and shadows under his eyes. He took the files from my hands and started to flip through them. The other person spoke, “What are those? They smell old and musty.” It was Dalla. She was kind of short with white-blonde hair cut into a pixie cut. “They are files from the lab.” Thaddeus said.
“The lab?” Both Dalla and Brett looked confused.
“Yes. You two are to young to remember.” He looked down before making eye contact with all three of us. “A few years ago, Dylan or Dr. Yerning, took a few volunteers or victims for his experiment. He wanted to make a wolf-human hybrid. Sadly, the experiment didn't work and the victims were left to adapt.”
“What happened?”
“They disappeared and lived partially away from civilization.” Brett was lost in thought. “These creatures, what were they?” Thaddeus looked at him.
“Brett, think about it. Look deep inside yourself for the answer.”
“Oh my goodness! It's us! We're the creatures!”
“Yes Dalla. He made shape-shifters instead.”
“But Thaddeus, one of those files is from nearly 300 years ago.” I couldn't figure out how that was possible. “Well, Dylan wasn't the first in his family to experiment. Every male in his family has been doing this. So far, Dylan is the first one to have come close to success.” We all stood there thinking, when the night's silence was ripped apart by a gunshot. “What was that?”
“The hunters are back!” Dalla shouted. I recalled the conversation I had heard about some of the men from town starting a hunt for the wolves. “Wait, you mean they've done this before?”
“Ya, they nearly took out Rowan, our Alpha leader.” Brett told me.
“What can I do?”
“Stay here and we'll inform you after.” Thaddeus said before running off into the forest. Brett and Dalla were already gone, so I couldn't ask them. I ran back inside and grabbed a first aid kit, then I ran back outside and began picking my way through the forest, following the sounds of guns.

By the time I got there, I could see a few hunters coming over a hill loaded down with guns. I gasped as a tan coloured wolf bounded past one of them. The hunter took a shot, but missed. Thank goodness. I hid behind a large maple tree and watched, not knowing what to do. The hunters continued to shoot and the wolves continued to fight back. I watched as a gray she-wolf ran passed me, carrying two young pups. I saw Dalla and Brett taunting a hunter together and two other wolves snapping at a small group of hunters. Both sides hadn't gained much, so it was a pretty dull thing to watch. I tried to figure out who the hunters were, but the only few I could recognize from where I was were the owner of the Hardware store, the mailman and my principal.

The fight continued for about ten more minutes with the hunters gaining a few bites and cuts. I guess one of the hunters had had enough because he stopped what he was doing and aimed his gun at the nearest wolf. I was too busy watching Altar fight to noticed the shoot. It flew towards the wolf and imbedded itself deep in the creatures side. I cry of pain was let out. I looked over in time to see the body of a wolf convulsing on the ground. Blood was pumping out of a hole in his side and the ground around his body was soaked. “Noooo!” I ran over, not caring if I was shot. I crouched over the body and pulled the gauze from the kit. The wolf looked up at me and I saw the oh so familiar pale blue eyes of Thaddeus. I felt his body go motionless in my arms. “Thaddeus stay with me. Thaddeus.” I started wrapping the gauze around his body, maybe if I got him to a doctor, he would live. Suddenly, I felt a searing pain in my chest, it was so intense that I fell to the ground beside Thaddeus' body.