From then on began some very strange changes in my beloved older brother. He'd woken up the next morning and been taken over by a savage headache and a monstrous appetite. He stuffed down pancake after pancake, a bowl of lucky charms, a round of toast and washed it down with a cup of coffee. He'd then stopped at the corner shop to buy a handful of Butterfingers and Reeses Pieces on the way to school.

All day he suffered with that headache. I distinctly remember looking over at him during our biology class. It was a lesson on how viruses work. He was slumped over his desk, elbows on the surface, with his head in his hands. I was busy scribbling down notes but when I looked over to Gerard, he let his head fall from his hands and hit the desk with a thump!

After class I tried to make him take some paracetamol but he refused, insisting he needed something a lot stronger; like our Mom's Cuprofen capsules. And that was how we found ourselves sneaking out of the school gates and heading to the nearest drug store during lunch. He snatched up a couple of boxes and a bottle of water and rushed to the counter, groaning to himself with a hand on his head.

Lindsey happened to be standing at the counter while Gerard stood impatiently behind her. She stepped aside and tightened one of her pigtails. Gerard paid hurriedly and brushed past her, popping two painkillers out of the box and washing them down with a gulp of water. I followed outside anxiously. He was groaning pitifully and moaning about being hungry.

“Hey, Gerard.”

He turned and looked at Lindsey through his hair, almost looking like a murderer. He wasn't looking his most attractive. She smiled at him anxiously and fiddled with her hair.

“Look, I uh. . . I don't wanna' seem too forward but my friend, Kitty's having this party tonight and. . . um. . .”

He watched her expectantly, looking very unimpressed. I inspected my nails out of boredom and waited for the inevitable.

“Well I thought you might like to, y'know, come. . . with me?”

Any second now. I snatched Gerard's water bottle and took a swig, earning a shove. Lindsey was smiling hopefully at him while he just stared blearily, like he wasn't with it. Any second now he'd reject her blandly and leave her hurt. . .

“Uh. . . yeah, sure,” He answered, making me choke as I took a sip of water “I-I'd like that.”

Her face was like a beacon as she beamed gratefully at him.

“You will? Oh that's so great. . . I mean, uh, that's cool. Come pick me up about eight?”

He nodded and watched her walk away, a happy spring in her step. I stared at him in amazement. Totally and completely dumbfounded. He stared back defiantly for a moment and then snapped.

“What?” He demanded irritably.

“Did you just accept a date?” I questioned.

“Yes. So what? Jeez, Mikes, can't I take a girl out?”

“Gee, you never go out-”

“Well maybe I want to, for a change!” He snapped.

After that, he wouldn't speak to me for the entire walk back to school or in any of our classes. I'd poke him with my pencil and he'd shift further away from me. I'd pass a note and he'd get up without looking at it and toss it into the wastepaper basket. I tried to whisper to him and he pretended he hadn't heard.

I gave up eventually and carried on making my notes. Every time he tried to lean over and copy, I'd curl an arm tighter around my page to block his view.

The bell went and Gerard's foul mood ensued. He snatched up his bag and swept from his desk and out the door. He hadn't gotten very far though. I found him just outside the main building, his path blocked by Dean.

I hurried over, assuming the worst. Dean had squared up but was trying to act casual. Gerard was glaring at him, trying to step aside.

“-but do you see what I mean?” Dean was questioning “Oh hey look, freak 2's here as well!”

“What's going on?” I questioned, ignoring Dean.

Gerard growled and tried to push past Dean but was shoved back.

“I was just telling your brother here that he should stick to his own kind.”

“And what's that supposed to mean?”

“Well, Lindsey, of course. I mean, why would a hot piece of ass like that want to date a loser like you? It's obscene.”

“Maybe because I don't call her a hot piece of ass?” Gerard suggested sarcastically “Now do me a favour and get fucked.”

He shoved Dean hard. I stared in amazement as Dean fell back, lost his balance and landed on the ground. Gerard hitched his bag onto his shoulder and marched on determinedly, ignoring the insults and yells behind him. I hurried on after Gerard.

“Gerard, what the hell was that?”

“I DON'T KNOW!” He yelled, turning sharply on his heel to face me.

I took a step back. He looked around at all the people now staring and sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“Look, Mikey, I-I'm just having a bad day, okay?” He explained “And I just wanna' be on my own. I'll see you at home.”

And off he went. I looked around at all the kids now staring and apologised, moving on quickly. It was a chilly October afternoon. Leaves crunched under my feet. I plunged my hands deep into my pockets and lowered my head.

Something was seriously wrong. Yeah sure, Gerard had always talked the talk but he'd never actually laid a finger on anyone before. And I was certain he was interested in Lindsey, but I was also certain he'd be way too shy to consider dating. There was definitely something up with him and I was going to find out.

I jumped as someone grabbed my arm. It was a guy I vaguely recognised. Dark red hair and a lip ring. He worked with a forestry company but I knew he also sold pot on the side. He was smiling awkwardly.

“Hi,” He addressed pleasantly.

“I don't want drugs,” I gabbled quickly.

“Okay,” He shrugged “That's uh. . . not why I'm here,” He finished, gesturing over his shoulder to a white van.

I looked past him at the van. There was a massive dent in the front of it. I squinted through my glasses at it. He smiled and nodded.

“It was you I saw running last night, right?”

“And it was your van that nearly hit us, right?” I questioned.

He raised his hands up.

“Hey, you were the one who ran out into the middle of the road without looking and led an animal out in front of me!”

“What was it you hit?” I questioned.

“Well, I don't know for sure,” He commented “We both saw it. My van didn't leave much to inspect. It was huge. Looked like a massive wolf.”

“Yeah,” I agreed “Um. . . look who are you again?”

“I'm uh. . . Frankie,” He replied.

I nodded calmly.

“Look, maybe I'm mad but have you heard of a lycanthrope?” He questioned quietly.

“Of course,” I said “From movies.”

“Yeah, that's what I thought!” He said with a laugh “But how else do you explain a huge thing like that running around Belleville? Or the uh circumcised dick?”

“What?” I questioned “Look, uh, I have to- I have to get home!” I hurried and rushed off.

“Wait!” He called “How can I find you?”

* * *

“Mom?” I questioned, coming in through the back door “Mom, where's Gerard?”

“Hey, sweetie,” She smiled coming out of the pantry “I think he's down in the den. I baked today, do you want a cookie before your brother eats them all?”

“Um, save me one!” I said politely, rushing downstairs to the basement.

Ever since we were little, the basement had been our own little den. Right from about the age of three. Dad had carpeted it and decorated to make a play room for us to keep our toys in. And now it was just a room we could chill in. If we were annoyed or wanted alone time, we could hang out down there.

I hurried down the stairs and pushed the door open. Gerard was standing in front of our mirror, no shirt on. He panicked at the sight of me and grabbed his shirt, covering himself like a woman.

“Jeez, Mikey, can't you knock?” He demanded.

“Look, I didn't know you'd be checking yourself out or whatever!” I protested “And we do share this room!”

“I'm not-” He began.

I tilted my head to the side curiously. I could see the gashes from last night. They were almost gone. Faint lines as if they had happened sixteen years ago not sixteen hours ago. I stepped forward to look closer and he stepped back sharply.

“What's wrong?” I questioned.

“I. . .” He began “I don't. . . look!” He encouraged, moving his shirt so I could see properly.

“Whoa.”

Not only were his gashes almost gone, thin grey hairs were beginning to sprout in tiny little tufts from them. He looked at them, pursing his lips in anger and furrowing his eyebrows. I reached out to touch a small tuft with my finger. They were very fine hairs.

“That's it?” He demanded “Whoa? Mikey, I have a fucking hairy old man's chest! What the fuck is that all about?”

“No way,” I commented “Look maybe I'm gonna' sound crazy-”

“What?” He snapped.

“You were attacked. We didn't know what it was. Bitten. On a full moon,” I began “And now you're hairy?”

He observed me for a moment through his serious hazel eyes. Then they creased and he let out a light laugh, shaking his head. I stayed deadly serious as he gave me a small shove, still giggling, and turning to pull his shirt back on.

“Well, Mikey, thank you for taking this shit so seriously.”

“Look, I know it sounds crazy but-”

“Yes, it is crazy! You've been watching way too much Underworld.”

“Look, I know, Gee, but think about it!” I appealed “You know it makes sense and this weird guy at school-”

“Look, unless you're going to come up with a helpful suggestion, just fuck off!” He snapped viciously, rummaging through his drawer “Where the fuck is my razor?!”

I took a step back, frowning at his aggression. He swept through into the bathroom that joined onto this room and I could hear him banging around as he searched for a razor. I shook my head and turned to head upstairs. One of Mom's cookies sounded good, right about now.