COLD REVENGE

"Ok class, we have come to the end of this lecture.  I want you all to carry out the research we talked about earlier. If you don't carry out the research, you'll have to prepare for a sleepover with me " Miss Celine,  the history lecturer, said in her usual squeaky voice. The class laughed a little while echoing, "Yes, Miss Celine". In less than one minute, students were already exiting the hall in groups while chattering. "Stressful day, isn't it? " Tyla asked her best friend Gina, as she packed up her bag. "Lazy bones, it's Friday and we didn't do much"

"Whatever" Tyla responded with rolled eyes as they giggled and left the hall.

.  Tyla and Gina have been best friends since childhood, and the bedrock of their enviable friendship started with their families being business associates of the XENICO HOLD  the leading power company in the city of Cambridgeshire, England. Tyla and Gina had built more than enough memories to last a lifetime, and they were just 19-year-old freshmen at the University of Cambridge,  England. They had stuck through everything together and even studied the same course in school. They were practically inseparable and had won "best friends of the year " through junior high. They were more like sisters and shared everything, including secrets of everything including Tyla's love interest, Liam, Gina's elder brother. Liam had the demeanor of a god. An ocean of blue eyes,  brown, shiny hair, the perfect 7 feet white, well-arranged teeth, and every beautiful feature one can think of in a man.  He was the dream of every girl, including Tyla.  Gina, of course, has been putting in good words for her. What more is there to friendship than that of Tyla and Gina?

     "He said that ?!" Gina asked while trying to stifle a laugh. "Gina, it's not funny. It was cute, but I don't understand why he'll use that particular line. What the hell is "I like you, Tyla? I know because my heart skips a beat whenever I see you "? "

"Well, he might have a heart condition and call it love, and, somehow, you trigger it. You're an allergy !" Gina said,  laughing out loud this time. Tyla is an extreme beauty. She looked like she was whipped off the cover of Vogue. She had the features that would make even a lady like her look twice. She had a beautiful height with her face reminiscent of the shape of an egg. Her skin was finely toned and was also flawless. She had bright, dreamy eyes that could drown just anyone in them, and her teeth spelled out perfection.  With finely shaped lips and a pointed nose,  every magazine will be privileged to have her grace their covers.  Her model body matched perfectly with her face.  She was more than a human.  She was an angel. Due to her striking features, she got love proposals from every Tom, D*ck and Harry. Who wouldn't want to have goddess Tyla as a girlfriend? This time, it was a cute freshman like Tyla named Rich. He made a move at Tyla, but got turned down politely. Tyla, of course, told Gina about it while they were walking home from school, and she had not stopped laughing since then. Despite the riches of both families, Gina and Tyla somehow enjoy the luxury of walking home from school.

.        "No,no,no,no.Okay,okay.I'm sorry. I just thought he'd be rich with good pickup lines, and he ended up exposing himself to his allergy: You!" Gina said while releasing another round of laughter. Tyla looked at her and gave a slight frown. In an instant, Gina had regained her composure. Gina perfectly understood her friend as she was one of the kindest and most compassionate humans, and Gina was well, slightly the opposite. Gina was a good-looking lady, too, with a more well- defined body than Tyla, although with the same structure. She got fewer proposals because she had made a joke from everyone made to her. It was like a free comedy show when anyone tried to express their feelings to her. "It might be funny that Rich used that line, " Tyla started, while laughing a little, "but, he tried to be as expressive as possible. It's a shame that I had to turn down his proposal. He didn't look happy ....Poor Rich"

"Well, I think it's cute to get proposed to by a person who's allergic to...." Tyla shot her a cold glare.

"Fine fine, It's cute, but you shouldn't feel bad you turned him down. You don't have feelings for him, though you would have dated him out of pity if he had pressed any further ...softie, " Gina said while giving Tyla a small push on the shoulder.

.   "I hate you!" Tyla groaned

.  "I love you more, allergy, " Gina said, laughing again like it had been stored up in her, banging on her mouth to release them.

    "I just wish Liam liked me as much as I do. I wish he wasn't in a relationship, " Tyla complained, sighing.

. "Weeellllll, they're currently having problems, and I smell a breakup coming, " Gina said, grinning wickedly.

.   "Oh my! I hope they fix it soon" Tyla responded with genuine concern

.      "I thought you wished they weren't together and...."

.      "In the first place, Gina sweetheart. I didn't wish for them to break up. That will be vile of me. I like Liam, and if we're meant to be, we will, " Tyla replied, cutting Gina off.

         "Have it your way, softie, " Gina scowled "I don't like his girlfriend anyway"

.  "You'll be fine, girl. You will be fine" Tyla responded, nudging her with her shoulder and putting an arm around her while discussing other topics as they walked down home, which was already close by. Gina lived five houses before Tyla's, so she's usually the first to bid bye. With a hug, Gina parted with Tyla, and Tyla walked on the sidewalk, admiring the bright blue sky, the smell of fresh cinnamon rolls from one of the houses, a nice set of well-trimmed bushes by the sidewalk, which she brushed her hands on as she walked by. With a train of thoughts passing through her mind, she thought of childhood memories, special time with her family, and most of all, the thought of her and Liam being together. It brought smiles to her face and then....knots to her stomach. Tyla slowed down her pace and wondered what it might be. She felt this bad energy around her. Tyla's hunches come as knots in her stomach and it is not always a hunch for something good. Tyla tried to be positive and waving off all that bad energy, she entered into her home.

.      "Moooommm, I'm home!" Tyla shouted while entering the house. Flopping down on a sofa in the sitting room, she called out again.

"Mum! ......ughh..James? Grace?" She yelled while lifting herself off the sofa and making her way up the stairs. Tyla had two siblings, of which she's first. A brother in seventh grade named James and a sister who was just five named Grace. Tyla would have worried less if the house was locked as she had a spare key. However, they should be home since she met the house curtains opened in the kitchen area which was a sign that her mother, Lory Xen, was at home. Her car was also packed in the garage, confirming the latter.

.    "Mom" Tyla called out again while she proceeded to check the kitchen. Tyla was beginning to get worried. She checked her parent's room, James' room, the movie room, and the possible rooms they might be in.

.  The Xens, although rich, loved it simple. They had a house that looked sophisticated yet simple with about seven rooms, one of which belonged to Tyla, another to James, while Grace still slept with her parents in one of the rooms. Tyla went upstairs to check the empty rooms.

    "Mom. Jamil" She called while checking the first empty room. She was very scared at this point and tried to breathe. It suddenly clicked!

"They might be at the pack cave. Tonight's the full moon and there's supposed to be a meeting with other packs and some hunting too, but how come the house is not locked?"

The Xen's as well as some other families in the city of Cambridgeshire were werewolves and every full moon, a meeting is being held on different matters, after which they go hunting for the adults and playing around for the small pups,  with an adult wolf watching, of course. Tyla sighed in relief as she proceeded downstairs. After taking a few steps, she stopped in her tracks and thought again.

"Mom always sends a text before they head for the cave? I should call" 

"Lean on me, when you're not strong and I'll be your friend..." It was one of Mrs Xen's phone. Mrs Xen was a lover of music and she particularly loved this one from Bill weathers "Lean on me"  Tyla followed the sound to me if the empty rooms. It was ringing from under a big blanket which belonged to her mom too.

   "Mom ?" Tyla called again while lifting the blanket. "Mom.....mom!!!"

"Beep..beep...beep" The bedside monitor went.With teary eyes, Tyla looked at little Grace lying hopeless on the hospital bed. She bent her head back to her face and let out a soft cry. Her brain was yet to process all that had happened. How did all these happen? She cried more, seeing Grace in that state, having a number of tubes connected to mostly all the parts of her body. Who could have done this to her family? The moments from the early hours of the day flashed before her very eyes and she couldn't hold back anymore. She held her head and let out a shrill cry that had nurses rushing in. They led Tyla out of the room into the hallway and sat her down in the waiting area, trying to comfort her. "Tyla the doctor asks to see you" one of the nurses said, while walking towards the group of nurses clustered round Tyla. Tyla ,with weakness obviously displayed over her body, walked in shaky steps and with the help of a nurse, she got to the doctor's office. Sitting in the office was Dr.Diego, who was one of the doctors in the hospital deep in the woods for werewolves only. A werewolf,many years ago, used his influence in the government to buy a very large  area of land as a personal property and secured it heavily to ensure there was no trespassing. A hospital was built on the bought property to attend to werewolves since the resulting aftermath of the people of Cambridgeshire, finding out about the existence of werewolves would be dire. Although certain rumors had been flying around, it has not been confirmed that there were any werewolves in existence in that city. Rebel wolves had been put under check to avoid the disruption of peace to the city itself. The hospital was quiet small with the basic necessities. There were few nurses, about fifteen, that worked there too and five doctors one of which Dr.Diego was among. Any equipment made of real silver was avoided as silver were dangerous to werewolves. It was a simple,yet well equipped hospital.

"Tyla....I understand all these would be hard for you to take, but I need you to calm down " Dr.Diego said in his usually soothing voice. Dr Diego was an handsome young man in his early thirties, but looked way younger than his age. He definitely turns heads wherever he's present, including that of the nurses. He is the family doctor to the Xens and the newest shareholder of the XENICO Hold. Although calm, Dr.Diego's face carried an expression of pain. Dr.Diego and Mr Xen were very good friends and as well, recent business partners. The thought of having to tell Tyla her new fate was painful so, he was holding back the information concerning her family, battling with his thoughts on how well to present it . "Doctor ...." Tyla started" You can't possibly be calm if you were in my situation, would you? " Tyla asked calmly with her eyes looking straight at the doctor. It looked as if Tyla's eyes could cut through the doctor's body. The doctor saw emptiness, pain, and anger all at once in her eyes. Tyla had really become a shadow of herself under few hours. Who would blame her? It was a traumatizing moment for her at the moment and every person would feel and act that way if they were in her shoes. They might act worse.

"Tyla,I understand how you feel and ...."

"No you don't ! No you don't " Tyla cut him off angrily. My family in the hospital at once? How could you possibly understand? How could you ?!" Tyla was fuming at this point as she was breathing heavily with her fists tightened under the table. She was seething with rage and a mixture of pain. She didn't know what to feel. It was nothing more than the anger birthed from the place of pain.

"I...I went to school and saw them all this morning. Everyone was fine. We were all happy. I come back to meet my family lifeless? Please, doctor, explain how you would have understood?Tell me!" Tyla said, slightly increasing her voice. She finally breathed in and out repeatedly, trying to calm down.

"Tyla,I'd need you to calm down. Here, have some water" The Doctor said more calmly while pouring Tyla a glass of water and pushing it lightly across the table.

"Thank you. I'm sorry for yelling" Tyla muttered as she, with shaky hands took a big gulp from the glass. She placed the glass cup back on the table and with her face facing her hands which were on her laps, counting her fingers for no reason, she asked "Are they dead?"

"Tyla.....I"

"Are they dead?" Tyla asked more calmly,slightly gripping the glass cup on the table. She was trying to control the rage building up in her.

"Only Grace had a pulse when they arrived. She was the only one who had a knife to a side of her stomach. The rest had the knife to the heart....I'm sorry"

"Are they dead?!" Tyla shouted this time, literally crushing the glass cup in her hand. They broke like a badly made clay pot.bShe continued crushing the glass into bits as the bits went in to her hand. With tears rushing down her face and blood rushing out of her hand, she looked up again at the doctor for a reply with her tear glands ready to dispense all the tears they had to offer. She was hoping against hope that the doctor would tell her something diffrent from the thought she already had in mind concerning her family.

"Tyla.." The doctor breathed" Your parents and brother could not make it.The silver dagger went straight to their hearts and did great harm.I know it's hard to take in, but I'd like you to know that ...."

"No....No please.....I..Do...Do something doctor. No!!! .Pull out the knives and stich the wounds and they'll be fine. They cannot be dead please!" Tyla cried out with her body shaking and streams of tears rolling simultaneously down her cheeks.

"Tyla...." Dr.Diego started, but the rest of the words got stuck in his throat. He did not know what exact words would be soothing enough to heal the wound created on Tyla's soul.

Tyla looked at the doctor, with already red eyeballs, drenched with tears,begged,with her two hands clasped together "P..pl...please,do something.Please"

"Tyla there's nothing else we can do.We tried our best,I promise"

Tyla buried her face in her hands and cried ,with her body shooking vigorously.The doctor came close to her and touched her shoulder lightly.

"I'm sorry,Tyla"

Tyla cleaned the tears from her eyes,brushed off his hand from her shoulder and without a word, stood up and walked out of the office .

"Tyla...." The nurses called after her when they noticed the blood dripping from the wounds the shattered glass inflicted on her hand.

"Grrrrr" Tyla growled as she turned, facing them.She already had long wolf teeth growing out and claws following. Silk white fur was already growing on her skin. She was transforming!.Her limbs lengthened and her eyes glowed gold with rage. She was ready to come at anyone that even tried to say a word ,especially that of comfort.

"Let her go" Dr Diego said,standing by the doorway,as he noticed that Tyla was ready to kill.

Dr.Diego as well as everyone who worked in that hospital were werewolves and they understood how out of hand it would be if they stood in the way of Tyla at that point.

"Let her go!" Dr.Diego said again, with a more commanding tone.

Tyla, not paying attention to them, ran out into the dark woods, fully transformed into a werewolf with soft, white and flawless fur. She ran with so much speed that she almost hit her body against a tree. She ran so much, gliding over every obstacle that lay ahead of her. She ran straight into the pack cave. She kept howling repeatedly and she knocked down every standing thing in the cave. Both the sculptures, artifacts and arrangements. She didn't stop until she made sure everywhere was in ruins. With her sharp claws, she scratched badly on the walls, wanting to cause more damage. She cared less if her claws got cut. After all, the cave no longer made sense to her as she had lost everything that held the cave special. She clawed so badly on the walls that deep in incisions was visible on them. She stood for a minute, breathing heavily, with thick saliva flowing down and dripping......

Dripping from the tip of her long teeth. Finally sitting down on the ground in the middle of the cave, her claws and long teeth started growing back in. Her limbs reduced in length and her white fur found their way back under her skin. Laying on the ground on her back for a while, she stared at the roof of the cave. She shook her head continually, refusing to agree still about the news she heard. With tears flowing  down by the side of her face, she whispered "Dad, mom, James, please come in here and tell me it was a prank all these while. Don't leave me, please" She looked beside her and saw a small picture of her family together. She reached for it and held it close to her chest. She held it so much that any further pressure would leave an imprint on her. She was feeling so heavy and she needed to do something about it. She thought of going out of the cave to feel the environment. Maybe it'll administer a little comfort to her. She was almost naked so, she needed to dress up.Stand