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Chapter 28 - Out With ItFriday, October 7th, 2011Chapter 28 - Out With It1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – Waxing Gibbous
Days until the Full Moon – 5
Once in his helmet and his motorcycle running, Alex found the first gap in the traffic and punched the accelerator. The sounds of the engine and the wind against his clothing couldn’t mask the worry he was feeling from driving towards that location, and possibly encountering Shane.
But then, what if he didn’t? What if he was already gone? There was always that possibility. The drive to the location his father told him about was at least twenty minutes; the rush hour traffic on the highway nearby however was a sign it would take longer. Chances were good he would be gone by the time he got there. It was still daytime as well.
“Ugh. C’mon, think. What can I do when I get there?”
With the police at the location, the most he could visibly do was watch and observe. But then, he could tell by scent if Shane was there, if the wind was blowing the ri
Chapter 16 - The First TalksWednesday, September 20th, 2011Chapter 16 - The First Talks1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – Last Quarter
Behind him was his mother’s sedan, to his left a clear run to the front door, and his right the garage door. The front door was the most appealing, but if the gate came open he would be seen. With his breaths through his nose, Alex could tell his father hadn’t gotten out of his uniform yet. Nor had he taken off his utility belt or handgun.
Hoping not to get himself shot, or threatened with it, Alex backed away from the truck, keeping the cars between himself and his dad. Hearing him tell Bailey to sit and stay, a groan sounded from his pet and the side gate opened. His footfalls circled the side and back of the truck as Alex continued to back away from him.
With the sun already down, his father pulled out a flashlight and clicked it on. The initial sweep of the beam missed a part of his pelt, causing him to duck, but his father had stopped moving while wielding it. That only meant one thing.
Turning a
Chapter 1 - Of Comics and CompanyMonday, August 22nd, 2011 – Sugar Land, TexasChapter 1 - Of Comics and Company1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – Last Quarter
Listening to the voice of his potential new boss as he read off his application, Alex Stryker shifted in his seat and straightened his back a bit. Trying his hardest not to adjust the clip-on tie on his neck, he let his eyes wander a bit, looking around at all the stuff in the room. Boxes of comics, both new and old, stood stacked near the walls. From a number of them, he could catch the very familiar scent of comics that were yellowing and aging.
“So, Alex, what can you offer me as an employee of this shop?” asked the person interviewing him.
“I'm not sure yet,” Alex replied. His voice was one of those that would have sounded right at home on a talk radio station. Deep and clear. Thinking the initial answer sounded stupid, he continued on. “but I'll offer everything I can provide. Food and drinks if that's what it takes.”
The final remark got the perso
Chapter 19 - Those You TrustSaturday, September 23rd, 2011Chapter 19 - Those You Trust1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – Waning Crescent
Friday passed without much change in routine, letting Alex concentrate on what was coming. At least in between sessions on his grindbox and an extended time at the Tampa shop. As it happened, that day was when Walter was taking sign-ups for the demo. Without hesitation, Alex signed himself up to take part, getting his mind to relax a bit.
At the same time, he was starting to wonder why he wasn’t seeing any messages from his friends over the last few days. The sickening thought of Nathan, or Marcus, already spilling the beans and them not speaking to him came to mind but he refused to believe that. Even so, with the approach of zero-hour, and Nathan’s car in the driveway on Saturday, Alex was hoping with everything he had that his friends would understand.
“Hey, man.” Nathan said as Alex came up to him and shook his hand.
“Hey. C’mon inside.” Opening the front door
Chapter 22 - ...Of Two WerewolvesWednesday, September 28th, 2011Chapter 22 - ...Of Two Werewolves1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – New
Finishing off the last of the second sub and his soda, Alex headed back outside. Once back on his motorcycle, he thought through all the places he had found this guy. The first was the park, too far away from where he was now. Then, Catherine’s place of work and Nathan’s, both relatively close. One near his neighborhood, and the last two where he was now.
Starting the engine, he made his way over to Gamestop first. Nathan’s car wasn’t there, but the store was lightly packed. Looking through the windows while he pretended to mess around with his phone, he didn’t see anyone with grey clothing or black and bleached hair. Although that made him feel hopeful, he had to check for his scent to be sure.
Heading inside and doing a full walk of the store, as small as it was, Alex felt more like a wolf than a civilian as he kept near the floor, checking for that scent. Even more so than a month befor
Chapter 18 - AftermathThursday, September 21st, 2011Chapter 18 - Aftermath1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – Last Quarter
Up until his folks left for the day around 7:30, Alex refrained from trying to change back; the sounds of his body and bones collapsing and cracking he didn’t want them to hear. By then, the sun was up and Bailey was begging to go outside, whining at the glass door. Remembering the carcass, even though he had hid it, he had a feeling Bailey would find it.
As he stood at the door again however, remembering the night before while watching Bailey roam around, he started feeling a bit safer about going outside with his dog. Stepping out onto the patio on all fours, Alex listened for anyone else nearby but heard nothing. Bailey noticed him coming outside and looked in his direction, but didn’t make any noises at him; he was interested in something else. When he stopped at the spot where he had been eating the carcass, sniffing the concrete, he knew his intuition was right.
His pet eventually found the area
Chapter 27 - Second OpinionsFriday, October 7th, 2011Chapter 27 - Second Opinions1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – Waxing Gibbous
Days until the Full Moon – 5
Going to bed Thursday night to a mix of emotions from the encounter, Alex got up the next day to find Bailey once again sleeping next to his head. After a quick rub of his pet’s head, he got himself ready for the day. With the demo at the shop coming in less than ten hours, he was anxiously awaiting its start.
As his second class went on, he also awaited a chance to talk to Nathan. As he did so, he went over every detail of the encounter in his head, trying not to forget any details. A few times, he questioned saying anything, but his wariness of what Shane had said overrode that feeling. Whether that was good or bad, he was about to find out as class let out.
Once at a spot a good distance from any foot traffic, Alex started speaking, cutting right to the chase. “I ran into that guy again, and I got his name.”
Nathan’s eyebrows rose a bit, and then droppe
Chapter 20 - Covering the BasesSunday, September 24th, 2011Chapter 20 - Covering the Bases1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – Waning Crescent
The feelings of relief carried over into the first stretch of his shift the following day. Arriving just after noon, Daniel was helping a few customers at the trading card counter. After clocking himself in, Alex took over at the register.
“Kind of busy today, isn’t it?” Alex asked while ringing up a few comics.
“Just a short rush. Give it about ten minutes.” Daniel replied.
Giving a small shrug at that, Alex kept his focus on work, lightly smiling with many of his customers. Daniel’s claim of ten minutes was soon overshot by several more minutes, but Alex was eventually able to get back to the floor. His first pair of customers at that point, a married couple by the rings they wore, asked for his help at the comics section.
“We’re looking for a certain comic for our daughter.” said the father.
“Ah, cool.” Alex said. “Do you know wh
Werewolf In the NightI stood there, waiting. Waiting for it to happen. Wind tossed my hair around and brushed against me as the shine of the moon lit up the night. The trees rustled and smaller animals crawled around – for now.Werewolf In the Night1 year ago in Short Stories More Like This
It suddenly hit me. A great pain pulled my body straight onto the ground and I started screaming. I stared at my hand as long, piercing, nails extended out of them. My pain curled them into fists as I quickly looked away.
My chest started to push out – my body was changing my structure. I curled up as my ribs seared in flames – or at least that's how it felt. My ribs shattered open as my organs re-arranged themselves.
My
Chapter 26 - Opinions...or Facts?Wednesday, October 5th, 2011Chapter 26 - Opinions...or Facts?1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – First Quarter
Days until the Full Moon – 7
The place Catherine had picked out for lunch was a slightly upscale Italian restaurant. Having left his stomach a bit empty since that morning, Alex ordered an appetizer for the group to go along with their breadsticks and dipping sauce.
As they sat talking for the first few minutes, indulging in the breadsticks as they did, Alex casually tracked a few scents around him. There was a mellow perfume in the air, coming from a woman who passed by them. One of the last patrons had chewed some intense, to him, cinnamon scented gum from the smell coming from under the table.
With another few sniffs, he started to pick up some scents of old books coming off Catherine’s hands, or her jacket. Each that he could best identify was not unlike the textbooks they all had used in high school.
“Something on your mind?” Alex brought his head up at Nathan’s question. It tu
Chapter 21 - A Chance Encounter...Monday, September 25th, 2011Chapter 21 - A Chance Encounter...1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – Waning Crescent
Heading out of the library and back into the afternoon sun, Alex slid his helmet on. Nathan’ place of work was next. As he made his way out of the parking lot, he saw his mother’s sedan coming his way.
Lifting his visor, he gave her a quick wave as she drove up. “Were you looking for me?”
Alex shook his head. “Just stopped by for a second.”
“Alright. See you at home. Love you.”
“You too, Mom.” Revving the throttle, Alex smiled behind his helmet.
With light traffic during mid-afternoon, it didn’t take him long to reach his destination. His sedan was parked close to the front of the store, and Alex followed suit, pulling in next to it. Feeling the afternoon breezes blow over him, he removed his helmet and headed inside. Even if he didn’t find his attacker’s scent here, he could still get Marcus something for his birthday.
Insid
Chapter 23 - Logic and EmotionFriday, September 30th, 2011Chapter 23 - Logic and Emotion1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – Waxing Crescent
Listening to the outside noises, he heard wind blowing against the truck, but nothing else; his shaky breathing thankfully didn’t echo inside of the truck bed. Taking a sniff of the air, all he could smell was his own sweat, his clothing, his breath with the steak spices on it, and an old trace of soda. The latter two reminding him that he was in for a hunger attack soon.
He would have to endure it. Sans any soreness, Alex felt shaky at the thought of how his friends were reacting not even five feet from where he was.
Listening again, he finally heard a voice. “Think he’s OK?” It was Catherine.
“I think so.” This time it was Nathan.
Unable to tell if they were saying those things out of fear or concern, Alex reached out with one paw and tapped the liner twice. He wanted to talk instead, but for now, this would work. Better they not look like they were talking to a caged ani
Chapter 24 - Some Time to PauseSaturday, October 1st, 2011Chapter 24 - Some Time to Pause1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – Waxing Crescent
Heading back into the bathroom, his limbs and chest shaking in excitement, Alex got a quick shower and some fresh clothing on. The only thing on his mind then was that he’d succeeded at shifting both into and out of his were form. Returning to the kitchen to find his friends and family waiting for him, some of them had very questioning looks on their faces. Despite that, and the soreness of his bones and muscles after the shift, Alex was ecstatic and his grin didn’t leave his face for long.
However, while riding with his friends to pick up his motorcycle, his enthusiasm took a slight hit; all three of them were eerily quiet during the ride. As though they were afraid to say anything. Judging by their scents, they weren’t afraid. Maybe deep in thought, or thinking about something else.
“Give it some time.” was what Alex said to himself after thanking Marcus for the ride. Wavi
Chapter 25 - The Second EncounterMonday, October 3rd, 2011Chapter 25 - The Second Encounter1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – First Quarter
Over a few seconds, both Alex and Marcus's gazes went back and forth over all the customers; there were eight in total. Mostly younger kids with a few adults. Many of them browsing but all of them had their heads and hair exposed; none with black. The person Alex had seen wearing red was in fact a woman in a windbreaker.
Relieved, but also a bit embarrassed, he felt Marcus tap his shoulder, asking if he was hungry as well. “A little.” He responded, glad to know his friend hadn’t used the excuse just to intercept him.
“I’ll grab you a burger from Ruckers, then.”
“Thanks, and medium rare is fine with me.”
However, no sooner had Marcus nodded to him than another customer entered the store. Looking over, Alex saw the face first. He didn’t need to see the hair after that. His attacker had ditched his red hoodie, leaving an untucked T-shirt.
Alex’s pul
Safeguarding Humanity5 months ago in Other
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Chapter 8 - The Company of FriendsWednesday, September 7th, 2011Chapter 8 - The Company of Friends1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – Waxing Gibbous
Days until Full Moon – 5
Walking out from his math class with Nathan, Alex tried to avoid bumping into the sea of students leaving with them. Most of their scents were getting familiar, for better or worse, and him being able to recognize all of his friends by their scents was starting to feel unnerving at best. It was like he was getting too personal with them, and even reminding himself that this was mostly involuntary didn't change his thoughts.
"So, how's the comic store job?" Nathan asked as they took the stairs down to the second floor.
"It's fun. I've already see
Chapter 15 - Do They Know?Wednesday, September 20th, 2011Chapter 15 - Do They Know?1 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Moon Phase – Last Quarter
Pulling himself onto his paws using the carpet, and then his bedframe, Alex had to smile through his muzzle. He had achieved what he had set out to do; adrenaline had likely done the trick. His muscles weren’t as sore nor his skin as tingly as they were after his first shift, but his bones still were aching like crazy. His muzzle and hips the most.
Taking a sniff of the air around him, he could catch some of Bailey’ scent from the AC coming under the door. Dropping back to his paws, hoping that would help his pet remain calm, he made his way over to let him in. His dog wasn’t outside the door but a second sniff near the carpet let him pick up his scent again, leading him towards the living room.
Instead of cowering near the couch like before, Bailey had taken a seat on it, making him almost level with his were form. Hoping to try and get him to come, Alex then noticed the line of clothing he ha
Sta.sh
