**Noah’s POV**

I couldn’t stop thinking about what Enzo said last night. *“One day, you’ll forgive me for the bad things I’m gonna do.”* His words stuck in my head like a splinter, sharp and unsettling. What did he mean? Was something going to happen? The thought sent shivers down my spine, like a warning I couldn’t ignore. I glanced at my phone, the screen showing today’s date and a reminder: full moon tonight. I remembered seeing one years ago, locked in my room at my dad’s house, staring through a barred window while he yelled downstairs. Back then, it was just a pretty light in the sky. Now, it felt like something else, something heavy, like the air itself was pressing down on me.

I walked into school, my stomach knotted, my mood dark. The hallways were loud with kids laughing, but I felt like a ghost, drifting through without belonging. I sat at my desk in the classroom, the same boring lecture droning on, the teacher’s voice a blur. I kept thinking about Enzo—his kiss, his apology, his cryptic words. Why was he so nice one minute and so scary the next? What was he hiding?

At lunch, I slipped out of class, my bag slung over my shoulder, my stomach growling. I didn’t have money or food, just like yesterday. I was heading for the stairs outside, hoping to hide until school ended, when someone called my name. “Noah!” I turned, and there was Stan, the senior who gave me the sandwich yesterday. He stood by the hallway, his hands in his pockets, smiling like we were old friends. “Hey, we meet again,” he said, walking over. “You look rough. You okay?”

I nodded, my throat tight. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I said, my voice flat. “Just… tired.”

Stan tilted his head, his smile not fading. “You sure?” he asked. “You look like you’re carrying the world on your shoulders. Wanna talk about it?”

I shook my head, gripping my bag. “No,” I said. “I’m good. Thanks for yesterday, though. The sandwich.”

“No problem,” he said, stepping closer. “Hey, you free tonight? It’s the full moon, you know. Everyone’s going out to the field to watch it. Kinda a tradition around here. Wanna come?”

I froze, my heart racing. The full moon. I wanted to see it, to be normal for once, to stand with people and not feel like a prisoner. But Enzo’s rules flashed in my mind: *Don’t get comfortable. Don’t be late.* “I don’t know,” I said, my voice shaky. “Someone’s always watching me. They… they can track me down.”

Stan’s smile widened, like he knew something I didn’t. “Don’t worry about it,” he said. “It’s just a few hours. No one’s gonna know. Come on, Noah. Live a little.”

I hesitated, my hands shaking. “I’m not sure,” I said. “It’s complicated. I can’t just… go places.”

“Look,” Stan said, leaning closer, his voice soft but firm. “You’re in school, right? You’re not locked up right now. Come with me. It’ll be fun. Just a bunch of kids staring at the moon. What’s the worst that could happen?”

I swallowed, my chest tight. “I could get in trouble,” I said. “You don’t know the guy I’m… staying with.”

Stan raised an eyebrow. “Staying with?” he said. “Sounds like a story. Come on, Noah. Tell me. Who’s got you so scared?”

I shook my head, stepping back. “I can’t,” I said. “Just… forget it. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Okay, okay,” Stan said, holding up his hands. “No pressure. But the offer’s open. Meet me after school if you change your mind. By the front gate, alright?”

I nodded, just to get him to leave. “Yeah, sure,” I said, my voice barely audible. He smiled again and walked off, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I shouldn’t go. I knew that. But the idea of seeing the full moon, of feeling free for one night, was too tempting.

After school, I found myself walking to the front gate, my heart pounding. Stan was there, leaning against a tree, his smile back. “Knew you’d show up,” he said. “Come on. My car’s over here.”

I followed him, my stomach twisting. “Where are we going?” I asked, my voice shaky.

“Just my place first,” he said. “Then the field. Relax, Noah. It’s gonna be fine.”

We drove to a house I didn’t recognize, not far from school. I kept waiting for Ren’s limo to pull up, for him to drag me back, but it never came. I followed Stan inside, my nerves on edge. He led me to a living room, and I was about to sit when footsteps made me turn. Dean stood there, his creepy smile back, his eyes locked on me. “Well, look who’s here,” he said, his voice smooth. “What’re you doing in my house, Noah?”

I froze, my heart racing. “Your house?” I asked, turning to Stan. “You didn’t tell me this was his place!”

Stan shrugged, his smile not fading. “It’s cool,” he said. “Dean’s my boyfriend. You’re safe here.”

I shook my head, stepping back. “I shouldn’t be here,” I said. “I need to go.”

Dean laughed, stepping closer. “Relax, kid,” he said. “Sit down. How you holding up? I know Enzo’s got you on a tight leash.”

“I’m fine,” I said, my voice shaking. “I just… I wanna leave.”

Dean’s smile widened, his eyes glinting. “Enzo bought you, didn’t he?” he said. “But if you’re scared, you can stay here. I’ll protect you.”

I stared at him, my blood cold. “Protect me?” I asked. “How? You’re his brother! And what’s with you people? You keep talking like I’m some… thing!”

Dean chuckled, leaning against the wall. “You believe in werewolves, Noah?” he asked, his voice low, teasing.

I laughed, but it came out shaky. “What? That’s a joke, right?” I said. “Werewolves? Come on.”

His face stayed serious, his smile sharp. “Not a joke,” he said. “Think about it. Enzo’s not normal. You’ve seen it, haven’t you?”

I shook my head, my heart pounding. “You’re crazy,” I said. “I’m leaving. Now.”

Before I could move, Stan grabbed my arm, his grip tight. “Stay,” he said, his voice hard. Then everything went black.

I woke up, my head throbbing, my body sweating. I was in a small, dark room, locked inside. A cracked window let in a sliver of light, and I saw it—the full moon, bright and heavy in the sky. I turned, my eyes catching a clock on the wall. It clicked to 12, and a sharp pain ripped through my body, like fire in my veins. I screamed, my voice raw, as the world spun around me.

I apologize for the delay, I was sick.  Please follow my Fb page Darkverse Studios