Bark (The Werewolf Journal's Book 1) (10 page)

CHAPTER 30

Arnie’s Journal   March 25, 1993

It’s been a while since I’ve written anything.  A lot has happened.  More people have died.  This time I was involved.  A policeman and a couple of paramedics.  It’s hard to sleep.  Hard to do anything really.  That day those people died I woke up drenched in blood.  There was meat between my teeth, human meat and flesh between my fingernails.  I wanted nothing more than to be dead.  The scary thing about all this is the longer this goes on, the less feeling I have for the people that die.  It’s like I’m becoming numb to it all.  I hate what I’ve become.  Feel like my whole life’s gone to hell.  Haven’t talked to Sarah in weeks.  I really want to but just can’t. 

It’s a miracle Jay and I aren’t in jail considering how many cops were up there in the woods looking for the killer.  After I had cleaned myself up in one of the streams, I bumped into a couple of hunters.  I told them that some kids from school drove me out there and took my clothes as a prank.  Thankfully, they gave me some clothes and drove me to a nearby diner.  Of all the luck, Jay happened to be there waiting for his cousin, Rick, to pick him up.  He ditched his truck and reported it stolen, knowing the cops would be looking for it.  We have to be the luckiest guys in the world because yesterday they returned it to him.  I don’t know how we got around the cops without anyone asking us our names but we did.  Still haven’t had any luck finding out who the other wolf is except for me and Jay’s short encounter with the bastard.

Jay looks beat.  He must have had a hell of a night yesterday.  I can only imagine.  I swear he thinks of everything.  I would have gotten thrown in jail already if not for his ideas.  He’s a good friend.  I hope he’s right about this killing the head werewolf thing because we were wrong about werewolves only changing during the full moon.  After all, the one that did this to me attacked me during the day.

I really hope that Jay’s right, because I’m not ready to die.  But I know if it comes to it, if that’s the best way to stop people from getting hurt, then it is the only way.  Jay just isn’t used to losing and lately, we’ve both lost a lot.  Danny is gone and well, if anything happened to me, I can only imagine how he would feel because I know how I would feel if I somehow lost him too in all this.

Sarah called this morning.  She wanted to know how I was doing.  I told her I was doing fine but she’s known me long enough to be able to tell if I’m lying.  Weird thing is, in the middle of all this, I feel great almost as if I was reborn.  Every inch of my body feels alive.  I hate myself for feeling that way.  I just can’t help it.  It’s like when you haven’t eaten anything in a long time and finally eat.  I feel so energized.  I understand why I feel that way and I don’t want to.  The more I think of it, the more I want to get Jay to shoot me.

All that time I’ve been chained up, I was starving myself.  Keeping myself from doing what I need to survive.  I’m horrified with myself because part of me is telling me not to let Jay take me out in that meadow and chain me, but I know that it is the only way to stop me from hurting anyone.  I hate feeling as good as I do because I know the only way to feel this way again is to feed and to do that would be to let loose the beast I keep inside, but at what point does the beast decide to come out regardless of what I try?  At what point does the beast finally win?

CHAPTER 31

“You have an I.D. on that girl yet?” Rodriguez asked as Roberta walked up to his desk.

“No, but I got this,” she said, throwing a piece of plastic that read “Evidence” on his desk with a bullet inside.

“Silver?” Rodriguez asked.

“I said the same thing,” Roberta said with a laugh.

“Who shot her, the Lone Ranger?” Rodriguez said, looking at the smashed bloody bullet.

“Why would anyone want to use a silver bullet?” Roberta asked

“Maybe to kill a werewolf?” Rodriguez said jokingly.

“What if that’s what they want us to believe?”

“It would explain the animal attacks,” Rodriguez replied.

“Make it look like something more than plain murders to throw us off,” Roberta said, leaning on Rodriguez’s desk.  “Did you find out about that Alvarez kid?”

“No, but he and his friend, Jay, have become prime suspects to this case,” Rodriguez said.

“His truck happened to be reported stolen the same night the paramedics and the girl were found.  The kid’s story checked out.  They were both at home playing Genesis.”

“They know more than what they are letting on,” Rodriguez said, putting his feet up on his desk.  “Although, that Alvarez kid has gone through a lot, seen more than he should, you got to wonder what something like this can do to a kid like him.”

“He seems like a nice enough kid,” she said, looking at Arnie’s picture.

“Most killers usually do.  That’s what makes them so efficient,” Rodriguez said, spitting a sunflower seed out of his mouth, grabbing a couple more from his glass jar and chewing them in his mouth.

“You know the canine samples that we found?  They weren’t from a dog.”

“What the hell were they from then?” Rodriguez asked.

“A wolf.  There were also traces of human DNA in the samples.”

“It must have gotten mixed up in the murder,” Rodriguez said, rolling his thumbs against each other.

“That’s what I thought also,” Roberta replied.

“What’s wrong, Roberta?”

“I don’t know.  I’ve been researching these murders, and all of them seem to take place during the full moon except for a couple of them,” she said, not wanting to look into Rodriguez’s eyes.

“Don’t tell me you’re buying into this crap.”

“I guess it’s just a little spooky.  I know it’s not true, but when you look at the evidence and hear the tapes of the paramedics, it’s hard not to be creeped out.”

“I bet you saw a lot of horror movies when you were young,” Inspector Rodriguez said with a laugh.

“Only the good ones.”

“You can relax.  This isn’t a movie.  I’ll protect you from the big bad wolf.”

“Does that mean I can be Little Red Riding Hood?” she said, flirting.

“Whatever you want,” Rodriguez said, winking.

“I heard you were a charmer, but I didn’t believe it.  You always act like such a hard ass,” Roberta said, smiling.

“I must be losing my touch,” Rodriguez replied.

CHAPTER 32

Arnie’s Journal
March 27, 1993

Spent the day with Sarah today.  She seemed distant.  I guess all these secrets I’m keeping are really starting to get to her.  I can’t blame her; she’s been with me so long that she knows when I’m hiding something from her.  Somehow lately I get the feeling that there’s something she’s not telling me.  She did tell me though that her father doesn’t want me seeing her.  He’s scared that he’s going to lose her.  Her father’s never liked me and all this shit that’s happening hasn’t made it any better.

I had a dream of Danny last night.  He was alive in my dream and we were all back at the beach again, except in the dream he was different.  There was a sadness in his eyes when he looked at me in a way that I can’t explain.  Maybe I should just tell Sarah; maybe she’d understand, but what if she didn’t?  I am not going to risk losing her, which wouldn’t be so bad because at least I would know that she was safe.  Jay’s gone off playing detective, trying to find out what he can, but each time I change I feel as if I know all I’ll ever need to know.  That’s all for now.

CHAPTER 33

Jay used a medium-size rock as a hammer to smash the window of the house.  He then stuck his hand through the gap in the window, fumbling to unlock it, cutting his hands along the leftover glass as he finally found the tiny lever to open it.  Jay crept inside with a tiny flashlight in his mouth.  He couldn’t help but feel a chill run down his spine when he looked around her house, which had pentagrams made from what looked to be old rusty steel.  It had been almost a month since Elena died, and the house still reeked of incense.  There’s got to be something here, Jay thought, flashing his light toward the room were Arnie said she had been killed.  There has to be something, he thought, walking into what appeared to be Elena’s bedroom.  Jay opened almost every cabinet in the room, looking hopelessly through endless relics and beads and clothes that looked like curtains.

He found a bunch of old letters that were from her brother.  He could barely make out the writing, but it appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary.  Jay walked to the living room, frustrated because he had gone through all the trouble to get into the house only to find nothing.

Jay then went back up to the window that he had gotten in from and jumped out.  As he did he lost his grip and fell on his face.  He noticed a pair of snakeskin boots standing before him.  He looked up to see who it was.  An old-looking Indian stood before him.

“You couldn’t use the door?” the Indian asked, helping Jay up.

“Who are you?” Jay asked.

“The name’s Gulaunt.”

“I’ve been watching you and your friend,” the Indian said, walking toward his van, which he had parked in front of the house.

“Watching us, why?” Jay asked as the Indian leaned against his white van.

“Because I know what you’re going through.  Your heart is in the right place, but those good intentions will not help you,” Gulaunt said as he put his hands inside his black leather coat.

“Kill him, it is the only way,” the Indian said coldly.

“How could you know unless…” Jay said, trying to think.

“No, I’m not a werewolf, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Gulaunt replied.

“I’ve been around for a while.  Seen things I wish I never had.  Believe me, I know what I’m telling you,” Gulaunt said, looking up at the stars.  “Eventually your friend will be gone and all that will remain is the beast.  Your friend died the night he was bitten.  With each cycle of the moon, your friend loses more and more of what he used to be.  If you do not act now, eventually he will kill you and those close to you.  No matter how much you and he try, believe me when I tell you that there’s no stopping it.  Load that gun you carry with you with those silver bullets of yours and do what has to be done,” Gulaunt said seriously.

“There’s still a chance if… ” Jay said, but Gulaunt interrupted him.

“If you kill the one that bit your friend,” Gulaunt replied.  “I know about that girl you killed in those woods.  She was a wolf, wasn’t she?”

“How could you know?” Jay asked.

“I live up in those hills.  I know what’s out there, but I also read the papers,” Gulaunt replied.  “I’ve been watching you and your friend ever since I read about that boy that died at the courts.  I put it together and started trailing ya’ll.  I know about the meadow and where you take your friend, and it’s admirable, but it will get you two, nowhere.  I know how hard this must be.  I’ve watched ya’ll.  You two are good friends.”

Jay stood there listening intently.

“Look, here’s my address.  Bring your friend when the moon isn’t full,” the Indian said, writing on a piece of paper and handing it to Jay.  “If I can’t talk sense into you, maybe I can talk some into your friend,” Gulaunt said, stepping into his van.

CHAPTER 34

“What‘s wrong, Arnie?  What’s happening to you?” Sarah asked, concerned.

“I don’t know, Sarah.  I’m going through a lot right now.  Can’t sleep anymore.  Always having nightmares,” Arnie replied.

“That’s not all, Arnie.  I know there’s something you’re not telling me,” Sarah said as they walked up to the movie theater.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, Sarah.”  The teller asked what movie the two

wanted to see.

“You still showing
The Wolf Pack
?” Sarah asked.

“Yes, ma’am.  Next showing’s at ten,” the teller answered.

“Why don’t we see something else?  Arnie said, frustrated by the irony of the situation.

“C’mon, Arnie, don’t be such a poop.  I’ve already seen all the other movies.” Sarah tightened her grip on his arm to persuade him.

“Okay, give me two for
The Wolf Pack
,” Arnie said, giving the man his money.

“What’s wrong?  I thought you liked werewolf movies,” Sarah said.

“If you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all,” Arnie said with a sigh.

“That’s a first.” Sarah replied.  “Tell me what’s wrong?  Is there somebody else?”

“No, of course not.  It just seems that there’s been a lot of death around me.  I don’t want anything to happen to you.  I mean after Elena and all . . . ,” Arnie said, pausing.  “Listen, did she tell you anything?” Arnie asked.  “I mean, she was your friend.”

“No, why would she have?” Sarah asked, not wanting to tell Arnie the truth.  “What were you doing there anyway?”

“I was looking for you.” Arnie did not want to tell her any more than he felt she needed to know.

“Look, Arnie, not having me around isn’t going to help.  Whatever’s going on I’m sure the police will handle it.”

“I don’t know if they can,” Arnie mumbled.

“What did you say?” Sarah asked.

“Nothing.  Want some popcorn?”

CHAPTER 35  April 3, 1993

Arnie’s Journal  

Took Sarah to the movie last night.  It felt good being around her again.  Except we saw some movie called
The Wolf Pack
.  Hated it was fake as shit.  Too much computerized effects nowadays.  That director forgot to actually have a decent plot.  It was about a group of teenagers who get attacked by this werewolf, and they all get cursed and they form this pack between each other and go on this mass murdering spree.  Couldn’t believe how fake it was.  I still think the best werewolf movie I’ve seen is American Werewolf.  Besides when you know what I know about werewolves it kind of ruins it all.  Sarah was a little mad because I fell asleep through the damn movie.

My wound on my hand hasn’t healed, which means that the silver bullet part of the legend is true.

Jay didn’t find anything except a letter from a brother she has.  He told me about this old Indian that he bumped into that lives up in Huntsville, a good twenty-five miles from here.  He said the Indian knew who we were and knew a hell of a lot about werewolves.  We’ll be driving up there tomorrow.  Other than that, my nightmares have been getting worse and both my parents are out of town again.  As for Sarah, same as usual.  She’s still trying to get me to tell her what’s going on and we get into the same argument every time I see her.

Funny how some of the myths on werewolves are true and some are not.  It’s almost like they’re written purposely that way to throw people off.  Lately, I’ve been wondering if werewolves are real.  What else is real that we’ve been raised to believe is not?  How much do we really know?  How much truth are we really living?  At least the silver bullet part is true.  It’s funny how something like this can really make a person’s eyes open up and see the world in a way never imagined.  How something like this can make a person realize how short and important life really is.  How the little things in life are far more trivial.  Anyway, like always, gotta go.

CHAPTER 36

“So you decided to come,” the old Indian man said, pointing to an old couch, asking Jay and Arnie to take a seat.

“So go ahead, old man, tell him what you told me,” Jay said, leaning back against the couch.

“I told your friend that the best thing for the both of you is to have him fill you with silver.”  The man adjusted his wrinkled plaid shirt.  “By the way, my name is Gulaunt,” the old man said, shaking Arnie’s hand.  “So you want to know about werewolves, do you?”

“Yeah,” Arnie replied.

“You should know you are one,” the man said confidently.

“How would you know that?” Arnie asked.

“You come in here already knowing what you know of the world, and still you question such things.  Sometimes things just are.  There are no answers or explanation on why.  So tell me, why have you come?”

“Because there’s so much I still don’t know.”

“What is it that you want to know that you have not already learned?”

“That’s a good question. I was just hoping that maybe… ”

“That maybe I could tell you who made you what you are,” the man said interrupted.

“Yes,” Arnie said with a sigh.

“You read too much books, boy.  You give yourself false hope.  Finding the one that cursed you will only lead to more death.  There will be no salvation when you find it.  I suggest you say your good-byes to the world by yourself; a couple of silver bullets would end your suffering.”

“You, miserable asshole, how can you tell him that?” Jay replied.  “He can’t just give up.  There has to be a way.”

“Yes, and you think by killing the other, like your friend, will release him from the curse.”

“It’s worth a try,” Jay said as Arnie sat next to him with a blank stare of defeat.

“Yes, but how many people will have to die before you find the one that did this to your friend.  Ten, twenty?  One death is better than two,” the man replied coldly.

“So you’re saying, just give up?” Jay asked with frustration.

“I’m telling you that your friend needs to decide what is more important, his life or the life of others?  Trust me,” the man said, getting up from his seat, walking over to his window.  “I was twenty-two years old when my brother Timothy was attacked by a werewolf.  Weeks went by until one night the moon was full and he changed.  Twelve people were killed that night.  My brother came to me for help, and of course, I obliged.  Every time the moon was full, I’d lock him up in my barn.  Years went by, and we never found the one that attacked him.  Then one night my brother broke free of the chains.  Before I could stop him he killed two people.  The next morning I buried my brother, wife, 5 yr old son and ten year old daughter.  I searched for years trying to find the one responsible for my brother’s curse,” he continued.  “I never found him.  After I killed my brother, the killings stopped, so I moved on with my life; that was until recently when the murders started again.  And then I read about you,” Gulaunt said, referring to Arnie.  “I knew the one that cursed my brother returned.”