Wolf Trap (3 page)

“I don't like this,” Mary whispered to Edgar. “Why are there are no children here?”

“I know,” said Edgar. “Something is wrong with this island.”

The Sheriff called for everyone to listen.

“Friends! It is a full moon tonight.” The Sheriff pointed at Mr Blood. “And we all know why this man is here.”

“He kills werewolves,” said a woman.

“He wants to kill one of us,” growled one of the men.

Other men agreed with him. They didn't seem happy to see the Dark Hunter.

Mr Blood spoke up.

“You have nothing to fear from me unless you are hiding a very dark secret. Maybe there is a werewolf on the island. Maybe not.”

A few people laughed.

“Tonight we will find out,” said Mr Blood. “Is everyone on the island here?”

“We are all in this barn,” replied the Sheriff.

“Good. Then lock the door, please, and hand me the key,” said Mr Blood.

“Of course,” said the Sheriff. His face twisted in a strange smile.

Edgar and Mary pushed through the crowd. They wanted to get to Mr Blood. The people gave them strange looks.

As they were making their way to the front, Anne blocked Edgar's way. He lost his balance and fell over.

Anne helped Edgar up.

As she took his hand, she slipped him a piece of paper. There was panic in her eyes.

Edgar guessed that she didn't want anyone else to see the note. So he closed his fist on it and walked on towards Mr Blood.

The Sheriff was trying to calm the angry people in the crowd.

Mary tapped Mr Blood on the arm. He leaned down.

“There are no children on the island,” she hissed. “Did one werewolf kill them all?”

“I don't think so.” Mr Blood looked worried.

Edgar looked down at the piece of paper. He gasped. He handed the note to Mr Blood. It was a warning.

This is a trap!
Get to a boat
as fast as you can
Save the children
.

“I was afraid of this,” said Mr Blood. “We need to escape.”

“But what does it mean?” Mary asked. “I don't know what's going on.”

“There is no time to explain now.” Mr Blood was worried.

“There are some horses tied up outside the barn,” said Mr Blood. “We'll need to take two horses and get back to the beach.”

They turned back to face the crowd.

“Sheriff,” said Mr Blood. “I am going to unlock the door to let the children outside. They are afraid of what will happen here.”

The Sheriff's face was pale. His eyes seemed bigger than before.

“If you think that will help you,” he growled. “Do as you wish.”

Mr Blood unlocked the door.

All the people in the barn fell silent. Through the doorway Mary and Edgar could see a bright full moon. Its silver light shone down on the faces of the men and women. They all stood still.

It seemed as if the people were all waiting for something.

Only Anne moved. She pushed her way through the crowd with a hand over her eyes, and dashed for the door.

“Stop her!” shouted Mr Blood. He pulled out his crossbow.

“But she helped us,” cried Edgar. “She wrote the note.”

Anne made it to the door and ran out, into the moonlight.

As the light of the moon entered the barn, all the people fell to the ground.

They rolled around on the floor, wailing and growling.

Their shoulders began to swell. Arms grew longer. Legs grew shorter. Eyes burned yellow.