Bark (The Werewolf Journal's Book 1) (11 page)

“If you know that it’s him, why not help us?” Jay asked.

“I’m too old.  Besides, it’s been gone for years; there’s no telling how many others like you are out there, Arnie.  There’s no way to really know that this wolf that infected you is the one true wolf that would break the curse, and for all you know, that bit about killing the head werewolf might be nothing more than a fable.  What I’m trying to say is you cannot keep a secret locked up forever.  You see, chains were made to be broken.  Sacrificing one’s life for others is not giving up; it’s doing the right thing.”

“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but there is really no other way,” Gulaunt said, walking the boys out.

“Can I ask you something?” Jay asked.  “Do you ever regret killing your brother?”

“Yes, I regret not killing him sooner.  If I had, my family would be alive,” Gulaunt said, looking into Jay’s blue eyes.

CHAPTER 37

Arnie’s Journal  April 6, 1993

Today we talked to the old Indian.  I wish I never did.  I don’t know what to do.  That old man is right.  How many more people will have to die before I can find a cure, if there is any?  How long ‘til someone else close to me is hurt?  I don’t know how much longer I can go on like this.  I think Jay’s starting to feel the same way.  He denies it but I can see it in his eyes.  Fact is, I don’t want to die.  There’s so much I still want to do.  Places I want to see.  Things I want to learn.  There’s a whole life that I used to be able to see in front of me; now there’s nothing more but a dark blanket.  However, if dying is the only way, then I rather die than live with any more people’s deaths on my conscious.

CHAPTER 38

Inspector Rodriguez sat on his old worn leather seat as rain hit the window of his house.  He shuffled through pictures of mangled bodies, puffing on a huge cigar, wondering, thirty-three bodies in the last three months, and the list still grows, and all we got is a big animal for a suspect.  Of course, there’s still something about that boy, Arnie, that I can’t pinpoint.  To date, he’s the only known survivor.  Maybe that’s why whoever’s doing this is killing people around him.  Lunatics work that way.  Nobody’s ever escaped until Arnie.  Maybe the killer’s waiting for the right moment.  Then again, what animal does that? 

Rodriguez stopped and stuck a tape in a small recorder next to his desk.  The two paramedics that were killed had left their receiver on.  Maybe there’s something there, the inspector thought, pressing Play.  The first couple of minutes of the tape was a bunch of jabber; then there was a bang, like metal ripping.  Then came the screams, like the devil had come.  He could hear an animal of some sort growling viciously as the men screamed in terror.  After that, all he could hear was gurgles and ripping of flesh as the men drowned in their blood.  What came next sent a wave of goose-bumps across his body as a howl filled with ungodliness behind it echoed through the inspector’s room.  In all my years hunting, I have never heard a wolf howl like that, Rodriguez thought, putting out his cigar in his silver tray.  Rodriguez scanned the pictures filled with bodies mutilated beyond identification and, for a moment, for the first time in his career, considered turning in his badge.  Rodriguez’s phone rang causing him to jump.  “Hello,” Rodriguez replied. “Oh no.  I’ll be right over.  Listen, I’ll handle it.  I’m on my way.” He walked out hurrying to his car.  He drove off not believing what had happened.

Inspector Rodriguez walked up to Arnie’s door with a cold expression on his face.  He then took a long breath and knocked on Arnie’s door. 

“Just a minute,” a voice said from inside the house.  The door opened, and Arnie greeted the inspector with a very sarcastic hello.  “What seems to be the problem?” Arnie asked as his girlfriend Sarah walked up behind him, placing her hand on his shoulder.

“Can I come in?” the inspector asked.

“Why?” Arnie asked, concerned.

“Please, we need to sit down and talk,” the inspector begged.

“Okay, come in.” Arnie said curiously. “So what’s up?”

The inspector sat down on his mother’s blue couch that was made of leather.  “Well, see how I can put this,” the inspector said, fluttering through his lips as Arnie and Sarah sat down on the smaller-size couch that was also blue velvet.  “Your parents,” the inspector said, hesitating.

“What about my parents?” Arnie said with a chill.

“They’re gone,” the inspector replied hoarsely.

“What do you mean gone?” Arnie asked, trying to fight back his tears.

“We found your parents’ car on the side of the highway.”

“What happened?  Did my dad fall asleep at the wheel?” Arnie asked as tears began to slide down his cheek.  Sarah pulled Arnie close to her as she too began to cry.

“They were killed, Arnie, same as all the others.”

Arnie banged his fist on the small wooden table in the middle of the room.

“I informed your friend Jay’s family.  They’re on their way over to pick you up.”

“You have any idea who did this?” Sarah asked.

“Some kind of animal.  We haven’t been able to get a match on what yet, but there are canine traces.  Although, if there is an animal, it’s likely that a person is behind these murders.  Look, kid, I’m sorry.  I know you’ve been through a lot.  Hang in there.  Things will work themselves out.  In the meantime, try to stay indoors,” Rodriguez added cautiously.

CHAPTER 39

Arnie’s Journal
April 22, 1993

My parents were killed yesterday.  There is no way I could have done it.  I was chained up all night long.  Whoever did this, knows who I am.  Of all the people, why my parents?  Why go after my mother and father?  I never even got to apologize for the way I’ve been acting.  For all the late nights.  Been sneaking out so I could go to the meadow.  That way I could protect the people I love from myself.  It will eventually go after Jay but at least Jay knows what he’s dealing with.  At least Jay can handle himself. 

That Indian made me think about everything.  He put my whole life into perspective and he was right.  The only way to stop those I love from being hurt is to end my life.  If I do that now there’s no guarantee he still won’t go after my friends.  After we find this monster then I’ll let Jay take care of me but till then I’m going to stick around ‘til we find this bastard and put an end to him.

Just when I was ready to die, that son of a bitch goes and kills my family.  I want to see this damn motherfucker dead.  I will not rest till I see this through.  Then, again, if I don’t kill myself, what’s to stop me from killing Sarah and Jay?  I don’t want to go through with what I went through with Danny.  Before I die, I need to know that Sarah and Jay are safe. It’s a risk I’m going to have to take.  It’s a risk staying alive.  It’s getting late and tonight’s a full moon.  Gotta go.

CHAPTER 40

Jay secured the master locks to the chains around Arnie’s ankles and wrists as he ran to his truck.  Just as he did, a black pipe hit him in the face, sending his body to the floor as he slipped into unconsciousness.

“Jay!” Arnie yelled with disbelief as a masked figure stepped out of the shadows, walking over to Arnie.  The figure then connected a small metallic box to his black nylon mask.

“Fascinating, isn’t it?” the figure said, talking into the synthesizer, stepping in front of Arnie as the box gave the figure’s voice a robotic tone… today’s technology.  “I must admit you have heart… although, you are a foolish boy.”

“Who are you?” Arnie yelled in anger.

“The answer will come in time.  Only when you realize and accept the gift that has been bestowed upon you.  Look at you, disgraceful.  All that power and you lock it up.”

“There’s no power in killing,” Arnie replied.

“On the contrary.  There is much power.  Is it not said that it is God, if there is a God that takes and giveth life?  Does that not make us gods too?”  The figure poked at Arnie’s chest with his finger.

“Why kill my parents?”

“Because soon you will become like me, but first all ties to your former life must be eliminated.  Then and only then will you realize your purpose.  Yes, even now the beast inside cries out for the kill.  I can hear it crying for meat.”

“You’re insane,” Arnie said, stretching his chains to the limit, trying to hit the figure.

“No!  What’s insane is you locked in these chains… refusing to give in to your instincts.  It’s a human quality that sickens me.  How many times does a man see a woman he wants and does not take her?  Always refusing to give in to the very instincts given to us since the beginning of time.  How many times do people not take what they really want?  How many people really live?  I do this world a favor.  I rid it from the disease that infests this earth.”

“What is that?” Arnie asked.

“Humanity,” the voice replied.  “For humanity is what killed the beast.  In the end, Arnie, humanity will kill this world.”

“So where’s the living in killing?  The killing of helpless, innocent people?” Arnie asked.

“My dear boy, no one is innocent,” the masked figure replied as he approached Arnie.

“What are you doing?” Arnie said, backing away from the masked figure.

“I’m going to free you.  I thought you might make this difficult.”  Then the figure reached to his back, bringing out a small .22 magnum.  “So I came prepared,” the figure replied, shooting the chains.

“You, bastard, how dare you.”

“I dare,” the masked figure said, looking up at the moon.  “Now, very shortly, we’ll feast upon the meat of your friend and celebrate as you become one with the night,” the masked figure continued as his bones began to creak and crack and his clothes began to rip.

“No, I won’t let you,” Arnie said, hitting the figure with the chains that hung from his wrists over the head, sending the figure to the floor.  Arnie ran over to Jay, struggling to fight his change.

“Come on, Jay, get up!” Arnie said, lifting Jay up and putting him in the driver’s seat of his truck.  Arnie quickly searched Jay’s pocket for the keys, and as he did, he looked back in horror, remembering that the figure had taken Jay’s keys and the figure’s change was just about complete.  Arnie then slapped Jay, begging him to get up.  Arnie then screamed in horror and pain, collapsing to the floor as his body was filled with a rush of heat.

Jay slowly began to come to, and just as he did, he looked down to the floor, seeing Arnie changing.  “Holy shit!” Jay yelled, searching for his keys.  “Great!”  Jay said, shutting the door and closing the window to his truck, locking his doors.  He then ripped the shell to the steering wheel off, trying desperately to hot-wire his truck.  Jay quickly used one hand to reach inside his glove compartment to retrieve his gun; his other hand fumbled through the wires.  A loud thump was heard as his truck shook.  Jay looked in his rearview mirror.  He could see the beast standing on his truck bed, readying for the kill.  Sparks flashed as the motor to Jay’s car sounded.  He quickly put his truck on reverse and pressed on the gas, hitting the brakes, sending the beast flying off the truck.  Jay immediately put his truck in drive, speeding out of the woods, looking through his rearview mirror in horror as the two beasts stood eye to eye, preparing for battle.

The next morning, Jay drove into the meadow cautiously, keeping one hand on the gun that rested on his lap.  The night had ended, but he remembered that the other wolf had attacked Arnie during the day.  He wasn’t going to take any chances, he thought, as he searched the meadow for Arnie.  His eyes scanned the trees.  Jay’s heart dropped as he spotted his friend.

“Jesus!” Jay said, stopping his truck, running over to Arnie’s body, which was nailed five feet in the air against a tall oak tree.  Twelve-inch nails had been inserted through Arnie’s hands and feet; five nails penetrated his skull, keeping Arnie’s body securely fastened to the tree.  Arnie’s face had a huge gash, and his naked body oozed with dark red blood.

Flies circled Arnie’s lifeless body hanging on the tree.  Jay got in his truck, driving it underneath Arnie’s body.  He then got out, jumping onto the bed of his truck and covered his mouth in disgust as he approached his friend’s body.  Jay grabbed on to Arnie’s shoulders, closing his eyes as he began to pull on his friends wounded body, pulling him off the nails that bound him.  Arnie’s body collapsed on top of Jay onto the bed of Jay’s truck.  Jay then grabbed a blanket from inside his truck to cover Arnie’s body. Arnie’s eyes opened, his eyes meeting Jay’s.  Jay leaned against his truck, looking down on Arnie.

“What happened?” Arnie asked.

“I’d say you lost,” Jay replied.

“What?” Arnie asked, confused.  “What happened to me?” Arnie asked, looking at his hands, seeing the holes dug in them that were beginning to heal.

“I don’t know, but by the looks of it, you were crucified.”

“I thought you were dead,” Arnie said, lifting himself up out of the truck.

“So did I,” Jay replied.  “There’s some clothes in the front and wet towels so you can clean up.  I can’t leave with you looking the way you are.  There’s too many roadblocks on the way back to town.  Here, take my bandanna,” Jay continued, taking off the blue rag he had on his head.  “Got to hide the holes in your head until they heal.”

“What now?” Arnie asked.

“I don’t know,” Jay replied. “I just don’t know.”

The next day Arnie stood before his parents’ coffins as the priest read from his Bible.  Sarah held Arnie’s hand tightly as Jay and his father stood behind him.  Arnie’s eyes watered in sadness, looking on to his parents’ brown wooden coffins being lowered into the black hole made in the ground.  Arnie tried to hide his anger as he watched the workers pile dirt on top of his parents’ coffins.  His anger deepened with each thud of dirt against the wood of the coffin.  Arnie stood there as each stranger said their respects, shaking his hand until; finally, there were only Jay and Sarah.  Jay’s father waited patiently in the car as his son and friend said their respects.  Jay looked at his friend, wishing that they could have done more to prevent what had happened but also knowing that it could very well be him.  Arnie’s parents were like a second family to Jay.  Arnie’s mom cooked for him and took him to the movies just, like his father had done with Arnie.

The funeral was a closed casket.  Arnie couldn’t even look at his parents to say his last goodbyes.  He had to look at a box of wood knowing that his parents were inside, knowing who had done it.  Jay knew there was nothing good to say, nothing that would make Arnie feel better; so he just stood by Arnie’s side as Sarah hugged his friend.

“Sarah, can you wait in the car? I need to talk to Jay,” Arnie asked.

“Sure.  If you need me, I’ll be in the car,” Sarah replied with hesitation, a little jealous that Arnie chose to speak to Jay and not to her.

“I want you to get out of here.  Get away from this town.  I want you to take Sarah and your father with you,” Arnie said as he kept his sights on his parents’ grave.

“What am I supposed to tell Sarah?” Jay asked.

“I’ll tell her and you tell your father that you think ya’ll are in danger,” Arnie said, turning to look at Jay.  “Do this for me, Jay.  I don’t want anything to happen to you or Sarah.”

“What are you going to do?” Jay asked.

“I’ll find him,” Arnie replied.

“You’re going to need my help during the full moon to get to the meadow,” Jay said, concerned.

“There’s not going to be any chains,” Arnie said, looking at Jay.

“You know what you’re saying?” Jay replied in disbelief.

“I know, and I don’t care.”

“How can you say that?”

“All that matters is that you and Sarah are safe.”  Arnie placed his hands on Jay’s shoulders for assurance.

“You know that if you do this, you can’t control it.  You will kill people,” Jay said,

pushing Arnie’s hands away.

“I know, Jay, but I can’t think of any other way to find this guy.”

“Just give it time, we’ll find him,” Jay begged Arnie.

“I can’t risk losing anymore people that I love.  I’ve lost Danny and Sarah’s lost Elena.  Now my parents.  I can’t do this to ya’ll anymore.  It’s my problem and the truth is, Jay, lately, I’ve been getting these feelings,” Arnie said hesitantly.

“What kind of feelings? Jay asked, concerned.

“That night that we didn’t make it to the meadow, I killed people.  I had their flesh between my fingernails and I could taste their blood,” Arnie said, shaking his head.  “You couldn’t help that we didn’t get to the meadow on time.  It wasn’t your fault.”

“Don’t blame yourself for things that you cannot help,” Jay replied.

“If I had just ended it when all this began, none of this would have happened,” Arnie said angrily.

“You can’t know that, Arnie.”

“You don’t understand.  I can’t be trusted.”

“I know you and I trust you more than anyone.”

“I tell you that I can’t be trusted because that night that I killed those people, I liked what I felt, and every time I try to tell myself that I didn’t, I think about it and how bad I want it again.  I don’t know how to explain how I felt but it was intoxicating.” Jay looked at Arnie with a newfound horror.  “Go, Jay, for your own good,” Arnie replied.

“Give me one week, and if we don’t find anything, then I’ll go and I’ll take Sarah.”

“Okay.”  A tear slid down Arnie’s face.