The grotesque werewolf snarls. It tumbles across the pavement and staggers to its right as it dodges Nick's bullets.

Once he runs out, Nick curses under his breath, tosses his backpack on the floor, unveils his set of knives from his sleeves, and flings at the growling beast. Its claws collide with Nick's blades while I burn its left side with heaping balls of green fire.

In the meantime, Casper drops his bag and twists his entire body until he becomes a fierce lion. He then gallops towards the raging hound and slashes his claws across the werewolf's spiteful face, drawing blood from its thick cheekbones.

Biting my lip, I blast green flames at the dog-like creature, who narrowly sprints around Casper and then gallops toward Nick.

Struggling to pierce the mutt's hind legs with his knives, Nick lets out a frustrated sigh, abandons his original plan, and decides to do the unthinkable. He grabs a small arrow from his ankle holster and a lighter from his pocket. Then, Nick drags the arrow across his left hand, tilts his head, and licks the dark blood oozing from the cut before igniting the lighter.

Eventually, once he tilts his head to the small flame, Nick blows it hard. Toxic black smoke flies out of the boy's mouth as Nick clouds the monstrous dog's vision.

I take a step back, where Casper turns himself back into his original form and watches the hound become overwhelmed by the demonic smoke, trapping it in an inky cocoon. With his hand still on the lever, Nick is about to throw his lighter when the werewolf takes off into the streets.

"What the fuck?" I gasp.

Clenching their fists, Casper and I want to follow that fleeing creature when a breathless Nick tells us to stop.

"Dude, what are you talking about?" Casper cries. "And what the hell is that thing, anyway?"

"It's a Rougarou, a fancy word for Cajun werewolf," I answer. "My uncle told me stories about them when I was a kid."

We hear a car crash and a blood-curdling scream.

Curious, Casper walks over to the sound of the noises, but I take him by the arm and drag him close to me so he won't get himself torn to shreds.

"We need a fucking plan," I tell him.

"I know," Nick vows, touching my shoulder. "We'll get that thing, but first, we need a car."

Stunned, Casper lowers his hands and sighs, "Even if we did steal a car, we've got to have a plan B. So, if you have any great ideas on how to stop that fucker from killing people, I'm all ears."

"Maybe we can get the mutt's attention," I suggest.

"Okay, but how?" asked Casper.

I glance over Nick's shoulder and notice an unused silver motorcycle lying on the white sidewalk. This gives me an idea.

"Hey, Nick," I say eagerly. "Do you know how to ride a motorcycle?"

Putting his shaggy hair in a bun, Nick scrunches his face until he watches me run towards the bike, pick it up with maximum effort, and take it towards the boys. While Casper studies the motorcycle in pure awe, Nick frowns at me like a disapproving mother.

"Seriously, Teddy?" he groans. "Are you thinking about stealing it?"

"No, we're borrowing it," I reason.

"What if it bursts into flames?" asked Nick. "Or gets crushed like an egg?"

I harden my jaw. "First of all, it's not your bike. Second, there's fucking werewolf tearing people's heads off. So, unless you and Casper have any other brilliant plans, we need this bike."

Nick rolls his eyes, whereas Casper approaches the bike with caution. He runs his hand across the handlebars and asks me if he can ride it, only to be irritated when Nick and I shake our heads.

"Oh, come on!" Casper whines. "I want to drive it!"

"Dude, you're seventeen," I remind him.

"So?"

"So, unless you have experience riding a motorbike, I'm not letting you risk your life like that."

Seething with envy, Casper watches Nick climb...