iartlife

[iartlife]

MASTERPOST

Gamble Chronicles Links: BOOK ONE CONQUEST

CHAPTER ONE

PART I  -Hans hears the news.

PART II  -Elli wakes up in the woods.

PART III  -Liam ponders his father’s call.

PART IV  -Addie follows the police.

PART V  -Hughes leads the search.

PART VI -Cindy comforts her son.

CHAPTER TWO

PART I -Hughes finds the killer.

PART II -Elli finds her brother.

PART III -Hans gets arrested.

PART IV -Addie gets caught stalking.

CHAPTER THREE

PART I -Liam sets up a lunch date.

PART II -Gladstone takes charge.

PART III -Eric meets his father.

PART IV -The hunt for wolfsbane.

PART V -Hughes takes the case.

CHAPTER FOUR

PART I -Liam calls his uncle.

PART II -Elli settles in at the resort.

PART III -Addie harasses the police.

PART IV -Cindy has a visitor.

CHAPTER FIVE

PART  I -The press conference.

PART II -Elli meets Addie.

PART III -Liam checks on the resort.

CHAPTER SIX

PART I -Cindy goes to work.

PART II -Hughes investigates the package.

PART III -Addie makes breakfast.

PART IV -Hans has his blood drawn.

CHAPTER SEVEN

PART I -Kay ‘hires’ Elli.

PART II -Liam needs help.

PART III -Eric leaves without permission.

PART IV -Hughes gets a lead.

CHAPTER EIGHT

PART I -Pershall goes to prison.

PART II -Cindy drops off Eric.

PART III -Addie stays a bit longer.

PART IV -Elli finds Addie.

CHAPTER NINE

PART I -Hans returns.

PART II -Liam confronts his father.

PART III -Hughes goes to the club.

CHARACTER DESIGN

HANS

[iartlife]

Hey, I’d like to be following more writing blogs so I can have more content to reblog to my followers here (and more motivation as a writer myself), so if you run a writing blog, please reblog this post to it, or like this post and I’ll check it out!

A reminder that I’ll be following from my main account, so you’ll see it show up as “antique-symbolism” :)

Thanks!

[iartlife]

Chapter Nine

Pt. II 

THE KING

Dr. Adams was still complaining about the miniscule sample of blood, and other bodily fluids, from Nate. Apparently Cordova, Pershall and Hans were not having an interesting enough conversation for he started his rant nearly a half hour ago. The three of them had given up trying to change the subject. Luckily they were almost back to the resort and he'd be rid of the man. The other two still had to drive back to Parkvale with him. Poor suckers.

As they started coming down the last foothills in the Saber, its tracks from the way up disappeared.

"Does the snow seem deeper than before?" Pershall interrupted Adams.

Her observation had everyone looking out the window.

"I was actually wondering the same thing. I'm pretty sure there was no snow in the forecast for this week." Hans shared. Next week, however, there was a slight chance of a dusting but nothing like what was on the ground. Hans prayed it would be heavier than they predicted but he got no inclination it would be early...

"This was how it always used to be up here...isn't it? Before fifteen years ago I mean."

Hans felt his face getting hot, anger seeping out in his words. "It better not be." He said in a growl.

In the rearview, he could see everyone's surprised reaction. Cordova spoke this time. "You don't want snow at your ski resort?"

"Not if it came from where I think it came from."

Hans was pretty sure no one knew what he was talking about. They sat in silence for the rest of the ride.

The sky began to darken upon returning to the resort. Hans parked the Saber back into its home and killed the engine. He'd need to refuel it. Should also check the fluids; he did just take it over a mountain after all and it always ran a bit hot.

Sitting for so long made him stiff and the others seemed just as eager to get out of the machine. Everyone stretched back into a normal standing position once they were out.

"Thanks for the lift, Hans." Cordova smiled at him.

"Anytime."

"If you ever need someone to look after it give me a call." Adams was already on his way out of the shed. Once the Agent noticed, he briskly caught up and was out the door as well.

Pershall remained with Hans. "You're sticking around then?"

"Hughes told me to stay with you. Keep you safe and what not." Pershall stated.

"Right. I don't know if there will be a bed available for you, babysitter."

"I'll sleep in the cruiser if I have to." 

"You'll do no such thing. We'll figure something out."

Hans lead her outside. They walked through snow that had been played in. A few misshapen snowmen scattered around the area among trails they were created from. In the heart of the resort it didn't look as busy as before. It was dinnertime though and Hans was sure there were few seats empty anywhere food was served.

"Mr. Ulrich!"

Hans turned to find a young woman jogging towards him. "Might I bother you for an interview?"

He was a bit unprepared for anything like that. Not to mention tired and a bit distracted. "Perhaps another time."

"How about tomorrow?"

"I'll have to check my schedule." He said as he left her.

Hans checked in with the lodge. After giving him numbers and estimates, Jeff sent a new lackie Hans had never seen before to fetch some bedding for Pershall. "How many people did Liam hire?"

"I don't know, sir. Enough for everyone to have an extra pair of hands at least."

"Do you know where he is?"

"Just that he's not in here."

Hans wasn't sure if he wanted to ask the next question. He did anyway. "Where did the snow come from?"

Jeff was suddenly rigid. His eyes avoided Hans. "I maaay have seen the wendigo earlier."

"...Thank you for telling me." He said through gritted teeth.

The new recruit returned with an armful of linens. Hans took them, handing the pillow off to Pershall as to not accidentally drop it. Hans thanked them and left.

Pershall dutifully followed him as he marched out of the lodge. Once they were outside she spoke. "Was he talking about Gamble?"

"Yes."

"Oh..." She followed him silently the rest of the way to his cabin. The snow was undisturbed around his home, it was far enough out of the way no one had reason to be there anyway. He set her up a place to sleep on the couch. It was more comfortable than the bed anyway. Hans often found himself sleeping in his recliner most nights.

The last time she was here, her and Gladstone arrested him. He could tell she felt uncomfortable or like she was intruding but he wouldn't let her freeze to death in a car all night. She had been through a lot these past couple days. Everyone had. The investigators especially as they were the first contact in a sense and not even by choice. "There's a few more things I need to check on if you want to tag along."

She seemed to relax a bit but still looked anxious. Exhaustion was visible in her eyes though she remained alert by necessity. Had she even eaten today?

"You are also welcome to stay here and rest. I know you've had a busy couple days...unless you want to grab dinner with me?"

As he suspected she perked up at the mention of food. "I suppose I could come with you."

Back outside she walked with him, looking weary when he turned to check on her.

"I don't know what I'm doing here." She said, staring ahead of then.

The events must finally be catching up with her. "What Hughes asked of you, your job."

"I think I want a new job..."

Hans wasn't sure how to answer that. "Are you afraid, Officer Pershall?"

"N- I don't...Yes."

"What is it you are afraid of?"

She thought for a long time before answering him. "I'm afraid of what else could be out there."

"If it makes you feel any better I have the same fear. There are things that even I know nothing about or even whether or not they exist. I worry there may be something someday I can't protect my family from. But there is always the unknown. There's simply less unknown as of yesterday, for you at least. I grew up within secrets and lies in order to keep the ones I love safe, not knowing if there were hunters lurking nearby."

"Hunters?"

"Humans of a particular ideology that wish death upon anything they deem 'unnatural.' What they fail to realize is they are no more natural than a werewolf or vampire. The only thing different between myself and a 'normal' human is literally a disease... In any case, making myself known was a big risk because now every hunter who owns a television knows exactly where my pack lives. Half of it anyway. The only thing keeping us remotely safe is all of this extra attention and, I hate to admit it, but Gamble keeps anything threatening at bay just by living nearby. I have painted a pretty big target on my own chest, though."

Pershall took a moment to absorb the information. "Why did you do it? Why take the risk?"

"For 'the greater good' is how I convinced myself. I saw it benefiting both my pack and the rest of my kind as well as yours. It was going to happen anyway and I took the opportunity presented to try and prevent my kind from being villainized... again. I only hope it will make it easier on any other race who wishes to try and be recognized outside of the shadows. Besides, you all seemed so lost at the beginning of the investigation, it couldn't be helped. I only wish I knew more, or at least enough to have been more useful."

"You did a lot, Hans. Really. And despite your obvious distaste of Gamble, you knew he could help and called him anyway."

Hans stopped just outside of the restaraunt. "I vote we eat first and find Liam afterwards."

"Sounds good to me."

The door opened just as they went to enter. They moved out of the way for the young woman exiting followed by a white haired man that was all too familiar. He looked just as surprised as Hans felt. 

Recovering quickly, he shoved the man the rest of the way out. Hans couldn't contain his rage. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" 

[iartlife]

Bad Behavior. I encourage it.

When ur at ur job and someone else at ur job likes the stuff you just posted.

[iartlife]

Me...

Me: *asks my followers to send me writing prompts*

My Followers: *send writing prompts to my inbox*

[iartlife]

Chapter Nine

Pt. I

THE QUEEN

They acquired more hands to help at the shop since Elli had volunteered. Mason was a bit older and wasn't very good at the register, but he was on top of any displays that looked even a little empty whether it was facing them out, filling them with the backstock or returning misplaced items to their homes.

The other two came in together when it was really busy so Elli never actually found out their names. They were great, though. One was excellent on the register and knew a trick about something Kay had never heard of. The other was quite knowledgeable about the resort and answered any immediate questions customers had upon entering the store. It saved the rest of them from most of the inquiries and questions where other establishments were.

Kay and Elli had barely left from behind the counter. It was never long before a transaction or obscure questions about products or the resort. The most common one was 'are you a werewolf?' which was getting on her nerves. 'Do you know when Hans will be back?' and 'Where's the bathroom?' were also very popular, and just about everyone had a comment about the weather.

Luckily, the rush of the day was dying off and they could all breathe.

"You guys are lifesavers." Kay said gratefully while everyone was within earshot. Elli smiled at Kay. Honestly, it was hard not to in general. She chuckled, not even sure if she was officially employed.

Liam entered the shop.

He walked over to Kay, a kid in tow. One of the customers eyed him the entire way but lost interest when he stopped. The kid wandered around the store as they chatted. Kay eventually walked him over to her.

"You must be Elli." Liam said with a friendly grin.

"And you must be Liam." She returned.

"Would you come with us for a minute?" Kay asked.

Elli's stomach sank. "Am I in some kind of trouble?"

"No no! Nothing like that." Kay laughed. 

It made her feel better but she couldn't help but worry. They lead her back into the storage room, closing the door behind them.

Liam cleared his throat. "Kay tells me you've been very good to her and helpful since you arrived. She also mentioned you don't belong to a pack. I truly appreciate all you've done and wanted to invite you to join us. The Ulrich clan always has room to grow."

Elli blinked. "Join your pack?"

"Yes. We'd love for you to have a place among us. If you would like that anyway." Kay added.

Elli looked at her and then back to Liam. They both felt genuine. She just wasn't sure she wanted to join their pack just yet, or any pack for that matter since she didn't know if there were any rules or weird traditions she should know about first. "Can I think about it?"

Liam looked surprised. "Of course."

A memory hit her. He said that the same way Addie did, same expression and everything...it was almost creepy.

"Anyway, that's all. I just didn't want to discuss it among eavesdroppers. Would you let me know when you make a decision either way?"

"Yeah, sure." Elli managed.

Kay took one of Elli's hands in both of hers. "Go ahead and get some fresh air and even something to eat if your hungry. Maybe think a little about being my wolf-sister? Besides, I've had you cooped up in here nearly all day. You can take it easy for the rest of the evening." She said.

"I can come back after a while, I don't mind."

"Only if you get really bored." She gave her that big grin then turned to Liam. "Now I feel the need to go squish my new tiny cousin's face."

The three of them filed out of the storage room. Kay spotted the boy Liam came in with and made a bee line for him, Liam followed. Elli took the chance to leave for that promised fresh air.

Once outside she felt herself relax. The chaos of just being around so many people really wore down her nerves. She started to walk down the middle of the road. The crowds from earlier had diminished though there were still plenty of people at the resort.

She wondered if Addie was still around somewhere. He was earlier.  The thought of him still made her a bit uncomfortable, but she definitely wanted to talk to him. It seemed like he purposefully avoided her all day which she was grateful for right now. After seeing him walk by with Liam she worried he'd come in and confront her in some way, though he never did.

Elli stopped in front of a restaraunt that had a calming atmosphere around it. Just what she needed. She went inside and the sound of soft piano filled the air. As she waited to be seated she knew something was different about this place, or maybe it was just the music.

Wait.

Addie was in there. She sensed him, but it was different than before. He *felt* different. She scanned what she could see of the restaraunt.

"Just you this evening, ma'am?" A waitress asked. She had no nametag.

The attention pulled her out of her search. "Y-yeah."

"Follow me, please."

She followed the woman deeper into the restaurant while continuing to casually search for him among the faces. He had to be close. The piano was far over near the wall to her right next to the bar. Playing the soothing melody was the man she was looking for. 

"Can I sit over there?" Elli asked pointing at a booth near the piano that had not been cleaned off yet.

"Sure." The waitress wiped down the the table with a rag she retrieved from the bar then asked what she'd like for a beverage.

"Just water, please."

"Okay, I'll be right back." She said in her departure.

Elli grabbed a menu but ended up staring at Addie over the top of it instead of reading, hoping he'd look over to her. Unfortunately, she was at a bit of an awkward angle for him to notice easily. Couldn't he sense her, though?

She realized she could sense how he felt, despite her doubts. He felt content, at peace, but it was still different than usual. His 'presence' was there also, same as it was before. How could she feel him so much easier than anyone else? That made it all the more frustrating that he usually didn't have anything for her to pick up on besides just existing. His contentment made her feel more relaxed.

She gave up trying to stare Addie down and walked over to him. Stopping right beside him, she leaned down so their heads were level. He stopped playing, the calming atmosphere faded with the last note. The place maintained the same type of feel without the music, just not as strong. There was some quiet applause from a few nearby tables.

"That was beautiful. You didn't have to stop."

The feeling in him wavered after she spoke. It turned into something else then disappeared just as quickly to his usual nothingness.

Addie avoided eye contact with her, facing the piano still. "Thank you...I will leave if you wish. I have overstayed my visit as it is."

She was a bit surprised by his words. "Oh uh...actually, I was wondering if you'd join me?"

Addie looked at her in surprise. "Y- It's-" He trailed off then suddenly stood and bowed to her. "I would be delighted."

He followed her back to the table. They sat and the waitress returned with her water. After giving Addie a strange look, she asked if he would like anything. He asked for hot tea.

"All right and might you folks be ready to order?"

Elli gave her a blank look. She never actually read the menu. "...I think I need a minute."

"Okay." She left again, in a bit of a hurry this time.

Elli picked up the tri-fold with the intention of reading it this time. "That conversation didn't go as you expected."

"I thought you wouldn't want to see me again."

She skimmed over the appetizers. "You were wrong."

"I see that." Addie agreed. "I am sorry, Miss Hughes. It was not my intention to frighten you this morning."

"How is their brisket?"

"...I hear good things."

She looked up at him. "I should be the one to apologize." Setting the menu down, she continued. "You mostly caught me off guard, though what you told me was...disturbing. On top of that I was convinced my magic sense, or whatever, didn't work on you the same way as everyone else. I needed space to process it all."

Addie tilted his head slightly, though he didn't respond.

"After what you said, I kinda freaked out and thought you might have meant to hurt me but I just couldn't tell. After thinking about it all day I wanted to talk to you again at the very least. When I found you here though, I realized I overreacted. You definitely felt something while playing the piano, it just doesn't happen very often apparently."

He raised an eyebrow. "What is it I 'felt?’"

"Happiness...I think."

A new waitress came over with his drink. Apparently the other one had not wanted to serve them. Addie thanked her but didn't look to see her beaming smile. He was too busy studying Elli.

"Are you two ready to order or do you still need a few more minutes?"

"...I would like to try your brisket with-" Elli flipped over the menu to see the side options. "Uh, wedges sound good."

"Alright." She turned to Addie. "How about you?"

"Nothing else for me. Thank you, Felicia."

He looked at Felicia this time and her cheeks flushed. "O-okay. I'll have that out when it's ready, Miss." She went to tend to her next table.

Elli frowned at him. "Not hungry?"

"I don't like to eat in public."

"Oh, what a relief. Here I was worried you were normal after all." She teased. She was interested in what he was capable of feeling now more than ever.  

No reaction.

She decided to try something else. Elli checked if the waitress was far enough away. Leaning towards Addie she spoke softly. "I think Felicia likes you." He was assembling his tea. "What makes you say that?"

"I don't know. She got all flustered when you called her by name."

"Hm. Funny."

"Not really..." She watched him fiddle with the string. "Is there a Mrs. Addie then?" She prodded, hoping for at least a slight reaction.

He raised an eyebrow at her then a mad smile grew on his face. He chuckled darkly. "You amuse me, Miss Hughes."

Not what she was expecting at all. "I don't understand what was funny." Elli glared at his, again expressionless, face and tired eyes. Still nothing. She wondered if he simply didn't care about most things anymore. She was talking to a man who was, or at least claimed to be, over two thousand years old, after all. Questions filled her head. They'd never get to them all in one evening. Elli rested her chin on her hand, elbow on the table. "Will you be honest with me?"

"Always."

"N- um. Do you think I should join the wolf pack here? I mean, are there any things I should know about before joining? Like any weird rituals?"

"It isn't really more than a community or a family. As far as rituals go, some of them like to gather before the full moon and sing. Not required but a good time if the right people are there."

"That's it?"

"Basically. If you're seriously considering it, talk to Liam or Hans...even Kay. They are capable of answering any questions you have better than myself."

"If I join the pack would you still hang out with me? You did say you'd at least check what magic type I have."

"Affinity, yes. And I don't see why not."

"How do you fit into all this anyway?"

"The Ulrich's are my family."

"You some long lost and found relative?"

"I'm not related by blood. They are descendants of a man who was a dear friend of mine. Hiram was his name. Before he died he asked if I would watch over his family. If I am anything, its a man of my word. I don't think he meant it for this many generations, but I've nothing better to do so..." He trailed off.

"High-rum?" Elli repeated slowly to try to pronounce this new name.

"Correct."

"But didn't Hans kick you out of the resort? That's what Kay said anyway...what happened? If you don't mind me asking."

"Hans has never cared much for my presence. Liam believes his father thinks I intend to corrupt them in some manner."

"If you've been around for so long I feel like you would have done so already. Besides, you don't seem the corrupting type."

"No?"

"Maybe a little intimidating, but that's just the scars. All I see is a good man beneath them."

"But I'm not a man. I'm a monster pretending to be one."

"You don't have to look human to be a good man."

"If you say so."

"...I feel like you don't go out of your way to talk to just anyone. Especially like this."

"That is how a friendship works, is it not? Sharing ourselves, building trust."

"You...want to be my friend?"

"Yes."

Elli thought about what he said for a moment. "You can ask me things too you know...I've basically interrogated you since we sat down."

"You're doing just fine. I'm learning from your questions anyway." He picked up the spoon next to him and stirred his drink.

"Alright...where are you from? You can't have spent over two thousand years in America, that just sounds boring."

"I think there would have been plenty to do. However, I am from Rome." Addie sighed. "That's gone now though, isn't it... How senile I've become, I'd have to look at a current map to show you where exactly."

"Wow..." She watched him set the spoon down." Is that where you met Hiram?"

"I met Hiram in Scotland, three hundred years ago, give or take. We moved to America together with his wife and children." Addie took a sip of tea, leaving the bag in the cup. "She hated me more than Hans does."

Wasn't ‘Ulrich’ a German name?

"Wait, back up. Were you a Roman soldier?"

"Well, yes. Every young and able man was a soldier."

Elli didn't see him as the soldier type. He looked small, and he wore dorky clothes. From what she remembered he was a bit bigger when she chased him in the trees. But he would have been wearing the necklace to appear human...right? Maybe it was just his baggy shirt making him look soft? Though she supposed armor could make anyone look like a warrior...

"What?"

She realized she had been staring at Addie. "I-I'm trying to picture you in Roman armor."

"I still have most of my uniforms somewhere. Weapons as well, though most need sharpened. Nick told me I should open a museum."

The waitress re-appeared by the table, plate in hand. "Here you go, Miss." She set it in front if Elli. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

"I'm good."

"Okay, let me know if you do."

"Thanks."

Felicia walked away briskly once more after throwing a glance at Addie.  

She turned to her companion. Looking at her meal then back to him, she suddenly felt awkward.

It must have shown on her face.  

"If I am a burden to you, Miss Hughes, I will go."

"N-no. I mean, if you want to..." She stabbed a wedge with her fork. "You're just going to take some getting used to."

"Then I shall stay, as long as I am not making you too uncomfortable."

"You're not- okay you are a little bit, but it's fine." She chewed a bite slowly as she watched him watch her. "Are there any more of your kind?"

"My kind?"

"Are you really the last wendigo?"

He thought for a moment. "I am, though that's not an actual race."

She finished chewing before replying. "Oh, everyone here thinks it was..."

"They simply lack knowledge of some details."

"Do you mind if I ask what you are...again?"

"You are free to ask me whatever you like. My answer will always depend on what I am willing to share."

Elli had begun digging into her meal, much hungrier than she had thought. "Fair enough."

"I am many different things. A mutt of sorts."

She gave him a confused look, her mouth too full to ask him more though he continued. The chatter around them began to pick up in volume. Dinner was on the approach. As business picked up, their voices were consumed by the flood of other customers to where only themselves were capable of hearing each other.

[iartlife]

Chapter Eight

Pt. III

THE ROOK

After Cindy left, Liam took his boy on a tour of the resort. Addie wandered off, letting the two of them bond without his audience. Eric was very curious and energetic, certainly his father's son.

Wandering through the village he contemplated leaving before Hans returned. Liam said he could stay but he knew Hans wouldn't be thrilled. Addie hadn't realized how much he missed being here though.

He stopped when he saw children playing in the deep snow beside one of the shops. They ran around, throwing handfuls of it at eachother.

A smile formed on his face as he watched them, remembering the 'snow wars' he joined with Liam and his cousins when they were about that age.

He turned toward the restaurant.

I wonder if I could sneak in a song or two before I have to leave.

He sensed something hurtling towards his head. More curious what it could be than concerned, he didn't move. A blast of cold hit the side of his face.

He turned back to the children to find one frozen in place looking very surprised and another on the ground between them. The others stopped where they were, staring at him and the snow-thrower.

"You're dead." The kid on the ground said quietly, fear in his eyes.

Addie squared up with the small girl who obviously had no intention of hitting him with the projectile. She became very rigid.

Bowing slightly and putting his hands behind his back, Addie spoke. "It's common practice to introduce yourself before issuing a challenge." When he straightened back up he changed his stance, suddenly wielding a snowball in each hand. "I will accept none the less."

He moved forward to the edge of the shoveled path and threw one of the balls at her gently. Unsure of how what to do, the little girl didn't react and it hit her square in the chest.

A couple of the kids giggled but they all were still not moving. They now looked more confused than scared at least.

For encouragement to continue the game, he swept his back leg forward to kick up snow. In a fluid motion he planted his foot to pivot and swing the other in the air to add a bit of wind, completing a 360 degree turn. The resulting wave covered all of the children in a layer of powder. The lot of them got the hint and scattered around, sqealing with delight.

He caught the attention of a few adults from the scene he made but they continued about their business shortly after.

He joined the children in the knee deep frost, chasing some for a few paces and tossing snow at anyone who crossed his path. They returned fire with poorly aimed clumps of soft ammo and ran circles around him to dodge his.

They played for a long while but parents eventually called their children back to their families; certainly to go do whatever they planned for the evening. Shouts of goodbyes or waving came from the little ones as they each departed.

Addie found himself with one straggler after all the others had gone.

"Mister?"

He looked at the little boy. It was the one who had been the intended target for the snowball that initially hit him.

"Are you magic?"

Addie dropped to one knee in front of him. "What gave me away?" He said with a grin.

His little eyes got huge. "I knew it!"

Addie gathered some power in his hand and pretended to pull something from the little boy's hood. "What's this?" A small ice ball rested in his palm when he revealed it to the child. It was perfectly clear with a crescent moon design in the center. "Oh, wow. This is ice that'll never melt. You better take care of it for me."

He stared at it with wide eyes. The little boy looked to him for what he could only guess was permission then carefully took the gift from his hand.

"Zayn!" A woman yelled from the pathway.

He ran to her, holding out the ice ball to her as he went. "Momma, look!" She looked at it when Zayn got to her then glared at Addie before tugging the boy away towards a destination.

Strange.

Feeling cheerier than normal he decided to head to the restaurant. Who knows how long it would be before he was able to come back? He'd take advantage of the visit he was granted for the day, not wanting it to end.

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MASTER

[iartlife]

Chapter Eight

Pt. II

THE BISHOP

Eric was staring out the back seat window wide eyed. It made Cindy smile to see him happy now, when she picked him up he almost looked sick. He insisted he was fine and just wanted to go, and now she knew it was worth the trip. He was likely just nervous about spending time with the man he just found out was his father. She did leave him alone most of the day to think about it. Oh how she wished she could stay with him.

"Does it usually snow in springtime up here?"

The wipers were leaving streaks of white on the windshield. Cindy hadn't realized they were in such bad condition and would need to get new ones. "The resort was snowy all year when I was your age, but not so much anymore."

"So it shouldn't be snowing?"

"It could be a bit late, I suppose."

"Well I'm glad it's late."

She could see his grin beaming in the rearview mirror. He was so fascinated by everything and she loved him all the more for it. She couldn't help but smile.

As they went around the last curve, the snow thinned and fell much more gently. She could see the place was bustling and wondered how long ago they had gotten the resort back on track. Last she checked, Hans had sent the wizard away and the resort was revealed to be naturally seasonal.

Cindy drove slowly through the village, making sure not to run over any of the tourists...yet.

She stopped by the main lodge in the middle of the road. All of the parking was full but she'd be leaving soon anyway. A snowplow dodged her, making sure the road was still driveable.

She put the car in park. Eric bailed out with his bag and was by her door in seconds.

"Can I get a snowboard?"

"You'll have to take that up with your father."

"Cindy." Said a voice behind her.

She turned to see a familiar face. "Liam."

"You made it."

Cindy patted Eric on the head. "Just to drop this one off. I can't stay."

"Not even for a little while?"

"I'd like to but I have an early shift tomorrow."

"Right..."

Cindy looked around. "It's certainly busier than I expected. The weather report said it would be sunny, where did all this snow come from?"

"Addie."

"He's back?"

"Until my father finds out."

"Oh, well tell him 'Hi' for me I guess...I really should be heading back."

"Couldn't you spare a moment to say hello yourself?" Said yet another familiar voice.

Cindy spun to see if it truly was him. "Addie!" She said embracing him.

"Nice to see you again, my dear." He lightly wrapped his arms around her. They seperated when he released her.

Eric looked up at him with a confused expression. "What happened to your face?"

Cindy was shocked. "Eric, that's rude!"

Addie just chuckled. "I had a disagreement. You should see the other guy."

"Eric, this is your uncle Addie." Said Liam.

"Your father has told me much about you."

Eric's eyes got huge. "Are you a werewolf too?"

"Popular question today. No, I am not a werewolf." He turned to Liam.

"Won't you at least stay for dinner?" Liam offered Cindy.

"I wish I could. I have an early shift tomorrow." Cindy felt guilty leaving so soon after arriving. She pulled Eric into a hug. "Be good for your father and uncle."

"I know, mom."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

She stood up straight and turned to Addie. "It was nice to see you again."

He gave her a nod.

"Liam, take good care of him."

"Of course." Liam replied.

"I'll be back Sunday. Maybe I can stay for a while then?"

"We'd love to have you. Drive safely."

Cindy re-entered the vehicle she illegally parked. The three boys waved goodbye as she put the car in drive and pulled out of the resort.

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[iartlife]

Chapter Eight

Pt. I

A PAWN

The prison was larger than Dee Pershall expected it to be. Honestly, she wasn't sure what she expected it would be like at all. The main building was at least five stories, and there was a separate building fenced in a ways to the left.

"This place is huge..." Cordova said to no one in particular.

The four of them walked into the main entrance. Aside from being large, the place was very plain. Nearly everything was made of cement.

Inside they were greeted by two guards, wearing all blue and helmets, and a tall blonde man in a suit with a smile that made her feel uneasy.

"Welcome to my humble castle." The man said.

The man locked eyes with Pershall. She cleared her throat. "I believe we spoke on the phone, Warden McMillan?" She inquired.

"Co-Warden. The Warden is still not feeling well." He spoke slowly; articulated like one might if they were royalty. Did he really think of the prison as his castle?

"Take me to the wolf-man." Adams demanded.

Hans' eyebrow twitched but he didnt say anything.

"You will all have to go through security. Standard protocol. And since you came all the way out here, shall I give you the nickel tour?" The co-warden said, ignoring Adams much to his dismay.

He and his guards led the group to the security check. They did a background and a quick frisk of Adams and Hans. They checked Adams' bag. He threw a fit but had to let them in order to proceed.

"You two haven't the clearance to see the inmate." McMillan said plainly to Pershall and Cordova.

"That doesn't sound right." Pershall argued. "You told Lisa we could see our prisoner any time. That was the only reason she let you bring him here."

He shrugged. "The intent of the visit was to collect a blood sample, no?" He pointed to Adams. "He's the only one here qualified to do that. And Mr. Ulrich was present for the initial agreement. He is the only one present that the 'anytime' applies to. If you would care to set up an interrogation, we can have him ready for you later?"

"Are these ridiculous conditions in fine print somewhere?"

"Why yes, its plainly written in the contract your colleague signed to allow him into our custody. Ugh, too many C's for one sentence, don't you think?"

She stared at him for a moment, thrown off by his strange question. "I would like to see this document."

"I'm afraid it's locked in the warden's personal cabinet in his office. He's the only one with a key."

Her knuckles were white from her tightening fists. "When will he be back?"

"Whose to say." He smirked.

Cordova spoke quietly into her ear. "It looks like he's just going to keep toying with us. By the time we can do anything it'll be well into the evening. I don't know about you but I'd like to get outta here as soon as poosible. We'll talk to the warden another time, yeah?"

Pershall huffed and glared at McMillan. He continued to smile at her. Once the security check was complete, he lead Hans and Adams down a narrow concrete hallway, guards in tow. The two security guys remained at their post. One gestured to a small waiting area.

Cordova and Pershall sauntered over to the couch. It was stiff and obviously not used frequently. He sat in the couch and watched her pace.

"I don't like that guy." Her words spat out.

"Join the club." Cordova returned.

"I mean what kind of bullshit rules were those? Does he think we're not going to follow up?"

"I don't think he cares."

"...what if the warden is worse."

"He is a good man." One of the guards interrupted.

They turned their attention to him. Cordova spoke. "McMillan?"

"No, Warden Grivas. Co-McMillan is his loyal second though he may seem misguided sometimes."

"Misguided might be a bit of an understatement."

"Co is mischevious at worst. He means no harm."

"Wouldn't what he's doing be considered insubordination?"

"Technically no."

"Technically?"

The guard turned toward the hallway the others disappeared to. He walked towards her and Condova. "You two are investigating the werewolf attacks, right?"

They exchanged a glance. "Yeah, that's why we are here."

"Follow me."

They followed the guard down the hallway on the other side of the waiting area, leaving the silent one behind.

"What's your name?" Pershall asked.

"We do not use our names on duty. I am Keeper 453."

"What's with all the secrecy? The masks and not using your names."

"It's to dehumanize us. The prisoners are to see us as a force that keep them in line and safe. Not people. We are to have no identifying marks for them to distinguish us. All prisoners in each tier are treated the same."

"You are much different than I thought a prison guard would be."

"Our practices here are...unconventional. The warden privately owns and operates this prison. We adhere to the laws of the State but the prisoners can participate in activities that most see as strange or irresponsible. We have the lowest escape attempt rate and the lowest rate of walkers who return to prison. Those statistics are the reason the government allow us to do things so differently." Keeper 453 stopped at a door. "The warden's office."

Pershall tapped the door and it opened a few inches. She looked at the man. "Won't this get you in trouble?"

"I'm just following orders, ma'am."

Cordova broke his own silence. "Do you think the warden is a werewolf?"

Pershall stared at him along with Keeper 453.

"Him being sick right now is a bit coincidental, don't you think?" Cordova added.

"Nobody's seen him since the full moon." The keeper said and left them.

They silently watched the guard leave the way they came.

"I guess we're looking for the contract."

Cordova nodded in agreement.

Pershall opened the door the rest of the way and turned on the light.

A door was opposite them to enter from the other side. Everything was tidy and looked like one would expect an office to look. Two chairs sat in front of the desk, a bench against the wall, filing cabinets, surfaces with interesting objects or papers, and certificates hanging on the walls. The only photograph was above the cabinets on the wall. It was decently large and featured a red haired man with a small nose. The warden perhaps?

Pershall and Cordova wasted no time and started pulling on each of the drawers to the desk in hope of finding a key. Cordova came across a locked drawer on his side of the desk that he began poking at with a lockpicking kit he procured from his pocket.

"Don't scratch it up, Fed. We don't want to make it obvious we broke the law."

"I'm not going to scratch it. I've done this countless times."

"I don't know how that makes me feel about government officials..."

He chuckled. "My youthful mischief has come in handy a time or two but don't think I do this regularly. The circumstances here are already a bit shady." Something clicked. "Got it." Cordova removed the tools from the drawer and gave it a pull. It stayed firmly in place. "What the-" He cut himself off. Examining the drawer. "I think it might be wedged on something."

As he continued to fiddle with it, Pershall opened the book sitting squarely in the middle of the desk. Inside were handwritten notes and journal entries. No contract or keys. She could have sworn she saw the name 'Hughes' written as she flipped through it.

She read a page in the middle.

Friday, June 10

Shiloh has taken to calling me 'The Avenger' instead of by name, which is better than the alternative, I suppose. He continues to predict strange events and I am worried for the future if some of the things he sees come true. Beginning tomorrow I will be working on specialized cells that can contain the beings he describes.-

"Holy sh-" Pershall covered her mouth.

Cordova looked up from his project. "You know I'm an adult and have heard the word 'shit' before."

"Shut up and look at this."

Reading over his shoulder they skimmed through the journal. The last page was dated for the day of the full moon.

Tuesday, April 11

-Very distressed this morning. Keeps saying his sister is in danger.

-Student at the college.

I have a feeling the police there would only laugh at me if I tried to explain the situation. From what he described, I believe there will be some sort of attack on the town. I plan to go there myself, as I told him I would. I only hope I make it in time.

"I think you might be right about the warden, Cordova."

"Yeah. His absence would make sense if he was bitten by Nguyen. We should probably try to find him and make sure he gets the cure. We should also set up a date with Mr. Shiloh."

"I couldn't agree more."

Cordova began taking pictures of the pages and Pershall snapped one of the portrait hanging on the wall behind them. Upon closer inspection she noticed it was a painting, not a photograph. If she hadn't seen the slight brush stroke on the collar it would have never occurred to her. She wondered who the artist was.

After trying all of the cabinets, just in case they got lucky, they put everything back where they found it. They exited the office and made their way back to the waiting area. On their return, the guard who had lead them away nodded in their direction. Pershall nodded in return and joined Cordova on the couch. It was easy to put on a façade of boredom as they waited for the others to return.

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[iartlife]

Chapter Seven

Pt. IV

THE KNIGHT

The drive back to the police station was silent. Hughes was too busy thinking about what happened. He couldn't speak for Gladstone, but she more than likely had the topic on her mind as well.

When they were back inside the now familiar building, the tension seemed to ease for both of them. The place was bustling with people, many just with questions, some claiming to have information relevant to the case.

Officer McCarthur met them at the main room. "There is a young man named Patrick Donovan who wants to talk to you. He is refusing to speak with anyone else."

Hughes frowned. "Does he have information pertaining to the case?"

"All he said was he was a friend of Nguyen's."

"I will see him. Have him meet me in the interrogation room in five minutes."

"The interrogation room is-er...occupied."

"Then I will see him in an unoccupied room."

"Yes, sir."

They found his team in the break room. Well, most of them. He introduced Gladstone to the two present. "Where is Cordova and the squint?" He scanned the room. "And the werewolf and his babysitter."

Inoue had a mouthful of whatever snack was on the table, though it didn't stop him from speaking. "Dey 'ad to dake A'ums to da 'rison. 'E refus'd to use da bwud a'ready drawn 'rom the ki'rer."

Fyodorov silently disapproved of his manners. He caught her glare and swallowed.

It took Hughes a moment to translate what he said. "Why did Hans and Pershall go with them?"

"Apparently he has some snow machine that will cut the travel time so the doctor can leave on schedule. No veto's here."

"It's four hours away. Must be a hell of a machine." Gladstone added.

"Why did Cordova get to go?" Hughes quizzed.

Fyodorov spoke this time. "You weren't here and he beat both of us at rock-paper-scissors."

Gladstone snickered.

"...Remind me not to let you three make important decisions."

"You don't."

"True. Anyway, I have a gentleman I need to speak to. If you all would help sift through the crowd out there that would be great."

"Way ahead of you. We were just taking a snack break; hungry work talking to crazy people. I think we knocked out, what, fourteen?"

"Fifteen." Corrected Fyodorov.

"Fifteen since the others left."

"Keep up the good work. I knew I kept you guys around for something." He winked at them.

"It's 'cuz we're photogenic, right?" Inoue teased as Hughes left the room.

He found McCarthur again and asked him where they put the young man. He lead him to one of the offices.

When he opened the door, the man nearly jumped out of his skin.

"Patrick," Hughes sat in a chair across from him. "Is there a reason you won't speak to anyone but myself?"

He nervously clutched his necklace. It looked like a gold coin on a chain. "I don't- I don't want anyone else to know..." He trailed off.

"To know what?"

He looked at the ground.

Hughes waited for a response but nothing came. "What is it you wanted to tell me?"

"I t-think I know what happened to Nate. Or at least where it happened..."

Hughes rummaged through the desk and found a notepad and pen. He encouraged the nervous man to continue.

"We were at this, uh, party in the city last month. It was exclusive, you know. Had to prove you were 'aware' and all." He made a gesture with his hands.

"Of werewolves you mean?"

"Well yeah," He looked over at the wall. "And other...things."

"You lost me."

He stared at Hughes blankly for a moment. "Man I really shouldn't be telling you this. I thought you knew, being head of the investigation and all."

Hughes was trying to piece together the information he was just given.

Patrick touched his necklace again, eyes not fixed anywhere for too long. "I really should go."

"Wait." He stood when he did. "At least tell me where."

He hesitated, but he eventually spoke. "It's called 'Grigorix.' It's near the Chili's in downtown."

"Thank you, Patrick."

"You need all the help you can get, man. I don't think you know what you're walking in to. If you can get in that is."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I guess you'll find out." He said hesitantly as he left.

Hughes rounded up his teammates and Gladstone. "We have a lead. We need to head to Ash City once the rest of the team is back."

"All right! Field trip." Inoue said enthusiastically.

Fyodorov rolled her eyes.

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[iartlife]

Chapter Seven

Pt. III

A PAWN

Eric finished packing ages ago. He had been playing his DS, picking back up where he left if in his Pokémon game, only to find his wolf-self had gotten him lost in a cave. It would have been fine if he had a repel or two but running into a Zubat every five steps was annoying. He eventually made it out and got himself to a town and saved before leveling up to beat the next Gym Leader.

He heard a knock at the door. Crap, it was past noon. He dropped the game and ran over to the door.

"Hey, dude." Scott said with a grin. He was atop his bike on the porch.

"I can't go today, either."

"What? Why not this time?"

"My mom's getting off early to take me to my dad's for the weekend." Eric said with a shrug.

"Since when do you have a dad?"

"Since yesterday." Eric beamed.

"Hey, that's awesome. I guess that's an okay enough excuse for not hanging out yesterday. When's your mom gonna be back?"

"I don't know, dude, early was all she said."

"Think you could risk an hour for the arcade?" He asked as he flashed him a ziplock of quarters in his backpack.

Eric thought a moment. "Don't move." He ran upstairs and grabbed his stash to throw in his pack. Meeting his friend back outside, they went into the garage so Eric could get his bike.

They raced to the end of the neighborhood, sliding to a stop at the busy road. Eric won, as usual, though Scott seemed to catch up to him quicker each time.

They took to the alleys to avoid being on the street with cars. People drive like psychos. Eric didn't need to get hit by a car (without permission to be out of the house in the first place) while his mom was at work. He would be grounded until he moved out.

Scott stopped by a dumpster and dismounted. Eric slowed to make a u-turn, planting a foot on the ground once facing him. "What's up?"

Scott was digging in his backpack. "Dude, this one's perfect. Look how clean it is."

He shuffled towards his friend a bit, still on the bike. "Perfect for what?"

He pulled a can of spray paint from his bag with a smirk. "Art."

"Dude, I thought you said art was for babies. How did you even get that?"

"Yeah, this is adult art, though. My brother had this in the garage for one of his projects. He said I could borrow it as long as I didn't inhale it or whatever. It stinks so I don't know why he thought I'd want to."

He proceeded to spray something on the front of the dumpster, covering his mouth with the hood of his jacket. Eric couldn't see what it was, only that it was bright green. Scott stopped to admire his work.

"Wanna try it?" He held the can up in Eric's direction.

He sighed. "If I go to jail, you have to bail me out." He rested his bike against the brick building.

"Think twenty-three dollars in quarters would cover it?" Scott said sarcastically.

"No." Eric replied as he grabbed the can.

The letters Scott painted were spikey below his badly designed narrow eyes peeking out from a false top painted below the lid. It read: 'Knock twice for Oscar.'

Eric sloppily outlined his favorite soccer player. The spray made it difficult to get fine lines.

"Nice." Said Scott.

They continued their journey to the arcade.

"So have you met him? Or are you going to meet him today? Your dad, I mean."

"Yeah, I met him yesterday. He seems cool. He likes football, though."

"Lame. But expected of an old man."

"Truth."

Scott stopped in another alley, this time at a door. Eric was behind him and stopped when he did.

"I love these." Dropping his bike on the ground, Scott walked over to the symbol painted on the brick wall next to the door. "I keep finding them since I started painting dumpsters last week."

Eric shifted uncomfortably. "Do you think it's from a gang?"

"Maybe. I like the design, though. Looks kinda like a Griffin."

Eric studied the graffiti. "Griffins have wings and a bird head. You must mean a Chimera?"

"Whatever, it still looks cool."

Eric caught a whiff of something that smelled...off. "Do you smell that?"

"Uh, smell what? Spray paint?" He pointed a thumb to his backpack.

"No it's like-" He couldn't think of anything accurate to describe it. There were layers to the scent. More than one perhaps? Was this a werewolf power? A super nose to go with his expert hearing?

"Wanna see whose home?" Scott askes as he pointed to the metal door.

"Don't be stupid, what if it is a gang?"

"I don't think they'd advertise their door if it was a gang hideout."

"I mean... they might."

Scott lightly tapped the door.

"Jeez, dude, if you're gonna do it, do it." Eric walked over and drove a fist into the door. Instead of it bouncing off like it should have, it sank about an inch into the metal, leaving an obvious dent. He immediately jumped back in surprise, eyes wide.

"Dude, run!" Scott hopped on his bike and took off towards the arcade. Eric quickly followed. He turned to see if anyone opened the door but it had remained undisturbed.

They rounded the corner and rode along the street. Right as he looked back in front of him Eric almost crashed into the side of a car on its way into a parking lot. He swerved behind it at the last second, the woman driving hollered something at him and Scott through her open window. They both laughed off the close call.

They arrived at their destination and secured their bikes and helmets to the rack.

"Man, have you been working out? I'm pretty sure you dented that door."

Eric laughed nervously. "I mean, kinda? ...Yeah." He lied.

"Dude, sick."

They entered the arcade. Eric couldn't seem to focus. He followed Scott around, playing neighboring games half-heartedly as he studied his friend. He didn't seem to be bothered by his display of strength. He commented on it, so he definitely noticed, but that was it.

He felt wrong. There was no reason for him to lose control of his strength, he was always careful. His mom always told him to hide what he was, and he had gotten good at it too. Was he losing control because of his new power?

He mindlessly followed his friend to the two person shooter they once had the second highest score below the top three stupidly high scores during the summer. They had been bumped down a few notches since then and have tried to reclaim their title of fifth place every time they come by.

They put in their quarters.

Eric wondered if there was something he did wrong since the dormant powers awoke inside him. It had barely been more than a day but how else could he explain the unexpected amp.

He died in the game.

Scott said something to him that he did not catch. It snapped him out of his head.

"You okay, dude?" Scott looked concerned. "You're kinda shaking."

Eric looked at his trembling hands. "I'm uh- I'm not feeling so hot. I think I should go home."

"Alright...see you back at school, I guess. Have a good time with your dad."

"Yeah."

Eric retrieved his bike and pedaled home as fast as he could.

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[iartlife]

Chapter Seven

Pt. II

THE HEIR

Liam had a special hate for his dad at the moment but he'd get over it once everything calmed down and felt less like he slept on rocks.

Addie and him just walked passed the little post office from where they met outside of the village. The place was getting overcrowded.

They followed the main road, passing the 'deluxe' cabins that had been booked like regular ones because of the burst in business. They came into the center of the village. It still had the old main building with the resort's restaurant and the rental shop next door by the ski lift that had no one to manage it. The gift shop was on the other side next to Kay's little grocery/convenience store. Across the road was the medical center, two small restaurants, the movie theater, and the coffee shop. The residents mostly lived in the upper level of the resort building but there were a few cabins scattered down the way that were owned.

They needed more places to hold all of these people. There were not only guests but people trying to get reservations as well. Not to mention those who gave up and were trying to find something to do until his dad came back. Everyone wanted to meet Hans.

"Thanks for coming, Unc."

"Anything to help out, Lad. I just hope your father doesn't disown you for having me here."

"He already tried that, I just moved away." Liam was pretty sure his father missed him. He'd been trying to get him to come visit the past few years; would have a missed call and usually a voicemail from him at least once a month asking how he was. "I think he wants me to be a part of his life again. Maybe he remembered I am his only kid. It's just hard for me because of all the shit that happened."

"That's understandable. Speaking of kids, have you set up another date with your little one?"

"Yeah, actually. I invited him and Cindy out here for the weekend. She isn't able to stay, but she's dropping off Eric later."

"I always liked her, too bad she can't stay. You can handle watching a kid and containing this mess?" Addie gestured to the resort.

"I didn't think about that...I invited them yesterday when nobody was here."

Addie chuckled. "You'll do fine. Worry about getting this place under control first."

"Yeah...oh God, this is going to go badly. What if he shows up early? What if I screw up?"

"You won't."

"You sound so sure."

"I won't let you screw up."

"Ha, I might do it anyway."

Addie smiled. "Oh, I forgot to ask: did someone get shot before you called me?"

"N- I don't think so."

"Strange, I could have sworn I heard a weapon fire."

"Maybe you're losing your mind."

"That implies I had one to lose."

Liam couldn't help but chuckle.

They entered the main building. The information/check-in desk was swarmed with people. They dodged them and went into the office.

"Do you know where my dad keeps the 'help wanted' sign?"

He was standing by the closed door, hands in his pockets. "Your guess is as good as mine. Perhaps one of your cousins would know."

Liam began rummaging through piles. "Is the girl still at your house?"

"She should be here by now."

"I told you you could hang out with her here yesterday, why didn't you come with her?"

"She wanted to go alone."

Liam paused his search. "What did you do?"

Addie's face dropped. "I scared her."

"You took her into your basement?"

"I don't take anyone down there."

"What did you do then?"

No response.

Liam resumed his search. "Right, well I have Katya and Jane on the way to get the ski lift up and running. When will we have a good layer of powder?"

"When the snow stops."

"Timeframe, Sass-wizard."

"An hour or so."

"Awesome. Kurt didn't answer. He's probably asleep, so hopefully he'll get my message. Send him to the kitchen if he shows up?"

"Anything else, boss?"

"If you could wander around and see where we need help the most? Try not to get stuck in one place for too long."

"Sure."

He found the sign between two filing cabinets. He waved it at Addie. "I'm going to try and hire some of these wandering bodies. Hopefully someone will be interested."

"I'll send anyone that looks lost your way."

"Cool, thanks again."

He nodded and left the office.

Liam tidied the desk and chairs up from most of their clutter. Leaving the office to put the sign in the window, he told Liz to direct anyone looking for a temp-job to him. He said he would be in the restaraunt.

Denise was running around the kitchen like it was on fire. He managed to stop her long enough to ask where he could help.

Before he had a chance to even turn the stove on someone poked their head in the room. "Are you Liam?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"The lady at the desk said you're hiring?"

Back to the office he went with the woman on his heels.

Liam closed the door behind them and settled into his father's chair. She sat across the desk from him.

He gave her his best smile. "Right, what's your name?"

"Sherry. Sherry Jenkins."

"And what have you done before, Sherry?"

"I uh, I've worked a lot of retail."

"Great, you're hired." He began to scrawl a note. "Can you start right now?"

"W- Yeah. Just like that?"

"Just like that." He handed her the note. "Give that to Kevin, he's next door at the rental shop."

"Y-great. Yeah. Okay."

They stood and he opened the door for her. He was surprised to find a young man waiting for him on the other side.

He let him in the office and they sat.

"Your name?"

"Um, Jeff...Ritchie."

"We already have a Jeff, can I call you Ritchie?"

"S-ure"

"What work have you done?"

"I-I've never had a real job before, I'm still in school."

"How old are you?"

"Fifteen."

"How do you feel about washing dishes?"

"Well, I'd be getting paid for it, right?"

"That's kinda what a job is, yeah."

"Sure, I'd wash dishes."

"Great."

He wrote another note and handed it to the boy. "You're hired. Can you start right now?"

He stared at him blankly for a moment. "I guess so. Yeah."

"The restaraunt is past the lobby and that way." He pointed. "Give that note to Denise."

He read the note in his hands. "Cool."

Liam let Ritchie out of the office and there was now a line of three people waiting outside the door.

There weren't going to be any issues getting help after all.

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[iartlife]

Chapter Seven

Pt. I

A PAWN (KAY)

Kay looked out the window of her shop. Snow was beginning to fall gently. Hopefully it would keep up and coat the mountain. The resort was getting busier by the minute, but it was much calmer than earlier. She definitely heard an uproar and a loud bang. When she went outside to check it out nothing seemed too out of place but everyone was a bit less aggressive since then.

Jeff and Liz stayed up taking calls until 1AM last night; they finally had to stop and let the phone ring until morning. The resort was booked for a month out and it was barely snowing! What did Uncle Hans do?!

Liam was still asleep when she tried to wake him about an hour ago. He didn't come back with Elli last night but said she was fine. Before he went to his cabin he told her Hans announced to the world he was a werewolf. She looked up the broadcast on her phone. That's why they were all here? Who'd have thought that would make the resort so popular. Some people must really want to meet a werewolf.

Someone walked into her shop.

First customer of the day!

"Elli!" She squealed, unable to contain her joy. She ran over to her and embraced her. Most of the snow that was on her coat fell to the floor.

Elli seemed unsure of how to react. "What's going on? It just started snowing again. Why is it so busy?"

"It's because of Hans-he told everyone that he is a werewolf on the news last night. I was so worried about you-where did you go?"

Her eyes got huge. "I uh, how'd he manage that?"

"The handsome FBI guy said he was helping with the investigation. He was with him for the press conference."

Kay pulled out her phone for her to see. Elli stared at the little screen and silently watched the entire video.

She handed the phone back. "I didn't-...he's not afraid. I thought he'd be afraid after yesterday." She trailed off.

"Hans wasn't afraid. He just wanted to help with the investigation, but he could have at least warned us first."

"Not Hans, my brother." She pointed at the Fed in the thumbnail on her phone.

"He's your brother!?" She exclaimed. "Is he single?" It came out a bit more sultry than she intended.

"That's not funny, Kay."

"I wasn't trying to be funny, he's super cute." She pouted.

Elli frowned then laughed playfully.

Kay looked outside again. "Would you mind helping me out today? I know it's a lot to ask, but it's gonna be busy and I'd really appreciate it."

Elli followed her gaze. "Yeah sure. I worked part time in a store my first year of college."

"Great! Then this should be easy for you."

She lead Elli over to the register and showed her how to do a transaction. She showed her where the wet floor signs and the mop were kept along with how she liked to keep the cigarettes displayed by color and how she organized the stock in the back if anything started looking empty. She seemed to catch the gist of it all, which was all Kay could ask.

"If you have any questions I'll be around, obviously."

Elli smiled at her. By then there were a few customers wandering around.

"What were you doing out there all night anyway?"

"Oh, uh...I ran into someone I met this morning. He-"

"Is he handsome!? Did you guys do anything fun?" She winked at Elli who had an unreadable expression. Then it clicked. "Oh. My. Gosh. You met him? The wendigo!? Does he still live out there!?"

"I uh- Maybe, we talked for a long time last night and then I guess I fell asleep because I woke up at his house."

"It has to be him! I haven't seen him since I was so little! How did you find him? When did he come back? Is he going to be hanging around here again?"

"I d- I don't- He never mentioned the resort. He offered to walk me back here, though I told him no."

"Why?"

"I wanted to go alone, he kinda freaked me out."

"What did he do?"

"He told me- well, something disturbing."

Kay didn't like how vague she was. "Do you want me to have the guys put him in his place?"

"No, I kinda pried it out of him on accident. He was super apologetic afterward. Could see he scared me, I guess. I thought about it the whole way back here. I was starting to doubt my-" Elli paused in thought. "-my gut feeling about him. I think I was wrong, I'm still not sure."

"Do you think he was sincere?"

Elli looked at her, confused.

"When he apologized, did he mean it?"

"I believe so. Maybe I should be the one to apologise to him, though. He made me breakfast and I just sorta left after he said...that. I told him he could be open with me then I betrayed my own words." She furrowed her brow. "I just can't get a good read off of him."

"If you can find him again, you should; if you feel that's what's right. He's a tricky one, though. Grandpa used to tell us stories about him. Stories from his parents and grandparents sometimes too. He was like a living fairy tale when we were kids. He always sounded so mystical, The Wendigo."

Elli looked distant for a moment but quickly snapped back to the conversation. "Why don't you just call him by his name?"

"Ha! No one knows his name. Growing up we all just called him 'Uncle.' Liam might know actually, but he wouldn't tell- Did he tell you his name?"

A couple came up and stared at Elli and herself. "Are either of you a werewolf?" One of them asked.

Kay felt her eye twitch. "That's rude, you know! You don't just ask someone that!"

Their attitude faded into a sheepish apology. Elli rung them up under her supervision, just in case she had a question for her first transaction.

They walked away and Kay grabbed Elli by the arms. "What's his name?"

She looked guilty. "I don't think I should say. I already betrayed his trust once this morning."

"If that's how you see it. I'm jealous you know. How'd you get him to share it anyway?"

"I only asked him. You can ask him yourself."

"How am I supposed to do that?"

Elli pointed outside. Kay looked and sure enough a man walked past the shop that looked familiar. He was walking with Liam, who looked like he had a rude awakening. They were talking about something and went into the resort's main building.

"...Do you think he followed me here?" She asked unneccesarily quiet.

"Doubt it. He's technically not even allowed here. Liam must have invited him."

"I thought you said he left."

"He did. Because Hans told him to."

She turned to Kay. "Wait, that was Liam?"

She looked back to her in surprise. "Duh?"

"I didn't recognize him. He was so chubby the last time I was here." Elli grew what could be considered an evil smirk on her face. "Is he single?"

Both of them laughed.

Kay broke the news. "Sorry, he's gay."

"So is my brother."

They both paused and exchanged a look.

"Should we?"

"Yes."

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[iartlife]

Chapter Six

Pt. IV

THE KING

"Hold still." The small man said to Hans after he flinched. The blood lab doctor gripped his arm tighter. He was strong for his size.

Watching the needle penetrate his skin, Hans noted it felt different than he expected. "Is it supposed to burn?"

"Have you never had your blood drawn before?" Pershall asked.

Gladstone left him under her, mostly silent, watch when she left with Agent Hughes. Her hands were wrapped up today. Not so much that she couldn't use them, but by the way she handled things, he could tell they were definitely still a bit tender from the tazor.

"No, I've never even been to a doctor."

"Not even when you were sick?"

"Werewolves don't get sick."

Dr. Adams made a note.

Pershall gently brushed some hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. "Oh, right."

He was mesmerized by his blood filling up the bag. Adams wanted 500ml, not only for comparison but for research as well. It seemed like a lot to Hans. The doctor said it would be fine but he might feel a bit low on energy for a while.

When finished, Adams undid the tube and pulled the needle out as if he'd done it a million times. He probably had.

The lab doctor looked at Pershall. "Where's the other one?"

She was caught off guard by the question. "He's at the prison. We probably shouldn't take any more blood from him though, he's still very weak. We have plenty to give you here."

"No, it might be contaminated, I can't risk it. I need a sample directly from the source."

"I'll have the prison send you-"

"No, I will go there and do it myself. I want no doubt that it is completely untampered with."

Pershall was attempting to not scowl, it was not working well. "The prison is almost a four hour drive from here."

"Then I best make haste." The little man hopped off of the stool and briskly left the room.

"Should we go with him?" Inquired Hans.

"I don't think we need to."

He rubbed his arm where the needle was. It itched like mad but had already mostly healed. "I just don't want him to hurt Nate, even if it's on accident."

"Lisa said you disowned Nate, that he wasn't a part of your pack anymore."

"I'll have to talk to him when he recovers, if he recovers, he doesn't have anyone else. His parents live in Texas and didn't even know he was a werewolf. I expect they do now, though."

"Thats sad. Poor kid."

"That's the way it usually has to be, or rather had to be. Things will change now. Hopefully for the better

They exited and joined the others in the conference room. Unfamiliar faces, that must have been Hughes' team, were being briefed on the situation by one of the cops when they walked in. Dr. Adams was impatiently waiting against the wall.

"Ah, this is our consultant on the case, Hans Ulrich." The officer gestured and all of the agents turned to him.

They stared at him for a moment. "You're the werewolf then?" One of them said.

"Y-yes."

The three agents exchanged glances. "I am Agent Jon Inoue. This is Agent Javier Cordova and Agent Leah Fyodorov."

They each nodded when introduced.

"Hughes said he wouldn't be so far ahead on the case if not for your help." Fyodorov said. She had a light russian accent.

Hans felt his face heat up in embarrassment. "I really didn't do much."

"In any case, we thank you."

"If I could interupt-" ...Interrupted Adams. He had everyone's attention. "I need to head up to the prison for my last sample."

"That's a day trip if there ever was one. Just over seven hours round trip. Nevermind getting in and out." The officer said.

"Your flight back is at six tonight, you wouldn't make it even if you left now." Inoue stated.

"I'll catch the next flight. This is worth it."

"I might be able to help, actually." Hans added.

"How's that then?" Said the doctor sarcastically.

"I have a vehicle that can drive over the mountain, it would cut the travel time in half easily."

Everyone stared at him blankly.

"What sort of vehicle can drive over a mountain?" Cordova asked.

"The sort you can't buy."

-

On the way back to the resort, Pershall called the prison so they knew they were coming. It was much busier there than Hans expected it would be. His people seemed to be a bit panicked.

Pershall, Hans, Cordova and Adams exited the vehicle.

The bulk of the mass were around the main building which was unfortunate because he needed in there. Zach, his other groundskeeper, stopped him.

"Hans, just about everyone is asking for you. And what's with all of these people? Did you do something?"

"I uh-" He started.

"Hey! There's Hans!" Hollered someone over by the rental shop.

The crowd looked around, a bit lost for a moment, then just about everyone rushed him and his companions. They were shouting at him, taking pictures and shouting questions. All of them wanted some form of his attention. Pershall and Cordova jumped in front to make a perimeter.

"We have important business to attend to, if you all would please let us through." Pershall yelled over the crowd.

A gunshot fired and everyone dropped low and was silent. Cordova was the only one standing, a freshly fired gun pointed to the sky. "Go about your business and leave the man alone."

Everyone slowly stood and dissolved back towards the buildings. A few stragglers wanted to shake Hans' hand and a young couple asked for a 'selfie' with him, which he refused.

"I need to check something, you guys go ahead and meet me at the shack." He pointed in the direction of it. They shouldn't have any trouble finding it.

"Are you sure you want to go by yourself?" Pershall said with concern.

"I'll be fine."

He marched into the resort through the crowd, occasional flashes and and annoying questions came from strangers he passed. In the lounge, Liam was asleep on the couch. How was he able to sleep through all of this ruckus?

"HEY!" Liam nearly fell off the couch. Hans also caught the attention of everyone else in the building.

"What the hell, Dad."

"I appreciate you coming out but you being passed out on the couch kind of defeats the purpose."

He sank back into the makeshift bed while rubbing his eyes. "I had a bit of a late night, a-"

"I don't care what happened, just get this shit in some kind of order. Please."

Liam lay there, hands still over his eyes. "Yeah, whatever."

Hans almost had a comeback, but he decided it wasn't worth it. At least he showed up.

He caught back up with the others. They had uncovered the beast of a machine and were admiring it. Cordova had the engine exposed and was ogling it with Pershall. Adams paced up and down the length of it saying something about excessive axles. His bag of whatever set next to where the front passenger door would be when the cab wasn't raised.

"I see you've already met Saber." He said on his approach.

"Is this a snow-cat?" Asked Cordova.

"I think it was. It was my father's."

"It's got some beastly modifications."

"It was his baby."

Hans grabbed the keys and the four of them piled into the Saber.

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[iartlife]

Chapter Six

Pt. III

THE ROOK

Addie was up all night developing the cure. He didn't sleep much anyway. There was no subject to test it on but it should work. If not, the mastermind behind the curse isn't whom he thought it was. At this point all he could do was wait and see what happened.

Elli was still asleep when he got back. He thought it might be nice to make his guest breakfast since he kept her up later than he should have. Nothing was left around that might spoil during his long absences and the freezer was empty so he purchased a few groceries while in town to drop off the concoction he made.

He stared at the items he set on the counter, trying to remember how to cook meat for it to be considered edible by humans. But wasn't fish eaten raw by some anyway? He was pretty sure eggs had different rules as well. Maybe this was a bad idea.

Liam would know, hopefully he was awake. He called him.

"Hello?" He answered. Addie woke him, he could hear it in his voice.

"How long do you need to cook meat?"

"What? Uh, what kind?"

"Salmon."

"I don't know Unc, Google it."

"I left my computer at work."

"On your phone, genius."

"...It does that?"

"Yep. I'm going back to sleep now. Tchüss." Liam hung up.

Addie toyed with the device to figure out how to open the browser. It was fairly simple once he realized the little symbol for it was different than on the computer. He found a breakfast recipe for cooking the fish on the little machine and hummed a tune as he began the meal.

Learning new things was always a joy. He concluded it was a tiny computer that makes phone calls, not a phone calling device that can do other things as he originally thought. No wonder it was so expensive.

He wished she let him take a blood sample. He could do it while she was asleep...no, that's disrespectful. He shan't let his curiosity get the better of him, no matter how much he wanted to know why her magic wasn't consumed once she became a werewolf.

She seemed to have no control of it, though. He wondered if he could help her. She could be his apprentice. After their extended conversation last night he could tell she was definitely interesting enough to spend time with. She was so hungry for knowledge and didn't seem to be afraid of him. Everyone was at the very least uncomfortable around him; even Liam when he wasn't wearing the cursed charm. She even saw Addie's horrific face without screaming and running The first time they met. She did the opposite and chased him.

He was nearly done when Elli emerged from the back of the cabin. Her hair looked wild over her sleepy eyes. When she stopped at the end of the hall, her toes curled on the floor.

"What smells like fish?" She asked groggily.

"Breakfast." He replied, sprinkling cheese on top of the plates of food.

"Is that an omlette?"

"Yes."

"With fish?"

"Yes." He gestured to the table for her to sit.

She shuffled over. He pulled the chair out to seat her and placed her breakfast in front of her.

"What would you like to drink?"

Elli was staring at the food, then looked up at him to ask: "Do you have orange juice?"

"I have everything." He replied, setting a glass next to her plate. He dropped a small rune in the glass then poured water from the pitcher on the table into it. She watched in amazement as the water turned into her drink of choice as the little ricepaper dissolved.

"Is that magic?"

"Practical Alchemy, to be specific." He wrapped his hand around the glass and gave it a nice chill.

"Why is it practical?"

"Because I am not an alchemist, I used a rune."

"The little paper?"

"Correct."

Addie set his plate and tea across from her and sat.

"Would you teach me? I know the werewolf thing is an issue but you said I have magic anyway?"

"I will consider it. Though it would be helpful to know about your affinity first."

"You said you have stuff for that?"

"I do indeed. Perhaps we can check that after breakfast."

He watched Elli sniff her food.

"Its not bad, in my opinion, but my taste is different than most." He said in an attempt to reassure her.

She looked up at him. No verbal response but she did pick up her fork. He did the same and took a bite. This seemed to give her the courage to try hers. She chewed it for a long while but she didn't spit it out. That was promising.

"It's...good, actually. I wasnt sure what to expect, I guess." She smiled at him and they continued to eat.

Elli looked around, now fully awake. "Is this your home?"

"Yes it is."

"It's very clean." She eyed the hallway she emerged from. "Was I in your room?"

"My room is in the basement." Addie nodded to the door next to the hallway that most mistook as a pantry or closet.

She chewed and thought. He wanted to know what she was thinking. "Why?" She prodded.

He thought about not answering, changing the subject even. Addie wanted to learn more about her, not tell her about himself. She was studying him. Perhaps testing him as he was testing her. "Feels more like home." He finally said.

There was a long pause. "Huh." Was her response.

"What are you thinking about?"

Elli let his question hang in the air a moment. "You, you're weird."

"I'm aware." It helped him when someone said so actually, to gauge what was acceptable. What was appropriate talk about and do to go unnoticed. But Elli knew he wasn't human, he was talking to her like he would Liam.

He watched her poke at the remnants on her plate with a fork. Addie couldn't help but ask. "Was it cooked well enough?"

She looked at him. "Yeah, maybe a little overdone, but salmon is difficult like that."

"My apologies, I do not cook much anymore."

"It wasn't bad, I didn't mean-" She paused. "Anymore?"

She was definitely a curious one. "There was a time I had visitors rather frequently. Now I don't bother since it's just myself. Most of the time I just catch something and leave it in the freezer when I'm gone."

She grimaced. "You don't cook it?"

"It tastes much better raw."

Elli sipped her juice. "Have you had any cooked that you like?"

"I can usually stomach it. I have had it many times."

"Why don't you like it?"

"It tastes dull and usually dry."

"Alright, which is your favorite?"

"That's tough," he thought about all the flavors he had tried. "Probably human."

Elli froze. "Is that a joke?"

"I haven't had it in so long, perhaps I've had something better since and not realized it. Memory always tastes better than reality."

She hadn't moved. He should have lied, he should have said mountain lion or shark. Those were very tasty as well, and not uncomfortable for a human to think of eating. She looked frightened. He must have let his guard down from trying to be so honest with her. Stupid. He knew better.

"I uh- I should go." She slowly stood up.

"I have frightened you." Addie stood with her and bowed his head. He wanted to test her, not scare her away. He made a mistake.

"N- um, you ate...people. That's-"

"Wrong, unacceptable, monstrous." He finished for her, still looking down in shame. "I know that now, I did not at the time."

Elli stood there, unmoving. He dared to look up at her. She had a confused expression on her face, but the fear lingered in her eyes.

"It is not often I have the pleasure of conversation with someone else, I occasionally forget what is appropriate to say. Please forgive me."

He watched her gingerly walk over to the front door and slip on her boots. Addie followed her. He held her coat for her, much to her surprise judging by her face. "Shall I walk you back?"

She took a moment as she put her arms through the sleeves. "I think I need to be alone for a while."

"I understand." Addie opened the door for her.

Elli stopped about halfway outside and turned to him. "Thank you."

"You are very welcome, Miss Hughes."

She left.

He stood in the doorway for a while after she left. He desperately hoped she would return. She was so much like Hiram: smart, passionate, curious, full of life. He just ruined a great opportunity for...he didn't even know, they had known eachother for less than twenty-four hours. But she definitely had potential, now wasted because of him.

Time always brought him more interesting people and opportunities, there would be another. He wished it was more often, waiting was the hardest part.

But he wanted this one.

"Γαμημένο ηλίθιο." He swore. Addie slammed his head into the wall next to the door, cracking the stone jaggedly. He watched his blood fill the new crevices on its journey toward the floor. He would have to fix that later.

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[iartlife]

Chapter Six

Pt. II

THE KNIGHT

Agent Hughes and Officer Gladstone arrived at the bustling hospital. His team would be in Parkvale any time this morning, but because of the summons he had to go without introducing them to the police station. The hospital was given a package that they were told was 'the cure' by the deliverer and had a note written in another language signed 'Gamble.'

He went inside to the front desk and flashed his badge. The receptionist nodded in acknowledgement.

"Thank you for coming, officers."

"It's agent." Hughes replies curtly.

The woman behind the counter hesitates from her mistake before beginning to lead him to the back of the building. They went into a lab with an open box sitting on a counter. She left them there with a young lady in a lab coat. The new staff member introduced herself as Penny.

"Did anyone touch the contents?" Asked Gladstone as she extended her arm, pointing at the lab technician.

Penny's body tensed up with the shock from her aggressive question. "J-just the note. We're not sure what to do, nobody here can read it." Penny said. "Is this from a criminal?"

"We are just taking every precaution." Replied Gladstone. "Do you have security cameras?"

"Yeah."

"We'll need to see the footage from this morning until now."

"I-uh, you'll need to have security unlock the room for you."

Gladstone and Cody put on gloves to examine the box. Gladstone dusted the entire thing for prints. A few were found on the sides. Hughes pulled the piece of paper out to read it.

"What does it say?" The women asked in almost perfect unison. Gladstone was unamused by their synchronized verbalization.

Cody cleared his throat. "Its instructions. The ratio of cure to saline solution to make a vaccine. The 'recipe' to supposedly make more of the purple liquid, if more is needed." He pointed to the container within. "It also mentions two uncommon ingredients that are included in the box."

Gladstone carefully lifted the large glass jar out and set it next to the box and dusted it, no prints. Taped flat along the side was a bag full of what looked like blood. It very well could be, the note didn't say what it was. Gladstone methodically opened it and took a sample to be tested after dusting it as well.

"I'll write out the translation for you guys before we head back." Cody said to Penny. She nodded her thanks.

The bottom of the box had another small bag with what looked like five metal marbles, each had a different design carved into it. Cody reached for them but pulled his hand away suddenly, startling the other two.

"What's wrong?" Gladstone resounded with concern.

He looked at his hand then at the marbles. It was the same sensation he felt when he touched that weird tree in the forest. "They uh- I think they contain magic of some kind."

"Did they shock you?"

"No, it's- it feels tingly, but it's weird."

She reached in and grabbed the bag to examine. "I don't feel anything." She dusted it as well.

Cody frowned. Gladstone held the bag out to him. He reached for it and stopped about an inch away. The sensation hit his fingertips.

"That's weird." He said to no one in particular. He looked into Gladstone's eyes. "You can't feel that?"

She shook her head.

He took the bag from her. It felt as though it was vibrating his cells all the way down his arm into his chest. It was warm.

He studied the contents of the small bag. "These are what the liquid is designed to contain, the cure in its most basic form. They are marked with health, healing, fire, water and release." He set them down on the counter slowly and took a step back. "I don't know how I know that."

Gladstone and Penny were staring at him slackjawed for uncomfortably long.

"You guys okay?" He inquired.

His words seemed to awaken Gladstone from her trance. "Your eyes were just glowing."

"...What?"

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[iartlife]

Chapter Six

Pt. I

THE BISHOP

"Why can't we just go now?" Eric blurted with excitement.

Liam had called last night inviting the two of them up to the resort his father owns. He said he had planned on just hanging out with Eric here today, teach him how to be a werewolf and balance, but his dad asked him to check on the resort. He said it was alright if it was inconvenient and they could get together when he returned, but Eric wanted to go terribly. Cindy had called him back and said she'd bring Eric but had business in the city so she couldn't stay. Liam said he'd be happy to watch him.

Cindy sighed. "I still have work, bud, I can't call in again today." She grabbed his shoulders and looked him in the eyes. "I won't be able to stay there with you. I told him I'd bring you out there after I get off. You'll behave if I leave you with him for a couple days, yeah?"

"Of course!" His voice cracked. It was getting deeper. Who decided that was allowed to happen? Eric was growing up too fast, she could barely keep up. Next he'd be bringing home girls and asking to drive the car. Actually he already asked to drive the car, but hadn't shown any interest in girls yet at least. Or maybe it would be boys. Who was to know?

Cindy left, telling him to pack for a few days just in case. Mostly it was to give him something to do so she could get to the car. She headed to work, still paranoid about the woman yesterday, Helen. The offer was still up in the air, she was still waiting for the call. If she didn't accept their offer, what would become of her operation? Her customers? Clients? Patients? She wasnt sure what to call them. Could Drakon even be trusted?

She rolled the window down at a stoplight and lit a cigarette.

Hopefully Jake would have some good news for her. Hopefully their little heist last night went to plan. She should scold him. He was the one they followed and the reason they found her. No, she already did. They would have resorted to other measures if following her people around didn't produce results. His mistake probably saved a life or two. She knew how those old vampires worked: no mercy. They just wanted their money and blood, preferably at the same time.

The light turned green.

Why did it have to be now? Why couldn't it have been later when she had a more established system? Things always worked out funny like that. Nothing ever happens when you're ready for it. She decided to continue, business as usual, until she heard back. Her priority would always be to make sure Eric is taken care of. Safe.

Cindy turned into the hospital parking lot and drove around back to the employee section. She parked in her spot, took a deep breath and exited the car. Locking the car door with her key fob, she swiped her badge to open the door to the hospital.

The smell of antiseptic hit her nose and she felt at home. This place was her castle, her project and the only thing she truly had control over in her life. This place was her responsibility; if anything went wrong, it was her fault. After calling in last minute yesterday she was a bit scared of what condition the hospital was in.

Cindy walked around to the check-in desk to see how things were going.

Stephen greeted her with relief. "Glad you're back today, Dr. Krim. Parkvale Clinic is on line two."

"Where is Jake?"

"He went out on the last call, they should be back any time."

"Have him come to my office when he's available."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Cindy gathered the pile of folders left for her and headed up to her office.

Sitting in her chair, she examined the stack of paperwork that accumulated from her brief absence. Did she miss that much in one day or never realized she did that much in one day since it happened over the span of twelve hours?

She picked up line two. Parkvale first said they received the cure to the disease and would be sending some to us just in case we needed it here as well. Also, they were sending her a special package since her lab was equipped to mass produce the cure. Mount Silver General Hospital was to make sure it got everywhere it needed to go. Cindy told them it would be no problem and they'd be happy to distribute the cure. The clinic receptionist asked if she could lend them some of her staff for their resumed quarantine. She told them she could spare a few and they were very grateful. They said their farewells and hung up.

This was ideal. Her hospital had the best lab in Ash City. They didn't have an attack here but were close enough to Parkvale, the only place that has developed the cure thus far, to get things going as quickly as possible. With them as the hub for the cure, no one could touch her. It would be too obvious if they did.

It was as if her prayers had been answered. She had a plan B if Drakon failed to see reason with all the attention they were going to get now.

She worked through a few files before Jake knocked on the doorframe. He walked into her office and closed the door behind him. "You wan'ed to see me, Ma'am?"

"Yes, we have a small problem. Our operation has been noticed."

His surprise was obvious. "How? By who?"

"Drakon. But I have an offer from them, and if it doesn't work out we will have the advantage, thanks to this werewolf curse. Either way, we will have to change our method for the operation."

He seemed lost. "How does that help us?"

"We will be producing and distributing the cure across the nation. There's too much riding on this for them to get in the way or do anything...unsavory."

"Won'it make things more difficult for us too with so many more eyes 'round?"

"Even more reason why we need to change the way we do things. We'll need to have a meeting. Who do we have in the lab today?"

"Uh, Maria."

"Excellent. Oh and I'll be leaving early today. I have to drop Eric off with his father for a few days."

"I thought...he the reason you called in yes'erday? The guy you two were with at McDonald's?"

"Long story but yes. I trust you'll keep things running smoothly. I'll be back this evening to help get us back on track and come up with new ideas."

He digested what she said. "You got it, boss."

Jake left the office and she continued catching up on her paperwork.

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