A Walk on the Wild Side, Chapter 1
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A Walk on the Wild Side
Chapter 1
By William W. Kelso
It was a dark and stormy night, it really was, and Ted was having a hard time seeing clearly in the pouring rain, and the occasional flashes of lightening didn't help much as they temporarily blinded him most of the time. The road was a little two lane blacktop that curved and meandered up and down in little dips that made it almost impossible to see more than a short distance ahead most of the time, and even driving fairly slowly it was still dangerous in this kind of crappy weather. If he could find a motel he'd stop for the night, but that was the problem, there was nothing out here but rain and trees. He had thought he'd save some time by taking the back roads and avoiding the congested area around Nashville. It might have worked in the daytime and nice weather, but he was stuck where he was for now, and going back was no option. He had a feeling if he tried to turn around he'd get stuck in the muddy shoulder of the road. So he kept driving, hunched over and squinting to see the road, the damn brights just reflected off the torrential rain so he kept the low beams on.
It was a testament to his driving skill and caution that he didn't slam into the pickup truck that was blocking both lanes of the narrow road, it's headlights shining into the woods showing only wet trees and brush. He slammed the brakes on and spun the wheel, just barely managing to avoid a collision with the stationary truck. As soon as he was able to pry his white knuckled death grip from the wheel he put on his boonie hat and ventured out into the rain. Despite his jacket and hat; waterproof my ass, he thought, he was drenched in seconds. He approached the truck cautiously. As he got closer he could see the front end was damaged, a large dent in the bumper and grill, but he saw no sign of another vehicle. "Hello?" he called a few times, but in the sound of the thunder and pouring rain he doubted anyone could hear him more than a foot away. He'd seen rain like this in the Navy; it was bad enough to be called a Condition Charlie, as in a total shit storm. He looked in the cab, but it was empty and the driver's side door was hanging open, the door alarm faintly pinging. Now he was sure that something was wrong, that maybe another vehicle had gone off the road and into the woods, and the driver of the truck had gone to help. He pulled out his cellphone and tried to get a signal to call 911, but no bars, nothing.
As he walked around the back of the truck and up the other side he froze when he saw something in the bar ditch, just barely illuminated by the trucks headlights. It looked like someone was bent over something, and as he got closer he saw there was a body on the ground with someone crouched over it.
"Can I help? He called, I'm a Navy Corpsman!"
The figure bending over the body on the ground suddenly froze, then twirled around to face him and he almost pissed his pants. He'd thought it was someone wearing a black raincoat, but the snarling fang filled muzzle and wet slicked fur told him he'd made a big mistake. And when it stood up on its hind legs he did pee his pants. Oh Holy Fucking Shit! He thought, but still had enough presence of mind to turn and try to run. He had NO idea what that thing was, or maybe part of him did, Werewolf? But there wasn't any such thing! He got about ten feet before a heavy weight slammed into his back leaving him sprawled in the middle of the road, then a second later it landed on his chest and he felt the large fang filled muzzle clamp down on his neck even as razor sharp claws were tearing at his body and he gave a gurgling scream as he felt himself being torn apart. There was no question of fighting back; despite being a big strong man anything he could have done would have been a waste of time.
He was vaguely aware of the pouring rain and deep guttural snarls of the creature killing him, but also heard the sound of a siren over the sounds of the beast and pouring rain, and his own shrill screams. He heard the sound of tires screeching to a halt and suddenly he and his attacker were illuminated in a powerful light, and he heard gunfire. The huge creature squealed and reeled back, then dropping to all fours it bounded into the forest and was gone in seconds. Just before he passed out from shock he saw a figured in a uniform standing over him, and heard a woman's voice say "Aw, Jesus Christ!"
As soon as Ann saw the two stationary vehicles she knew something was wrong, and hit the siren as she came to a halt. She could see something in the road next to the pickup truck, and turning on the spotlight she rotated it to shine on the dim figures. What she saw made her blood run cold as a large hairy head rose up, blood dripping from its fangs. Oh, please God, not again! She thought even as she jumped from the car and drew her Glock. She went into a firing stance, and taking careful aim emptied the magazine into the Werewolf's chest. The beast gave a loud howl of pain even though the hollow points didn't seem to do much, and turned and ran into the woods. Ann ran up to the man on the road, and grimaced when she saw the gaping wound in his neck and the shiny glint of intestines in the mangled mess of his stomach. He was still alive though, his eyes, terrified and full of pain, looking up at her before they rolled up and he passed out.
She ran into the woods howling from the pain that had come from the bright light that had blinded her. She had been on her way back to her den when the large metal thing had struck her, knocking her down. When she had sensed a presence near her she had reacted instinctively and attacked, defending herself. Almost instantly she had realized she had killed a human and felt remorse, but he had attacked her first. When yet another human had appeared out of the storm she had reacted again, still in pain from her broken bones, which though healing still gave her pain and clouded her senses. Then there was another bright light, more pain and loud noise, and she finally fled into the dark safety of the forest.
Ted gave a gasp of pain as he woke up, but stopped as it just made the pain worse. Finally he was able to open his eyes and found himself staring up at a panel covered ceiling. What, where?? Then he remembered! The rain, the truck, the monster! He could feel something strapped to his face, and lowering his eyes saw an oxygen mask over his face, and could tell he had a tube in his throat as well. He could hear the steady hiss of a respirator, and the beeps of monitors. Well, at least I'm alive, he thought. But he hurt so much he almost wished he wasn't. What the Hell WAS that thing that had attacked him?
A short time later an older man entered the room, and smiled when he saw the man in the hospital bed was awake and aware. But it was a somewhat grim smile as he knew why the man was still alive. How do you tell someone they're a Werewolf now? He checked the man's vitals, still a little wobbly but out of the danger zone. Frankly he was surprised the man had survived with wounds that bad, but he was a strong one. He'd survived on his own long enough for the curse to kick in and take over, and would be up and around within a very short time. The man smiled at the still figure on the bed again, and then left. As he entered a small office a short way down the hall, he said,
"Well Ann, he's awake. Looks like he'll live, the poor bastard, maybe we should have just let him die."
"C'mon Doc, Ann replied, it's not that bad, not if you can control it. I should know."
"Ann, Doc said, you really should have called this in to the State Troopers. We can't keep a lid on this forever. Plus he's on leave from the Navy, it's not like he's a local."
"He is a local, Ann said, kind of, he's from over in Greeneville. But what would I tell the Troopers, that a Werewolf had been running around killing livestock? That it bit me and I'm a Werewolf now too? But it only kills if it's provoked; old man Brown must have run it over in the storm, then got out to see what he'd hit. So it reacted naturally, and this poor slob just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It only kills people in self defense, it doesn't hunt us."
"Ann, it's killed four people in less than a year, Doc reminded her. And of course you can't tell them it's a Werewolf, just say it's a large animal of some kind."
"Yes it did, Ann replied, all of whom took shots at it, and you know how effective bullets are. I put a whole clip in it last night and it just got up and ran away. So what happens when the Trooper show up and start taking pot shots at it? Would their bullets be any more effective?"
"Well, Doc said, you got me there. But what about silver bullets?"
"What the Hell do you think I had in my pistol Doc? That must be a myth; they didn't have any more effect then lead ones. I don't even know if we CAN kill it. If the yahoos would stop shooting at it maybe it will just leave them alone."
"Come on Ann, you know people are going to run into this thing again, and what would you do if you ran into it?"
Ann leaned back in her chair, her head back and eyes closed, "I'd shoot it Doc" she agreed reluctantly.
"It's just a natural reaction when you see a wolf, or a large bipedal wolf. Doc said, you get scared and defend yourself, only problem is that's the worst thing you can do, shooting it just makes it mad. But so far only hunters, and those two moonshiners, have run into it. And you of course. It pretty much keeps to itself."
"Well, what are we going to do about Popeye in there, Doc? Ann said, I mean in a few days the moon will be full and you know what will happen. We can't just let him leave."
"We could kill him, while we still can. Dos said, I can give him a lethal injection, he'll just go to sleep for good."
"Doc, Ann exclaimed, that's horrible, be serious!"
"I AM serious, Doc said, you know what will happen! One is bad enough, but TWO?"
"You forget Doc, Ann reminded him, there already are two Werewolves, he's the third one."
"Yes, I know, Doc said, but you learned how to control the beast, you only change when you want to, and on the three nights of the full moon."
"Yes, I did Doc, Ann replied, but you have no idea how hard that was. And anytime time I change the beast is there, wanting out. I won't say I have total control, but I do have a kind of 'agreement' with it. But I have NO idea if he can learn to do that. You have no idea how tempting it is just to give in to the beast, to become the beast yourself. It's a promise of total freedom, the 'call of the wild' if you like. It's exhilarating Doc, but once you give in I don't think there's any going back. I doubt if our feral friend even takes on a human form anymore, or can."
"Well, Doc said, we'll have to decide pretty soon. Despite being almost eviscerated and having his throat ripped out he looks like he's been healing for weeks already even though it's been less than a day, and he'll be up and healthy as a horse within a week at the latest. And the next full moon is in eight days."
"Well, we'll have to deal with it then Doc, Ann said, you are NOT going to just kill him! We'll put him in one of the cells at the old asylum like we did with me my first few times. I'll change and stay with him, maybe having another with him will help keep him calm."
"Or more likely freak him out even more, Doc said, but I guess there isn't much else we can do. I'd let him know what's going to happen though, and if he doesn't believe you, you can, um, show him."
"Oh, I will Doc, bet on it, Ann said. How soon do you think he'll be able to talk? I need to ask him a few questions, and like you said, let him know what's going on."
"Give him two-three days and I'll take him off the respirator, Doc replied. I could now, but his vocal cords are still too chewed up for him to talk. In fact I don't even want him trying until then, he might damage them again."
Ted was surprised at how well he'd begun go feel in just a few days. He'd seen the damage to his body, seen his intestines and had felt his lungs filling with blood while he'd tried to breathe through a throat that had been torn out. He was a corpsman and knew how mortal those wounds had been. Either he'd had the world's best surgeons standing by to operate on him, or there was another reason. He knew the legends, and he had no doubt now about what he'd seen, what had almost torn him to pieces. There was no other explanation. And he was scared. He ached to ask questions, but still couldn't talk, so slept most of the time. His only visitors were the older man; obviously a doctor, and the middle aged woman in a police uniform with a "Bradshaw Sheriff's Dept." shoulder patch, and from the way she carried herself he was willing to bet prior military service. He thought she was pretty, if a little bit butch with the short hair and uniform.
Ted had to admit the doctor took good care of him, and fed him, and cleaned him up as obviously he didn't have a nurse. He had to admire the man's professionalism. Some people are just natural doctors, and he was one of the now almost extinct old fashioned 'family doctors' who cared for their patients from birth to the grave without caring how rich or powerful they might be. But now the doctor was finally going to take him off the respirator and oxygen supply, and he was more than ready. He was fidgeting so much the doctor had to sternly tell him to "Hold still or this might hurt!" So Ted meekly obeyed, and the doctor gave him a reassuring smile.
Doc carefully removed the respirator and oxygen mask, and then changed the bandaged covering the man's throat. He looked in wonder at the almost completely healed wounds on his neck, but frowned when he remembered the source of that amazing healing power. He doubted there would even be much in the way of scarring, if any. He gave the man a drink of water through a straw, and he eagerly drank the whole glass as his throat was probably sore and dry from the tube and almost pure oxygen he'd been on for the last three days.
"Good, Doc said, now try and say something, but keep it slow and easy."
Ted swallowed; which hurt a little, and croaked in a deep rasping voice, "That was good, thank you. Where am I?"
The Doc smiled, and said, "You are in the lovely little burg of Bradshaw. I'm the local doctor, in fact the only doctor except for Doc. Gillis, but he's a dentist. You're in the old courthouse morgue I'm afraid, we don't have a hospital. I'm also the coroner."
Well, Ted thought, that's certainly reassuring. Guess it saves time. "Well, hopefully you won't have to practice that part of your job anytime soon."
Doc frowned, and replied "I wish that were so, but I've been having lots of 'customers' lately."
"Look doctor, Ted said, you have no idea how much I appreciate what you've done for me and everything. But what the HELL happened?"
"How much do you remember? Doc asked."
"Well, Ted said, I remember the storm, the truck in the road, and that THING that tried to; and I thought it had, tear me apart. Was that what I think it was?"
"If you mean a Werewolf, yes, Doc replied, or at least that's as good a name as any."
"Look doctor, Ted said, I know how badly I was hurt, I'm a Navy Corpsman and I've seen wounds like that. There's no way I should be able to even talk to you, much less sit up in bed, not with wounds like those. That can only mean, if the legends are right, that I'm a, I mean I'll turn into...one of those things too.
"Yes, Doc said, you're a Werewolf now. I'm glad you're being so...calm about it, that might help. At least you know what's coming."
"I wouldn't say I'm calm, Ted said, it's just that I don't really believe it yet. I mean, a Werewolf?!? I've always liked the movies and books and stuff, but to end up being one?? It's just too damn weird! I mean, it's just WEIRD!"
"Up until about a year ago I'd have agreed with you, Doc said, and had a good laugh. But I know better now. And there's someone I want you to meet, she can 'explain' things better than I can. She's the one who saved you."
As soon as the lady cop came in the room Ted knew what the doctor had meant. He could smell it, she was a Werewolf too, he just knew.
"Are you the one who bit me?" Ted asked rather bluntly.
Ann was caught off guard a little, but recovered quickly. "No, not me, I'm a good doggie, I don't bite."
"Sorry, said Ted, that a bit rude of me, the doctor told me you saved my life, thanks."
"Well, Ann said, don't thank me just yet. Doc already told me you've figured it out, and yes, I'm a Werewolf too, I was bitten by the same one about a year ago."
"Why haven't you called in the State Police, or hell, even the military? Ted asked, you need help with this thing."
"And tell them what? That we have a Werewolf running around? Ann said, no thanks, I don't feel like spending a few years in the whacko ward."
"So, Ted said, you just let it run around and eat people?"
"Actually, Doc said, it doesn't usually eat people; it just kills them in the self defense."
"Well, Ted replied, I'll be that was reassuring to them when they got torn apart."
"We're trying to take care of it ourselves, Ann said, we actually have more people get killed in hunting accidents around here. So unless the thing goes on a rampage we're keeping the lid on it for now. Only a few people know, as in everyone in this room."
"Don't you mean 'things', Ted said, from my count there are three of them now. Are there more you don't know about, I mean, what if there's a whole pack?"
"Good Lord, Doc said, I hope not! One is bad enough, I mean three, I mean, well Hell!"
"What about you, Ted asked Ann, what do you do on the nights of the full moon? For that matter, what will I do?"
"Well, Ann replied, now I stay in the woods until I can change back, and I hunt. But I always drive a long way out into the middle of nowhere first. So far I haven't run into anyone while I was, um, under the influence."
"Under the influence, Ted echoed, well, that's one way of putting it."
Ann continued, "The first time was a complete surprise, but luckily I was too scared to leave my house, the next few times Doc confined me in a security cell at the old asylum, but after I learned how to control it that wasn't necessary any more. We'll have to start out keeping you in the cell, we can't take a chance you'll go feral."
"What do you mean 'feral', Ted asked, I mean, once you change don't you just want to run around and kill people until you change back?"
"That's what the legends say, agreed Ann, but while they're right about some things they're wrong about others. If you can control it you can change anytime you want to, night or day. But you have to change on the three nights the moon is fullest, the legends got that right. But it appears if you give in completely, go 'feral', you remain in the beast, or animal form, for good. You may not be able to even take human form anymore. Of course I'm not sure as I've never let myself go 'feral', but I can feel the beast wanting out for good. You'll understand what I mean soon enough."
"I can hardly wait" Ted said, which got an amused snort from Doc.
"Look, said Ann, it's really not that bad. The first three nights are, well, traumatizing to say the least. But once you've changed a few times there's not much physical pain, and once you accept it, and get used to it, it's kind of, well, wonderful."
Yeah, I'll bet, I thought. "By the way, my name is Ted."
"Short for Theodore I assume", Ann said, smiling at the surprised look on the man's face, "I read your ID. Theodore Amadeus Perkins. Amadeus?"
"Mom was a big Mozart fan, what can I say? Ted replied, and you are?"
"I'm sorry, I'm Ann Desmond, and this old relic is Doc Mercer or just 'Doc' as everybody calls him. Don't get him started about fly fishing."
"Well, thank you again for saving me Officer Desmond." Ted said.
"Actually its Sheriff, Ann said, but please call me Ann, we're pretty informal around here."
"OK, Ann", Ted smiled, thinking she was nice looking in a Tom girl kind of way, a little butch, but nice. "Were you in the service?"
"Spent five years in the Army back in the early 90's, Ann said, mainly MP's, so when the job of sheriff came up I guess I was a natural for it. It's strictly a one-man, or one-woman show though. We don't get much crime around here, too 'backward'."
"Well, Ted said, there's a lot to be said for that. I guess you know I'm in the Navy, going to retired in about six years. I'm on my way back from taking care of my father's estate; he died a few weeks back."
"I'm sorry", Doc and Ann said at the same time.
"Don't be, Ted replied, we weren't exactly close. He did leave me quite well off though, he was worth a lot more than anyone thought. I think he saved every penny he ever made, he sure didn't spend any of it."
"You may want to get out early if you can, Doc said, so I guess it's a good thing you've got some money put away. I mean, think about it, a Werewolf on a ship?"
Ted blinked, he hadn't really thought about that. Leave the service? He loved the sea and liked the camaraderie of a tightly run ship. But if he really was going to turn into a monster several times a month he'd have no choice, and he doubted he could get away with six years of shore duty.
"Look, Ted said, I still have to call in for an extension in leave if I can get it, if I miss my ship when she sails from Norfolk I'll be in big trouble. I can probably get one as I've got several more weeks of accumulated leave on the books. As it is I still have ten more days anyway, I finished handling the estate sooner than I thought and was headed back."
"Well, that will get you through the first full moon cycle at least." Ann said.
"Look, Ted said, this may not even happen, maybe I'm immune or something. You'd think if there are more than one running around there would be a lot more, well, sightings and stuff."
"Not really, Ann replied, from what I've been able to find out, and my own, um, personal experiences, they, we, tend to avoid people, pretty much want to be left alone. And if we do attack someone there are...rarely survivors. If I hadn't shown up when I did you'd have been in several large pieces and lots of small ones, like poor old Mr. Brown. I think something in us wants to make sure we don't create anymore like us.
Ted shuddered, remembering the feel of those fangs and claws in his flesh, he was a pretty strong man, and had be completely helpless. He shifted in in the bed and gave a little grunt of pain, he was still pretty sore too.
"Well, Doc said, that's enough for now Ann. I think our guest could use some sleep, plus I need to give him a couple of shots, just to make sure there's no infection."
Ted waited until they'd left and turned out the light; then got out of the bed and slowly stretched. Despite being so sore he actually felt pretty good. He used the bathroom, stared at the pink scars on his abdomen, and then went back to bed.
Ann drove home to her folks old place, she'd inherited after her mother had died a few years ago. Her brother, a fancy attorney in Nashville, hadn't wanted anything to do with the 'old dump', so she'd ended up with it. She liked the old place, it had been in her family since before the Civil War, and was comfortable. She hung her gun belt on a peg by the door, but removed the Glock. She kept it on the nightstand next to her bed, old habits die hard. The storm was long gone, and the bright moon, not quite yet full enough to cause her to turn, filled the sky behind a lacy cover of clouds. But she could feel its call even now. She took off all her clothes and hung up her uniform shirt, but the rest went in the hamper. Then she stood and looked in the dressing mirror on the bathroom door. She liked what she saw, not bad for an 'old broad' just the wrong side of forty, she thought. She had good sized breasts with large nipples and aureoles, a fairly stout torso with a nice butt and thick pubic snatch that pretty much concealed her fairly large pussy, and strong muscular legs from working out and jogging. She hefted her breasts and let them fall, and they hardly jiggled, still pretty firm, she thought with satisfaction.
She reached inside and summoned the beast, with the understanding she was in control. It answered and she watched as a sudden explosion of dark grey and black hair fuzzed over her body like a shadow, her skin tickling. It had hurt at first when she'd fought it, but now it was almost sensual, and she gave a moan of pleasure as her chest expanded, her breasts growing even firmer as her fur thickened and she was pulled into a crouch as her stance became digitigrades. She held up a hand and watched as her fingers lengthened, sharp claws pushing out from under her disappearing fingernails, and could feel the claws on her feet digging into the carpet. She gave a growl of pleasure and discomfort as her jaws pushed out into a muzzle, eyes receded under heavy brow ridges, her ears moving up and back on her head to become fur covered and pointed, and mobile as they flicked around. She sniffed the air with her wet sensitive nose, not caring much for the smells in her house, too many artificial and chemical smells. Towards the end her tail pushed out, almost hairless at first, but soon it was covered with a thick fluff fur like the rest of her now mostly Lupine form. She smiled with her narrow black lips, her long tongue licking over her very impressive fangs, liking what she saw, but the green eyes under the fur covered brow ridges retained their human awareness. She felt so incredibly powerful, so much more awake and alive, and with a grunt turned and left the house, closing the door behind her. She liked to change in the later evening and go for long runs through the woods, both as beast or wolf. So some time later as she enjoyed her run she suddenly bent forward onto all fours as her arms became legs and hands became paws; that change taking only a few seconds, and she didn't even break stride. Throwing back her head she gave a howl of pure delight, and it was answered from very far away, and she paused. Tempted, so tempted. The other howl came again, it sounded lonely, and there was a note of hope in it...join me? She had a sudden vision of herself running through the woods again, but this time she was not alone, other lithe forms with glowing eyes flowed through the shadows adding their howls to her own. But she resisted that call; she liked being human too, or at least living as a human. She listened for awhile; ears cocked attentively, but the call did not come again. Later when she returned home she changed back and took a hot shower, and quickly fell asleep. She slept in the nude now; she just didn't care for night clothes anymore. Often she would pleasure herself first as the change to and from the beast always left her incredibly horny, but she was just too tired tonight. It had been on Hell of a week so far.
She paused and listened to a far away howl, and answered it. She knew there was another like her, another female, and kept hoping she would join her. She made the invitation 'come run with me', but it was not accepted. She could vaguely remember a time when she had been...different, somebody, something else. But she felt no regrets. She waited a few minutes to see if there was another call, but when none came she went on her way.
When Ann woke up in the morning she was awake instantly; no lolling around in bed for her. She got up, showered, and put on her usual attire. Uniform shirt, jeans, stout boots, and her gun belt. She wore a bra out of necessity, but forwent panties. She hated the feel of restrictive clothing now. Besides, it wasn't that time of the month and she seldom had any 'leakage' problems. She didn't bother with any makeup other than some underarm deodorant and lip gloss. No eye shadow or mascara for her, her brilliant green eyes looked just fine without that crap. She hopped in her own jeep, the patrol car the city provided was almost as old as she was and was in the shop again. She drove up to the old combination jail, courthouse, morgue, and at one time public library before it closed down. Except for her, a clerk, and the Doc when he was in the morgue office, she was it in the big old building. She didn't mind, the peace and quiet was nice. She could go for days without getting a call, but on some days was run ragged. She had a reserve deputy that came in on the days she had off, but she was pretty much 'it', the short arm of the local law. But after a couple of run-ins with the local yahoos she'd earned their respect and they pretty much behaved themselves. Not that there was a lot of local crime anyway, mostly moonshiners. But as long as they kept their products pretty much for themselves and friends she left them alone. If she got a call they were peddling their wares somewhere else a good talking too usually took care of the problem. They didn't have much trouble with drugs, the locals didn't care for that kind of stuff, and pretty much took care of it themselves, and pushers knew to stay out of Bradshaw. She knew the old hippie couple out on Bride's ridge grew some wacky weed, but since it was just for themselves she didn't have a problem with that. If she caught them selling it the locals, well, then that would be different. As she entered her office she went to check on their 'visitor'. To date only the Doc and herself knew he was even here. She'd parked his car in the old barn at her place. Poor old Mr. Brown had already had his funeral, the unfortunate victim of a 'hit-and-run' when he stopped by the side of the road to take a pee. Since he had no close family no one had even raised their eyebrows. He'd been a church goer though, so the funeral had been well attended. She really was sorry; he'd been a nice old fellow. When she entered the 'guest room' to her surprise it was empty. She flared her nostrils, and catching his scent followed it down the hallway.
When Ted woke up that morning he'd felt much better, and finding his seabag in the rooms closet had gotten dressed, putting on a nice loose shirt as he was still a little sore. He'd wandered around the dusty halls of the old building; the place was huge, and found a kind of local museum. There were photos of all sorts hanging on the walls, and several display cases full of artifacts that related to the history of Bradshaw and the surrounding area. Being a history buff he was soon engrossed in examining the old photos, especially the old tintypes, ambrotypes, and CDV's of Confederate soldiers. Ann moved so quietly he didn't hear her enter the room, but he smelled her. He stood up, and looked at her a little embarrassed.
"Good morning, Ann said, I see you found our little Historical Society museum. Not much compared to some I'm afraid."
"Quite a few Johnny Rebs, Ted said, look at this old fellow with the huge D-Guard bowie knife. Hate to run into him in a dark alley."
Ann looked where he was pointing, and smiled, "That was my great-great uncle Hiram Desmond, he was in the Bradshaw Volunteer Company, just about all the local menfolk joined. It's funny; none of them even owned a slave. He died at the Battle of Franklin along with most of the rest. Only about one in five came home."
"My own great-great grandfather was from Nashville, he served in some Partisan Ranger outfits, maybe even with Mosby for awhile. I did some research on him once but didn't find out much."
"So, you're from Tennessee too?" Ann said.
"Born and bred, Ted said, my folks were ridge runners from over Greenville way. Dad did time for moon shining more than once. He was the black sheep of the family, mainly because he got caught. Most of my in-laws were pretty much outlaws, or law dogs come to think of it."
"Well, sometimes the line is pretty thin between the two." Ann replied. "I must say you're looking a lot better. You hungry?"
"Am I! Ted said with a smile, I could eat a moose!"
"Well, I doubt that's on the menu at the Bradshaw City Café, but they do make a mean omelet. Come on, my treat."
Since the café was just a few blocks away they walked. Ted was saddened to see so many building were vacant, but it was like that all over the country. The little towns dying off agonizingly slowly as big metroplexes siphoned off all the young. The few folks they ran into all gave respectful "Good Morning Sheriff's", and looked at Ted curiously, but were too polite to inquire. Like a gentleman he held the door open for Ann when they reached the café, and she gave a small smile of appreciation.
The café was like going back in time, circa 1950's. It even had those old mini-juke boxes in the booths, and they worked!! Turned out Ann had similar musical tastes and soon they were listening to Fats Domino and Chuck Berry singing "My Blue Heaven" and "You Never Can Tell", followed by some Elvis and Hank Williams. The food was as good as she'd promised, the western omelet he got was crammed full of diced ham and cheese, fresh green peppers, salsa, and the blueberry pancakes were to die for. He ate every last bite, and ordered extra toast and a big bowl of grits with butter and maple syrup. Ann watched him eat with a twinkle in her eyes. He was good looking in a rugged way, and she looked at his face for awhile before she found the word she was looking for, honest, he had an honest face. A face like that couldn't lie, and when he smiled she couldn't help but smile herself as it was contagious. When old Mr. Putnam came in walking slowly with his cane and wearing his old VFW hat with the 82nd Airborne patch and ribbon bar on it Ted got up and helped the old man get seated, talked quietly with him for awhile, then shook his hand, a big smile on the old veterans face. Curious, when Ted sat back down, Ann asked him,
"What was that all about?"
"Just thanking him." Ted mumbled, obviously embarrassed.
"For what?" Ann said.
"For jumping into Normandy on D-Day" Ted replied. Its guys like him that made this country great, not those assholes in Washington. Did you see the Silver Star and Purple Heart ribbons on his hat? It has two clusters on it; he was awarded it three times. Those guys are my heroes."
As they left Ted slipped some money to cashier, and got a big smile when he told her "Mr. Putnam's money isn't any good today."
"That was awful nice of you Ted." Ann said as they walked back to the courthouse.
"Least I could do, it was an honor." Ted replied.
"Well, it was still nice, not many people would do that." Ann said.
"That's one thing that is wrong with this country. Ted said bluntly, we don't show our elders any respect. The old guy was there when history was made and the fate of this country; and the world, was decided. I'll bet he couldn't even get the time of day from most people."
That is so true, Ann thought. "What made you join the Navy? I'd have pegged you for an Army type."
"My uncle, Ted replied, I'm named after him. He was on the Arizona at Pearl Harbor. I never knew him, but his photo and Purple Heart were on the mantle at my grandparents place ever since I could remember. I look a lot him too, so when I got old enough I followed in his footsteps and joined the navy. Stupid, huh?"
"Not at all, Ann replied, I can think of a lot worse reasons. He'd probably have been proud of you."
"You think?" Ted said, with an embarrassed grin.
"I'm sure." Ann said.
"I hope so, Ted said, every time we made port in Pearl all the ships company not on watch would line the rails and salute the Arizona memorial. He's still onboard you know, along with all the others who are still at their battle stations. Sometimes I could swear they were watching us. It's a special place, so peaceful now. Every time I was in port I'd go out to the memorial and see his name on the plaque. He was only sixteen; he lied about his age when he joined up. My paw and his two brothers all joined up to avenge him, and only paw came back, but it kind of messed him up. He saw some pretty horrible stuff in the Pacific, but never would talk about it."
"Yeah, I had some relatives in the War; most of them wouldn't talk much either. My father was a tank driver under Patton; got his Sherman blown out from under him at the Bulge, and Uncle Buster was in the Air Corp. Heck, old Doc was a medic in North Africa." Ann replied.
When they got back to the office Doc was waiting for them. "Well, where the heck have you two been?"
"Rooting through garbage cans", Ann said with a perfectly straight face.
Doc just grunted, and said "Uh-huh. Well, what are you planning on doing tomorrow night? It's the first night of the moon."
Aw crap, Ted thought, he'd been having such a good time he almost; but not quite, forgotten about that. He wasn't really sure how he felt, part of him was terrified, but part was also...curious.
"Well, like we discussed before we'll go up to the old asylum and lock him up in one of the maximum security cells. They held me just fine, so he ought to be safe in one of them."
"What about you Ann?" Doc asked.
"Well, I figure I'll hang around the asylum to keep an eye on things after I change too. And maybe I can, well, talk to him. It might not be so bad the first few times if he isn't alone."
"Want me to come to?" Doc asked.
"No Doc; that might not be a good idea if things get out of hand." Ann said.
"I guess you're right." The Doc said with some relief. Still, it would have been interesting to watch. "Will you at least film his first change for me, for research? If that's OK with you, Ted?"
"Doc is doing the first 'field work' research project on Werewolves." Ann said. "We figure it's about time people knew they were real, it would probably be better for them; and us, too."
"Uh, yeah, sure Doc." Ted replied, it couldn't hurt he guessed.
"Ann, Ted asked, can you really control it? I mean, if I killed someone I could never live with that."
"Well, it was hard at first, Ann said, and it never gets very easy, but it does get better. I think the longer you've been a Werewolf the easier it is to control the animal part, unless you go feral. When that happens I think you get stuck as a beast, and you lose most of your humanity for good."
"What if I can't learn to control it?" Ted asked softly.
"Well, we'll come to that when we have to, but let's hope we don't have to take any kind of...action. Ann replied, but I'm hoping, with my help, that you'll be able to learn. I did it on my own, but with someone else who knows what you're going through it should be easier."
"God, I hope so Ted replied. Can you really change anytime you want to, the legends all say it's only during the full moon."
"It took me awhile, but yes, I can change anytime. I prefer the nighttime though; it feels, I don't know, safer, more right. I think its instinct because it's a good time to hunt and less chance of being seen. Here, let me show you something. Now watch my arms and hands."
As Ted and Doc stared Ann held out her arms, and with a look of concentration on her face squinted a little, and as they watched a noticeable spasm like ripple ran down her arms, like the muscles underneath were moving. She grunted as dark grey and black hair suddenly spread over her arms, and her fingers hooked and her joints cracked as claws began to push out from the tips. They also noticed her lips turning black and her ears pushing into points, and then, with sweat running down her face, the changes receded, and with a gasp she relaxed.
"Holy crap!" Ted said.
"I will never get used to that no matter how many times I've seen it." Doc said.
"It was a little harder to stop this time once it started, Ann said, as the nights of the full moon approach its harder to resist the call. In a couple of days I, that is Ted and I, will have no choice but to change, from moonrise to moonset."
Ted was silent; too stunned to speak for awhile. It's real, he thought, it really is. He'd hoped it was all some weird fantasy, that nothing would happen and they'd all have a good laugh at his expense, but after what he'd just seen he knew it wasn't any joke or bad dream, but was all too real. He felt he should be freaking out, but even now he remained strangely calm. If he could learn to control it; IF, it might not be so bad.
The next day passed far too quickly, and then it was time. Ann drove them out to the old asylum. It was an eerie, creepy place, like something out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. It was one of those grim institutional type places built back around the turn of the century, and used up into the 1950's before being abandoned as being too old and outdated to be worth renovating. It was in amazingly good condition, and while there had been some vandalism it had been fairly minor as the hulking old buildings were isolated and not too many people knew about the place. It had been built to last and the old maximum security wing would have done any prison proud. There were heavily bared gates and grills every so often, and as they passed through Ann locked them with heavy chains and padlocks she was carrying in a canvas bag. The doors to the windowless cells were solid steel and looked more like they belonged in a bunker or onboard a ship. The cells were padded as well, though most were losing the stuffing in a few places. One cell they passed had claw marks in the walls and the padding had been just about all torn down. When Ted asked her about that Ann said,
"That was my cell, um, before I learned how to control it. I went kind of, er, wild the first few times."
Ted stopped and looked inside the cell with she shredded walls. 'Wild' huh, he thought, it looked more like Freddy Krueger had gone on a bender. The concrete under the shredded padding was deeply gouged as well. Jesus! They came to another cell, one in better condition, and Ann said,
"Well, I guess this is it. Can you feel it yet? The moon doesn't rise for another couple of hours, but I can feel it calling me."
Ted had been feeling hot and feverish for awhile, and there did seem to be something, a nagging tingling deep inside, almost like something squirming or a mildly upset stomach. Not painful, just there.
"Yeah, Ted said, I think I know what you mean. Kind of like the feeling you get just before you do something you really don't want to do, kind of excited, but scared, at the same time."
"Hmm, yes, at least at first, Ann replied, but later it's more a feeling of eagerness and anticipation."
"Are you going to chain me up or something?" Ted asked nervously as he entered the cell.
"No, Ann said, Doc and I thought about that after I got bit, but figured it might be dangerous, that I might hurt myself. Your body takes on a totally new shape, so chains might have gotten too loose, or even worse, too tight. So he just shut me in the cell and locked all the security doors in case I got out. But the cell held me easily enough. I think you'll be, er, secure enough."
As Ted stood in the cell Ann hung a battery powered lantern from a hook that had been screwed into the ceiling. Since the old place had no power they had to have some light, and the fairly dim low powered light would last all night. Then Ann left the cell and shut the heavy door, and Ted winced as he heard the heavy bolts snick into place. Ann looked through the small viewing port, and said,
"There's water in that bag, and also some, um, raw meat. The change always makes you hungry, and having food on hand helps, takes the edge off the need to hunt. And you might want to, um, strip as otherwise your clothes can cause problems as your body changes shape, and if you don't there won't be much left of them in the morning."
"Er, OK." Ted said. He took off everything except his shorts; at least they gave him some modesty, and folding up his shirt and pants set them down in a corner of the cell. It was warm, so he wasn't uncomfortable.
Ann watched as Ted stripped, and couldn't help but look at his body. He wasn't ripped, but he was no slouch either. She licked her lips, it had been a long time since she'd had a boyfriend, most of the locals were intimidated by a lady cop. And since she'd been bitten her...needs had been much more...noticeable. Any anytime she changed, whether on a night of the moon or otherwise, she was always starving for food, and sex, afterwards. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have a male around. She licked her lips again, it wouldn't be long now. The call was tugging at her, making her feel hot and anxious, excited. Finally she pulled away from the viewing port, and left to go into another cell to change.
She quickly stripped and folded her own clothes, then took the raw meat out of another bag to make it easier to get to; otherwise she'd probably tear up the bag. Then, instead of waiting for the moon to rise she willed the change, giving deep grunts of discomfort and pleasure as they washed over her. Oh, it felt so good now, a feeling of growing power as she felt herself growing stronger and her senses sharpening. When it was over she looked down her muzzle at her clawed hands, and with a deep growl she crouched over the large piece of raw venison and devoured it with happy snarls, licking the last of the blood off her hands and fur. She had only gone as far as the beast form, it would be easier for her move around in the asylum and keep an eye on the male in the other cell as in her animal form she would be unable to open doors or look through the viewing port in the door. She paused and lifted her head; she could feel the moon rising even inside the building, its call irresistible now.
Ted paced the cell, growing more restless, feeling more and more closed in and irritable. He'd never suffered from claustrophobia before, but now he was pretty sure he knew what it felt like, and didn't like it. Finally he banged on the door, his blows only producing muted thumps, and yelled,
"I've changed my mind; let me the Hell out of here! Damn it Ann, let me out!"
Ann growled as she heard the muffled yells, and leaving her cell padded down the hallway to the closed door, and turning her muzzle pressed her eye next to the small viewing port. The man inside saw her and stepped back in surprise. She saw he was sweating, and could smell it, and knew it would start soon. Part of her wanted to give him privacy for what was coming, but another part wanted to watch. She had never seen another change. She growled softly in anticipation, she could already smell the beast in him, sense it awakening.
Ted reeled back from the heavy steel door as an eye was pressed to the other side of the viewing port, an eye surrounded by fur and not quite human. The eye was green and stared at him intently, but it was the eye of an animal. He started to yell again, then grabbed his stomach as a spasm hit, and to his embarrassment gave a rather loud wet belch. But then another spasm came, and another, each one more powerful, and painful, then the previous one. With a guttural moan he fell over on to his hands and knees dry retching, only bile dripping from his lips. With a loud snapping and crackling sound a noticeable ripple ran down his spine, the vertebrae shifting and becoming more prominent as the stub of a tail pushed out at the base and he whimpered from the pain. His chest began to swell as his ribs realigned themselves and expanded, and he sucked air into enlarging lungs, air that made them burn and wasn't enough. He squealed as another more violent ripple ran down his spine and shifted so he was crouching on the balls of his feet as his legs began to change shape, the muscles visibly shifting under his skin as black hair sprouted and became fur as it spread in a rippling wave across his contorting body. He could feel something deep inside of him, something alien and primal, fighting its way out and fought against it, fought to remain human. The pain was excruciating, unbearable, and he raised his head and stared at the eye looking at him through the door, tears running down his face, and screamed,
"Ohhhhh God, make it stop, please!! It hurts, PLEASE HELP ME!!"
Ann whimpered, remembering the agony of her own first change as her body had adapted to its new form. She wanted to go to him, but knew that would be mistake. And unable to stop, kept watching mesmerized as the changes progressed. The first time was always slow as the human body instinctively fought against the changes overtaking it, but they were irresistible, and resisting only made it worse.
Ted lowered his head again and gave a squeal of agony as his face began to twist and stretch, his upper and lower jaws becoming soft and malleable as they began to push out into a large blunt muzzle, his teeth lengthening into fangs as his mouth filled with blood as they tore their way through his gums, bloody drool dripping on the floor as he gasped and moaned. Oh God, oh God, it HURT! As his face finished reforming into a muzzle and settled into place the pain faded temporarily and gave him a brief respite and he tried to gather his shattered thoughts, tried to understand what was happening. He lifted large a clumsy looking hand, razor sharp claws glinting in the dim light as he flexed his fingers. He shifted and growled, and raising his large misshapen head looked at the staring eye in the port, and, his own eyes still human, whimpered and reached out towards the door. He tired to speak, to beg, but the words were garbled, and even as he spoke the pain came back tenfold, and his words became screams and growls.
"Puuhlleeasseee, heeelp muh, puhhlleaassee! Urrrrarrrgghh, UH, URRAARRRAR AH, AH, URRARRRRGGGHHHH!! NUH, NOO, AAAIIIIAARRRRGGGHH!"
The thickening fur washed over his body now in waves, his hips and torso changing shape, muscle writhing and stretching, bones snapping and popping as they moved into their new positions, the pain almost causing him to hyperventilate, his breath coming fast and shallow. His ears grew pointed, shifting back farther on his head as his skull grew even larger, his muzzle completing its formation as his jaws snapped and guttural growls came from deep in his chest. His tail filled out, growing fluffy and sleek as did the rest of his pelt, deep ebony black with silver highlights and markings. With a guttural grunt of pain and pleasure he suddenly, violently, ejaculated, his testes expelling the human sperm to make way for a new seed. His straining throbbing penis pumped long ropes of gooey sperm; even as it changed, until his loins were empty, but they began to rapidly fill again, his lust growing even more intense. He felt his awareness and humanity began to fade and fought desperately to keep some control,
"NOO, NURRRR, URRK, PUUHLEEZZZ, NU, NU, URRAARRGGGHHH!!"
But when the writhing spasms finally slowed and stopped a few minute later the glaring eyes in the fully bestial head were full of intelligence and awareness, but it wasn't human anymore. With a growl the beast slowly stood up and looked around. Free! He was free! But his elation turned to rage as he realized he was hemmed in, there was nowhere to run! He could feel the moon, but couldn't see it! With a whimper he explored the horrible small place that confined him, scratching at the solid walls and door. He found the bag of meat, and, ravenous, quickly ate it all. It helped, a little. But he wanted OUT! With a roar he threw himself against the door and the walls, again and again, his efforts becoming frenzied and desperate.
Ann stepped back from the door as the male beast slammed into it, the heavy steel actually shuddering in its frame, the strength of the beast incredible. As he had stood up she'd seen his eyes, brilliant blue like ice, intelligence burning in them, but nothing human, the beast fully in control. She also noticed he was aroused, his penis jutting up hard and rampant, and she felt a sudden wetness in her own sex as she saw, and smelled, that feral arousal. His penis was partially human, with a large glans with flared corona, but it emerged from a sheath and had a large knot about three quarters of the way down. His large balls hung like a humans, but his scrotum was covered in fine black fur. She whimpered from her own need, but knew she didn't dare let him out, at least not until he had calmed down, and from the sounds inside the cell that might be some time. He was larger and; she knew, even more powerful then she was. So she settled down to wait, her need and his scent almost driving her mad with lust, But she kept the beast in herself at bay She too wanted to run in the cool night air and didn't like this place of closed spaces and strange smells, but she would wait, would not leave him alone. She shivered as a howl of despair came from the cell, whimpering in sympathy.
He flung himself against the hard door again and again, desperate to reach the open air and freedom. But the solid barrier refused to give, so he tore at the wall, excited at first at the outer covering tore away easily, but his frustration returned when the hard reinforced concrete was revealed. He clawed at it, but could only leave shallow gauges in the hard surface. His hunger had been partially satisfied, but his lust burned like a raging inferno in his loins, he needed a female, a mate. And he could smell one, her scent sweet and spicy, just beyond the barrier that kept him from the things he needed. With another roar he threw himself against it, again and again.
Ann crouched against the wall next to the door listening to the rampaging beast inside the cell. He had been raging for over an hour now, but was finally starting to calm down. He would throw himself against the door, there would be a pause, then he would do it again. But the intervals between assaults were slowly becoming longer. Finally, after quite a bit of time had passed, she looked through the viewing port again. He was crouched in a corner with his hands over his head, quiet and still.
The beast that had been; and will was, Ted finally gave up his useless efforts to escape the horrible prison he had found himself in. He found the large plastic water bottle, and remembering how to remove the cap he drained the 2 liter bottle in one long drink. The cool water helped to calm him down even more, so he dropped the bottle and sat down in a corner to try to think this out. The beast found itself delving in the human part of its mind for a solution, a way to win freedom, and as it did the human part became more aware as well. The beast meant no harm to the human whose body it shared, after all they were one and the same, so did not try to retain total control. Perhaps it's more intelligent half could figure a way out, so it was more than happy to turn the problem over to that part of itself.
Ted had felt himself becoming something else, the pain and agony incredible, but there was also a fierce joy and feeling of release. Part of him had remained aware as he had rampaged around the cell, but he had little control and saw the world through a red haze of feral rage and need. But the sudden drought of cold water had acted like a 'slap to the face' and he felt 'himself' slowly becoming calmer and more in 'control', or at least not so enraged and mad. And he was aware of another who shared his body, but was still him at the same time. The 'two' of them scrutinized one another, and agreeing on the same goal, freedom, finally merged completely as two became one. And Ted was Ted again, but so different now, so much...better. But still the intense need for freedom remained.
He looked at his bestial body, the fur, the powerful muscled frame, ran his tongue over his long sharp fangs, and whimpered. It was so strange, but felt so right at the same time. He put his hands over his head feeling his large soft ears, and stared at the floor. His stomach growled, he was hungry, but it was bearable, the venison had been delicious. But the other need remained; an aching lust. And he realized he could still smell a female; had been the whole time, and raising his head saw an eye looking back at him through the viewing port. When it realized he was looking at it the eye disappeared again.
She ran through the woods as fast as she could go, but the faint strangely muffled calls had stopped. She had sensed them almost as much as she heard them, the call of another like her, but not the other female, this time it was a male! She paused to get her bearing, and something told her, this way! Eagerly she picked up her pace.
Ann pulled away from the door as the male Werewolf, no, Ted, had looked up at her, the maniacal glow gone from his eyes, his rage evidently spent for now. They weren't human eyes, but the intelligence in them was gentler now, less feral, more in control. She felt hope wash over her, had he done it, was he in control, had the beast accepted his dominance? She remembered how it had been for herself. The initial horror and terror giving away to wonder, and finally...joy. How she had 'confronted' the other sharing her body, made 'friends' with it, and worked out a mutually acceptable agreement, and now she couldn't tell the 'beast' from herself anymore as they had become one and the same. But like humans Werewolves were social creatures; and she had felt lonely, the desire to join the feral female almost overwhelming at times. But now she felt hope, because now there was another like her.
Ann; both the human and the beast, had been impressed by the male confined in the cell. Her human part remembered him a very nice and intelligent person, fun to talk to and be with, and also agreeable and respectful. And the beast saw him as a most impressive male, larger then she was, beautiful pelt and markings, and very strong, a desirable mate. And she could smell him, smell his arousal, and she knew he could smell her own need. Suddenly she heard him snuffling at the door, and moving over to it found his nose pressed against the small port, wet and flaring as he sought her scent.
Ted stood up and approached the metal door; attracted by the sight of that brilliant green eye and the scent of the female. He looked through the port, but couldn't see anything, but he knew she was there, just a few feet away. He pressed his nose to the port to get a better scent of her, the rich pheromones flooding his system causing him to whimper in need, his penis aching and throbbing.
Ann looked at the questing nose, and leaning forward gave it a lick, and it disappeared instantly, to be replaced by a curious blue eye. She could taste the male on her tongue, his taste strong and so very male. She wanted him, needed him so desperately, but she was in control despite her lust, and knew it might be a big mistake to give into that need, and set him free too soon. He seemed to be in control, but it had taken her awhile before she felt she could trust herself enough to let herself run free.
She circled the huge hulking building, her nose working frantically. She could smell the male, but he was in the human building, a place reeking of age and decay. What was he doing in there?? And the other female was there as well, were they being held against their will? She didn't like the place at all, it caused a memory to echo deep in her mind, a place of despair and pain. But finally, growling, she sought a way in, to try to get to the others and set them free to run with her. She managed to get through some heavy doors, but found her way bared by a heavy grate of steel bars firmly locked, and despite circling the building again could find no other way into section the scents came from, her way bared everywhere. Finally she lifted her head and howled in frustration, to let the others know she was there, and trying to reach them.
Ann froze as the loud howl rang out somewhere outside the building, and the eye in the view port disappeared, and a second later a loud howl rang out from inside the cell. Damn, it was the other one, the one who had bitten him! She must have known, sensed his change, somehow. How else could she have found them, in this place! She had to fight not to answer that call herself, the beast part of her wanting to desperately. But she fought that need down. If she gave in she knew there would be no going back, the part of her that was Ann would become a memory. Another howl came from inside the cell, to be answered eagerly from outside. The door began to shudder again as the male frantically threw himself against it, desperate to answer that call.
Ted stood back from the door in surprise as he heard the howl from another female sound loud and close by; and throwing back his head answered. She was trying to reach him, and he wanted to, needed to, go to her. He felt his tentative control slip as the beast became more dominant again, eager to reach the calling female. He howled again, and with a snarl of rage threw himself against the door, again and again. He wanted her, needed her, and wanted to be FREE!! Again and again he slammed into the door until his body was bruised and his claws were torn and bleeding, to heal, only for him to injury himself yet again as he sought the freedom he wanted so desperately, both as a beast and a man. His howls became agonized wails as he slipped into a feral frenzy.
Ann crouched against the wall, her hands over her ears, as the male raged and screamed. She wanted to go to him, to set him free, but whimpering resisted that urge. She could hear the equally frantic female trying to gain access to the building, the sounds of broken glass, claws on metal and wood, but felt sure she would be unable to. Werewolves were incredibly strong; as she so well knew, but even they had limitations. Brick and steel bars worked as well against them as humans.
And finally, as dawn approached, she gave up with a final wail of sorrow and longing. Turning she disappeared into the still dark woods. But she knew there was a male like her now, and she would find him, somehow.
Ann gave a whimper of relief as the sun began to rise and the enraged sounds in the cell slowly faded to silence. Crouching down she took on her human form, and standing stretched and moaned. It had been one HELL of a night. It would have gone a lot better if that, that bitch hadn't shown up. But no, that wasn't fair, she had felt the other females need, the loneliness in her calls, and could sympathize with her sister Werewolf. It must be even worse; to be alone like she was, trapped in a bestial body and existence. She herself could understand the need for a male, for someone like yourself to share your life, for a mate. With a sigh she went into the other cell and put on her clothes, then taking her bag she went back to the now quiet cell, and looked through the viewing port again. She could see Ted, he was sitting in a corner, nude, and staring at nothing, but he must have sensed her because he looked up, his face haggard and drawn, and then with an embarrassed smile went and slipped into his own clothes as she opened the door and entered the cell.
"Well." She said.
"Yes indeed, well, Ted said, that was one Hell of a night."
"How much do you remember?" Ann asked, handing him a bottled water which he eagerly took, and drained in one long swallow.
"Thanks, you have NO idea how badly I needed that! Ted said, and I remember most of it. Some vividly, other parts more like I was a spectator. But I think I made contact with my 'wild' half, it was terrifying at first, but I didn't feel, well, threatened or anything, just strange. But later it took over again, and I kind of faded in and out."
"Sounds pretty much like what I felt like at first, Ann replied. It took me about three months before I trusted myself not to go feral and take off to live in the woods like our hairy friend."
"I heard her calling me, Ted said, I wanted to go to her so badly, to get out of the cell, to be free. She was trying to get to me, to set me free."
"I did too, you have no idea how hard it was for me as well, Ann said. It must have been far worse for you though, being male. The hunger; and the...lust."
"Yes, Ted said, you have no idea. But you're being there was a big help, at least at first. Knowing I wasn't alone, it helped calm the beast, helped me, us, to, um, get to know one another better. If you hadn't been, well, I don't know if the 'Ted' part of me would have woken back up. And speaking of hungry, I could eat a moose."
Ann giggled, "What is it with you and moose's, anyway?"
"I have no idea, Ted replied, but I am an old Bullwinkle and Rocky fan. They were funnier then Hell, I loved old Boris Badenov."
"And Natasha and Fearless Leader, Ann said, I loved that show too. They don't make them like that anymore."
As they drove to the café we talked about old cartoons and favorite shows, anything but what had happened that night. They both felt a need to relax and have a good meal, but even now could feel the call of the moon.
As they were eating Doc entered the café, spotted them right away, and slipping into the booth next to Ann, asked,
"Well??"
"Well what?" Ann answered, face inscrutable.
"Damn it! Doc said, don't make me yell at you! You full well know 'what'."
"Well, Ted said, I got out and we both drove to Nashville and had a great time, it'll probably be in the news, just look for the headline 'Werewolves terrorize the Grand Ole Opry, Hank Williams, Jr. devoured on stage! Willie Nelson's Limo chased through the streets of Nashville! Panic Reigns!'".
Ted was impressed by Doc's vocabulary of cuss words, even an old sailor like him learned a few choice new phrases. That one about donkey dicks was especially expressive, even though the sexual act it described was impossible.
"Doc, Ann said, tone it down or I'll have to arrest you for disturbing the peace AND public profanity! We'll tell you everything, just not here!"
Doc grumbled and griped a little bit more, but they soothed his feelings by buying him the blue plate special, which was his favorite. They both had the steak plate, rare please.
After finishing eating they walked to jail and settled down in Ann's office, the photos of sheriff's past staring down from the walls. Bet you guys never had to deal with this kind of shit, Ann thought. She got a coke for Doc, and poured iced tea for herself and Ted. Like her he stayed away from too much coffee, said it made him 'crawl up walls'.
"Well, Ann said, it went pretty well until we got company. The feral Werewolf showed up and it kind of went downhill from there. Poor old Ted here really lost it and freaked out."
"You really didn't get loose, did you?" Doc asked.
"No, that was just Ted being silly, Ann replied, not that he didn't try, he really did a number on that cell, even bent the door. She tried to get in too, broke in the front doors of the old asylum."
"Jesus, Doc said, those doors were solid oak, three inches thick! What about tonight? Will she come back?"
"I'm sure of it, Ann said, she knows he's around, and will come back looking for him. And damn it Doc, I had to fight not let him out and join her too! You have NO idea what the call is like."
"Can we find someplace else for me to change, I asked, someplace she can't find me? I don't know if I can keep control with her calling me like that, I... needed her so badly."
"What'd you need her for?" Doc asked.
"Doc, Ann hissed, you know!"
"Oh, OH, right, Doc said, sorry, my bad."
"I can't really think of any place else off hand, Ann said, the jail is out, it would be a lot easier for her to get in here. And all the howling would be bound to attract attention, which would be a disaster. Someone would be bound to notice a bunch of Werewolves running around downtown."
"I could drug him, Doc said, but the problem is I have NO idea what drugs would work on a Werewolf, or how much to give him. I might very kill him with an overdose."
"I guess we'll have to use the asylum again, Ann said, it's the best we have available, at least she can't reach us in there."
"Waaait a minute, Doc said, a thoughtful look on his face, hold on, be right back!"
Ted looked at Ann, who just shrugged, as Doc got up and hurried out of the office. When he came back a few minutes later Ted pretended to be asleep until Ann threw a wad of paper at him. Doc had a big smile of his face, and with great fanfare, announced,
"Problem solved!" And then he filled them in as they pestered him for details.
"Got an old army buddy over in Nashville, he had brother who died a few years back that had a place out in the woods. He was a bit of a survival freak and even had a bomb shelter. Went hunting up there once and the place was built like an Atlantic Wall bunker, steel doors and everything. He held onto the place after his brother died to use for hunting, and he said I was welcome to use it anytime I felt like it. I just reminded him, and he said to help myself. Even told me where an extra set of keys to the place was hidden under a rock near the gate. It's only about sixty miles from here; you could be there in a couple of hours, no problem."
"Doc, Ann said, I ever tell you you're beautiful?"
Doc just grinned like a baboon.
They loaded up Ann's jeep with basic supplies as they had no idea if there would be water or food at the 'cabin', and figured for sure there probably wasn't going to be any meat, at least raw meat. Doc provided them with the fresh carcass of a deer that he'd bought from a hunter; already cleaned and dressed. The smell of the fresh meat made Ted drool, and he noticed Ann licking her lips a few times as they loaded it in a large cooler and put in the back. Ted licked the blood off his fingers off and it tasted good.
As they drove along Ted couldn't help but think about what happened to him the night before, the feeling of becoming someone, something, else still very fresh. He could remember a lot of it, except for some hazy parts when he'd been raging. And he was more aware of Ann's scent in the closed jeep than ever before, the change seemed to have permanently sharpened his senses. She smelled so good, musky, female, nice. He felt a stir in his loins, but managed to keep it from becoming obvious; though he was sure she smelled his...interest. At one point she reached over and gave his hand a squeeze, and he jumped at the touch, and she just smiled. He didn't think they said five words between them the whole trip. He grinned at the ridiculous factor, here he was with a beautiful woman, and they were driving through beautiful countryside heading towards an isolated cabin retreat so they could turn into monsters in privacy, and hopefully not eat anybody. But it was a grim smile.
It took awhile to find the place as the road was partially washed out, so it was a good thing they'd brought the jeep as his car would have never made it. It took almost as long to find the damn keys. Doc had described the 'rock' they were under; the problem was all rocks looked pretty much the same to them. Plus it turned out to be on the right side of the gate, not the left. After turning over a fairly large number of rocks; and disturbing some rather pissed off wildlife, they finally found the keys. Ted jumped about five feet straight up, and ten feet back, when he turned over one rock to reveal a baby copperhead. It gave an irate hiss and slithered off to find another nice rock to hide under, one where it hopefully wouldn't be so rudely disturbed.
Doc had been right about the cabin, it was much larger on the inside then it appeared as much of it was underground, a genuine bunker meant to survive a nuclear war. His old army buddy had owned a construction company and had spent his spare time building the place. The cabin itself was just a comfortable log cabin, well built, but not especially imposing, as had been intended. The entrance to the bunker was through a closet in one of the two bedrooms, well concealed to say the least. You had to take down the clothes rod and then you could swing out the back panel of the closet to reveal a metal door, and upon opening it there was a spiral staircase leading down into the bunker.
It was impressive to say the least. It still had outside power, but also had backup power, a main system and an emergency. There was a large central room, several smaller sleeping areas and 'rec' rooms, a power and filtration station, a full bathroom with showers, and more. Ted was amazed at how big it was, and once the power came on it was nice and cool, and well lighted with soft LED lights. And they found exactly what they needed. There were several large storage room stocked with everything imaginable. There was enough food for years, medical supplies, clothes, tools, an impressive arsenal & reloading equipment, and more. But one contained mainly large tanks of water, and had a large heavy door that could be secured from either side, it was perfect.
The poked around for awhile, and Ted finally tried a door in the back of one of the storage rooms, and found a tunnel with stairs leading downward. Curiously he followed it, and then returned to tell Ann what he'd found.
"Ann, you won't believe this, but there's a garage built into the side of the hill and it has a camouflaged metal door. And there's a military model Humvee and an armored car of some kind. This guy was serious."
"Some people think the world will end any day, Ann said, and get ready. He was lucky he could afford to, most of us don't have that option. But half these weapons are illegal; he even has grenades for Christ sake."
"Yeah, Ted replied, but he wasn't a terrorist or anything. I don't see any problem having that kind of stuff unless you're some nut that wants to go blow up Wal-Mart or something. For the most 'free' country in the world we sure do have a lot of laws about what you can, and can't, own. Yet go to any third world cesspit and you can buy an AK-47 on a street corner."
"Too true." Ann said.
They'd made good time, and despite the rock hunting expedition it was still only early afternoon, so they began to get settled in, neither talking about what they were there for. But as early evening approached they could feel the call more strongly and began to respond even though the moon had not yet risen. And finally Ted couldn't stand it anymore, he had been becoming intensely aware of Ann's scent and when it started to become stronger he gave in to his growing lust. As she was exciting the 'arsenal' room he was going in, and as they bumped into one another he pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard and long, and she didn't resist, returning the embrace, giving in to her own intense need.
As they broke apart Ted said, "Oh Ann, I'm sorry! It's just that, I, you, you're so beautiful!"
"I'm not; Ann replied in a husky voice, you don't how long I've wanted to do that! I've been so lonely, that's the worst thing about being what we are, being lonely, and I've wanted you since I saw you lying in the road and knew what you were becoming."
They didn't need to talk anymore after that as they embraced again, their kisses almost frantic as their hands roamed over one another's bodies, and Ted tore open her blouse and pushed up her bra so he could cup and fondle her breasts, her nipples hard and sensitive, and Ann gave a deep moan of pleasure and need.
"Wait", Ann grunted, and stepping back tore off her blouse and bra, and then stepped into Ted's embrace again, the feel of his lips against hers, and his hands on her breasts incredible. They kissed for a long time, almost snarling as their lust grew, their mutual need becoming unbearable. The left a trail of clothes to one of the bedrooms, and feel into bed naked, frantic to try and satisfy their lust for one another. The foreplay over Ann spread her legs and gave a groan of ecstasy as Ted lowered himself onto her and his penis penetrated her sensitive aching pussy. Oh yessssss! She thought, it had been so long! He hilted after a few lunges, then began fucking her with strong steady thrusts, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, arching and bucking under him, clawing at his back and grinding her teeth together from the agonizing pleasure. She couldn't remember it feeling so intensely pleasurable before, and accredited it to what they were now. She watched Ted's face as he serviced her, his eyes squeezed shut and sweat dripping onto her own face as he thrust, giving guttural grunts of lust, his expression as full of pain as pleasure. He opened his eyes and saw her looking at him, and she grabbed his head and pulled it down, running her tongue into his mouth as they kissed brutally, both snarling in pleasure and love. And he kept fucking her the whole time, never stopping, never slowing down, slowly increasing the speed of his thrusts and she drummed her heels against his rear, squealing through their joined lips. It had never been this good!
Ted was in heaven as he kissed Ann, her lips and tongue wet and sweet, her full firm breasts perfect, his fingers roaming over her large rubbery nipples. He gave a soft growl as she pulled away, but when she pulled off her shirt and bra felt his lust increase even more. God she was beautiful! Unimpeded by her clothes he cupped and fondled those firm globes of flesh, and ran his hand down and rubbed her crotch through her shorts, and she ground against him making guttural moans. As far as he was concerned 'foreplay' was over, and he began gently pushing her towards the largest bedroom, and they shed their clothes as they went. Ann gave a big grin and growl of pleasure when he slipped his pants & shorts off, his aching rigid cock jutting up, its need obvious. By then they'd reached the bedroom and he pushed her onto the bed, and as she landed she spread her legs wide and arched herself, moaning her need. He threw himself on top of her, and positioning himself lowered his weight carefully on to her, reaching down to guide his cock into her wet swollen sex. He gasped as the head of his penis rubbed against, and slid into, the slick embrace of her labial lips, and then plunged deeply into her pussy. He slid in easily, his pre and her vaginal fluids lubricating them both, and hilting after only a couple of thrusts he began fucking her with a steady powerful rhythm from the start, unable to hold back. The feel of her slick hot wet sex around his shaft, her sweaty body and firm breasts against his own, was pure sexual euphoria like he'd never felt before. The pleasure became almost an agonizing ecstasy as he fucked her, gasping and moaning with his eyes shut from the overwhelming intensity of the pleasure. When he opened his eyes she grabbed his head in one hand and pulled him down on her, and their kiss was a sexual act in itself, her taste and scent driving him to even higher levels of lust and need. Giving even deeper grunts and moans of pleasure he sped up the rhythm of his thrusts, desperate to reach release, his need excruciating as she writhed and moaned.
Ann bucked and squealed, oh God, wouldn't he ever stop! It kept getting more and more pleasurable; to the point it was almost unbearable, as his cock lunged in and out of her quivering aching sex, his thighs slapping into hers with loud meaty slaps, his fucking of her becoming brutal and almost feral, and she'd never been so well fucked before in her life. She dug her fingers into his back, her legs locked tightly around his waist, gasping and sobbing, oh, oh, ohhh! Suddenly he lunged into her as hard as he could, and throwing back his head gave a roaring scream as she felt his cock throb and pump hot cum past her cervix and into her womb, and she orgasmed at same time, adding her own howl to his as she bit him on his shoulder from the agonizingly, intensely, pleasurable release that she had needed so badly for so long. And she knew she had found a mate and was happier then she had ever been in her life as her body kept shuddering from wave after wave or orgasmic ecstasy.
Ted began thrusting as hard as he could, his building need for release irresistible and agonizing. It had never taken him this long before, it had never felt so GOOD before, so intense, so right. He didn't worry he might be hurting her as his thrusts became almost brutal, her sounds and writhing body told him she wanted what he was giving her, needed it, expected it. And finally, at last, he felt his climax approaching, and as his cock began to throb and his balls clenched and spasmed he gave a scream of pure agonized pleasure as he came, feeling his cum blast into her bucked screaming body in powerful spurts, and he came longer than he ever had before. As his climax ended and began to fade he fell across her, their bodies rubbing together, slippery with sweat, her hands gently caressing his back as they kissed, long and slow, each perfectly happy and content, his hardness still deep inside her, a few last dribbles of cum oozing from the head of his penis.
After a few minutes Ted pulled himself out of her, his cock still rock hard, knowing he wasn't finished yet, his need still strong. He backed off the bed and stood up, his cock jutting up, rampant. Ann licked her lips, her eyes on his glistening penis, and rolling over on her hands and knees she backed up until her legs slid off the edge of the bed. Neither of them said a word, they weren't necessary, as Ted mounted her from behind, that position feeling somehow more...natural to them both. She gave a squeal of pleasure as his hardness filled her, and lowering her head grunted as he began fucking her again, his thrusts just as strong and fast as before. Ted looked down as his aching cock slid in and out of Ann's slick pussy; and it was like he hadn't even had a gut wrenching orgasm just a few minutes ago, his lust just as intense. He leaned forward with a snarl and gripped her shoulders, speeding up his thrusts, both of them totally oblivious to anything else but one another.
Each was unaware of just how long that first coupling had taken, and it had been slowly getting darker outside as the sun set, but they had not noticed in their mutual need and the bunker had no windows. And slowly the gleaming silver moon, impossibly large in the crystal clear night sky, began to rise, its bright silvery light sweeping over the dark cabin.
Ann was the first to realize what was happening, lost in the throes of sexual bliss she had not realized the call was getting so irresistible until she felt the beast awaken fully and began to assume control. She looked down as claws pushed out of her fingers, a dusting of dark hairs washing over her arms.
"Ugggggh, she gasped, Ted, the moon, we, ohhhhh, need to, UGGGHH, URRR, the moon! Stop, we have to, uggghhaaahhhh!"
Ted was totally oblivious to what was happening, he heard Ann's words and sensed she was distressed, but there was no way he could stop, even if he had wanted to, and he most definitely didn't want to. He'd never felt such pleasure, such intense ecstasy, and it was increasing with every thrust as the change washed over him and the coupling became less human and more animal. He grunted as he felt his penis lengthening and thickening, felt Ann's slick sex getting tighter, but didn't slow down his thrusts as her changing vaginal muscles caressed and clenched around his aching erection as it changed shape. He finally realized what was happening as he saw fur spreading across her back, the ridge of her spine becoming more prominent as her body shifted under him, dark fur spreading across his own body. But by then it was far too late to stop, for either of them.
Ted growled and whimpered as the change sped up, his body contorting into its new form, but there was less pain then the first time, and the exquisite agony in his thrusting cock helped to deaden much of that pain, and he was even more aware of the beautiful female he was mating with and the pleasure they were giving one another. He watched as Ann's head changed shape, becoming bestial as her jaws pushed out into a snarling whimpering muzzle, feeling his own head changing as well. He grunted and shifted his legs, feeling her hindquarters shift under him, but he never stopped servicing her, he couldn't. He gave a deep grunt as he suddenly had an intense orgasm as the remainder of his human seed was expelled from his balls, and then growled in pleasure as he felt his balls swell and grow heavier as new seed quickly filled them to overflowing. And the pleasure, oh God! He felt a knot growing toward the base of his penis, and began thrusting harder as it pressed against Ann's tight pussy, and with a final grunt and lunge it popped into her and they knotted, locked together, and Ann gave a howl of ecstasy as he threw back his head and snarled as he lunged into her even deeper.
The change was over, and as the beast awakened in them they felt joy and their lust and need became even more intense, but muted, controllable, the sex they'd already had helping to keep their human halves more aware and in control, even for Ted. With a soft rumbling growl he lowered his huge head and gently licked his mate's neck and ears, and she turned her head so their tongues could entwine as they licked one another's snouts. Then he had to rear back as he felt his release approaching, and they both howled as massive orgasms racked their bodies, shuddering in ecstasy. But they weren't satisfied, not yet, and remained locked together for over two hours, howls of lust and pleasure filling the bunker as they climaxed again and again. Finally, both spent, Ann's vagina released Ted's still hard erection, and he pulled out of her with a final grunt of pleasure.
Ann got to her feet and turned around, taking in the sight and scent of the large male who had mated with her. She liked what she saw, had known she would. He was a midnight black with sliver tipped highlights, his blue eyes bright and intelligent. They put their hand/paws on one another's shoulders, rubbing their muzzles together and licking, kissing in their own way.
Ted gave a grunt of pleasure as he dismounted from Ann, his still hard penis slipping free with a wet pop. She stood up and stretched, then turned to face him, tongue lolling over her fangs, and he knew she was as happy and satisfied as he was. She was so beautiful, her mixed dark and lighter grey and white markings perfect in his eyes, and her green eyes, so incredibly beautiful. To his pleased surprise in this form she had not one pair of breasts, but four, the other three pairs smaller and lower down, but with nipples just as large as her 'human' ones. Wasn't that nice! When she moved towards him he instinctively raised his hands and embraced her, rubbing his muzzle against hers. Oh, she smelled, and tasted, so good!
Ann had found that in her beast form she was still capable of speech, though much deeper and more...growly.
"Ted, are you still in there?" she asked, looking into his bright blue eyes. Please, she thought, oh please.
"Urrr, I, urrr, think so, rawwrr, yes, I'm still, urrrr, me." Ted snarled back, a look of surprise on his muzzle. "Yes! I'm different, but, urrrr, still me!"
Oh, thank God, Ann thought with relief. If he had gone feral; become the beast entirely and for good, she had no idea what she would have done. But no, yes she did, he was her mate and she would have gone with him even if it meant living as an animal in the woods, would have let the beast take over and gone feral to be with him.
She circled the hulking old building anxiously, but he wasn't there! She could neither sense, scent, nor hear the male calling. Where was he! She sat back on her haunches and howled at the moon, a heartbroken call of loneliness and despair. She was so lonely, so very lonely. When she had been bitten and become aware of what was happening to her she had tried to return home, but the first change had come over her while she was still on the road, and pulling over she had run screaming into the woods where the beast had taken full control. She had a faint memory she had once been something, someone, else, but she was just the beast now. So she lived in the woods as little more than an animal. She knew humans were a danger, but felt drawn to them for some reason, perhaps to try and find a friend? She switched from beast to animal form, whichever was most convenient, but would never be able to assume a human form again as once she went feral it was permanent. Finally with one last wail of despair, she turned and vanished into the dark shadows of the beckoning woods.
Ann gave a whine of delight when Ted was able to speak to her intelligibly, and knew he was out of danger, that he wouldn't go feral now. Perhaps it had been the fantastic sex? By satisfying their lust so spectacularly, and pleasurably, the beasts had also been satisfied and been content to remain docile. It was as good a guess as any. But she felt a new need, she was hungrier then Hell!
"Ted my love, she snarled, let's eat!" He just gave a deep growl, and followed her as they exited the bunker. The deer had been hung in a large locker to drain more and the meat was warm and fresh, and delicious. It only took them a short time to devour everything except for a few of the larger bones. Ted was quite polite and let Ann have the choicest 'cuts'. And when they were done they both realized the same thing, it wasn't enough. Their hunger, though blunted, was still intense.
Ted walked over and stood in the moonlight shining through a window, his fur shimmering in the silver light, ethereal looking. He raised his muzzle and whimpered.
"Ann, is it safe, can we go outside? I don't like it in here."
Ann was amazed he had as much control as he did, her first few times when she wasn't locked in the cell she had not been able to resist the need to run free, but she could see how hard it was for him.
"Oh yes, Ann replied, I need to run free too, the moon is calling us!"
They exited the cabin and stopped to stare at the moon, the light reflecting in their eyes, the call burning in their veins. With a howl Ann dropped to all fours, transforming in seconds to her animal form, followed seconds later by Ted who made the transformation without even realizing he was doing it. They threw their heads back and howled, long and mournful, but full of excitement and joy, then Ann ran into the woods with Ted close behind. They were still hungry, it was time to hunt.
Initially they didn't have any luck, their hunt taking them deep into unfamiliar territory, and eventually they had to be satisfied with a couple of wild goats. But they had fun, running and playing, 'stalking' one another, pouncing, pretending to ambush one another. But their hunger satisfied another need resurfaced, and their play became more serious, Ann tantalizing Ted by letting him 'catch' her, only to pull away at the last second. Finally, whining with impatience, he caught up with her on the top of a prominent outcrop of eroded limestone, the wind swept crest bare of any plant life other then hardy grass, the view speactacular.
Ted circled Ann, growling softly, and she turned with him, her eyes flashing playfully. She knew what he wanted, the air reeked of arousal and lust, and she wanted it to, but she wanted the time to be right. Perfect. And when the moon came out from a thin scattering of clouds it was. She stopped and let him circle behind her, felt him sniffing at her hindquarters, and she lifted her tail and offered herself to him, and he wasn't long on accepting her offer. She grunted in pleasure as his weight settled onto her back, his front paws gripping her tightly as he mounted her. He started slow, hunching forward until his knot was pressed against her sex, then with a powerful lung knotted with her, and started fucking her with strong steady thrusts, snarling softly as he licked her ears and buried his nose in the sweet fur of her neck. She shuddered from the intense pleasure as she mated for the first time in her animal form, and it was different, more intense and uninhibited, pure and feral, and she loved it, both the human and beast.
Ted gave a deep grunting moan of extreme satisfaction as he mounted Ann, his need intense, his rock hard erection aching for release. He lunged into her gently, got the angle right, and after a few preliminary thrusts knotted inside her eager sex. Then he moved in her, and with her, snarling and growling softly, his attention solely on his beautiful mate, at she was everything to him, nothing else mattered. He took her as one animal mating with another, their human parts having nothing to do with this, and as they reached climax they both raised their heads and howled their ecstasy to their master the moon, rending homage.
The End
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