Chapter 5

Everyone around shouted that they agreed and then they all formed a circle in the lake, which I did too. We were in the least hollow part to be able to stand up.

Two guys, a wizard and a vampire, stood in the middle and then pulled two girls into the circle. The latter each climbed onto the shoulders of a guy then they stood up and faced each other.

Cockfighting was a game played in water. The person who was on the other's shoulders must bring down their opponent. The one below must keep her balance. Anyway, I played a few times and it was really fun.

The girl who was on the vampire's shoulders pushed her opponent who was on the wizard and we all heard a splash! The two girls joined the circle and two other guys stood in the center.

I recognized the werewolf who was none other than Cody. The other guy was another vampire. Cody looked around for a girl in the circle and I saw his gaze stop on Wendy, who was further to my right.

He motioned for her to come over, which she did, smiling widely.

The vampire in turn looked for someone, and that someone was me. He met my gaze and smirked.

-Hey, you over there! he shouted. You're coming at me!

I loved this game, but as a spectator of course!

-What if I don't want to? I asked him. I am very happy where I am.

-I'll force you to come then!

Suddenly, he quickly dove into the water. By the time I saw him again, it was too late. He came out of the water, me on his shoulders. I almost lost my balance, but his hands held on to my legs. He faced Cody who was holding Wendy on his shoulders.

-Let's go ! Cody shouted.

Just before I could make any movement, still surprised to be on top of the vampire, Wendy approached with Cody's aid and tried to knock me down. I almost got swung backwards, but the vampire holding me quickly dodged my friend's charge. With that, Wendy swung forward and I pushed her down into the water, followed by Cody.

Everyone burst out laughing, including Wendy and me. This fight had been short-lived, but fun.

In the end, it wasn't so bad.

-Ruby and Zack won this game, who wants to compete with them now? Says someone in the circle.

The man named Zack raised his hand to me, still on top of him, for me to give him a high-five. What I did, without falling, or almost.

My balance is not perfect.

But he tightened his grip on my legs so I wouldn't fall.

-I want to ! Said a guy.

It was Nathan. The vampire who was with Cody and Hunter earlier. But thinking about the latter, I noticed that I hadn't yet seen him at the little party. Maybe he didn't like small parties.

Nathan spotted a girl in the circle, who was also a vampire. He really wanted to win this one.

The fight was eventful. Every time Zack dodged our opponent's attack, I almost fell over time and time again. My head was starting to spin from propelling myself left and right. I was getting seriously dizzy. But fortunately, we won this game too.

-Okay, can you drop me off now? I said to Zack.

In response, he dropped backwards into the water, taking me with him.

I had had my bathing fix for the day. I left the lake to join my friend.

- Quite an evening, isn't it? She tells me.

-Downright ! I affirmed.

We were walking to our bungalow, clothes in hand, but just before we got back onto the path, the bushes began to move and crack. We had stopped moving.

A black wolf came out and watched us with his blue and golden eyes.

I wanted to scream, but Wendy put her hand over my mouth.

-Don't shout, it's only Hunter, she tried to reassure me. He is only in his wolf form. You remember ? He's a shapeshifter.

And immediately, a matter still unknown to me surrounded the wolf then dissipated after a few seconds, giving way to the real Hunter.

-He... He just... transformed himself there!? I stammered, eyes wide.

-In all its splendor, he said, keeping a neutral tone.

I started to see black spots. My vision blurred. My vision was blurry and I could no longer feel my limbs.

Then there was the black hole.

I woke up, but didn't open my eyes right away. I heard voices. I easily recognized Wendy's. The others said nothing to me, or maybe I hadn't recognized them yet.

-She could have smashed her head falling on a rock! Wendy got angry.

"Calm down, please," said a female voice.

-You could have at least warned him that you were going to metamorphose! Wendy shouted.

-Ah yes and you think it would have been better to pass out when you saw a wolf talking!? Said another voice.

It was Hunter's.

"Never mind, I hope it won't happen again," Wendy concluded.

And me too...

I opened my eyes when I heard a door slam. I was lying on the sofa in my bungalow. Wendy was in the small kitchen filling a glass of water. When she saw me awake, she moved closer.

-How are you ? she asked me.

-Yeah.

-Here, drink.

I took the glass of water and drank it

-THANKS.

-SO ? Not too upset to have seen this?

-Lightly, I told him. Or even a lot.

-You should go to bed, and so should I. It's past midnight and tomorrow will be your first real day here!