The change tore through him like a dump truck barrelling through a glass factory. It felt like the worst muscle cramp in the world multiplied by a hundred, covered in gasoline, and then set on fire. Colin’s heart pumped the change throughout his body, every beat bringing new pain, a new sensation. His body convulsed and heaved as his skin stretched to accommodate his expanding muscles. Colin writhed on the ground, feeling his bones lengthen under his skin. His legs grew and stretched into the hind leg of a canine; his feet shifted into a massive paw tipped with vicious claws.
Colin’s jaw and nose grew into a snout, his teeth sharpening in his mouth, ears extending toward the top of his head. His vision blurred as his eyes enlarged and then everything snapped into a blindingly, perfect clarity. Flailing on the ground and gasping for breath, he heard his voice change, becoming guttural, animalistic. He was growling!
His arms, legs, chest, stomach, hips, back all made the most disgusting clicking sounds as his bones realigned, muscles expanding around them. Underwear and shirt ripping as his body exploded in size, Colin could tell he was bigger; he even felt heavier. Last of all, hair erupted over his body. One minute skin, the next, hair. Everywhere! It grew fast and thick, covering his entire body. A final wave of pain ran through him, and then Colin stood on all fours and let out a long howl that resonated around the forest.
He heard Silas before he saw him, but it wasn’t the same man from before. This was Silas, the creature. Leaping from the trees, he landed lightly on his hind legs in front of Colin.
Can you hear me, Colin?
I’m … I’m not me.
You are you! You’re just a different you.
Do I look like you?
See for yourself.
Silas pointed toward the creek with one massive, clawed finger.
Colin turned, still on all fours and walked shakily toward the creek. Everything around him was clear and bright. With each inhalation, his focus improved. Looking down into the still water, Colin saw himself for the first time.
He was hideous and beautiful. His fur was a deep charcoal gray, and his eyes like bright amber. His head was shaped like a wolf’s, but it much bigger. Like Silas, he had grown an extra three to four feet, his body proportionate to his new height. Pawing at the water, he discovered his hands were still hands only they were much bigger, covered in hair, and each finger was tipped with a vicious-looking claw.
Pushing himself to his feet, or rather, his back paws, Colin stretched to his full height.
You can run on two legs or four. You’ll find there are advantages to both.
I’m a monster.
Colin thought it, but he didn’t truly feel that way. Truthfully, he felt amazing.
Never feel guilty for what you are! This is a gift, Colin. If you use it and learn to control it, it can be something magnificent. If you abuse it, you’ll destroy yourself.
Why was my change different?
It could be because I’m older than most, or maybe your genetic make-up is more accepting of the wolf gene. Or it could be this place. It could be Elkwood.
Colin turned, almost losing his balance but regaining it almost instantly.
Why do I feel so shaky?
You’re a lot bigger than you’re used to. It won’t take long for your body to right itself. Your instincts will sharpen the more you move around.
Why did I change just now? What happened to me back there, and if Tori aren’t human, then what is she?
Silas dropped to all fours, sitting down on his haunches.
Well isn’t that just the question of the day? Your change can be triggered by strong emotions: anger, hate, jealousy, fear … a sense of love in this case.
I don’t love Tori, but that feeling was so strong. At that moment, I felt like I did love her, like I couldn’t live without her! What is she?
I don’t know what she is. But I have an idea of how you can find out.
Me? Why me? Why not you? You’re the werewolf-hunting werewolf!
I told you. They’re tracking me.
The mystery men in the black suits?
Silas nodded.
Can we talk normally while in this form?
“We can.” Silas’s voice was a low growl, and he spoke slowly, carefully forming the words. “But it takes practice.” Much easier to just project your thoughts. You can even speak to some humans this way, but they have to have an open mind to hear your thoughts.
I’m just a teenager, Silas. I’m not ready for any of this.
Too late now. Had I known for certain that I was going to live that night, I never would have bitten you. But I didn’t know. I was scared.
Colin laughed, but it came out as a sort of bark.
It’s not funny. After living as long as I have, death is one of the few things left to actually fear.
Colin measured the creature sitting before him. Silas looked beyond powerful and imposing. Colin’s head swam with questions. He decided to shoot for the most obvious.
How strong am I?
It depends. You’ve already noticed how strong you are as a human. Your strength is doubled in your wolf form.
So I’m not immortal?
No, you can definitely die.
Colin was a little disappointed. He was hoping for a live-forever sort of deal.
You will live a longer life than any human. The oldest werewolf I’ve ever met was almost 800 years old, but he didn’t look so good.
Am I bulletproof?
Silas gave a throaty growl that Colin realized was actually a laugh.
Not exactly. Bullets won’t bounce off you. They’ll hurt horribly, but your body will regenerate quickly.
Like Wolverine!
I don’t know who that is. You can heal from almost any injury whether you’re in human or wolf form. There are certain things that will kill you. If your head gets cut off, it’s pretty much game over. You can’t regenerate from that. If another werewolf eats your heart, you’re done.
Lots of rules. I feel like a Gremlin.
Don’t know what that is either.
It’s a movie. Have you been living under a rock?
Sometimes. Silver is the other thing you need to be aware of.
Silver bullets? That’s actually a thing?
Silver of any kind will irritate your skin. If you’re wounded from a silver bullet or cut with a silver blade, you’ll heal at a normal human rate. If you lose too much blood from a wound like that, you can definitely die.
Got it. So definitely not immortal?
Nope. You do look bigger than I do though.
How’s that even possible?
The change affects everyone differently. You’re going to be a strong werewolf, Colin.
You said I could find out what Tori is? How do I do it?
Go to a town hall meeting. I think it’ll prove to be a real eye-opener. There’s one tonight.
Impossible, they only have them once a month.
I overheard there is going to be another one tonight. Apparently, the last one ended early. Probably because I came to town.
You know more than you’re letting on.
I have theories. I can’t prove anything, and I think you need to learn a few things for yourself. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be able to make more sense out of all this.
And the other werewolf?
He’s still in town.
I could still be the killer, couldn’t I?
You could be. We don’t know for sure. This other werewolf is a known killer. That’s why I’m tracking him. Could you have killed that boy? Absolutely. But it’s also more than possible it was the other werewolf in town.
How do I know you’re not the killer?
Look into my mind, kid. You can see everything. I can’t see your first night as a werewolf because you weren’t even conscious yourself. We’re connected right now, concentrate on this connection. Take a peek. Did I kill him?
Colin tilted his head like a confused dog. He concentrated on Silas’s mind. There was death there; the events all strung together like a badly edited movie. Centuries of hunting and killing crammed into a single shot of memory. Sam Bale wasn’t in there.
It wasn’t you.
I’ll keep hunting the other werewolf. You head to that meeting tonight and see if you can find out what’s going on. You’ll need to change back. Whoever these men in suits are, they seem to be able to track me when I’m in wolf form. No point in you showing up on their radar.
With that, Silas leaped high into the sky, grabbing hold of a tree with his powerful claws. He continued jumping, climbing higher and higher into the dense forest until he was lost from sight. Colin could still faintly hear his thoughts and thought of one last question.
Wait, how do I change back?
Imagine yourself as a human.
It’s that simple?
It’s that simple.
Will it hurt?
It’ll always hurt. Although it won’t be like this first time. Your body remembers. The change will become faster. Good luck, Colin. If you need me, think loud thoughts.
With that last bit of advice, Silas slipped smoothly out of his head, and Colin was alone again.
Preparing to jump, Colin crouched and sprang into the air, at least twenty feet, landing lightly next to the creek. He wanted find out what he was capable of. Silas’s warning about the black suits’ ability to track his movements as a wolf rang in his head, and he knew he should turn back.
But he didn’t want to. Not yet.
I’m a werewolf. I’m a freakin’ werewolf!
Colin took off at a run, first on two legs, then dropping to all four. Four legs were better for speed, but two gave him better manoeuvrability. He bounded high into the trees and climbed the large trunks, his claws digging easily into the wood.
Vaulting from tree to tree like a monkey, he dropped back to the ground, his claws digging into the dirt as he ran. As his senses absorbed the various sounds and smells of the woods, a familiar something tingled down his spine.
Becca.
He could hear her searching for him at least a mile away. Calling his name. There was no way he could let her see him like this. As much as the thought pained him, he had to change back. Colin returned to the creek to retrieve his clothes.
He flexed his senses, extending his awareness, one last time before attempting the change.
I could get used to this.