Two Wolves, One Shadow

by Chris Smith

The howl of an animal resounded across the water, shattering the calm of the lake. James stopped paddling, allowing the board to drift on the gentle current. Lifting his head, he listened. The familiarity of the sound was disturbing and he prayed for the long dreadful cry to stop. Where had he heard that same cry of anguish before? But before he was able to work out the what, where and when, a second howl rang out. This time the wail was unmistakable; James realised that the sound of terror and despair he was hearing at that moment was the same sound keeping him awake at night — the cry of a bloodthirsty werewolf.