Alina's POV

"Alina, sweetheart, your father and I will just look for some firewood," Mom said as she put her winter jacket on.

"Stay inside the tent. I know, mom. I am not a kid anymore," I rolled my eyes as I interrupted her. She reminds me of the same thing every day.

My mother's lips curved into a smile, and she replied, "I know you are, but I want you to be careful. You know how dangerous it is outside at night."

"Mom, we have been camping in this forest for two years. Nothing had ever happened. It had just become routine."

"You still have to be careful. It's dangerous to be complacent. Now, cover yourself. The news said it's going to be colder tonight than usual."

I nodded, and she kissed me on the forehead. She went out when my dad called her name. I saw them walking side by side before I zipped my tent and lay down to read.

My parents were both zoologists and university professors. But my father also worked in a lab funded by the government. Two years ago, my dad was tasked to do research here in Grenville Forest. And since it would take a lot of dedication and time, they both gave up their teaching jobs to ensure they would have all the time needed.

Honestly, I actually didn't know what they were looking for. I was heartbroken when I found out about it because I would not see my friends that often. But when I heard them discussing that the research would help the government and the nation, I finally loosened up. I started to understand how important it was that I dreamed of being like them. And since then, I began my interest in learning all about zoology.

Ten minutes after they left, I could hear them back happily chatting. My parents were both science geniuses, but there were also romantic people. I smiled, hearing them say how much they loved each other. I hoped I would meet someone like my dad someday. I wished to experience the same love and marriage just like them.

All of a sudden, I heard my mom screaming. It startled me that I sat and immediately unzipped the tent. I froze, and my eyes widened with what I saw. Three werewolves were attacking my parents.

One of them had bit my father's arm and, after a split second, ripped his heart out. I wanted to scream, but for some reason, I couldn't open my mouth to make a sound.

The other one, the biggest of the three, took my mom by the neck. And then, he beheaded her by splitting her head and body into two. Everything happened so fast that my head was unable to digest it. I remained motionless while the wolves went running, leaving me behind untouched.

They didn't see me, or they left me intentionally. I didn't know. All I knew, when my senses went back to the present, I was almost out of breath. I couldn't bear what I saw, and so I screamed. I screamed at the top of my lungs, but sadly, nobody could hear me.

I went outside the tent and rushed to my lifeless parents, covered in blood. Some of their body parts were scattered on the ground, just like a butchered animal.

My tears were like rain. I was shaking as I was putting my parent's body parts together. Despite how they looked, I hugged them as tight as I could. I ended up with blood stained all over my body, even on my face.

"I am so-sorry, so sorry," I stuttered, full of guilt and sorrow.

There were no other words I could say. I just watched them die and didn't do anything. I couldn't do anything. I was so scared and powerless.

An hour later, the rain poured. It was cold and windy, but I couldn't move. I stayed beside my parents because I couldn't think of anything to do.

When the rain stopped, I stopped crying, too. I promised myself that I would avenge my parents. I didn't know how to do it, but my heart was filled with rage. I would kill those wolves someday.

"I will be back," I whispered.

I wandered into the forest, screaming for help. I knew there was nothing anyone could do to bring back my parents' lives, but I just needed someone to help me give them a proper burial. It was the least I could do for them. I hoped it would bring them peace.

The sun had slowly risen. My eyes were swollen and blurry from crying. My legs were wobbling from my non-stop walking. I was so weak that I stumbled after my last cry for help.

Suddenly, a male figure appeared before my eyes. His lips were moving, but I couldn't hear or comprehend what he was saying. I was so drained that I passed out.

After some time, I groaned and slowly opened my eyes. I immediately saw a fire lit and smelled some boiled tea.

"Great! Finally, you are awake," he said.

I slowly sat, looked at him, and asked, "Who are you? Where am I?"

He smiled and replied, "Listen, young lady, I should be asking those questions. Mind if you tell me what happened to you? I found you almost passed out in a dangerous forest of Grenville. What were you doing in here?"

My head was hurting, but then I remembered everything that had happened. Tears began falling again.

"Hey, are you alright?"

"They killed my parents."

"What? Who killed your parents?"

"Those beasts! Those monster wolves."

He was quiet for a moment before saying, "Tell me what happened."

For some reason, my tears stopped. The anger in my heart was lit like a burning fire that would not allow me to be weak again. Despite the pain, I told him about the gruesome murder of my parents in detail. I couldn't look at him, but I felt strong for the first time. I was no longer a teenager inside. I had matured because of the trauma I had witnessed.

"Those sons of a bitch couldn't stop acting like an animal! They will soon annihilate the entire human race if nobody stops them."

"I will kill them," I said softly with a stoic expression.

"Easy tiger! It's not as easy as you think."

"But I will!" I yelled with all determination.

His eyes widened, and he nodded his head.

"This is the first time I had seen a teenager who witnessed something traumatic come this strong and determined. I admired it, girl! But tell me, how are you even planning to do that, considering how physically weak and small you are?"

The reality hit me hard. This man in front of me asked the most important question. Regardless of how determined I was, how would I be able to avenge my parents? I was a hundred times weaker and slower than those wolves. I could quickly die without even giving them a scratch.

Tears began welling in my eyes again. I was feeling down and weak once again.

"Hey, don't feel bad. You don't need to do that right away. It's okay to grieve for now and recover from the loss. Here, have some of this. I know it's just canned goods, but you need something to eat. You look as pale as a sheet now."

I wiped my tears and took the can of meatloaf from him.

"Thanks!" I whispered without looking at him.

For the first time, I felt ashamed to be this vulnerable to a stranger that I didn't even know his name until now.

In the corner of my eyes, I could see him smile. I didn't know if he was pitying or mocking me, but I didn't care. I looked at the meatloaf, and I remembered my dad. My dad loved them so much. I missed him. The thought of not hearing his voice once again pierced my heart.

"I know you have helped me more than enough. I don't know your name, but could I ask for some help?"

He smiled again. He reminded me even more of my dad. They might be the same age because they both have a few strands of white hair.

"It's Jayce Argent. What about yours?"

"Alina Bynes."

"Nice to meet you, Ali! Mind if I call you Ali?"

"No. My dad calls me the same."

"Cool! Then, how could I help you?"

"Could you help me bury my parents?"

I watched as his smiles faded into sadness. I could sense the deep pity he had for me. I didn't know whether to hate it or not. I just wanted a good burial for my parents. I could not leave their bodies lying there and be eaten by some animals.

"Of course, I will. Now eat up so we can go and bury them."

He didn't ask why I didn't call the police for help. We just eat in silence. And once we were done, I guided him toward where my parents were. We didn't talk either during the walk.

When we arrived, I felt like I was losing energy again.

'Get your act together, Alina! Your parents need you to be strong now. Show them that you are not a kid anymore like what you always tell them,' the voice in my head said, like a mother scolding me for misbehaving.

"They are really animals! I'm really sorry, kid," Jayce said, shaking his head.

I couldn't say anything. These kinds of killings were inhumane.

Jayce looked for something to use to dig the soil. I stood there frozen again, but he didn't bother me.

"Good thing you have a shovel," Jayce said with a smile when he returned.

I knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to cheer me up. It was not doing good, but it was at least bringing me back to the present when I was out of focus.

It took us an hour to bury my parents in the same place where they died. Only after that did Jayce ask, "Why did you choose to bury them there?"

"I don't have any relatives. Both of my parents were the only child of my dead grandparents. I had nowhere to go. Besides, I wanted to remember them and what had happened to them. I will not let it slide."

Jayce looked at me and, after a moment of silence, asked, "Would you like to come with me?"

I turned my head and looked at him with an expressionless face.

"Where?"

Jayce smiled and said, "To a place where it could achieve your dream."

I felt like some hope had dawned inside me. I smiled for the first time since last night's attack and said, "Sure."