Anger Issues | A Werewolf Curse at Strickfield High

Danielle Boyd doesn't need a full moon to become a werewolf. She just needs somebody to make her angry. And at Strickfield High, that happens a lot. But then another werewolf starts killing, and the monster hunter stalking Danielle may discover the most dangerous beast in town isn't the one she came for. What's that? You want to be scared? Come with me. You will experience tales of horror, ghosts, and death. It is not recommended for the weak at. Heart. Listen in the dark. It's more fun that way. This is Weekly Spooky. Hello, my spookies. It's Wednesday, and you know what that means.

It's time for a little spooky in your weekly. I'm your host and narrator Henrique Couto, and tonight we're heading back to Strickfield for a hair-raisingly good time. But before we get to all that, I want to say thank you all so much for joining us. As spooky season ramps up, we're always here every day of the week with something spooky for you to enjoy. So make sure you're subscribed, and when October hits, there'll be lots of bonuses. Lots of extra scary stories. Lots of novellas for you to listen to free of charge. right here at Weekly Spooky.

So subscribe on your favorite podcasting app, and while you're at it, leave us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps the show out a lot. And if you head to weeklyspooky.com slash join and sign up for as little as $ 1 a month, you'll get two bonus shows every month and over six years of exclusive content, including creepypasta readings and audiobooks at weeklyspooky.com slash join. Over 80 other spookies have signed up and helped me keep the show going. Why not join them? I'd appreciate it. But now, as for tonight... Some monsters wait for the full moon.

Some need a curse, a ritual, or a dark forest. Danielle Boyd just needs one bad day. And at Strickfield High, bad days are practically part of the curriculum. Every insult, every shove, every person who pushes her just a little too far brings Danielle closer to claws and fangs. But there's something strange about the monster inside her. Danielle doesn't lose herself when the werewolf takes over. She remembers, she thinks, and so far, she chooses who gets hurt. Now a cheerleader is dead. and another werewolf is on the loose, a monster hunter has gone undercover at Strickfield High with enough silver to put them both in the ground.

With Halloween getting closer, it feels like the perfect time to return to a town where controlling your temper might be the only thing between detention and dismemberment. ANGER ISSUES By Rob Fields Thursday night. Perspective. Headmistress Hiltonson. Once again I'm prowling the night in search of creatures whom Satan has sent into our reality. I continue to seek out Bella Tabon, but either she's on to me, and continues to evade me herself, or perhaps I need to modify my strategy in finding her. Make no mistake, I shall find Bella Tabon and free her tortured soul. At the moment, she shall have to wait.

I'm currently on the trail of a beast. Based on the tracks and the carnage left in its wake, there's no question, It's a werewolf. I just happen to know of one here in Strickfield whose name is Danielle Boyd. Like Bella Tabon, she has also proven to be quite elusive. When I come to the end of the trail, I see a vehicle turned on its side and smoke emitting from underneath. I move with caution to investigate. Good God in heaven! I gasp upon seeing the horrifying sight inside. Human body parts and blood line the inner compartment.

A girl's severed head is lying next to the front tire. It is indeed a werewolf attack based on the claw marks everywhere. I've seen worse scenarios like this before. I still haven't been able to forget that Halloween night. when Bernadette Hallow somehow became one of the living dead and sought to wreck my beloved academy with an army she created. She herself nearly ended me that night. But thanks to the Lord in Heaven, I was victorious. Examining the girl further, I see that she was wearing a jacket with Strickfield Varsity Cheerleading written in cursive on the back.

The rest of the jacket is torn, along with the flesh that once was underneath it. Clearly, this girl was quite unaware of the horror that would find and slay them both. The more I see of this nauseous sight, the more I am determined to find Danielle Boyd and stop her once and for all. The staff I carry has a silver-tipped end for just such emergencies. When I hear the police approaching, I quickly disappear. Safely hidden, I watch them examine the scene. I am sure they have dealt with carnage like this before. No one serves in the Strickfield Police Department without doing so.

I have lived in this accursed village for many years. By day I am headmistress of Strickfield Academy, where it is my sacred duty to ensure my faculty and I shape the young minds who walk our halls. By night I emerge and try to make Strickfield a better place. The greatest mystery is why Satan has chosen this village to spread chaos. What is so special about Strickfield? God has placed me here and given me my great task. If this village is where I must do his work, then I shall obey. I look up to the sky.

I am always your loyal servant, Lord. Guide me where you will. My next task already lies before me. I must infiltrate Strickfield High School and find the creature that mercilessly ended that cheerleader's life. Was it you, Danielle Boyd? Regardless, I must seek out that werewolf and free its wretched soul from the curse. There is one place I must go to make my mission possible. I turn and leave. After making some impromptu arrangements for my leave at Strickfield Academy, I enter the secret caverns. I am always seduced by the beauty of the glowing crystals and shimmering waters.

For years I have avoided using the bath and chosen to age gracefully, as God intended. However, I cannot infiltrate Strickfield High School as a woman in her mid-forties. So tonight, I must make an exception. I remove my clothing and set everything aside. Even before entering the bath, I can feel the warmth radiating from it. The warmth is confirmed as I descend. I take a breath and dive into its depths. I feel the water quickly working its wonders on my body, both outwardly and within. I swim until I feel that the rejuvenation process is complete. I rise from the water looking and feeling young again.

When it settles, I gaze at my reflection and see that I can easily walk the halls of Strickfield High as a student, thanks in no small part to the school's open enrollment. I go into the pack I brought, and put on clothing from inside. Once dressed, I place my other clothes in the pack and leave the caverns as a different person. I shall return once a day and use the bath to maintain this younger form. until I find the werewolf and end his reign of terror. I look up and see that this is the first night of the full moon.

Only two remain, and sunrise is near, so I cannot hunt the beast tonight. I might as well go to Denoyer's Grill for breakfast before making my way to Strickfield High. Hunting certainly has a way of making me work up an appetite. Friday morning. Perspective. Danielle Boyd. I take deep breaths as I walk into Strickfield High School with my best friend and roommate, Darla Cantrell. She's been teaching me new ways to keep from getting pissed off. The problem is, I'm always pissed off. Unfortunately, that goes hand in hand with my curse. Whenever I lose my shit, a hard surge tears through my body and I become a huge silver werewolf.

No full moon required. Daylight doesn't change me back. I have to calm down. Sometimes that happens in the worst places, leaving me streaking through downtown Strickfield or waiting naked outside our apartment until Darla gets home. So far, I've been fast enough to avoid the Roth's Rings regulars. I'm fit, and plenty of those cops have junk in the trunk, so they don't exactly carry keys as a werewolf. If you know good old Danny Boy, short for Danielle, you know I have serious anger issues. You can thank my Bible-thumping parents for that. As for my curse, thank the werewolf who grabbed me and bit me at the height of a solar eclipse.

Unless there's something else I'm not considering, I think that's gotta be it. How else do you explain my differences from other werewolves? I gasp when Darla puts a hand on my shoulder and snaps me out of my thoughts. Don't do that, I snap. Calm down, Danny boy, she reminds me. She's about to pull me into an empty classroom to talk when one of those fucking asshole jocks slaps my ass hard. The sudden urge hits me. When Darla hears me growling, she grabs me and drags me into the classroom. After pulling the door shut, she turns and watches me transform.

Oh, Danny... Darla groans sympathetically. School's been pissing me off all week. On Wednesday, Janine Ferris got in my face and accused me of stealing Kenan Dorfman. We went on two dates, but things didn't work out. He tried like hell to get into my pants, though, but I wasn't having it, so I told him we were never dating again. Janine slapped me and triggered a change. Yesterday, Mr. Agler yelled in my face until I felt the surge and ran from class. He's one of those people who makes it a point to get right in my face.

Now this jock has to slap my ass? The changes hurt so much. My bones and muscles grow as I flex my hands into fists and back again. Now... I'm a huge silver werewolf and Darla's holding up her hands and shaking her head. No, Danny boy, no, don't do that, she begs. But all I can see is red. I roar before turning and reducing the door to kindling. Boy, do the other students in the hallway start screaming and running. Then I turn and see the motherfucker who slapped my ass. I point at him and roar. Oh, what I'm gonna do to you.

Of course, it all comes out as roars. That asshole and his buddies scatter. But I only want Jim Ace Aislinger. He yells for help as he runs toward the door leading to the smoker's area. Help me! Ace wails. I demolish those doors and keep after him. Seriously. Seriously. Why can't people just leave me the fuck alone? Okay, I used to be a high-profile fashion model in Malibu before I was cursed, but these fuckers at Strickfield High won't let me just be me. They treat me like some big conquest. I've heard them call me the most beautiful, most stacked girl in school, and I've caught them gawking at the nude pictorials I did for Vanity Fair.

before I return to Strickfield. My body is both my blessing and my curse, next to the lycanthropy. Having to wear my cheerleading uniform on game days doesn't help much either, especially this morning. I finally knock Ace down. He cries out and pees himself as I lift him. I'll teach you to slap my ass, I yell. But what good does trying to talk do? You'd think I would understand this by now. I can think in English, but I can't actually speak it. My words come out as a huge roar while he whimpers and blubbers. Ace should feel lucky.

If I were any other werewolf, he wouldn't live. I also wouldn't be out here in broad daylight. I open my mouth and pretend I'm going to bite his face off. then draw back and roar right in his visage. I throw him away from me, just hard enough to make my point, then stalk over while he cries. I raise one claw and let him stare at it. Then I lightly scratch his hand. Ace shrieks like a little bitch before getting up and running back into the school. I'm cursed! That werewolf scratched me! I'm gonna become a werewolf!

Oh, God! Ace seems pretty convinced his fate is sealed. Don't stress. I accidentally scratched another bitch who got in my face a few months ago. I kept a close eye on her afterward, but she never changed when she got pissed off or when the full moon came around. Once I knew I couldn't spread the curse, I started playfully scratching people who pissed me off. Ace'll see tonight that he's fine. When Ace's stupid jock friends come outside and see me, I roar until they tumble over each other. Then I give them two middle fingers and run.

See, I can't speak English, but sign language works. That's when I see a new girl. A busty blonde standing right in front of me. Is she gonna enroll here? Something about her strikes me as weird. She just stands there, not even afraid of me. I finally found you, she says where only I can hear her. Something ain't right about her. When I'm normal again, I'll haul ass back here and look into her. For now, I leave her with something to remember me by. I grab her shoulders and run my werewolf tongue right up her face.

Ew, yuck! The girl yells. I let go of her and run off. Time to burn off some steam until I calm down. Thanks to my werewolf hearing, I catch the girl's final warning. I'm coming for you. Perspective, Headmistress Hiltonson. Walking the halls of a public high school is something I never imagined doing, but here I am. I enter a restroom and again see the bath has done so much for me. Amazing. I'm at least half my age now. As I leave the restroom, I would be lying if I said I were not tempted to keep using the bath after I find and destroy the werewolf.

No, God did not intend for me to cheat death. When he finally calls me to him, I shall be ready to go and hope the Lord is proud of my service. I walk into the principal's office and see Matthew Van Deist speaking with one of the women who works there. If only the fool knew what kinds of creatures pretended to be students at his school. I suppose I shall have to do Van Deist a kindness and put down every last monster here. Much to my surprise, Bella Tabon walks into the office. I do not understand how this particular vampire moves freely in the daylight.

During my hunt, I'm using the name Maggie Hilton, a derivative of my real name, Magdalene Hiltonson. Funny, I do not remember Bella having such long pigtails jutting unnaturally from the sides of her head without touching her shoulders. I also remember her being nearly flat-chested, but now she is endowed. You've summoned me again, Matthew, she says flirtatiously. How may I serve? That's Mr. Van Deest to you, Lucy, he tells her. The girl wears a devilish smirk as she speaks with the principal, but why does he call her Lucy? Does Van Deest know of this Spawn of Satan?

I came here for Danielle Boyd, but I also must destroy this creature. That will require more swims in the bath. After that spawn of Satan leaves, Van Deest breaks my stare. Can I help you, young lady? I laugh a little. Yes, I'm sorry. I'd like to enroll at Strickfield High, please. Van Deest smiles. Certainly. I just need you to complete some paperwork and tell us where we can request your previous school's transcripts. Of course, I say. And fill out the forms. Perspective. Danielle Boyd. I finally return to school after calming down and finding fresh clothes.

That's it, then. I'm doomed to lead a lonely life. I'll never be happy again. For a time, I was happy. If God exists, I must have done something to piss him off enough to curse me like this. I walk into Principal Van Deest's office. As always, he gives me that look. Have you ever considered anger management classes, young lady? He asks me. I give him a look that makes me wonder whether he knows about my condition. No, he can't possibly know. As far as I know, he's never been around when I lost my shit and wolfed out.

You know what's funny? Darla bought me a box set of the original TV series of The Incredible Hulk. She wasn't trying to be funny. She thought it might help me. David Banner turns into the Hulk when he gets angry, just like I change. But there are two big... Big differences between us. His condition came from science and might be curable, and he actually tries not to get angry. Me? I think anger is my husband. I love the rush when it tears through me. Maybe it's my drug. Do I really want to control my anger? I look right at Van Deest.

Seriously, just fuck off, okay? Our esteemed principal sighs and writes me a slip to return to class. He doesn't even give me detention. We look at each other for a long moment. When I raise an eyebrow, he finally hands me the slip and says he'll see me again the next time I need one. I leave the office and head to class. I walk in and give Miss Temple the slip. I can easily identify the new girls. One is the blonde who stared me down after I wolfed out. I don't recognize the ginger, but something about her strikes me as odd.

Take your seat, Danielle. Please, Miss Temple says. I want to tell her she needs to get laid, but the last thing I want to hear is language. Language. Seriously, why do Miss Temple and Principal Van Deest put up with my shit? I should have been thrown out of my ass long ago. I've been completely uncensored with them, but they just take it with a grain of salt. I sit between the two new girls. The blonde on my right is Lila Donnerly, the one whose face I licked as a wolf. The ginger is Maggie Hilton, and her scent raises...

Several red flags. Where do I know her from? Did I fight her while transformed? Then there's Lila saying she finally found me. Could either of them know me from my modeling days in Malibu? When Miss Temple calls on me to answer a question, I play the good little wolfie and answer. The only thing is she doesn't throw me a biscuit afterwards. Meanwhile, these two new bitches keep eyeing me. Seriously, fuck off! Perspective, Headmistress Hiltonson. Yes, I have finally found Danielle Boyd. You could not have been any more obvious when you became a werewolf again in broad daylight.

Yes, my dear. I saw you change once before. A group of hoodlums from my academy, whom I have had trouble disciplining, decided to target you. It's your own fault for putting yourself out there as a fashion model. I've seen and confiscated many magazines whose covers you graced. Even your two rather interesting issues of Vanity Fair. Those hoodlums intended to violate you. I was ready to intervene, but then I saw you change. Most interesting, since there was no full moon that night, I could literally feel your anger as you attacked all six of them and laid them out.

Yet, you did not kill them. Why, Danielle? Is that not what mindless beasts do? You let them live as if By choice. I examined the hoodlums after you left. Not one had a scratch or bite, so I did not have to fear you had spread the curse. I do not like destroying lives unless I must. Unfortunately, I know no true cure for lycanthropy. Silver only puts the afflicted down until some fool removes it. I did not see what caused you to change this time, but I am willing to bet extreme anger is the trigger. Most interesting.

I must look into this. I do not know what makes you different, Danielle, but I am certain science is not the answer. Now I watch these children cower as you occupy the center of the cafeteria where you just changed. You move toward the one who angered you and pluck him from the crowd. I can tell he does not know it's you, Danielle, but he is clearly the one who caused the change. I would be interested to know what the fool did. Good heavens, what a temper! You roar in his face before lifting him up over your head and putting him through a table.

You roar at him once more, then... Make Principal Van Deest gulp when he sees you. You approach him and, literally, look down upon him. Why do you not kill, Danielle? What is this? Now you lift the principal and sit him down on a cafeteria tray, right on top of a hot meatloaf lunch. I'm beginning to wonder whether I should have come to this school or not. Wait, Magdalene. Yes, you are needed here. Bella Tabon is here and must also be destroyed. You have a great deal of work to do. Guide me, dear Lord, and help me understand what evil I face.

Friday afternoon. Perspective. Danielle Boyd. It takes me even longer to calm down this time. What is it with these fucking jocks? First, Jim Aislinger slaps my ass in the hallway, then Keenan Dorfman pushes me too far by demanding another date after I tell him no. again and again. Then he gets mad and shoves me over a cafeteria table. I see red and feel the surge. I don't care who sees me, so I transform right there. If Keenan wasn't scared of me before, he sure is now. Oh, does it ever feel wonderful to put him through a table.

He knows what I am, and he still got stupid. As for what I did to Van Deest, well, fuck him. Seriously, quit trying to be my friend. I end up butt naked outside my apartment at Strickfield Cove. Darla hid a spare key for emergencies just like this, so I let myself in and slam the door. Losing my shit always means losing my clothes. You know how many times this has happened to me? I've even had to steal clothes off a line. A trick I learned from that TV series about ol' big and green and mean.

I groan when I realize I've gotta go clothes shopping again. Should I even go back to school? Shit. I have to cheer at the game tonight. And we're holding emergency tryouts because Aubrey Belsher was killed by a werewolf last night. For the record, it wasn't me. I also need to hunt the fucker who killed her down. I want to quit the squad, but I stay because it's therapeutic. It reminds me of my modeling days in Malibu. After I put on another cheerleading uniform, I look in the mirror and see the face that once graced popular fashion magazines.

Now I'm getting mad again and wondering why. I sigh and leave for school. I can already picture Principal Van Deest's expression when I walk into his office yet again. That'll cheer me up a little. Perspective, Headmistress Hiltonson After school, I make my way to the gym to watch the cheerleaders practice. Felicia Mirren turns toward me. Oh, hey, you here to try out? I stare at her with wide eyes. Excuse me? She smiles. We're holding tryouts. We just had a girl, um, well, anyway, we have to fill a vacancy. If you're here to try out, let's see what you got.

I take in all five uniformed cheerleaders. Bella Tabon is here. though everyone keeps calling her Lucy. Next to her is Aileen Donnerly, a short, mousy girl. Felicia Mirren is the captain. Most interestingly, Danielle Boyd is a cheerleader. Then there is another girl who is an albino, except her eyes are strikingly sapphire blue. Her hair gleams with a bit of ruby and a bit of bluish blue. color on her face her name is candace redmont though i've heard people call her candy apple red just then the other new girl walks in felicia asks lila donnerly whether she also wishes to try out i wonder if she's related to aileen then felicia asks me again yes i think i will try out i answer Lila gives me an angry look before she tells Felicia, Me too.

I really did it. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine making the cheerleading squad. I had considered it years ago when I attended parochial school and truly was the age I'm pretending to be now. But I dedicated myself to training for the Lord's work. and drove every thought of extracurricular activities from my mind. I am accepting this position only because I am undercover. Lila and I give our best performances, which makes me question her abilities. I am a highly trained fighter. I shall have to tell you more of my life story in good time, but not today.

Those skills give me the strength and control to execute the routines. Somehow, Lila matches me, move for move. She is more than she appears. In the end, I win my place on the squad by a vote of three to two, with Danielle herself casting the deciding vote. I immediately join the cheerleaders' training and begin learning the routines. They hope I can be ready for Tonight's basketball game against my own beloved academy. Our football teams have an intense rivalry in the fall, but it's been several years since the basketball teams have faced off against each other.

I keep a close eye on Danielle Boyd. I can feel the anger radiating from her. She truly does not want to be here, and neither does Lucy. Then... Why do they stay? It does not matter. My main focus is the werewolf. Bella Tabon will come afterward. I may also have to investigate Candace Redmont. Whenever I'm close to her, she seems to radiate a pure cold. Are all of these cheerleaders really a group of monsters? If that is the case, I may never return to Strickfield Academy. and resume my duties as headmistress. Perhaps God has given me a new purpose.

Friday night. Perspective. Danielle Boyd. It happened again. No, some stupid Neanderthal didn't make me change this time. I simply got furious and wolfed out. I really hate my life. I hate Strickfield. I hate Strickfield High. I hate being cursed. All the pressures of the day piled up until the surge hit me in the locker room right after the game. I stripped, ran outside, and changed. I scare the shit out of people yet again as I run through downtown Strickfield. Darla's working at Sexpectations, the strip club just outside town, where she has no problem showing it off for the kind of Money she makes.

I work as a night manager at Roth's Rings. I don't make the money Darla does, but I can pull my weight with the bills and make rent. It's a good thing I'm off tonight for the game, or I'd probably have trouble working. Speaking of Roth's Rings, I find myself facing a few cops near the alley who've just dropped their coffee and donuts. They draw their guns and point them right at me. I look over my shoulder and see that it's the second night of the full moon. I lower my snout and sniff the cops, then surprise them by wolfing down all their double chocolate donuts.

Mmm, tasty. Chocolate is definitely one of my vices. When I finish, I lick my chops and sniff them again. I don't want to hurt the cops, so I just fuck with them before heading down the alley. I'm barely away when someone drops right on top of me. It doesn't take long to realize it's another werewolf. Shit. Those cops are still there and I can't let this beast reach them. They don't know I'm capable of thought and not a mindless killing machine in my beast body. This ginger-colored wolf is clearly mindless like nearly every other werewolf out there.

At least the police have the sense to run like hell. They'll probably call for backup, so I have to stop this monster before they arrive. The two of us bite and scratch at each other. I can smell that she's definitely another she-bitch. I can't believe how well I've mastered my werewolf powers since getting cursed. I've sharpened my sense of smell and even have night vision when in human form. I also heal real fast and never get sick. It's only my fucking anger that plagues me. Speaking of anger, this other werewolf is really pissing me off and keeping me in wolf form.

I won't calm down enough to change back any time soon. Then I remember that I control my body and my actions. In fact, I learned how to fight when I was younger and, living on the streets... I got my ass kicked plenty while learning, but I learned. Now I use that training against the werewolf. When I start beating her down, someone else joins the fight. Is that our new cheerleader, Maggie Hilton? Now I finally recognize her self. Somehow, she's headmistress Hiltonson from Strickfield Academy. I first met this bitch while cheerleading at a football game against her school last fall.

She's old enough to be my mother, yet somehow she's young again. Hiltonson reaches behind her and pulls out two swords. More like katanas. I can already smell silver on the blades. The ginger werewolf turns toward her. I try to warn the nun, but I keep forgetting I can't speak. Damn it. The ginger werewolf leaps at Hiltonson. Our newest cheerleader surprises me with how well she fights. She keeps the werewolf from touching her. I'm sure she knows that one bite or scratch is... all it takes to fuck you for life. Seriously, you keep this shit forever like cancer.

The ginger werewolf howls and swipes at Hiltonson. If Hiltonson made herself young in order to fight better, she's proving she has moves. A few times she looks my way, probably wondering whether I'll join the other wolf and attack. The ginger werewolf is determined to get Hiltonson and seems to have forgotten all about me. This ain't the first time another werewolf has attacked me. And it sure won't be the last. Last month, a male wolf tried to fuck me while we were fighting. Boy, did I tear his ass apart for that. Get it straight, boys. Nobody is fucking me.

You got that? Hiltonson seems to be getting overwhelmed. The ginger werewolf doesn't back down even after all the stabs and swipes from Hiltonson. The wolf's weakening from the silvers. The blades are likely lined with a silver dust. Then the wolf finds an opening, knocks Hiltonson on her ass, and springs to pounce before she can get up. I finally resume the fight by tackling the wolf, giving Hiltonson the chance to regain her footing and retrieve her swords. Seeing an opening, I seize the ginger werewolf from behind and hold her, allowing Hiltonson to drive one of the silver katanas through the wolf's heart.

The blade cuts into me too, but I ain't worried. When Hiltonson removes the blade, she pulls a handgun and shoots the ginger werewolf through the heart. It doesn't take long before the beast changes back. It's not Lila Donnerly after all. It's Janine Ferris. She tries to say something, but there's too much silver in her system. She dies. At least... For now. Hiltonson points her gun at me. I shake my head and hold out my arms as if to ask, Really? The two of us face each other in a standoff. Perspective. Headmistress Hiltonson. Are my eyes deceiving me?

Does this silver werewolf, Danielle Boyd, understand what is happening? Silver doesn't seem to harm her. I intended to kill both werewolves when I stabbed them. I shake my head slowly. Did this creature really just try to help me? She held the other werewolf so I could take it down. Werewolves do not do that. No, no, this creature is born of Satan. I must end Danielle Boyd's suffering and free her soul. I fire two silver bullets into her heart, and she falls onto her back. I shriek when she sits bolt upright. The next thing I know, she's on top of me, pinning me to the ground and roaring in my face.

My eyes widen when the silver bullets pop out of her chest and land on me. I now have confirmation that silver has no effect on this creature. She growls at me for a long moment before getting off me and letting me stand. Then she truly surprises me by giving me the finger. I must see whether I can reason with Boyd. Can you understand me, Danielle? She turns and looks at me. She points to me, taps her temple, and then points to herself. She repeats the gesture. I think I understand what she's asking. Yes, Danielle. I know who you are, I answer.

I saw you change twice, but you did not see me. I cannot believe Danielle is fully aware of her actions. This werewolf is truly unique, much like Bella Tabon and Candace Redmont. I realize- I cannot kill Danielle, at least not yet. I must try to help her if I can. Come with me, Danielle. I can give you safety and some new clothes. We both look toward the approaching police sirens. I put my hand on her shoulder. Come with me, Danielle. Please. You have my word I will not harm you. I only want to talk. Danielle looks at me and nods.

She scoops me into her arms and runs swiftly. I guide her toward the caverns. Late Friday. Perspective. Danielle Boyd. Hiltonson talks me down until I can change back into human form. She's true to her word. She gives me clothes and doesn't attack. Then she removes her own clothing and enters the lake and the caverns. I never knew any of this existed beneath Strickfield, and those glowing crystals. So pretty. After a while, Hiltonson comes out. Now I understand how she became young again. She gets dressed and sits with me. You really can understand me when you're a wolf, she asks.

I nod. Yeah, I'm in Full control. I understand everything. I just can't control the changes. You could if you would just calm down. I have anger issues, okay? I snap. I've always had them. People like you made me this way. I fucking hate Bible thumpers. I sigh. But you gave me a chance, so I'll cut you a break. I point at her. But I know Know that you came to kill me. You shot me, remember? That was before I realized how different you really are. I back off. Okay. Fair enough, Hiltonson. You recognized me, too.

I point to my nose. It always knows. Hiltonson and I talk for a long while, deep in the caverns. I don't know whether I can trust her, but she seems to genuinely want to help me. I cannot end your curse, Danielle, but perhaps I can help you control your anger and in turn your transformations. How? By transferring me to Strickfield Academy? I don't believe in God and nothing you say or do will make me believe. She sighs. I just want to help you. Will you at least give me that chance? I nod. I'll trust you.

For now. I raise a finger. But if you fuck me over, I won't, she promises. Then we shake hands on it. It's Saturday morning when I wake up in my bed. I walk into the living room naked and find the morning paper. Darla must have left it on the table before she went out. A picture of Janine Ferris fills the front page beneath a story by Miranda Mason Phillips. The police found Janine naked in the alley. They removed the silver bullets, but she never woke up. Then I remember that Hiltonson's swords were coated with silver dust.

Someone knocks at the door. Not caring who sees me naked, I open it. Lila Donnerly walks into the apartment as though she lives here. I close the door while she drops into a recliner and smirks. Love your choice in fashion, darling, she purrs. I don't even move to get dressed. What the fuck do you want, Lila? She continues looking over my body. My grandma would very much like to meet you, Danielle. She can't understand why you never kill anyone. I've been watching you for a while and reporting my findings. She wants to bring you into our pack.

Forget it. I'm a lone wolf, I tell her. You don't have to be. We werewolves have to look out for one another, especially when vampires are trying to wipe us out. Believe me, babe, it's only a matter of time before they come for you. Grandma Donnerly would very much like to speak with you. Please. She stands. I don't mean you any harm. Come with me to Shore City for the weekend. I can have you back in time for school on Monday. Cross my heart. For the first time, I seriously consider Lila's offer. I'll always be cursed just like Lila and probably her family.

She belongs to a pack. Maybe I need to join one and be with my own kind. Okay, Lila. Let me get dressed and pack a bag, then we'll leave. You won't regret it, she promises. About ten minutes later, we leave Strickfield and head to Shore City. And I have a feeling things are never going to be the same. Well, my spookies, I think we learned something important here tonight. If you see a very angry cheerleader in Strickfield... Maybe don't slap her, shove her, insult her, or shoot her with silver bullets. In fact, just avoid making eye contact at all.

Danielle may have some anger issues, but considering what else is stalking the streets of Strickfield, she might actually be the safer monster to have on your side. So thank you for joining me tonight, and make sure you're subscribed for more tales of Strickfield, including some very special ones for the Halloween and Christmas season. You won't want to miss them, so Subscribe on your favorite podcasting app. And by the way, we'll be back here tomorrow for Thursday Thrills where I'll be talking all about Bill Manor. It's the haunted house in Ohio up in Fremont that's being featured on HGTV's Haunted House Renovation Show.

So make sure you tune in for that. You won't want to miss it. And tomorrow's my birthday, so happy birthday to me. Wahoo. If you want to send me well wishes, it is the big 4-0. You can send an email to weeklyspooky at gmail.com and I would love to hear from you. And I want to say a special thank you to our Patreon podcast boosters, folks who go to weeklyspooky.com slash join and sign up for a little bit more per month. to hear their names at the end of the show and they are johnny nicks kate and lulu jessica fuller mike eschewy jenny green karen we met jack kerr and craig cohen thank you guys so much and if you want to hear your name at the end of every episode of weekly spooky head to weekly spooky.com join and sign up at the 15 a month or higher tier it really makes a huge difference and i appreciate it very greatly i would consider it a birthday present anyway It's time for me to get back to work and get back to getting older, I suppose.

But for myself, for my executive producers, Bobletopia.com, and Rob Fields, for my producer, Dan Wilder, and my creepy composer, Ray Mattis, I'll talk at you tomorrow. Thank you for listening. Make sure to find your way back next week. But for now, you are safe. Trust me.