Metamorphosis
God I wanted so much power. Maybe not even power, more like appeal, strength endurance. I guess I want all that I’m not. You see, I’m not the greatest looking kid in the world. I mean, remove the glasses, style the hair, put me in some really nice, in style clothes, and I might just be able to pass for the notch right below average. I walk with a slight hunch, partly because of the curvature of my spine. I’ve got gangly arms, and I’m skinny. Not just thin skinny, I mean I’m five nine and probably weight about a hundred pounds; if I’m lucky. So because of my very thin muscular structure and my extraordinarily geeky look, I have become the joke of a lot of kids and the abuse from a lot of the jocks. I can take it all though. I’ve been used to being picked on all my life, so getting it even more throughout high school is no big deal to me. I’ve gone through two years of it; one more isn’t going to hurt. Everything was going as they always do, go to school, get pushed into lockers, my books and papers get slapped out of my hands, kids play keep away with my glasses, mocking, harassing, and if I was lucky, Gwenyver would come to rescue me. She would get the other kids to leave me alone for at least part if not the rest of the day. I thought of her as my friend since we talked in school often, but felt otherwise; someone who is a grade higher and has long, black, beautifully silky hair, deep brown eyes, a cute little nose and a radiant smile, just doesn’t have lower grade dorky friend like me. Though she wasn’t the most popular girl in school, she was liked by the right people. Anyway, Rick is the lead jerk in the school, also known as the most popular and one of the most athletic. So this is where it all begins.
One night I’m out for a walk, like I do to help me think or to help clear my mind. Looking up at the stars was always something that could help me do whatever I need. The stars were, in a weird sort of way, my energy. While looking up at the stars I saw a shooting star, first one I have ever seen. So I did what everyone does, I made a wish upon it. I shouldn’t have been out that night for there had been reports of animal attacks. So far three people have been killed by a wild animal or animals in the past two days; two on one night and the third the following night. Well, the warning was there and at the same time my wish came true. Walking through a field I heard a crack in the woods, as if someone was with me, walking parallel to me. I was frozen, petrified, thinking that someone was going to kill me. From the same direction, me not moving a muscle, a low growl erupted, like a dog. Thoughts morphing from person going to kill me to animal; a wild beast was going to rip me to shreds. I was going to be another victim like the others the past couple of days. My heart was pounding and I was going frantic. The low growl grew fiercer. I was about a half a mile from my house, no way could I out run an animal. Scared to death, I saw the beast’s eyes, blood thirsty and hungry. Its teeth beamed in what light there was; its mouth larger then any wolf I’ve ever heard of. I took off, towards my house, hoping to find a way to free myself from this chase. The monster barreled out of the woods after me. The creature was a good six feet tall, but seemed like a wolf other wise. I was able to make it into the woods and dodge a tree, the animal crashed right into it, almost splitting it in two. Enough to by me a few seconds before it got right back on my trail. I ran faster then I have ever run before in my life, the beast’s jaws snapping at my back. I got lucky again, as the creature went to leap on me; I tripped over a tree root, tumbling forward as the monster landed far ahead of me. I was able to look up just in time to see the creature turn around, ready to pounce once more. I started to crawl backwards, my legs not wanting to function properly anymore, fishing through my pocket for my Swiss army knife. I pulled the knife with my one hand as my other arm reached up to guard against the animal’s bear trap of a mouth. As the beast clenched down on my arm, I sliced its left eye, from forehead to check, making sure the point dug deep into the socket. Wounded and partially blind the animal ran off letting go of my arm. I hurried home to wake my mother, having taken off my shirt to wrap my arm up.
“God Martin, what happened?” rushing to my arm
“I was attacked by an animal mom, it’s pretty bad.” I said in excitement and panic.
“Get in the car; I’m taking you to the hospital.”
We drove to the hospital, as I told my mom of the events that had occurred. Getting my arm examined by the doctor, “Now you say a dog did this to you.” Bandaging it up, taking the proper disinfecting procedures, as well as applying the necessary sutures.
“Not just any dog, this thing was huge doctor. Like at least five times the size of any normal dog. The thing was larger then a person if it stood up on two legs.”
Looking at me skeptically, “A man sized dog, so like a Great Dane?”
“No doctor,” shaking my head, “Great Danes are thin, this thing as very much muscular. Picture a thin body builder, like one with small highly toned muscles. Now make him into a dog and like twelve feet tall or long or how ever you’d measure the thing.”
Nodding his head, “Hmm, I think you’re just a little excited about the event that occurred and you’re mind is exaggerating them to make them make more sense to you.”
Pointing to my arm as the bandages are completed, “Did that look like any type of normal dog bite? The thing could have ripped right through my arm, had I not practically cut its eye out.”
“Well, I think you should just rest and take it easy for a day or two. Don’t want to reopen the wound at all. Make an appointment in a week so I can see how you’re doing.” The doctor said before leaving the room. My mom and I got ready and went home. That night I had a dream. I was in the woods again, only I wasn’t running away from anything, I was actually the one doing the chasing. I couldn’t make out who it was, I didn’t really care. All I wanted to do was to eat them, rip them apart, and taste their blood. I awoke the next morning in a cold sweat, my breathing heavy. I walked downstairs to my mom fixing breakfast for me and my dad. My dad reading his morning paper, speaking from behind it like it was a barrier between him and the world.
“So, your mother told me you were bitten by a dog last night.” He said without concern. “I told you it wasn’t safe to go out at night and do your little walks.” Not caring that I was a victim.
“Yea, you’re right dad.” I sat down and started eating my breakfast so I wouldn’t have to say anything.
“Were you checked out for rabies?” turning a page in the paper. My mom answered.
“The doctor said he was alright, there was no sign of a rabies infection.” She said, refilling my dad’s cup of coffee, “Shouldn’t you show some sign of concern? Your son was almost eaten alive.” He glanced at her.
“For goodness sake, he was bit by a dog; granted a wild dog, but a dog.” Instead of sticking around to argue that if it was a dog, it was a wild dog that must have been eating steroid induced animals, I headed off to school. Since I missed my bus, I had to bike the entire way there. My mom trying to convince me to stay home and take it easy, like the doctor said, but because I’m me I had to get to my classes.
Walking through the doors and getting to my locker the same time Gwenyver was walking to her class, she asked, “Jesus Herb, what happened to you?” Pointing to my arm.
“Well I was walking last night, you know how I walk and just think. Well I was attacked by a gigantic wolf. It almost ripped my arm off, but I stabbed the thing in the eye. Speaking of which, I left my pocket knife in the woods.”
“Whoa, that’s intense. Anyway, you’ll have to tell me all about it later, I’m late for class and I think you are too. That’s a first isn’t it? I’ll tell everyone to lay off you for a few days, so you don’t mess up your arm any more then you already did.”
“Thanks Gwen, I appreciate it.” She ran off to her class and I got the necessary books for my classes. History was first, and even though I didn’t like it, I always liked the teachers. The last one was hysterical, making comical humor of the past in order for us to learn better. But I believe he was one of the animal’s victims. I walked into the room and there he was the new guy. Wearing a white suit on the first day, I thought was kind of cheesy, but at the same time it looked good on him. His back was facing the class, he was writing notes on the board. He stopped writing before I even opened the door.
“Herbert Rosewood, I presume.” Speaking my name as he turned around, revealing his scarred face. He had a patch over his left eye and the scar went from his forehead to his cheekbone.
“Um, ye… yea that’s me.” I stuttered out, attempting to reach my seat without being bothered by the rest of the class.
“Mr. Herbert Rosewood, I will take this opportunity to inform the class my extreme displeasure to tardiness. I will enforce the rules of this school to the highest degree when it comes to it. Please take your seat.” Turning back to the board and writing the notes for the day. I looked around at everyone, some staring at my arm but everyone was paying attention. Either they were reading what was being written or they were actually taking notes. Somehow, he obtained the attention of the entire class, something I’ve never seen done by any teacher in my classes. I immediately started doing what I always do, take the notes and doing the homework, which was normally more then what was assigned, but I covered whatever was going to be assigned.
Class ended and everyone left in a hurry. It seemed they were intimidated by this new teacher; however a few girls took their time glancing at him and talking amongst themselves. “Herbert, I would like to speak to you.” He spoke as he turned around once more, his back turned to the class previously. “What happened to your arm there?” he pointed with inquiry.
“Well I take walks at night every once and a while and last night I was attacked by a wolf.”
“You’re going to be alright?” A hint of sincerity could be heard in his voice.
“I should be alright, so long as no one hits my arm too bad.” I said lifting my arm. “Can I ask you how you got the entire class to not whisper, snicker, talk or throw stuff without facing them at all?” I said with utmost curiosity.
“Simple, it deals a lot with persona, aura, and demeanor. By generating a commanding, threatening, serious, or militant persona, or what have you, you can then project that on to others. It’s something that comes naturally. Targeting those who can create such effects on others and eliminating their hold allows you to control them instead. You have that Herbert, only you let it get beaten down by others.” I smiled at his story. “Why are you smiling?”
“Simply because no teacher ever seemed to do that before, get the class as they were.” “Herbert,” he said with a smile, “You haven’t even seen a fraction of what I can do. I promise I’m full of surprises.” I nodded and left the room to go onto my other classes. I caught up with Gwenyver later on and filled her in on the details of the excitement of last night. She got everyone to leave me alone, which was great, but a couple of the goons, Rick especially, guaranteed me abuse the next day. When I got home, I wasn’t feeling well. So I did what I always do to take my mind of my illness, I searched for random stuff on the internet. Since I was attacked by this wild dog I decided to search on the net for the animal that attacked me. I stumbled onto some pages describing larger dogs but nothing containing what I saw. I scrolled through some more web pages and decided to take a look at a werewolf page. I decided to look into it, finding an exact picture of the creature that bit me. Right as I was getting to some interesting information, the door bell rang. I didn’t think much of it, until there was a knock at my door.
“Yea?” I asked, minimizing all my windows. The door opened and in walked Gwenyver. “What are you doing here?” I was shocked.
“I wanted to see how you were holding up. Can’t a friend check up on a friend?” She looked at me with a smile.
“Well yea, but I…” I didn’t want to finish what I was thinking.
“You… what?” She stepped in closing the door behind her.
“I didn’t think you thought of me as a friend. I mean because of the people you know and of who I am and all.”
“What do you mean, I stick up for you and everything, and you didn’t think we were friends?”
“Well, look at me and then look at you and all the people you are friends with and know. I didn’t want to think too positively and get my hopes up.” I said with a smile.
“Herb, I’m your friend, and if I have to prove it in some other way I will. In fact, I think you might be one of my better friends. I can talk to you a lot easier then I can most my other friends.” I smiled at her comment. “Anyway, how are you feeling?”
“Eh, not so good. My arm’s on fire and I feel warm.” I turned my chair to face her as she sat on my bed.
“Um, well maybe you should go to the doctors, because it
sounds like infection and fever to
“I’ve another appointment in a week, so I should be fine. Plus I don’t get sick, I’ll be alright. I’ll just take my mind off of it like I do when I get sick.”
“Really that works for you? What do you do? I normally just drink tea and try to stay home as long as possible.” She let out a little laugh.
I laughed a little too, “I search for useless information…”
“So you opt to learn when you don’t have to when you’re sick?”
“Well it’s more of little things that may or may not prove useful in the future.” Spinning my chair and clicking on my sites. “See this is what I was looking up.” Gwenyver got up to look over my shoulder.
“Werewolves huh?” She kind of joked.
“I’m serious Gwen. This is what attacked me last night. If it is a werewolf then I’m cursed. It says here that I’m allergic to silver, and that a full moon will change me into beast form. It also says that I will get enhanced attributes, like strength, speed and endurance…” I trailed off. She looked over at me.
“Herb you alright?” She asked worried. I shook my head.
“Yea, yea… you know when you see a shooting star you should make a wish on it?”
“Yea, so?”
“Well, I did, last night. I saw a shooting star for the first time and I wished that I would be strong and better looking. So people wouldn’t want to pick on me and those that did I would be able to defend myself against.”
“Herb, c’mon, first werewolves and now wishes coming true. You’re really living in a fantasy now.”
“You don’t believe me do you?” I looked down at the keyboard.
“I can deal with the star and wishes, but I don’t know about this werewolf deal.” She said skeptically.
“Alright, it also says accelerated healing. So, how about we take a look at my wound huh?” I started to undo the bandages.
“Herbert! What do you think you’re doing?”
Smiling because I was so sure, “Proving a point” Finishing unwrapping my arm we both looked at it, nothing had healed up. In fact it looked worse then before. “Oh well um, maybe it takes some time before I get the healing part down.”
“As I said Herb,” She started re-bandaging my arm up, “You should see a doctor about this.” I just watched her care for my arm. When she finished she looked up. “What?”
I shook my head, “Nothing, never mind.” I swiveled my chair to face my computer and before I could put my feet down on the floor she swiveled it back to her.
“Tell me what you were thinking.” She demanded.
“I just don’t get why you care so much. I don’t deserve it.” I looked her in the eyes.
“Don’t talk like that Herb; you’re a great guy and a great friend. And I care a lot about my friends. Well I need to go home and get my homework done. Do you need help writing anything with that arm?”
I nodded no, “I do all my homework in class.”
“So you don’t ever have work to do at home? Wait, how do you know what the teachers are going to assign?”
I smiled, “No I never have homework, and I do the entire page. Handouts are just done in other classes which don’t have a lot of problems.” She nodded in understanding and then laughed.
“You’re such a nerd.” She said with a smile to know she was saying it in a playful manner. “I’ll see you tomorrow Herb.” She said leaving my room.
That night I had the same dream, again I couldn’t make out who I was chasing. Again I woke up in a cold sweat. My arm had no pain or burning sensation. The bandage came loose through my tossing and turning and my wounds were closing up real fast. The stitches were removed and the holes from the creature’s teeth looked like scratches. Not wanting to look like a weakling and get picked on even more, I bandaged my arm up again. Arriving at school, skipping breakfast not feeling to hungry and avoiding conversation with my dad, the usual harassment started up again. My first class seemed relatively normal, aside from the entire class behaving. I stuck around to talk to Mr. Walker, being that’s what I often do to teachers I like. “How’s that arm doing Herbert?” He asked.
“Good, it feels a lot better then yesterday. I’ve an appointment in a week to get it checked out again.” He nodded. We continued to talk about a few things, mocked parts of the past as well as related it’s usefulness to the present and possible future. I left to head to my next class when Rick pushed me into my locker. Something told me to stand up to him but after being pushed all that resulted was an evil glare. I eventually caught up with Gwenyver, “Hey Gwen, I need to show you something later on. Can you come by after school?” I asked with slight excitement.
“Umm, I’ll have to see. I might be going out with a few friends to the mall or something.” Not wanting to hurt my feelings.
“Alright, well then I’ll just tell you now then.” Moving in closer to her and whispering, “My arm is completely healed. There’s not a mark on it.”
Looking at me curiously and not believing my words. “Well then why wear the bandage?”
I laughed at the comment, “Cause if I don’t wear it for another few days, then people are going to pick on me more. Anyway, I hope you have fun with everyone later.” walking away with a slight confident stride. She shook her head with amusement. The rest of the day flew by and I felt pretty good, even though I was harassed by Rick and his goons. I believed whole heartedly that I was a werewolf and once I realized what I believed, I then realized that it was a curse that was making me feel so happy.
I went home,
still ecstatic from the day, and lied down on my bed. Staring at my ceiling, I
thought about the changes that were occurring inside of me as they reflected
outwardly. I then thought about the interaction I had with Gwen. Thinking about
it, it seemed like she was kind of weary of me. My mind continued to wonder as
I soon drifted off to sleep. There, Gwenyver was standing in front of me,
smiling. Soon her smile began to fade and then all I saw was blood. An ear
biting scream came from the bloody portrait of Gwenyver’s lifeless body lying
in a pool of blood, her body torn to ribbons. Her eyes just seemed to stare at
me, as if it was my fault. My eyes shot open and it seems as if I didn’t sleep
at all, but three hours had gone by. I shook my head and went downstairs to get
a glass of water. It was about
“Oh, hey.” I said also slightly startled.
“How did you know I was at the door?” She asked curiously.
“It’s hard to explain. Um… I… well, it’s going to sound weird, but I smelled you.” I attempted to sound as serious as possible.
“She stepped in and I closed the door behind her. “Yea, right smelled me. You would have to have a nose like a dog.” She then turned around to look at me instantly.
I nodded with a smile. “Here come with me.” I took her arm and lead her up into my room. I sat down in my chair and started to undo my bandage once more.
“Herb I fixed that last night. There’s no way it’s healed.” Getting ready to re-bandage my arm by kneeling in front of me, she gasped as I revealed an arm which appeared to have only scratches upon it. “Herb, how did this happen?” She looked in amazement.
“As I said before, you don’t believe me. I believe you said ‘don’t know about this werewolf deal’” I smiled at her. “I’m telling you I have the curse of the werewolf.”
She gave me another skeptic look, “Alright, if you are a werewolf, then this will hurt.” She began to unbuckle her necklace. “My mother gave it to me for my sweet sixteen. It’s a silver plated locket and I’m supposed to put myself and my true love inside. Currently it’s empty.” Taking it off, she dangled it over my hands. I nodded ready for it to be dropped into my hand. The necklace fell into my hand and I caught the locket. I couldn’t hold onto it for long for it felt like I had a grip of fire itself. I dropped it revealing a reddened palm. I looked shocked, mainly because of the sudden pain it caused. Gwenyver looked shocked as well, for I believe she was beginning to believe me. “Ok… so maybe you are becoming a werewolf. Or you’re playing a really mean trick on me.”
I looked at her almost hurt. “Why would I want to trick the only friend I have?”
She looked shocked at the comment. “I can’t be your only friend.” I merely nodded. “Alright, well it can’t be good that you’re a werewolf, can it?”
“Well,” I looked away a little, “it has perks. See I have enhanced senses, my strength will increase, AND I’ll be more attractive.” I return to look at her. “We are only friends right?” Denying to accept how I truly felt about her, realizing it later on.
“Yeah…” She laughed a little, “Why?”
“Well, as I said last time, I was shocked you came by last night, and how you’ve shown so much concern for me the past few days. I just figured it might be more involved as to your feelings and all.” I laughed some “Just me over thinking though.”
She looked at me as if there were something more, “Herb, as I said, we’re pretty good friends. I confide in you some and you do the same with me. It’s almost like we know how each other work.” I smiled at her comment.
“Wow, look at the time.” I glanced over her shoulder at my clock. “I hope you’re not going to get in trouble, it’ll be way past ten when you get home.”
She smiled at my remark, “Thanks for the concern Herb, but I’ll be alright.” She got up, picking up her necklace in the process, and moved to sit on my bed.
As I saw her motion to put on her necklace, “You want help with that?” I offered. She smiled and handed me the necklace as she turned her back toward me and moved her hair up. I snapped the necklace in place, “There we go, all set.” I said as she turned around with a smile. “What?”
“Nothing.” Her smile persisting.
“Why the smile then?” I inquired as I smiled as well.
“Am I not allowed to smile for no reason?” She gave me a playfully haughty look.
Knowing very well she was just messing with me, “Well normally the mind has a stimulus which then makes the muscles in the face react to generate what we see as a smile. I’m merely curious as to what that stimulus is.” I said, my smile growing larger as I spoke. She just continued to look. “Fine, fine, your mind, your business.” I winked and spun my chair around, bringing my computer online in the process. She spun me back around.
“I just think that you may be one of the sweetest guys I know. And that’s a comforting feeling.” I couldn’t help but feel the blood rush to my face as I blushed. I cleared my throat before I said another word.
“I got you sidetracked from what you asked before.” Still smiling, spinning around and bringing up the sites I had from last night, “The downside to being a werewolf is the uncontrollable urge to feed on meat. That urge increase about ten fold when a full moon is out and beast form ensues.”
She interrupted me, “Wait beast form. You mean when you become the four-legged horror movie type creature?” I nodded. “That’s actually kind of scary Herb.” I nodded again.
“It says here that the urge is so uncontrollable that you can even kill loved ones without a second thought. As if your animal side has completely taken over and there exists nothing more then beast.” She placed her hands on my shoulder while reading over my shoulder.
“It says that the only way you can be cured is if you kill the one who had bestowed the curse upon you. Do you know who that is?” I looked at her hands briefly.
“Well it also said that damage inflicted in beast form will reflect onto human form and vice versa. So the person we should look for has a wound on his face. It should be a cut on his,” I paused a moment to remember which side it was raising my hands to see which side was which, “It should be his left eye.”
“Doesn’t that new history teacher have a patch over his left eye?” I nodded thinking about it. “So it could be him?” I thought about it.
“If he’s a suspect then anyone with a patch over their left eye would be a suspect, within a limit of tens of miles.” I spun the chair to face her. “We’re going to need to find a better way to prove he’s the werewolf, if I want to be cured.” She looked strait into my eyes when she heard the word ‘want’.
“Don’t you want to be cured?” I looked at her with a long pause.
“I don’t know. As far as I can tell, it only has a slight down side effect.”
“Um, yea, becoming a huge wolf that’ll kill your family I would count as a fairly large problem.”
“Yea, but look at all the benefits.” I looked down at the ground. “You don’t know how it feels to be pushed around by everyone. To feel like you’re invisible, even to your family. And to top it all off, to be one of the most unattractive guys to live on the planet.” She lifted my head to look in my eyes once more.
“All that shouldn’t matter. The family issue can be worked on. You don’t need the people that push you around in your life, they don’t matter. You’re not invisible to me, and I don’t see you as unattractive.” I smiled.
“Yea, but that’s because I’ve become increasingly attractive because of the curse. And maybe you’re an exception. I still don’t see a reason why I should give this up. People might actually begin to notice me now.”
“Does that really matter? These people were the ones who picked on you. You really want them to notice you?”
“They only picked on me because of those reasons.”
“Herb, this isn’t you. I liked you for you. But I’ll support your decision either way, I just feel that this should be dealt with as soon as possible.” I smiled.
“I understand your concern, but I’ll be alright.”
“I wasn’t thinking about you there, I was thinking more along the lines of there being a werewolf on the loose near us that we,” She paused a second, “Myself and others should be weary of.” I almost felt hurt not being included in the group, but the website reported that it was a rare occurrence for two werewolves to fight to the death. I nodded.
“Alright, well let’s see if we can find other people around
with an injured left eye. I don’t know if the cut would have been deep enough
or wide enough to leave a sufficient scar. I do know that I plunged the knife
into the eye socket pretty deep.” She smiled seeing me come around. “If we can put
a silver spoon into his coffee then one of us can monitor his reaction when he
grabs it.” A plan was formulating, between me and Gwenyver. We soon realized it
was almost
“Oh man, I really need to get home Herb. I’ll see you tomorrow and we’ll see Mr. Walker’s reaction to silver.” I walked her to the front door and she gave me a hug goodbye before leaving for her own home. Apparently her parents didn’t mind much when she got home, just so long as she was in one piece and not hurt in any fashion.
Again, the dream happened with Gwenyver. The dreams were getting worse, more gore, more violent. I saw her lifeless body getting tossed around a woodsy terrain. Her blood marked the trees as it poured from her body. My arm completely healed, I re-bandaged for the obvious reason of not wanting to be harassed too much. Something inside me said that today was going to be different. I was out of the door today before my mom or dad made it down to the kitchen, grabbing one of our sterling sliver spoons before I left. Deciding to ride my bike to school from now on instead of taking the bus, I got to school early. I got to my locker and filled my backpack with my books, more then I was normally able to carry. I headed over to the teacher’s lounge where I had placed the spoon into Mr. Walker’s coffee cup, pouring some into the cup for good measure. I then made my way to the class room and waited. The day began, and Mr. Walker was the first to enter. It appeared that the spoon was still in his cup. He started class when the bell rang, doing as he has done, keeping his back to the class as he wrote up the notes. He paused, as he has done before, to drink from his coffee. As he placed his finger onto the spoon he dropped the cup instantly. “I’m sorry class” he apologized as he took some paper towels to clean up the mess and the pieces of his cup. The girls who seemed infatuated with him inquired on his well being. He replied, “I’m find, the coffee was hotter then I thought.” Some of the less mature, ‘bad’ kids snickered, but were silenced with a look from Mr. Walker. He resumed class as if nothing happened after the mess was cleaned up. Class ended and I approached Mr. Walker.
“Are you alright Mr. Walker?”
“Yes Herbert, I’m fine. The coffee was excessively hot.” I glanced at his hand to see if his finger had turned red from the burn of the sliver, but I couldn’t get a visual confirmation. We continued to talk about Hobbies and such; I tend to befriend my teachers and if there was no guarantee that he was the werewolf, I figured a friend in need is a friend indeed. After class I found my way to meet Gwenyver noticing that other people were looking at me and not snickering.
“Well?” Gwenyver inquired.
“Well he freaked, sort of, when he placed his finger on the spoon to drink his coffee; but, he claimed it was the temperature of the coffee which made him freak. I couldn’t really see when I talked to him if his finger was marked at all.”
“Yeah right, hot coffee. I think that’s proof enough.” I just shook my head with a smile.
“No, we definitely need something more conclusive.” She smiled.
“I know, I was just fooling.” As we talked, Rick started to approach us with his three goons. “It’s alright Herb, I’ll tell him to leave you alone.” I only looked at her.
“Hey Herbie, how are you today?” Rick walked passed Gwenyver before she could say anything, his goons moved her so they had formed a semi-circle against the lockers, me in the center. I stood my ground as I stared at Rick. “Oh do you really want to start something here? You want to hit me? Well go ahead Herbie.” His harassment seemed to fall on deaf ears as he laughed.
“Rick, why don’t you and you squad of loser leave?” But before anyone could say anything to Gwenyver, I spoke up.
“Gwen, I believe that Rick’s excess display of testosterone is merely a cover for his homosexual tendencies. I mean, take a look. He’s huddled close by not one, but three other men. Yet, not a single girl is near his arms, ever. But that’s because his arms are too busy trying to touch other guys, myself included unfortunately.”
Rick’s eyes erupted with rage, “What are you trying to say?”
I smiled, “Well let’s see if I can put it in term you’ll understand,” there was a short pause, “I call you gay. I think that’s simple enough for your peanut of a brain, if it’s even that big.” Smiling I just stared at him. After a grunt he spoke again.
“C’mon guys, let’s leave the dweeb alone, for now.” He gathered his followers and left, as Gwenyver came back up to me.
“What was that all about?” She was surprised by my display.
“I don’t really know actually. But it really felt good to stand up for myself.” I said invigorated.
“Well just be careful, next time he might actually want to hurt you.” She gave me a hug before heading off to her class, and I left to mine.
The day ended and I headed home. Upon reaching my house I went straight for the kitchen, opening up the fridge. Since I haven’t really been eating much, I searched for substance that would quench my hunger. I happened to see a package of steaks, one for each of us. I opened one up and ate it, raw. It was the most delicious thing I had ever eaten. After that I headed up to my room. I searched the net for the next full moon and started a countdown next to my computer. I wanted to be prepared for the “transformation” when it happened. Suddenly the phone rang. It was Gwenyver. “Hey buddy. How are you?”
“I’m doing alright and yourself?”
“I would have come over,” she began to explain, “But I got home real late last night and I’m kind of burnt.”
“It’s alright. I don’t really expect you to come over. It’s always a surprise.”
“Why?”
“Well because, you know, we never really hung out at all until recently and everything.”
“Herb, we’re friends. We’ve just recently have gotten closer then before.”
“Yea, but I just keep thinking it’s the whole arm thing, which is completely healed.”
“You can think what you will but I’m telling you it’s because we’re close friends. So, does that mean you’ll be coming to school without a bandage from now on?”
“I figured I’d wait until the appointment next week.” The conversation continued about different things. We talked more about what happened with Mr. Walker and possible future plans we could enact together. Time wound down and I bid her a good night around nine. I was in my bed, staring at the ceiling thinking. It seemed I was staring at it for a few minutes when I looked over at the clock and it was eleven. All I can remember was thinking about Gwenyver. How we met, how our friendship developed, and how she’s become a part of my dreams, but in a negative way. I soon drifted off to sleep, again having a dream of Gwenyver being ripped apart and tossed about, but now I got to see that it was a large wolf doing so. I woke up nauseous from the dream. It was more vivid then anything I’ve ever dreamt before, as if I was there and it had already happened.
I managed to collect myself and get ready for school. Not placing on my glasses, my eyesight seemingly to have improved and putting on some nice clothes. Not eating any breakfast I headed to school. Mr. Walker actually turned around to face the class; explaining that he will now lecture over the next few days, that the information is important but only bits of it. The class responded very well to this change, they didn’t seem half dead as they did before. In fact he did a process of questions and answers, getting the class involved. I thought it, at first, peculiar. It seemed his demeanor had completely changed. Class ended and everyone left with a slight discussion about Mr. Walker. I walked up to him after the bell rang. “Why the change in teaching method?” I inquired rather interested.
“Well the first few days being the new teacher I had to let the class know that this is my class. I am in control and not them; now that the tangent has been established I can loosen up acquiring the interest of even the more disobedient students.” I nodded.
“Neat concept. Never looked at it that way.” Mr. Walker seemed to have relaxed more around the students. We talked for a few minutes longer before I left for my next class. I noticed that people were actually looking at me now and not throwing anything or mocking me while doing so. Through the course of the day more people seemed to actually pay attention to me, some actually even said a few words like ‘hey’ or ‘hi’ or even ‘what’s up’. Somehow I didn’t catch Gwenyver at all during the day. I hung out at school a little while later, actually talking to people when Rick walked up to me with his band of goons.
“So, Herb, now you don’t have Gwen to stop me, nor will these fools.” Laughing looking behind me to the people I was conversing with. “What are you going to do now?” He pushed firmly into my chest. I moved my body with the shove so I wasn’t as affected.
“Well there isn’t much I can do, is there? I mean four against one isn’t very fair, although I see why you keep them around. It’s like a brain battery right? One can not function well without a boost from the others?” I knew I was angering him and yet I couldn’t help it. By now the people behind me had moved away and a small crowd began to grow.
“Man I should just kick your ass.” He grumbled
I looked at him curiously, “Well, if that was your plan you’re executing it very poorly. First off, you started with insults instead of initiating an actual desire to fight. Second, now you’ve drawn a crowd, which is never good. Third, to fight you shouldn’t be on school premises; but, then again you probably don’t want to be seen outside of school with anyone but your boy toys over there.” At this point everyone laughed, angered yet not wanting to hit me because of the obvious repercussions that would be involved if caught, Rick decided to walk away. The people gave a light cheer for me being one of the first people to stand up to the school bully. I headed home soon after, talking with a few other people before I left. When I arrived, I went straight to my room. Excited at how much attention I was getting I decided to figure out a good style my hair would look in. I also marked off a day, one more closer to the change. I didn’t hear or see from Gwen that night and my dreams were relatively calm. I was running through the woods, in fact I could remember they were the same woods that I ran from almost a week ago.
I woke up early, for some unknown reason, and got ready for school, again not putting on my glasses, and throwing on some nice clothes. I felt really good, almost as if I was attractive for once in my life. Before skipping breakfast again, I marked off another day on my calendar. I realized that I haven’t eaten anything in the past twenty-four hours yet not caring either. Heading to school and getting to my class, I sat in my seat talking with Mr. Walker. “You look different Herbert.” He commented. “Your demeanor has changed as well.”
“Yea I actually feel really confident about myself.” I smiled as the kids soon began to file in. Class was again very interactive; everyone seemed to be enjoying the class now. The bell rang and people filed out slowly, more people starting to stick around to talk to Mr. Walker, I noticed that there was a group of three girls that would actually talk about him constantly, as if they wanted a romantic relationship with him or something. I didn’t get much of a chance to speak with him due to the crowd he was drawing now, so I decided to head to my next class, getting smiles and compliments from people I passed in the halls. I was actually surprised to have a few girls actually strike up conversation. I saw Gwenyver before she headed into her class room, but wasn’t close enough to get her attention. I eventually was able to catch up with her later on in the day. “Hey Gwen, how’s it going?”
“Oh hey Herb.” She sounded a bit distraught.
“Is everything ok?”
She let out a slight sigh, “No nothing, everything is alright.”
I looked at her questioningly, “Ok, so what’s going on? Cause I know you well enough to say something’s up.”
She turned to look at me, “You’re changing, a lot.”
I started talking at the sound of change, without realizing it, “yea, it’s great, people are actually paying attention to me and not throwing stuff at me or picking on me.” Seeing her eyes drift down towards the ground before looking back up at me.
“Yea, that’s great.”
“But that’s not what’s actually bothering you is it?”
She shook her head no, “You ignored me, didn’t even realize I was around.”
“When?!” I asked shocked.
“Yesterday, you passed right by me as I said hi, the same time someone else said it and you looked at them and smiled, waved and replied to them. I got completely blown off.”
“Gwen, I’m so sorry. You know I never meant to do anything to offend or hurt you. I guess I was just blinded by excitement. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly, “Don’t promise unless you plan on keeping it.” I nodded yes as she entered her class and I left for mine. Right before I entered my last class someone called my name. Turning around I saw it was one of the guys who just throws parties, I guess to be known or an attempt to be popular.
“Yo, Herbie, you gonna be showing up tomorrow night?” Slapping my shoulder lightly with a smile.
“Showing up where?” I asked
“My house, tomorrow night, around seven until whenever.” Winking at me as he turned and left. “Be there or be, well, you know how it goes.” I turned and went into my class room. The day ended and instead of heading home I went over to Gwenyver’s. I walked up to her door, knowing full well she’d just gotten home and hadn’t a chance to go out yet. I knocked on the door and Gwenyver answered with a shocked look upon her face.
“Hey there Gwen.” A broad smile on my face.
“What are you doing here?” a smile slowly growing on her own.
“Well you have been visiting me and so I figured I would come to your house. We’re only about an hour walk away.”
She welcomed me in, “I still don’t understand why you’re here.”
Smiling, “Well Gwen, you’re my friend and I decided to visit.” I laughed a little as she shook her head.
“Shut up!” she laughed a little too.
“Seriously though, I felt that I should make up for my inconsideration and spend time with you, rather then have you spend the time with me. Switching the roles of who visits.” She was home alone for the day, until Saturday night. Her mother and father went out to spend the day and the next together.
“How long you planning on staying?”
“How long do you want me to stay?”
“Well, I didn’t know if you had plans or anything.” She walked into her living room and took a seat gesturing for me to sit down. “Come have a seat.”
“Well I’ll leave when you want me to.” Following her and taking a seat next to her. “If you have plans or anything…” I didn’t finish the sentence waiting for a response.
“No, actually, I was thinking of having people over, but that’s been solved already.” We laughed.
“Well, you can still have people come over, that’s no big.” I shrugged, looking her over very quickly; many thoughts flashing through my head.
“I didn’t know if you’d be alright with that.”
I shrugged again, “My parents won’t even know I’m gone. Plus I like spending time with you, even if other people are around.”
“Alright.” She beamed and got up to fetch the phone. I caught myself watching every move of hers. She didn’t enter the room again, but I could hear her talk in the other room. She would stop for a few seconds only to invite someone new. After about ten minutes she walked back in taking her seat again. “So I think there will be about a dozen people here.” I nodded. “You’ll be fine with that.” I nodded again smiling constantly. “Why are you not saying anything?”
“Cause you’re cute. The way you hopped up to call people.” She glared at me. “So when are they arriving?”
“Well the first couple of people should be here in like an hour, the rest will come throughout the night.” I nodded.
“Well what to do until then?” She smiled again and hopped up running into her room. Grabbing a deck of cards she ran back.
“Cards?” She smiled. I shook my head.
“Are you kidding me, I’ll get destroyed. How about something I’m remotely good at, like some video games?” She laughed.
“Yea, like I’m any good at those. I rarely get a chance to play and when I have the time my dad is hogging the system.” I laughed.
“Alright, tell me how to play and then let’s see how badly you can whoop me.” We sat down and she instructed me on the rules and game play. We started playing cards and talking about this and that. Then, I caught her hand in the middle of a game. “Cheater!” she looked shocked. Before I knew it we were in a tickle fight and I was losing. The door opened up and in walked in her best friend and her best friend’s boyfriend. We both turned to look at them and burst out in laughter.
“Whoa, maybe we should wait in the car a few more minutes” Her best friend commented. Her boyfriend didn’t say a word. Gwenyver allowed me to get up and we cleaned up the cards. “So what are we planning on doing, other then a crazy wild orgy?” He friend commented again.
“Movies? Maybe something else, like bowling or a diner?” Gwenyver said.
“Sounds like a plan.” Her friend turned to look at me, as I found a seat on Gwenyver’s couch. “And you’re… Herbert?” She said as if she were guessing.
I nodded, “Yea that’s me, and I don’t know who you are, sorry. I’m new to the scene and all.”
She smiled, “I’m Kelly, this is Nick.” Her boyfriend nodded.
“Doesn’t speak much, silent and strong.” Both Kelly and Gwenyver laughed. We
all settled on the couch and started watching a movie chilling out and talking
about many things. The conversation was held more by Kelly and Gwenyver then
with anyone else. Soon more people started to arrive and with more people more
conversation. The day wound on and someone mentioned getting bored and wanting
to do something else, and Kelly said that we all should go bowling. At that
time I got a hold of Gwenyver and told her that I was starting to have a
headache and was going to head home. She offered to get someone to drive me,
but I refused seeing that just about everyone was going to go out bowling. She
wished for me to feel better and got ready to go out with everyone else, as I
started to head home. When I got home I took about three aspirin before I hit
my bed, it felt like my skull was going to split open. Gwenyver called me
around
“I’m sorry, did I wake you? I’ll let you go back to sleep.”
“No, it’s alright.”
“How are you feeling?” She sounded extremely sincere.
“It feels like there’s a jackhammer in my head.” She laughed at the thought of that.
“I hope you feel better.”
“It’s alright; I should be fine in the morning.”
“Well then I’ll let you go.”
“Alright, I think I could use the rest.”
“Night and dream well.”
“You too.” We both hung up and I rolled back over and fell back to sleep.
I woke up when the phone rang. Not remembering my dream, I just picked up the phone. Gwenyver called again and asked if I was doing anything today. I decided not to go to the party on Saturday, instead Gwenyver came over and we spent the day together, walking around town and walking through the park. We talked about everything. I thought I was boring her on multiple occasions but she assured me she was quite interested. The day slowly turned to night as we explored each other’s minds and thoughts. Before we parted ways that night I believed that something would be different with our friendship. This was also the first day where I forgot to mark off on the calendar near my computer. I think I slept completely through my Sunday, aside from the trip to the doctors, who was only a little surprised about my arm. He commented that he was right and I just let him think what he wanted to. The party that I skipped on Saturday was a big talk for a couple of days the following week, but also that I chose to skip out on it seemed to be a big deal to many. Soon I was being asked to more parties, ones during the weekdays that are much smaller but still a talk amongst certain groups. I found myself spending some time with Gwenyver and when not talking or around her I would be around others. If I didn’t see Gwenyver after school I would go to these parties and see how they are. Soon I began to rise to the top of the popularity pyramid, making sure not to neglect Gwenyver again. Rick had told me, the one time his followers weren’t around, that he was going to beat the crap out of me if I was ever at a party he was at. But that never seemed to happen. The week flew by, the group that would stick around Mr. Walker barred me from talking to him, but I too was forming groups to travel from class to class with. My Friday night was spent at another group hangout at Gwenyver’s, which I was able to stick around and go bowling. I soon found myself liked by everyone. On the Saturday party, which followed the bowling night, I was convinced to participate in a benching contest. There had been alcohol there and Rick had been one of the top drinkers, plus the instigator on the benching contest. The competition came down to me and Rick. I was able to out bench his two-twenty by fifty pounds before refusing to do anymore. What was surprising to those who weren’t as wasted, as most were, was the fact that my frame had not changed, and yet Rick was a very muscular fellow.
Another week went by and I was invited to everything there could be. Multiple girls were hitting on me in and out of school. Rick had stopped talking to me, but accepted my presence. Things seemed to be the exact opposite of how they once were. My friendship with Gwenyver grew and even her best friend thought there might be something there for me. Gwenyver, though, had a certain mindset which she didn’t want to stray from, a ‘no boyfriends policy’ until college. Kelly, however, believed that she would easily go for me if I asked her, but I doubted it and stuck with the amazing friendship that I had with her. My grades were superb, and though I wanted to talk to Mr. Walker I found that even after school was an impossibility. He had a flock of people, more like groupies. It seemed that the same type of fondness that they had of him was a lesser degree of what people had for me. I would admit that Mr. Walker had some very interesting stories which I discovered with the little time I could find with him. More time passed and the more distracted I was to the time that was nearing. I chose to ignore the signs of what was going on. Girls started to practically throw themselves at me. I had to have kissed at least a dozen females within the week. Somehow I didn’t care, in fact I enjoyed it. I also knew that more was to come in the following week, as the powers grew inside me. A part of me wished I could direct these powers to certain people, but I didn’t think that it would be fair even if I could. I didn’t really discuss my happenings with Gwenyver, for some reason I felt as if I was cheating on her. Yet all we were is good friends. This week blended with the next, it didn’t even seem like there was a weekend. I would think that my body should have quite, but each morning I was able to get up reinvigorated, able to take on the next day and anything that came my way. I was enjoying this new life, excited to be truly living instead of having a non existent life in world of technology and knowledge. Gwenyver started to talk me down, trying to snap me back to reality. She tried to pull me back to who I was. I appreciated what she was trying to do, but I was enjoying my life too much. I listened to every word she said, and remembered it in the back of my mind, but decided to live my life before I couldn’t live anymore. She was warning me that in another week the changes would occur, the true physical changes, and that I should prepare. I assured her I was on top of things, but each night I arrived in my room halfway into the next morning, realizing now that I had stopped dreaming. Clearly the lack of dreams should have been a sign of my exhaustion, but I had ignored it. This party life, the life that I started due to the bite, was distracting me from the thoughtful, common sense type of guy that I was. I spent the entire weekend with Gwenyver, and her trying to convince me to become prepared. We also talked about how the changes have changed my life and how that similar things have been occurring with Mr. Walker. Through our conversation we both realized that I wasn’t the only threat to come in a week. With this in mind and my new life I strayed from thought about myself. I didn’t pay attention to the fact that in one more week I would change. In one more week I would become a killer.
About halfway through the next week I decided that I would try to figure out a way to defeat the monster that would be prowling around my town. For some reason I thought that I would be able to defeat this monster, and yet the life I was living intoxicated my mind enough for me to forget about the fact that I too would be a monster. My body also seemed to be drained, the reinvigoration I was feeling the previous weeks seemed to disappear. I would come home from school and fall asleep instantly. I would explain to Gwenyver the reasons why I wouldn’t answer my phone the next day, seemingly to be utterly exhausted. She would only rub it in my face that it was my own fault living the life I was. She was going to just come over a couple of times, but the one time she called and me not answering due to my slumber, warned her that I would be a log even in her presence. The weekend came and I asked if Gwenyver would like to spend another day together, whether it was on the Friday, Saturday, or the Sunday. She, however, was going on a trip with her parents for the weekend; when she got home from school, until Sunday night. They were going down to the shore. I spent Friday in my room, turning on the computer for the first time in weeks, papers covered my home made lunar countdown. I decided to search on the internet for movies that I would want to suggest to the group. My fascination was on horror, but this was before the whole werewolf thing. I like to analyze the movies and see what hidden messages they hold or how the directors or writers play with your mind. I found a few after a while, going downstairs into the kitchen to see what I could eat. Over the past few weeks I would eat many raw beef products; steak, ground up beef, filet minion. I ventured into a few swine meats as well. When I searched our freezer and our fridge I found no meat that seemed appetizing enough. I figured I would just go to the store tomorrow and pick something up for breakfast and dinner. I walked up stairs and once I closed the room to my door I fell to the ground in sheer agony. My stomach felt like it was turning inside out. The pain was so intense that I can’t remember what happened until the next morning. I came to the conclusion that I had passed out, since I woke up at the foot of my door. I continued on with my plan for food, leaving the house with some cash and walking to the supermarket. There I had purchased two steaks, one for the morning and the other for the night. I wasted the day away watching TV, my mind not really focused on anything. I had a few plans, like to see what people were doing, if anyone wanted to catch a movie, to go into the woods and find my knife, which would probably be rusted a bit but fixable. Instead I sat on the couch and watched TV shows until I saw that it was night outside. Instead of eating the steak I decided that there’s always tomorrow and went to bed, feeling overly exhausted.
I had a dream, the first in the past few weeks, and I was running through the woods. Only I could feel the ground against my hands as well. I was breathing heavy chasing after something. I barreled through the woods, and saw the back of someone kneeling down on the ground. As I was about to jump on them they spun around, their face a blur, holding something sharp as it pierced my chest into my heart. I awoke at that point, a pain in the chest. I shrugged it off and went downstairs for my steak. Little did I realize that tonight was going to be the first night. How little I was prepared for the experiences about to come. The day flew by, me hanging out with a couple of people. I went into my bathroom to get ready for bed when I fell to my knees again my stomach feeling like it was getting ripped apart. I soon felt each muscle burn as bones began to pop in the most horrific and painful ways. I grabbed my head as it felt like it was going to explode. I tried to muffle my painful cries, but soon I heard a knocking on my door. “Herbert are you alright?” My mother’s voice calling. This was going to be it, if she came in and witnessed this change she would have been killed.
Somehow I was able to manage the few words, “Bathroom, stomach pains,” before I cried out in pain again, my bones snapping to reform. Since my parents thought that ignoring a problem would make it go away I heard the footsteps leave my door. As I saw my eyes change in the mirror and my face unlike my own. I saw the hair grow on my arms and legs, as well as appear in areas where I was hairless. My teeth became larger as I stumbled out of the bathroom collapsing on the floor. Writhing on the ground as my body went through a painful transformation. I could feel my face stretch as my bones changed to their new form. I can only remember the smashing of the bed as the transformation was near completion. When I woke up I was outside, naked. I snuck back inside and ran into my room to see it completely thrashed. I straightened it up as much as I could, after getting clothed, when my dad walked in.
“What happened to the bed?” He had little concern to the disheveled room.
“It broke on me last night, I don’t know what happened.” I replied.
He nodded, “don’t go on any walks for a few weeks, the animal attacks started happening again.” He called out as he closed the door. I spent the rest of the day cleaning my room, realizing that the other werewolf was on the prowl once more. I removed the smashed bed and brought it to the curb for garbage pick up later on in the week. By the time it was finished it was evening. I was worried and decided that I should find a way to restrain myself. I headed, first, into the kitchen and devoured the steak, thinking it might help to calm the animal later on tonight. Next I went into the basement and found some rope. Heading back into my room, it getting darker outside, I quickly searched for a means to tie myself up. As I followed the internets instructions I found myself fairly secure and actually unable to break free of the hold I had on myself. I thought that tomorrow, my mom would come in and see me and then free me with many questions. So I devised some crazy story as I felt the burning sensation of my muscles begin to increase. It was a lot less painful and occurred a lot faster then last night. It now felt like a dream when the transformation was complete. I searched around the room, looking down to see the binding had snapped in the process of the change. The phone started to ring and though I felt like I wanted to answer it there was a greater desire that needed to be satisfied. I remember jumping out of my window and darting into the woods. As I ran through I saw some furry creature dart away. I paused for a second and smelled something very appetizing. Chasing after it, a rabbit came into view just a few feet away from me when I lost the ‘dream’.
When I woke up I was in the woods naked again. When I looked around I saw some blood around me and some pieces of white fur tossed about. I wiped my mouth to find blood, not of my own. It wasn’t a dream; I chased down a rabbit and devoured it. I was a bit scared now and it was a school day. I seemed to know what the fastest route was and so, I took it. Climbing into my window and quickly cleaning up and heading out the door. I got to school late and walked into Mr. Walker’s class. The students and Mr. Walker were laughing until the door opened. The room fell silent and Mr. Walker had a fire in his eyes. “Herbert, as I said I do not tolerate tardiness. Please step outside; I want to talk to you. Class read these pages and find questions that you think I will be unable to answer.” When we exited the class room, he grabbed me by the collar and tossed me against the wall. I was shocked at this assault. “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood today Herbert.” Pinning me against the wall, I felt immense strength from him. “I’m not going to do what I should do, instead I want a ten page paper on tardiness and the reasons why it’s impolite and wrong. Now get in class and sit down.” He gave me a directional shove with his one hand that held my collar. I was speechless and was one of the first to leave the room when the bell rang. Gwenyver caught up with me sometime during the day.
“Hey I called you last night. Still exhausted?” I shook my head still shaken up from the incident with Mr. Walker. “What’s wrong?” I looked up at her with a scared look.
“I changed Gwen. I broke my bed the first night and was in intense pain. Last night I chased down a rabbit and devoured it. On top of all that, Mr. Walker practically attacked me outside of his class because of my tardiness.” I felt so overwhelmed with emotions. I was afraid, yet angry; sad that I had offended Mr. Walker, and yet happy the Gwenyver was right here. The moment she gave me a hug and rubbed my back, I buried my eyes into her shoulder as I let a few tears escape my eyes.
“I’m sorry Herb. I wish I was there to help.” hearing that I pushed away from her and wiped my eyes, cleared my throat, and regained my composure.
“I don’t want you to be around. I mean I don’t want you to be around me when I’m going through that.” Looking at her, she shook her head.
“I’m going to help see you through this Herbert.” She was able to say as the bell rang for the next class. She departed before I could say anything. I couldn’t catch her for the rest of the day. I decided to go home and restrain myself in another fashion. When I had gotten the rest of the rope from the basement and had prepared a backpack full of stuff the doorbell rang. I walked over to the door and answered it to see Gwenyver.
“What are you doing here?” I asked happy and yet frustrated.
“I said I was going to help, and since I’m here, whatever you have planned I want to lend a hand.” She smiled lightly. I heaved a sigh and nodded. I told her that I planned to set myself up in the woods so even if I do change I will be in a setting where I could maul some wildlife instead of a person. She nodded not liking the thought of me becoming a monster. We walked a good while into the woods and set up a little picnic area for the time. We sat and ate a little as she told me about her weekend. I also talked about the recent events, saying how I believed Mr. Walker is the other werewolf. Before we realized it, the sun was setting fast.
I hurried and pressed myself against a tree, “tie the large rope around my body and form a noose with the second piece of rope. Put the noose around my neck.” She gave me a concerned look. “It’s when I change it’ll act like a leash. When you’re done, run home and lock yourself up.”
“I don’t want you to die.” She voiced her concern. I smiled and she did what she was asked. I saw the moon through the trees as she readied the noose.
“Hurry Gwen.” I moaned out as I felt the changes starting to overtake me, resisting as much as possible to giver her time. I soon remembered my dreams of Gwen being attacked by a werewolf, chasing someone through the woods, these woods. “Gwen, Hurry, Run!” I yelled my voice becoming hoarse and more animalistic. She threw the noose around my neck as the changes over took my resistance. I was able to see her scream as she looked in another direction. She began to run and soon, as the changes were almost complete, I saw the werewolf. It stopped a few seconds, which was good for Gwenyver, to see what was going on with me. I had finished my change and it didn’t seem like a dream, I felt somewhat in control of what was going on. The other werewolf let out a howl and took off after Gwenyver. The ropes snapped once the transformation had fully completed. The noose however worked, it acted like a leash. I tried to barrel after the second werewolf but was pulled back and stuck.
Gwenyver was running as fast as she could, weaving through the trees hoping to lose the beast from her trail. Her breathing was heavy and she stopped a few seconds when she heard the howl. It sounded a lot closer then she thought it would be. She started to run again, hoping to make it somewhere where someone could help her, a few minutes later she could hear the beating ground of the beast giving chance. She ducked into a nook that was formed in a tree and the heavy footfalls from the creature were muffled. She stayed hidden there which felt like hours to her. She tried to calm her breath and her heart beat. She doesn’t know how much time had passed when she head a growl. It seemed to come from behind the tree. She decided to run, as she did the monster’s claws ripped through the rest of the tree and it began to fall. Gwenyver tumbled to the ground the tree falling next to her. She rolled over to see the werewolf creeping forward for the kill. She started to crawl backwards as the beast got ready to pounce. She felt like it was the end and covered her face with both arms and screamed as the creature leapt into the air. She heard a yelp and the loud thud of bodies hitting the ground. When she turned to look there they were two werewolves, one had jumped on the other; she was unable to distinguish the two apart. She didn’t hesitate and took off, trying to get back the way she had come into the woods. The two beasts stared at each other circling, looking for the chance to go for the kill. They leapt up and batted each other in the face with their claws, attempting to gain an advantage. One fell to the ground and the other pounced biting the shoulder, missing the neck. The one on the ground bit the front leg of the other as well as clawing at its face. They broke their holds and readied for a second attack. The one who had its one leg bit jumped up, the other dashed forward and head butted the other in the chest knocking it back. It then leapt onto the other. Landing the bite on the neck while getting its chest clawed at, it ripped. In a yelp, the monster relaxed. The one standing let out a howl and started to head after Gwenyver. It didn’t take long for it to see her running in the distance.
Gwenyver, emotional and frightened to near death, tried to run as fast as she could to get away form these horrid creatures. She soon heard the howl of triumph come from behind her. She mustered up some courage and ran faster. Her mind raced with the thought of ‘you can breathe when you’re safe’. She soon heard the rapid, heavy footfalls of the monster after her. She caught a glimmer of something a few feet ahead of her and saw the knife left by Herbert months ago. She knelt down to pick it up, thinking any defense is a good defense now. The foot falls were almost on her. She shot a look over her shoulder to see, yet again, the monster air born. She felt to the ground, her legs giving out from underneath her. The creature landed a few feet in front of her and turned around. It showed its teeth, its mouth still dripping blood. It readied to leap again, and all Gwenyver could think to do was to stick out her arm and hope that she could hit something vital when it landed on her. Again she felt nothing hit her, but a yelp a grunt and again a thud. She looked to see the other, now greatly weakened, werewolf motionless on the ground as the other buried its teeth into the remaining area of the other’s neck; with one paw pressing against its face and the other against its chest. Gwenyver believed she wasn’t going to make it home, nor live to see the morning. So, she ran and stabbed the creature in the back; granted the knife is neither long nor wide enough to do much damage to a human let alone a beast such as a werewolf, but it was all she could think of doing. The creature turned around as Gwenyver began walking backwards, noticing a few more battle wounds from the other. She saw the creature begin to loose hair, and where she could see skin it changed from a light grey color back to flesh toned. The monster which was changing back started to stumble and soon collapsed as the change completed. Gwenyver gasped when she realized who it was. The body coughed and groaned in pain. Gwenyver ran over to the person who was now injured from the battle in wolf form and had a knife sticking out of his back. “Is it over” the person coughed in pain.
“Gwenyver let out a cry of joy as tears streamed down her face, “Yes it’s over Herbert.”
I groaned again, “Why did you stab me?” She let out laugh of happiness that she and I were alright.
“How could I tell who you were, you looked the same.” She cried
“I would never hurt you, no matter how animalistic I were to ever become.” I smiled and closed my eyes, “do you mind getting some clothes.” I said laying my head on the ground. I didn’t see her nod as she ran off to where my pack was a spare set of clothes in it. She arrived after a bit and I dressed myself, leaving my shirt off, the knife in my back as well as the wounds from the fight.
When Gwenyver had returned the werewolf was still in wolf form. I had finished getting dressed. “Let’s see what condition Mr. Walker is in.” I said to Gwenyver as we walked over to the dead body. We looked at the body and then at each other shocked. We left the woods and started to head back to civilization. We came out halfway between my house and hers. Along the way, Gwen phoned in that she had heard a cry from someone in the woods and think that an animal had taken another victim. We found a seat on a log and Gwenyver pulled the knife from my back. I had packed some medical supplies just in case I were to wake up with some injuries. Gwenyver patched me up and I finished putting on clothes, extremely sore and in a lot of pain. We settled on me getting checked out again, tomorrow before school. We sat and talked about what had just happened. We the discussed how it made sense that Rick was the werewolf. We figured that Rick must have been after wild animals for a while, and got a thing for hunting. I explained I was in control the entire time this night, to a degree. So Rick must have enjoyed it so much that he moved onto people. We talked some more, sitting close to each other; I had put an arm around Gwenyver to keep her a little warmer. She told me how she felt and all she went through while I was transformed. I had told her that the noose idea worked. It worked so well that I had to bite through the rope to free myself in order to save her. Silence soon fell between us as both of our story telling had ended and nothing to either of our minds could be brought up at the moment, both of us still shocked from the incident.
We sat there looking at the stars, in silence. Turning to look at her in her marvelous beauty, I no longer could refrain from hiding what has been on my mind in the past months. As she turned to face me, I looked deeply into her eyes. “Gwenyver, I have to confess my feelings to you.” I could feel my eyes quiver with emotion. “You see, I knew I liked you ever since you started to defend me, but over the past couple of months our friendship grew far past anything else. My feelings grew with that friendship and I know that I’ve fallen in love with you.” She stared at me for a few seconds, which seemed like hours, before a light smile broke upon her face.
“I know.” Is all she said. I nodded, my words getting caught in my throat. My gaze drifted back to the stars as I could feel my eyes begin to flood with tears. Getting a hold of the release of an emotion I haven’t felt my entire life, I spoke up.
“You’re going off to college next year. You’re going to forget about me. I’m going to lose you.”
Her gaze also returned to the stars, “I won’t forget you and there’s no way you’re going to lose me. I promise. Especially after what just went through.” I turned to look at her again.
“So, then, what do we do now?”
She smiled lightly turning to look at me again, “You’ll go
your way and I’ll go mine and we leave here as friends, always and forever.” I
nodded, standing up with her. We embraced in a hug I gasped from my injuries. It
was the last hug that ever felt like she truly meant it. I started heading home
and she to hers; parting as friends… for the time.