The Chronicles of Beast and Man

by J. Charles Ralston

  “I was just...” Freddy said as he stood up from his hiding place.

  “I know you meant no harm. Besides there is very little you could do to harm me.”

  Freddy looked down at the throwing knife to see that it was a remarkable weapon, the handle appeared to be made out of ivory and the blade looked as if it were sharp enough to cut through solid metal. When Freddy examined it slightly closer he noticed an engraving in the shape of a wolf’s face.

  “You’ve seen it.” Xerxes’ words struck Freddy like a lightning bolt.

  “What?”

  “The lycanthrope, the one who has tormented this area, you have seen him?”

  Freddy did not answer the question he only stood with a blank, lifeless look upon his face. He had wanted to answer, and tell him yes, but he had worked so hard to tell himself that he had not actually seen it that his mouth refused to let the words escape his throat.

  “It is fine young one, you need not speak. I know what you have seen, it will all be over soon. It is now time to prepare, are you with me?” Xerxes asked as he slung his trench coat over his shoulders.

  This was all so strange, and it felt so unreal. Freddy was left speechless, had this bizarre man asked him to join him in battle against a beast written of in folklore?

  He looked back to see Xerxes' hand extended out toward him, it was true.

  “You don’t need my help.”

  “Don’t be disrespectful. Help end this madness, and learn to fight bravely.”

  His words were so full and powerful, he had to accept.

  What was next? Rod couldn’t help but wonder.

  Rod was familiar with the phrase, "May you live in interesting times", which at that time they certainly were. But he felt that he could definitely do without most of it.

  The recent murders had created a frenzy like nothing he had ever seen. Everything had changed; his reputation and his own attitude as well. No one was looking at Rod in the same way that they had before. Prior to the murders, if anyone had any serious problems, most people went to Rod. Now he was not sure if he would even want to ask himself for assistance. As he drove across the snow covered streets, he thought about the amount of pressure that had been placed upon him. He had to find a way to overcome this, he had to move forward and not lose a single stride. This fierce creature had to fall before it took another person’s life. It was going to be a tremendous battle, but Rod knew that it had to be done. Likelihood of survival seemed low, but with enough firepower behind him it seemed more possible. On the next full moon he would face it, once and for all. But he knew he would not be able to fight it alone, he was going to have to enlist assistance. He had no intention of gathering a manhunt to the likes of the one that had recently been formed. He was going to only ask men who would be prepared for a battle with a murderous monster, not a simple deranged person. While these thoughts rattled around in his skull he felt a bit deranged. It was now impossible for him to deny, this was an extraordinary situation. No one would be able to grasp this, he was going to have to use strange means to fight the unusual situation.

  Rod couldn’t help but let out a lighthearted laugh at the thought of a simple, deranged person. Who in their right mind would have ever thought that something like this could ever happen?

  All the heart ache, the death and the destruction, it was unspeakable.

  It was in that moment Rod realized the connection that he and this beast actually had. He was able to make a distinct tie between himself and this fierce creature. It suddenly felt as if the creature did not exist, perhaps he would not either. He had become the Sheriff because of the beast, and had been given a large amount of respect when the thing stopped killing. It was as if fate had placed the two of them on each other’s paths. Now he would have to prepare for the grand finale, a battle to end all battles, perhaps. But who on earth would Rod enlist to do battle with such an evil? He thought about his deputies, that was the obvious choice. Rod was fairly sure that anyone who marched into battle against this creature would be facing certain death. It would be very hard for Rod to ask anyone to prepare for such a situation. He even considered asking for Hank’s assistance, but at his age, Rod assumed that it would be an ill request.

  Xerxes, when he thought of him it seemed so obvious. He had no idea why it had taken him as long as it did. Rod had not liked the man, but he certainly seemed to think he knew how to handle this creature. If Xerxes turned out to be wrong, then the beast would probably vanquish him, and Xerxes would no longer bother him. Also, if Xerxes was some kind of fraud, he might create a diversion, in turn making it easier for Rod to slay the beast.

  Now the next thing would be figuring out how to find Xerxes. It always seemed that he was around at the most unexpected time. Medusa was not too large of a city so finding him probably wouldn’t be a big problem.

  The next question was who else to ask to assist with this hunt? The only other person he thought of was Deputy Dolgen. More than likely Dolgen would agree to come along, even if he thought the idea of a superhuman beast completely insane. Dolgen would more than likely go along just by the chance that they might catch the real guilty party.

  The next few days proved to be all business as usual. Rod was no longer investigating the Killer Wolf Murders (as the town had grown to call it). Several federal agents had been in and out of the police station for files and statements from police and others involved. Rod was able to avoid most of the FBI’s questions and did not care to speak to them about anything at all. Despite this sudden lack of interest in the case, he was secretly still very involved. Behind closed doors he planned a hunt for the creature. He had not spoken to Xerxes yet, but that was the only piece missing from the puzzle. He would use whatever tactics Xerxes claimed to understand. As for weapons Rod had removed three 12 gauge shotguns, and ten boxes of ammunition. He also planned to carry his pistol and a combat knife on his side. Rod was not about to leave anything to chance.

  Even though Rod hadn’t been able to locate Xerxes, he went ahead and asked Deputy Dolgen to join the hunt on the next full moon night. Dolgen seemed a bit confused at the new direction Rod seemed to be looking at the case, but agreed to go along. Another citizens’ manhunt was already being assembled. Rod couldn’t help but wonder if some might wonder why the Sheriff and Deputy were not taking part. Then again, at that point it did not really matter anymore. Rod only needed to concern himself with terminating the beast and ending the killings.

  Later that day, as Rod continued his search for Xerxes, he was suddenly caught off guard when he saw Marcy walking down Main Street. It was not so much just seeing her that got his attention. It was a bruise on her face really that surprised him. Rod immediately knew who was to blame for the wound. That situation was out of Rod’s hands, their eyes connected for a brief moment, and then the moment was gone. The relationship was over, but the connection between them was not gone. He knew it, and she knew it as well. He drove on and his thoughts continued, he thought about himself. He wished that he was dead, dead and gone so he wouldn’t have to care anymore. Never before had he let his flaws seep out and control him in such a way. He could feel himself slip back behind his emotions they were starting to take control. He wondered if he were dead, would it make things easier?

  Would it make things better?

  He came to the answer that was more than obvious to him. The answer of course was no, he had a commitment to stand strong for the good people of Medusa. He was going to serve and protect, and kill in their name if asked to.

  “A silver bullet through the heart?” Freddy asked if this was the way to kill the beast.

  “The tales of today, and the ones of yesterday are very different. The use of a large or powerful weapon is much more important than the type of metal that is used to kill the beast.”

  “So what, a sword, or an axe?”

  “I always use one of these.” Xerxes removed a large case from the corner of his motel room. He unlocked several straps attached to the side, he
then opened the case to reveal a filthy brown and black crossbow.

  “I go for a shot to the head, or to the heart. Once the beast is down, I always severe the head. That will assure a perfect kill. I have seen these creatures rise back up from the most damaging of wounds.”

  Freddy looked over the kitchen table full of weapons, he slowly placed his hand upon a shotgun.

  “That would be a good choice; it would definitely be enough to stop the creature, than you could finish the job. These beasts have a healing factor like nothing I have ever seen before. The removal of the head is completely essential.”

  Freddy understood what Xerxes was telling him, he only hoped that if he had to do it, he would be able to kill.

  “After the beast is beheaded it will return to its human form, if the beast has created a spawn, the spawn will need to be ended as well.”

  Freddy heard Xerxes’ words, but hoped that maybe he was mistaken.

  “Wait, so if this thing has children, we will have to kill the children as well?”

  “It is the only way. If the spawn were to grow old it could be more powerful and more dangerous than the first.”

  Freddy thought about what Xerxes had said. He was not sure what to think of this, had it meant what he thought?

  “You don’t mean that you have executed a child?”

  Xerxes turned toward him with a harsh look of discontent. Freddy would not ask again, it was obvious that Xerxes had and he had with good reason. Xerxes’s silence had said everything.

  “How will you find it?” Freddy asked with great interest.

  “Everything is alive, the earth is our mold, we rise up from nothing and eventually fade away back into nothingness. When the lunar cycle summons the man who is possessed by the creature he changes. His chemistry and aura changes completely and he becomes the lycanthrope. I can sense his every movement, he will not be able to escape me.”

  “I am sorry, but if this is true, why have you not killed it yet?”

  “It would disturb the balance, you will understand soon.”

  Freddy did not understand Xerxes’s obscure words. To him it was just more mystery stacked upon his already enigmatic persona.

  There was a knock on the door, Xerxes excused himself and walked over. To both Freddy and Xerxes’s surprise, the man standing behind the door was Rod Truex.

  “I do not know why you seem so surprised. With a name like Xerxes, it wasn’t hard to find you in this town.” It was then that Rod saw Freddy Alexander sitting on the couch.

  Rod could not help but comment on Freddy’s being there. Xerxes then expressed that he and Freddy seemed to have a common interest.

  Despite being confused with Freddy’s presence, Rod asked if he could have a moment to speak with Xerxes outside. Xerxes nodded and followed Rod outside of the motel room.

  “I don’t know exactly what your relationship is with that young man, but I certainly don’t understand.”

  “He is willing to help us stop the creature.” Xerxes said with a serious gaze.

  “He is just a kid, what in the world could he offer to your operation?”

  “I feel that you are not giving the young man enough credit. He has shown me that what he might lack in experience he makes up for in energy and intelligence.”

  Rod was becoming increasingly bewildered, he had sought out to find Xerxes to ask for his assistance. Now that he had found him, he was shocked to learn that he had begun preparing for battle with the aid of an individual he considered no more than a child.

  “I would be lying if I said that I understand, so I will get straight to the point. I want your help in getting rid of this problem. You claim you know how…it is time to prove it”

  “Five.”

  “Five, what?” Rod asked confused by the random number that Xerxes requested.

  “Five thousand dollars and I will kill the creature.”

  “You can’t be serious?” Rod snapped back at the request.

  “You want the pain and suffering to end. That is what I need to promise you that it will all end, and I want it in full the night of the next full moon.”

  “I am not going to give you five thousand dollars and send you walking in the woods.”

  “Oh, but aren’t you coming along as well?”

  “Yes, I intend to do so.”

  “Then there should be no problem, you will watch as I execute the creature.”

  “Yes, but if I kill this thing before you do, there will be no five thousand.”

  Xerxes smiled, it was the first time Rod had seen the man smile. It was the first time he had seen him make any facial expression other than a blank death stare.

  “I have said my peace, if you do not give me what I want, the beast will remain to torment.”

  “You have a deal, okay?”

  “If you would just step inside I can begin teaching you how to stop the creature and how to understand it as well.”

  Rod laughed at Xerxes’s words.

  “That sounds very nice, but I do not need a training course in hunting werewolves. You just let me know where we’ll be meeting on the next full moon and take care of this.” Rod said and walked away shaking his head.

  Money, it always comes down to stupid ass money, the root of all evil as they say. Rod hadn’t known what to make of Xerxes this entire time, but now the puzzle made a bit more sense. He was still human, no matter what he needed money for goods and services just like anyone else.

  Julie Lovett arrived at the police station at a quarter till five in the afternoon. She had parked around the corner in an attempt to not attract the attention of on lookers. She had already been visited by them on three separate occasions, but had said nothing. Somehow she was able to sneak past their news vans without being noticed.

  “Julie, what are you doing here?” Rod asked as soon as she stepped inside.

  Deputy Dolgen and Arnold Omaha were both surprised at her random visit as well.

  “I would like a word with you.” She said directly to Rod.

  “Sure…”

  “In private?” She asked as she looked over to Deputy Dolgen and Arnold Omaha.

  Both men stood up and excused themselves. While leaving, Arnold gave her a nod and a sympathetic look, hoping she understood how sad he was for the loss of her husband, and his good friend. They then exited through the back door, where no media would be to ask them annoying questions. Rod had let the reporters know that the investigation was now under control of the FBI but they did not seem to care. The news reports had continued to pressure his men for answers that they simply did not have.

  “Julie, whatever you needed you didn’t have to come down here. If you had called I would have drove to your house.”

  Julie then moved in closer to Rod and looked directly into his eyes. He had never been this close to her, he felt a bit intimidated by her strong feminine presence.

  “Listen to me. I need you to find the person who is responsible!”

  Rod began to explain the situation to her. He was going to tell her that the FBI was in charge now. He was going to continue on but was cut off before long.

  “Oh don’t give me that, I know better. You are still investigating; I knew you wouldn’t be able to leave this alone.” Julie said cutting Rod off in mid-sentence.

  Rod said nothing in reply, he felt lost in her words and her strong gaze.

  “I want you to find the person responsible for these terrible crimes, and make him pay! I want you to make him bleed!”

  A bit stunned, he continued to explain that he could only begin the process. The rest of it would be left to the justice system.

  “I don’t want a trail, I want death. I want him to suffer and understand that when you do something like this you can’t just get away with it. I want him to know that there is a price to pay.”

  Julie’s words were shocking, and ever so real. Rod could feel his legs begin to weaken as she spoke.

  “Can you do that for me?”

&
nbsp; “Yes.”

  They would exchange no more words thereafter, Julie accepted Rod’s promise and left. Rod felt that she somehow knew that after the next full moon it would all be over. He of course had no way of knowing this for sure, but a look in her eyes gave him more assurance. He was haunted by the tragedy which was all around him. He wanted to hide his head and drive down below the ocean. He wanted all this but more than anything he wanted justice. This was what kept him going, giving up was not the answer. It was time to “buck up or shut up” as Rod’s father used to say.

  The snow crunched under his large black boots as he walked across the open field surrounded by miles upon miles of timber.

  “I have shot a gun before.” Freddy commented to Xerxes who was now placing a half empty bucket of paint up on a post.

  “No matter, if you have shot a gun before. You need to be sure that you are able to use your weapon well. You need to understand your weapon, and know how to create the most damage. It is very important that you are as prepared as possible.”

  “What about the Sheriff?” Freddy asked questioning Rod’s abilities.

  “Every man chooses his own fate. I can only hope that the brave sheriff has not already chosen his.” Xerxes answered as he walked further away from the paint cans.

  When Xerxes said that, Freddy noted again how different Xerxes was from other people he knew. He spoke differently, he dressed differently. Without a doubt he was indeed truly unique.

  “You know, you don’t talk much?” Freddy said in the form of a question.

  “Sometimes silence can be more meaningful than words.”

  Freddy contemplated what he said, it made perfect sense. He could not begin to count all the conversations he had been in that had no real meaning or purpose.

  “Where are you from…I mean, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “I do not mind; I was born in Italy, raised in Russia and moved to South America when I was eighteen. You could say I have been all over the world for many different reasons.”