The stairs creaked as I walked up them. My nerves were on edge as we headed down the lonely hallway amidst the shadows that danced on the wall.

Julie pointed to the first bedroom. Holding my butcher knife, I flicked on the switch but didn't see anyone, much to my delight. As I continued to move carefully through the bedroom, I suddenly saw a figure. I freaked out and jumped, startled for a split second, until I realized it was my own reflection in the dresser mirror. My nerves were so on edge that every little thing was beyond frightening.

The room was pretty typical, with a bed, dresser, and other furnishings. We searched for weapons but couldn't find any. We checked the next two bedrooms, and they were also clear.

My labored breathing eased, though my lungs still burned and my head was pounding like a chorus line of stiletto-wearing hippos dancing on it.

Julie motioned me in the master bedroom. "Blue Eyes can rest in there," she said.

"Jesse, you should lie down," I said when we walked back downstairs to get him. "There's a nice bedroom upstairs so you can rest."

"I'm fine."

"No," Julie ordered, "you're not. You're gonna go up there and get in bed, and then we'll barricade the door and stay in there till morning."

His wound started to bleed again, and I gulped hard. I couldn't help but notice how pale and weak he looked. Jesse needed medical help, and I couldn't get it for him quick enough.

"You're bleeding," I said, wondering if he would live to see sunlight again.

Chapter 7.

I didn't know what to do. Jesse was dying right before my eyes. I knew we needed to get help, but I didn't know how to get past the snarling wolves. No one could hear us now because our cell phones had no signal out in the middle of nowhere, and there was no landline in the cabin. I touched Jesse's arm. "Please lie down."

"No. I have to keep you safe."

"You aren't going to be able to do that if you die on us," I said. "You just need a little rest."

When he didn't move, Julie chimed in, "She's right, Jesse. We need you to protect us, so how about you lie down for an hour or two and then you'll be more up to protecting us better. In the meantime, we promise not to get ourselves killed by rabid dogs or gun-wielding strangers. Deal?"

He smiled and nodded. "Can't argue with that," he said.

I smiled appreciatively at Julie and her ability to manipulate even the most strong-willed of people.

Jesse grunted as I helped him into bed and covered him with a blanket.

Julie found some towels in the bathroom and applied pressure to his wound. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be taking care of a gunshot victim," she said.

His eyes fluttered shut, and I gasped. "He passed out," I said. "We can't just sit here and do nothing, no matter what he said," I said. "He's really sick and fading fast. If we're going to save him, we've gotta take a chance. You stay here. I'm gonna get us help."

"How are you going to get past the wolves?"

"I don't know, but I can't just stand here and let him die."

She took a deep breath. "I know."

I felt his forehead and was glad that his skin was cool and not as sweaty; the fever had subsided. "He feels better," I said.

"He's breathing better too," Julie added. "Maybe we should wait a little longer."

I nodded and peeked out the bedroom window, only to shudder when I saw the wolves still prowling around. "It's not like we have much choice." Feeling defeated, I sat down on the vinyl chair and propped my feet on the stool. I watched vigilantly out the window, waiting for the scraggly dogs to leave.

A couple of hazy, sleepy, silent hours later, when the first rays of light shone on my face, I looked out the window again. "Julie, they're gone!" I said.

"I'll go look out the front," she said.

I rushed over to Jesse. "Let me have a look at your wound," I said.

He pushed me away. "I said I'm fine. We don't have time to waste. Let's go."

"Are you sure you feel all right? Can you walk?"

"Yeah, I'll live to tell the tale," he said.

I looked at him doubtfully, then helped him up so we could make our way down the stairs.

"It's all clear," Julie happily reported, opening the blockade.

Outside, I stared skeptically at the deceivingly calm forest around us. As if mocking our trepidation, the sun was shining brightly, and the birds were chirping happily. When I looked down, though, I saw pawprints everywhere. It was still hard to fathom that we'd been shot at, chased, and practically held prisoner in the cabin by a bunch of wolves.

Pushing some vegetation aside, I stepped into the woods. "C'mon, guys!"

As we hiked through the woods, continuously trying our cell phones, Jesse actually got a signal for about two minutes and managed to get in touch with one of his buddies, who offered to pick us up. Just as we reached the road, a blue car stopped and Jesse introduced us to his friend, Billy.

"We've gotta get Jesse to the hospital," I said. "He's been shot."

"What!? They're joking, right?" Billy said to Jesse.

"No. He really was shot," Julie said.

"Oh," Billy said.

I looked at him as if he was one Prozac away from a straightjacket. "Uh...that's the best place for gunshot victims," I said. "Now please just drive us there."

Jesse shot Billy a strange look, and he nodded. "Okay," he said, "but I'm dropping you two off first."

"Fine. Then take us to the police station," I said.

Julie grabbed my arm. "Are you crazy? I don't wanna get involved with the police. We're alive and breathing, so why bother?"

"If that guy is out there and survived the wolf attack, he needs to be stopped."

Billy arched an eyebrow at me as if I was the crazy one. "He's dangerous and probably whacked outta his mind on drugs and still armed. I wouldn't suggest you ratting him out. They'll let him go with a slap on the wrist, and then he'll come after you with a vengeance."

"I don't want to involve the police," Julie stated again, more sternly this time.

"And neither do I," Jesse intervened. "I gotta be honest with you, Taylor. Billy's not takin' me to the hospital."

"But you've been shot, and-"

"No need for hospitals. My mom is a doctor."

"But-" Julie tried to argue.

"It's just a flesh wound," Jesse said. "I'll be fine."

"Jesse," I said, "please don't risk your life like this, especially not just to be a tough guy and show off."

"I'm not showing off. My mom won't let anything happen to me. I just need you to do me a big favor."

"I know, I know. Leave the police out of it," I said, rolling my eyes.

"It's the best thing, Taylor," Jesse said.

"I'm great at keeping secrets," Julie said. "If my mom finds out I sneaked out of the house to go to a college party and almost got myself killed, she'll freak, and I'll be the one needing a doctor-especially if the police are involved."

"I won't say anything either," I said reluctantly.

Jesse's friend pulled into Julie's driveway at eight a.m., and we knew Julie's mom would be coming home any minute.

"Don't worry about your truck," Jesse said. "One of my friends is a mechanic. He can have it fixed in hours."

"My mom will ask about it," Julie said. "Do you promise I'll get it back today?"

"I promise."

"Okay, Jesse. I'll trust you on that, but if you don't get it back before my mom wakes up, I'll be grounded for the rest of the summer or, worse, she'll sequester my truck keys indefinitely."

"I got this," he said.

"Jesse," I said, "I really need to know that you're okay. I won't stop worrying until I know your mom has given you the all-clear."

"Gimme your number," he said. "I'll call you with the official report."

We exchanged numbers, putting them in each other's phones. As I gazed into his eyes, just about to say something, his friend cut in.

"No time for mushy goodbyes," Billy said. "I gotta get Jesse home. He's got an appointment with Dr. Mom."

Before I could say another word or wave goodbye, the blue car backed up and sped down the street.

As we walked in, I flung my shoes off. My hands were shaky from my ordeal, and nausea flooded my stomach.

When I sat down at the kitchen table, Julie handed me a glass of water. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah. Just a little freaked."

"Better freaked than dead," she said. "My head is pounding, but I think we learned a valuable lesson here."

"Oh?"

"No more parties with crazy, unstoppable party animals-or wild, furry animals either."

"Yeah. Tell me about it. And we might want to avoid Barney-colored drinks and Long Island iced teas too," I said, looking at her.

She ran a hand through her blonde hair. "Do you really think they'll get my truck back in time?"

"Jesse promised he would, and up to now, he's been a man of his word."

"Maybe, but we don't' even really know him."

"He said his friend's a mechanic. I'm sure it will be fine."

"I hope so. If not, I'm dead meat."

"Why was that guy chasing us anyway?" I asked. "What did you say to him?"

She sipped her water. "Nothing out of the ordinary...and he seemed nice at the party. He just went all psycho. Maybe Jesse's right. Maybe he was high."

"If he was high on drugs, how the heck was he able to find us in the dark woods?" I asked.

"I dunno. How'd Jesse find us, especially when he was shot and bleeding all over the place?" she retorted.

"Yeah, you're right. That was weird."

"I think there's something Jesse's not telling us," Julie said.

"Why were you invited to that party?" I asked.

"I met Jed in town, and he was inviting all the pretty girls. He said I could bring anyone I wanted to bring. But there is something else I've been wondering."

"What?"

"If Jesse's such a great guy, why would he hang out with guys like them in the first place?"

"I don't know. And why won't he go to the hospital like a normal person?" I asked, trying to put two and two together. "Anyone else would insist on going to the ER."

"He's either scared to death of needles or he's hiding something," Julie said, then ripped the bandage off her neck. "Speaking of hospitals, how does my battle wound look?"

"Not bad at all. There are just a couple deeper spots where the glass must have nailed you."

"I can't believe my taste in men," Julie said. "Out of everyone in the party, I pick the one that oughtta be locked up."