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Post by osnafrank on Sept 14, 2021 16:41:52 GMT
I'm eager to read your story folks.  
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Post by wolf on Sept 17, 2021 16:33:56 GMT
By JB Our Playground's darkharbinger ! :
Chapter 1
'The Moon Sees All'
"Then when he's found who he's looking for
Listen in awe and you'll hear him
Bark at the moon"
- Ozzy Osbourne
 As Jerimiah approached the murder scene, he was reminded of something his father once told him. Death is never pretty. When someone dies, they want you know it. You will smell blood, piss, and sh!t if you are lucky, you might smell something else if you aren’t. You must ignore those smells if you don’t want to look like a fool around your fellow officers. The old man had been a second-rate Barney Fife, but occasionally he had a nugget of truth. There was no smell, at least not yet. The air hung still and quiet, almost as if it were ashamed to be there. Jerimiah walked across the parking lot towards the large metal sign that greeted visitors to the park. WELCOME TO ROSEWOOD PARK, the sign read, ALL VISITORS WELCOME. Just below that, on a small sign, was a list of dos and don’ts that seemed to contradict this. No bikes, no skateboards, no drinking and no smoking were just a few suggestions. Jerimiah tossed the cigarette he’d just lit and moved on. The site was crawling with police, both plain clothed and in uniform. County, city and state were all represented in the jumbled mess, making him wonder what he was doing here. The park had its own police, but they were little more than glorified crosswalk monitors. The two men could have gotten jobs as Wal-Mart security and had more jurisdiction. They looked bewildered with pale faces and glazed eyes. Jerimiah had some sympathy for them, before this they had likely only dealt with the occasional drug deal or purse snatching. Some considerate soul had strung up some lights to illuminate the scene, a futile gesture since the sun was due to be up in a few minutes. A somber looking full moon looked down on the site of the killing, casting a pale glow upon the carnage. Inside of a small area that had been taped off to keep the reporters and early bird onlookers from getting too close to where the mangled remains of something that had once been human. Blood, guts, and body parts Jerimiah had no name for were strewn across the ground like discarded candy wrappers from a Halloween party. He’d seen bodies devastated by IUDs that were left more intact. Suddenly the food he’d had for dinner threatened to come up and say hello. Jerimiah fought back against it as well as he could, wanting to save the price of a good meal and his new shoes.He turned from the victim, doing his best to control his upset stomach, when he saw that hanging from a nearby tree was the victim’s dog. Or, at least, what was left of it. The sound its leash made as it swung in the breeze was haunting.“I guess sometimes walking a dog isn’t all that relaxing,” Jerimiah commented thoughtfully.“Is that your famous wit, detective?” A voice behind him inquired icily.Jerimiah turned and saw Detective Julia Thiessen. “Only half of it, ma’am.”“Clearly,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “What do you think happened here?”“Well, it’s only a theory, but I think someone got murdered.”“Thank you for your clever deduction,” she sighed, opening a small notebook she had in her pocket. “The victim’s name is Sandra Jennings.”Jerimiah frowned. “How did you ID the victim so quickly?”“We found her purse.”“Anything missing?”“It doesn’t appear so yet.”That ruled out robbery, maybe. Although it was too early to judge Jeremiah was nearly certain this wasn’t a sex crime either. There wasn’t enough of the victim to screw unless the perp was trying to find new and inventive places to penetrate. What did that leave?”“What did you say the victim’s name was?” He asked.“Sandra Jennings.”“That name sounds familiar.” He noted.“It should,” Julia remarked. “It’s been all over the news lately.” An ambulance arrived on the scene and the forensics started gathering up the remains with the medics on hand. That was when Jeremiah remembered where he knew this woman’s name from, there had been some big court case in the news, and she had been a witness or something. The case had involved a wreck and a little kid, but past that his mind was blank. So why had Sandra Jennings been out walking her dog at this hour? The park was open twenty four hours a day, but Jeremiah couldn’t imagine any reason to take her little Cujo for a walk at night. Unless Sandra had come here to meet someone, but who was that? Had there been an argument or was it a set up? Sometimes the clues are right there under your nose, the voice of his dad spoke up from the depths of his mind, you just have to look for them.“Did anyone see anything?” He asked.“Not a thing,” Julia answered, shaking her head.“Of course not.” No one ever saw anything. Cell phones and cameras everywhere and still no one saw anything when they needed to.“The park was lightly populated and some of the walkers claimed they heard something, that’s when they alerted the park police. By the time they got here…well you see.”He certainly did. Whoever killed Sandra Jennings had wanted her dead. This wasn’t a crime of passion or opportunity; it was a crime of rage. But where was the clue? The devil was often in the details, you just had to find him.“We need to get this crime scene closed to the public,” he said. “Has anyone tried contacting the victim’s family…” Jeremiah’s words were swallowed whole in a mind-numbing howl. It was like nothing he had ever heard before. Even calling it a howl was a misnomer, his vocabulary failed spectacularly to describe the sound he heard. Every person that heard it, be they cop, pedestrian or reporter, stopped what they were doing and stood frozen. Their hind-brains recalled a trace memory of their ancestors hiding in the snowy caves of the past as large fury monsters cried to the moon.“What the hell was that?” Julia asked.“I don’t know,” Jeremiah answered shakily. “I don’t even know where it came from.” The crowd were looking at each other with dazed eyes, no one quite brave enough to start moving first. It was then that Jeremiah noticed something beside the walking path. There were bloody prints in the grass. He couldn’t tell what had made them, their proportions were too big for a canine and too small for a bear. The moonlight was just enough to make them out. Drawing his side arm, he started to follow them.“Where are you going?’ Julia demanded.“I don’t know,” he replied. “I’ll let you know when I get there.”“But…”‘But nothing.” The trail worked its way across the park in a zig zag pattern that inevitably lead to the opposite entrance to the park. Just past the trees he could see the city loom in the ever-encroaching dawn. The park was just a small strip of trees and grass in the middle of Colewall, one of the city council’s many attempts to pretend they were going green. The only thing that made the park green were the amount of muggings. Jeremiah wasn’t sure why he was feeling so brave, pulling a lone gun move like this, but the blood was fresh, and he might have a slim chance of eyeing the perp. That howl had shaken him up and later he would marvel at how dangerous his actions had been. But right now all he knew was that he might stop a killer from vanishing into the city.Jeremiah followed the bloody tracks until the left the park and went under an overpass. The prints were recognizable now, they were human footprints. He didn’t know when they had changed, but as he stood in the litter filled alley, he took his flashlight out and slowly scanned the area. No one was lurking around in the shadows and only a few abandoned cars stood sentinel.Jeremiah’s flashlight stopped when he saw something written on the concrete. The words were written in blood, but they hadn’t just been written they had been gouged into the stone. JUST THE FIRST. THE SINNERS WILL PAY. LUNA VIDET OMNIA.“What the hell is this?” He asked.There was no one there to answer his question except for the moon and if it knew it wasn’t talking.  (TRANSLATION : Latin "Luna Videt Omnia" - "The moon sees all")
(Illustrations : 1. stock image 2. Original by diobolic )
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Post by wolf on Sept 19, 2021 0:00:48 GMT
By the Shape Shifting Gunslinger, the wolf :Chapter 2
'The Wolves Bane'
"It feels good to be Wolf...." - Dr. Alezais in the film "Wolf"
Mack stood in shadows beside a reeking dumpster. Watching, keen ears listening. Jeremiah, firearm in one hand, took the phone from his trench coat, dialed it one handed and spoke,"Broussard.I'm securing another area.Track my phone for the location.Forensics and everything.Get Theissen." Her territory. Seedy end of the city. Murderers, rapists, crack dealers, child abductors. The She-wolf and wolven like her take those evils OUT. Permanently.Dartania came up behind Mack, whispering from the shadows,"Not good.We have a ROGUE wolven on our hands.He’s in some vendetta mode.Might be insane, leaving that message that way." The craggily handsome, broad shouldered wolf, pea-coat clad, was slightly startled. Eyes began to glow, ears started to lengthen, but he got control of his 'shift'. He turned carefully, looking towards the direction of the pleasant voice. Hadn't smelled her come up, the breeze was blowing the stench of the refuse back behind him. She must be an extraordinarily adept tracker and hunter, to have come up on HIM, without him hearing. Her eyes glowed strongly, being in full wolven form. Mack raised his hands, a sign of peace, not like someone had a gun on him. His eyes…. molten golden orange. Hers… strangely moon-like green."Not hunting in your territory.Newboy looking around." Said he quietly."I know.Been keeping an eye on you.You seem alright.We have another problem,other than this damn Rogue.Noticed the 'Signs' yet?"Mack lowered his hands. Reaching for cigarettes in a breast pocket, he lit one, asking with trepidation,"No.WHAT signs?"Reaching out of darkness Dartania tugged a sleeve.“I'll show you." Wolven hand was graceful, long fingered. Like those eyes and hand, the color of fur was beautiful. A bit darker than his blackish gray.He followed her into darkness to the end where the light began again. He could see more now. Noble muzzle. Ears held high, proud. Neck long and graceful as the fingers with lovely claws. Shoulders, also broad, strong, shapely. She was beautiful. Pointing across the street to another alley between a store and a tall, condemned building, she told him,"On the wall.Werewolf Slayer’s mark.Been wondering if he be as deranged as the Rogue.This slayer has old world roots.See the rune now?Another brazen calling card.Announcement?Challenge?Seen these cropping up everywherefor months now."  Stepping out to the sidewalk, he eyed the rune, thinking and smoking. Turned around to speak to Dartania, suddenly her eyes widened, voice barked out fierce alarm!"Get down!"Mack ducked and dodged, Dartania leapt forward. In one fluid, powerful motion….Caught an arrow in mid flight, threw it back to its origin through an upper window of the condemned building. Grabbed Mack, pulling him to the shadows of their alley. He managed to catch a glimpse. Long, nice legs and arms, and had to know what those limbs and rest of her looked like in human. Her clothes were on, but alittle tattered, seam or two split, from her shifting."Thank you." he breathed."You're welcome.Sure you would do the same.Your name now stranger?""Mack Lawson.But…..in certain circles, known as Lupus Dei.Did I see right? SILVER arrow?Watching the window, she replied,"Dartania Armstrong, nice to meet you Mack. Silver. This a$$ is crazy stupid, sorely misinformed, or an extravagant show boat.""Maybe all three." Mack smiled,"Nice to meet you, Dartania.Got to tell you,…. I think this slayer isn't here for the Rogue.He’s here for YOU."She sighed,"Maybe. He’s gone now. We'll track later. Need to change clothes."Sun rose, streetlights turned off. Store-keeper came and opened his store. Residents emerged. A street urchin passed by, older man, bottle in hand. He twirled, cheerily chanting, "Loup-garou! Loup-Garou! Loup-Garou!" raising bottle to Dartania and Mack.Brow furrowed, eyes began to glow.Hearing the purring growl in his chest, Dartania soothed him saying,"It's alright, I know him. Crazy, poor Homeless man."Watching the man prance on, eyes softened. She smiled,"Harmless. I like him."That further endeared her to Mack. He liked her and thought they could be more than friends...possibly battle companions. Hadn't had a real one in ‘AGES'."Getting the Rogue first...US or those COPS...they’re good" Dartania knew her home, and it's denizens very well.Evening. Dartania showed him more Rune signs, in the order they had arrived. That night another killing. This time rape and murder.
(TRANSLATIONS : Latin "Lupus Dei" - "Wolf of God", French "Loup-Garou" - "Werewolf")
(All 4 Illustrations by diobolic , Nordic Rune bibliography in spoiler)
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Post by wolf on Sept 21, 2021 23:30:34 GMT
By Dio the diobolic Darthonysius :Chapter 3
'Wicked Ways'
"Hell is empty and all the devils are here." - William Shakespeare  Lord Nilson flinched. Silver flew back through the window like lightning, thunking deeply into the bridge of his apprentice's nose.
"Damnit!...lost another page. Oh well, a pack donkey. Not too bright, were you jackass?"
Alton gave him the same blank stare he always did.
Nilson was deranged and flamboyant as Dartania suspected, he DID know that silver could not harm the wolves. He threw on his Oilskin Duster and fedora. Talking to himself and his arrow, he put a foot on Alton's throat and pulled the arrow out from his skull.
"Lucky DOGGO witch! But good that I got you back my 'killer play pretty'."
After kissing the arrow with a loud smack, he wiped his page's bloody brain matter on a pants leg. Put it back in it's quiver, and picked up the heavy leather bag with crossbow and other 'killer play pretties', saying
"Elvis is leaving the building! Thank you very much!"
Jeremiah and Julia discovered Jennings was a witness for her lover boss. His alibi. Claimed he was with her at her home when the child was killed. Eventually they would find out the two were together in that car. Sandra's assistant Meg also. All 3 coked up and drinking.A week before Sandra's murder, Meg at Randall’s Grill after work, got loose lipped to a close friend, telling what really happened. The Rogue, or as the newspapers were already calling him, “The Darktown Butcher", was there and overheard.'Darktown', section of Colewall that was Dartania's territory behind Rosewood park. Darktown gets blamed for everything.
Sandra was the first. Tonight, Meg's turn.He waited outside for her. The Rogue saw she had two friends with her, thinking there was safety in numbers.
"Au contraire." he thought, "you should know ignorance is the enticement of monsters.”
They went to their parked cars and said goodnight. All the girls thought each of them were safely locked in their vehicles. Meg didn't check the back seat. Searching her purse for keys, her friends drove out of the parking lot. Powerful man's hand reached, muzzling her. Quick, like lightning to the unexpected traveler who heard from experts on the radio no storms were expected for the evening. He violently drug her over the front seat, out the back door of the car with him, into darkness behind the bar, taking backways to Rosewood Park. The exact same place he savagely tore Sandra apart. The crimes fueled his indignance. The more he thought, the more enraged and 'mad' he became. To the terrified, ragdoll's tear flooded eyes, he spat out through bared teeth,
"You shouldn't have laughed, Meg. None of you. The man is next. Saving the worst for last."
Brutally, his hand struck her face, crushing her cheek bone and eye socket. She was alive, but beyond screaming. Shoes long lost along the way. Her skirt he ripped open. Then his 'turn' happened, in werewolf form he ripped her apart from the inside out. In this berserk state he slashed open her torso, guts spilled. Devastating blows shattered bones, finally he ripped her throat out with his teeth.He grabbed the long hair, dragging the body through the park, to the spot he left "his first calling card". Hands drenched in the blood he scrawled his message on the side walk once again. He leapt up on top of a dumpster, up a fire-escape. Gone, running across the rooftops of Darktown.
Mack and Dartania spent most of the night tracking the slayer, and found a 'safe house'.After parting for the night, he walked the streets. 'Feeling' made him go to where they first met. So it was Mack, who found the girl first. He felt seething anger at seeing this, and that same calling card with
"Luna Videt Omnia".
Calculating and summing up, Mack muttered"Bastard is creating a trail. Leading to Dartania."
With cigarette in gritted teeth, he bent, dipping a hand into her evisceration, collecting a fistful of gore. Walking over to a nearby wall he used two blood soaked fingers, leaving a calling card of his own. He wrote,
"Lupus Dei is here now Son of a bitch".
Jerimiah arrived later. Looking around, taking everything in, he saw the writing on the wall. Different handwriting. Detective's instincts nagging him, he pulled his phone out and dialed.
"This is Theissen""Broussard. Julia....We have another player. You need to get here and see this. I really want to know if there are any connections to 1st victim, Jennings."
 (Original Illustrations by diobolic )
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Post by wolf on Sept 28, 2021 23:53:56 GMT
By diobolic , back up writer for 'the Grinning Man', unfortunately unavailable @woowoo001 💔 :Chapter 4
'The Alliance'
“I think we ought to do all we can to make these creatures friendly. It might turn out to be well worth the trouble.”
- Richard Adams, Watership Down
Nilson got back. His 'safehouse' was found and ransacked. Angry, but sensible for the moment, he moved to his back up 'residence' to recoup and lay low for the time being.
Message left for the Rogue, Mack found a clean enough breezeway, to sleep until sunrise. Werewolves don't always need much sleep. Sunlight woke him, and he went to the storefront to meet up.
Dartania was waiting. He told her everything, and they went through their alley to the scene, staying out of sight. Cruisers came first, brought by a '911'. Broussard next. Sipping coffee, reading "Lupus Dei's message" he summoned Theissen.Mack said,"They haven't found his trail yet. To the left of us, the dumpster, the fire escape, the roof. Find out what you can then come back. Dartania, stay out of sight, I'll talk to the cops. You live here, I don't. I can move on and they don't have to know about you, when this is over." Dartania averted her eyes, not wanting disappointment to be seen. She, strongly attracted, resisted letting him know."I'll be back soon." And she went.
Gazing at carnage, Jeremiah's stomach churned. Julia arrived, with their Jennings file."What now?"
"Slaughter, sh!tload of trouble. Look at that wall over there. What do you think?" he said sullenly.
Jeremiah knew this unholy plague descending upon their city had to stop. ASAP.
Julia inspected it and came back,"More Latin. Different handwriting. It's getting more bizarre all the time."
Broussard grumbled,"Yes. One whack job on a mission. Now another?"
Forensics approached Julia with evidence bags."Detectives. Maybe animal hairs. A paycheck we found in a pocket too", he said.
Julia contemplated the ominous appearance of long, silver tipped, coarse hairs, four inches in length. Hairs unlike anything she'd seen. She thought,
'Man or beast?'
Paycheck was made out to Megan Porter. 'Landslide Marketing'. Same company Jennings worked for. Meg's face was now virtually unrecognizable.Theissen opened the case file, taking out a newspaper clipping. She exclaimed“Jeremiah, I think there's a break here. Come with me."
Julia went to a cop's cruiser, telling him,"Officer! DL picture for this name on your computer, please."
He got it fast and she pulled Broussard over to see it and the clipping."Same girl, Jeremiah!"
The DL picture was a match to one of two women in the newspaper clipping's picture. 'Other woman' was Sandra. They stood outside the courthouse with the defendant in the hit and run. The trial was over. The 3 smiled triumphantly.
Broussard noticed 'Old Tat' nearby, clutching a folded box tightly. Tat's makeshift bed. He was crying. Jerimiah knew, although short some marbles, Tatty was Darktown's eyes and ears."Hey buddy, you see anything?”
“Bad Beast” Tat whimpered at the dead girl.To the wall and message he smiled wanly,"Good beast. Helper."
Jeremiah smiled, "Okay, thanks Tat." Tatty shuffled off sadly.
Quickly, the detectives became positive the victims' employer would be tonight's target. A possibility worth their time to stake him out.
Dartania arrived, hiding on a rooftop. Everyone left but Broussard and Theissen, Mack came into the light. Julia, at her car, was on the phone. Jeremiah eyed the fire escape. Fortuitously, Forensics discovered blood there.
Coming from behind,Mack said"Any leads?"
Jeremiah started, gunhand to revolver.
"Whoa Kojack! Unnecessary." the stranger said.
Broussard asked "Who the hell are you?"
Eyes glowed orange, Mack pulled a cigarette out, offering the pack."A friend.”
Glancing to 'Lupus Dei on the wall', then back to Mack,"I don't work with civilians. You neighborhood watch?
He took a cigarette, lighting both Mack's and his.
"No. I, and others, enjoy a....'skill set', that's helpful."
Broussard breathed smoke,"I don't work with vigilantes either."Mack chuckled,"Think 'Special Ops'."
Broussard asked,"You work alone? You said 'and others'."
"One partner."
"Where?", Jeremiah inquired suspiciously.
"Not far, working on something. Any leads?" Mack asked again.
Broussard interrogated,"What's your name?"
Mack replied,“Lawson, is all you need. This is only our first meeting. 'There are more things in heaven and on earth, than are dreamt of in your philosophy, Horatio'. Ask for help.”
Seeing no witnesses other than the two detectives, Lawson leapt 3 stories to a rooftop disappearing. Broussard looked at Theissen. Both were shocked.
'Lupus Dei', back at the store, waited for his partner.
Sure none were watching, Dartania approached. Mack told her,"They know something, tonight we tail those Cops."
That night "Darktown's Butcher" would be stalking his next victim.
(Illustrations are stock images)
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Post by wolf on Sept 30, 2021 20:02:14 GMT
By The bringer of the PAIN, Captain America docpain2 :Chapter 5
'The Nuts'
"I traversed the mountains of Maenalus,
frightful with the hiding places of wild beasts...."
- Jupiter, in Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'
Broussard and Thessian paused thinking about that leap. Julia looked at Jeremiah and said simply, “ok, that was weird.”
Mack and Dartania decided they would fare better with following the police officers separately. Since the detectives had already seen Mack, he was not worried about being seen again, so if he was discovered, Dartania could continue the nights mission.They spent the day renting cars and tracking down the residence of Evers McGill the employer of the two victims and the next up on the hit parade. Evers made millions in many dubiously legal, and often illegal ventures. Only once in his 20 years in business was he ‘caught.’ That was in Bosnia it cost him a good chunk of change both within the legal system and out. He had odd tastes and one of the oddest was a medallion he had found when he was there and exploring at the Čolina Kapa Astronomical Observatory. A medallion had a dog or wolf of some kind with “Lupus Persequitur Peccatorem” inscribed on it. In honesty to say he “found” it was a bit disingenuous, grand larceny may be the better term. Of all the things he collected over the years, this one was something he had treasured. The fact that he somehow lost it five years back in the same country he found it in, was somewhat of a joke to him.
Jeremiah and Julia decided to pay him a visit that morning. The main purpose was to warn him of the potential danger he was in, but it was also to feel him out, to see if he was involved to the murders of his employees. McGill stood around 6’ 2”, with broad shoulders and a powerful physique. He played football or wrestled in college. But now he was a businessman working throughout the world. He was the kind of guy that forgets he was born on third base, so the home run came easy.
Jeremiah started the conversation talking about the two victims. McGill seemed interested, or at very least indulgent and expressed the expected remorseful tone, but something struck Julia as disingenuous in his tone. When the conversation moved to his potential risks he laughed. He advised the two detectives that he had 24/7 security for which he pays ‘top dollar.’Still, he thanked to officers for their concern and asked if there were any leads on the two murders. Julia responded that nothing substantial had been found yet, but the recent publicity of the court case is the motive for the murders.Jeremiah told him that even though he has security, they would be placing two officers at his home “just in-case,” that was his only lie today.
Meanwhile Mack and Dartania had completed their mission and were now parked in separate cars on both sides of the one-way street where McGill’s business “Landslide Marketing” (a small Tower) sat. It was a rainy afternoon and his car and driver sat ready to whisk him off to his home three miles away. They had already plotted out his route home so if anything went wrong, they knew where to go.From Mack’s vantage point he saw the two detectives leaving the building and wondered what was said in the meeting. 'Was McGill even willing to speak to them?', he wondered. Back at the station Jeremiah gave a briefing to the SWAT team that would be on stand-by a few blocks from McGill’s residence. He told them that based on the brutality of the two previous murders having SWAT in the area was vital. Around 5:30pm Jeremiah noted McGill’s car pull up to the front of his home. In his rearview he saw another about a block away pull in, but the driver did not get out. Great Jeremiah thought to himself, ‘another cowboy.’
There were several plain clothed officers on the street just walking in the fall air as people will do after a long day. Julia radioed Broussard and said with McGill’s internal security and the police on the street she thought it would be a quiet night for all.
Around 11:00pm Cloverfield Lane in Colewell Township experienced it first blackout in five or six years.
Suddenly from the McGill home there was screaming and at least two gunshots.
The cavalry came and they entered the home, McGill was on the ground but uninjured and very much alive. His one security guard, however, was not so lucky. His trachea was ripped out as were his lungs. There were claw marks on the walls and again more of that odd hair.
McGill was escorted downstairs in a complete state of shock. He was babbling on about ‘a giant monster.’ Asked where 'IT' went, he simply pointed to the attic.
The SWAT team gathered a small entry team and readied CS gas. They shouted the usual warning and went in. Once in the attic they were surprised to find nothing. Nothing but a gaping hole in the corner of the roof. The two detectives followed the SWAT team and again immediately found the hairs.
Julia looked at Jeremiah and said, “any clever remarks about this”? Jeremiah responded that he may never be clever again.
When the detectives came back downstairs, they saw McGill being watched by a uniformed police officer, but he was talking to Mack. Jeremiah interrupted the conversation and asked to speak to him outside.
"Listen’", Jeremiah said, "other than being a world class athlete, I have no idea who you are or what you are doing.’ ‘Now there’s been a murder here and so far, you may be the only suspect."
Mack responded, "Look detective, I’m not trying to give you any problems, and I may be one of the only experts on the subject you are dealing with."
“Subject? Oh, I hadn’t realized we were in school. Please professor carry on and educate me."
With that Julia stepped outside with McGill. He had decided to stay at the local Hilton for a few days while the house was put back together. This time he agreed to a police escort until this was sorted out. Broussard told Mack to leave for now, but first thing in the morning he should be at the police station and be prepared to tell the entire story.Mack walked down the street to his car.
Dartania was there waiting."What happened?" she asked."Well", Mack said, "let’s just say that the good guys won one tonight. I’m going to have a chat with those two detectives tomorrow morning, it may be a suitable time to fill you in on a few things before I talk to them."
They parked the cars in the rental lot and dropped the keys in the mail slot. As the walked Mack started to tell Dartania,
"Well you know the story of Jupiter and Lycaon is pretty close to how our kind came to be. But unbelievably, no matter how cursed we are there are others far worse off. I’m told that McGill came across a talisman several years back in Bosnia. The region was once part of the Roman Empire, and they really didn’t like our kind. Back around 9 A.D. the Empire produced these medallions and swore on every god they had that the bearers would be cursed.’ ‘One slight problem with that was that human men found these trinkets and kept them to themselves. So far, I’ve tracked down twenty-four of these, there is still one missing. McGill is keeping it somewhere, I’m not sure and did not get a chance to ask him at his house." He continued “if I can get the talisman back, I can break the curse, which will save his life as well. In all honesty, I’m not sure that one deserves to be saved."
Dartania smiled and asked, "How old are you?"
Mack shrugged and said, "Maybe 1200 years now, I’ve actually lost count."
They split up then and Mack roamed the streets of Darktown thinking of how he would explain this to the police in the morning. He thought that having Dartania with him would be a good thing, or at least she could testify to his sanity. Then he thought to himself ‘of course they may think we’re both nuts.’
The following morning Mack and Dartania met in front of the police station. She was dressed more like a CPA than a hunter. They walked into the station together, almost looking like an actual couple.
 (TRANSLATION : "Lupus Persequitur Peccatorem" - "The wolf is pursuing the sinner")(Illustrations are stock images)
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Post by wolf on Oct 5, 2021 18:05:01 GMT
By the fine 151 Pruf Puerto Rican Rum that is prufrock21 :Chapter 6
'How to Interview a Werewolf'
“Enemies may unite to eliminate a common threat, but never without a wary eye fixed on their ally.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, The Tarishe Curse
 The detectives escorted werewolves to a private office for a personal interview.Four walls painted flat gray, ceiling light, no windows. Spartan, furnished with metal desk, chairs, filing cabinet and a board with FBI flyers.
Julia sat behind the desk. They sat facing her. Jeremiah, stood to one side and began,“Thank you for coming. We work with civilians, occasionally, if it aids investigations.”
“Our pleasure,” Mack said sedately, “Hopefully we can understand and help each other.”
"First, Mr. Lawson, explanation for that ‘leaping tall buildings in a single bound’ stunt you managed yesterday.”“Yes” Julia agreed, hands squarely on the desk.
Mack, comfortable in the worn upholstered chair, said“Actually a simple explanation.”
“Which is?”
“We're both werewolves.”
They looked at eachother, then Mack.Broussard said, “We're to believe that?”
“Why not?” Mack said.
“You’re Superman," Jeremiah said facetiously.“I have no idea.”
“Detective Broussard,” Julia said, “let's give him the benefit of the doubt. Mr. Lawson, elaborate.”
“Werewolves, literally. Our nature to change to wolf and back.”
“You’re supernatural,” Julia said.
“Excellent choice of words,” Dartania said.
“Only killed by a silver bullet?”
“Hollywood myth, Detective Thiessen. If the werewolf were allergic to silver? Then possibly. Bullets wound, not stop.”
“Devil’s advocate here, can we have a demonstration?" Jeremiah asked.
“Mack, partial turn please? Don’t frighten our hosts.”
Mack stood, six foot, broad chest and shoulders. Against Hollywood myth, he changed quickly, without pain. Eyes glowed scintillating orange. Ears extended, growing coarse hair, face also. Nose became snout. He smiled, sprouting four chalk-colored canines. Raising hairy hand, there were claws curved like talons, not fingernails.
Noticing their shock, Dartania said, “Mack, point made.”
They watched in awe. Mack returned to human.
“Man, quite a trick,” Jeremiah said.
“Then some,” Julia added. “How?”
“Our nature,” Dartania explained. “Born that way. We call it ‘turning’ or ‘shifting’.”
“You can ‘turn’ or ‘shift at will?”
“Yes,” Mack said.
“How?” Julia asked. “Where's this-- power, come from?”
“Takes long to explain. That rogue needs stopping.Briefly, we're another type of human, like Neanderthals. Main differences are strength and ability to transform. Legendary explanation said to involve a curse also. But no need to get into that.”
“You said 'rogue werewolf', knowing who we’re dealing with?” Jeremiah asked, still looking astonished.
Dartania answered. “He's Jarek, Eastern European. Precisely, a werewolf who has abandoned wolven society and acting alone.”
"Jarek committed both murders?”
Mack answered. “Yes.”
“Attack at McGill's last night?”
“His handiwork.”
“Motive?” Julia asked.
“Vendetta, for some reason. Obviously he hated the women, and hates McGill.”
“Acceptable deduction,” Julia said, “Murders were up close, personal. With rage.”
Jeremiah said, “McGill character, he’s in this rogue’s vendetta?”
“After last night, yes,” Mack said. “McGill goes mobile, not staying in one place.
“He's in protective custody,” Julia replied.
“Detective Thiessen,” Dartania interposed, “you saw what happened. Your SWAT teams can't stop him.”
“What do we do?”
Mack responded. “Use me. It'll take my strength. I’m your man, or, your werewolf.”
“Heaven knows we want to,” Julia said. “He tore part of the roof off. Stop him how, if bullets don’t?”
"Tear his heart out.”
Jeremiah said, “What if he tears yours out?”
“I'll stop him. Trust us.”
Julia smiled. “An offer being considered, Mr. Lawson. You’re brave.”
“We'll stay open minded,” Jeremiah said, giving Mack his card. “Unofficially working together. Call us. We’ll need your phone number.”
Dartania complied when Julia gave her a pen.
“Anything else?” Jeremiah said.
“Everything's covered for now,” Mack responded.
Dartania nodded agreement.
“Detective Thiessen and I thank you. You’re free to leave.”
* * *
In the parking lot, werewolves conversed in their rented sedan.
Dartania spoke, “Should we have mentioned the other player, the slayer? The medallion? Didn’t mention that, either.”
“Would only complicate matters,” Mack said. “They have enough with Jarek. We got a vote of confidence. They might like us.”
“They should,” Dartania said, her eyes glowing. "You were wonderful, offering help and the way you turned. Not bad for being 1200. Orange eyes and dark gray hairs are alluring.”
“Alluring, Miss Dartania? You're alluring, with femme fatale killer good looks. And beautiful ebony fur.”
Dartania, blushed. “You notice such things?”
“Oh, I notice. Thank you,” Mack said, smiling.
“Let's get going.” she said more assertively now. “Before we say things that comprise our objective.”
“My lady commands.” He turned the ignition, shifted into drive, and they departed.
Near Rosewood Park, Jarek the Rogue, newly christened Darktown Butcher, hid in shadows, waiting for nightfall—and brooding.
 (Illustrations are stock images)
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Post by wolf on Oct 9, 2021 20:30:16 GMT
By prufrock21 and wolf ,
writing backup for 'our Swedish Indiana Jones', unfortunately unavailable Kurben 💔 :
Chapter 7'The Talisman and the Curse'
Pruf : “The Curse has a thing for contrast: frivolity one minute, homicide the next.” - Glen Duncan, By Blood We Live
Wolf : "...fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crown'd..." - William Shakespeare
 Jarek the Darktown Butcher brooded in an abandoned warehouse near Rosewood Park. He planned his next attack, and thought of the past.
Like werewolves of antiquity, fate chose Jarek to be a Spirit Avenger. Though 'the Rogue' was no righteous 'Lupus Dei', it was still his lot to “turn,” to hunt, to kill. To punish.Ovid's account of Zeus cursing Lycaon didn't tell all of the gods secrets. Ultimately Lycaon, and werewolves like him, would be used for generations to come, to bring the unjust to justice. The gods always worked well with fate, and brought about right ends, no matter what Ovid and other obtuse jealous mortals believed. The means, only seemed capriciously selfish. Curse? Blessing in disguise? That is up to the contemplator of such studies.
Not only fate drew Jarek to the 'McGill Crimes'. McGill had lost the medallion, but it's metaphysical signature still lingered around him. Those medallions had a power to attract the wolven.
A young stray (not a lone wolf by choice), he drifted, going nowhere. Elders of wolven clans gave him sanctuary. He stayed until the rules became too constrictive. Rebelling passionately against his teachers, he left and went “rogue,” as they say. Luna videt omnia indeed.
* * *
Evers looked out the floor-to-ceiling window reveling in his empire. Landslide Marketing, unofficially McGill Tower, was twenty stories of glass, concrete and steel. He abandoned the Hilton. No police or hotel security could protect him as effectively as his own.
Graying at the temples but still robust and handsome, dressed stylishly. He held a drink and Cuban cigar, thinking life was good.
The Detectives received a call from a lawyer. The entrepreneur would provide his own security and forgo police protection, he could be reached at McGill Tower.
“Thank you very much,” the lawyer said. “Mr. McGill appreciates your service.”
Jeremiah clicked off the speaker phone, "Julia, please get Lawson on the line."
* * *McGill thought too highly of his security. Loading docks had only 2 guards. They were harmlessly, easily, rendered unconscious.
"Mack, did you see the rune?"
"Yeah, he's been here or is here. Same with Jarek. I know you scented him too. Keep close watch Dartania."
"I think he got in earlier today. It's a feeling, Mack."
"Well, we're going with that. He's here."
Mack's shifting was more intense than hers, and he had little clothes left. He disrobed, handed the bundle to her to hide, and 'turned'. Inside the building, they stealthily made way to the upper apartment McGill kept there for various purposes, and got in.
The detectives stayed parked across the street and waited.
The spacious apartment was dark, McGill liked it that way at night, gazing out at the city lights.
Dartania, also turned, hid with Mack in shadows. Jarek's scent, so strong now. Dartania would get McGill out of the way, as Lupus Dei confronted the Rogue.
They were closer to McGill. From the other side of the room's dark, yellow eyes glowed. Jarek came lumbering out, slavering and snarling. Rising 'mad rage' making him careless.
Mack leapt in front of Jarek. The Rogue lunged. Clawing, savage snapping and biting ensued. Dartania grabbed McGill, eyes glowing green, "Get out!" she snarled gutturally. McGill froze in disbelief, but snapped alert when she bared her teeth. He ran out to his over paid and under skilled security down the hall.
War waged. Vicious, ferocious sounds roared. Floor trembled with slams and stomping, again and again going at each other.Another man scent. Nilsson, like Mack, searched for a medallion to attract werewolves for easier hunting. Here he thought he was to attain one, taking out 3 wolven in the process. He was wrong.
Dartania saw silver torpedoing towards Mack's head. She quickly, deftly, caught it, firing it back at the crazy bastard. The arrow pierced an eye. Nilsson thudded back against the wall. Slid down to the floor looking at her with remaining eye. Final breath weakly sighed, "Lucky Doggo witch..." The eye stared at her dead and dumbly as Alton had.
With the slayer, gone for good, Dartania looked to battling wolves. Savage violence and biting.
Mack's right hand's claws at Jarek's chest, dug deeply, blood spurted as Jarek's jaws were snapping dangerously close to Mack's throat!
McGill with body guards ran out of the building, alarming the detectives across the street. Theissen and Broussard with shotguns entered the apartment.
Watching the wolves at war, Dartania's eyes widened in awe and horror at what happened next.....
 (Original Illustrations by diobolic )
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Post by wolf on Oct 14, 2021 0:02:39 GMT
By Edders the edwardjohn , our 'Resident Loki' :Chapter 8
'Coda'
"There is no real ending. It's just the place where you stop the story."
- Frank Herbert
 Mack plunged his claws into the Ronin's chest and around his heart, ignoring his own punishment. Other gore and some innards went tumbling to the floor with a wet thud as Jarek's heart was ripped out. The rogue wolf's body pulled away and fell backwards.
Dartania did not scream out, no, she didn’t do anything that predictable; she simply stared for a moment, comprehending that the rogue's heart was still beating in Mack's hand. Jarek now returned to normal as he perished. In a bloodlust rage himself, Mack kicked the corpse to the western wall of McGill’s office in anticipation of a new foe."Come," Lawson muttered with an almost demonic voice,"meet the same fate…"
There was no witty comeback from Dartania; she was too focused on containing Mack to consider any of that nonsense. She launched herself at him; a mess of flailing claws and arms wrapping tightly around him. Glowing green eyes gazing into his molten orange orbs calmed him, and he came back from the frenzied battle fugue state he was in.
* * *
Meanwhile, outside: McGill and his bodyguards were taking a moment to comprehend what had happened. Mondale, McGill’s chief bodyguard, went to the man he was charged with saving. "Sir, are you alright?"
"I’m fine! I’m fine … let’s … let’s get out of here.""Already being taken care of," noted Mondale was immense surety; he spoke into his radio: "Cart, you are coming around now?""Check your left," was Cart’s sole croaky, radio filtered words.
And there it was: a black SUV pulled around, then parked in front of McGill and his bodyguards."Get in, sir." That was Mondale’s simple prompt.
The man the tower was named after, and his bodyguards, stumbled into the armoured car.
"Get us the f**k out of here, Cart." manically noted McGill.
"Yes, sir." Cart answered.
"We’ve already got another safehouse set up for you, sir," said Mondale, once again turning to his radio.
McGill and company got to the end of the main street across from McGill Tower before coming to an unplanned stop; another black SUV from the left purposefully crashed into them.
The bodyguards made their way dizzily out of the McGill’s getaway vehicle, guns searching. But they were sitting ducks for the assault rifle armed men in suits that got out of the other SUV. The crackle of gunfire signified their end.
The lead suit of this new contingent proceeded to McGill’s getaway, and dragged the man himself out into the street.
"Mr. McGill." His voice was perfectly normal.
"Who the f*ck are you?"
The lead suit smiled. "Concerned citizens. Now, I believe you have something of ours. Something you picked up in Bosnia. Am I mistaken?""What if I do?" McGill said belligerently, knowing what they wanted was no longer in his possession. Later the suits would deal with him about his crimes, as well as attain information about where exactly he had lost that medallion."Well, you can discuss it all with my associate," he turned to the similarly garbed man to his left, "Mr. McCarthy."
McCarthy took McGill by his arm, and ushered him into their armoured SUV. He returned to the lead suit once he was sure that the businessman was secure."Sir, orders?"
"Return to base; I’ll deal with what’s going on at McGill tower." ordered the lead suit"As you say, sir."
The remainder of the suits piled into the SUV and were away; meanwhile, the lead suit made his way towards McGill tower.
 * * *
Jeremiah and Thiessen knew exactly where in McGill Tower the fighting was taking place; they had followed the harrowing sounds of werewolves in battle. Plunging into McGill’s office they went, shotguns aimed. Unsure of who was who, Jeremiah shouted:
"Mack!? Dartania!?"
Dartania responded to her name, taking her mind from Mack for a moment.
"Hold your fire!" Dartania, realising what they planned to do, put herself between them and Mack.
The detectives relaxed and stood down, as Dartania turned human again.Then everyone’s attention was suddenly captured by the sound of a fast-approaching small army."What is that?" Thiessen asked, turning to the corridor outside.Swarming into the apartment were numerous men in black suits. Everyone was so taken aback by this that they didn’t really know how to respond other than staying where they were; the suits not being surprised by the sight of a werewolf was noted by all."Who are you?!" Jeremiah demanded.
"It doesn’t matter who we are," said the lead suit. "You’ve been bringing us a lot of attention. What matters is that everyone returns to their human form, otherwise: things are going to get messy … for you." he finished, looking at Mack still in wolf form.
Mack, knew who these suits were. Back to his right senses again, he stepped around Dartania, and gestured toward Nilsson's and Jarek's lifeless bodies,
"Unless you want to end up like them, then I suggest you get out of our way."
The seemingly ordinary man in the suit went up to him
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yeah, I do."
The lead suit sighed. "Well, if you say so."In a flash, the lead man in the suit, along with several of his men, turned into werewolves. The men in suits, that had not turned, swiftly ushered, Julia and Jeremiah out of McGill’s office.
Thiessen looked at Broussard, "Who are these people?"Jeremiah sighed, "More damn werewolves, Julia."
Mack said to the lead suit, "You are the ones that make sure that beasts stay in the darkness. Elders of certain old world clans. I am familiar with your kind."The lead suit, now back in his non-werewolf form, replied "Alright, you are free to go. But you know what will happen if we run into each other again?"Mack smiled and nodded that they did know, and the leader said,"Excellent. Now get out, we'll clean up here."
* * *
Once outside, the lead suit had a piece of advice for the detectives. "Oh, Detectives?""Yes?" Jeremiah responded.The suit smiled. "When you make your report: know that stories about werewolves are liable to get you locked up in an insane asylum."
Jeremiah then said with an exasperated, sarcastic tone, "Yeah! That's why we haven't told the whole world yet!" then added more seriously, "And aren't going to."
The werewolves in suits let them all go after that and took McGill away with them, to finish business with him.
* * *
The werewolves, Mack and Dartania, and the detectives later walked the streets of Colewall. The detectives were almost in a daze, still somewhat unbelieving of what had happened.
"What now?" Dartania asked."We have to come up with a statement to our superiors," said Jeremiah. "It’s been a hell of a week … we better have a great story," he said to his partner."Do you know Flattery’s?" Julia asked of the werewolves. ‘Its an Irish bar not far from here.’
"Yeah," said Mack, "we know it."
"Let’s meet there this time tomorrow … talk about all of this. What do you say?""We’ll be there."
They went their separate ways.
THE END
(Illustrations are stock images)
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Post by wolf on Oct 14, 2021 19:21:00 GMT
By the wolf :'Epilogue'
"Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.
- Leonardo da Vinci
 Lupus Dei had been born Justus Lucius Ignis Bellator. In the late 1940's he acquired the moniker Mack, it stuck.
In Darktown, Mack and Dartania strolled down the street, across from their store and the slayer's old condemned building. The homeless crazy came around a corner. Grinning he cavorted up to Dartania, hands raised up to her open palmed.
"Darty darlin'!... Loupe-garou! Loup-garou!....I seeee yooouu!"
Mack watched, he truly enjoyed seeing her with this favorite of hers. Dartania loved all the good ones of Darktown, and protected them faithfully. She raised her own open palms up to his and linked fingers, fondly bumping her forehead to his, grinning and sing-songing back to him,"Batty-Tatty!...Loup-garou! Loup-garou!....I love yoouu toooo!"
That was the moment the bullet pierced her skull from the side away from Mack. She was gone. Her beautiful body fell. A crumpled mass at the feet of her beloved friend and her beloved.
It was a stray bullet out of nowhere, Mack knew. More popping of gunfire sounded in the distance. It was a common thing in her territory. Mack and Dartania hadn't told Broussard and Theissen everything about werewolves. Bullets....if they hit the right places could be fatal to them. Like most dark creatures, zombies and others, in movie lore, it's the 'head shot' that can do it. A shotgun blast right against the left of the chest too.
Tatty was struck silent at first, then he sank down to the ground to take her in arms wailing,
"Nooooo!...no...no...no..... Not our Dartania!"
Mack's heart was instantly stabbed with a most profound sorrow and pain. It was excruciating. But he had been here before...throughout the ages of his life....this loss was going to be a very long hard one. He reached down and stroked the keening man's head,
"Tat...get up." the words were gently spoken.
He pulled Tatty to his feet and made him look him in the eye.
"Tatty she's gone. As quickly as she came here, I am sure."
The Lupus Dei saw in the man's eyes that he was listening, and understanding him. This homeless wasn't as crazy as most thought him to be. In those homeless forlorn eyes, he could also see that Tat had known a lot of pain in his life. And had suffered great losses before, just like the wolf himself. So Mack continued,
"You know she's where she's supposed to be now, and we both know that place is good. Say goodbye now. I'll take care of her from here."
Tatty wiped some tears away the best he could, but they kept spilling. He reached down closing her eyes and stroked her cheek saying mournfully,
"I love you Dartania. All of 'yours' in Darktown do, and always have. You've been so good to me, sweet girl. Be at peace and happy, our love."
He rose again and looked at Mack once more, and sadly nodded to him for the last time. Tatty turned and walked away not looking back.
Mack took Dartania up in his arms. He went back through the alleyways of her territory, to find a right place to bury her. He had a shuddering grieving sigh in him that he had to let out...the tears would come later. He walked strongly and straight, stoically reminding himself,
"Immortality and the losses that go with it are terrible, heart wrenching and breaking things to endure again and again....but what makes it all worth it, is the new great and tremendous. The wonderful loves and adventures that will also come."
The wolven are immortal in years and are sturdy fast healing creatures. But some wounds are dire and nigh unto finishing...whether they be of the body or heart. Wounds of the mind and soul are often the longest lasting and hardest to endure.
Mack coughed back a sob, as he took in her body's still sweet and heady scent, that was so like a mixture of spring green grass, wildflowers and fresh raw meat. He went on walking and thinking, ".... you never forget the lost ones. They are always with you in deep. In your heart. Sweet wounds there."
He knew Dartania would understand and agree.
She was so young. Only 180, to his 1,200 plus years. But after the first 50 or so years, all the wolven become the same. 33. The perfect state. Not too young, not too old. Just right. He whispered, "I will see you again, Dartania. We are Immortals, and there are other lives to come."
 (TRANSLATION : Latin "Ignis Bellator" - "Fire Warrior")(Original Illustrations by diobolic )
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Post by wolf on Oct 15, 2021 16:58:27 GMT
Happy Halloween 2021
“Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.” – Emily Dickinson
(Original Illustration by diobolic )
(Final quote contributed by prufrock21 )
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