Colin didn’t know what he was going to do. He didn’t have a plan besides hoping he was right that Mr. Winter was the other werewolf.
A deer darted out of his way as Colin raced on through the forest, resisting the urge to chase it. A pang of emptiness hit him as he crossed the stream where he had first changed. He reached for the wolf inside, but the change wouldn’t come. Anger made him run faster.
It wouldn’t take the goon squad back at the base long to get themselves together and come for him. For all Colin knew, they were already on their way to Elkwood. Colin had to get to the school, find Becca, and make sure she was okay, and then … what? Go up to his biology teacher and accuse him of being a werewolf? How would he ever prove it? Once Mr. Emerson and his small army showed up, it’d all be over.
Colin felt a small stab of regret at having punched Mr. Emerson, but the thought was fleeting. After all, the man had imprisoned him, shot at him, and locked up his grandmother.
Colin wondered how his grandmother was fairing. Knowing what he now did about the little old lady, he immediately followed that thought up with one of extreme pity for all the men, creatures, and dragons locked up with her.
As Colin neared Elkwood School, the scent in the air changed from damp forest to the smell of cut grass on the football field and an ungodly odor emanating from the school cafeteria. Moments later, he emerged from the forest and stood at the edge of the football field.
Colin’s heart was beating fast from the run, but he wasn’t tired. If anything, he felt invigorated. His inner wolf was getting restless, but he still couldn’t reach the creature through the fog. He was going to have to go this alone.
His necromancer girlfriend was in trouble. Colin wasn’t sure how the shining armor was going to fit, but he couldn’t just let her be killed. He finally had an honest shot at going on a date. With a girl! No demons, no homicidal werewolf biology teachers, no dragons, no secret government organizations, and no vampires were going to stand in his way.
Colin marched across the football field.
As he reached the back double doors of the school, he heard the bell ring twice to signal the start of the first period. The ringing resonated through his wolf hearing, and his head spun a little.
Colin’s first priority was to find Becca; luckily he knew exactly which class she’d be in right now. Thinking he also needed to avoid Principal Hebert when he suddenly remembered who the large ex-marine-looking teacher really was. Principal Hebert was a captain in Commander Emerson’s little government army.
Crap.
If Hebert was here, then he’d no doubt already been notified about Colin’s escape and—
“Mr. Strauss!” said the booming voice of Principal Hebert.
Colin had been so focused on finding Becca he’d ignored his surroundings again. He turned to his left and laid eyes upon the imposing-looking man.
Hebert had removed his usual jacket and tie and had rolled up his shirtsleeves to show muscular forearms that looked like they could bench-press any number of very heavy things. Colin could hear the man’s steady heartbeat but could also smell his fear. Hebert wasn’t sure what to make of his adversary after watching Colin change last night. Maybe that would give Colin an edge.
It certainly made sense with so many supernatural children in the school to have a caretaker for them all. That was Principal Hebert’s real role here.
“I’m sorry, Colin, but you’re going to have to come with me.”
“That’s not going to happen.” Colin had never been more certain of anything before in his life. He had to get into that school and rescue Becca. Chances are Mr. Winter had already heard or smelled him. Colin was running out of time.
Principal Hebert pulled a small, rectangular black box from his left pocket. “This is going to hurt, Colin. And I’m sorry.” He slipped his right hand behind his back, unsheathed a long, shiny hunting knife, and held it up. “Silver. We heard from one of our other offices that it’s the one thing you creatures can’t heal from.”
“It should be me who apologizes to you, Principal Hebert.”
“For what?”
“I just wanted to say sorry before we get started,” said Colin. “You’re a good man, and you don’t deserve what I’m about to do to you.”
The scent of fear coming from Principal Hebert grew stronger. He held up the black box and pressed a button on the side. A bright blue spark appeared at the end of the box. “Do you know what this is?”
“It’s a Taser,” said Colin.
“This isn’t just any Taser. This was developed by our R&D department to take down large creatures. This thing packs a shock that would knock an elephant out.”
“I can smell your fear, Hebert. And I can hear your heartbeat. I know you’re a trained soldier and you’re keeping yourself calm, but I know you’re scared. You don’t know what I’m capable of, and maybe that makes two of us. I don’t fully understand my powers yet. What I do know is that there’s another werewolf in your school. And I have to stop him before he kills anyone else.”
“I was told you would say that. It doesn’t have to be this way, Colin.”
Before Colin could respond, Hebert dived and jabbed the Taser at Colin who caught Hebert’s wrist in one hand and grabbed him by the neck with the other. Hebert’s fear skyrocketed, his eyes growing wide. His fear was all Colin could smell, and he loved it. He wanted to hunt in that moment, craved the thrill to hunt down and devour prey. He wanted to turn into the wolf. It felt closer but still out of reach. Adrenaline surged through him, and he knew he could end this man’s life with a twist of his hand.
But this wasn’t his prey.
Hebert raised the silver knife in his right hand. In one swift motion, Colin released the large man, snatched the Taser, and jabbed it at the principal’s chest. Hebert wasn’t lying about the power of the device. It threw the former-Marine back several feet where he crumpled in a disorganized heap; the silver knife skittered across the concrete. Colin crushed the Taser device in one hand and dropped it. He pushed open the doors and entered the school.
The smell of aftershave hit him, and Colin’s anger burned inside him.
He must be bathing in the stuff.
Hello, Colin.
It was Mr. Winter’s voice in Colin’s head.
You’re late for class.
I’ll be there soon.
I’ll be waiting.
Colin crossed the hallway and pushed open the double doors to the gym. The fastest way to the biology classroom was to cut across the gymnasium. The large room was empty except for Jeremy who was shooting hoops.
“Colin!” said Jeremy. “Where have you been? You’re getting later and later all the time.”
“What are you doing here, Jer? Shouldn’t you be in class?”
“Shouldn’t you?”
“Fair point. I’ve had a rough night.”
“Tell me about it. I ate an entire box of Pop-Tarts before bed. Tossed and turned all night.”
Poor Jeremy. I wonder what he really is?
“So why aren’t you in class?” said Colin.
Jeremy shot from the three-point line. Nothing but net. “Winter cancelled class today. Said he was too busy with something and that we were all inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. That’s a direct quote.”
“That’s it? He just sent everyone away for a spare period?”
“Yup, figured I’d get some extra b-ball practice in. I think Becca stayed behind though. Hey! Rumor has it you two hooked up or something? Way to go, Col!”
“Becca stayed behind? Why?”
“Winter said he wanted to talk to her about a special project or something. So did you kiss her yet?”
“I gotta go, Jer.” Colin started heading for the doors at the opposite end of the gym.
“All right. Don’t tell me. See if I care.” Jeremy shot again. Swish.
Colin reached the doors, then stopped, and turned back to Jeremy. “Jeremy, do you know about Elkwood?”
“What do you mean?”
“Elkwood. The town meetings, the vampires, the witches, the demons?”
Jeremy laughed. “Too many late night movies there, Col? You need to get more sleep, buddy.”
Smiling, Colin nodded, then pushed his way through the doors. Jeremy was as oblivious as ever and apparently had no idea who or what he was. Colin wondered how many more people were unaware to what Elkwood really was.
Colin ran down the hallway toward the biology classroom. The smell of aftershave was getting stronger. He could hear Mr. Winter’s voice through the door. He was talking about predators.
“In the animal kingdom,” said Mr. Winter, “a hierarchy is often established with the alpha predators of the world dominating and ultimately eradicating the lesser of the species.”
A few students walked down the hallway, but other than that, it was empty. Most people would still be in class while the biology students would be busy taking full advantage of the spare period.
This was crazy.
I don’t even know the extent or the limits of my powers.
But if he didn’t do something, more people would die. Becca would die. That wasn’t something he was willing to accept. Silas said he could heal from almost any wound except silver. He still had his strength, his speed, his other gifts.
Colin closed his eyes and tried to focus, to trust his senses. He could hear the general hum of the school. Teachers droning on. The placid rhythm of student’s heartbeats. The smell of bad food being prepped in the kitchen.
He pushed his hearing in on the biology classroom, and he could see the room clearly in his mind. Scents and sounds mixing to paint the perfect picture.
Mr. Winter was still talking, his heartbeat racing. Colin could smell his excitement and anticipation. There was a second heartbeat in the room, also racing. A familiar scent also greeted him despite the strong stench of fear and anger surrounding it.
Colin opened his eyes, kicked open the door, and entered the classroom.
Mr. Winter sat smirking with his feet up on his desk. Aftershave burned Colin’s nostrils. He could only imagine how bad it must be for the biology teacher. Mr. Winter’s hair had grown since last night.
Tied to a chair in the middle of the room, Becca sat gagged with tears streaking down her face. She looked exhausted and afraid, but Colin could smell her relief when she saw him.
“Mr. Strauss. So nice of you to join us. Don’t think about freeing our resident teenage witch just yet. We have some talking to do first.”
“I don’t think there’s much to talk about,” said Colin.
“Oh, but I think there is. Do you know what a rare species we are these days? Werewolves. I think it’d be educational for us to swap our origin stories. We are in a school after all.”
“I was bitten a few days ago by a werewolf who came here looking to kill you.” Colin didn’t see the point in hiding it.
Mr. Winter swung his legs down off his desk. “That’s right! The hunter,” said Mr. Winter. “The wolf that bit me was part of a group looking to take over the world. They keep turning people into werewolves in the hope of spreading their bloodline and growing the pack, but this hunter of yours keeps killing them. He seems very motivated.”
“I think he just likes the world the way it is.”
Mr. Winter slammed his fists down on his desk, splintering and denting the wood. “That’s not his choice to make!”
Colin could hear Mr. Winter’s uneven heartbeat. The biology teacher was having trouble keeping his change at bay, and his erratic emotions weren’t helping anything.
Colin reached for his own wolf, but it was still hidden somewhere. He thought he could hear it growling in his head. “Why are you doing this? Why kill Sam or anyone for that matter?”
Mr. Winter laughed. “Do you know what it’s like to be a schoolteacher? Or even worse, a schoolteacher in a town full of freaks? It’s unbearable. All you snivelling little beasts, showing up late, never doing your homework. Ungrateful little whelps. Half of them powerful beings and taking everything for granted! Whining about this and that. Pitiful!”
Colin took a small quick sidestep toward Becca. “Must be annoying for you.”
“It’s infuriating. I found that taking the occasional vacation, swimming in a hot climate, getting a massage on the beach, was all I ever needed to lead a calm, fulfilling life. Of course, then I come back here, and it all starts over again.”
“But on the last trip you were bitten.”
“I was, and then the changes started. By the time I came back to Elkwood, I’d already gone through my first change. You know what it feels like. It’s amazing! The raw power! It makes you realize how truly insignificant every single other person on the planet really is.”
“I wouldn’t totally agree with you there.”
Just need to keep him talking. Keep him distracted.
Colin took another quick step closer to Becca.
“That Bale boy had it coming. Do you know he never turned in a homework assignment? Not once. Never. Two years in my class and not one shred of homework.”
“So it was you who killed Sam Bale?”
Another step. He was within eight feet of her.
“When your friend disrupted the town hall meeting the other night, I went on a little hunt of my own. I didn’t just kill Mr. Bale. I ate him! He was delicious.”
“And now—”
“And now I’m going to eat your little girlfriend here. I could smell you all over her as soon as she walked into the class this morning. After last night’s town hall meeting, I think it’s high time I left Elkwood for good. There’s nothing here for me anyway.”
“Surely that’s not true,” said Colin. “Didn’t you mention having a cat once?”
“I ate it.”
Another step.
“Poor cat.”
“I’ll eat her and then you and then I’ll be on my way. I might even take out a few more students on my way out. As a parting gift. To me. Good-bye, Mr. Strauss.”
Colin could feel the tension in the room shift. Mr. Winter’s heart began to beat wildly. It was all familiar to Colin; this is what happened before the change started. It felt like your heart was going to explode and then—
Mr. Winter picked up the edge of the desk with one hand and threw it aside. It crashed against the far window. Glass smashed, and the desk broke into pieces.
The biology teacher ripped open his shirt as the change ran through his body.
Colin hadn’t seen it from this point of view before. It was almost elegant. Mr. Winter’s body increased in size while black hair shot out all over. Muscles expanded and tightened. His ears grew to points, and his jaw jutted into a snout. Claws grew from his hands and toes as the remainder of his clothing fell, shredded during transformation. It was over in moments. Mr. Winter’s ears brushed the ceiling, and his large frame was almost the same width as the whiteboard behind him. He dropped to all fours, planting his massive clawed hands on the ground, and let out a growl.
Your move, Mr. Strauss.
Colin didn’t know what move to make exactly. He’d only really had one plan, and that was to keep Mr. Winter talking long enough for him to get closer to Becca. He really hadn’t fully thought it all through.
Mr. Winter charged toward them, claws ripping into the floor. Colin spun and shoved Becca’s chair to the back of the class.
Colin turned back in time for Mr. Winter to tackle him. The impact knocked the air out of Colin’s lungs, but he hung on to Mr. Winter’s head and swung himself onto his back, grabbing the creature’s ears.
Mr. Winter flailed wildly, jaws snapping, trying to dislodge Colin who was holding on for dear life. The giant wolf flipped his head forward, and Colin somersaulted over the top and landed lightly on the ground. He grabbed a nearby chair and swung it with all his might, but Mr. Winter was too fast in his wolf form. He knocked the chair aside and picked Colin up by the throat with one massive, hairy hand.
Colin could feel the creature’s claws tearing his skin. Mr. Winter growled and threw Colin through the air with such force that he crashed straight through the wall and across the hallway, slamming into the lockers on the other side.
Covered in drywall dust, Colin was grateful for the pain that refused to let him pass out. His ribs were certainly broken, along with his left arm, which sat at an awkward angle across his leg. When he crashed through the wall, his right leg had snagged on some metal framing, and his thigh had been opened in a bloody red gash. Colin’s skin began to tingle around his injuries as heat flooded his body.
The gash on his leg began to knit together. First, the torn muscle inside, then the skin moved back together, and a moment later, the injury was gone. He moved his left arm, and the bone cracked back into place. He felt his ribs pop back into alignment, the tingly heat sensation subsiding as all the nicks and cuts on his body disappeared.
Colin stood up and steadied himself against the locker as Mr. Winter forcefully pushed into the hallway through the Colin-shaped hole in wall.
Students were crowding into the corridor to see what all the noise was about. They all watched as the giant snarling creature that had just thrown a student through a wall stood to his full height.
Colin had to get the students out of the school. He looked around for a solution, and then he found it. A fire alarm. He pulled down on the red switch, and an alarm screamed through the halls. Students ran in the opposite direction of the werewolf.
Mr. Winter let out a throaty growl that could easily have been a laugh.
Colin faced the creature again. Mr. Winter had at least three feet on him.
One of the outside doors was kicked open, and Principal Hebert stepped into the building. He was holding the silver knife, and he looked angry. Until he saw the werewolf.
Mr. Winter dropped to all fours and raced at the principal who stood his ground, out of either heroism, fear, or just plain confusion. Hebert tried to swing the blade upward, but he wasn’t fast enough. Mr. Winter sunk his jaws into the large man’s shoulder and shook him like a ragdoll before flinging him into a wall. The blade clattered to the floor as the werewolf loomed over the battered body of Principal Hebert.
“No!” shouted Colin. But it was too late. Mr. Winter clamped his jaws down on the principal’s throat with a sickening crunch. Colin heard the final beats of the principal’s heart as the life rushed out of him.
Colin jumped through the hole in the wall and ran to untie Becca as quickly as possible.
“Where is he?” asked Becca after Colin pulled the gag off her. She was pale and shaken, but there was an air of determination about her.
“He’s in the hallway, eating Principal Hebert.”
“Oh no.” Tears welled up in her eyes.
“It’s okay. It’ll be okay.”
“How do you know that? Can’t you do something? Can’t you change?”
“I can’t. Your dad injected me with something to stop me from changing.”
Colin could hear movement in the hallway. Mr. Winter was done with his kill.
“We have to go,” said Colin, “now!”
Becca and Colin climbed through the hole in time to see Mr. Winter pick up the knife. He held it in one massive hand and touched a clawed finger to the blade. Colin could see and smell his skin burning.
“Interesting,” said Mr. Winter slowly. Apparently he’d also discovered he could speak while in werewolf form. “Colliinn,” growled Mr. Winter menacingly.
“Run,” said Colin to Becca.
“What about you?”
“I’ll be fine, go!”
“Are you sure?”
Colin gave her a gentle shove and turned back to face the werewolf. Blood visible in his teeth, Mr. Winter stank of death.
I’m going to hurt you, Mr. Strauss.
“Can’t we wait until after lunch? I’m a little hungry,” said Colin. Part of him actually meant it. He hadn’t eaten since yesterday, and he was starving. Colin backed up as Mr. Winter slowly stalked toward him.
I already ate.
“Right,” said Colin glancing at the silver knife.
Don’t worry about the knife. I’ll save it for the end.
The realization hit Colin hard. Through the stench of death and aftershave, Colin could smell happiness. It wasn’t just happiness; it was sheer joy. Mr. Winter was enjoying this. He wasn’t going to kill Colin yet. He was going to have fun with his prey first.
Colin had taken plenty of beatings before. Gareth Dugan had laid him out flat more times than he could remember. However, Gareth was a bully because he wanted people to be afraid of him. Mr. Winter was a different case. He was the worst kind of bully. He bullied because he really enjoyed it. Colin stopped backing away and prepared himself for the beating of a lifetime.
Several minutes later, Colin crashed through the front doors of the school; wood splintering everywhere, as he cleared the steps, and rolled to a stop in the parking lot.
There was an audible gasp and a few screams from the students and teachers in the parking lot as Colin lay still.
Colin wasn’t dead, though it didn’t seem like a bad option. Mr. Winter had beaten and thrown Colin around the school. He’d been broken and cut, his body healing itself as quickly as possible. Beaten again and again, Colin’s body would keep knitting itself back together, muscles reconnecting, and broken bones clicking back into place.
Colin rolled onto his back and took inventory of his injuries.
Fractured skull, broken arm and leg this time, claw marks across my back and face, and I think that my spine is in two pieces. Maybe three.
Once again, his body started to put itself back together. The fixing was almost as painful as the actual injury. His whole body was slowly going numb.
Maybe if I lie here, he’ll just leave me alone.
There was a blood-curdling howl from inside the school.
Probably not.
Colin sat up and looked over to his right where two hundred pairs of eyes stared back at him with a mixture of shock, surprise, and fear. Colin gave them a small wave. He noticed Becca standing among the group; she moved to him, but he held up a hand and shook his head.
Colin?
Silas? Is that really you?
It’s me. Where are you?
I’m at the school. Mr. Winter is the other werewolf!
The aftershave guy?
Yes! He’s here, in wolf form.
Are you okay?
Not really. He’s been kinda beating the crap out of me. I think he’s going to kill me.
I’m on my way. The inhibitor they gave us, the injection, it wears off. I’ll be there soon. Try and keep him busy!
Yeah, I’ll just let him pummel me for another ten minutes.
Colin got to his feet and reached out for his wolf but failed to make contact.
He tried again.
Nothing.
Crap.
Mr. Winter leaped from the school entrance and landed a few feet from Colin on all fours, the silver knife still clutched in his hand.
The crowd stepped back a few feet, and several people ran away screaming.
With all the freaks and creatures in this town, you’d think they’d be less scared.
You’re right, Colin. They should be more afraid. Allow me to educate them.
Mr. Winter turned toward the crowd, stood up on two legs, and roared.
The scent of fear was strong.
“No!” said Becca, standing at the front of the crowd. “You won’t hurt anyone else!”
Mr. Winter growled ferociously.
Colin’s senses picked up the pheromones pouring off the large beast, signaling his intent. Mr. Winter had given off the same smell before he killed Principal Hebert. Colin had also encountered it at the crime scene the night he sneaked out with Becca. It was the scent of pure evil.
Mr. Winter was going to kill Becca.
He’s going to kill my girlfriend.
The realization broke something inside him.
A primal, guttural growl tore from deep within Colin’s throat. Mr. Winter stopped in his tracks.
The serum was wearing off, Colin could feel it. Like a wall tumbling down, power tingled through his body. He could feel his wolf again, and it was not happy. His words came out deep and unearthly. “Get. Away. From. My. Girlfriend.”
The change surged through him like a tidal wave. It was the fastest he’d ever shifted. His muscles and hair exploded outward, teeth elongated, claws flicked out, his clothes shredded as he quickly increased in size.
Mr. Winter turned slowly.
Colin hadn’t realized how big he was as a werewolf. He even towered over Mr. Winter.
“Finally,” said Mr. Winter.
Colin dived at the biology teacher, claws at the ready, teeth bared in a snarl.
They collided hard, jaws snapping, claws tearing through hair and flesh.
Colin heard a car screech to a stop and the smell of Mr. Emerson wafted through the air.
Grabbing Mr. Winter’s throat, Colin lifted him from the ground. Mr. Winter struggled, kicking out, but missing the mark. Colin slammed him into the ground, cracking the concrete. Lifted him back up and did it again and again and again and again. Mr. Winter’s body went limp, but Colin couldn’t stop. He just kept driving him into the ground.
In that moment, Colin felt more wolf than human, and he wanted nothing more than to tear the evil creature in two.
“Colin, no!” Becca’s voice. “You’re better than him.”
Colin released the giant creature, and it thudded to the ground. He turned and looked at Becca who was only a few feet away now. Colin was slightly ashamed that part of him still wanted to kill Mr. Winter. For Sam Bale. For Principal Hebert. And for whomever else had died at the hands of this monster. But Becca wanted him to stop, and he couldn’t ignore her. She was his voice of reason.
She smiled, the one that he loved, but it vanished quickly and turned to fear. “Colin! Behind you!”
The warning reached him too late. The knife sunk deep into Colin’s left shoulder, and he cried out in pain as the blade dragged down his back. The blade was ice cold but the blood quickly covering his back was burning hot.
The past week spun through his mind as he began to feel dizzy. Anger boiled up from deep inside, giving him a moment of clarity. He spun around and grabbed Mr. Winter’s head with his left hand, ignoring the pain shooting through his body, and sunk his right-hand claws deep into the large wolf creature’s side, clamping his jaws down hard and deep into his enemy’s shoulder.
Mr. Winter let out a cry. Colin’s vision blurred, his pounding blood a drumbeat drowning out all other sound. Caught in a frenzy, Colin was unable to stop himself as he dug deeper. His senses focused in on the object of his desire; all he could see and smell was red.
He could hear Becca screaming, Mr. Emerson shouting orders, students crying. He could even sense Silas nearby. But he couldn’t stop. This monster deserved to die.
Colin clamped his teeth around the barely beating heart of Mr. Winter and swallowed it whole.
Exhaustion overcame him. He staggered backward and collapsed heavily onto the concrete. His breath was coming in ragged gasps, and he could feel his own blood pooling beneath him. It felt warm and sticky, and he wondered how he would ever be able to wash it out of his hair.
He could vaguely make out the shape of Becca screaming something as her dad tried to restrain her.
Strong girl.
I’m sorry, Colin.
Silas. I think I’m dying.
And then Becca was there, kneeling over him. She was talking, but he couldn’t hear her. His senses were failing. She closed her eyes and placed both hands on his chest. Becca’s hands felt warm, and that warmth spread throughout his body like someone pouring warm honey through his veins. It felt comfortable and safe, and Colin felt that dying with this feeling wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. It was peaceful.
Ever so slowly, the world turned to black as Colin Strauss, Elkwood’s first teenage werewolf, died.