I've always known there was something different about Silverbrook City. The moment I arrived here, just a week ago, I could feel it in my bones. The full moon brings out the weirdos, but not the kind you're thinking of. Not just the goth kids with black lipstick howling at the sky. No... I mean real werewolves.
I didn't want to believe the stories. I tried to laugh them off like the others. But deep down, I remembered what Mama told me before I left.
"Be careful, Lisa," she said, her voice was soft but heavy with worry. "Your father went to Silverbrook looking for work too. You were just a baby. He never came back."
Her eyes had clouded then, like she was somewhere else; somewhere dark and far away. "This job hunt… it's our only hope. But if you ever feel danger, use these."
She gave me a small pouch. Inside were three things: a dried wolf's bane plant, a pinch of silver dust sealed in a bottle, and a small silver mirror with tiny cracks along the edges. I didn't understand it all then, but I packed them anyway, tucking them carefully into the side pocket of my old canvas bag. Mama had sworn they would protect me.
This morning, I woke up early, before the sun had fully risen. My apartment was still cold, the air was quiet. I showered quickly, not wasting time. I had one goal, and it was to find a job.
I packed my things; school certificate, ID card, birth certificate, the sandwich I'd made last night and, of course, I didn't forget my Mama's pouch. My fingers lingered over the items for a moment. I whispered to myself, "Don't worry, Mama. I'll be okay."
By 7 a.m., I was out of the apartment and on my way to the bus station. The minibus pulled up just as I arrived.
"Highway! M One Street!" the conductor shouted.
I raised my hand, and the bus slowed. As I climbed in, I found a seat near the back. The ride was short, but the voices around me weren't quiet. Two men behind me were deep in conversation.
"I swear, last full moon, I saw one. Right near the woods behind Albert's Butchery," one said, lowering his voice like he was afraid someone might hear.
"You've had too much beer, Jojo," the other laughed. "You believe that werewolf crap? You probably saw a big dog."
"No, man. I saw glowing eyes. It was real."
I sank lower in my seat, heart thudding. My fingers brushed the pouch in my bag. I wanted to believe they were just joking, but something in the first man's voice… it felt too real.
I got off at M One Street and looked around. A coffee shop sat on the corner, its sign reading Tinny's Coffee Shop. I took a deep breath and walked in.
There was a woman behind the counter, maybe in her late twenties, dressed in a white t-shirt and black skirt. She looked up with a warm smile.
"Good morning. Welcome to Tinny's. How can we help you?"
I smiled back. "I'm Lisa Wallen. I was wondering if you might have a part-time job?"
She studied me for a moment. "Go to the door on the left marked office. You'll find Mister Charles Marvin there. He runs the place."
"Thank you," I said, already feeling hopeful.
I walked to the door and knocked, but there was no answer. I waited, hearing a voice from inside on the phone. I knocked again.
"Come in," a man's voice called.
Inside, a man around his forties pointed to a chair. He ended his call and looked at me.
"Good morning. How can we help you?"
"I'm Lisa Wallen. I'm looking for any part-time job."
He looked through some files, sighed, then said, "Sorry, Miss. We're not hiring right now."
My heart dropped. I tried not to show the disappointment on my face, but I could feel my shoulders sink.
I stood up. "Alright, thank you."
"Wait," he said suddenly. "Do you want any job, or were you hoping just for one here?"
"Any job, sir. Anything I can do."
He smiled slightly. "I have a friend in town; he runs a bar. He needs a barmaid. Can I call him?"
My face lit up. "Yes, please!"
He dialed the number, and I sat there, hands on my lap, barely breathing.
"Hey, Ivan," he said when the call connected. "There's a young lady here looking for work. Can she come by tomorrow?"
He looked at me. "What's your name again?"
"Lisa Wallen."
"She's Lisa Wallen," he repeated into the phone.
I heard a faint voice on the other end say something.
"Alright. He'll expect you tomorrow morning. Here's his card," Marvin said, handing me a small white card with neat black letters. The Last Drop Bar.
I smiled, forgetting all my troubles in that moment. "Thank you so much, sir."
"You're welcome, Lisa. Good luck."
I walked out of the office, waved goodbye to the lady at the counter, and stepped into the sunlight; my heart was full of hope.
But I didn't realize it until I was halfway down the road.
My bag.
It wasn't on my shoulder. My eyes widened. I spun around, searching the street, then checked my back again. There was nothing.
I must've forgotten it in the minibus. I clutched my chest. My documents… my sandwich… Mama's pouch…and luckily, I felt my phone in the other side of my jacket pocket.
I swallowed hard. "My bag is gone," I whispered to myself. "But it's okay. I have a job now. That's what matters."
I forced a small smile and kept walking.
Then I heard a voice behind me. "Hey! Lisa, what's up?"
It was Frankie; the guy from down the road who always seemed to be watching me. He was carrying a crate of empty beer bottles, his shirt half unbuttoned, sweat shining on his forehead.
I turned to face him, hiding my panic. "Hey, Frankie. Nice shirt."
"Thanks! You coming to the party tonight at my place?"
I shook my head, trying to sound casual. "I'd love to, but I've got some papers to fill."
He smiled, stepping closer. "You found work in town?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Starting tomorrow."
"Wow. That's awesome. Where?"
"The Last Drop Bar."
"Hey! I'm heading there now to get drinks for the party. Maybe I'll see you there sometime," he said, already walking away.
I watched him go, tempted to call out and ask about the place. But I didn't want to look helpless.
Later that day, back in my apartment, I finally sat down. I took the card from my skirt pocket and stared at the name again. The Last Drop Bar. The name stirred something in my memory, but I couldn't place it.
I picked up my phone and dialed the number. It rang twice.
"Hello. Welcome to The Last Drop Bar. Who's this?"
"This is Lisa Wallen. Mister Marvin said you were expecting me."
"Ah, yes. Lisa. Can you be here tomorrow morning at half past seven?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do you know the place?"
"No… not really."
"It's right across from Albert's Butchery, next to Sun Electronics."
I smiled. "I know that area. I'll be there."
"Good. Ask for Ivan Gryphin when you arrive."
"Yes, sir. Thank you."
The call ended. I lay on my bed, still thinking about my missing bag… but feeling hopeful for the first time in days. My heart pounded as I remembered the story I had heard in the bus, about a man seeing a werewolf right at Albert's butchery. But it was just a story, and I couldn't wait to start afresh by tomorrow morning.
I set my alarm for 5:30 a.m., whispering, "Wish me luck, Mama."
And under the pale light of the moon, I drifted off to sleep; unaware that Silverbrook's secrets were just beginning to unfold.
I woke up before my alarm. It was still dark outside. I looked at the time; it was five twenty-six in the morning.
Everything was quiet, and I rubbed my eyes.
I sat up in bed and listened.
A long, distant sound floated through the foggy air. It was a howl, and I heard another one, Wolves.
I held my breath for a second.
"No," I whispered to myself, shaking my head. "It's just dogs, nothing serious."
I got out of bed and went to the bathroom. I took a quick shower and dried off fast. Back in my room, I put on a white blouse and a black skirt that reached my knees. I tied my hair and slipped on my black sneakers.
The air felt cold as I drank my coffee near the window. The fog outside was thick, like a heavy blanket.
I looked at my neighbor's window; it was dark there. There were no lights, maybe they were asleep, or gone. I didn't know them. I was new here, just trying to survive on my own.
I checked my phone, it was 6:20 and I knew it was time to go.
I grabbed my bag, slipped in my phone and some money, locked the door behind me, and walked out.
The road was quiet and gray. I moved quickly to the bus stop.
After a few minutes, a minibus stopped. I got in and it was warm inside.
Outside the window, I saw students walking fast to school. Some men rode bicycles with big baskets, maybe they were going to sell things at the market.
When I got off near Albert's Butchery, something felt strange.
A small crowd was standing outside. People were talking in low voices. I slowed down a little to listen.
"Someone was attacked..."
"A wolf, they say."
"It happened early this morning..."
I blinked…a wolf? Not again, I convinced myself that they were made up stories
I wanted to hear more, but I was late. I walked faster, past the butchery and across the street.
I reached the bar. The door was still closed, and I sat on the bench near it.
Cars were passing now. The fog was starting to lift. I tied my shoelaces tighter.
I checked the time again, it was 7:32 and I stood up and walked to the door after a man with short hair had unlocked the door and walked inside.
I followed quietly.
Inside, two girls were already working. One was wiping tables. The other was putting empty bottles into a crate.
They wore white blouses and wine-red skirts, with black aprons. The aprons had "L D B" on the front.
The taller girl saw me first, and she smiled.
"Morning," I said.
"Morning," she answered. She walked toward me. "I'm Amanda Reynard," she said and held out her hand.
I shook it. "I'm Lisa Wallen."
Amanda turned and called to the other girl. "Hey, Nora! Come meet Lisa; the new girl Ivan told us about."
"Coming!" the other girl said. She walked over, smiling.
"Hi! I'm Nora Simmons. Welcome, Lisa. You can sit there," she pointed to a chair.
"Thanks," I said and sat down.
Amanda let out a loud sigh. "Did you hear those wolves last night?"
Nora shook her head quickly. "Yes. It was terrible. I couldn't sleep. Why were they howling like that?"
My ears were alert, wanting to hear more