Chapter 28 - Out With It

Friday, October 7^th, 2011

Moon Phase – Waxing Gibbous

Days until the Full Moon – 5

Once in his helmet and his motorcycle running, Alex found the first gap in the traffic and punched the accelerator. The sounds of the engine and the wind against his clothing couldn’t mask the worry he was feeling from driving towards that location, and possibly encountering Shane.

But then, what if he didn’t? What if he was already gone? There was always that possibility. The drive to the location his father told him about was at least twenty minutes; the rush hour traffic on the highway nearby however was a sign it would take longer. Chances were good he would be gone by the time he got there. It was still daytime as well.

“Ugh. C’mon, think. What can I do when I get there?”

With the police at the location, the most he could visibly do was watch and observe. But then, he could tell by scent if Shane was there, if the wind was blowing the right way. At the next red light, Alex tried to get an idea of the direction of any breezes around him. Remaining still until the light became green again, the winds seemed to be coming from the west. It took him some time on the highway feeder roads to realize that was about the right direction.

When he was past the final highway, Alex was within a quarter-mile of the location. It wouldn’t be long now. The speed limit in that same area was 30 MPH, slow enough to encourage him to open his visor a bit. As the winds blew through his helmet, he kept his nose working, sniffing to try and pick up even a faint scent of this guy. Or his kills.

With so much time passed, he thought there had to be a scent of blood in the air somewhere. A second later, he had to correct himself on that.

“Stay calm. Keep thinking.”

As Alex rounded another turn, something came to him. He didn’t know how dense was that area was in terms of trees and grass. If it was thick enough, he could sneak into or around the location without the police seeing him. Holding onto that thought, he rounded the last turn and ahead of him was his destination.

To his left, there was a long row of business buildings down the street; oil, machinery, and more. From where he was, the parking lots looked almost barren and the traffic on the main road was light. A good thing if he was going to be sneaking around in broad daylight.

On his right was the wooded area that housed the stable. The grass there was tall, maybe six inches, but the initial thickness of the tree line wasn’t as dense as he thought. He couldn’t see beyond a few giant bushes, but the trees he could see through quite a ways. The police would have to be occupied for a while to let him get deep into the thicket without being seen.

Putting his hazard lights on, Alex took a few hard sniffs of the air. He could smell birch and oak leaves from the trees, and a mix of many other nature scents, but not the ones he was hoping for. At the same time, he checked to see if his dad had called; no missed calls yet. He couldn’t see him from where he was and assumed he was waiting for him to call instead.

Parking his bike in a nearby lot, Alex dialed his father’s number. He picked up two rings in. “Hello?”

“Hey dad. I’m just up the road from where that call came from.”

“Ah. OK. I’m turning into the street now.” After a brief pause, he continued. “I don’t see you.”

“I’m in a parking lot near the intersection ahead. By the Sun Machinery building.”

“Alright. I’m on my way.”

As the call ended, Alex awaited his father’s arrival. Seeing his police cruiser round the corner and pull in close felt both pleasing and worrying at once.

Rolling his window down, and with his aviator sunglasses still on, his father started talking. “Hey, son. Did you come up with any ideas?”

Alex took a sniff of the air again, trying to catch any new scents, but still found nothing. “No clear ones. All I can think of is sneaking into that field and looking for this guy.”

His father sighed. “I wouldn’t call that a good idea, son.”

“Maybe not, but I can’t pick up his scent from here.”

“If you can’t, maybe he’s not here?”

“It’s possible, but hasn’t this guy been leaving less to investigate lately?”

His father paused. “I have noticed that happening.”

“Yeah. I’d be better able to track him if I went closer to where he could be.”

“So then, I have to ask. What are you planning on doing if you find this person?”

Once again, Alex felt like he was about to answer a million dollar question. Turning Shane in was dangerous with the full moon coming; anyone in their position wouldn’t let that happen anyway. And then, he’d used him to cover up his first kill. If Shane disappeared, there would be little to question about who was killing animals again. He hated thinking of his dad having to cover him, even for things he couldn’t help.

But then, Alex remembered the story Shane had told him the day before. Biting him to make sure he knew he was a werewolf. Sticking him with this when it was possible he could’ve avoided being a werewolf in the first place. Suddenly, he felt hot and bothered again, all throughout his throat and eyes.

Hearing his dad say his name, he responded. “I don’t know. I’m not sure what I can do.”

A small crack in his voice got his father’s attention. “You OK, son?”

“Yeah. Just a bit worried.”

“Then, if you do that, and you feel like it’s too much, just head back here.”

“I don’t want this guy to think I’ll cower from him because I can’t handle him. That’s the last thing I need.” Alex said, trying to sound confident instead of defensive.

“Alex, it’s better you do that then end up in the hospital, or something else.”

“I know, dad. I’m just saying.”

“So, is that what you want to do?”

“Yeah. I’ll stay out of sight and look for this guy.”

“Alright. Stay safe, son.”

Nodding and shutting off his motorcycle’s engine, Alex watched his father do a U-turn and head back towards the location where he was needed. Once again, he was alone. All that was left was to go into that thicket and find Shane, if he was there.

Starting from the bushes nearby, Alex stashed his gear and helmet nearby. The thick branches made sure he couldn’t get through and would have to go around. Straight into a mass of scents coming off the trees. He could smell oak in the mix, a slight hint of decay, likely from mushrooms, and some other gases. Most of those mellow at best. He still couldn’t smell Shane’s scent. Either his skin or his fur. Still, he had a gut feeling he was out here. If for no other reason than to keep feeding or to find a place to stash the remains for later.

Pulling his phone out, Alex put it into silence mode and opened his GPS again. He was at the north-eastern most edge of the thicket. He would have to move inwards quite a ways, and got started walking. The initial rhythm of his feet crunching against the grasses as he went was subtly soothing. However, at the same time, he felt like someone was watching him.

Once he’d covered enough distance to bring him closer to the thicket, he stopped to look around. The trees ahead of him were much denser, which would be perfect cover despite the sunlight. There were also no new scents around, until a sudden breeze blew through the trees.

It brought with it a wash of scents from fertilizer to engine exhaust, telling him it was a northbound breeze. Pausing for a second, he listened for any radio noises, or anything else police related. Or canine related if they’d brought dogs with them. He heard nothing for a time, and continued on.

As he made his way into the thicket of birch trees, Alex soon heard what sounded like a rustling of grasses ahead of him. Not footfalls, but a heavy rubbing, abrasive sound, possibly dragging. With his GPS telling him he was looking southwest, Alex got moving, trying not to make as much noise. The dead stillness around him didn’t help matters.

He stopped again a few seconds later to be sure the sound hadn’t died. By this time, it had stopped, making him start to worry. Holding still for a time, he could hear footfalls to his right. A set of four, slowly circling him.

Looking that direction, Alex watched for the cause of the noise. He soon saw what looked like a dark-furred wolf moving between the trees. His pulse, which was already up, rose more. He was right. Whether that was a good or bad thing, he was about to find out.

Taking a step towards Shane, he quickly stopped. What if he asked how he’d found him? If this guy knew he had connections with the police, what would he try and do? Or what if he already knew from watching his neighborhood?

With more sounds of paws against grass, Shane finally came closer to him. He looked a possible 250 pounds, all thick muscle, and his pelt of black and tan fur stood out in the sunlight that broke through the trees. Even on all fours, he was just as huge as Alex recalled from that night months ago.

“I never expected to see you out here.” Shane said in a growly voice.

“I could say the same to you.” Alex said, giving a moment’s pause. “Any reason why you’re a werewolf in broad daylight?”

Shane licked his fangs. “I was hungry, and there was easy prey nearby.”

“Figures.” Alex replied, trying to act like this was casual. “You going to change back?”

“Not right now. Why should I?”

“The police for one.”

Shane scoffed, which sounded like a mix between a growl and a snarl coming from a werewolf. “So?”

“Not good.” Alex thought.

“Actually, why are you nervous about that?”

“What? I respect the police. I’d rather not see them get hurt fighting a werewolf.”

Shane sighed, a gesture which again sounded off from a werewolf. “I know your dad is a cop.”

Alex felt his heart sink and swore in his head. How long had he known?

“I already told you I’m not interested in turning anyone else.”

“I’m aware of that…” Alex felt the rest of his sentence freeze in his throat.

“Then, can you let that go?”

“I would,” Alex began. “but I need to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“What if you were wrong about what Angela did to me?”

“I doubt I was.”

Alex debated whether to mention Nathan specifically for a second. “OK. Then why didn’t you talk to us and tell us what would happen? Or just me?”

“Because that approach works oh so well with every person on the planet.” Shane said, his tone heavy with sarcasm. “You were scared shitless that night, and me looking like that in front of your whole group?”

Alex scoffed. “That night we ran into each other tells me otherwise.”

“They’re your friends. They’re going to try not to act scared of you. But me?”

Despite recalling the constant barrage of fear scents from his friends that night, Alex diverted the topic. “Regardless, how do I know if that explanation is true or not? I’ve just got your word, and no one else’s, to back it up.”

Shane narrowed his eyes a bit. “I’ve been a werewolf far longer than you have. Does that help?”

“No, it doesn’t. Because for all I know, you’re lying to me.”

Shane growled at that, showing his teeth as well. Alex barely flinched, even though he felt his flesh tighten. “And what would I gain from that?”

The constant defensive responses coming from Shane were starting to get more on Alex’s nerves. He felt like he was arguing with an internet troll, or a brick wall. His quivering tongue rubbed a part of his teeth to check for his fangs. None so far.

“I can venture a guess. Maybe making yourself feel better about something you did?”

“Like what?” Shane’s tone was getting deeper.

“Killing Angela for one.”

“I was a bit worried after that,” The response was a welcome one, making Alex feel like he was starting to get his point across. “but not for that reason. And I’ve already told you why.”

“So, you think you didn’t kill her?” Alex could feel his limbs start to shake. “She had gashes all over her.”

“What are you trying to prove?” Shane asked. “You sound like you’re grasping at straws.”

Taking a second, Alex gathered his thoughts. Something was up with Shane’s reactions. Was he giving responses that were too easily countered? Or was this guy that convinced that he’d hardly done anything wrong?

“I wouldn’t be if your responses weren’t so full of holes. Biting me instead of waiting or talking for one.”

“You really think I would risk something like that?”

“It would’ve made a lot more sense.” Alex’s arms were trembling then. His emotions were starting to rush. “At least there was a chance that I wouldn’t have become a werewolf. But I guess you were thinking, ‘Well, f*** it. I’ll just turn this guy and feed him any old c***. He’ll never know.’ ”

This time, Shane growled loudly and shot up onto his legs; he towered over Alex by a foot or more. Brandishing his claws openly, he closed the gap between the two of them, his rumbling growl not stopping.

Alex felt more than a shirk away from Shane at that moment. He felt his whole leg step back, and then his stomach shrink, pulling him into a slight crouch. He felt a jab in his throat that didn’t come from any physical claws. He couldn’t speak. He felt locked up, only able to behave in ways that involved moving away.

With his fangs exposed and his tongue sticking out between them, Shane broke the growl just long enough to talk. With his maw less than six inches from Alex’s face, he could the iron smell of fresh blood on his breath. “You can come up with all the conspiracy theories you want about what I did. They don’t change a damn thing.”

“Of course they don’t. To you!” Alex fired back, trying to look Shane in the eyes. He couldn’t. His body wouldn’t let him.

This time, a snarl sounded and snapping of jaws next to his head. Alex crouched more to get some distance, however minor. That distance was instantly closed again, and he felt Shane’s hot breath against his neck. His pulse rose even more and his eyes watered even more.

Feeling Shane’s gigantic paw press against his ribcage, the claws poking into his skin, Alex felt trapped. Everything around him faded to the sounds of growling and the smell of blood. Why had he even thought of doing something this stupid?

Keeping his mouth shut and cowering as he was made his chest feel empty; it was begging to be filled with anger. He didn’t want to shift unless he had to, but threatening to do so felt like the only way to get this guy to back off. Even if he would be disabled for a few minutes.

He had no idea how many minutes passed before Shane stopped growling. As everything went quiet again, the paw on his back didn’t move. He didn’t dare say anything. He was at a disadvantage, even with quicker healing.

The warm breath against his neck then ceased, telling him Shane was looking away from him. “We’re not far from my kill. I can spare you some of it; might help you calm down.”

“I’m not hungry.” Alex replied. The thought of eating raw flesh at that moment did sound good, but he couldn’t let himself do it.

Shane didn’t speak until after Alex felt nostril breaths against his neck. “Yeah. That’s part of your problem. You’re not seeing this as anything but terrible.”

“I’ve yet to notice anything good coming from this.” Alex said, licking his teeth again to check for fangs.

“Hunting live animals is not as bad as you think.”

“Easy for you to say, given how many you’ve taken out.” That was what Alex wanted to say, but instead he gave a lengthy sigh, as if to say, “You’re right.”

“You kill animals for their meat, so just think of it as catching your own food.”

“I’ve tried. Doesn’t help.”

“Give it another month or so. It’s barely been two months.” No response came. “And Alex?”

“What?”

“Don’t forget that we’re a pack. If you want me to help you with this, I can. As long as you understand I’m not the bad guy here.”

“Fine.” Shane then released his paw from behind Alex’s back.

Standing back up, no longer being held down, he felt far better, despite his emotions running back to the surface to have their chance in the spotlight. It was a surge ranging from anger and disgust to pleasure. He didn’t look at Shane directly, instead paying attention to his massive paws.

It was then that Alex heard a radio call akin to a police radio not far from them. Along with an order to investigate something.

“Get moving.” Shane took off immediately after that, running on all fours as he did. Looking back to where the call was coming from, Alex did the same in the opposite direction, checking his GPS to be sure he was going the right way. He started off slowly to make less noise, and then broke away in a fast run.

Emerging from the thicket to the less dense area around it, Alex headed for his motorcycle, grabbing his gear from the stash spot. Shaking, out of breath, and his eyes ready to leak, he sat on his bike to think. He had no idea what he’d accomplished. Or if he’d accomplished anything at all. He’d found Shane, spoken to him, pissed him off, and then he was nice again. A complete loop.

And then, he’d cowered from him. Acted submissive. The very things he didn’t want to do. At any moment of the encounter. Telling himself to calm down, Alex looked into one of the motorcycle side mirrors. He licked his teeth, ignoring how red his face was. No fangs had grown. His fingernails hadn’t given way to claws either, but his irises were showing tinges of yellow on the inner side. Taking deep breaths, the yellow soon faded and his eyes were blue again.

Wondering how close he’d once again come to shifting, Alex felt his phone through his jeans. He wanted to get out of the parking lot, and away from the area, but felt an obligation to call his dad first. At least to let him know what had happened.

As the screen came on, so did the lunar calendar. Five days were left until the full moon came around again. Suddenly, Alex wished he hadn’t turned down Shane’s offer. Some fresh animal meat would help him when the hunger came on.

Typing in the numbers of his father’s cell, Alex didn’t pause at the last few. He held the phone to his ear as it rang, but this time, his father didn’t pick up. At first, he was worried, but he hadn’t heard any gunshots ring out. No screams had sounded either; Shane hadn’t gone after them. They would eventually find the dead animal as well, so he’d have no reason to show his face.

Looking behind him, towards the mass of trees, Alex felt a shot of confidence run through him. Shane wouldn’t approach the police, but he didn’t have to be the same way. Getting off his bike and pocketing his phone, he once again went towards the thicket. Wiping his eyes to be sure he was showing no tears, he headed in the direction of the radio sounds.

“I’ll just play it calm when I get there.” he said to himself.