“Yes,” Brandon said. “He’s a scientist.”
“After you were born, she seemed to get restless. Maybe she couldn’t handle the good things in life. And then she left, and we never heard from her again. ”
Brandon nodded.
“I always said it was in her blood. Something wild, not normal.”
“Do you think it might be the trait of your great-grandfather?” I asked, hinting toward Brandon’s nocturnal condition.
“I always blamed him for the Worthington wild streak. But we all have to take responsibility for our own actions.”
“I agree with you,” Brandon said.
“You didn’t tell him what I told you yesterday?” Mr. Worthington asked, almost embarrassed.
“I sort of . . .”
“Well, no one believes an old man,” he said.
“I do,” Brandon said. “I believe you.”
Mr. Worthington’s face lit up. “You are the spitting image of my son, Harry. He believed in ghost stories, too.”
“Was your great-grandfather ever cured?” I asked.
“No, and that’s why I was always convinced it ran in our blood.”
“I appreciate your taking the time to talk to me,” Brandon said politely.
“That’s all I have is time. Besides, it is so nice to finally have family in Legend’s Run again.”
Brandon extended his hand again. Mr. Worthington took it and hugged Brandon.
“I’d like us to meet again,” Brandon said.
“I’d like that, too,” Mr. Worthington said. “You know where to find me. I’m here twenty-four hours a day.”
Chapter Twenty-five
Werewolf Spotting
The local police officers continued patrolling the streets and developments of Legend’s Run, watching for appearances of wild animals. After the wolf incident at the high school, the town was still on alert. But so far there hadn’t been any more wolves spotted at school.
However, there was a rumor spreading of another unusual sighting.
Abby and I were heading to the library to meet Ivy when we passed Heidi Rosen talking excitedly to her friend outside the auditorium. Abby loathed being the last person with the inside scoop. She stopped and we pretended we needed to check out the announcements on the bulletin board. Abby leaned in toward the gossiping girls.
“I swear!” Heidi said.
“Did it touch you?” her friend asked.
“No. But I thought it might.”
“It?” Abby said in a hushed tone. “I wonder what it is.”
“It had gray eyes,” Heidi said. “And fangs.”
“I think they are talking about a wolf,” Abby whispered to me.
“It stood on two legs,” Heidi went on.
“Maybe it’s a circus wolf,” I said to Abby.
“It was a werewolf, I swear!” Heidi said to her friend. “But don’t tell anyone. I know people will think I’m crazy, but I had to tell you since you’re my best friend.”
I was stunned. Someone had spotted Brandon. But I was confused since it wasn’t a full moon. Abby and I found Ivy down by her locker.
“You will never believe what I’m going to tell you,” Abby declared.
“What? Heidi Rosen said she saw a werewolf?” Ivy asked nonchalantly.
“How did you know?” Abby asked.
“Jake just told me,” Ivy replied.
“Who did he hear it from?” Abby questioned her.
“Nash.”
“This is so bizarre,” Abby said, lost in thought.
“I know. She’s really lost her mind,” Ivy said. “Or maybe it’s that Wolfman, Brandon Maddox,” she teased.
I wasn’t thrilled by my friend alluding to Brandon being a werewolf. But the reality was she was right.
“Well, maybe if Heidi stayed away from Nash, then she wouldn’t be seeing things,” I said.
“She’s been texting him,” Ivy said, defending my ex, “but he refuses to see her.”
“She isn’t spending any time with him,” Abby said. “We’ve made sure of that.”
“Yes, he’s all about you,” Ivy said.
“I’ve told you,” I assured them. “It’s okay. Nash and I are over.”
Ivy tried her best to hide her frustration. “If you need time to forgive him,” she said, softening, “that’s okay. But please, don’t take too long.”
By lunchtime, rumor of Heidi’s werewolf spotting had made its way around the entire school. But what was worse was the other gossip I overheard later that day. I was passing the biology lab when I heard a few tech guys talking by the door.
“I was coming back from computer club when this thing jumped out from behind a tree. I tried to get it on tape, but when I downloaded it, it was so fuzzy all you could see were trees. Here—look.” He showed his friend his iPhone.