The Enigma (The Loup-Garou Series Book 1) Read online

  The Enigma

  Sheritta Bitikofer

  Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Sneak Peek into “Becoming the Enigma”

  Afterword

  About the Author

  Also by Sheritta Bitikofer

  Copyright © 2016 Sheritta Bitikofer

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means – except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles or reviews – without written permission from its author.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious and a product of the author’s imagination. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Cover art by Angela Quincoces Rivera at http://www.dream-designz.com

  Photography by Portia Shao at http://www.positivevista.com

  Model Jason Aaron Baca at http://jasonaaronbaca.deviantart.com

  Created with Vellum

  This story has been one that is near and dear to my heart. I have to thank everyone for helping me through the ordeal of writing, editing, revising, and countless reediting. I couldn’t have done it without the support and love of my family and friends.

  Also, a big thanks to my husband for rejoicing in my quirky obsessions. I can always count on you to be by safe harbor, someone I can speak freely with about my stories without fear of rejection. Your support has been invaluable.

  Chapter 1

  Katey stared out into the dark forest, her eyes glazed over with indifference. A cold winter wind blew through the small expanse of grass behind the library, whipping at her chestnut brown hair. The Florida sun compensated for the chilly morning, but Katey didn’t feel any of it. She hardly felt anything anymore.

  It’d been this way for almost a year now. Depression had taken a tighter hold than she let anyone believe. Not even her foster mother or her few friends at school knew what was going on. She put on the fake smile every day and walked the halls of Crestucky High School, just like any other senior girl.

  But in her heart, she was numb. Nothing truly interested her anymore. The things she loved and enjoyed were like rubbish now. This despondency had come upon her so suddenly that it was hard to pin point the exact reason why.

  That’s why Katey came here nearly every morning. She had to sit and think, contemplate her life and her existence.

  The days and hours blurred together as of late. And so had she. Katey tried to hold onto her sense of self, but it was slipping through her fingers like the very wind that beat against her cheeks now.

  She was a seventeen year old with very few friends, working two part time jobs in the hopes that one day she could leave this town for good. Being an orphan, she had little to no ties to this place.

  Each morning she made a half-hearted attempt to look suitable in both dress and appearance, but she saw nothing impressive when she looked in the mirror. Her hair was neither straight nor wavy; in fact it had a mind of its own some days. Her eyes might have been her only redeeming quality, but they were half hidden behind a pair of glasses. If it weren’t for her astigmatism, she would have worn contacts. Her wardrobe was left wanting due to her limited funds and the fact that nothing she wore ever fit her just right. Either her butt looked too big or her shoulders too broad in any of the latest fashions all the other girls were wearing. So, she resigned to comfortable baggy jeans and hooded jackets to hide the figure she was so self-conscious about.

  She couldn’t find any quality that seriously defined who she was. It was a weird feeling of numbness and pure boredom.

  Katey didn’t see much point of getting up in the morning anymore. She felt there was nothing more to conquer or gain, seek or find; the days just blended together. Not even today, of all days, her birthday, could she find something to look forward to.

  Her birthday was never a big deal. It never had been and she never made a point of broadcasting it to her friends, teachers or coworkers. Katey preferred it that way. She never liked being the center of attention anyway. Yes, the big milestone of living for eighteen years might have excited other teenagers, but not necessarily for her. The only consequences of turning eighteen was that she was now considered an adult and she kept her plans for escaping this town and her foster mother to herself.

  I just want some variety! she thought. Is that so much to ask?

  She nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the withering voice of the librarian trudge up behind her.

  “Miss Katey, do you intend to stay out here all day and skip school?” she asked in a thick southern accent. Her voice also carried with it, the potent scent of heavy perfume that was past its prime.

  The librarian was extremely bony and rangy in form. Her silver hair was pinned back into a bun behind her head and her black-striped suit matched her cold black eyes. She had her arms folded over her chest with a glare that made Katey squirm.

  Mrs. Parker was not a happy woman and it was written in every subtle wrinkle in her face. Years of frowning down at delinquent children had formed deep commas around the corners of her lips, her greying eyebrows slanted in a permanent scowl.

  Katey felt sorry for the old woman and wondered if she’d grow up to be just like this librarian. Stogy, mean spirited, and bitter about nothing in particular. It was a chilling thought.

  Katey checked the time on her cell phone. It was five minutes before seven. She gasped and ran for her jeep in the library parking lot without another word to the grouchy librarian.

  “And don’t come out here again, ya hear me?” Mrs. Palmer yelled out as Katey hopped into the driver seat of her red jeep and raced out of the parking lot.

  Normally, Katey arrived so early to school that she had her pick of parking spaces that were not already occupied by the faculty and staff. But, seeing as she was running late, she was forced to park her jeep in a snug spot between two large SUVs.

  Katey couldn’t stand being late for anything, even to some place she didn’t care to be. After grabbing her bag from the backseat, she bolted across the parking lot. She kicked open the set of steel doors and thankfully a teacher wasn’t there to watch her. She had already been yelled at once by a member of the faculty for defacing school property in such a way.

  The hallways were empty. Katey ran past the girl’s bathroom, took a left and hurried past another hall until she came to Mr. Dubose’s room on the right.

  Everyone’s eyes turned to her as she walked through the doorway into the science lab.

  The room was long and only half of the florescent lights were on. Rows of black-topped tables served as desks and three students were assigned to each, but not all of them were filled. Mr. Dubose’s desk was settled all the way in the front, elevated up on a platform. Along the back wall was a counter with three sinks and cabinets that held chemistry equipment like beakers, goggles and gloves.

  Katey looked over to her assigned table
and saw Beth, her friend and table partner, was already there. Usually, Beth was the one who was late. Beth turned around in her seat, ebony curls bouncing around her shoulders. Coupled with her pale skin and black eyes, Katey always likened her to Snow White. But, Beth was not the perfect innocent princess.

  They met a few years back and instantly took a liking to each other. They shared an interest in rock music and all things dark and mysterious. Beth’s devil-may care attitude was evident in the heavy gothic influence in her fashion choices. She wore everything black with spiked bracelets and chokers that were technically against school dress code, but Beth didn’t care.

  Katey’s favorite science teacher stood behind his desk, staring thoughtfully at his laptop as he was in the middle of taking roll call.

  The projection screen was pulled down behind him, as always. As the projector was whirling to life, it streamed the image of a steaming coffee mug on his broad chest. Katey wondered if he ever knew that it was there every time he turned on the projector in the morning. The class stayed quiet about it, although on the first day of school, a few titters could be heard from the girls who noticed it first.

  Katey fixed her attention on her teacher as she slowly walked towards the desk at the front of the classroom.

  Mr. Dubose had a bold jaw covered in a dark, shallow beard and mustache. He wasn’t very tall, but he was well built with cannons for arms and a physique that rivaled that of any hot actor or model of the day. Everyone was surprised to hear that he didn’t coach a sports team at the high school. He also had a full head of short black hair that always seemed to look soft and healthy. She couldn’t remember a day when his hair was oily or unkempt.

  He usually wore a formal button-down shirt with the most ridiculous-looking ties. Katey remembered once that he came to school wearing a SpongeBob tie. He claimed his kids made him wear it. But she knew he didn‘t have any kids. If he had any, there would be pictures of them scattered all over his desk. Not only that, but she knew that he lived just down the street from her and there was never any evidence that he had children, or even a wife. So Katey figured he just lost a bet.

  But the one thing Katey loved most about Mr. Dubose were his eyes; dark chocolate brown with hints of caramel and an equally sweet disposition. There was never a bit of malice in them when talking to the students or other faculty, even when his tone suggested that he was frustrated.

  “Everyone get under your desks, the world’s about to end… Miss Katey is late,” Mr. Dubose exclaimed dramatically, his voice laced with a very subtle British accent.

  The class laughed as Katey settled herself into the uncomfortable plastic chair.

  Mr. Dubose had a unique sense of humor, but no one, not even the teachers, took him seriously. He often said that if they failed a test, he would giggle. He loved to pick on students too. He would call them spaz-butts and butt-monkeys if they didn‘t turn in homework or if they ask a question that had already been answered. Then he would sigh and shake his head ruefully.

  “I’ll give you my excuse as soon as I can think of it,” Katey said.

  The class laughed. Mr. Dubose only smiled and shook his head.

  And with that, Katey donned the mask for one more day. Be happy; be pleasant, she told herself. Early on, she had trouble hiding her depression. Beth was one of the first to notice. When more people began asking questions, Katey knew she couldn’t continue that way. So, she played the part of any typical teenager, all the while she felt like she was dying inside.

  “Ok, settle down. We’re going to re-discuss population change for a moment since most of you failed the last test. Then we’ll watch a video about the cyclic growth of populations of caribou and wolves in Alaska,” Mr. Dubose said as he pushed a few buttons on his laptop, then pointed a remote at the overhead projector to begin the slideshow.

  Katey didn’t pay much attention to the first half of his lecture because she was too busy trying to study for the Romeo and Juliet quiz next period. Shakespearian plays were never her strong suit. Literature as a whole was detestable to her. Sure, she enjoyed reading from time to time, but only books that truly interested her.

  And a story about two love-struck teenagers who killed themselves so they could be together was not her ideal choice of reading material.

  Katey hid her copy of the classic play in her lap as Mr. Dubose carried on with his lecture.

  Moments later, when Mr. Dubose saw that Katey wasn’t listening to his lecture, he walked casually towards her with his yardstick. Katey didn’t even notice the stifled snickers of the other students. They knew what was coming.

  Mr. Dubose smacked the flat end of the yardstick on the tabletop in front of Katey. The sharp crack rang in her ears for a moment as she snapped a nonplussed look up at him.

  “If you’ll kindly pay attention, thank you!” Mr. Dubose said with a mocking grin. Katey caught her breath and tucked the book away into her bag.

  “In nature,” he continued, “groups or families of certain species live in tight units, looking after each other as a whole and the individual. But when resources become short or environmental conditions grow intolerable, that bond can be broken easily.

  “For example,” Mr. Dubose said as he sat on top of his desk, avoiding the stacks of disheveled papers. He pushed a button on his remote to change the slide picture. A wolf appeared on the projection screen.

  It was black with bright yellow eyes with snow covering its muzzle. Mr. Dubose’s eyes seemed to take on a luster of enthusiasm as he continued. “In a pack of wolves like we’ll see on the video, the alpha male will kill the omega wolf for food for the rest of the pack.”

  Katey felt compelled to say something and forgot the general rule that a student must raise their hand to be acknowledged.

  “No they wouldn’t, Mr. Dubose,” Katey blurted out. “Even though the omega wolf is the lowest in the pack, they wouldn’t kill them. A wolf pack operates the same as a family, doesn’t it?” All eyes were fixed on her. “And I’ve never heard of wolves being cannibalistic. Not only that, but the omega is an important part of the pack social order.”

  Katey was a well of useless information and other students branded her as a weirdo for it.

  One corner of Mr. Dubose’s mouth quirked up in a satisfied smile.

  “Very good Katey,” he said with a nod. “I was hoping you would catch that mistake. Forget what I just said about wolves. But aside from the example, I’m trying to say that bigger, stronger animals will eat the younger, weaker one to eliminate competition for space and mating,” He slid down from the desk and walked around the room again in short ambling strides, his dress shoes tapping softly on the tile floor.

  “Wouldn’t the stronger animal get weak if they eat a sicker animal?” Asked the blonde senior girl who sat on the other side of the room.

  “No, because most predators such as wolves will eat a sick, older caribou and their immune system blocks out that sickness. Now back to the slides.” Mr. Dubose pressed a button on his remote and the slide changed to a picture of a crowded subway train.

  “And in just the opposite situation, when conditions are too good, the population may explode. With this overcrowding in the ecosystem, competition grows. And what happens when competition grows?” He waited.

  Katey kept her mouth shut even though she already knew the answer.

  “Come on spaz-butts, it’s not that early in the morning. You’re not zombies yet…” he waited a moment longer, then shouted, “stress levels go sky high!”

  He pressed a button and the slide changed from the subway to a pair of wolves fighting. Katey was entranced by the photo and wondered where he found it. It looked so natural.

  “When you’re put into tight spaces, you’re not going to just deal with it. You become irritated and uncomfortable, right? And when that happens, you can go crazy and do things you regret,” he looked Katey dead in the eyes.

  She froze as a pause of silence went by much too slowly.

  That kn
owing glint in his eyes disturbed her. In this whole ordeal, never once did Mr. Dubose confront her about the possibility that she needed help. The fleeting thought crossed her mind that perhaps he knew the whole time. Could he see through her masquerade and know that she had contemplated suicide several times since the school year began?

  Mr. Dubose broke eye contact and turned his attention to the rest of the class again. Katey let her shoulder slump with relief.

  “And when these stress levels are reached, immunity to most small diseases is eliminated and the population goes down again.” He pressed another button and the slide show disappeared.

  He walked over to his large screen TV and DVD player and pressed buttons until the screen changed from black to a light blue DVD menu with an animation of wolves hunting caribou up in the right corner of the TV.

  “Katey, could you turn on that TV, please?”

  There was a television right above her head and she was always too short to reach it. Katey came prepared today though. She took out a ruler and reached up as far as she could without getting out of her seat to turn it on.

  “And you can come and sit on the couch.”

  The class moaned in envy, but Katey grinned.

  She was in a special position where she couldn’t see the TV above her and there was an Internet cable pole next to Mr. Dubose’s desk so it was in the way of the other TV in the room. Katey took out her clipboard and notebook paper, and walked to sit on the couch, which was positioned diagonally from Mr. Dubose’s desk.

  For the rest of the period, Katey’s attention was torn between watching the wolf documentary and glancing towards Mr. Dubose as he worked on his laptop. Either he didn’t seem to notice her occasional awkward stares or he chose not to make a big deal of it.

  She had always felt drawn in Mr. Dubose in some inexplicable way. It wasn’t in lust or even attraction like the teacher-student crushes that plagued some girls. Instead, it was his calmness and confidence that caught her eye. It was something she lacked in herself. She envied the surety he had and longed to understand where it came from. Perhaps it was age and maturity that gave him this quality, but somehow Katey doubted it.