Chapter 43: Chapter 43

"Ma'am, do you know her?" the officer asked again, leaning the phone closer to my face. I couldn't find where my tongue was as I skimmed around anywhere but his phone. I know I look dubious right now, but the way the officer looks at me as if he seized me. I chuckled nervously, then steadily shook my head in response.

"I don't know her, officer." my voice toned down every word as I lowered my vision on the steering wheel. The officer didn't say anything for a minute. I can feel his stern perception penetrating my core, invading my whole system, dragging me into the pit of the abyss.

After a minute of silence, he stood up straight and then sighed. I glance at him from my side. He's signaling his colleagues in front. They nodded their head and then motioned for my car to go forward. My grip tautened around the wheel, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"You can go forward, Ma'am. However, make sure you go home safely," he stated authoritatively. I nodded my head and then gave him a grin, which I knew it's discomfiting to look at.

"Thank you, officer, for your kind service. Please take care of yourselves out here." I told him solemnly before rolling up the window and then driving off the scene. I gaze at the car's side mirror for no apparent reason, just to see them tracking my car with their eyes. I know they are suspicious of me. I heaved out a sigh of relief.

He didn't notice I was the woman he talked about in the picture. Well, it's a bit blurry because it was night. Still, if you know me too much and look closely at the picture posted, you will automatically distinguish it from me. I bit my lip, looking around the area I was heading to. None of this wouldn't happened if we didn't plan out that trip in the first place.

I shouldn't blame anyone here. We didn't know it would end up like this, and no one wanted this to happen, especially Ethan and I. The owner of the account is dead. The pictures couldn't take down, giving the police a lead to what the werewolf looked like.

I cease the car when I notice something is up ahead. I fluttered my eyes, trying to focus my attention on the road. There's a shadow of a creature; it's doing something inexpiable. I couldn't grasp what it was at first, but it suddenly howled and then ran away when it looked my way. My heart pounded so fast that I froze in my seat. When I snap back to reality, I immediately speed up the engine to follow it.

Oh god, I just hope it's Ethan so we can go home safely. Why is he running away? Or apparently, he doesn't have any idea it was me, so his reaction is valid. I accelerate the engine, my eyes not leaving the shadows reflecting on the road thanks to the moon. I hit the brake when it turned around the alley. I quickly got out of the car, inspecting it.

"E-Ethan?" I called his name, but no response.

I slowly walk towards the shadow. My hands are shaking atrociously. I tried to control it, but it just got worse to my fright. I downed the knot in my passage, then roamed my eyes in the area. No one is here aside from us. I can hear his rattling as if he's eating something.

"Ethan, it's me. Come out now." I encourage him to come out now, but no bail. I think he can't hear me.

I walk closer to the shadow, my heart is racing, and my stomach is rolling over. I lean my hand, trying to reach it. I can feel the moisture from my forehead forming and flowing down to my cheeks. I was about to hold him when it jumped out of nowhere, making me yell in stupefaction.

"Holy shit…" I put my hand on my chest, where my heart is beating alacritous. When I looked down, it was just a dog. I sighed a relief. I thought it was Ethan who would attack me. I looked down at the stray dog, who looked up with puppy eyes. My heart softened, then I bent my body slightly to face the dog.

"What are you doing here, all alone?" I pet its head. He looks happy when I stroke its fur. I smiled. At the same time, my heart feels so heavy because it's not Ethan. Where could he be?

I shrieked when I heard a loud siren pass by. I glance from my shoulder, following with my eyes where the police automobile is heading to. My eyes widen. They probably find where Ethan is. I looked down at the dog, who was innocently looking at me. I picked him up and then walked toward the vehicle. I put him on the shotgun seat, where he sat comfortably, then watched me turn on the engine.

"Hold on, we'll look for my husband," I muttered, then stepped on the gas pedal, gliding on the road. The dog barks loudly while looking outside the window. I smiled and then caressed its head while my eyes didn't leave the route. Welcome to the family, baby. Well, I'm not really fond of dogs, but he looks lonely, so I might as well take him with me.

The automobiles in front of me are fast, as if they are in a race. I track them while being careful because they might see me trailing behind from the rearview mirror. They turned left, and I swayed the car, making the dog beside me hit the door.

"Sorry." I grabbed the seat belt and reached for it on his side, so he wouldn't stagger while on the ride. He happily looks at me. I grinned, but I saw the cars in front stopped in their tracks, so I hit the brake, turning off the lights of my car. Good thing I stop over not too close to their spot. I narrowed my eyes, trying to see what they were doing.

In front of them is a building that's under mending. There is police tape around it. No trespassers aren't allowed to go inside. Looks like they found something inside. I inspected the building, then, without any reason, looked up to the topmost floor. I saw a towering figure of a man in the window as if it was looking outside. Its eyes gleamed at the moment its face changed. My eyes widen.

It's Ethan! He's hiding there!

I turned off my car's engine, about to go out, when I paused, looking at the dog beside me. I bit my lip, thinking of something. I can't leave him here alone. He might get suffocated. I let out a plunging breath and then took him with me.

"Stay quiet, okay?" I whispered. He looked like he understood me because his head nodded and then closed its mouth. I look on the path, making sure they won't see me.

The officers are already inside the building. I sneak through the front door, holding my breath. For some reason, my spine is shuddering with anxiety. I just hope they wouldn't find Ethan. I wish I could see Ethan before them. I took a deep breath, took some courage, then went inside.

I couldn't help but wonder my eyes around the area. It doesn't look abandoned. However, because of the constitutions, it gives me the vibe of being deserted. The dog sank into my arms, hiding his face on my chest. I stroke his head, telling him everything is going to be alright. I looked ahead and saw a ladder that would take me to the second floor. They haven't sorted out the stairs or elevators, so I had no other choice.

I look at the dog, letting out a sigh, then put him inside my shirt. He's not that big. Actually, he's still a puppy, so I can carry him on my shirt.

"Hold on tight," I whispered to him, then climbed up. The dog held onto my shoulder. Its tongue was sticking out on my face. I giggled and buttoned-down my voice because its saliva dripped on my nose. When he successfully reached the top, he dropped to the ground and waited for me to stand up.

"We made it," I told him and then again held him in my arms. I looked around. Ethan should be here because I saw him on this floor. The whole area is silent, making me think about the officers' location.

"Where are they?" I asked myself. I took a step forward, but my heart dropped when I heard a loud gunshot. Not once, twice, but thrice. The dog shrieked, covering his ears.

"Oh no…" I murmur, frightened, then run up to where the sounds are coming from.