Phase by E. C. Newman

way.
    The trees were just beginning to turn. October would be perfect out here. Most of my energy was focused on not tripping on the roots and rocks. I’d never noticed how graceful Jules was.
    We heard voices. “It’s the guys. Told you that they were always out here.” She paused, listening. “Wanna go spy on them?” She grinned.
    I smiled back, but shook my head. If it was animal sacrifices, I really didn’t want to know. “Maybe when I get better at walking in the woods.”
    She nodded. “Good point.”
    We continued, and the voices faded away. The woods were quiet, just the leaves sounding like applause when the wind blew through. Jules’s eyes took in everything.
    “So, you like the woods?” I asked.
    She glanced at me with a sheepish grin on her face. “Obvious, huh?”
    “A little.” I gestured with my thumb and index finger, pinching the air to emphasize “little.”
    “Did you grow up playing outside?” I asked it without really thinking. I kept forgetting to be careful when asking questions about her past.
    Her smile faltered, and she watched me for a long time before answering. It was impressive how she didn’t trip or run into anything while looking at me. “Not really. Dad and I moved a lot.” She touched a tree we passed, her fingers running along the grooves on the trunk. “I think it was all motel rooms and apartments. We didn’t see a lot of trees and grass. Most of the families I stayed with lived in the inner city. I don’t think I knew how much I liked trees until I moved here.” She stopped and gazed up into a large tree’s canopy.
    “You like it here?”
    She swung around to face me, her arm wrapped around the trunk. “Yes.”
    “And the Vardens?”
    She cocked her head to the side. “I’ve had worse. Meredith is pretty nice. Jonas too. Like I said, Ezra treats me better than most guys I’ve known. Naomi’s a brat. But she’s just talk.” She rested her head on the tree. “It’s better here. I haven’t been here even a month, but it’s definitely better here.”
    “Good.”
    She smiled at me. “Were you an outdoors kid?”
    I shook my head. “Not enough to suit my dad. I was more of a ‘stay inside, play with my dolls or read a book’ kind of kid.” We started walking again. “I did climb a few trees in my day. And wanted my own tree house. Still do.” I smiled a big cheesy grin.
    She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. We hiked a bit further, not really talking. Just enjoying the quiet.
    Jules stopped dead in her tracks.
    “What?” I asked, alarmed.
    “Look.” She pointed.
    I followed with my eyes. There, through the trees, was a building. “Is it abandoned?” I asked softly.
    “Let’s go find out.” She grabbed my hand and started leading me toward it. As we got closer, I saw two buildings. One looked like a small house out of a Western where the hired hands would sleep. One floor with a porch as long as the building. The roof had huge holes in it.
    But the other building was really something.
    It was shaped like a tower. Probably six stories high, with a metal staircase wrapped around its outside. Both buildings were made out of cement with dark shingled roofs.
    “Wow.”
    I looked over at Jules, her head tipped back, looking up at the tower. She moved closer to it, then froze.
    “What is it?” I whispered. I gripped her arm, nervous for some reason.
    “I think there’s something near.”
    Vague, like when someone tries to scare you when nothing’s there. But she sounded sure.
    “What?”
    She took another step, and a twig broke beneath her foot.
    I heard a growl.
     

Chapter Four
     
     
    From behind the shorter building, a wolf appeared. Its coat was golden. Its very white teeth were bared.
    “Oh my gosh,” I breathed and tried to run.
    Jules held me in place. “Don’t move,” she muttered.
    I didn’t, but was holding onto her arm so tightly I knew I’d leave bruises.
    The wolf stalked toward us. Jules stood her ground. The wolf