16 KiB
Chapter 21
The next day had been almost as fun as the first day. Abraham’s mind was still wandering back to the night before, after hearing Tamil’s story and seeing Asher kiss Calypso. It had been an amazing experience getting to mingle and feel a part of the Monster Club. It felt like they were becoming more than just a group of people he was living with. He cared about each of them and began to learn about them all…they were becoming more than friends…more like a family. And yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was…not quite true either. How could they be family if he was so normal and plain. All of them contributed to the club and did something to keep it functioning. However, Abraham could do so little. Here he sat in the sand, near the umbrella, watching all the others running, swimming, and laughing. “Something on your mind?” Abraham turned to see the little girl, Ashley. Asher was still weakened by the sun, and to conserve his own energy and keep himself fully shaded, he remained in the form of Ashley while under the umbrella. “Just thinking.” Abraham sighed. “The beach isn’t a place for thinking…it’s a place for fun.” Ashley replied. She reached to her sunscreen and began lathering it on her already tanning skin. The sun must be effecting him even under the umbrella. “You don’t seem to be having fun.” Abraham smirked. “You’re lucky to be a human Abraham.” Ashley said sadly. “When you become something like me, so much is taken from you. I can never walk in the sun again…never taste garlic…never go a week without the taste of blood in my mouth.” “But you have so much too! Super strength, super speed, shape shifting…” Abraham argued. Ashley didn’t look at him, she stared out at the beach where all the others were laughing and enjoying the sunshine and the surf. “I’d give it all up…to be over there right now.” Ashley whispered. Abraham stared at her for a long moment and then looked out to the others. He hadn’t considered what Ashley was going through. However, he’d been given a small glimpse. “Get over there and join them.” Ashley urged. “I’ll be alright.” Abraham gave Ashley a smile and then got up to go play. Sarah beckoned him over to build sand castle with Tamil, and with a laugh, he ran to help Tamil, who felt more at home than ever in the powdery sand. Calypso splashed and leaped through the water with a large beam on her face. Katie stuck to the shore, but did dare to dip her scaly tail in the surf every now and then. Michelle swam out with Calypso and splashed around with her. With the exception of Ashley, everyone was out in the sun, enjoying themselves. Time trickled by like sand in an hourglass until, inevitably, the sun was beginning to set. Asher dared to venture out from under the umbrella and assume his real form. The others welcomed him with open arms as they began to settle themselves on the shore, preparing another fire. The group began to gather the wood needed, but it wasn’t until Sarah let out a groan that they realized something was wrong.
“What’s going on?” Michelle asked. “We’re out of logs for firewood.” Sarah said. “We only had enough for last night.” Asher stood up with a grin. “I’ll go get it.” He said. “I wanna stretch my legs anyway. I’ll be back in 5 minutes.” He took off without another word, sprinting into the forest not far off. The others began to chitchat and talk. Abraham listened in and giggled at a joke that Tamil was telling. Michelle was laughing too, but her laughter seemed to fade a little. Her eyes seemed slightly out of focus as she looked down at her feet. “Are you alright Michelle?” Katie asked. “I…I don’t…” Michelle tried to speak but her words seemed strained. Along the sand an eerie and familiar glow could be seen, covering them all in its blue hue. “Oh my GOD!” Calypso squeaked. “THE MOON!” Everyone turned to see what Calypos had indicated. Indeed, the moon was out and beautiful…but it was also completely round. They were experiencing a full moon. It was as if the world had been set in slow motion. Everyone’s eyes went from the moon to Michelle, who dared not turn out of disbelief. Slowly, and with great pain, did Michelle turn to look at it. Her eyes filled with nothing short of absolute terror.
“GET AWAY FROM ME!” Michelle screamed as her body began to shake furiously. The group leaped to their feet and scattered. Calypso made for the water as fast as she could and dived in. Sarah and Katie ran together, Sarah pulling a stumbling and screaming Tamil behind her. Though he was unable to see, the expression on his face made it seem like he’d witnessed a horror movie made real…which is what seemed to be the case. Abraham could barely move as he witnessed the terrifying transformation. As he watched her, he couldn’t help but notice certain details to her transformation. As she changed, scars began to appear on her side and on her face. Long gashes that he’d never seen before, and they seemed to burn her. Her teeth became fangs and her hair began to grow ever longer. Her ears became pointed and began to migrate up her head. Her finger nails became sharp and long. Her eyes…her gorgeous blue eyes…were now filled with horror and a hint of rage that was growing stronger. “ABRAHAM…GET…AWAY! NOW!!” Michelle pleaded, falling to her knees and clawing at herself, fighting to remain in control. “ASHER…GET…ASHER!” Abraham tried to flee…but his feet were like concrete shoes. Her soft skin began to rip away from her body as if she was shedding skin. With each slash of her claw like hand, she ripped away more flesh, revealing fur…long and glistening fur that was the same color as her hair! The wolf was coming out of her! Michelle screamed in agony as she continued to rip away her flesh and fur became more visible. Her legs grew longer and like long paws, while her hands became larger and more claw like. From above her butt, a long and shaggy tail could be seen emerging. Despite these changes, Abraham couldn’t shake his gaze away from her eyes. Those sad and scared eyes. There was more to them than just fear or sadness…there was a plea. She was asking for something. There was something in her face that was begging for Abraham to do something. Just before her snout began to grow out like a wolf, he saw her whimper it.
“Help me…please.”
She was gone. Her eyes which once held warmth and kindness were cold and malicious. She bared her fangs dangerously and drool dripped from her muzzle. Her furious gaze rested on Abraham and she licked her chops. She raised back her head and howled to the moon, a long and terrible sound that caused Abraham to shake involuntarily. “ABRAHAM RUN!” Sarah came running out of nowhere. She leaped forward, all 8 legs outstretched to cover ground. She shoved Abraham away as Michelle swung out her claw at him. Abraham hit the sand with a hard thud and looked up to see that Sarah had fallen on top of him. She lifted him up and shoved him forward. “Go! Michelle will kill you! You have t-AAAAH!” Sarah screamed as Michelle lunged at her. She used her own size to counter Michelle, but it wasn’t nearly enough as Michelle easily tossed her aside. Abraham, finally coming to his senses, took off running away from her. Michelle’s attention fell back on Abraham and she started chasing him on all fours. Abraham couldn’t out run her, and the loose sand was causing him to trip and stumble over himself. He would never get away. Michelle was almost upon him! “STOP!” Suddenly, Michelle was stopped in her tracks as Katie had slithered in out of the blue. She coiled herself around Michelle’s arms and legs, using her bodies constricting power to hold her. Michelle roared and snapped, struggling. Though Katie’s hold was strong, it was clear she was straining to keep Michelle down. “RUN DAMN IT!” Katie screamed. “IT’S YOU SHE WANTS!” “Why!?” Abraham asked. “Werewolves crave human flesh above others!” Katie snapped. “Now stop talking and run! I can’t ho-GYAH!” Katie was grabbed by the neck and thrown to the sand by a furious Michelle. Michelle snarled, prepared to bite down on Katie and end her life. Suddenly, a wave came rolling in from behind and forced Michelle away. Calypso was perched on a rock, building up more water by swimming around it fast, sending waves constantly at the blood thirsty werewolf. Abraham started running again, but he could hear the annoyed and hungry wolf behind him. He felt her breathe, heard her growl. Her fangs were at his back. “HELP!” “AAAAAH!” Abraham heard a scream and turned to see Sarah. She stood between him and Michelle, but she was clutching her shoulder and neck in pain as red blood trickled from it. Her long braid had fallen to the ground as, Michelles claw had cleaved it from the rest of her hair. Sarah fell to the ground, in agony, clutching her wound, her now mangled hair laying out. “NO! SARAH!” Katie screamed, slithering to her side as fast as she could. Michelle took no notice and, once again turned to Abraham. Abraham felt tears in his eyes as he watched Sarah, gasping for breathe and Katie doing everything she could to save her. There was nothing he could do. He couldn’t outrun Michelle…he couldn’t fight her. What was he? Just a weak human. A piece of werewolf food. “No…no, Michelle…please don’t do it!” Abraham whimpered, falling over, trembling from fear. There was no trace of the old Michelle in those eyes. She was gone. All that remained was the animal within…the animal that was gazing at him hungrily. This was the end. A long shadow fell over him as the wolf lowered herself to feed. Abraham shut his eyes tight, ready for death.
“RAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!” Abraham’s eyes burst open to see Michelle stumbling back as a tornado of bats screeched and forced her back. The bats reformed and standing between him and the wolf was Asher. His face was contorted in rage and fear. “Get away from here!” Asher ordered. Abraham stared at him for a moment in disbelief. “I SAID MOVE!” Asher snarled, his eyes flashing red. “Help the others!” Michelle roared and charged, but Asher was ready. He held nothing back as he slammed his body into Michelle and the two titans clashed. It was like something from a movie…the two most deadly monsters in horror and myth were fighting each other under the full moon. Abraham had seen this before, back at the house, but this was different. This wasn’t like before. Michelle had been restrained back then, and no one had been hurt. Also, it had been clear that Asher was holding back for her safety…but Asher didn’t seem as reserved this time. There was rage in his eyes…a fury. Would he actually kill Michelle to save them? No. That wasn’t what Asher wanted. Abraham knew deep down that Asher would avoid such an outcome. Even so, it was clear that Asher was going to put everything he had into stopping Michelle. He couldn’t imagine the pain Asher had to endure. Having to hold back against an opponent who wouldn’t show him the same courtesy. Abraham leaped to his feet at last and ran to Katie and Sarah. Tamil was there as well, he was crying over Sarah who was now bleeding heavily. “I run got Asher when Sarah go save Abraham!” Tamil explained through the tears. “Asher will take care of her.” Katie agreed. “But what about Sarah?” Calypso came crawling up the beach, her fins still too wet to become legs again. “Her cut isn’t deep. She was just scratched, but we need to stitch that up quick or she’ll pass out.” Calypso said. “Get her down the beach. Abraham use your towel to dry me off.” Though she spoke to them all, her eyes were locked on the battle between Asher and Michelle which was escalating with each moment. Every time Michelle attempted to flee and go for Abraham or anyone else in the club, Asher would leap in her way, forcing her back with fangs bared and eyes glowing with wild fire.
“I’ve never seen anything like this.” Abraham gasped, watching the war waging before his eyes. “Oh Michelle…” Calypso tearfully cried. “She must be so torn apart.” Abraham ripped off his shirt and began patting Calypso dry, but he still watched the fight. Asher was forcing Michelle up a steep rocky cliff on the far side of the beach. The two were locked in a supernatural struggle, their bodies shadowed and eclipsed by the full moons light itself. Abraham was interrupted from the fight when Calypso’s fins finally turned to legs and she climbed to her new feet. “Help me to Sarah.” Calypso ordered. Abraham lifted her up under his arm and ran with her to the far end of the beach where Katie had set Sarah down. Sarah was still breathing, but she looked really pale. Calypso knelt down beside her and began to look over the wound. “Calypso, will she-” “She’ll live,” Calypso barked, “but you need to calm down.” Abraham had seen her like this once before when Katie had been brought back to the house. The normal shy and timidness that Calypso showed was gone, and replaced by a sense of urgency and seriousness. She was in charge here, and she was letting them all know it. “She won’t become a werewolf will she?” Tamil asked in fear. “No.” Calypso said. “Only humans can carry the curse of the werewolf. Besides, she was only scratched, not bitten.” Tamil breathed a sigh of relief and backed off to let her work. “Katie, I need a hair pin and some fishing line. Go grab a fishing pole and bring it to me.” Katie slithered off to go do as told as Calypso continued to treat the injury. When she returned, she handed the hair pin to Calypso and extended the pole. Calypso took the pin and then turned to Abraham. “Look in Asher’s bag and you’ll find his knife. Get it and cut me about 16 inches of fishing line.” Abraham did as he was instructed and found the knife, cutting the line at about the right length. All was deathly quiet as Calypso worked. Abraham dared to look back up at the fight and saw that Michelle and Asher were still locked in combat.
It looked as if shadow fought with the wolf. Asher’s body kept shifting from his physical form into shadows and bats. It was beyond a simple fight now. He didn’t know what this was, but whatever it was…it was unbelievable to witness. “I’ve stitched her up as best as I can.” Calypso whispered, finishing the stitching and breaking off the line. “It’s rushed but it will hold until we get home and I can properly treat it.” “Thank you, Calypso!” Katie cried, hugging the now sleeping Sarah. The color was returning to her face and her breathing wasn’t as labored. “I’m so sorry.” Abraham whispered. “This was my fault…I put you all in danger and Sarah got hurt for me.” “No.” Everyone turned to look at Katie who had spoken. Everyone, including Abraham, seemed shocked by her response. “This wasn’t your fault. Don’t blame yourself.” “Where Michelle and Asher now?” Tamil asked. Everyone turned to look up at the top of the cliff where Asher and Michelle were now glaring at each other furiously. They were close to the edge. The next move would be the last one. Asher shot a glance down at the others and saw that they were alright. He then nodded and charged Michelle. Though he couldn’t hear it, Abraham could have sworn he saw Asher’s mouth form a simple sentence.
“I’m sorry.”
Asher crashed into Michelle and the two of them plunged over the edge of the cliff, falling into the crashing waves below and out of sight. The last thing that could be heard was the sound of a terrified and furious howl from Michelle. The sickening smack as their bodies hit the water was so loud that it caused Abrahams stomach to turn over in his gut. “ASHER! MICHELLE!” Calypso screamed. “What happened?!” Tamil begged, desperately waiting to hear what had happened. “They’re…they’re gone.” Abraham muttered. “That wouldn’t kill Asher or Michelle though!” Katie gasped. “That couldn’t kill them! They’re too tough!” “You’re right.” Calypso whispered. “We’ll wait for them.” She sat down beside Sarah and Tamil joined her. Abraham didn’t sit. His eyes stayed on the spot where they had both fallen. There was no movement, but he couldn’t see a body. He knew they were right…a fall like that wouldn’t kill either of them. But what had happened to them? Who would emerge from the water the next morning? Abraham could only watch the moon travel across the night sky and silently curse it for what it had done to Michelle and to Sarah. “Michelle…please be alright.” Abraham muttered desperately.