The Chronicles of Beast and Man (20 page)

It was not long before he had drank all of Rod's beer. Then it was time to go, he would leave the mess for Rodney Truex to clean up.

-

Marcy heard Matthew recklessly pull into their drive way. As fast as she could, she got up from the bed and peered out from behind the blinds. She saw Matthew stumble slightly, something was wrong, she thought. It appeared as if maybe Matthew were intoxicated. That did not make sense though. Matthew did not drink often, let alone drink and drive.

Marcy threw on her robe over her night gown and hurried down the stairs. When she arrived at the door, she found Matthew had already walked in. He gazed upon her with such power, that she had never seen before. She then noticed the unpleasant smell of alcohol coming from Matthew breath.

“Matthew?” She had no more let his name slip out of her mouth before he slapped her across the face.

Matthew had never hit Marcy before. This came as a most unpleasant shook. She dropped to the floor, and then turned to make sure there would not be a second attack.

“What in the hell did you do?” Matthew asked.

“What are you talking about?” Marcy asked as she began to sob.

“You bloody damn well know what I am talking about.”

Marcy was just about to speak when she felt Matthew grab her by her hair. He pulled her close and balled up his fist. Then to her surprise he let go of her, dropping her back down to the floor.

“You have no excuse for yourself, you might as well leave me. Leave me and your kids, be with him.” Matthew spit the words out at her as if they would catch fire.

She laid there on the floor, knowing exactly what Matthew was so angry about. For a moment she wondered how in the world he had found out. Then she realized that it didn’t matter. However he had figured it out wasn’t going to make a bit of difference, he had and now it was over. She had taken her own selfish craving,
hurt her family, and perhaps Matthew’s actions were just punishment. It was then that Marcy heard a most unexpected sound. She turned to see Matthew sitting in his recliner with his hands over his face sobbing. Slowly she crawled across the floor, when she reached Matthew she crawled up onto his lap and held him tight.

“I am sorry.” Matthew said to her in a trembling and hurt voice.

“I know.” She said in return.

She began kissing Matthew on the forehead softly. Marcy was now going to have to do her own damage control. She would have to take care of everything around her and see to it that she could earn Matthew’s trust again.

Y
oung Freddy Alexander placed his hand on the wooden fence and ducked down. He was just out of Xerxes’ view. Freddy had been driving through the country on a back road when he noticed Xerxes walking through the woods. He had parked his car on the shoulder of the road and began to secretly follow him. There was something about this monsterous man that intrigued him; he was easily the most unusual person he had ever seen.

Freddy watched as each muscle shifted in Xerxes arm as he reared back and launched out a throwing knife. The knife weaved through the air at an inconceivable rate of speed, and landed dead center in a thin tree trunk. Despite the freezing cold weather Xerxes had removed his long black coat to practice. Freddy found this man to be so dark and mysterious, that he could not help but be spellbound.

After throwing seven more knives Xerxes stomped over to the tree and promptly removed them. He would then walk back and proceed to do the same thing again.

“Come on out,
young one.” Xerxes commanded loudly.

Freddy was terribly confused by Xerxes’ words, he had to have been speaking to him, but Freddy was certain that he had not seen him follow.

“I said come out young one, I will not say it again.”

Freddy would not respond.

With a snap of his wrist Xerxes released a throwing knife from his large hand. The throwing knife spun with the fury of a vengeful tornado. It smacked down hard into the very fence post Freddy had been hiding behind.

“I was just...” Freddy said as he stood up from his hiding place.

“I know you meant no harm. Besides there is very little you could do to harm me.”

Freddy looked down at the throwing knife to see that it was a remarkable weapon, the handle appeared to be made out of ivory and the blade looked as if it were sharp enough to cut through solid metal. When Freddy examined it slightly closer he noticed an engraving in the shape of a wolf’s face.

“You’ve seen it.” Xerxes’ words struck Freddy like a lightning bolt.

“What?”

“The lycanthrope, the one who has tormented this area, you have seen him?”

Freddy did not answer the question he only stood with a blank, lifeless look upon his face. He had wanted to answer, and tell him yes, but he had worked so hard to tell himself that he had not actually seen it that his mouth refused to let the words escape his throat.

“It is fine young one, you need not speak. I know what you have seen, it will all be over soon. It is now time to prepare, are you with me?” Xerxes asked as he slung his trench coat over his shoulders.

This was all so strange, and it felt so unreal. Freddy was left speechless, had this bizarre man asked him to join him in battle against a beast written of in folklore?

He looked back to see Xerxes' hand extended out toward him, it was true.

“You don’t need my help.”

“Don’t be disrespectful. Help end this madness, and learn to fight bravely.”

His words were so full and powerful, he had to accept.

W
hat was next? Rod couldn’t help but wonder.

Rod was familiar with the phrase, "May you live in interesting times", which at that time they certainly were. But he felt that he could definitely do without most of it.

The recent murders had created a frenzy like nothing he had ever seen. Everything had changed; his reputation and his own attitude as well. No one was looking at Rod in the same way that they had before. Prior to the murders, if anyone had any serious problems, most people went to Rod. Now he was not sure if he would even want to ask himself for assistance. As he drove across the snow covered streets, he thought about the amount of pressure that had been placed upon him. He had to find a way to overcome this, he had to move forward and not lose a single stride. This fierce creature had to fall before it took another person’s life. It was going to be a tremendous battle, but Rod knew that it had to be done. Likelihood of survival seemed low, but with enough firepower behind him it seemed more possible. On the next full moon he would face it, once and for all. But he knew he would not be able to fight it alone, he was going to have to enlist assistance. He had no intention of gathering a manhunt to the likes of the one that had recently been formed. He was going to only ask men who would be prepared for a battle with a murderous monster, not a simple deranged person. While these thoughts rattled around in his skull he felt a bit deranged. It was now impossible for him to deny, this was an extraordinary situation. No one would be able to grasp this, he was going to have to use strange means to fight the unusual situation.

Rod couldn’t help but let out a lighthearted laugh at the thought of a simple,
deranged person. Who in their right mind would have ever thought that something like this could ever happen?

All the heart ache, the death and the destruction, it was unspeakable.

It was in that moment Rod realized the connection that he and this beast actually had. He was able to make a distinct tie between himself and this fierce creature. It suddenly felt as if the creature did not exist, perhaps he would not either. He had become the Sheriff because of the beast, and had been given a large amount of respect when the thing stopped killing. It was as if fate had placed the two of them on each other’s paths. Now he would have to prepare for the grand finale, a battle to end all battles, perhaps. But who on earth would Rod enlist to do battle with such an evil? He thought about his deputies, that was the obvious choice. Rod was fairly sure that anyone who marched into battle against this creature would be facing certain death. It would be very hard for Rod to ask anyone to prepare for such a situation. He even considered asking for Hank’s assistance, but at his age, Rod assumed that it would be an ill request.

Xerxes
, when he thought of him it seemed so obvious. He had no idea why it had taken him as long as it did. Rod had not liked the man, but he certainly seemed to think he knew how to handle this creature. If Xerxes turned out to be wrong, then the beast would probably vanquish him, and Xerxes would no longer bother him. Also, if Xerxes was some kind of fraud, he might create a diversion, in turn making it easier for Rod to slay the beast.

Now the next thing would be figuring out how to find Xerxes. It always seemed that he was around at the most unexpected time. Medusa was not too large of a city so finding him probably wouldn’t be a big problem.

The next question was who else to ask to assist with this hunt? The only other person he thought of was Deputy Dolgen. More than likely Dolgen would agree to come along, even if he thought the idea of a superhuman beast completely insane. Dolgen would more than likely go along just by the chance that they might catch the real guilty party.

T
he next few days proved to be all business as usual. Rod was no longer investigating the Killer Wolf Murders (as the town had grown to call it). Several federal agents had been in and out of the police station for files and statements from police and others involved. Rod was able to avoid most of the FBI’s questions and did not care to speak to them about anything at all. Despite this sudden lack of interest in the case, he was secretly still very involved. Behind closed doors he planned a hunt for the creature. He had not spoken to Xerxes yet, but that was the only piece missing from the puzzle. He would use whatever tactics Xerxes claimed to understand. As for weapons Rod had removed three 12 gauge shotguns, and ten boxes of ammunition. He also planned to carry his pistol and a combat knife on his side. Rod was not about to leave anything to chance.

Even though Rod hadn’t been able to locate Xerxes, he went ahead and asked Deputy Dolgen to join the hunt on the next full moon night. Dolgen seemed a bit confused at the new direction Rod seemed to be looking at the case, but agreed to go along. Another citizens’ manhunt was already being assembled. Rod couldn’t help but wonder if some might wonder why the Sheriff and Deputy were not taking part. Then again, at that point it did not really matter anymore. Rod only needed to concern himself with terminating the beast and ending the killings.

Later that day, as Rod continued his search for Xerxes, he was suddenly caught off guard when he saw Marcy walking down Main Street. It was not so much just seeing her that got his attention. It was a bruise on her face really that surprised him. Rod immediately knew who was to blame for the wound. That situation was out of Rod’s hands, their eyes connected for a brief moment, and then the moment was gone. The relationship was over, but the connection between them was not gone. He knew it, and she knew it as well. He drove on and his thoughts continued, he thought about himself. He wished that he was dead, dead and gone so he wouldn’t have to care anymore. Never before had he let his flaws seep out and control him in such a way. He could feel himself slip back behind his emotions they were starting to take control. He wondered if he were dead, would it make things easier?

Would it make things better?

He came to the answer that was more than obvious to him. The answer of course was no, he had a commitment to stand strong for the good people of Medusa. He was going to serve and protect, and kill in their name if asked to.

“A
silver bullet through the heart?” Freddy asked if this was the way to kill the beast.

“The tales of today, and the ones of yesterday are very different. The use of a large or powerful weapon is much more important than the type of metal that is used to kill the beast.”

“So what, a sword, or an axe?”

“I always use one of these.” Xerxes removed a large case from the corner of his motel room. He unlocked several straps attached to the side, he then opened the case to reveal a filthy brown and black crossbow.

“I go for a shot to the head, or to the heart. Once the beast is down, I always severe the head. That will assure a perfect kill. I have seen these creatures rise back up from the most damaging of wounds.”