Throw me to the Wolves
I slowly open my eyes a crack, then slam them shut again afraid of going blind as the sun’s rays beat down through a crack in the curtains straight into my eyes, groaning, I roll over hoping to go back to sleep but after a tussle with the pillows and blanket I find myself more awake than ever. Admitting defeat I sit up wiping my eyes clear squinting slightly as my eyes adjust to the light. Like a snail peeping out of its shell I emerge from my bed and wrap myself in my dressing gown, half asleep, I wander down the stairs yawning and stretching my arms above my head. As I walk into the kitchen I find all the rest of the family sat around the table with smiles on their faces
“Finally, you’re awake I was about to come up and jump on you” my little brother David laughs his light blue eyes gleaming with glee
“It’s alive its alive, I tell you” my Dad laughs joining in and with the pair of them sat next to each other you would swear that they are the same person just aged a couple of decades. Both with the same blue eyes the same black hair and the same love of cracking awful jokes.
“ Nice of you to join us, I’ve been having to make sure that these lot don’t do eating everything before you get up” Mum smiles as I sit down to the table to find that despite her best efforts all I’m left with Is a few bits of bacon and some toast.
“I had the last egg” Laurens laughs spotting the disappointment on my face her light blonde hair a mess obviously not brushed and traces of toast around her mouth.
I say nothing as I sit there munching on my makeshift bacon sandwich as the others talk around me. They look like two sets of twins and one odd one out. Lauren has Mum’s dark brown eyes and blonde hair. I look nothing like any of my parents or grandparents, my hair a dirty blonde growing into curls as it gets longer and my eyes a darker ocean blue, a small nose and a set of rather prominent ears complete my abnormalities but I like the way I look especially my eyes. I sometimes lose myself in the deep blue.
“Have you finished that book you were reading yet Jason I want to read it?” David asks across the table his mouth full of half chewed food.
I’m a huge fantasy nut. Dragons, ghosts, werewolves, vampires the lot I love it, I much prefer books to films I mean a films fine, but with a book you create the world in your own imagination. It's how you picture it to be. The latest book to be added to the collection is one about a boy who finds a dragon in the modern world and I loved it.
“ I finished it last night so after breakfast you can get it if you want, just don’t ruin it, ” I reply still cautious about lending him books since he left one outside in the rain and it was destroyed
“I’ll look after it don’t worry,” he replies darting off from the table excitedly marching up the stairs like a herd of elephants.
Excusing myself, I head upstairs to get dressed and as I have done for the last month I walk over to the calendar that hangs on my wall. Each month with a picture of a different mythological creature. From fairies to centaurs, but this month has one of my favourites. A werewolf. The picture is of a huge, powerful creature standing on two legs like a man but that’s all that remains. Every inch of its body ripple with muscles and is covered in straw like black hair. Its eyes a crimson red so bright it stands out in the dark, its mouth more like the muzzle of a dog full of ivory white fangs ready to rip a chunk of flesh out of its next victim. Underneath the picture is something even cooler though every day this month so far has been crossed off until only three remain two unremarkable days and one day of importance. My eighteenth birthday. I feel like a little child in the lead up to it. There’s so much going. Normally I’m not one of the big party’s but my parents are making a huge deal out of it and seem to enjoy doing it so who am I to spoil their fun? There’s not to be any booze though, is one rule my parents are huge on. They are the ultimate health fanatics and I guess it’s kind of rubbed off on me too. Not so much the eating, but the exercise has. I love to run. The wind blowing in your face, the feel of your heart smashing against your ribs and that primitive feeling of satisfaction you get when you prove that you are faster than others.
Rooting through my draws I pull out a bright blue shirt and navy Tracksuit and head downstairs making a bee-line for the door. “See you later guys I’m going to go and see if Dan’s up yet” I shout and I’m out the door before they can reply. Dan’s my best mate, although He’s kind of like my opposite in every way like while I’m a huge fantasy nut, he’s logical, but maybe that’s why we get along so well like yin and yang and all that stuff We go to school together and have been friends since the start and he moved to Rathcoole last summer. It was great news Rathcoole is a very boring town with not many people our age around so for him to be moving here was great. I’d finally have someone to talk to. As I walk across the vast sea of green grass in the centre of the estate we live in find myself gazing around my home waving to the neighbours. Everyone gets along here and is friendly enough, but keep to themselves. I come to Dan’s front door and rap my knuckles off the painted oak. And moments later, he’s standing there dressed in full attire the same cheeky smile on his face as he always has his mop of light brown hair on his head covers his forehead almost down to his light blue eyes. Over his shoulders is his trademark backpack, which I knew he would have.
There’s a forest only a ten minute walk from the estate. Trees going on for as long as the eye can see. Dan and I love to go in there exploring childish for a pair of teens so what. There’s loads of cool stuff to find in the forest. Fox holes, Bones Nests. To us its heaven. We run through the forest feeling like we were the most badass people in the world. If anyone saw us they’d probably think we were a pair of walks. My parents hate me going up here they said it was too dangerous, but I won’t let them stop me from having a bit of fun. They probably know that I still go up here, but either realize that I’m not going to stop or they realize that I’m not going to hurt myself “One of you will fall and hurt yourself one of these days” they’d constantly say like a broken record last summer Dan and I even built ourselves a little shelter while we were up there. We own those parts. We soon come to the opening into the forest that we always use and brush the chaotic overgrowth out of the way as we make our way into our safe haven, but as soon as I got my way through the last of the overgrowth I can see straight away that something else has been here. Deep gouges cut into the bark of the trees like a bear was trying to cut them down. As if in a trance I walk over to where one of the trees has been slashed and place my hand against the ruined wood. The cuts go inches deep the floor covered with the decimated wood “What do you think done this Dan?” I ask turning around hoping he might with his logical mind tell me what it was because all that comes to my mind is the picture of my calendar.
“I….. I….. I don’t know,” he stammers his skin turning a ghostly white as his stand paralyzed to the spot. Walking around mind racing trying to think what it was that done this I come across something possibly even cooler than the tattered trees. Tracks
“Look at these tracks Dan” I exclaimed excitedly “they look like dog tracks, but I’ve never seen a dog this big” Dan walks over and observes the tracks and gasps. Imprinted on the earth is what looks like a dog footprint, the shape similar but the size it cannot belong to a dog unless it’s the size of a lion. “Come on, let’s follow them and see where they lead” I suggest excitedly but I find nothing but fear in his face, “No, let’s head back” Dan says firmly “You can if you want but I’m following them” and I dart off following the tracks.
I can hear Dan following reluctantly behind. The tracks seem to go on forever. I lose them a couple of times, but manage to find them again. Dan seems to be really edgy, which isn’t like him, but I don’t say anything. He’d tell me if something was up wouldn’t he? After following the tracks for what seems like an age they just suddenly disappear. Dan seems to let out a big sigh (out of relief?) and seems to perk up. But then I find something that stops my heart and I cannot hold back the gasp of horror. The trees here are painted red. Huge splattering’s of red that I know straight away is blood dripping onto the floor and staining the leaves and ground. I stand there for only a second trying to comprehend the scene till in the distance I hear a twig snap with such ferocity that I turn and run as hard as my legs will carry me not caring about the stinging nettles that brush my feet or the thorny brambles that cut my hands. Dan had already gone and I don’t see him as I run back as fast as I can. Not stopping until I’ve got home and collapsed upstairs onto my bed, unable to get what I had just seen out of my head. “Did you see anything cool up at the forest today “David asks me just walking into my room without knocking, so irritating. I know he won’t leave me alone until I tell him something so I lie and tell him we found an old fox den with a birds skeleton inside. “Can I come up with you next time, please it sounds so cool, ” he pleads with me “Sorry, but Mum and Dad would kill me if I took you up there and you got hurt” I say promptly
He storms out of my room in a strop like a small child. Little brothers go figure. And I hear him storm downstairs and into the sitting room
“JASON!” Mum shouts up the stairs and grumbling to myself, I head downstairs to face the inevitable.
That little rat he ran and told Mum and Dad everything I had ever told him about up in the forest. I want nothing more than to yell at him, but he’s hiding upstairs as Mum and Dad give me a good old telling off.
“We’ve told you so many times not to go up there it’s dangerous”
“What would you do if you got hurt or Dan did well? WELL?”
“I’d laugh at him for being stupid enough to get hurt” I know the moment it leaves my mouth that it was a big mistake to say that.
“That's how you treat your friends is it”. “Do you think you’re clever or something” They go on like this for ages. They don’t even let me out the room for toilet breaks, but shockingly, they don’t punish me any other way, just asked me to promise I wouldn’t go up there again. What they don’t know is that I won’t be going up there again promise or no promise. Being dismissed I head back to my room and turn on my laptop hoping that I might be able to find out what those tracks belonged to but I find nothing spinning around I find myself staring at the calendar staring at me and my eyes drift down to its feet and my heart leaps as I realise that one I’m being a fool they don’t exist and two the footprint is all wrong so my mind settles. Boy, I do read too much fantasy.
Something wrong with Dan of that much I’m certain. He seems to be a bit distracted of late always seems to be looking over his shoulder as if he’s expecting someone. I can tell something’s bothering him, but every time I ask him what’s wrong, he just looks at me and smiles. But it’s not his normal cheeky grin, it’s more like a strained smile when you’re having to be polite to someone you don’t like. He won’t talk to me about what we found up in the forest ever he always changes the subject back to football or something else, even if we had just talked about it or just says nothing till I start a different topic. This is not the normal Dan that I’ve known for almost six years he seems almost like a ghost of himself and I’ll be dammed if I’m just going to sit here and stress over it. No friends stick together and if he won’t tell me what frightened him so much I’ll find it myself. Even if it means going back to the bloody forest My parents think that I’ll stop going up the forest know, but I’m only more determined to go up there know something up there has scared the life out of my friend and I’m going to find out what it is consequences be dammed. I grab a few of my exploring tools a penknife a flask of water and some food. Shout up to my parents that I’m going out and slip out before they can ask what I’m going I don’t like to lie to them, but is keeping your mouth shut really lying I walk up to the forest’s entrance and head in and find sight that I cannot believe. The gouges in the trees have gone as if they had never existed. But I don’t let it faze me, I’m here to try and find what has shaken my friend so much and browse the floor trying to find the footprints once more, but like the trees all evidence of them has disappeared, leaving me to head back the way I came defeated and head home, I still had a bit of water left so I put in on my top and my hair to make it look like I’ve been running and head home but as I turn into the estate it straight away becomes apparent that something is wrong. There’s police cars at both my home and Dan’s. My first thought is of my family please don’t say anyone’s been hurt. I hope nothing serious has happened. I don’t utterly panic this isn’t my first time dealing with police. A few months back, I was involved with police for supposed assault, but the bastard had it coming no one lays a finger on my family especially my Mum. He thought I was out, but he got quite a shock when I ran out and knocked the stuffing out of him. I was given a warning, but I could tell by their faces that they went going to do anything else. The best thing to do is be honest. Yes, I did hurt him, but I had a valid reason. They left and there was no more contact from them. The lad that started it well let’s just say he won’t even walk past our house anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no hero I’m not even a great fighter, but there’s a line that you don’t cross. As I’m walking home a policeman gets out his car and calls me over and I can’t suppress that little tingle of fear down my spine
“Hey, you’re not Dan Lambert by any chance are you” a look of hope on his face
“Sorry, no I’m Jason a friend of his why is he in trouble or something” hoping that the answers yes, because otherwise that means something’s happened to Dan”
“I don’t think it’s my place to say, but I’d get home quickly if I was you “his tone sound quite sympathetic I tell him I will and bid him farewell. Our estate is pretty small and well laid out so it doesn’t take me long to get home. I can see a lot of the neighbours looking out the windows, but I know it’s out of concern rather that looking for gossip. Rathcoole may be a small town, but there is a strong community spirit.
I get to the door and can see my Mum and Dad sitting in the family room with a policewoman. They seem to be very upset Mum looks like she’s been crying.
I brace myself and head in. As soon as I open the door my Mum runs to the door and hugs me, normally I’d try to push her off I’m not I hugging person, especially around others, but this time I don’t and I hug her back, she doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t need to. When she finally breaks the embrace, she leads me into the family room and introduces the policewoman as officer chandler
“Please call me Lydia “she seems nice enough long blonde hair, green eyes she looks pretty young.
“Where have you been” my Mum asks with unexpected venom. This is no time for lies so I tell her I was up in the forest. She doesn’t say anything but gives me a look saying, well talk about this later and I turn my attention the police woman sat on the sofa “if you don’t mind officer, I’m mean Lydia, but why are you here?” she looks a bit taken aback by the bluntness of the question I think she had hoped to take it slow and tell me whatever it was gently.
“It’s about your friend Dan I’m afraid Jason,” she replies not fully answering my question.
“What, is he in trouble or something? I wouldn’t know anything I haven’t spoken to him in a while”
“No, he’s not in trouble at all, it’s just that he’s disappeared and
his Mum called us to try and find him and we thought you might know where he went” Lydia says bluntly I guess she realized I don’t need to be treated like a child. I’m shocked by this news, but something doesn’t seem right, I know Dan he’s not the type to run from something.
“He’s been missing for around a week sounds like that’s why he wasn’t contacted you”. Lydia seems like a smart cookie being able to put the pieces together like that.
“What were you doing the last time you spoke to Dan?”
“We were up at the nearby forest, but he started to feel ill, so we started to head back and I haven’t spoken to him since “ I tell her even though I want so much to tell her what I saw in the forest, but it’s gone. She would go up there and think that I’m a loon. Then I would never find out the truth Lydia leaves when she realizes I don’t know anymore and tells my parents, they may be back in touch and promises to do her best to find Dan.
“You promised that you wouldn’t go up to that forest again” Mum shouts as the police car whizzes away her voice full of hurt so I just stay quiet and nod slightly tuning off as the rant begins the usual “what if you fall” and “what if you got stuck” till she says something that I have never heard in the rant something that sets off every alarm bell in the back of my head “you have no idea what is in that forest”. Her face turns wool white and she looks at me as if a secret had been ruined.
“Go to your room now,” she says with a wave of her hand and I walk up to my room and sit slowly on the bed. “You have no idea what’s in that forest” the line keeps playing over and over in my head, maybe it just because it seemed out of place, maybe it’s because of the way she stopped after saying it and walked off after saying. Maybe it’s the way her face looked like she knew she shouldn’t have said and walks off mid rant “you have no idea what’s in that forest” what did she mean? Maybe they know what it was but why would they never go into the forest or do they? Something stinks here and I’m going to find out what. It’s not like my parents to hide something from me they value truth over anything else “a lie cheats everyone” my Dad often says. We are always honest with each other (well, almost cut me some slack will you) and my parents always encourage us to share our problems “a problem halved is a problem halved “is another commonly used phrase in our home, I think it’s stupid all you would have to do is tell your problem to loads of people and the problem isn’t a problem anymore. Is it possible that the same thing that’s frightened Dan so much is the same thing that’s frightening my parents so much? God, I hate being left out of secrets. Now what do I do, there’s obviously something in that forest that has freighted both my closet friend and my parents who are the toughest people I know. But what? I need to get up to the forest again and find those tracks. Those tracks are the key if I can find those tracks again and follow them to the source I might be able to find out what’s going on... So I sit there trying to come up with a way to sneak out of the house tonight without my parents finding out I’m at it for hours coming up with elaborate schemes then poking holes in them again till I hear the front door open. Curious, I open my bedroom door and look over the bannister to find Dan’s Mum stood in the hallway. I head downstairs feeling I should really go down and consul her. Walking into the sitting room, I find her sitting still in her pyjamas with a jacket over the top with my Mum and Dad fussing over her, she’s obviously been crying a lot her normally well-kept hair is a mess Mum and Dad both leave the room saying they are going to go and make some tea. We sit there in silence for a while, not sure what to say to one another. I want to tell her my fears, but I can’t even put it into words. With a shaky hand, she reaches into the front pocket of her jacket and pulls out an envelope and holds it out
“I found this in Dan’s room,” she says simply as I take the envelope from her hand gently afraid of breaking the fragile woman Jason, You have been possibly the greatest friend I could have wished for and I love you as a brother but now I have to leave. I cannot tell you why or if I will return, but it is breaking my heart to do so and I wish that I could be around to see you be the success I know you will be. Dan
The silence that follows is almost worse than the shouting. The tears that I had been holding back begin to flow. Dan you’re a fool. Running away, never solves anything. You taught me that when you got me to come home after I ran off after an argument with my parents. You should have come to me if there was a problem you know I would have been there for you like you have been for me. We could have taken this on together. But maybe he didn’t run of maybe he’s lying there hurt with no one to hear him. But then why did he leave the note and why all the mystery. What were you thinking Dan? There’s so many questions without answers. Why didn’t you let me help or at least try to help? Dan’s Mum says nothing as she rises and leaves and I don’t bid her farewell. I just sit and stare at the TV blankly nothing seems important know I put out a tough face for while the police were here but know its crumbling. I think about all the fun times we’ve had. Going down the town, playing football on the pitch, causing the teachers at school all sorts of grief Simple things that I won’t be able to do with him anymore. Missing isn’t dead I keep telling myself, but it’s only a small comfort. I feel a tear roll down my cheek and run up to my room before anyone sees. All I can think about is Dan. My parents have tried to help. They say that they understand, but how can they understand they’ve never had a friend disappear. The constant worry that there in trouble is enough to make anyone mad. But I know Dan, he’s the smartest person I know. He’s probably fine, just lost somewhere. Come home Dan please your Mum needs you, I need you. Come home to us David came in to ask me to play with him, but I said no and when he starts to pester I lost it and shouted at him he ran out crying. I felt bad, but I didn’t go after him like I would normally. Nothing seems to matter anymore. My parents try their hardest, Take me out shopping, and get me to go out with them to the park. I go to make sure that my brothers and sisters think I’m O.K., but my parents see straight through me they can see that behind the smiles and the wisecracks that my mind is somewhere else. I feel no emotion, not happiness nor sadness, not excitement nor disappointment. The world just rolls on around me while I’m locked inside my shell of grief. We are gathered in the sitting room watching a new film I had wanted to see so my parents brought it in the slightest hope that it will help but all that is on my mind is my missing friend as I sit there all I can think of is the forest. My mind tells me that it’s ridiculous, but my heart says he’s there. I can’t shake the feeling that’s where I’ll find him like an itch I just can’t scratch. So I rise without a sound and put on my shoes, my Mum looks at me as I open the door, but doesn’t say a word just a look of concern and leaves me to wander the streets and gather my thoughts
The sun is still beating down, a huge yellow orb in the clear blue sky, the streets are abandoned as I wander with only the want to find my friend to guide me. I’m not forced on direction relying only on memory of the route. A couple start to catch up behind me, I’m not surprised the route I take is very popular so I pay them no attention. But then something else catches my attention I’m at the opening to the forest. So much of me wants to go in there and search for answers, but I also want to put it all behind me, everything seems to revolve around this forest somehow and if I’m ever going to find out I’ll have to go back. While I’m standing there I realise that the couple of walkers that were behind me are walking towards me. Maybe me and Dan weren’t the only ones who went in there “or maybe they're looking for you” part of my brain says and losing my cool, I turn to walk on but I turn into one of the walkers. He’s tall with blonde hair cut into a Mohawk. Blue eyes, they look almost exactly the same colour as Dan’s. He’s dressed in a pair of worn Tracksuit pants and a Manchester jersey he looks like he’s around his mid twenty’
s I turn around to walk the other way but I’m blocked by the other walker. She’s short with almost unnaturally black hair cut very short at the sides with the middle still quite long which looks almost like its standing on end.
“Look, I don’t know who you guys are but you better leave me alone or I’ll….” I start trying to sound less frightened than I am
“You need to come with us” the man remarks his voice deep and dry
My heart starts to beat so fast that insure it’s going to burst out my chest. I’m terrified. I have no idea who these people are or what they want with me, but I'm sure that they don’t have good intentions. My eyes dart from side to side trying to see if there is any possible way for me to get away but I find none.
“I wouldn’t bother trying to run or shouting for help, we would easily catch you and there is no one around to hear you” the man says.
My mind is racing trying to find a way to escape. There is no way that I would be able to run past them into the road, but I can run the other way. Into the forest. The idea seems mad but yet it may just work. I smirk to myself.
“What’s so funny” the woman asks confused “I hope you like nature” I say and turn and flee into the mass of trees in front of me.
I run as hard as I can. Pushing the muscles in my legs to the brim. I don’t bother trying to move around the lower branches and both my arms and face are sore from being hit. I can’t tell if they are following me. I haven’t looked back to see every ounce of energy I have is being used to run. I start to slow and look around trying to see if they have followed me, but I can’t see anything then CRACK. A twig snaps just to the side of me and I whizz around to see what it was and I can’t see anything, then I hear the rustle of leaves behind me and turn to see what is there only to find that there is nothing there again. I turn to start to walk back and find in front of me stands a sight that takes my breath away.
Stood a short distance away from me is a creature I only know from books and films. A werewolf. Stood at almost twice my height arms and legs rippling with muscles. What must have been its hands and fingers is now a set of razor sharp claws just waiting to rip into my flesh. Its face is twisted into a vicious snarl. Drool leaking out of its mouth onto the floor. Its teeth showing long and razor sharp. They look like they could even cut through bone like butter. Its eyes look full of hate and anger. The white is not white at all but rather black. Its iris is the most vivid shade of red it’s almost like blood. Its fur is perfectly black all over and looks almost like it takes the light from around it and makes the place dark. I’m frozen to the spot as this behemoth of a creature starts to pad its way towards me, its eyes fixed on me. I turn to try and run in a panic and in faced by the same sight except this one is not as bulky and not as high up. They start to circle me, toying with me almost. I stand there with fists raised, trying to look like I have a chance of fighting back, but I know I don’t stand a chance the smaller of the two wolves’ jumps at me and I duck and it flies over me. The other one jumps at me and this time I can’t get out the way and it hits me like a car knocking me to the ground. It pins down my arms with its front legs and it looks me straight in the face. Drool leaks from its mouth soaking my top. Its breath stinks like a dogs. I scramble across the floor trying to get away, but in pins my arm down with one paw. I try to pull it loose, but it won’t budge. Using its free paw it seems to take its time slowly cutting up my arm with its claws almost smiling as I scream in pain as it rips through my flesh. As I lay there on the verge of losing consciousness I hear faint footsteps coming towards me growing louder and louder and moving at incredible speed. The two werewolves leave my side to investigate. I open my eyes to look and see what was going on and see the two black wolves stood in front of me parted just enough that I can see what was making the footsteps stood in front of the two wolves is a man I have never seen before. He looks old enough to be a grandfather. His hair is a light grey colour and is tied in a ponytail. A shabby beard just as grey covers the bottom of his face. His eyes are vibrant purple colour. That is strange enough, but he is not alone stood at his side is a wolf, larger than a normal wolf built more like an ox but other than that it looks ordinary its fur a mix of shades of grey
“Leave know and we will let you live” the man says and both the black wolf turn and start to back away till they're both at my side and one raises a paw and holds it over my neck but the man’s face stays stern.
“Harm him and I will make sure that you die slowly and painfully” the man replies and the werewolves paw slowly falls from my neck.
“Now leave and there will be no fighting today,” he says almost like an order and the werewolves don’t move growling softly their eyes fixed on the intruders
“Fine then, have it your way” the old reply’s and in an instant he is gone, replaced by a wolf much like the other except this one has fur of a perfect snow white. The sight of the two wolves is enough to send the werewolves fleeing with their tails between their legs.
I stand there with my mind numb with fear, pain and confusion. I can feel the blood running down my arm drenching my skin, but I don’t make a move to stop it as I stare at the two wolves stood in front of me. The gapping mound on my arm burns with searing pain and I fall to the floor in agony. The damp ground softens the fall as I lay there sobbing in pain. My entire body is burning. The world flits in and out of focus and I must be hallucinating from the pain because the wolf seems to change shape into a boy who looks remarkably like Dan.
“Oh, Jason, what have they done to you,” he says, his voice solemn “hold on Jason it’s going to be okay,” he says as he holds me in his arms. The old man soon joins his side and looks down at me an almost disappointed look on his face. “Leave him Dan, he’s one of them now he’s lost,” he says, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder
“NO…. I won’t let it.” Dan sobs “that is your decision Dan I won’t sway you, you know the risks as well as I do.” the old man says coldly. He sits there looking at me such sadness in his gaze. Tears roll down his cheek and under his breath he whispers. “I’m sorry but the risk is too much Jason. I cannot save you from this” he says before rising to his feet and reluctantly walks away from me laying on the ground. The old man whispers something to him that I cannot hear and without looking back the pair disappear as quickly as they appeared. I lay there unable to will my body to move as the sound of their footsteps gets further and further away till all I can hear it the sounds of the trees and the birds. The abandonment sends a wave of anger through my soul. I got into this mess trying to find him and when I do he just leaves me laying here to die! Well I’m not going to let it happen. I roll onto my back and lay there for a moment breathing deeply to get my breath back and send oxygen to my limbs. Using all the strength in my body I sit up crying out with the movement of my arm. My entire forearm is red from the cut but the bleeding seems to have stopped. I slowly push myself to my feet moving as little as possible. My legs feel like jelly underneath me and I wait a moment before taking a step but that moment isn’t enough and I sway wildly and have to support myself on a nearby tree to avoid falling and starting again. A quick deep breath and a begin trudging through the woods each step takes an eternity and I seem to make almost no headway. I have no idea what direction to head in completely acting on gut instinct and hope.
I feel dizzy and sit on a fallen tree to wait for it to pass but what feels like minutes pass and it doesn’t fade. The world is spinning and I have no idea what to do. The forest shows no sign of thinning out, I have way to contact anyone and I’ve lost a lot of blood. No sooner have I assessed the situation to be near hopeless does a body begin to emerge from the growth in front of me. Flitting between the trees trying not to be seen moving faster than my eyes can see. “Who’s out there? Please I need our help” I shout desperation creeping into my voice. For a moment nothing happens and I sit there wondering if maybe I had imagined it when the person emerges from the back of the trees and my heart stops. My situation was almost hopeless before but now my fate is sealed I thought I had found help but instead I found hell. Stood there gazing at me a flicker of shock on her face is one of the two werewolves that attacked me.
“No way” she gasps walking towards me. I don’t bother trying to run. There is no point. I can’t out run that. I sit there fighting not to show any fear. The girl crouches in front of me and grabs my arm harshly tuning it to get a good look at the wound. “This would have killed most people yet you not only survived it but walked away from it” she mutters as if I’m not here and I just look at her blankly. As she looks at the wound my breathe catches in my throat and I cough painfully. My heart beats faster and faster beating faster than should be possible. The force making my ribs ache. My world spin faster and faster till everything is smudged together and I fall of the fallen tree to the ground and the girl looks at me with what almost looks like concern. “Oh my……” she starts stopping midway as I lay there unable to do a thing. She crouches next to me and pushing her lips right up to my ear she whispers “I’m sorry but I can’t let you change. Not here. Not now” she whispers and before the sound has faded the world goes dark.
“He can’t be. He said it was the other one. The younger one” “he must be. No one else could have survived that sudden change. The sheer shock should have killed him let alone the change.” The voices are right next to me but they sound like a whisper as the world comes back. My eyelids flutter as I wake up with no memory of how I got here but in a wave of memories I remember everything before. I manage to not panic and do anything reckless and stay laying there listening to the pair. One of the voices is unmistakably the girl from the woods but the other I have never heard before. His voice so forceful it leaves no room for argument. “I’m telling you there is something different about him. Before I stopped him turning I saw his eyes” she says stopping at what must be the key point “and Clair? What did you see?” the man asks eagerly “they were red” she says and an ominous silence grips the room
“Wait……” the man says and I feel the vibrations in the ground as he walks towards me. “Instead of lying there on the ground pretending to be asleep why don’t you get up” the man says and with a gulp I climb with surprising ease to my feet. The pain in my arm has gone but I don’t have time to look as I find myself face to face with the man. His face hard and stern with no trace of emotion. His ice blue eyes so cold they send a chill down my soul. His arms crossed obviously not impressed. Dressed all in black with shaggy black hair. I don’t turn away but instead hold his gaze. I strange instinct to hold my ground fills my brain and as we stand there in a glare off a smile threatens to creep into his face. “Not many people will stand face to face with me.” he says his voice still firm but soften slightly. “That tells me almost everything I need to know about you but not your name” he says going from intimidating to friendly in a second. “Jason” I say simply looking around me. I’m stood in a dingy, damp room. All four walls nothing but bare concrete. No windows, the only light coming from a small bulb above us. The floor is almost bare other than a couple of sleeping bags and a single duvet that I was laying on. Dried specks of blood cover it. “I’m Luke and that is Sarah” he says waving at the girl who stands there intimidated by the man. “What do you want with me?” I ask afraid but seeing to be doing a good job of hiding it. “We didn’t want you. This is a turn of events that was never in the plans. We came here looking for something not someone. It just turns out that thing is you.” he says speaking in riddles “you’re not making any sense” I protest irritated “how familiar are you with werewolves and lycanthropy?” he asks raising a bushy eyebrow “a bit. It’s a curse or disease that makes a human part wolf and they change with the moon.” I say getting a laugh in response “I bet you think we fight vampires too. Some see it as a curse yes but not all and yes it makes us part wolf but it’s not as black and white as that. Any people think they both talk about one thing. They don’t” Luke explains
“Your friend Connor is what you call a werewolf. They are the more recent what you might call breed taking the form of the animal completely while you and I, we are lycans.” He says as if discussing the weather but I’m hit with a bombshell “you’re kidding right?” I scoff but his face remains serious “you was turned. Just scratching doesn’t do it you have to actually want to turn them.” Luke explains “so who was it that turned me then? You? Sarah? WHO?” I shout and the power in my voice stuns me. “I did” Luke replies “well my wolf did. That’s one of the differences between lycans and werewolves. They are in control as their wolves. We don’t.” Luke elaborates and the way he says it so plainly is cruel. “So do you know why your wolf done it?” I hiss “I think it knew that you was the one. It knew that you are the wolf of shadow” “what the hell is the wolf of shadow?” “The wolf of shadow is a legend in our race. It is the strongest of us. It is the lycan that we have been waiting and praying for”
“And you think that it’s me?” I reply my brain overwhelmed “no. we know that it is you” Sarah says prompting a glare of daggers from Luke. “So what happens now?” I ask knowing I’m not going to like the answer.
“Your body is still adapting and as such you may feel nausea and suffer migraines but the worst is over. You will need to leave with us and learn how to control the wolf or it can and probably will consume you” Luke says almost ordering me. “And if I refuse? Tell you I’m not going with you and go home?” I reply not leaving his gaze “then head out the door and head west you will be home before dinner” he replies waving at the door. “That’s it? I’m free to go?” I reply puzzled “there is no rule forcing you to stay. We will be here for a few more days so if you change your mind” “I won’t” I but in and head towards the door “Just one more thing Jason.” Luke calls and I stop “Keep an eye out for hunters” he calls and I walk out the door.
I discover that this whole time we have been inside the foundation for a new house. The garden outside is overgrown and the construction looks abandoned. I have no idea what the time is or what I am going to tell my parents but I’ll have time to think on the way but only one thought fills my mind or rather one person. Connor. He abandoned me, left me for dead. I thought he was my friend. At first I’m sad, sad that my friendship was a lie then that sadness turns to anger. It boils my blood and what seems like a growl escapes my lips.
The sun is setting as I get to the outside of my estate but I hesitate. What will I tell them? I have no idea how long I have been gone. I’ll tell them I got lost up in the forest and hope that they don’t pry. Taking a deep breath I head home for some reason afraid, part of me feels like this is wrong like I’m going the wrong way but I ignore it and carry on. The estate is almost derelict as I head home and I find the car gone. The floor around where it was covered in clothes, food anything and everything. I try to open the door and find it’s locked. No one answers my knocks. I’m stood there for a solid five minutes before the hairs on the back of my neck stand on edge and I turn around to find stood at the edge of the drive my once friend now I don’t know what Connor. “They left Jason I’m sorry. When they found out what you are” he says calmly and I don’t move the news hurting more than any broken bone. “I’m sorry Jason really I...” “You left me” I mutter and Connor stops “I was laying there bleeding and you walked away without looking back” I say louder this time anger creeping into my voice “I couldn’t help you Jason. I’m sorry for what you have become” Connor says his voice full of genuine regret “and what am I Connor? You keep telling me you it’s all because of what I am. I had no choice. I didn’t chose this no more than you chose your parents. What I am doesn’t change who I am” I protest passionately outraged. Slowly making my way from the front door to the end of the drive till we are feet apart. My hands open and close as I look at him the memory filling my head “why did you come here Connor?” I ask his appearance makes no sense “I came to apologise and to see what my friend has become” “and are you pleased with what you see Connor? Do I meet your high expectations? Are you expecting a monster or a quivering boy?” I rant pacing back and forth the emotion flowing freely mixing into a mess. “I don’t know what I expected but I had to see” he replies. “Now you have seen you can leave” I demand waving him away but he doesn’t budge. “No Jason you have to leave. This area is our territory and you have to go” Connor orders and I twist my head to face him and growl “this is my home. I am not going anywhere” I reply turning my back to him walking back to the front door. I can hear his footsteps behind me, brisk and full of purpose. I can almost feel the air move as his hand falls towards my shoulder. Spinning around I grab his arm in the air and his face becomes snow white.
“I told you I am not going anywhere” I snarl but he is not intimidated “yes you are” he says smirking sending a left hook flying catching me hard on the jaw and stumbling to my feet. “Please Jason just leave” he pleads and I don’t reply staying crouched on the floor. I rise slowly my breathing deep and slow my finders balled into fists. I move fast rising to my feet and swinging a long left with the turn of my body. I catch Connor hard on the temple but feel nothing as I watch him fall sideways landing with a thud on the tarmac. I don’t stop picking him up by the side of his clothes I fling him through the air and he skims down the road like a stone. “You don’t have the right to tell me to leave” I cry walking after him as he tries to pick himself up “Jason” a voice I’ve only heard once shouts, turning my back to Connor I find the man who convinced him to leave “ don’t go down this path. Connor had to leave you. If he had tried to save you it could have killed you” he says bluntly and I’m halted in my tracks
“The mix of the two bloods could have killed you” he repeats his voice and face a blank canvas. “I’m sorry Jason I really am but there is a way to save you” Connor groans picking himself up from the floor.
“Save me? What make me human again?” I ask half hopeful and he shakes his head. “No you would be a werewolf like me” he says simply. “No. this is the path I’m on and I’ll follow it wherever it leads” I decide. “Then I’m afraid you will have to leave. This is farewell between us Jason and I hope we don’t meet again” he says leaving the threat hanging in the air. “I will come back Connor and when I do I hope I don’t find you here because I don’t think the shred of friendship we have is going to hold long and when that tether snaps I will be coming for you..” I growl. Turning my back I set off to my new home, my new family. I don’t look back I don’t cry or feel sad. That chapter of my life is over. A new one begins.
As I walk back down the road to the shell of home my mind is racing. The way I picked up Connor and threw him with such ease, no one has that sort of strength? Part of me feels guilty, he didn’t have much of a choice but then there’s a side of me that can’t look past his abandonment. He left me there then convinced my parents to leave. I stop at the side of the road
and take a deep breath trying to control my thoughts. My family is done. I’m at war with my best friend and in a monster the like of which I have never seen. Tears roll down my face at the thought of my family. Mum and Dad, Lauren and David. I might never see them again. A deep breath and a wipe of my eyes and I start my journey again though this time I look back even though I can’t see home. Maybe it’s better this way, maybe in not supposed to stay home. One thing I do know is I have nowhere else to go.
I find Luke and Sarah sat outside the grey shell talking but they stop as soon as they see me and both look at me Sarah with a look of hope and Luke with a gaze of surprise. “I didn’t expect to see you again” Luke comments dryly “nor did I but before I go anywhere with you I want to know exactly what I am” I demand and a smirk crosses Luke’s lips “I told you before you are the shadow wolf. The strongest, fastest Lycan.” He says and jealousy stains his voice. “You are thinking of leaving aren’t you?” Sarah asks sounding sadden by the idea “Most Lycans do but I would advise you don’t. Most lone wolves don’t last too long.” Luke adds and looks like he is about to say more when footsteps start from inside getting closer and closer till the maker emerges. His face soft but strong his head and chin face covered by a slightly greying beard. His eyes seem to look straight into your soul and read everything. Dressed in a colourful short sleeve shirt and a pair of slightly faded jeans and black trainers. “But most lycans aren’t you” he says his voice gentle and reassuring and I feel all anger melt away. “I would be nice if I was you Luke. He may be a new pup but I’ll bet he’s stronger than you” the man says seriously and Luke just grumbles “ please follow me we have a lot to discuss and out here I feel like I’m going to be heard” he says and I follow even though I had been planning to leave the room we walk into is far lighter than the one I was in before and boasts a couple of stools and table along with a sleeping bag “ please sit” he says waving at the free stool as he sits on the other. “I’m Ryan and the one that was put in charge of finding you” he says just as I sit down. “Well not you specifically but what you are” he says obviously realising what my next question would be. “And would you care to be a bit more in depth about what I am?” I ask irritated that everyone is only half answering the questions. “You are the descendant of the first lycan. Your blood is already a fraction wolf so the change is easier for you. You are the only lycan able to control your wolven half and are stronger and faster than the rest of us” he says simply and stops giving me a chance to process the information. “We didn’t know it was you. We only knew it was one of your family” he adds and pulling a thickly folded piece of paper from his pocket he lays it on the table and I straight away realise what it is “A family tree” I gasp. Running my finger along it I’m lost “none of the names on here are my family” “no none of the names of your kidnappers are here. The people that had been raising you were hunters. They took you and killed your parents.” He says softly and I shake my head “no. your wrong” I protest but it explains why left so quickly. “I’m sorry Jason” Ryan says placing a hand on my shoulder and I see genuine sympathy in his gaze “why do you care? I’m not related to you or even friends with you” I snap my world going mad. “No but you are a Lycan and all lycans are family” he says and I see the same hope I will stay in his gaze. “If I stay what happens then?” I ask “you will come with us to meet the rest of the pack. You will learn how to fight, how to control the beast inside and then if you want to you can help us. “Help you what?” “Help us hunt down the Hunters and help us finally live in peace.” He says and the idea of a home is a lift to my heart. “You don’t have to be alone Jason. Come with us. We are not monsters. You are free to leave anytime.” He says and walks out leaving me to decide and it’s an easy decision. I have no alternative. I have nowhere else to go, I have no one else. I am a Lycan so I may as well live like one.
The Last Umbrian Page 1
