by Marc Lindsay
“You’re a dead man Ulysses,” the tall Were screamed out from the forest.
“That’s what I want to hear. I was afraid that you’d packed up and gone home,” Ulysses taunted. An angry growl back was the only reply.
“I’m glad you’re pissed because so am I. You wanted to play the role of the hunter, well now you’re going to find out what it’s like to be the hunted. Ready or not, here I come,” Ulysses called out as he transformed yet again. This time his body morphed into a large scorpion-like creature. Long black legs sprouted from his torso which grew in size and shape to accommodate the multiple appendages. A gigantic stinger sprouted from his back and rose up poised to strike. Finally his head changed and dozens of midnight black eyes looked out from a face without a nose and a mouth. Two jagged mandibles jutted out from the jaw working in a pincer style movement. The entire body was hard and armoured. The tail moved to and fro. The barbed stinger seemed poised to strike at any moment. The creature let loose with an ear piercing shriek of excitement then scuttled into the tree line in pursuit of the two remaining brothers who were now running deeper into the forest hoping to gain a better vantage on their attacker and possibly get revenge for the murder of their brother minutes earlier. Ulysses had been right. The hunters were now the hunted.
Chapter 35
Perigord Park was a blur of movement. Burly workmen were frantically erecting stages and stalls, a small army of women busily thread streamers and lights through tree branches and over lamp posts. The entire town square was a hub of activity and in the middle of it all sat Jason on a park bench. He watched the proceedings around him with an eagle eye. To the casual observer, Jason looked like a typical, disinterested teenager, lazy and totally consumed with one thing-himself. Every so often he would pull his phone out, pretending to text a friend. In actuality he was logging the movement of certain people and taking the occasional photo for later reference. He would move every half hour so as not to attract attention and to also change his perspective on the day’s proceedings. After several hours of amateur spy work Jason had come to one conclusion. James Bond needn’t worry about losing his licence to kill from him, anyway.
“I can’t believe I’m wasting my time here,” Jason muttered to himself when a large, firm hand landed on his shoulder from behind. He jumped in surprise and turned to see Sheriff Rope standing there dressed in his uniform, his mirrored sunglasses concealing his eyes. A smile spread widely on his face and it was anything but warm and friendly.
“Ah, Mr Page,” Sherriff Rope said. “Looking forward to the festival tonight?” Jason started to get to his feet but the Sheriff motioned for him to remain seated.
“Please Jason don’t get up on my account,” the Sheriff said. Jason sat back down and watched Rope warily.
“Can I help you Sheriff?” Jason asked stiffly. The Sheriff’s smile widened, exposing a lot of teeth.
“Me? Nah, I’m good, but thanks for asking,” Rope replied, then stood there staring at Jason, who was a little unnerved.
“So, what brings you here this morning?” Jason asked, trying to make small talk.
“Well as you’re probably not aware, being new to our town, this is the one time that we allow the consumption of alcohol in a public place,” Rope stated. Jason shrugged his shoulders. “So as the town’s duly elected law enforcement official, I’m here to oversee the delivery of tonight’s refreshments and ensure they remain unmolested until the start of the festivities,” Rope added. As if on cue, three large refrigeration trucks pulled up into view, the Black River Brewery company name and logo printed on their sides.
“And here they are, Rope stated as he checked his watch. “Right on time”. “Wow, you’ve definitely got your hands full at the moment. I’ll just leave you to your duties and get going,” Jason said as he climbed to his feet.
“Jason,” Rope said aloud, halting him in his tracks. “You haven’t seen Hector have you?” Jason’s jaw clenched tight as he turned to face the Sheriff. “He told me you two have buried the hatchet and are best buds,” Rope added.
“No I’m afraid not Sheriff. I haven’t seen him since yesterday afternoon at the lake,” Jason replied trying to keep the anger from his voice.
“You didn’t go to the party afterwards?” Rope asked, watching Jason closely for a reaction.
“No I can’t say that I did,” Jason replied steadily.
“Interesting. You must have missed a hell of a party by all accounts. He left quite a mess. Probably thought I would be home later in the day and that he would have time to clean it up,” Rope commented.
“No, sorry. As I said before Selene and I parted company with your son yesterday and I haven’t seen him since,” Jason said a tinge of annoyance creeping into his voice. This was apparent to the Sheriff who appeared more amused than angry.
“Ah yes, Selene. Where is she today? You two have become quite the item I’ve been told,” Rope asked bemused.
“She’s at her grandmothers,” Jason replied quickly, wanting to get away.
“Well if I don’t see you again before the festival, enjoy yourself. Party like there’s no tomorrow,” Rope said creepily before turning and making his way toward the refrigeration trucks.
“What a freak,” Jason muttered as he watched him walk away.
After his weird run-in with the Sheriff, Jason decided to remain mobile. For the next hour he patrolled every inch of the park starting with the very outer perimeter. As he walked slowly through the ancient trees, Jason let his senses flow out. It required a great deal of his concentration but it was amazing what his hearing could pick up. He overhead an elderly couple discussing what they were going to have for dinner the following night. He then heard a young mum threaten her son with missing the festival if he didn’t start behaving. One thing Jason had learned in his short time as an alien shape shifter was that the other alien beings had a completely different smell to humans, no matter how they tried to blend in with humanity. He hoped his ability to detect others such as him using his olfactory perception would become an invaluable asset today.
After completing one lap of the outer limits of the park, Jason decided that whatever or whomever was going to reveal themselves wouldn’t be out this far from the main proceedings. He was about to start making his way in toward the central more populated areas when a scent caught his attention, stopping him dead in his tracks. The smell was definitely not of this world, but oddly strangely familiar. The air was extremely cool and his breath could be easily seen when he exhaled. This was made more noticeable as he stood poised, eyes closed, taking in big lung fulls of air through his nose. As the scent became stronger he turned in the direction of its origin. Then just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, vanishing completely from his senses. Jason’s eyes flicked open as he desperately scanned his immediate vicinity trying to locate his possible protagonist. He ran in the direction he had last held the scent and after a few minutes gave up, having seen no one remotely nearby.
“Shit, shit,” he cursed to himself. He continued to look around in the hope he might spot something, but in his heart he knew it was pointless. Whoever had been nearby had been watching him and had taken off before they could be discovered. The fact that they had gotten so close with nearly no detection spooked him greatly. They were clearly experienced in this area and more than likely hadn’t finished with him. Jason pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called the library to let Ms Jax know of his current situation but his phone was out of reception. He then tried Selene, with the same result. As he made his way back to the central area he tried several more times without luck. He didn’t want to go running back to Ms Jax with nothing concrete confirmed, so he decided to remain outside and continue his search for the mystery visitor. Again he wondered where Selene was and what she was doing.
Chapter 36
As Jason was being silently stalked in the park, Selene was battling an unseen force as well-time. The bonds that held her had been tied well. Ever since Ms G
aia had left, Selene had been straining valiantly against her ropes to no avail. She cursed herself for not picking up on Ms Gaea’s subterfuge. It hurt her pride to know that the key to this entire mystery had been under their nose and being coveted by a trusted friend no less. Tears of frustration trickled down her cheeks in the knowledge that her friends may fail due to the fact that she couldn’t get free.
“Damn it all!” Selene roared in anger as her head fell to her chest in resignation. She sat there for a long time, almost ready to give in as she thought of her friends and family in mortal danger. Slowly her despair gave way to defiance as she realised that the people she loved and cared for wouldn’t give up on her, and neither could she. This thought filled her with hope. She realised that her only chance of escape didn’t lie in futile strength, but in something she did possess-intelligence and cunning. She started to look around closely at her surroundings. Something caught her eye and a wicked grin spread across her face.
“I’m coming for you bitch,” Selene whispered to the darkness as she started to slowly hop the chair along the floor.
Chapter 37
The remaining Stumpp brothers had managed to elude Ulysses for the past hour, but not easily. They had been moving at a high speed, desperately trying to stay out of his reach. Although Ulysses had lead the hunt so far, the Weres weren’t just randomly running for their lives through the forest. The Stumpp brothers had been in the mercenary racket for the past three hundred years, plying their expertise as soldiers, assassins and bounty hunters. They hadn’t survived this long without a backup plan.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Ulysses was enjoying himself. His latest incarnation was a predatory creature from the dead moon of Rashtar. The beast was known as a M’org. At first glance he looked like a dead tree without bark, with grey mottled skin. Tall with a thick trunk-like torso, his strong powerful legs strode with purpose along the forest floor sending sounds of crushed logs in his wake. Ulysses’ four long arms appeared more like branches, his hands were wide splayd talons that easily pushed small trees from his path. The head of the M’org was a rough lump with no visible eyes or ears, but a large maw-like mouth with jagged teeth, nearly six inches in length. Ulysses made no attempt at stealth as he went in search of the Stumpp brothers. He was certain of two things as he hunted the Weres. One they wouldn’t be too far ahead of him, and two, despite the brutal killing of their brother, pride would keep them in the forest, their precious reputation meaning everything to them. Ulysses was also willing to bet they would have a plan B waiting for him, so this merry little chase they were leading was obviously designed to ensnare him into a well laid trap, with them as the bait.
The Stumpp brothers had prepared weeks earlier for the assassination of Ulysses Walker. As with every hit they undertook their employer was unknown to them. The Stumpp brother’s only stipulation was that they be paid in advance and they take a trophy of their kill, usually the head. This was non-negotiable. As soon as the money had been placed in their account they had started to plan the hit. Their employer wanted the hit to take place today, which suited them just fine, allowing them plenty of time to conduct surveillance on their mark whom they knew through reputation only. When Ulysses had unexpectedly taken off into the woods that morning they had been delighted, for even though it screwed up their initial plan, the idea that they could engage their target completely unnoticed and conducted in the old ways was an opportunity they couldn’t pass up. When they had first arrived in Perigord they had set up a weapons cache in the woods where it wouldn’t be discovered and they could quickly access it. Now after their disastrous attempt on Walker’s life, they had made their way to the cache with Ulysses hot on their heels. The brothers worked quickly, adding to the booby traps they had already laid. They reinforced their ambush area with claymores and grenades set on trip wires. They were ready for the shape shifter as they themselves crawled into position, armed with modified M4 assault rifles that housed forty millimetre grenade launchers. The tall Were scanned the trees waiting for Ulysses. He could hear the sound of him approaching in the distance. The fact that Ulysses wasn’t trying to keep his progress quiet meant that he felt confident. That would be his undoing, the tall Were thought.
“He will be here soon, and so will night,” the tall Were whispered into his headset as he watched the setting sun.
“For Michael,” the one-eyed Were breathed back. Then there was silence as they waited for Ulysses to trip their ambush.
As Ulysses crashed his way through the forest he was beginning to think that the Stumpp brothers had cleared off for good. Cowards, he thought. So used to their victims being just that. He had dealt with their type before-bullies, so used to getting their own way they truly believed there was only one way. Weren’t they in for a big surprise?
Chapter 38
It was now late in the afternoon and the people of Perigord were making their way to the centre of town. This wasn’t just an annual event to be celebrated yearly, but something that you only experienced a few times in a lifetime. Everyone in the valley would be in attendance. Jason was starting to get nervous. He hadn’t heard from anyone all day. Red flags were sounding in his head and he knew it was time to see Ms Jax and find out what exactly what they should do next.
As he made his way through the throng of people towards the library, all he could think about was Selene and why she hadn’t called. He was nearly at the front of the library when an all too familiar voice called out to him. He stopped in his tracks and turned to see his mother who was engaged in conversation with someone that Jason couldn’t quite see. Not now, he thought, as he tried his best to smile and not look worried.
“Hey mum,” Jason called back with a wave, as he reluctantly made his way over to her. As he got closer he saw that his mother had been talking to Ms Stonewall the Vice Principal. When she saw Jason’s reaction, a smile crossed her face.
“Hello Jason, I was just asking your mother where her son was hiding, then here you are,” Ms Stonewall said, her cold calculating eyes never leaving him.
“Hello Ms Stonewall,” Jason said his voice dripping in indifference. It must have been obvious because his mother gave him a reproachful look.
“Jason!” Helen exclaimed, but Ms Stonewall waved her off.
“It’s okay Helen. Not many kids want to have their parents associate with teachers, or the Vice Principal no less,” Ms Stonewall’s amusement was evident.
“I suppose that must be true,” Helen said begrudgingly.
“So what do you think of our little festival so far?” Ms Stonewall asked.
“The town seems to love it,” Jason replied.
“And you don’t?” Ms Stonewall asked in mock surprise.
“I’ll reserve my judgement until later,” Jason replied in a slightly irritated tone.
“Jason, what’s got into you today?” Helen scolded.
“I like his attitude. Anyone else in his position would be saying what they think I want to hear, but not you Jason, why is that?” Ms Stonewall enquired.
“Because I’m certain you’d see through my bullshit,” Jason replied. Helen looked on shocked, but Ms Stonewall laughed out loud.
“Excellent Jason, with that sort of insight you’ll go far. Have fun and enjoy the festival. It was a pleasure to finally meet you Helen. We’ll have to do lunch one day,” Ms Stonewall added before disappearing into the crowd. Jason watched her go then turned to find his mother glaring at him, her arms crossed.
“I don’t know whether to slap you or according to Ms Stonewall, congratulate you on your honesty and integrity,” Helen said bitterly.
“I’d go with the second one,” Jason replied cheekily. Helen went to give him a playful slap and broke into laughter.
“I swear you’ll go too far one day,” Helen said shaking her head.
“I’m sorry mum, but if you’d seen the way she was with me in week one you’d understand,” Jason said.
“I’m sure it wasn’t t
hat bad,” Helen replied.
“I know you’re best buds now, but I just don’t trust that woman” Jason said. It was clear that Helen didn’t buy his distrust of the Vice Principal. “Listen sweetheart, not to interrupt you, but I’m meeting up with a couple of the girls from work soon. Are you going to be alright? Where’s Selene?”
“At the mention of her name Jason completely lost interest in the conversation with his mum.
“That’s great mum. Have fun, I have to get going too,” Jason said hurriedly and then as an afterthought gave Helen a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll see you later, bye,” Jason added and took off in the direction of the library leaving Helen to watch him go. As he made his way he had a horrible thought. ‘What if that was the last time I see her alive?’ Jason wondered. ‘What if we fail and I never got to tell her how much I admire and care about her?’ This thought haunted Jason as he ran up the stairs and into the library. Sprouting wings, he flew down the length of the stairs, removing them on landing. He called out to Ms Jax as he ran to the staff area, only to have her meet him half way.
“Is Ulysses back yet?” Jason asked, only to see the worried look in her eyes. He knew the answer to his question. “Shit, the sun’s starting to go down outside and I haven’t heard from or seen either Selene or Ulysses,” Jason added.
“What’s the matter with Selene?” a voice called. Jason spun to see a concerned Ursula walking towards them.
“I haven’t heard from her,” Jason repeated.
“I don’t understand. She was going to see a friend this morning, then meet you here,” Ursula replied, fear spreading on her face like a cancer.
“Well I can tell you I haven’t seen her since last night,” Jason said. “The same goes for Ulysses, nothing since this morning,” he added.
“I’m afraid I suspect the worst. Whoever is behind this is well aware of our intentions to stop them,” Ms Jax said gravely.
