Issue 1.10: Confessions

The next day, the entire town of Silverbrook is abuzz again. Your parents sit you down at the breakfast table, their faces grim. "The workers from the logging company found Steve Kirby’s body in the woods this morning," your dad says, his voice heavy. "The sheriff says it looks like he was ripped apart by the same animal."

You feign shock, keeping your voice steady. "That’s horrible." You don’t mention the late-night wolf hunt, or John, or Maria. Some secrets are better left buried.

The town mourns at first. Flowers are left at the school gym, and teachers share stories about Kirby’s years of service. But then the sheriff searches his house and finds evidence, bloodstained clothes, journals detailing his hunts, his dark sexual fantasies, and trophies taken from his victims. The mourning turns to horror. Steve Kirby wasn’t just a gym teacher. He was a serial killer.

"If Kirby killed Bill Stanler, David Rubenstein... and Jake," Tyler says during lunch after school finally reopens, pushing his food around his tray, "then who killed him?"

"Another serial killer?" Lisa suggests, though her voice is hollow. She’s still recovering from Jake’s ****, her usual sharp wit dulled by grief.

"Or maybe a good samaritan," you say, keeping your tone casual. "A hero who hunts monsters."

Tyler and Lisa exchange glances, but neither presses further. The mystery lingers, but for now, the town is just relieved the killings have stopped.

Later that day, you finally work up the courage to approach Maria. She’s leaning against her locker, her silver choker catching the light as she turns to face you. She looks even hotter than usual, her dark hair falling over her shoulders, her tight tank top hugging her curves.

"Thanks for helping us, Bennet," she says with a smile. "You were a real help."

"You’re welcome." You take a deep breath, steeling yourself. "There’s something I really need to tell you, Maria. I really like you... no, I’m in love with you." The words spill out before you can second-guess them. "Will you go out with me?"

Maria falls silent for a few moments, her silver eyes studying you. "There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me, Bennet."

You shake your head. "That’s why I want to get to know you. Whatever secrets you may have, they won’t change my feelings. I love you, Maria Trent."

Maria considers your words, her expression unreadable. Finally, she says, "Come to my house tonight, Bennet. Then decide if you still want to date me."

You nod, though you can’t imagine what secret she could be hiding beyond her uncle being a werewolf. "All right. I’ll come."