Chapter Two- "Gunshot of Remorse"
Hubb's thoughts were awhirl as he drove. All this time, he was really a wolf and never knew it. His allergies had disappeared awhile ago, a sign of his true nature. His senses were now enhanced and he saw the world differently.
He glanced at the flower maiden who sat in the seat beside him. She was the key to Paradise, at least according to the others. Deep down, he believed them though his rational mind told him it was impossible.
"Hey, Hubb!" called Hige from the back. "Pull over! The old guy's dying!"
Hubb hit the brakes and stopped the truck. Leaping out the door, he ran into the back. Quent lay on the floor, gasping something awful. He immediately started pushing on Quent's chest. He didn't know what the hell he was doing and told as much to the wolves.
It was then that Cheza entered. She moved to the hunter's mouth and breathed into it. Hubb pushed down a few times before Cheza breathed in again. Quent's awful gasping became normal. Hubb sighed with relief.
"He's alive and out of the woods, for now," he reported.
They resumed their journey and Hubb reflected on the wolves. He thought about the white one, Kiba. He seemed so confident, acted like he knew where to go. He certainly acted like a leader and Hubb felt content to let him lead the way.
Then, there was the gray one, Tsume. He seemed like a warrior-type. Hard, tough as nails, didn't take anyone's crap. That kind of attitude made it hard for anyone to get close to him. Except for Toboe.
Toboe. The reddish-brown one and the youngest of the group. He was fond of humans and looked up to Tsume as a role model. But, he could prove himself a fierce protector if the need arose.
Hige, the golden-brown one, seemed pretty easygoing and friendly. He looked rather thoughtful lately and Hubb wondered why that was. When he wasn't distracted by his thoughts, he kept Blue company.
Blue was completely different from the rest. She was half-wolf and had served as Quent's wolf-tracking dog. She had a strong tie to Quent as well as Hige. Hubb wondered if he could feel like a part of the group, what with being human for so long.
The vehicle stuttering and stopping brought him back to the present. He looked over the instruments and found the gas gauge empty. It would be walking from here on out. Hubb hoisted Quent onto his back, Kiba took Cheza, and Toboe took the mats and blankets before the group set off across the snow-covered ground.
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It was cold when they stopped to rest. But the cold didn't really bother Hubb. Must be his fur. Nevertheless, he snuggled under his blanket. Quent laid on the mat and blanket beside him, resting. He wasn't conscious, but he was alive. Hubb slept for awhile before he became aware of someone watching them. He rolled over and saw Blue, the half-wolf watching Quent.
"He's just sleeping," he told her. The two of them made small talk until the wolf-hunter awoke. Quent couldn't see clearly, oddly enough, but he distinguished Hubb's voice.
"There are others here," the old man said. "Who is it?"
"We're the wolves," Kiba stated.
Quent gasped and sat up, his gaze focused on the pack to his left. Grabbing his shotgun, he put it in his coat, and staggered to his feet.
"Pops," Blue said. "you shouldn't get up."
"I'm fine." Quent paused for a moment before saying, "Blue, you're not my dog anymore."
Blue looked as if she had been punched in the stomach. She stood there in stunned silence as her former master staggered off. Hubb felt sorry for Blue and angry at Quent. He took off after the hunter, calling his name.
"Quent, why did you do that? Blue wanted to stay with you."
"Blue's a big girl now. She can do what she wants."
"She wants to be with you." Hubb put a hand on Quent's shoulder.
There was a click as Quent whirled around and aimed his shotgun at Hubb's chest. Hubb froze as he saw burning hatred in the man's eyes.
"So, you're a wolf too. How long have you been in league with them?"
"I haven't been one long. I'm just following them to Paradise."
"Silence! Don't mention that cursed place! Wolves are evil and you would do well to deny your new form. That's why I don't shoot you now. Because I giving you the chance to redeem yourself." Lowering the gun, Quent walked off.
Hubb stood there, contemplating. He could deny his wolf side, but he felt that if he did, his wolf abilities would pop up at the worst times. No. The best thing to do was embrace his destiny. He would toss aside his remaining humanity and let his instincts guide him. Just as the others let their instincts guide them. Thus, Hubb shed his human guise in favor of four paws, a tail, and a fur coat.
A horrible stench reached his nose and his put a foreleg over it. That had to be the smell of a noble. He had heard the others say what a terrible scent it was, but he never understood until now. The scent had to belong to Darcia. He was after Cheza. Well, not if he could help it. He would follow Darcia and keep him away from the flower maiden.
A fair snowstorm had started and it made tracking almost impossible for the novice wolf. But, he was determined to track the noble. A cloak dragging across snow reached his ears. He turned his ears this way and that, his nose taking in every scent it could. Darcia's scent reached him and he turned to see the noble not five feet in front of him. He backed up, bared his teeth, and growled threateningly. Darcia looked at him with what could only be called amusement in his eyes.
"The detective has found his inner wolf. My congratulations. However, you will not be the one who will open Paradise." Darcia's hand whipped out and caught Hubb in the chest. He landed on his side before getting back up. He ran at the noble, leaped and buried his teeth in Darcia's arm.
There was no cry of pain which confused Hubb. Also of interest were the bullet holes near the heart. How could this guy still be alive?
Darcia grabbed the back of Hubb's neck and roughly threw him to the ground. He hit the ground harder than last time. He lay there, stunned, wondering if he was going to die. His question was answered when a white shape appeared in front of him.
Kiba growled at the human while Hubb struggled to get up. Darcia informed Kiba of a broken seal and that to enter Paradise, one had to discard everything he held dear. Kiba ignored this. Paradise was for wolves and he wasn't going to leave any of them behind. The dark noble disappeared in a swirling mass of snowflakes as Hubb finally got up.
"You okay, Hubb?" Kiba asked, turning to him.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
A howl sounded from far away. Kiba's ears twitched. "That's Toboe. Let's go." Kiba took off with Hubb not too far behind. The scene that greeted the two wolves was terrible.
Quent lay on the ground, his blood pooling under him. His eyes were misted over, a clear sign that he was dead. Blue was laying on top of the body, crying and saying, "Pops!" over and over again.
Toboe howled again and Hubb felt obliged to join in. He let out a mournful howl and the others joined him. Their howls echoed across the frozen wasteland.