The Hunt (closed)

[poohlive]

The wolved did not follow, for he had left their territory. They were happy enough with the warning wounds he had received. He paused for a moment, licking at his backside, when he heard the huge crashing through the forest.
It was her, she was running. Running from what?
He didn't know, he sniffed the air, but nothing in particular came to him.
He followed her, keeping in front, unsure just where she was going. She travelled slow, but undetermined. Did she have a direction? her house? Some other cabin out here?
It wasn't until she stopped altogether that he became alarmed.
Was something really following her?
He darted far too close, closer than he had ever been before, seeing her against a tall tree, her back pressed up to the bark, looking off in the bushes.
Something growled.
He could smell it now, indistinct. One of the wolves had followed them, but only one. It must have been hungrier than the others, and in a moment he could see it charge out of the bushes.
He had little time to react, although, considering just what was about to happen, didn't really think there was much other choice.
He leapt out, growling, teeth bared, his whole frame still and steady, moving in front of the frightened woman, between her and the wolf foaming at the mouth.
Foam?
He didn't bother with the logical wheels turning in his mind. He just stood there, four feet from the ground, his hefty weight nearly blocking the woman from the wolf.
For a moment, the wolf did come forward, almost trying to go around him, but he made another step, his deep dark coarse hairs on the back of his neck standing up.
The wolf jumped at him, and in an almost surreal moment of the moonlight and darkened trees, he opened his ferocious jaws and snapped the poor wolf's neck.
It fell with a loud splat against his feet, useless, blood seeping to the ground.
He paused, looking at it, shaking his head once. Then, he turned around, seeing the woman for the first time.
Fear seemed to creep off of her, sweat and musk melted into something that he found almost erotic. Had the situation been different, he might have asked her to lay with him right there...
But, the look in her eyes stopped that.
He looked at her, calming himself down, the hairs moving back into place. Calm peaceful green speckled eyes, blinking once, eyeing the woman carefully.
He didn't know if she realized it or not, but she still had a gun in her hand.
He licked his lips, spitting the blood onto the ground... and waited...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rhyanna

Fainting would have been much simpler, some where in her fragmented, lost mind that statement just reared it's head. It made much more sense than what she was witnessing right this very moment..

Perhaps she had died and this is simply what her mangled, dying body conjured up for her? A pleasant little vision of some totem guarding over her wrecked body?

Well, that would be plausible if not for the pain of a misquito bite forming on the back of her hand. It itched like hell.. but there was no way on earth she was going to even blink!

What could only be described as a freakin horse stood just two feet from her.. if that.. A dead rabid wolf at his feet.. He wasn't snarling, he wasn't biting. His stance was that of something that clearly did not define this moment!

Here was the wolf of myth. Standing here before her.. Staring at her.

She lost her mind.

That's all there was too it. She fainted and is having this odd dream.. No better yet! The cooks spiked her turkey sandwich at the clinic... That made more sense. Well, it would have if she'd eaten the damned thing.

The gun clattered at her feet, her fingers forgetting she was holding it upright. The wolf didn't even jump in fright?

Sure he could smell the fear on her? She could.

She never mastered her fear. Unlike her grandfather who could walk with the wolves. Who would get on all fours, scrape across the ground in what could only be submission and actually lie beside them.

Could she ever? Not in this life time.

"N-nice..?" what the hell was she going to say? Puppy? Yeah right. This thing was so large, puppy would be laughable.

"Jesus.." it whipped passed her lips breathlessly, a prayer. She was so frightened of moving, she felt like she'd become the tree bark.

Still it stared at her, the stare alone was disconcerning.. It disturbed her very much. Why would it do that? Was it expecting her to...... no, animals don't think like that. Why would a wolf not attack? Why would a wolf want her to show submission? Hell she wasn't even an animal!

But there it stood, staring.

A crazy thought entered her head, but who kept a wolf this size as a pet? Who ever seen a wolf this size?!

She wished silently over and over again that she could faint right then and there. It would solve all her problems to just pass out.. At least that way she might not feel it render her into itty bitty pieces.

She held out her hand, moving it slowly, tipping her palm upright. What prompted that stupid movement? Her nagging inner voice clearly spoke inside her head.

"Great, now I'm losing my mind.." she spoke aloud but in a small shaken voice. She was still very frightened, and yet her hand didn't go down nor retreat. It's .... well, she's obviously having some kind of hallucination.

Was it someone's pet?

 

[poohlive]

It stepped closer, sniffing her, taking a really good whiff. Something like childish Tom Foolery played about him at that moment. No need to do any of this, he had waited for a chance to jump off into the bushes but this...
This was just too much of an opportunity not to miss.
She smelled of lavender, mostly off her clothing. It had a clean crisp scent to it, almost tipid in the dying breeze. Traces of water, and soap were also apparent. Those things didn't bother him though.
Fear, oh, it was almost a drug to smell fear. It excited him, sent shivers down his arced spine. He took in another breath, just to make sure he got it himself.
And sex, but that was faint, gone. She must have been doing something earlier... he could only imagine.
He stood there for a moment, watching her reach out her palm. Did she expect him to shake? He growled softly, and let his jaws snap shut with a defining sound that broke the soft silence.
For a moment he groaned, moving his stiff muscles with a relaxed sort of figuration. So much more needed to be done tonight, and he could feel the hunger boiling inside him.
The wolf had aroused his taste buds, but he daren't eat it. Something told him the meat was wrong... bad.
He walked back passed the bushes, pausing only enough to turn back, give her a lazy woof, as if to say shoo off, and then jumped passed a fallen log.
He ran for a few yards, finding a nice trail, before stopping, and waiting.
SHe was out here alone. By herself.
Something was out here with her. He growled once, in frustration, but knew he couldn't do anything about it. He'd wait, and watch, in a distance, to make sure she made it home ok. His stomach made frightening gurgling noises, as if to argue against this act of needless protection, but he bit his lip.
She was in danger, he knew that from the moment he saw her.
If she was too scared to protect herself, he'd have to do it for her.
He waited, rather impatiently for her to move.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rhyanna

She almost yelped when the wolf snapped at her. He didn't really snap at her but made it apparent.. he didn't want to be touched... That was fine with her, she didn't want to touch, she wanted the hell out of there!

It turned, looking back, gave a little grunt almost and vanished.

That's it?

Her knees were shaking so badly, she sank down against the tree. Her hands trembled as she cupped her face. She felt like a leaf trembling in the wind, shaking uncontrollably so.

That was close.. That was so fucking close! She rarely ever swore, in her mind or vocally, but this moment called for it. It called for a lot more than that too. A shot would be nice.. good strong shot of vodka.. Too bad she didn't have any.

She glanced down at the wolf, noting the froth and condition it was in.. as well as the nearly severed head of it.

"Jesus!" She sagged even more, her bones like liquid. How did she get out of it alive??

"Damn it!" She eyed her gun. Her mind visioning what kind of publicity she would have gotten if she managed to trap such a fine specimen of wolf.. Almost groaning aloud, she bit back the noise.. The wolf vanished, but was it gone?

Her heart was still hammering, her breathing was labored but not from the vanished effects of running.. The adreniline of this moment would keep her wired for days, if not longer...

It took a moment for her eyes and brain to concur what she was seeing.. This dead wolf had rabies. The killer perhaps?

No time to think about it, she had to get out of here...

Reaching into one of her many pockets, she grabbed a rope and tied the four paws together. Tainted meat was not wise to leave around.. Plus it was the proof she needed for the Sheriff to end this hunt.. But what of that wolf?

Somewhere inside she felt she owed it to him not to speak of this meeting. Why, however, escaped her. She could be well known for this discovery.. but it would be hunted, captured and disected.. if they were kind. Caging it would be worse...

She was torn, but in a hurry. She barely made it out alive tonight, barely. Luck wouldn't hold out forever..

She swung the wolf onto her back, trying hard not to be ill from the thought of it's blood running down her back. It wasn't the blood, it was knowing how tainted it was..

She grabbed her tranquilizer gun and started off. She was closer to home than she thought, she could see her porch light through the trees.. but still every single noise made her jump. Made her heart stop and her eyes dart around the area..


At home she packed the wolf into a bag, covered it on the hood of her truck and stood staring into the trees...

What she would have given to see it's den.. Know where it came from.. Why it saved her? And why the hell she didn't freakin' shoot it! She could have at least studied the wolf then released it.. Now she wondered if she'd ever get another chance to? And did she really want another chance?

She locked up tightly that night and slept little of what remained of it. Her nerves were shot, the fear still clung to her, but so did the anger at missing a once in a life time chance.

In the morning she'd turn over the wolf and let the clinic know they were safe again..

 

[poohlive]

Terry gave a yawn as he took another cigarette out, lighting it up. Outside, he could see his breath, apart from the smoke, as the crisp clean air seemed to mock.
He made his routine, eyes wild and wonderous scanning the forest's edge as he traversed his own little trail. He stopped when he got to the yellow police tape.
Only yesterday, things had been such a routine.
Now.
He gruffed, coughing once, and then looking down at the still mess. It barely looked like a crime scene anymore, more like a remnant of one. Now, all that was left were the markings, and a few blades covered in blood. Terry stomped his foot a few times, and the blood was gone from sight.
It was out of sight, but not out of mind.
"We're playing a dangerous game, aren't we?"
He could feel the eyes of the institution on his back once more, and tried to look casual, as if he had done this every day.
He stamped out the half smoked butt and lit another one.
The routine, beginning once more.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rhy

She woke that morning feeling more tired than when she had finally laid down last night.

Was it all a dream?

It didn't feel real, even though she was worn so completely out. She asked herself time and time again what she was doing and why was she doing it?

The blood on her discarded clothes was evidence enough to know she hadn't dreamt it. All of it happened.. but still it nagged at her.

It nagged at her still when she called the Sheriff to meet her at the clinic for an ID. Now how would they ID a wolf? And deep down she knew that this wolf couldn't have possibly ate an entire man.. But the fooling part of her mind agreed it could have carried what was left of Chris away...

She wanted this nasty business done and over with. Was she lying to the cops to turn this wolf over? It felt like she was. After all those prints didn't come near the size of this wolf's... And to top it off, she seen the real thing last night..

But it didn't attack her. It didn't even look like it was .. Well that's stupid, she couldn't read a wolfs mind. Maybe it wasn't hungry after consuming all of Chris?

She crawled into her truck, waited until it finally kicked over and headed to the clinic...

She had her reasons for doing this. One, she wasn't a detective. She also pledged her life to saving the animals of this planet whenever she could..

Hell Chris tried to rape a woman! If charges had been pressed, he would have.. Should have gone to jail.. But deep down she knew too that he wouldn't have. He had clout, cash, dough.. He was famous, he was a rock star.. he would have walked away with a slap on the wrist..

What terrified her the most was the thought of men coming into her Preserve to kill her wolves. They weren't protected by any federal laws. Timber wolves were killed for taking down a single bull. They were killed for living, of all the ludacris things to kill an animal for, that took the cake.

She wasn't a warrior, she wasn't rambo nor fearless. She used safety measures like tree stands and tranquilizer guns. She never dealt with a living animal one on one.. Not one that wasn't sedated or tamed. A vet did surgery like any doctor, they just didn't deal with a wolf two feet from their person..

She could tell the 'big fish' story to the sheriff, but it would bring the hunters onto her lands.. Nothing would be safe. She was completely torn at what to do, even as she parked the truck in the gravel yet again and stepped into the crisp morning air.

So here she was, lying to the cops to protect animals that had the right to live as much as they did.. Waiting to try and ID a dead wolf and hopelessly lost on what to do about the giant of a wolf she seen last night..

A movement came from the corner of her eye, turning she spied Terry standing by the tape. Did she approach and say hi? Make nice before the Sheriff arrived? After yesterday she didn't think he really wanted to social anyway..

Torn between choices, she didn't have to make because the Sheriff pulled into the clinic's parking area right then.

She waited for him to get out before calling "Good morning." And smiling. She had to pull this off, or be committed for her wolf tale..

"So you caught one did ya?"

She nodded, untying the corner and flipping back the tarp.

"Well I didn't, another wolf took it down.. Definitely distempered. Rabid. I came in hopes that the few witnesses could say yes or no."

The Sheriff would go along with whatever the witnesses said, not much else he could do. Now if she passed this wolf off as the killer.. But what if someone else died?

"I'm not sure this is the actual wolf, but so far the only distempered one I've come across. It did come after me..." The wolf was small, too small really. The rabid state, lack of food and whatever else it had gone through had taken it's toll on the poor thing... but there was a chance it could take out Chris.. If his back was to the wolf..

She was deluding herself.

"Well I will go in and find the nurses who witnessed the crime.. Got any coffee on ya?" He eyed her a moment, a little grin on his dimple pudgy cheeks.

"Fresh out, but they might inside." As if she carried a coffee pot around. Next he'd ask her to bake too... He was a pain at times, but his dry humor always made her laugh.. Reminded her of her paternal grandparents.

"Don't you head off now..." He tossed over his shoulder as he went in.

Deciding it was now or never, and she did have a few minutes to spare.. She moved slowly towards Terry. What would she say? She had no idea but at least if she tried to mend the bridge she can't say she didn't try later..

"Mornin'." She flashed a genuine smile and waited to see if he pounced or returned volly.

 

[poohlive]

"Took down the killer did you? Huh, that's something isn't it?"
He moved over to the back of the truck, eyeing the tarp that had a soft mound on the top of it. For a moment, his hand laid on it, shaking slightly.
"You'll be all over the news, you know? Famous. The one who caught the rock star's killer. Money, regal, status. I'm sure you won't have trouble getting grants, or people trying to bulldoze their way onto your land."
She had boughten a lot of stuff with this one little dead animal. The rest of her life lay at his fingertips.
"Must have been the second choice, I suppose then. And here, I thought you said it was it was a lost cause. Maybe those tracks did go somewhere after all."
He stole a harsh glance, but dropped it quickly enough, "But of course, you've been doing this all your life. I don't know why I didn't trust you earlier. Congratulations."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rhyanna

She stared at him dumbstruck for a long moment. Her mouth, literally, agape. The snide tone alone was enough to deserve a good hard slap, but she was feeling that numbness again invade her limbs.

"Excuse me?" She stammered, stunned nearly speechless. "What did you just say to me?" She gasped out, her hand itched even harder, more irritatingly, to slap his face.

She glanced around him, seeing no one in sight, she glared right back, closed her mouth and stood fuming.

"How dare you speak to me like that! Who in the hell do you think you are?!"

She whirled, intending to just walk the fuck away from him right then and there, but on second thought she whirled right back around, hand out before her. Finger extended, she poked him in the chest and took a step into him.

"And just how do you know I was following those tracks?" She poked him once.

"And who said I killed this wolf?" Again she poked him, but did not back down.

"And who said I was seeking fame for this?!" She poked him harder, her eyes were firey with her temper, her face flushed. She was glaring enough daggers at him to be lethal.

"And to THINK I came here to speak to you for some advice.. some help.. and instead I get this icy... whatever facade you put together just for me... Fuck you Terry and your self righteous attitude!" She whirled then away from him and stalked around her truck. Throwing open the door, she glanced around for a bag of some kind to put the wolf into..

Her hands shook and she felt on the verge of tears. For shame, for her outburst, for the anger in his eyes when she'd done nothing to him. All of it was more than she was used to dealing with, much more than she could normally handle.. She wouldn't cry, even though tears threatened to spill over any second, she was humiliated enough as it was.

She had to get out of there before she said anything else her mind was urging her to yell at him..

 

[poohlive]

Terry bit his lower lip for a moment, looking down at the tarp. He opened his mouth, tried to speak, sound apologetic, but then anger rippled through his brow, furrowing. He wanted to shout at her, accuse her that she must have thought him to be some sort of idiot...
He couldn't see 2 and 2 and put it to-fucking-gether. Who in the hell did she think she was?
But, in the end, he did nothing. He was on a medication, and what would have normally raged over and yelled at Rhy for hours on length, was pressed down by the dull modification. Now, he just had those tired bored eyes.
"Something must have really scared you out there," He spoke softly, seeing her hands shake. He wanted to go over there and hug her, comfort her, even if she did hit him, and resist, but that too passed. Everything passed if you just stood there and thought about it long enough.
It all passed.
That was his routine.
The sheriff came walking back an orderly and a nurse in two. For a moment, he gave a hard stare at Terry, who obliged and walked away from Rhy's truck. She looked in an awful state, and him just standing there didn't look good.
He paused to say something, trying to think of something profound or maybe even poetic. Something she might even remember him by. The one who got away, that spoke like a nightengale.
In the end he just gave a small lazy bark, and turned back to the building, searching his pockets for another cigarette.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rhyanna

She held herself still as death, what could she say?

How did he know something scared her out there? It all swamped her mind, threatening to cause those tears to flow. She was lost for a moment, floating around aimlessly, wanting two feet on the ground again..

Before she could answer the Sheriff spoke up, "You okay? He didn't..."

"I'm fine, just nerves... It was a long night last night." She glanced over her shoulder to see Terry walking away, back towards his little haven where he didn't have to face reality.

She shook herself out of her daze and inhaled deeply, for what she was about to do was the single most hardest thing she'd ever done....

"This isn't the killer Roger." She closed her eyes, feeling relief rush over her for the truth.. Then the nervous ball returned to her stomach at what this would do later..

"But you said..."

"I know, I know. Sorry Roger. I was mistaken." She brushed her hand over her cheek, startled a little that it was wet.

When did she actually shed those tears she'd been holding back?
Sniffling a little, she gave an apologetic smile and glanced at the nurse. The witness seemed a little green around the edges, she had to do the right thing.. Poor woman looked about to faint.

"Go back inside.. Please.. And thank you." She dismissed the woman, not trying to be rude or harsh, but she really did not want to deal with someone throwing up on her shoes or fainting.

"This wolf isn't big enough to have taken down Chris so quick and easily. Rabid yes, but half starved.. He's just too small, even for the prints."

"Jesus Rhy.. So why did you call me?"

"Well.. I thought. I did think this was the wolf.. I mean it came after me.. But I got.." She was lying again! "I got away, I heard a scuffle.. The other's took it out. Anyway I double checked while you were inside and it's just not feasible for this to be the wolf you're after.. But!" She hurried to add before he got ideas, "I will keep tracking and looking in the Preserve. It is possible the wolf isn't inside at all, I have found no real signs to indicate a new den anywhere.. Not even carcasses.. But I will search until we have answers."

The Sheriff stared at her a moment, glanced down at his shoes and nodded his head, "Alright. I will buy some time, send the fellas out looking in the surrounding areas.. Fish and Game is going to help as well. There hasn't been a big uproar yet, but they just alerted Chris' family today. So we'll have to see.."

She nodded her head, her eyes drawn to the Clinic again. She was still hurt and angry at Terry, but then again she had lied to him... She fumed silently, she didn't need a babysitter!

"Anything I can help with?" Roger seemed to know something was wrong, but she denied it with a small head shake. "Well alright then.... " He eyed the wolf "Can you dispose of that properly?" A second thought to add she guessed, maybe small talk to make sure she was indeed alright.. Who knew.

"Yeah. I have an incinerator. Good day Sheriff.."

"Take care Rhy." He dusted off his hat, slapped it on his head and was gone within seconds.

She sighed heavily, shaking her head as she took a step forward and paused. Why did she even bother? Did she like punishment?

Before her resolve vanished she headed into the clinic. Why, god why was she doing this? She had to be a sadist or something.. Obviously she liked pissing him off as much as he pissed her off.

"Where can I find Terry McMullin?"

"He's in his room Miss. You need to sign in to see clients." She scrawled her name across the paper and took the offered badge. This nurse obviously didn't know she was here already once before?

Her eyes scanned the rules but ignored all of them. She wasn't here to deal drugs, blackmail or have sex. She went down the hall and followed the signs, peeking into the Rec room to see if the nurse was wrong.

When she glanced inside his room, she could see him sitting by the window with a large volume of some book in his lap. She hesitated, wondering if it was best to go? Best for whom though? She needed real help, and he was a detective.. She couldn't do this cop and bad guy scene.. bad wolf, whatever..

She needed help and she didn't trust the law or Fish and Game not to shoot her wolves....

She cleared her throat and stepped inside the door, giving him an option to send her away if he chose.

"I guess I owe you an apology, we seem to rub each other wrong." She gave a small shrug, her hands tucked into her back pockets, wondering how to approach this subject.. IF he let her stay. "I know you're mad... but why I don't really know. I have an idea, but.." She gulped down the lump in her throat, not meeting his eyes she could feel burrowing into her skull.. "I need help."

 

[poohlive]

Terry gave a smile, warm hearted.
"I know you need help, I offered it to you yesterday. You declined, and then proceeded to lie to me. And this morning, I believe I can take a hint. This is your preserve, your rules, you can make up whatever..."
He paused, looking out at the small bag going into the Sheriff's car.
"Story you want that gets all the press out here, and solves the case happily. It looks to me like you don't need help."
He picked up a drawing, of the large wolf print, done in charcoal, badly, but still with that huge presence lingering.
"We were working on theories yesterday, before you decided to give up on the whole thing. Either it was a man... or some large predator of legend."
He tilted his head to one side, "I assume you saw something that made you think one way or the other..."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rhyanna

She came inside, shutting the door behind her. She really did not want to be overheard. It was bad enough telling it without people thinking she'd gone mad by over hearing.

"Yes, I lied. With reason. I have a job to do, a Preserve to protect. Wolves to protect from would-be killers for doing nothing other than trying to live!" She only raised her voice slightly but her anger was tangible. She hated always defending herself and her wolves.

"And I was more than certain you had this idea in your head that the 'little lady' needed protecting. Well I may not be the best, but I can't just sit on my butt and wait for the hunters to arrive. Because those prints are inside my Preserve, they will come.. " She sighed, walking to his bed and sitting down. She caught sight of his drawing and studied it a moment.

Now why would he be drawing wolf prints?

Shaking her head a little, she stopped staring at it and looked at him instead.

"I didn't lie down there. The wolf wasn't responsible for the death. I wanted to though, I really did. And that doesn't make me proud." She stopped a moment, wondering just where she was going with this, he was probably thinking the same thing..

"Last night I came so close to death I could f-... I could taste it. My nerves are still all messed up, I barely slept a wink and your pointing finger didn't help either.. Sorry, I'm not here to blame you. Look, I just need help. Something.. Well .. Shit!" She got up and started pacing the small room, her mind in a whirl wind yet again, just how could she tell this story and not be laughed at?

 

[poohlive]

Terry leafed through the book some, not quite sure if he understand this woman. He didn't even know if she understood herself. She wants his help, and in truth, he didn't want anyone with big guns out there in the forest either.
And, if he was close to her, he could keep an eye on her. She could do just as much damage out there as any hunter with a gun, especially with that look in her eye, the one that was beyond the fear.
The one that was excited, and thought of this as an opportunity.
He lamented.
"Tell me what happened, and let's start a new trend by telling the truth this time..."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rhyanna

She gave a semi-snort laugh combination and turned to eye him.

"Truth eh?" She shook her head, bit her lip and turned to continue her pacing.

"You'd think I'm crazy as a loon and laugh at me... I want help, not to be a stand up comedian. So are you willing to listen with an open mind or will you mock me?" She was more debating this out loud. She didn't expect him to really answer her, what could he say to that? It wasn't like he could promise not to laugh, even she thought she was losing her mind here.

"Ever see something so amazing.. So impossible to comprehend that you freeze in shock? Ever want to do one thing and then do the complete opposit? Torn between what is right and what is so wonderous you just have to share?"

She stared at him a second, then back to the black and white tiled floor she paced. No, he had no idea what she was talking about. How could he?

"I would have died last night for being a complete idiot. I went tracking with a tranquilizer gun and nothing more for protection. I even walked in there, instead of saddling Bride. A quick escape I should have had but for some reason forgot. That wolf was coming for me. That tiny little wolf, wild with madness. Even if it hadn't killed me, it had rabies and that would have. I bet you wonder how I made it out alive huh? Can't say I saved my own ass however.. Nope." She paused, turned paced again. Ten feet across, wall to wall.. Not very big room.

"And that's whats the most confusing about all of this. Even while nightmares kept me awake, so did the confusion over what I saw out there." She gave a small chuckle, "I could have sworn when I woke up I dreamt it all.. Or worse was losing my mind. But the proof was still tied to my truck this morning. And now I wonder what to do. Do I track it, trap it and get proof for the rest of the world?" She stopped between the window and bed and glanced at him yet again.

"I'm going in circles. It's not right to take another living creature and pen it up. Nor disect it.. Nor cage it. It's wrong. Even I know this.. And my life was saved, when I deserved to be killed for being so stupid. This.. Wolf saved my life..." She paused a moment, watching him and waiting. When he said nothing quick enough she spoke up, "This is your cue to laugh.." Her brow quirked, waiting.

"A wolf the size of a small shetland pony...."

 

[poohlive]

"A huge wolf..." Terry looked down at the book, flipping another page.
"Like the impossible one all of those nurses and junkies see..."
Another page fell from his fingers,
"Like the one that snacked on our dear friend Chris," his voice grew cold, heartless, staring at her hard as he flipped to the front of the book.
"Well, you said it wasn't possible. No wolf that big could be alive, you've lived out here with the squirrels and the possums and the wolves. A loner, a large loner, it doesn't exist, right?"
The front page of the book held a huge description, and at the top of the page, drawn, was that of a wolf. A huge wolf, black, fangs reared, eyes piercing, it dwarfed a man standing next to him, drawn for reference.
Big bold letters bled across the top of the page.
WEREWOLF
"Something like that?"
He looked at her, curious to see just what she had seen. Was it ferocious, or more docile? Did she really want to be its friend, or its owner?
"I saw this yesterday, thought it looked big enough. Matched a few descriptions. Was this was you saw last night?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rhyanna

Her eyes were glued to the book, the words seemed to jump out at her, mocking.

Her eyes darted to his and back to the book, blinking rapidly. Why would he mock her like that? She felt a squeeze in her chest and hurt, cut deeply.

"I thought, I hoped maybe you'd listen and not mock me. But apprently I was mistaken." She backed up a few steps, she wasn't going to play this game again. She had a serious damned request and he was rubbing mythical beasties in her face.

"I'm serious damn it!" She fisted her hands, she felt her anger bubbling yet again. "It was a wolf.. And YES! Yes, ok I was wrong. I never thought one that size was possible. Men.. and women much more knowledgeable than I am have wandered this earth making note of all sorts of animals and bugs.. None have seen a wolf this size before, it would be noted some where. After being two fucking feet from it! I know it would be noted.." She huffed and puffed but he was unruffled as ever. He seemed to be looking at her with a dull boredom, patience for her trantrum to finish.

"Werewolves in deed.. Jesus." She shook her head, torn between cursing more and laughing. "I think I'd notice if it was half man and half mutt thank you." She opened her mouth to say more but no sound came out as she studied the drawing more closely..

It was a drawing of a wolf. Not a halfling creature of the night.

"Wait.." Ok so she made an ass out of herself yet again. This had to be a record. "But.." She gave a hopeless look, her hand going up to shoulder height at her side and falling again to her thigh. She was very confused.

Her knees shaking a little, she sat down on the bed once more, rather heavily.. More like she plopped down before falling.
"Hell with it. It exists, whatever it is. I need to find a den, I need assistance so I don't end up in the same situation I was in last night again. I can't say this wolf killed Chris, it didn't even hurt me... Could have been stuffed with Chris's rotten ass.. but I don't know. In any case, if I find it's den, and there is proof of Chris there.. I can.. I don't know, kill it I guess. But I can't do it alone. I can track, but clues escape me..." She inhaled deeply and let it out just as quickly. Her heart was hammering yet again.

She wasn't going to believe for a single minute that some man/wolf was out there killing. It was a large Wolf and that's all there was to that! "I've told no one else a single word of this... I can't think of anyone else to ask for help either." She shut up, completely just shut up for once in the half hour.

 

[poohlive]

All and all, he thought she took it rather well. She wasn't crying anymore, that seemed to be a bonus, but her eyes welled up, and he couldn't be certain, but he thought she was on the verge of crying, laughing or going insane.
If there were any place in Colorado to go insane, this would be the one.
"If it's a wolf, it has a den. It may be big, but you think it's just a wolf. And a wolf, any size, has to live by the rules of all the wolves. Wolves can be loners, you said that, rare, but it happens. So, it must have a den somewhere, a place it calls home. Somewhere it sleeps and eats."
He looked out of his small window, into the forest below them.
"So, you're proposing to go out into that huge vastness of Colorado Rockies and find the lair of this huge..."
He glanced at the picture, "creature. Then, we check for little pieces of Rock Star, to make sure it's the right creature. Then what? We kill it, or capture it, whichever is safest, and tell the world we have found a new species of wolf."
His eyes grew wide, as if he were going down a roller coaster.
"The way I see it, we have two choices once more. The first one, is this is just a large wolf. Contamination, radiation, things grow bigger and better. Hell, maybe it's a lab experiment from Roswell or Area 51 that just got loose. It's happened before..."
He paused, closing the book.
"Or two, we're looking for a werewolf. In which case, we're not looking for a den, we're not looking for Chris droppings, and we're not looking for an animal. We're looking for a man."
He passed her the book, "Sherlock Holmes once said, when you take away every possibility, whatever is left, no matter how improbable, is the truth."
He held her hand, squeezing it once.
"Are you searching for the truth?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rhyanna

She didn't know what to think, she couldn't argue his logic. Nor could she find reasons to believe it.. But all this was so far fetched as it were.. Why not?

Anything was possible...

"I want.. I want no more deaths. I want my wolves safe. I don't care for publicity or grants or whatever else. I want help and making sure these mountains are safe again. I want the truth too Terry.. It's just... " She was having a hard time grasping all this werewolf stuff. It just didn't make sense to her.

It would be like telling her that 'smurfs' were real, faeries and unicorns existed..

But the longer she stared at the rendering of that wolf and man the more she thought it just might be possible.

"I'm afraid to even close my eyes to sleep now.. and this?" She lifted the book slightly, clear indication that this werewolf thing wouldn't make her rest any easier.

"But it's in the Preserve.. Not sure if it's there all the time, but I seen the prints.. I seen the wolf." She trailed off, her hand still clinging to his without conscious thought. Security was a nice thing, even the little from linked fingers.

"Will you help me? I have some money put away..." If she had his price, she'd pay it.. Anything to end this whole ordeal.

 

[poohlive]

Terry held onto her hand, coming up beside her.
"It's not about the money," He held her close, feeling her shake under his weight. For a moment, he gave a groan, having her so close, pressing against him. It had been a long time... too long.
He hugged her, his big arms wrapping around her.
"We'll figure it out, together," his hands moved through her hair, pulling her face up to look at him, as he nodded and smiled.
"Together," He kissed her.
He didn't mean to kiss her, but at that moment, something sparked inside him. He had to have her, had to kiss her, had to feel her lips against his.
He pressed, harder than he had intended, wanting to feel all of her. His lips seeking the warmth of her own, tasting them.
The heat coming off her was suddenly overwhelming, he could feel every part of her, every muscle as she moved. It was... invigorating.
He couldn't stop.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rhyanna

She looked up into his green eyes and was struck at how bright they were and how focused they were on her. Nothing really warned her about what he was going to do, it was so unexpected and so sudden that his lips came down on hers that all she could do was gasp in surprise.

Heat flooded her instantly and slowly her eyes closed. He pressed closer to her, surprisingly strong for a thin looking man. Thoughts that had plagued her were now scattered in her mind, her only thought was he was warm.. Very warm.

Tasted so good too. She groaned out herself as he seemed to engulf her entirely. Not knowing what to do with her hands, she weakly linked her fingers into his belt loops.. Mostly to hold herself upright.

Their lips parted a second, her starved lungs lunging for the air they needed, some how she forgot how to breathe through her nose.

"Terr-" his name was cut off as well as all her questions. He again pressed his lips to her, his hands tightening their hold on her. Not that he needed to keep her there, she wasn't exactly fighting him..

Butterflies danced in her stomach, her body broke out into an instant sweat as she felt the heat crawl over her.. She melted into him, opening her lips to his teasing antics.

Why was he kissing her? Why was she allowing it? The thoughts tumbled into her mind and out again.

 

[poohlive]

He moaned as he kissed her, soft and vibrating on their lips. He could feel his own blood pumping, grabbing at his heart, tearing through his body.
For a moment, he wasn't sure what he was doing, he leaned against her, pushing her down to the bed. He towered over her, his lips hungered for her taste, unable to let go.
He laid her gently on the bed, a single groan that almost turned into a growl played as his tongue came out, tentatively, warningly, touching her, exploring each contour.
In unconscious effort, he pulled his jacket off, a small tshirt underneath. He fumbled against her sides, pulling his arms up the soft curves.
"A girl!"
Terry shot a glance at the door, it was open now. A young woman, with dark hair in her eyes was pointing at them.
"Terry's got a girl! He's breaking the rules!!!"
With a hefty growl, he ran at her. His hands, large and closed in fists, were throbbing in pain. He didn't know what he was going to do exactly, but something deeper pulled at him.
She ran off, giggling and shouting in the halls. For a moment, he wanted to go after her, chase her. He moved to get on all fours, and do just that...
But, instead, he caught himself, and merely closed the door.
He could feel his whole body shaking, He looked at his exposed arms, seeing the dark coarse hair beginning to grow, peak out. For a moment he closed his eyes...
"No, please, not now," he whispered.
In a moment, it passed, and although he still felt his heart, the rest of him calmed down some.
"I'm sorry," he said, still leaning against the door, not looking at her.
"Sometimes... I don't know my own strength."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rhyanna

She fumbled for a moment to grasp the situation and what had almost happened. Her face flushed hotly, it took her a few more minutes than it should have to realize she was laying on his bed.

Good lord! What had gotten into her? Hell with that! Into him?!

"It's..." It came out a squeek, weak voice. Clearing her throat, she slowly sat upright on the bed and readjusted her clothing as best she could. "It's alright Terry.." She flushed again, completely at a loss.. yes once again she found herself dumbstruck.

Wow. Wow!

She got up slowly, tempted to fan herself to cool down.. That was certainly unexpected and her reaction.. Had it been so long that she'd allow a stranger to maul her in his bedroom?

She felt a little grin spread on her lips before she recovered herself and calmed down.

"I best get going anyway.. Uh.. Well.. " Now what? Make plans to meet to go over this case? She wanted to jump back on him but the girl was still skipping in the hall, singing out Terry's little rule breaking no no.
"Yeah, I best go before you get into trouble." She moved towards him, bending down as she got near "Don't worry about it Terry. It was.. nice." Nice was an understatement, but she didn't know what else to say.
"I will see you.. tomorrow?" She met his eyes, he seemed a little upset about something.. Maybe it was his pouncing on her that got to him. It certainly did a number on her, although she didn't really regret it... She was just a little confused why she wasn't upset about it?
A hot soak would do her good right now. Clear her thoughts.. They both needed time to get over this awkward moment apparently.

 

[poohlive]

For a moment he just stood there, pressed against the door, hearing her adjust herself, stand up, make excuses. She wanted to leave, was trying to leave.
He was there, against the door, breathing heavily.
A taste, just a taste, something to remember her by.
he moved to her, but had to stop. That boiling in his blood refused to go away, throbbing at his ears. He thought it was gone, but now, in a moment, it came back with a vengeance.
A taste, that's all. One little...
bite.
He could feel sharp fangs growing inside his mouth.
He wanted her so bad.
He moved, instinctly, to block the door from her, pressing his back against it. His eyes, large, predatory, watching her for movements, would she run?
He wanted her to run.
The blood screamed inside his ears, threatening to explode inside him.
He shuttered, his breath still short and ragged. He had to breathe out of his mouth, the sound coming in loud.
"I...I," half muted ideas formed in his mind, and then refused to surface. He stepped towards her, his hand going to her arm.
There was a struggle as they touched, not with Terry and Rhyianna, but with Terry and himself. It merged and split inside him, fighting the best of its battles for a taste, a ruptured taste of passionate flesh.
Sweating profusely, and unable to stop shaking now, Terry turned to the side, opening the door.
He collapsed in on himself, against the wall, unable to do anything else. He was so weak, the hunger driving all things away from him like some rabid wolf.
His own rabid wolf.
"Tomorrow," He tried to say more, but couldn't... at that point and time, he was torn between fucking her right there, tearing her throat out, and letting her go.
The only thing keeping him from doing one of those things, was silky pleasure of the other arguing in his mind.
"I'll see you tomorrow," a plea in his voice, hoping she would leave... soon, before he couldn't control it, before it got the best of him.
He smelled the sex in the air, pungent now, wafting off of her. His hand, shaky, began to move.
"Tomorrow..." a whisper.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rhyanna

She stared at him, noting his shaking, his body bathed in sweat.
She stared at him with wide haunted eyes, wishing she knew how to help him? A craving hit him? A need for something strong? He was in a rehab clinic, perhaps his addiction and that demon reared it's head once more?

"Yes.. Tomorrow." A whispered promise, one she meant to keep and then she was gone. Out the door and down the hall. She signed out with a pursed lipped nurse looking at her with a disdainful look. Obviously the no-no rule Terry was accused of breaking had reached the front desk.

"What?" She barked at the nurse, glaring back equally perturbed. "Oh do stop that scowling. Nothing happened." She sighed and walked out.

As soon as she got home, she shed her clothes, grabbed her robe and gun and headed for her hot tub. She needed time to think, clear her head, clear away the lust that ate at her insides.

"Damn him!" She cursed as she tossed the robe over a rock. Sitting the gun within easy reach, she made sure before leaving she had a full clip of real ammo. Better safe than sorry, she learned that last night.

She sank into the heated water with a grateful sigh of pleasure. The bubbles and heat would soothe away almost anything.. Mentally however she had to curb her thoughts away from Terry's unexpected pouncing and more on the problem at hand..

But the truth was, she'd rather have a nice wet dreams kinda moment then be afraid of the woods. It was day light, hours still before the sun would set and scary things came out. She was safe. Smiling, she sank back into the water and hummed a little country tune as her mind went over those few moments in the Clinic.

 

[poohlive]

He closed the door, growling now, spurting forth hateful wicked curses that seemed to only add fuel to whatever it was that now urged him on. It had taken control, and was slowly forming at the back of his mind.
He needed it. He needed it.
The thoughts came, images, smells, sounds, all of them purpose to the one throbbing master mind connection that refused to let him go now.
He had to go, had to get something. He was going to kill, or rape, if he didn't. He knew that, this wasn't something he could control, not anymore.
Terry ran out of his room, down the hall, running towards the exit.
"Terry, our appointment..."
"Cancelled," He spat, passing by the doctor.
"I heard what happened. If you want to talk..."
"Not now," He paused once, wondering what a splash of blood would do to change that sweatervest he had on.
He forced himself to keep moving.
"I don't think this is very healthy, Terry."
Out the door.
He ran.
First two feet, sprinting. Trying to get whatever energy that refused to leave his body out. It didn't budge, in fact, it seemed to like the run, good for him. He was beginning to feel it steady itself, find a nice little home to stay for awhile.
He moved on four legs, now that he had four legs. He screamed in pain at the surrounding forest, dark fur replacing his skin, large bulky muscles twisting out of his own.
For a moment, in his wild sprint, the whole forest came alive with smells, and he knew just where she was.
He tripped, came to a crashing halt, and then turned left.
Sex, dripping from her.
He wanted to taste it, taste her sex and her blood, mingling, swirling on his tongue, moving between his teeth.
Growling now, crying out with what little human voice he had left, he ran.
Miles and miles drifted away. They echoed into the background. He couldn't remember much, tree after tree past him, tree after tree came up to meet him.
It wasn't until the middle of the evening that he could hear cars and the sound of people did he actually begin to pay attention once more.
A city, huge and sprawling, cut out from the side of the mountain itself. He could smell its disease and unfailing passage through time.
Yes, this was it.
He got up, crying once more, before he could step out to public. He knew what he wanted, smelling it, coming toward it like an old lover to his mate.
"You look like shit," A young kid told him, as Terry walked up.
"What have you got?" his voice shaky, unsteady.
"Fuck, bitch. I ain't selling to a god damned narc."
Terry took out a roll of bills, "Fucking give it to me."
"All right, fuck. Damnit, nigga's gotta get paid."
A small bag, not bigger than a button, held something that could be confused for brown sugar. Terry took it, gave a huffed meager responce, and left.
By now, sweat drenched his clothing, blood ran from his nose freely, his hands refused to stop shaking, and everything either smelled of sex or pungent cum.
Dripping down her thighs.
He unrolled his tools for this operation. A needle, a spoon, lighter, and a small piece of cotton. The bag was opened, poured into the spoon, and brought to a nice liquidy boil. He put the cotton in it, and soaked up every tiny piece with the needle.
It went straight into his open vein, searing pain for just a few seconds. The hot liquid rinsed with his own blood, and then...
Then it was all over.
The pain washed away in a single heartbeat. All of his frustration sort of slipped from him like a piece of clothing. He held his arm up, relishing in it. His whole mind clear of all that confusion and frustration.
Sex, murder, death, they were but funny ideas that had fizzled away.
Terry came back to his old routine with welcome arms.
It felt good, scary but good. He greeted it, hated it, despised it, and greeted it just the same.
After all, they were old friends.
And had a lot of business to catch up.