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I’ve seen some pretty weird stuff since I became a werewolf. Vampires, voodoo priest, even ghosts. Yet it still amazes me how little I know about what’s out there.
And today I was going to find out about something I could never have imagined. The sun was shining and my day started out normal for the most part.
~*~*~*~ Tommy walked down the corridor towards his locker when he saw Lori. “Hey, Tommy!” “Hey Lori. Have you seen Merton today?” Lori snorted. “No. He’s probably trying to find something weird going on. He’s been looking for weeks. There hasn’t been anything strange going on around here for ages.” Tommy nodded. “You’re probably right. He’s been acting strange for days, even by his standards.” At that moment, Merton came running down the hall and skidded to a halt next to the pair. “Guys, you’ll never guess what I’ve discovered!” “Is it anything like that possessed squirrel from last week?” Tommy sighed. “Yeah, that was a good one. I don’t know how you’re going to top that,” Lori laughed. “Hey, that squirrel was evil.” Merton was talking with his hands. “Ok, so I was wrong about the possession, but this is different. This time I know I’m right!” “Ok, so what is it?” “I think I’m developing psychokinetic powers!” “Cheah, right. Whatever.” “Wow. I was wrong. You have managed to top it,” Lori grinned. “Watch. I can prove it!” Merton closed his eyes and placed two fingers on each of his temples. He screwed up his face in concentration. Nothing happened. “Well?” Tommy asked. “It worked earlier. I moved a candelabrum in the lair. Just wait. I obviously need to concentrate harder.” He stood again and concentrated. Still nothing happened. Tommy shook his head. “See you later, Merton. Coming Lori?” “Yep! Later Merton.” “No! Wait! Just give me a chance!” Merton called after them as the pair walked away. ~*~*~*~ “Ah, lunchtime. My least favourite part of the day.” Tommy and Lori sat at a table in the cafeteria. “It’s not that bad. I mean, the food is edible.” “Hhmm.” Tommy stabbed his meatloaf with his fork, which remained upright. That’s when Merton came in and sat next to Lori. “Guys, have you seen the paper today?” “No, why?” Tommy frowned. “Take a look at this.” Merton thrust the paper into their hands. On the front page there was an article about an attack on a school student. Lori pulled the paper towards herself. “Hey, this said it looked like an attack by the Pleasantville werewolf. They can’t ask the girl because she’s in a coma.” “What? That’s impossible! I never…” Tommy realised that he’d been nearly shouting and lowered his voice. “I never attacked anyone. It must have been something else.” “Well, Tommy, it could still be a werewolf attack,” Merton said, moving his hands as he spoke. “We do know that there are other werewolves which have come to Pleasantville. Remember the evil werewolf syndicate? It is possible for one of them to have done this.” “Nah, they wouldn’t. I’m their alpha now. They only do what I say. And I told them to leave town, remember.” “It gets worse.” Lori turned to face them. “Now can it possibly get worse?” “The reporter’s calling for a major wolf-hunt. He wants to know who the werewolf is and lock him up, for good!” The boys looked shocked. “What!” “This isn’t good.” “Gee, thanks Merton. I don’t think I’d have worked that out if you hadn’t have told me!” “Guys, this is no time to fight!” Lori said, getting between them. “We need a plan.” “Don’t worry about it,” Tommy said leaning back in his chair. “The last time something like this happened it all blew over after a few days.” Merton placed his hands on Tommy’s shoulders. “Tommy! This is different! This guy’s one of the most respected reporters in town. If he demanded the first born sacrificed to him, people would ask where and when!” “Guys, don’t worry.” Tommy took Merton’s hands off his shoulders. “I’ll be fine. It’s not as though they have any leads that could be linked to me.” “Tommy’s right. I’m sure it will all calm down in a day or two. And when the girl wakes up, she’ll be able to tell the police who really attacked her.” “You’re right Lori. I’m sure we’re all just overreacting. After all, nobody but us knows that Tommy’s the werewolf, and it’s not as though we’re going to tell anyone else.” “Right.” Tommy nodded. “Now if you’ll excuse me I think I’ll skip lunch,” he said getting up. “But Tommy…” “But nothing Lori. I’m not worried, so why should you be,” he said and left. “Well, somebody’s got to be,” Lori mumbled. ~*~*~*~ James Johnson, reporter extrodinaire, sat in front of a computer. On the screen was an article about the Pleasantville werewolf. He’d already lost count of the number of references he’d already examined. “There must be something here that can help me identify this guy,” he muttered to himself. James had been staring at the screen now for over three hours and still he was no closer to finding out who the werewolf was. He brought up the next page and that’s when it hit him. A common factor. How could he have missed it? It was right there under his nose. So many reports of werewolf sightings had this one place in common. This was it! The break he needed. James grabbed his coat and headed out the door. “I’m going out for a while, Stacey” he told his secretary. “If anyone wants me I’ll be at the high school.” ~*~*~*~ James Johnson arrived at the high school and immediately began his questions. “Excuse me young lady,” he said to the first person he saw. Lori stopped and faced him. “My name is James Johnson, reporter with the Pleasantville Press, and I’m investigating the werewolf attack from the other night. You’ve heard about it, I presume?” “Oh, yeah,” Lori said, suddenly suspicious. “I don’t know anything about it though.” She tried to back away from the reporter. “Just a moment! I was wanting to ask, have you ever seen the werewolf?” “Yes. Most people have.” “Where?” “A few places,” Lori replied reluctantly. “Where exactly? It would be a great help to my…investigation. Wouldn’t a young lady like yourself feel so much safer walking the streets, knowing that the monster was locked up for good?” “I guess. But, well, I mean, the werewolf has never attacked me, or anyone else that I’ve seen, even when there was a lot of people around,” Lori shrugged. “I see. So you don’t know who it could be? And you aren’t worried about the fact that a killer is on the loose, possibly in this very school?” “Wait, what do you mean, killer? And why do you think he’s here?” “There have been a record number of sighting in the school, compared to elsewhere in town. And what made you say ‘he’?” Damn! “Well, I’ve seen him. I know he’s a he.” Quick recovery. “Of course. That must be it. Thanks for your help, ma’am,” the journalist said and walked away to look for more students to interview. “Damn! I have to warn Tommy,” Lori said to herself. ~*~*~*~ “Hey Merton, have you found out anything about the attack?” “Yes, actually Tommy, I have.” Merton closed his locker and faced his friend. “It’s very interesting. Apparently…” He got no further because Lori came running down the corridor calling to them. “Guys, hey guys! I’ve got some really bad news! That reporter, James Johnson, he’s here in school asking questions about the werewolf.” “What!” Tommy said, shocked. “What kind of questions?” “Probing ones. He’s trying to find out who you are.” “Do you mind? I was in the middle of a summary!” Merton said. “A summary of what?” Lori asked him. “Of the attack.” “Guys, I think Mr Reporter snooping around is a slightly more important issue right now,” Tommy interjected. “Why is he here? Did he tell you?” “Because there have been more sighting of the werewolf here than anywhere else in town. You’re going to have to be more careful about wolfing out around this place now. I don’t think he’s planning on going anywhere for a while.” “No!” Merton quietly yelled. “Tommy has to leave and come back when the reporter’s gone! It’s the only safe way around it. If he doesn’t see Tommy then he can’t suspect him.” “That’s just stupid,” Lori cut in. “If Tommy leaves now it’ll only make Johnson suspicious.” “Lori’s right, Merton.” “Thank you Tommy.” The blonde smiled at the taller boy, who couldn’t help but smile back. “What were you saying before, Merton?” Finally back in the spotlight, the Goth spoke again in his extravagant way. “The attack took place in the cemetery. The victims wounds appear to be made by teeth and claws, but they’re not treating her as a possible werewolf-to-be.” “No reason they should. Not all the police in this town believe the werewolf ‘stories’.” “Why do they think it was me? I’ve never been seen in the cemetery by anyone but you two. Have I?” the lycanthrope asked. “I haven't seen any reports of sightings in the cemetery. It’s probably because of her injuries,” Merton said. “Oh no! Here comes that reporter,” Lori said, glancing down the corridor. “Whatever you do, don’t talk to him. You don’t want to let anything slip.” “Don’t worry,” Tommy said. “He won’t find out its me. How could he? There’s only the two of you who know. And you’re not going to tell him.” Lori looked dubious, but let it go. She knew he was right, but that didn’t make her feel any better. ~*~*~*~ James Johnson was puzzled. A large number of students had seen the werewolf, but none could remember any distinguishing features of him. The worst of the people he’d interviewed were convinced that they could catch the werewolf by themselves, and they already had, several times. He’d escaped by outsmarting them, which James believed. Those guys were thick. What were they called again? He flipped through his notebook and found the page he was looking for. T & T. That was it. Idiots. There’s that girl again, he thought, glancing down the corridor at the trio of friends. Remembering he never got her name, the reporter headed towards her. “Excuse me?” he said. The friends turned. From the looks on their faces, they were talking about something they didn’t want him to hear. “I never got your name, for my article.” “Oh, well, erm, I’d…er…prefer to remain anonymous.” Lori said. “Are you sure?” the journalist asked, shocked. “Most people would jump at the opportunity to see their name in the paper.” James glanced then at the boys stood behind Lori. “What about you gents? Would you like to help me with my investigation?” “I don’t think so,” Tommy said. “I don’t know who the werewolf is, so I wouldn’t be much help.” Merton looked eager at the prospect of being interviewed for the local paper, but declined also at frantic gesturing from Lori behind the reporter. “Sorry. I don’t know who he is either.” “Really. Oh well, thank you anyway.” James turned and walked passed them, but didn’t go too far. They knew something, and he wanted to know what. From his position around the corner he could hear the group talking. “Not talking to him was probably a worse idea! This may look suspicious, but at least we didn’t say anything stupid!” the girl said. “Look, Lori, we wouldn’t have said anything stupid. I’ve been a werewolf for nearly a year now, and the only person I told was Merton. You worked it out for yourself.” This voice sounded like the taller boy. “And you had help in that.” “You’re right, Tommy. I guess I’m just worried for you.” “Don’t be. I’m fine. He’s not going to find out. You guys up for looking around that cemetery tonight?” “Of course. If there’s anything supernatural out there, then we need to know what it is. Then you guys can fight it, and I can…” This must be Merton the reporter thought. “Run away?” The girl, Lori. “Not quite what I was thinking, but a good plan is a good plan.” “Pfff. You are such a coward. I can’t believe…” James didn’t hear anymore. He’d heard what he needed and now all he needed was proof, and he could get that tonight. ~*~*~*~ The three friends arrived at the cemetery a little after nine. None of them saw the reporter hiding in the bushes. “What exactly are we looking for?” Lori asked. “Anything suspicious, or out of place,” Merton said. A noise behind them made the trio turn, and come face to face with James Johnson. “What are you doing here?” Tommy asked him. “Hoping to run into the werewolf, and it looks like I just did.” “What! What are you talking about? I’m not the werewolf!” “There’s no point in denying it. I heard you talking earlier, and you admitted it. I have only one thing to ask you. Why?” “Why what?” the boy looked puzzled. “Why did you attack the girl? Did she not want to go out with you? Did she tease you?” “I don’t even know her! And why would I attack her? I'm not even the werewolf!” Just then there was a tremendous roar from across the cemetery. “What was that?” Lori asked. “I have no idea, but I vote we don’t stay around to find out.” Merton had gone drip white, fitting his Goth appearance more than his usually colour. It was then that the creature burst out of a nearby crypt. It had long claws and sharp teeth, and was blood red. Tommy wolfed out. He hadn’t meant to, but it was an automatic reaction to the approaching danger. “Damn!” “What the hell is that thing?” the reporter whimpered. “I have no clue, but it doesn’t look friendly.” Tommy said. The reporter turned to face him, and went even whiter than he already was. “I knew you were the werewolf. Don’t kill me!” “What? Why would I kill you? I hate it when people assume that just because I’m a werewolf I’m a bad person.” “Tommy, I think we have a slightly more important problem at the minute!” Merton said, cowering behind a gravestone. “Oh, right,” Tommy replied, and began to run towards the creature. It screamed again, and raised its claws into the air. Wolf and demon clashed, and claw met flesh, teeth met bone. Tommy was thrown across the grounds, and the demon advanced on the three humans. Lori kicked out and hit it square in the jaw. It fell back, already weakened by the blood loss. That was when Tommy, back on his feet, lunged at the creature. Grabbing it from behind he yelled, “How do you stop this thing?” “I think it’s a demon,” Merton called back. “Go for the eyes. That might work!” “What do you mean, ‘might’?” Tommy struggled to keep his grip on the monster. “Do you have a better idea?” Realising that the Goth was right, Tommy looked around for something o hit the creature in the eyes with. Seeing a fallen branch nearby, he let go and rolled towards it. His hand closed on the branch and turned to see the demon right on top of him. Putting all his strength into his swing, the werewolf hit the thing in the eyes. It screamed a terrible scream, and a red glow erupted from its eye sockets and mouth. The sound faded and the demon had disappeared. Tommy stood up and concentrated. Once he’d dewolfed he walked to where his friends stood with the reporter. “Are you alright?” Lori asked him, gesturing to the blood covering his shirt. “I’m fine. It’s already healed. What about you?” “We’re fine, but I guess it’s not going to be for long,” she said, looking at the reporter. “What?” James looked back at her. “Why not?” “Well, your story. I guess that you’re going to print that Tommy’s the werewolf. Even though he did just save your life, and killed the creature that attacked that girl.” “Well, I’ve been thinking. Since you have had the opportunity to kill me, but instead saved me, maybe I don’t have to print your name.” “Really?” Tommy asked, shocked. “Cool.” “It’s the least I could do.” “So, what are you going to tell your editor?” Merton chimed in. “I don’t know, but I guess I could think of something. I was thinking of the truth.” “But you just said…” “I know what I just said,” the reporter cut Tommy off. “I can still write the story, I just won’t say what your name is, or that these two were involve.” He paused. “Nobody will believe it, but I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.” The reporter walked off and left the friends alone. “Well, I guess I’m safe for now,” Tommy said. “Yes, but for how long?” Lori said, as they headed home. ~*~*~*~ I knew my identity was safe, but Lori was right. Next time I may not be so lucky. I’ll have to be more careful in the future. The next person who finds out that I’m a werewolf may not be as understanding as James Johnson. But I guess I can worry about that when the time comes. Sometimes I wish I never became a werewolf, but then I think, if I hadn’t I couldn’t have helped so many people. Even if other people don’t think it, I’m a good werewolf, and that’s how it’s going to stay.