The Original's Return (Book 2): The Original's Retribution

by David Watkins

  Bryant stood up.

  “You came back.”

  Jenny said nothing.

  “I don’t know how to say sorry. That wasn’t me.”

  She shrugged. “I know.”

  How can you know? You only met me yesterday.

  He returned his gaze to Knowles and his team. “I will kill them all.”

  “Yes, but there are too many today. Come with us, get help.”

  “I'm sorry,” he tried to say again.

  Jenny looked away. “Come with us, Jamie.”

  She turned into a wolf and padded away into the woods. Bryant looked back across the field to the house. The soldiers were sifting through the ruins. Despite the devastation to the house, they would surely find the bodies of Rogers and Ryan soon. Maybe they would assume him dead too. That’s a pretty big maybe. Bryant knew he had bought himself a couple of days’ breathing space at most.

  I don't want this, not any of it.

  Think of the power.

  Bryant turned away from the house and started to run after Jenny and the twins, changing mid-stride, travelling fast to catch them up.

  Chapter 13

  1

  “You're sure?” Katie asked for the umpteenth time. John smiled at her, also for the umpteenth time.

  “Just go, Katie. Me and the little man will be fine.” He gestured to the cot, where Josh was fast asleep. “I'll just watch some TV. Bound to be a film on somewhere.”

  “Thank you, John.” Katie started to put her trainers on. She was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt for a band that had broken up last decade.

  “Karen’s waiting for you. She’s a bit nervous - thinks you'll leave her behind.”

  “I haven't run in ages, John. She'll be fine.”

  “Still, she’s nervous.”

  She’s not the only one. Katie looked at the sleeping Josh and felt tears well in her eyes. This would be the first time she had ever left him: the first time they would ever be apart.

  It was barely a week since the wolves had attacked her home. Several days of sleepless nights - for her, not Josh. She knew they would be back, and they would be coming for her. This irrational fear would reduce her to a quivering wreck in the middle of the night, but it was still there in the daytime, gnawing away at her subconscious.

  Katie still had the shotgun; the police had not confiscated it, nor even asked about it. She had shot one of the wolves that had entered her house and had tried to shoot the other one. But then, as the wolf bore down on her and Josh, a huge wolf had arrived and killed it. She shuddered at the memory. Those were the facts from the evening. Everything else… The wolf had looked at her and seemed to focus on Josh. There had been something very familiar about its eyes.

  Something that was also absurd.

  She had not told anyone about her thoughts. They will take my baby away. The shotgun was only the first part of her plan to keep them both safe. The second involved getting fit again. Katie had run three times a week, every week since finishing university. Horrified at the weight she'd put on over the course of her studies, she'd set about losing it all. In the process, she'd become addicted to running, and had run the London Marathon twice before she met Jack. She'd run through the first six months of pregnancy but then stopped. Running with a growing belly had just not been fun. Fitness had been important to her then and was even more so now: being fit might literally mean the difference between life and death.

  You can't outrun a wolf.

  She pushed that thought aside. She could certainly try, and if it came to it, she didn't want her lack of fitness to be an issue. She leant into the cot and planted a gentle kiss on Josh’s forehead. An Elbow song immediately sprang to mind and she smiled. I plant the sort of kiss that will not wake a baby. Something like that anyway. One of Jack’s favourite bands, when he was in a mellower mood and not listening to those awful rock bands he also liked.

  “Go on, Katie, we'll be fine,” John said.

  She hugged John tightly, gave Josh one last yearning look, then went downstairs and out into the street. Karen had parked directly outside her house, and she waved hello as Katie got in the car.

  “I'm a bit nervous,” Karen said as she pulled away.

  “Me too.”

  “First time you've left him?”

  Katie nodded.

  “It gets easier.”

  “I'm not sure I want it to.”

  The rest of the short journey passed in a comfortable, companionable silence.

  2

  The sign read 'Huntleigh Woods' and underneath listed the walks you could do around it. There were further signs announcing that the land was owned by the Forestry Commission and not to block any gates. A conspicuously new sign informed readers that certain areas of the woods were currently out of bounds and not to trespass.

  The women walked past the signs and stood at the top of a track. They had two choices, left or straight ahead. The circular track ran around the outskirts of the wood, so it didn't matter which route they took.

  “Which way do you want to go?” Karen asked.

  “Jack always went left,” Katie said. She lifted her left ankle behind her, stretching her thigh.

  “So,” Karen copied her and nearly lost her balance.

  “It’s the easier run. The hills are steeper, but you end on the flat. Go the other way and you have a really long hill to finish.”

  “Do we have to run up the hills?” Karen looked even more nervous.

  Katie laughed. “Not today, but we will eventually. You'll be surprised.”

  “I will,” Karen muttered.

  They started jogging, Katie setting a slow pace down the hill into the woods she hadn't visited since her husband had fallen into a hidden cavern so many months ago.

  3

  Karen was out of breath before they'd gone more than two hundred yards. Katie was surprised with how good she felt to be running again. Ahead of them, the track levelled out for a while before dropping down further into the trees. It was darker here: the large trees cast everything in deep shadows. The temperature fell too, although they were both warm enough.

  The track started to head up for the first short hill, and Karen stopped almost immediately. She walked up the hill. Katie ran on, pushing herself to reach the top. They had not run far, no sense walking yet. At the top of the hill, she stopped and jogged on the spot whilst waiting for Karen to catch up.

  “You love it don't you?” Karen said, breathing heavily as she approached.

  Katie shrugged. “Yes, always have.”

  “I hate it,” Karen said.

  Katie burst out laughing and stopped jogging.

  “This was your idea,” she said.

  “I know, I know,” Karen said. She patted her stomach. “I love cake too much. Now I'm in my forties, I've got to do something.”

  “You could stop eating cake.”

  “That’s the most ridiculous thing you've ever said.”

  “Just a thought.”

  “It’s a miserable one.”

  Katie laughed again and set off at the same slow pace she had started with. Karen sighed then followed her, running quickly to catch up then slowing to match her friend’s pace.

  “So, they given you a date for your window?” Karen asked, between breaths.

  “Not yet. They've agreed to do it, though. I need to get three quotes and then they'll sort it out from there.”

  “So how did it happen again?”

  “I don't really want to talk about, Karen.”

  “Is that because you've been lying about it?”

  Katie stopped running so abruptly, Karen was five paces ahead before she realised. “What do you mean?”

  “Katie, sorry, but you really are a terrible liar.”

  “I-”

  Karen laughed. “Windows don't just fall out, Katie. What happened?”

  “You wouldn't believe me if I told you.”

  “Katie, you're my friend. Whatever is happening with you, I've
got your back. You know that right?”

  “A giant wolf, that looked like Jack, jumped through it and ran away whilst a soldier shot at him.”

  “Girl, you’re nuts, you know that right?”

  Katie laughed again. It felt good to laugh again, but then Karen had always been good company. She had always found ways to make Katie smile.

  “So what really happened?”

  Katie held her gaze.

  “Seriously?” Karen had her hands on her knees, breathing hard. Sweat was beading on her forehead and had started to trickle down the side of her face. She looked at her friend, not quite sure whether she was having her leg pulled.

  Katie nodded, slowly but definitely.

  “Christ.”

  “Yes,” Katie said. “Now do you see why I don't want to talk about it?”

  “Those wolves all got burnt in that fire.”

  “That’s what they told us. There are more of them, though.”

  “How many more?”

  “I don't know,” Katie said. “There’s at least one more.”

  “That looks like Jack?” Karen shook her head. “You know that’s you projecting right?”

  No, I'm not projecting. I know what I saw, both in my house and in the hospital on the night Jack died. He IS the wolf. It’s real, all the stories and the myths. And he’s still out there.

  Instead she said, “Yes, I know that. I miss him.”

  “We do too.”

  “My boy needs a dad.”

  Karen hugged her long enough for tears to well in Katie’s eyes. “Come on, let’s finish this stupid run then go find some wine to drink.”

  “It’s not even ten yet Karen.”

  “It’s six o'clock somewhere, right?”

  They ran on.

  4

  Five minutes later they were at the bottom of a big hill: the biggest in the circuit. Karen took one look at it, swore and started walking. Katie smiled and ran on, waving over her shoulder. A piece of advice about running she'd been given years ago spurred her on. Never stop on a hill; always get to the top, then walk for a bit to get your breath back.

  Halfway up the hill, her legs were burning. I am so out of shape. She looked back at Karen and instantly felt better, but she saw something out of the corner of her eye. She turned towards it and stopped running.

  Police tape was tied around the trees to her right. Plastic barriers formed a rough circle around a hole in the ground. The barriers were emblazoned with signs declaring 'Danger' and 'Keep Out'.

  Katie took a deep breath and walked towards the barriers. She heard her name being called and ignored it. She touched a barrier with a shaky hand. Five metres away the pit yawned, black and threatening even on this glorious day.

  A hand touched her on the shoulder, the touch gentle yet firm. “You ok?” Karen asked.

  Katie forced herself to nod. “I've not seen this before.”

  “You ok?” Karen repeated after a moment.

  “I-” Katie stopped. “This is where it all changed for us.”

  “I know.”

  Katie shook her head. “You don't. No-one does. Except maybe that soldier.”

  “Soldier?”

  Katie waved her hand, a gesture to mean nothing, never mind.

  “Come on, it’s just a hole in the ground.”

  “Jack fell in there. Imagine that, Karen, he was in there for hours until they rescued him. He must have been so scared.”

  “Yes, but they did rescue him. He even got to you in time for Josh’s arrival.”

  “It must have been so dark in there,” Katie continued as if Karen hadn't spoken. “He saw things in there. A stone slab, that’s what he said. Covered in carvings. A man, with horns.”

  “Yeah, John told me.”

  “It was dark, though, Karen. How did he see all that in the dark?”

  “Um, it was daytime? The sun?”

  Katie shook her head. “It’s dark here, with all the trees. Sunlight wouldn't get in there, would it?”

  Karen shrugged.

  “How did he see the carvings, Karen? Even with light, there wouldn't have been much, it would've been like dusk. Not enough light to see any details, surely.”

  “I don't know, honey, your eyes adjust, don’t they?” Karen said. Her brow was creased, and she had her hand back on Katie’s shoulder. “He’s gone, Katie. I'm sorry.”

  Katie gently lifted her friends hand off her shoulder. “I know.” No he’s not. “I didn't think through coming here. Can we run somewhere else next time?”

  Karen grinned, relief apparent in her face. “Of course, we can run anywhere you want. Particularly if it’s near a pub or somewhere we can get prosecco.”

  “Deal.” Katie started running again, faster this time until she heard Karen grunt behind her. She slowed down, letting her friend catch up and she forced a smile onto her face. Katie didn’t make eye contact with Karen until they were back at the car, and Karen didn’t force the issue.

  I will find out what happened here.

  Chapter 14

  1

  Knowles stood to attention in Raymond’s office. Only twenty-four hours since I last stood here. Jesus. Just a day since Bryant went AWOL. Raymond had been yelling at him for a full five minutes now, but Knowles didn't care.

  “Our cover story won't hold you know. Nobody is going to believe a gas main exploded under that house. People will have seen the helicopter. What were you thinking?”

  It took Knowles a moment to realise that this time Raymond was actually asking him a question. “Sir, I had received a message from Private Singer. He sounded terrified, sir and I felt that strong action was required.”

  “Strong action?” Raymond spat the words. “Well, it doesn't get much stronger than blowing a house up.”

  “No, sir.”

  “Do not underestimate me, Knowles. You have created a very serious situation for us.”

  “Sir, I made a judgment call. If I had the time again, I would still do it. I believe it was the right call.”

  “Christ, Knowles.”

  “Sir, a ground assault could have led to a slaughter. We didn't know how many wolves were there. Bryant, by himself, could have taken us all out. I watched these things take out a police squad in Barnstaple. I was there when they wiped out our base.”

  “And you came out without a scratch on you. Very commendable, sergeant.”

  No scratches you can see. I can’t remember the last time I slept through a night.

  “Sir, we can't take chances with these things. If we get the chance to wipe them out from the air, then we take it.”

  “What if there were civilians in the house Knowles?”

  “There weren't.”

  “What if? What then?”

  Knowles shrugged. “Collateral damage.”

  “You are a hard man, Knowles.”

  “No sir, I am a survivor.”

  Raymond chuckled at that. “Yes you are, sergeant. I had another look at your file. I couldn't work out why you are still a sergeant. Today, that became abundantly clear. Do you go out of your way to piss off your superior officers?”

  “Yes, sir.” Knowles sighed inwardly. This is nothing I haven't heard before. “I mean, sorry, sir, no, sir.”

  “You are lucky that you're not in jail right now Knowles. The people upstairs are not happy with you, not happy at all. Neither am I.” Raymond paused. “Your actions today could have seriously compromised this mission and led to the deaths of civilians. Any repeat of this and you will be dismissed from Her Majesty’s forces. Am I clear?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I managed to persuade the boss that you could be useful. You are still the only person that seems to understand the threat these things possess. Smith wanted to weaponise them didn’t he?” Raymond didn’t wait for Knowles to nod. “Well, trust me, that boat has long sailed. The wolves present a threat to the security of this country, the like of which we have never seen before. You could still be useful to us
Knowles: your knowledge of Stadler and the wolves is second to none. You still have your job due to the Devon op; maybe you should be grateful for that. Dismissed.”

  Knowles marched out, past the two MPs who were looking seriously annoyed. I will never be grateful for going to Devon, you arsehole.

  2

  Jack was in chains, with two armed guards stood at the door to his cell. He raised his head when the door opened. The sudden streak of light blinded him momentarily, and he jammed his eyes shut. When he opened them, Knowles was in front of him.

  “Come to laugh?”

  Knowles shook his head. “You know there is nothing I can do about this.” He gestured to the chains and the heavy door. It was still open, the two guards flanking it with guns ready. “You brought this on yourself.”

  “It wasn't my fault,” Jack said.

  “So you keep saying,” Knowles said. “You scared the shit out of Raymond.”

  “I couldn't help it,” Jack said. “I heard Bryant’s voice and lost control.”

  “Twice.”

  “What?”

  “Twice. You've lost control twice. First when you met, then again just from speaking to him.”

  Jack nodded. “It’s not my fault,” he said again.

  “How will you help him if you can’t control it yourself?”

  Jack remained silent.

  “I can't get you out of here Jack, even if I wanted to.”

  “I could free myself.”

  “Yes, but how far would you get? You could kill me, the guys there, but then what? There are over one hundred people stationed here, and after the events of the last twenty-four hours, they're looking for an excuse to bag themselves some wolf.”

  “I would heal.”

  “Yes, but at what cost? How sure are you that a stray bullet wouldn't hit anything vital? We still don't know the limits of your healing. What if someone decides that your head would look good in the mess? How sure are you that you'd recover from that?”

  Jack stayed silent. He knew that Knowles had a point, knew that he was no closer to Katie and Josh. What could he do?

  “You said 'if you wanted to',” he said eventually. “What do you mean? Am I stuck here?”