The Howling

Barry smiled and disappeared into the night. Lena raced inside, fired up her laptop, and began typing. Her heart poured over the first few pages as she began retelling the tale.

In the darkness it did wait. Slouching, and silently crouched, ready to take the first step at the prey it found. While she stood there looking out across the water it never crossed her mind that she was in danger. But as the silence was broken with the low growl she let out a yelp. Before she could fully utter a scream the beast had her in its grasp…

Morning found Lena asleep on the couch, sun filtering in through the shades. Automatic save kicked on when the battery on the laptop failed. She yawned, plugged it in to charge, and made herself a pot of coffee. As the coffee brewed, she fetched the morning paper off the front steps, and then threw it on the table before grabbing a quick shower.

The hot water felt good as it ran down Lena’s back. She soaped up her hair and scrubbed out the evening sweat. When she reached for the soap she had to juggle it to keep from dropping it. But she managed to hang on long enough to get clean.

Lena had barely turned off the water when she heard the furious pounding on her door. She wrapped up in a towel and dripped all the way to the front door. Barry rushed in as she opened it, and without noticing how she was dressed, began to blurt out half sentences until she silenced him.

“Coffee is in the kitchen, cups are above the sink. I take mine black thank you. I’m going to get dressed now. You catch your breath.” She spun on her heels and stormed off.

Barry realized just then what he had interrupted. He blushed, smacked his own head for the stupidity of it all, and went to make the coffee as Lena had instructed. She returned from her room wearing a simple teal colored sundress, her bronzed red hair still dripping wet down her back.

“I suppose you have good reason to be stammering away at me this early in the morning.” She said as she took her coffee and sat down on the couch.

“It’s all over the TV and newspaper. Something broke into several houses on this side of the beach. One person is still missing.” He handed her the paper.

Sure enough, the story was on the front page. Lena skimmed through it. There were five houses in total that had damage from breaking and entering. Nothing was missing other than the woman in the first house located a few blocks away from her house. She sighed and then lay the paper down.

“You were worried about me?” She asked.

“Yes,” He blushed again, this time where she could see it.

“That’s sweet. You know, you said something that surprised me. People really get into this North Beach wolf phobia don’t they?” She chuckled.

“It’s not just a phobia, it’s true you know. They found hair from some beast at the first house where the lady is still missing from. They said it looked as if she fought back.”

“How do you know all this?” She asked curiously.

“In this town, Paul is head gossip. Isn’t much that goes on that isn’t well known by supper time.” He grinned.

“Welcome to small town USA.” She rolled her eyes.

“Hope I didn’t interrupt your morning rituals too much.” He sighed as he put the coffee cup down.

“It wasn’t a bad change.” She smiled.

“There’s more coffee left.” She pointed out.

“I’ll get us a refill then.” He grabbed the cups and drifted into the kitchen.

“So, what do you do when you’re not busy saving my life?” She asked loud enough for him to hear.

“I’m a trust fund kid. So, that leaves my schedule open to save the occasional damsel in distress.” He replied as he returned with the coffee.

“You come from money and live like a bum on the beach?” She laughed.

“Well yeah, mostly, why not? Not everyone should have to struggle working their whole life away.” He smiled.

“It sounds way too easy.”

“It’s worth getting lost in.” He grinned.

“How about we splurge a little and I take you out for a nice breakfast?”

“I’d like that.” She replied. “Let me grab a few things and we’ll head right out.”

“Ok.”

“Where would you like to go?” She shouted from down the hall.

“Oh Paris, China, Rome, or maybe just up the street; who cares really as long as it’s with you.” He replied.

She laughed, “There is no way you’re getting me on a flight to Paris.”

“Why not?” He replied as she returned to the living room.

“I don’t have a passport.” She laughed.

“That’s odd, how could someone like you not have a passport?” He chuckled. “But, alright, local it is.” He gave her his most charming smile.

By local, Barry insisted they drive up to the mall. It took nearly forty minutes in the rush hour traffic. Lena breathed a sigh of relief when they pulled into the parking lot. What started out as a breakfast mission, ended up being a late lunch. They sat down in the booth, ordered their meal and chatted casually together.

“What brought you to our town from the city?” Barry asked politely.

“I was in desperate need of a change. It seemed like everything I touched there turned to shit and I couldn’t concentrate anymore.” She smiled.

“I can understand that. Before I figured out that I wanted to settle down somewhere I was all over the place. Cities, towns, countries, I burnt up half of my trust fund finding this place.” He chuckled.

“Of course, my editor was pissed. He’s genuinely a good guy and has faith in my ability to pull a rabbit out of my ass when it comes to writing. But in the long run, if he isn’t showing me off to investors he thinks I’m cheating him.” She added with a slight smirk.

“Ah, sounds like an interesting guy.” He smiled in return.

“That’s the glitter and gold of a life of fame and fortune.” She laughed as they finished their meal.

After the meal they took the time to catch an afternoon movie before heading back to the quiet beach town. Barry kissed Lena on the cheek and bid her good night just before sunset. She danced happily back into her home and settled into do some writing. The day out with him was just what she needed to stir up the monotony in her life that had caused her writers block. With a smile she typed away contently.

“Which one of them was it?”

The stereo flew across the room and shattered on the wall. The five men standing in front of the wall did not even flinch as the splintered remains showered down their backs. Barry paced fuming with anger.

“We have a stray brother. It was not any of us.” Keith replied sternly.

Paul responded, “He’s right you know. The girl’s house was broken out of, not into. Someone else changed her.”

“Who then?” Barry growled.

“Perhaps you would know if you weren’t so busy chasing that piece of tail.” Keith chuckled harshly.

“That piece of tail, as you so call her, is our only chance at being accepted by the outside world. We have all read what she had done for our blood drinking brethren.” Barry chattered on.

Donny interrupted, “Blah, blah. So change the woman already. Get on with it before your conquest is the end of our pack.”

Barry drew back and balled up his fist. The next thing he knew he was standing over Donny as he curled up on the floor holding his jaw. The anger subsided as he took a few steps back.

“We dare not challenge you as our leader, Barry. You led us here to our safety many years ago. We live in peace with the residents.” Eric replied as he ran his fingers through his long blonde hair.

“We are strong because we are family. Gather the others. Seek out this renegade before we are exposed.” Barry sighed.

“It will be taken care of.” Bryan replied. “Come my brother Paul, we will need the resources of the whole department for this one.”

The pack scattered leaving Barry alone with his thoughts. They were right. The six brothers had relocated here together, away from the vampire society, away from the persecution, and from the hunters of their kind.

Upon settling in this town many more came seeking sanctuary. With Barry as their leader, North Beach had become home to over fifty pack members. All of which blended into the community, fully functioning, and free from fear. Now there was a stray, a woman was changed, and the secrecy they worked so hard for was being threatened. He prayed for swiftness, and then exited into the night alone.

The moon was full. It reflected off the black water with brilliant clarity. Lena stood on her porch and stared out into the dark night. Barry had left only a few hours ago. She had spent an hour of the elapsed time recollecting the previous night into a note pad document. Then she added in information of the attack that he had spared her from, the poor girl down the street had not been so lucky. She sighed, and let the thoughts drift away with the tide.

Lena pondered over the large stray dog on the beach. It was massive compared to any breed she could remember. Was it really the North Beach wolf? Could the wolf even exist? What really happened to the woman down the street? Not much added up in her mind tonight. It made her frustrated and exhausted but rather than dwell on it, she made up her mind to ask the officers in the morning. The truth was better than what her fanatical mind could create anyways.

Shadows danced across the shore. Moving swiftly, they darted across the rocks, hopped the rail on the boardwalk, and skittered across the road one by one. Lena counted three people total as they passed under the street lamp. She thought she recognized one of them, Barry’s friend from the beach. Just what were they up to so late? She grabbed her jacket and snuck outside following them as silently as possible.

Lena tripped over the curb, stubbed her toe, and bit her lip to keep from cursing aloud. Stealth was not her strong point, especially in the dark. By the time she caught up to the trio of men she was certain they knew of her presence.

Keith sat on the front porch steps, under the yellow crime scene tape. Lena could hear the other two inside the house. She stopped in front of him, full moon at her back, barely enough light to discern that it was him at all, until he spoke.

“You shouldn’t be out here, Lena.”

“Nor should you.” She retorted.

“On the contrary. I was sent to aid in the investigation.” He smirked.

“What investigation? This woman’s abduction?”

“Is that what the media is calling it then?” He laughed so loud the other two joined him on the porch out of curiosity.

“You shouldn’t be here. Go home where it’s safe.” He said as he looked back at his companions.

“I’m not leaving until I get answers.” She demanded.

“Barry was a fool for involving her.” One growled from the shadows.

“Shut it Donny.” Keith warned.

“She doesn’t know does she?” The other laughed.

Lena was suddenly overwhelmed by the feeling that she was surrounded by a pack of hungry hyenas. She took a step back.

“That’s enough Eric. You two report back. As for you Lena, I’m walking you home.” He snagged her by the arm harshly and marched her up the street.

“Let me go.” She wretched her arm free. “I can walk just fine without your help.”

“Suit yourself.” He smiled as he released his hold on her.

“What did you mean back there, about the media? What is it that I’m not supposed to know?”

“I’m not answering any questions.” They stopped in front of her house.

“Why not,” She huffed. “Was it the North Beach wolf?”

“There you are Lena!” Barry came out of nowhere and swept her up in a hug.

“I told you to stay in. It isn’t safe out here.”

“She followed us. What a handful she is! Enjoy it bro.” Keith laughed and vanished into the night.

“Wait, I wasn’t finished, you prick!” She shouted into the night.

“Easy Lena, let’s go inside eh?” He coaxed her up to the door.

“You know something don’t you?” She accused.

“Now is not the time Lena.” She couldn’t tell if he sounded annoyed or if he was pleading for a reprieve.

“When is it time then? What are you not telling me? Why does it appear that everyone but me knows something?”

Barry pushed Lena through the door and inside her house. Her skin tingled as she got the sudden sense of déjà vu. The house was dark and silent as they stood there staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity.

“Not everything is what it seems to be.” He said at last.

“Enlighten me.”

“Not tonight.” He smiled and kissed her softly.

When Barry pulled away, he too vanished back into the darkness he had appeared from. Lena frustrated and annoyed, slammed the door behind him and retired to bed.

Barry threw his jacket on the chair and made his way into the kitchen. His whole body ached. His skin itched, and his stomach was growling with an angry intensity. It had been a long day indeed. There was no intent to return to Lena’s house. Yet he had gotten there just in time to avoid an embarrassing encounter between her and Keith. He had only intended on checking the progress of the investigation, but found himself relieved that it hadn’t gone further than what it had. He wasn’t sure she was ready to know the truth.

The night was still young. Many of the pack members could hold out perhaps another forty minutes. It was necessary for them to change into wolf form at least once a cycle. Only the older wolves, Keith, Paul, and himself, could push it off for two or three months at a time, or call it out of them at will, without the moon to force the change upon them.

Barry had already pushed his limit. His inner self howled to be released. It would have to wait. His phone vibrated with the incoming text message. The pack was coming. They had found the girl. He made his way down the stairs and into the den.

The beach house was not only built on top of the cliff, it also had access deep into it. The caverns below the basement served well enough to house large amounts of clan members at any given time. That would be where Barry would find them. They would lead her in by the way of the bay access. In chains, no doubt, would they drag the changeling up the spiral cut stone staircase and into the main hall directly below his basement access door.

They were already there when Barry entered. As expected, only he, Keith, and Paul were unaffected by change. Keith and Paul appeared strained though as they anchored the chains to the hooks in the floor and at last gave in.

As Keith let go of the chain his hands began to elongate. Soft patches of black, dark brown and grey fur grew up his arms and across his chest. His ribs cracked, separated, and reformed causing his chest to broaden with the muscles shifting around the bones. As his legs shifted backward, he hit the floor with a deafening howl. His snout and fangs emerged as the change reached his face ending in finality as his ears grew into furry tuffs above his head. He huffed and breathed deeply catching his breath as he returned to stand on his hind feet.

Paul was far from dramatic in his changes. He crouched to the floor before the shift occurred. It was far more intense for him as the pain shot forth through his human body. His shimmering white fur burst forth from his skin. All of his bones separated, and reformed in a series of loud popping and crackling noises. It all took the matter of a few seconds before he was hunched over on all four paws snarling with a fanged grin.

Barry approached the changeling. He circled around her as she growled, snapped violently, and pulled at her restraints until blood formed on her fur.

“You know who we are.” Barry began.

“You know what we are. We are not monsters.”

Paul stood up on his hind legs as the pack gathered together as one solid unit around her.

“Embrace the wolf as part of your own humanity.” Keith spoke through his elongated jaw.