Standalone number 7 – Shadow Ranger's Library

Disclaimer: I dont own the Power Rangers, Saban does. Unfortunately, Im not making any profit from this, either. 🙁 If youve seen it on the show, it belongs to you-know-who, and if you havent, it belongs to me. Quotes are given credit at the bottom of them. 🙂 Authors Notes: This story takes place several years after the changing of the powers in Turbo. This is not your normal PR fare. If you dont like horror, gore and being scared, go no further. Thanks to those who posted at the board who asked about the PR teams being in horror type stories, this inspired me to do this. And Id also like to add a special thanks to my brother, who helped me with some of the ideas. Thanks, Wildman. 🙂 12-25-2000

The Loupe by Cinders

loup-ga-rou n,: a person transformed into a wolf or capable of assuming a wolfs form [werewolf]: LYCANTHROPE

Prologue

Then a figure, slightly hunchbacked, emerges cautiously from the brush. Tuffs of hair cover the face, reddened eyes peer animal-like from slanty sockets, and the creatures clothing is torn and muddy. The creature suddenly throws back his head and howls, exposing fanged teeth. -William W. Johnstone, "Wolfsbane"

It was a howl, definitely a howl. But it was unlike any howl theyd ever heard from any creature before. And as the two men ran, the howl seemed to come from all around them, and not from any one direction. No matter how hard, fast an far that they ran, they couldnt seem to put any distance between themselves and their pursuer. And every step they took gave away their location. The crunch of dead leaves and sticks cracking and snapping under their booted feet.

Theyd come to the deep forests of Oregon on a hike. Thats all it was suppose to be, but they had become engrossed in the wild life theyd seen. So engrossed that theyd lost all track of time, until they noticed that the forest was becoming darker than usual. Knowing that they wouldnt make it back to camp before dark, they started heading back as quickly as possible, hoping to get back shortly after nightfall, at the least.

Theyd made pretty good progress, until the sun had set. It wasnt too long after that, that the sounds of the night moved in on them. Sounds that were familiar, and some that were strange, but normal night noises, all the same. Turning on their flashlights, they headed off, believing that camp was just a short distance away, and that theyd soon be back in time to assure their wives they were safe, and have a warm meal, as the night had brought on much cooler temperatures.

But, as they walked, and walked, and walked, the camp didnt get any closer, but something else did.

They hadnt noticed the strangeness of the situation, as they had been concentrating on getting back. It wasnt until they heard the snapping of twigs, that they noticed that the forest around them had become deathly quiet. No birds, insects. Hell, even the wind seemed to have vanished. Only their breathing filled the silence. Gulping down their fears, they moved forward, this time at a quicker pace.

They both kept their ears open for any more sounds of their visitor, but they heard nothing as they continued on. Relaxing a bit, realizing that theyd probably scared a rabbit, they chuckled - if a bit nervously- as they continued on.

Thats when they heard the first howl. It filled the night, echoing around them, raising the hairs on their skin. It was a howl unlike any theyd ever heard before. It should have been a wolf, or even a stray dog left out here by campers, but it was too... big, and too vile. And there seemed to be a hunger in it, as well.

With their hearts in their throats, they started moving off in a jog. A jog, that at the moment, didnt seem to have gotten them any further from their pursuer. It, the owner of the howl, seemed to be all around them.

The two men came to a sliding halt in the dead leaves, their breaths coming in gasps. Acting quickly, they placed a tree between them, with their backs to each other.

"Where the hell are we?"

"We should be close to camp."

"Does this look like camp to you? Damn it. Somethings out there, and it doesnt sound like it wants to be friends."

"You dont think Ive noticed!" The two jumped at the sound of the howl, as it rang through the trees, seeming to vibrate the very tree at their backs.

"Shit! Where the hell is it coming from?"

"I dont know!" The flashlight flickered over the face of a watch, illuminating the time. Midnight. A quick scan of the area, with the same flashlight, showed nothing but more trees and darkness.

"We cant stop now. Weve got to keep going. Theres no telling where the hell it is, and how far away it is from us." As if in answer, a stick snapping, somewhere in the darkness, announced the creatures presence.

"Go!" Both men headed into the darkness. They didnt care where they were going. Not any more, just as long as they were putting distance between them and the thing that had been following them.

Suddenly, the darkness seemed to reach out and grab them out of mid-air.

In the darkness, the two men had come across a cliff that rose eight feet above a small gully, and a dried up river. As the flashlights spun out of control through the air, the men caught flashing glimpses of rocks below them, as they seemed to fall forever.

As a deeper darkness reached out for one man, the other lay motionless amongst a pile of rocks, his body too hurt to move. He tried to gaze around him, to assess his location. To his left, he spotted one of the flashlights, its beam pointed up into the darkness of the top of the forest. Above his head, the other lit up the cliff face that theyd just fallen from.

Trying to take a breath, his body jerked at the pain it caused. Where was his friend?

"Jordy! Where are you? Can you hear me?" The pain that came with each word, was excruciating. He sucked in a breath, trying to listen for a response. But, that same breath caught in his throat as something passed in front of the flashlight above him.

"Who-whos there?" A deep rumbling growl was his only response. Fear fueling him, he tried to move, to get up and continue running, but his body wouldnt obey.

With his breath coming in painful gasps, he tried to look around, his survival instincts doing their best to take over. Gazing to his right, he found a large, sharp rock just within arms reach. With fingers that were cold, and becoming numb, he stretched out, reaching for the rock. Feeling its cool-ruffness in his finger tips, he pulled it toward him, and as he looked up, the rock slipped from them as he gazed into the nightmare that loomed above him.

Chapter One: The search

"Theyve found me, and there will be no rest now." -Gary Brandner, "The Howling II"

The helicopter flew low over the towering spires of pine trees. Its occupants searching the shadows of the forest below, for any sign of life.

"How long did the Search and Rescue teams keep looking after they disappeared?"

"About two weeks. The only thing they found was a back pack that had been torn to shreds. But, it didnt belong to either one of the men. They figured it had been in the forest for a few years. After the continued searches turned up nothing, they called the search off.

"No one has heard from either one of them. Both mens wives are worried sick. The authorities assume that both men just up and left. Left their families, their jobs... everything. Their wives wont believe it, and neither do I. My son and nephew wouldnt do something like that." Chandler Heaton slowly pushed the controls forward, sending the helicopter lower over the trees.

Hed been the only one who believed that the two lost men were still in the forest. When everyone had given up; the funds having run out, he continued on, using his own helicopter and money. He wouldnt give up on them. It was his son and nephew out there. It was already late September and winter was moving in fast. Fast even for Oregon. He couldnt live with himself if he didnt at least look for them.

A hand on his shoulder eased him a bit, but his eyes never left the forest below.

"Thats why were here. To help. We were good friends, and hed do the same for us." Chandler finally looked at the petite young woman next to him, her shoulder-length chestnut hair caught the sun, turning strands into liquid copper. Her warm brown eyes smiling up at him.

Chandler remembered her vaguely. His nephew had introduced her to him at a family gathering some years back. Hed been surprised when shed shown up at his home, offering her help in looking for the men.

"Thanks, Kimberly. I appreciate all the help you can give. Im also glad you three could also join us," Chandler said gazing briefly behind him.

"Were just glad that we could get away to be able to help. Right, Tommy?" The taller man gazed up from the wrinkled scrap of newspaper to respond to his friend.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Adams right."

"What are you looking at?" Dark, slender fingers reached out for the scrap of paper held in his hand. Before the fingers could close around it, Tommy pulled it away, folding it and tucking it in his pocket.

"Youll have to excuse him, Tanya, Tommys been a little... weird ever since he heard about the disappearances. I tried to talk him out of coming, but the more I talked, the more he insisted," Kim stated from the front of the helicopter.

"Okay. Do you know how strange it is to be talked about like youre not there? Jason was a good friend, and I know hed be right here, if it was one of us." Tommy let the anger in his voice seep away as he looked at the started stares cast his way.

"He was our friend as well, Tommy."

"I know, Adam. Im sorry everyone. Ive just been having bad dreams, and even worse feelings about this whole thing. I almost didnt come, because of them. But, then I knew that I couldnt let Jace down. Not when he needs my help."

Kim reached back, placing her hand on Tommys. Theyd been married for just a year, but sometimes it seemed longer. He had his NASCAR, and she had her coaching job at the local Collage. This was the first time theyd spent any real time together in months. Too bad it took a missing friend to make it happen.

"How long were they missing before the authorities were contacted?"

"Jasons wife contacted the authorities that night, when the boys didnt show up by midnight. Theyd been gone on a hike for six hours. She was told that, because they had hiked so far in, a good search and rescue team couldnt be put together until that morning. So, it had to have been less than two hours after theyd disappeared. Whyd you want to know, Tanya?"

"Im not sure." Tanya gazed down into the growing shadows of the trees. It was beginning to get dark, and soon they wouldnt be able to see anything, but she knew Chandler wouldnt give up until he had to. And neither would they.

Tommy pressed his head against the Plexiglas window of the helicopter, trying to look as far below them as he possibly could. Several times his eyes had played tricks on him, making him see shadows moving when there was nothing there. Twice now, Chandler had taken the chopper down lower to examine the shadows, only to find nothing. Tommy had apologized, but Chandler seemed grateful that they seemed to care so much.

He barely remembered meeting Chandler. Jason had introduced them once, when Tommy joined Jason on a family outing in High School. Hed been impressed with the man who towered above him. Chandler was a huge man, in anyones book. Tommy figured he stood nearly six feet four, and probably weighed a good two-hundred and fifty pounds. And not an inch of it was fat.

Jason had told him that his uncle had been in the Air Force during Vietnam. That when the war had ended, Chandler had offered to buy and pilot a helicopter for the search and rescue in LaGrande, Oregon. After all, thats what he had done in Nam. Flew into the middle of battles to save trapped and wounded soldiers.

Jason had also introduced him to his younger cousin, Jordy; who, at the time, planed on joining the Air Force, himself. And he had. A year after he graduated from High School, Jordy joined the Force. He spent six months on an Air Craft Carrier situated in the ocean off of Saudi Arabia.

When Jordy had returned from his tour of duty, he and Jason had gotten together to hike the deep forests of Oregon. To check out the wild life and report their findings to the local Forest Bureau. Both men had other jobs during the week, as well as families. Jordy had married a few months after returning from duty, and Jason had been married a year earlier, to a girl hed met shortly after leaving the team.

In the last couple of years, Tommy and Jason had lost contact, their lives taking different avenues. Tommy shook his head. It seemed so strange that life could become so important that you actually forgot just what was important. Now, that guilt ate at him, and he couldnt stop it.

Closing his eyes, Tommy tried to shake off the feeling, to focus on what was important at that moment. As he opened his eyes, he caught a glimpse of movement in the lengthening shadows below them. At first he didnt want to say anything. He didnt want to send them on a wild goose chase again. Silently he nudged Adam, and pointed out the window.

Looking a little confused, Adam leaned toward the window and glanced down in the direction Tommy was pointing.

For a long moment Adam strained his eyes to see into the darkness below them. He started to shake his head, to tell Tommy that he hadnt seen anything, when he caught a slight movement below. Adam looked up at his friend, and nodded.

"I just saw some movement just behind us, in the tree line," Tommy announced to everyone in the chopper.

"Youre just seeing things. Its getting late and weve been straining our eyes for hours," Kim said, trying to remind him, gently, of the other two times hed seen something.

"Not this time, Kim. I saw something, too." Three sets of eyes looked at Adam, almost as if they were expecting him to tell them he was just joking. When his expression didnt change, he felt the chopper shift as Chandler turned it back toward the area where he and Tommy had seen movement.

Chapter 2: Shadows

All rational thought was wiped out. There was only the raging hunger of the werewolf. -Gary Brandner, "The Howling II"

Slowly the large black bear lumbered through the thick forest, tearing at dead tree stumps with its long sharp claws, looking for its next meal.

It had been days, perhaps weeks, since she had last fed, but she couldnt remember. Her kind had no understanding of the passing of time, except for the seasons, and it was getting close to the time that she would need to find a place for the winter months.

Finding only a bare minimum of ants and termites in the dead wood of fallen trees, the sow moved on. A short distance away, she stumbled upon a ravine. Stopping at the edge, she gazed down into it, sniffing the air.

There was no water running down its rocky length, not now, but when the green season came, the white, cold stuff would melt, filling it. She would remember this place for when she awoke at the time of the green season.

Slowly she turned away from the ravine, preparing to continue on her quest for food; the forest growing darker around her. As a breeze began to move around her, it brought a new, strange scent to her. A scent the made her afraid.

She had stumbled into somethings territory, and it was close, watching her, waiting.

She gazed around nervously, checking the shadows around her. Immediately she broke to the right of the ravine, headed for the meadow just beyond the forest. There she would be safe.

The bear moved as quickly as her stout legs could carry her. With every step, she tried to force herself to go faster, but the accumulated weight for hibernation was slowing her down, making her huff with effort.

Behind her, she could hear movement in the forest. The creature didnt seem to be much bigger than herself, but there was a sense of evil about it, something that wasnt natural, wasnt a part of the forest. Something that didnt belong there.

Seeing a break in the trees ahead, the sow risked a glance behind her. There, in the growing shadows loomed the figure of something shed never seen before. At first glance she might have thought it was another bear, like her. But they could not run on their hind legs, and this figure was leaner; seemed more... human.

Not seeing the dead tree in front of her, the female tripped, flipping head over heels, rolling down the slight slope.

Slightly dazed, she didnt stop, even when her left hind foot felt odd, sending a jab of pain through her as she stumbled on. Limping painfully, she continued on toward the meadow.

Above her there was a sudden thrumming sound that seemed to vibrate the very air. Shed heard that same sound many time for quite some time. Shed always been afraid of it, taking shelter in the cover of trees, but this time, even with the sound coming from somewhere ahead of her, the thing behind her frightened her more.

As she entered the meadow she didnt slow; even when the strange bird making the noise, appeared in front of her. She just veered slightly, heading for the trees on the opposite side.

<hr>

Everyone in the helicopter watched as the bear headed toward them, changing its path only enough to avoid them, then disappearing into the forest on the other side of the clearing.

"Thats odd," Chandler proclaimed, looking at the forest where the bear had disappeared.

"What?" Tanya asked, scanning the forest where the bear had come from.

"Every bear that Ive seen avoids the helicopter, retreating back into the forest where they came from. They never come near the chopper."

"It seemed like it was hurt," Kim added. Shed noticed that the big beast had been limping somewhat.

"Yeah, I noticed that, too," Tommy uttered, from beside her.

"Well, theres nothing we can do, here. When we get back Ill radio the Forest Service, let them decide what to do. And, as much as I hate to say it, its getting dark and well have to head in; try our luck tomorrow."

Everyone was silent. They all wanted to continue to look, knowing that the longer the two men were out there, the less chance theyd have of surviving.

No one said a word as Chandler turned the helicopter and headed back to LaGrande.

<hr>

Anger coursed through the creature as the bear escaped its clutches. It had been days since it had eaten, having gorged itself on another animals kill. The flesh of the dead animal had been rotten and had soured in its stomach, but it had been food. It had been a long time since it had had fresh meat, and now, with the intrusion of the noise, it would be even longer.

The creature had been curious about the thing that made the noise, but self-preservation had always taken over, keeping the beast to the shadows of the forest.

Growling with the last of its fleeting anger, the beast lashed out at a nearby tree, dragging its huge, black claws through the trees bark, as if it was nothing more than air.

Frustrated, the creature turned back to the dark depths of the forest to sleep, hoping that the pains of hunger in its stomach would go away long enough for the sleep to come.

Chapter 3: Waiting

In the shadows of the room lurked reminders of that time when insanity seemed the easy way out. -Gary Brandner, "The Howling II"

Tommy lay in bed awake, Kim curled up next to him. Shed fallen asleep quickly, but she was restless; moving slightly away from him, her face etched with a frown. He thought about waking her, but decided against it, knowing how little rest they had all had in the past weeks.

Gently he moved away from her, as he reached for his wallet on the night stand. Grabbing it, he shifted back into place next to her, flipping the switch on the small light above the bed. Opening the wallet, Tommy skipped past the folded green bills, through several pieces of paper, until he found the crinkled article hed placed inside. Pulling the piece of newspaper from the wallet, Tommy unfolded it, trying to smooth out the wrinkles.

Laying the wallet on the bed beside him, he grasped the scrap of paper with both hands. Two images gazed out from the paper at him, like specters from a bad dream. There, in black and white, were Jason and Jordy, smiling with arms draped over each others shoulders.

For, what seemed like the hundredth time, Tommy began to quietly read the article to himself:

LaGrande Daily September 2, 2000 The search continues... Two men have disappeared in the forests of North Eastern Oregon. Jason Scott and his cousin, Jordy Heaton, disappeared in the forest two days ago, around 3pm, on a hike. When the two men failed to return to camp around mid-night, Ellen Scott, wife of Jason Scott, contacted local authorities, via cell phone, but the search and rescue team was unable to start the search until the following morning. After two days of search, using ground crews and helicopter, there has been no sign that the two men were even in the forest. Authorities have questioned both families, but were unable to come up with anymore leads. As temperatures have started dipping into the low forties at night, concern for the survival of both men grows. Search will continue for several more days. If nothing shows up, a meeting will be held to determine if further searches will be necessary. If you have seen, or heard from either man, in the last forty-eight hours, you are asked to please contact Hal Jordan at LaGrandes Sheriffs office.

Tommy refolded the article. What he hoped to find by rereading it over and over again was beyond him. Slipping it back into his wallet, he was startled by a soft voice next to him.

"How many times have you looked at that?"

"Sorry, Kim. I didnt mean to wake you."

"You didnt. I couldnt sleep. Can I see it?" Kim slid up, resting her back against the headboard of the bed. She took the offered paper from Tommys fingers.

The paper had been in and out of his wallet so often in the past two and a half weeks, that the paper was soft and pliable.

"Its not like Jace to up and disappear like this."

"I know. I dont know what to think, either. I talked with Ellen, she said that everything was fine between the two of them, and Jason was excited about becoming a father. It doesnt make any sense."

"If it had been a few years ago, I would have thought it was Zedd and Rita, or even the Machine Empire. But..."

"There just has to be a logical explanation for it."

"Ive tried to think of all possible explanations and the only ones that seem remotely possible... dont have happy endings."

"It seems more Jordys style of disappearing for a few days, than it does Jasons. Jason use to tell me stories of Jordy taking off for days at a time, not telling anyone where he was going or when hed be back. But those times were only for two or three days, not two weeks."

Tommy glanced at the clock by the bed. The hotel theyd checked into was small but clean, and up to date.

"Its two in the morning. Wed better try and get some rest, weve got to meet Chandler at the hanger by eight."

"I guess youre right. I hope Adam and Tanya are getting some rest." Kim handed the article back to Tommy, then slid down beneath the covers.

"I doubt it. Did you see the bags under Adams eyes. He looks like he hasnt slept for days," Tommy said, laying down next to her.

"Yeah, I did. Tanya looked wiped out, as well."

"Did you ever get a hold of Billy?" Tommy clicked the light off, cuddling down next to his wife.

"His secretary at MIT said he was out of the state on business and wasnt expected back for another week. Said shes give him the message as soon as she heard from him."

"Hopefully hell have good news waiting for him by then."

"Yeah." Tommy kissed Kim gently on the forehead as he wrapped his arms around her.

Tomorrow would be another long day, and he hoped they would find something, anything.

Closing his eyes, he willed sleep to take him somewhere where he could forget about everything, even if only for a few hours.

Chapter 4: Preparations

"What I want is a knife. A knife with a blade of silver." -Gary Brandner, "The Howling II"

A slight breeze blew in from the coast, covering the morning sky with dark, thick, grey clouds. A gentle drizzle fell, just enough to add to the dreariness of the day.

Adam pulled his jacket tighter around him as he stepped out of the rental car. Tommy and Kim were already heading toward the hanger where Chandler was waiting. Startled by the closing of the car door, he turned to look at Tanya as she rounded the car toward him.

"Almost seems fitting, doesnt it?" she said, pulling the collar of her yellow jacket around her neck.

Adam smiled to himself. He had always thought that wearing clothes the same color as the Ranger they were, had something to do with the powers, themselves. But... even after all these years, his wardrobe consisted mainly of clothes that were either black or green. Apparently he wasnt the only one.

"It does. I didnt want to say anything to Kim and Tommy, but I have this deep feeling of dread, about all of this. I know everyone is trying to remain upbeat and positive, but I just cant shake it."

"Im not really looking forward to hiking and camping in weather like this either-"

"Its not the weather and camping. Ive camped in snow before, in Boy Scouts, its something else. Something I cant put my finger on."

Tanya felt the hairs on the back of her neck prick. She hadnt really felt right about all of it either.

"We dont have to do this, you know. We both have jobs and families to get back to. I think everyone will understand if we change our minds." Adam seemed to think about the idea. He glanced at his reflection in the car window, then at the hanger where Tommy and Kim had disappeared.

"I have to do this. If for no other reason than for Jason. Everyone else has given up on them... I cant let him down."

"I understand."

"So, youll be heading back, then?"

"Are you kidding? And let you guys have all of the fun?" Tanya smiled and looped her arm through his as the headed off toward the hanger.

<hr>

"Hey, Kim, Tommy. Where are Adam and Tanya?" Chandler asked, coming around the side of a small Plane.

"Theyre right behind us," Tommy stated, blowing into his hands to warm them.

"Id like to introduce you two to a friend of mine. This is Lloyd Gainer. Hes the best tracker we have around here. Hes going to help us look for the boys."

"Nice to meet you. Did you help out in the search the authorities did?" Tommy asked the large man.

Lloyd wasnt your regular Joe. He must have been about six-foot-five, Tommy figured, going by his own height of six-feet. Though the man must have weighed well over three-hundred pounds, he seemed well muscled. His hair was dark and long, and looked like it hadnt been washed for as long as it seemed he hadnt shaved. His eyes were dark beneath heavy brows, and they seemed to hold a kind of wildness to them.

His choice of clothing seemed well suited for tracking in the mountains. His body, from head to toe, was covered in layers of buckskins and fur pelts. As he took in the various pelts, Tommy cast his gaze toward Kim. This guy definitely had her hackles up, though she was keeping her opinions to herself. Kim had always been a stanch animal rights activist, and he knew shed let him have the full force of her ire once they were alone.

Turning his attention back to the man, Tommy offered his hand. He was certain that the huge man would crush his hand within the grip of his ham-sized fists, thats why he was surprised when the grip was firm, not crushing, and a smiled curved the mans lips as he pumped Tommys hand. The smile seemed to soften the ruffness of the man a bit. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Chandler hide a smile behind his hand.

"That I did, for a couple of days, until I was asked to leave; because I was not part of the Search and Rescue team. Politics."

"I completely understand. By the way, Im Tommy Oliver," Tommy began as he heard the hanger door open and close. "This is my wife, Kim, and these two stragglers are Adam Park and Tanya Sloan-Jackson. Guys, this is our guide, Lloyd Gainer."

As the man shook each of their hands, Tommy had to stifle a smile as both registered the same look of surprise he had just moments before.

"Glad to meet you all. Jason and Jordy has some wonderful friends." Lloyd smiled and headed out of the hanger to finish his work.

"Im just glad everyone showed up. I just want to give everyone here a chance to change their minds, before we leave. We may be out in this weather for a couple of days. Its going to be cold, wet and it wont be easy. Ill understand if you dont want to join me on this search," Chandler offered.

The small group of friends looked at one another without saying a word.

"Jason was a great friend to us, and we owe it to him to help in the search. Hes counting on us," Tanya uttered.

"He couldnt have asked for better friends." Chandler smiled. "Okay. This is what our plans are: well take the chopper out to the meadow we flew over yesterday. There well land and tie down. From there well hike into the forest, use the path that my son said theyd be using that day. Its going to be hard, the weather will be working against us.

"Keep your eyes, ears and mind open for anything you might think is strange or unusual."

"The supplies are loaded, so if everyone is ready..." Lloyd called through the open door. He glanced at the rag-tag team. They were inexperienced in search and rescue, especially in the wild, but somehow he knew theyd all do just fine.

"Ready?" Chandler queried. He looked at each nod, then grabbed up his pack. "All right then, lets get this show on the road."

The wind pushed at them as they left the hanger, the helicopter tethered a hundred feet ahead.

There was no turning back now, as each former Ranger entered the helicopter, on their way to search for their friend.

Chapter 5: Into the Forest

"There is evil and death in the mountains." -Gary Brandner, "The Howling II"

The air was vibrating, the creature knew the air-thing had returned. It strained to hear the sound of the strange bird, but within the depths of the cave, all sounds were muffled.

Lazily it shifted from its resting place at the back of the dank, rock room. The unfortunate rabbit it had captured earlier, set like a rock in its stomach, but at least the flesh was fresh and warm, an the pain of hunger was abated for the time.

Carefully the creature neared the caves entrance where the smell of rain, dead leaves and damp earth filled its nostrils. Faintly it could smell something else. A familiar sent mixed with something it couldnt understand. Suddenly the sound and the vibrations stopped. The creature pulled back from the entrance. It understood the unfamiliar smell, now. The strange bird had lit somewhere not far from its territory. The smell was slowly dissipating, blown deeper into the forest by the howling winds.

As the wind shifted, scattering leaves at the creatures feet, it brought a strong scent of the other smell, a very familiar smell. Immediately the creatures stomach growled.

Human.

Not as many as there had been, several suns ago, but enough to feed the hunger. The creatures body began to quiver, the hunger roaring through its veins. It was too light, now, to hunt the humans. For now it would locate them, watch them, then when darkness fell, when they wouldnt see it, it would feast.

Shaking the leaves and dirt from its body, the beast marked the entrance of the cave, then weaved its way through the tree roots to the outside, then, like a specter, the creature disappeared into the drizzle and the forest.

<hr>

Kim listened as the light rain struck the vinyl shell of her coat, nearly drowning out the sound of activity around her. Lloyd secured the rotor blades with lines, to the body of the helicopter so the wind wouldnt cause them to rotate, and possibly bend or destroy them in some way. Adam and Chandler were busy unloading the packs and supplies for the hike.

She was glad that shed continued her gymnastic workouts, even though she had turned to coaching, after the Pan Globals. Shed need all the strength she could get when they headed out.

"Kim, heres your pack." Tommy handed the large pack and frame to her. He started to slip his own on, then stopped when he saw her pensive look. "Are you sure youre up to this?"

"I think so. After all, it is a little late to change my mind." Tommy followed her gaze, watching as Chandler and Lloyd finished tying down the chopper. "Besides," she said, slipping her arms into the straps. "I was the one who kept complaining that life had gotten too boring, after-"

"Zordons death. Yeah, thats why I continued on in the NASCAR circuit; the excitement." Tommy gave her a warm smile, then helped her fasten on her pack.

Chandler watched the small group of kids. Kids. He shook his head. They all were over twenty, and yet, to him they were kids. He gazed up to see grey clouds move slowly across the sky. He headed toward the group, Lloyd trailing behind him.

"I know that this all seems strange, to be out here in this kind of weather, but we cant allow any more time to pass by. If those two boys are still out there, they need us to find them, and soon. Lloyd and I have made sure that we have all the necessary supplies for three days.

"Well search the woods for two days and then head back here. Well be able to get back faster, as we wont be slowed by the search." Chandler reached into a small side pocket on his pack. From within it, he drew a small disk. He held it up for everyone to see. "All of you have a compass in your pack. Take it out and check your position. You will need to remember the location of the helicopter, should any of you, for any reason, become separated from the group." He watched as everyone retrieved their compasses and checked their location. "Well head into the wood to the South-West. Well separate and spread out as we go. That way we can cover more ground and have a better chance of noticing anything unfamiliar. When we do spread out, never; I cant emphasis this enough, never loose eye contact with the person or persons around you. As soon as you do notice youve lost sight of these people, call out, nice and loud, so that we can locate you.

"Okay. Is everyone ready?" Chandler looked at the group, each person nodding and checking their pack straps. He glanced quickly at Lloyd, his lips curved in a slight grin. "Then lets move out. Lloyd, you take the lead."

From the dark cover of brush, two eyes peered out at the motley group of humans as they entered the forest. Entered its lair.

It watched them for some time, sniffing the air and their sent. Its mouth began to water in anticipation of the evenings feast. The creature slipped from the bushes, shaking water from its body. As it prepared to follow the humans, a breeze brought the sound of creaking to its ears.

The creature stopped, sniffed the air, listening. slowly it turned to see the strange bird sitting in the open meadow. Curious, the creature cautiously approached the strange invader, surprised when the bird did not try to fly away, as it drew closer.

Casting a glance back at the forest, the creature proceeded to circle the bird, smelling it, striking out with its claws. The sound of its claws striking the bird, stirred up a faint memory, but as the beast strove to catch the fleeting memory, it disappeared. With a growl, the beast struck out at the birds eyes, causing small fractures to spread over the eye. Still the bird did not respond. Mildly satisfied that it had harmed the strange creature, the beast set off in pursuit of its meal.

Chapter 6: The Hunt

At first it was nothing she could define, just a prickling of the skin and a sort of chill down her back. Then she knew what it was. Someone was watching her. -Gary Brandner, "The Howling II"

Tanya checked her watch. 2:00pm. In one way it seemed like they hadnt been hiking for very long, and yet it seemed like theyd been walking forever.

They had landed in the meadow around 8:30 that morning and had headed into the forest around 8:45 or 9:00. They hadnt yet stopped for lunch, it being unanimous that they wanted to cover as much ground as the light and weather would permit. She was just thankful that it wasnt hot, as it had cut down on how much water she needed to consume, leaving her more for later. She was also grateful that the rain had let up some. The clouds still filled the sky, but the rain had stopped for the time being.

Sighing deeply; adjusting the straps of her pack, Tanya looked to her left to catch a glimpse of Chandler through the trees. He waved to her as he leapt over a fallen tree. She waved back in acknowledgment.

They had yet to discover anything unusual or out of place, but they really didnt expect to find anything this soon.

Casually she glanced to her right. Seeing another figure in the trees, she waved and turned her gaze back to the forest in front of her. Suddenly she stopped. In her mind she went over her placement in the line. Furthest to her left was Lloyd, Tommy, Kim, Adam, Chandler... then... her. With her heart lodged in her throat, she looked back to her right.

Nothing.

Had she been seeing things?

Slowly she took a few steps in the direction in which she thought shed seen someone. Carefully she searched the trees for movement. "Jason? Jordy? Is anyone there?"

The sound of Tanyas voice brought Chandler to a dead stop. Ducking beneath a limb, he spotted her just ahead of him.

"Everyone, stop where you are," he shouted over his shoulder, as he headed toward Tanya.

Hearing twigs snapping behind her, she turned, startled. Holding her chest, she sighed in relief to see Chandler approaching her.

"Whats up?"

"I thought I saw someone... something. But now, I cant see anything. I called out, but there was no answer."

<hr>

The creature watched from the shadow of a large tree. The female human had seen him, and called out before he could get close enough to her. A male human joined her. She stood a ways away from the male, but too close for it to safely attack the female.

From its spot in the shadows, the creature tried to will the woman closer to it. Its stomach growled hungrily at the thought of the warm, fresh flesh.

Patience, the beast chanted within its head. Patience.

<hr>

"What did you find?" Adam called from his spot in the line. He could feel the excitement and dread coursed through him, all at once.

"Nothing. Tanya thought she saw something, but it must have only been shadows." Chandler replied as he scanned the forest. "Wed better get going. I dont think the weather is going to hold back for too much longer," he announced, as he gazed up at the darkening clouds.

"Yeah, I guess youre right."

Tanya continued to scan the forest as she listened to Chandler move off. Sighing in frustration, she turned to join the others. From somewhere in the shadows of the forest, a voice called out to her; like the sigh of the wind calling out her name. At first she thought she was just hearing things. The need to find Jason and Jordy, playing on her mind. She paused briefly. She looked to her left to see Chandler heading away into the forest. Shaking her head, she started to follow him, but stopped once more.

Again she heard her name called, and the voice calling to her seemed distant and distorted. She brushed the hair from her face, the wind picking up, scattering leaves at her feet. "Its just the wind." Tanya gazed up into the tree tops, listening as the wind sighed through their branches.

"Taaannnyyyaaa..." Her head snapped around. It wasnt the wind. Someone was calling to her, she was sure of it.

"Hello? Jason? Jordy?" Slowly she moved toward the sound of the voice, uncertain of what she would find.

<hr>

The creature could sense the female coming closer, and its body began to quiver and tighten like a coil, waiting for the human to draw even closer. Carefully the beast gazed out from its hiding place to find that the human had stopped and was looking around. She was closer, but not enough. The kill needed to be quick, so that there would be little sound to alarm the others.

Slowly the beast called to her, letting its lips form, barely remembered, words around its fangs. "Taaannnyyyaaa..."

Tanya turned to face a thick grove of trees. The shadows deep within their trunks, dark and fear-inspiring. It was within this grove that the voice had called.

A blast of cold wind bit into her, driving her sideways. For a few minutes she held her ground against the blast, then continued forward.

The beast felt the hunger grow within its stomach, as saliva dripped from its sharp teeth. Closer... closer... its time to feed, the creatures mind chanted.

As the female drew near, the beast slowed its rapid breathing, raised unusually long arms up, claws extended, ears listening intently as it prepared for the attack.

The voice had ceased calling to her, and as she neared the grove the hairs on the back of her neck began to raise. Somethings wrong, she thought. But what if its Jason or Jordy? What if theyre hurt? Questions continued to war within her mind as she reached the outer most tree. Carefully she peered into the darkening shadows, trying to make out the slightest movement.

Closer. Closer. The creature could smell the blood pumping through her veins. Could taste the adrenaline in the air. The beasts body stopped quivering and tightened up like a coiled spring, ready for the female to take the few more steps that would bring her to it.

Tanya stepped into the shadows, gazing around the trunks of the trees as she passed them. Suddenly, ahead of her she spotted a slight movement. Holding her breath she watched the shadows, waiting for the movement again.

There it was, so slight that if she had not been looking for it, she would have missed it. Carefully she moved toward the movement, trying to focus on its shape.

Ready...

As the movement became more pronounced, Tanya stopped.

NOW!

Tanya screamed as something grabbed her from behind, spinning her back in the direction in which shed just come. Eyes wide, heart pounding, she felt her legs begin to give way under her, threatening to drop her to the ground.

"We thought wed lost you. What are you doing?" Chandler demanded, releasing her shoulder.

"I-I thought... I heard someone." Chandler looked at the stricken girl, letting his anger subside.

"Im sorry. I didnt mean to scare you."

"Im okay. I thought I saw something moving in the trees." Tanya pointed into the shadows. Chandler stepped forward, gazing into the darkness. Chuckling, he shook his head.

"Its just a few leaves on a broken branch. Come on, daylights slipping by."

Feeling silly, Tanya let Chandler guide her, by the elbow, back to the awaiting group so that they could continue in their search.

As the duo moved away, a deep rumbling, growl followed them on the breeze, from the grove. Never reaching their ears.

STUPID!

The creature had been concentrating so hard on the female, that it had not heard the male approach, and had almost exposed itself to them both. That would have been foolish, it would have lost the advantage of surprise.

Growling again, the beast lashed out at another nearby tree, leaving deep scars in the bark, as the creature put a bit of distance between it and its prey. It would continue to stalk them from a distance.

Chapter 7: The Storm

There was thunder there was lightning then the stars went out and the moon fell from the sky. -Tom Waits, "Earth Died Screaming"

As the evening sky grew darker, the rain began to fall harder. For an hour they had been following Lloyd, who had told them of the location of a cave they could us for shelter for the night. Kim was beginning to wonder if the huge man really knew of such a cave, or if he was just hoping to stumble upon one.

The group had kept the conversations down to a minimum, but she was pretty sure that they all were as miserable as she was. Her coat had only detoured the rain for a short time, but now her clothes clung to her like a second skin. Her boots were heavy with mud and the rain was even beginning to seep into them as well. Thank goodness that her backpack seemed to be keeping her back warm, though the added weight of the water was causing that straps to bite painfully into her shoulders.

Kim looked to her left as Chandler caught up with her.

"How are you doing?"

"Cold, wet, tired. Other than that... fine." Chandler laughed, which made her smile.

"Thats just about the same answer Ive gotten from everyone else."

"Chandler, can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"Lloyds not leading us around in circles, is he? I mean... weve been trying to get to this cave for an hour now, and..."

"Id be wondering that myself... if it wasnt for the fact that I know Lloyd so well, and trust him." Chandler could see the relief in her smile. "Dont worry. Well be there soon. Youd better turn your flashlight on; makes it easier to keep track of everyone now that its starting to get dark."

"Okay." Kim unclasped the flashlight from her belt, flicking it on with a trembling finger. She glanced to the side, noticing that Chandler had fallen back in line somewhere behind them, bringing up the rear.

A howl suddenly split the silence, causing everyone to jump. Kim growled, "Im really starting to hate that wolf," as she continued on.

When theyd first head the howl, theyd questioned Lloyd and Chandler about it, and they both assured them that the wolves were normal and wouldnt bother them. Now Kim wanted them to define the word bother.

A sudden flash of lightening lit up the sky, causing her to jump; her body tightening up in the anticipation of the thunder that would soon follow. And as the roar rolled over the forest, the rain began to fall in buckets.

"Oh, great!"

Ahead of her the group began to slow, their combined flashlights lighting up the darkness around them. As Kim joined the rest of the team, she sought out Tommy, and the comforting warmth of his arms.

Once everyone had joined the group, Lloyd began to speak as loudly as he could over the pounding rain.

"Im sorry that its taken so long to get to the cave," Chandler must have told him about her concerns, Kim thought as she listened to him continue. "We have less than a mile now, to get there.

"Now, we have to follow along this small ridge, so watch your footing. Its not a sharp drop, but it is a steep one. So just be careful. Are we ready?"

Everyone acknowledged that they were, so Lloyd headed out first, followed by the rest of the group, Chandler bringing up the rear once more.

"Are you starting to regret coming?" Tommy asked Kim as he pulled her tighter to her side.

"Yeah, but Im doing this for Jason. You know he would be doing this if it was one of us missing."

"I know. Thats whats kept me going. And I bet if you were to ask Tanya and Adam, theyd say the same thing."

"I know they would."

Ahead of them a cluster of tress blocked their path, leaving a small trial along the edge of the ridge. Each member of the group moved along slowly, placing the trunks of the trees at their backs as they carefully moved along the small path. As each person passed, pieces of the muddy ridge broke loose, falling away beneath their feet, tumbling down into the ravine below them.

Kim held back, letting Tommy pass in front of her. She held her breath as a piece of the trail broke away, causing him to stumble. When hed finally reached the other side, she sighed in relief and gazed behind her. Tanya had nearly reached their position. Not wanting the rest of the group to have to wait on her, Kim slowly began to make her way around the trees. On the other side, Tommy stretched out his hand for her. Carefully she reached out to grasp it, the space between them growing smaller.

Kim was just mere inches from reaching Tommys hand when another flash of lightning startled her, causing her to jump slightly. That was all the ledge needed, giving away completely beneath her. With a scream, Kim felt the ground give way beneath her feet. Tommy called out to her, trying to grab her as she started to fall. Using years of gymnastic training, she twisted her body, leaping toward Tommys out stretched hand. But the weight of the pack strapped to her back, pulled her back as she felt her fingers slide across the palm of Tommys wet hand.

With a shriek of panic, she dug her fingers into the muddy wall of the ridge, trying to stop the fall or at least try to slow it. She watched, helpless, as the flashlight went spinning into the darkness below her and to her left.

Unexpectedly, her feet hit something below her, flipping her back away from the wall of the ridge, to land her on her back; arched over the pack that was still strapped to her.

As the thunder filled the forest, Kim gasped for air, her heart pounding as the rain continued to sting her face. Blinking her eyes she looked up into the darkness above her, to find a beam of a flashlight flashing in the air above her, then down at her.

"Kim! Are you all right?" came Tommys terrified voice.

"Yeah. I think so. I just need to catch my breath."

"Im coming down-"

"No! Ill need all of you to help me out of here."

Chapter 8: Lost and Found

"A thing." "A thing?" "I think it... must have been a bear." -William W. Johnstone, "Wolfsbane"

As light flashed down at her from above, Kim rolled to her side and staggered to her feet under the weight of the back pack.

"Hang on. Lloyds getting the ropes out. Well toss the end down to you and pull you up," Tommy said looking down at her. Kim waved up to him to let him.

"Im not going anywhere." As she waited, she glanced around trying to locate her flashlight. Catching a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye she reached down to pick up a battery. "Damn." She turned it over in her hand. The flashlight must have broken apart in the fall, she thought.

With nothing better to do, she continued looking around the area for the rest of her flashlight. Feeling something break under her foot, she stopped and backed up. Carefully she plucked a finger-sized piece of plastic from the ground.

"Yep. Broken." Shaking her head, she moved back to the side of the ravine. From above her, out of the darkness, snaked the white length of rope. Stretching out, being careful of her footing, she grasped the end, pulling it to her.

<hr>

The shapes of the humans took on a different look within the confines of the darkness. The beasts eyes shifted, watching the glowing images of the humans. It had stalked them all day, never getting close enough to attack, not since the female, earlier.

It had waited for the darkness, knowing that its time would come then, but as the night closed in, the humans grouped together, one never straying far from the others. So, with hunger cramping its stomach, the creature continued to stalk them.

Now, as it watched, one of the humans had become separated from the group, alone and vulnerable.

A feast.

Carefully, the beast slipped from the trees, gazing down into the ravine. Somewhere ahead, in the dark, was the lone human. The beast could hear the rhythmic beating of the females heart, could smell her adrenaline rich blood. Slowly the creature let its long tongue glide hungrily over the sharp edges of its teeth. It would feed soon. The fresh flesh quelching the ache in its empty stomach.

Letting its thoughts wonder, the beast made its way back the other way, to a point where it would be better able to enter the ravine without being seen by the humans.

<hr>

"I cant get my footing. The sides are too muddy," Kim called up, as she wiped the rain soaked strands of her hair from her eyes. Then she gripped the wet rope once more.

Above her, the group had wrapped their shirt tails in their hands to better hold the rain slick rope.

"Is there anything you can grab onto to help pull yourself up? Like tree roots or something?" Adam asked from above.

"Its too dark. I cant see anything and my flashlight is broken."

"Weve got the rope, Adam. Take your flashlight and shine it down for her," Chandler called out from the front of the rope.

Slowly Adam released the rope, making sure that the other indeed had a hold of it. Then, grabbing up his flashlight, he moved to the side of the ravine, laying down on his stomach in the mud and slowly stretching out his arm and flashlight toward Kim below him.

Carefully he pulled himself closer to the edge, gazing down into the ravine. About eight feet below him he could see Kim; mud covered and wet, rope tied securely around her waist.

"Can you see anything, now?" Adam asked, tring to steady the beam of light.

"A little more to the left... there!" Kim gazed up towards the light. Trying to see in the bright glare she spotted the shadow of a large tree root with smaller roots sticking out from it. "I see something. A tree root. The rain must have washed the dirt from around it."

"Can you reach it?"

"Its just barely out of my reach. Hang on. Give me a little slack on the rope." Adam looked over his shoulder, calling back to the team.

"Kim needs some slack." He turned his gaze back to the rope and watched as its mud stained length slithered past him and over the edge down into the darkness below him.

<hr>

The creature neared the bend in the ravine, the one around which hed find his prey. Licking the saliva from its snarling lips, the creature moved forward. The desire to leap at its helpless victim barely suppressed. From somewhere above it, it could hear the numerous voices of the other humans.

As the beast prepared to round the bend, a flash of light pierced the darkness next to it, causing the creature to withdraw deeper into the dark, the sound of footsteps heading it its direction.

<hr>

"Kim, what are you doing?" Tommy yelled from his place at the back of the rope.

"Adam, can you see her?" Lloyd asked from behind him, as he held tight to the soggy rope.

"Yeah. Kim, come on. Weve got to get you out of there and to the cave."

"Im coming." Kim glared through the semi-darkness at the ground. There has to be a large rock down here, she said to herself. As she prepared to return to the wall of the ravine, she spotted the perfect rock, just at the edge of Adams flashlights beam. "Im coming," she repeated again, as she bent down to retrieve the rock, wrapping her slender, mud-covered fingers around the skull sized stone.

With effort, she pulled the stone from its place, missing the flash of claws that simotaniously reached out for her, barely tagging the edge of her back pack.

"What are you doing?" Adam wondered aloud as Kim reappeared at the bottom of the ravine.

"I think I can reach that tree root if I stand on this."

"Tree root?" Adam tried to see where the root was, but the edge of the ravine cast a shadow half way down the side, and he didnt dare move any more of his body near the unstable edge than was necessary.

Kim set the stone down, and balancing carefully on its rocky surface, she stepped up onto it, teetering precariously from side to side. Stretching out, she tried to grab the shadowy root. Finding her fingers mere centimeters from touching, she stretched up onto her toes to grip the root.

"Got it! Go!" As her fingers wrapped tightly around the root, she found it a bit pliable, and slimy to the touch. Her mind started to try and figure out why a root would feel that way when she felt the rope tighten around her waist.

"Pull, Kim!" Adam instructed from above.

Kim felt her feet leave the surface of the stone and she reached up with her other hand for the root. Though the muddy wall kept her feet from finding solid purchase, she braced her feet, trying as hard as she could to assist her friends in pulling her back up.

Suddenly, before her eyes, the wall began to break apart, sending and avalanche of rock and mud raining down on her. The root began to loosen, making more mud break free and causing her to loose what little footing she had.

She quickly released the root as her body spun sideways, slamming her into the muddy wall of the ravine. "Dont let me go!" she cried out, closing her eyes and wishing that all of this was just a bad dream. She then felt herself dangling briefly before the wall at her side seemed to slide downward.

"Weve got you. Hold on!" came Chandlers voice.

When she opened her eyes, the light from Adams flashlight blinded her, hands grabbing at her arms, pulling her back over the edge where she lay gasping for breath. Within moments, Tommy was at her side, pulling her into his arms.

<hr>

Anger roared inside of the beast, shaking its body in rage. Its pray had dangled helplessly before it, waiting for the beast to pluck it like a fruit from a tree. But the mud and rocks the human had dislodged, in her attempt to escape, kept the human just out of the creatures grasp.

As the human continued to dangle, calling out to the others above, the beast moved around the mess to a point where it would have a better chance of reaching her and stopping the pain of hunger that was crushing it.

Finding the perfect spot, the beast reached out with its long arms, claws extended and curved to grasp its helpless prey. The cold, muddy soles of the humans shoe raked across the claws, and as the creature prepared to get a firm grasp, the human was pulled out of its reach, disappearing over the ravines edge.

Stifling the need to howl in rage, the creature waited silently in the darkness of the ravine, its skin tingling as the rain continued to run in rivulets through its fur.

Now that the humans had their female back, theyd move on and it would be able to track them once again. And this time it would have a chance to decide on a better plan of attack.

A unexpected burst of light suddenly blinded the creature. Forgetting everything, it bared its teeth, growling. Hearing the click of a gun, the beast growled once more then dashed into the cover of the night further down the ravine. As the sound of gun fire filled the stormy night sky, the beast felt a burning sensation enter its right, hind leg, knocking the beast off of its feet.

With a howl of pain, the creature righted itself and continued off into the forest, its wounded leg nearly useless.

<hr>

"What the hell was that thing? A bear?" Chandler asked the large man at his side. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the group of kids huddled together, looks of confusion and fear on their faces.

Lloyd lowered the rifle, slowly looking at Chandler.

"That was no bear; too lean and fast."

"Maybe its a starving-"

"No! It wasnt a bear."

Chandler had never seen Lloyd act this way. The man seemed almost frozen in place.

"Wolf... maybe?" Chandler could still see the creature glaring up at them. Fangs bared, ears back, black fur marred with mud, and... claws. Claws like hed never seen.

"Close," Lloyd whispered.

"What was that?" Tommy asked. Hed heard the growls; everyone had. He looked at Kim who had become very pale and started shaking uncontrollably. Tommy put his arms back around her, giving her all of his body heat he could.

"I-it was a... bear. Well be okay, now," Chandler said, turning his back on them again. "Close? What are you saying? That, that thing down there was a-"

"Werewolf."

"Bullshit! Thats just a bunch of Indian hokum. Werewolves are not real." Chandler refused to believe it, even though hed seen it with his own eyes.

"That may be so, but someone forgot to tell it. Besides, do you have a better idea of what it was?"

"A starving bear."

"Yeah, okay. Just keep telling yourself that and Im sure youll be okay."

As Lloyd turned away from the ridge, the beam of his flashlight flashed over the pile of rubble below them. Chandler grabbed his arm, keeping him from moving any further.

"Wait. I think I saw something." He released Lloyds arm, and raised his own flashlight aiming it in the same direction that Lloyds had been.

Slowly he moved the beam over the pile of rubble. Behind him, he could hear the rest of the group moving toward them. As his beam rested on the object hed seen, he pulled back. Turning; face pale, he put his hands up.

"Dont come any closer. Just stay right there."

"Whats wrong?" Tanya asked, the sudden fear making her feel sick.

"What is it?" Adam demanded as he pushed past the others.

"Just stay where you are; please." Lloyd was taken aback my Chandlers actions. The man standing before him looked as if hed seen a ghost.

"What did you see?" he whispered.

Unable to say a word, Chandler pointed down at the rubble and moved back, giving Lloyd some room. Lloyd flicked his flashlight on and moved closer to the edge of the ravine. The ground shifted under his weight and he held still. Slowly he moved his arm down, letting the beam of his flashlight wash over the bottom of the ravine.

"Oh, dear God." Lloyd backed away from the edge to stand beside Chandler.

Before the two men could stop them, the rest of the group moved past them, their flashlights lighting up the ravine far below them. Gasps and cries of denial rang out from the group.

Below them, sticking up out of the mound of rocks and mud, as if reaching out for them, was a human arm. Kim stumbled away, sick. She knew now why the tree root had felt strange to the touch. She sank to her knees next to a nearby tree, tears streaming down her face to join with the still-falling rain.

Adam backed away as well, his stomach threatening to betray him and Tanya covered her gasp of surprise with her hand. Growing up on the Savannah had helped her to deal with such things; there were always many mutilations by lions, but it was never easy.

Tommy could only stare into Chandlers pale face. In the mans eyes Tommy found the truth. Slowly he moved toward the edge of the ravine. A strong hand held him back, but he shrugged it off and continued forward. At the edge, in trembling hands, Tommy turned on his flashlight, aiming the beam down at the rubble. It took only seconds for the beam to find its target.

In disbelief, Tommy sank to his knees in the mud. He gazed down at the hand, looking at it for answers. And as the light gleamed off something around the wrist, Tommy found the unwanted answer.

Sitting back on his heels he let the flashlight slip from his numb fingers. The light had flashed off a watch band, one that he knew all too well. It was the watch that hed given to Jason as a wedding present, the night before his wedding.

As it all started to sink in, the world began to spin out of control. How could this happen? All of the years that hed spent as a Power Ranger; risking his life everyday, and surviving, just to be brought down after all of that was over. It seemed wrong... so wrong.

Tommy slowly shook his head, the same word spilling from his lips over and over again. "No, no, no, no...."

Chapter 9: Suspicious Minds

Only a coward fears death! My spirit will only be reborn as it has been a thousand times before. -"Werewolf: The Apocalypse"

With the unbearable pressure of pain, fear and sadness pressing down on them, the group continued on to the cave; hypothermia starting to set in on some of them. They would return to the ravine in the morning to uncover Jasons body. Uncertain weather Jordys body was with him, or not. Either way, they would return to the helicopter with the body. If Jordy wasnt there, they would return to look for him.

Lloyd continued to lead the way, his rifle at the ready. Hed given his pistol to Chandler with specific instructions for him to use it if need be, as he brought up the rear. His mind wondered to the creature he had seen. He knew that when hed fired at it, he had hit it, but weather he did enough damage to kill it or not, he wasnt sure, and he couldnt afford to take any chances, not with everyones lives. Even now, behind him he could hear the cries of sorrow from the women, tinged with fear. The men were comforting them the best they could while dealing with their own sorrow and fear.

Carefully he looked behind him, toward the rear of the group. Chandler nodded to him. It was a mutual agreement between them, that they would not tell the others what it was they had really seen, not until they were out of the forest and safe. But theyd be sure that no one strayed far from the rest of the group.

As he turned to face the night ahead of him, he realized that all of this had just become a nightmare that he had hoped to never have to face... again.

<hr>

The beast felt the warm blood running down its hind leg; could feel the leg weakening, slowing its progress. How could it hope to survive this? It was starving, and now it was wounded.

But, first thing was first. It needed a place to hide. A place out of the elements. Somewhere it could tend to the wound, rest and try to find the humans once more. This time there wouldnt be any waiting for the right moment. It would find them, attack the whole group.

Letting the thoughts fade to the back of its mind, it focused on finding a dry place to go. Then it suddenly remembered the it was close to the location of a well hidden cave it had used several nights past. Carefully, so as not to damage the leg any more, the beast picked up its pace as best it could, and headed to the cave.

Within minutes, the beast had located the cave and drug itself through the bushes hiding the entrance. Once the creature was inside the cave, it slowly, painfully began to change its shape, shifting into that of its true form. Bones realigned themselves, joints shifted until it resembled a man. As the final transformations took place, the man stood quietly in the cold darkness of the cave.

Moving carefully, the man limped toward the back of the cave. There he found a blanket and cloth. Gently he wrapped the blanket around his trembling shoulders then, taking the piece cloth, he wrapped it around his upper thigh, tying it tight. Taking a piece of wood from the dead fire, he slipped it beneath the cloth, then twisted it, tightening the cloth to cut off the blood flow.

With a cry of pain, the man sunk to his knees. The flow of blood was stopped for the moment. He needed to make a fire to warm himself before he could try and mend the wound. As he sat alone in the silence of the cave, a stream of tears coursed down his dirty cheeks. He couldnt go on like this any longer, and yet the beast within in him gave him no choice. None at all.

<hr>

Lloyd sniffed the air as he made his way down the incline to the dry riverbed. Wood smoke hung in the air, and it was fresh. He motioned for the group to stop as he moved forward.

His moccosined meet moved silently over the rocks as he made his way across the riverbed. Once he was on the other side, he could make out the faint glow of firelight emanating from the hidden entrance of the cave; the brush having been pushed aside by whomever was inside.

The memory of what hed seen in the ravine was still fresh in his mind. Chandler may not have believed what he saw, but hed seen and heard enough strange things in life, as well as during his time as a guide, that he was beyond doubting anything.

"Whats wrong?" Chandler called from across the river, keeping his voice low. Lloyd held up his hand to keep everyone quiet, as he made his way back to them. Chandler lead the group forward, meeting Lloyd half way.

"What is it?" Tommy asked from behind Chandler.

"Can you smell it in the air?" Lloyd asked as he tilted his head towards the cave.

The rain had finally stopped, leaving the air crisp and clean.

"All I smell is a campfire," Tanya stated the obvious.

"Me, too."

"Same here," came Kim and Adams reply.

"Exactly. Someone is in the cave. Ill go ahead and check things out. Its probably some campers who were caught out in the rain, but then again, it may be poachers. Chandler, you keep me in your site, okay?"

"Will do."

Lloyd shrugged off his pack and moved quietly down the incline toward the cave. Most usually it was a stray camper or hiker who would hold up in the caves, to wait out the rain. But it had also been his misfortune to stumble upon a poacher or two. An experience that he never forgot.

As he neared the entrance he glanced back at Chandler. His view of his friend was unobstructed as he watched the beam of the flashlight veer away. Taking a deep breath, Lloyd skirted around the bushes blocking the entrance of the cave. Cautiously, he moved in, rifle raised and ready.

As he passed by the bushes just outside of the entrance, he caught sight of a tuft of dark hair, lit from behind by the emerging firelight, tangled in them. Lloyd plucked it from the plant, gazing at it thoroughly. His body tensed. The werewolf had been in the cave. Was it there now? If so, what would he find? Wolf... or man?

He let the hair fall from his shaking fingers to land in the mud at his feet. As he moved forward, he never noticed the congealed drops of blood that mixed with the mud beneath his feet.

Holding his breath, he moved through the caves opening. Before him blazed a fire; flickering away in the center of a stone circle. He moved past the fire, feeling the air temperature rise around him. Cautiously he scanned the interior of the cave from side to side. The firelight cast the corners of the stone room into semi-darkness, but couldnt penetrate the furthest depths at the back of the cave.

Carefully, he took in everything he saw. Along the stone wall, to the left of the fire, sat a black backpack, its flap open. On a large rock closest to the fire, laid out to dry, were mud stained articles of clothing and a pair of hiking boots. To the right of the fire rested a canteen and a tin cup.

A sudden noise from the back of the cave startled Lloyd from his inventory of the cave. Acting quickly, he pressed himself into a shadowy nook at the rear of the room, his rifle held tightly, and caulked, in his hands.

As he waited for someone, or something, to enter the cave from the back, he could feel a trickle of sweat coursed slowly down the side of his face. He fought the instinct to wipe it away, afraid that he would make some noise that would give away his presence. At another sound, this one much closer, Lloyd held his breath and watched.

Slowly the caves occupant entered the fire-lit room of the cave, moving unhurriedly toward the fire and the canteen resting beside it.

Lloyd watched the blanket cloaked figure as it passed by him, unaware of his presence in the cave. The figure seemed human enough, even the way it walked, though it did seem to limp slightly. He continued to watch as the figure crouched down beside the fire, a hand - a very human hand - reached out for the canteen, then the figure rose and walked to the pack at the opposite side of the cave, never removing the blanket from its head.

Silently, Lloyd moved from his place in the shadows. Taking slow, careful steps, he approached the figure and raised his rifle. The figure tensed at the sound of the gun being caulked. As it turned, it was stopped by the feeling of cold metal pressed firmly against its shrouded face.

"Who ever you are, turn and face me... slowly... and keep your hands where I can see them!" Lloyd ordered.

Heart pounding, the figure turned. And as the light of the fire began to penetrate the shadow beneath the blanket, Chandler appeared in the entrance of the cave, the others pressing in behind him.

Using the distraction to its advantage, the figure turned completely to face Lloyd, knocking the rifle from his hands, and causing the blanket to slip from its head.

"Lloyd?" Chandler entered the cave, his eyes wide with surprise. Once he was inside the cave, the others were able to move past him and enter the cave as well, their jaws dropping in shared surprise.

Tommy was the first to find his voice. "Billy?"

The figure turned to face the group who had entered the cave. "Tommy? Kim? What are you guys doing here?"

<hr>

The fire crackled warmly as the group huddled around its comforting warmth. Clothes were placed on top of several boulders, their boots were lined up by the fire to dry. Chandler reclined against the wall of the back of the cave, while Lloyd watched the group from beside the caves entrance.

Billy glanced up at the monster of a man. The man only stared at him, a look of suspicion in his eyes.

"How long have you been out here?" Kim asked, pulling her blanket tighter around herself, snuggling closer to Tommy.

"Lets see... I was in Chicago, at a business meeting when my dad called. He told me that Jason and Jordy were missing. I wanted to leave right away, but the meeting was too important.

"It took me three days before I could leave Chicago. I came straight out here to Oregon, got together the supplies I would need, and head on out. I guess Ive been out here for about three or four days, unfortunately, I wasnt prepared for the storm that moved in, and I ran out of supplies.

"I was going to see if I couldnt trap a rabbit or something, but when I tried to catch one, I slipped and rolled down a steep incline and hurt my leg. I came back here to warm up, and try again tomorrow."

From the back of the cave came the sounds of sulifaine. Suddenly a twinky landed beside Billy, in the dirt. Billy picked up the wrapped item and looked back at Chandler.

"Thanks."

"Think nothing of it." Chandler didnt smile, just looked past the group at the man sitting at the front of the cave.

"Um... Billy? Have you seen a bear around? Or any other large wild animal?" Tanya asked.

"No... why?" Billy answered, around a mouth full of twinky.

"Kim was nearly attacked by a rouge bear, and we, uh... we found Jasons body," Tommy said, feeling Kim shudder next to him.

Keeping his head down, Billy gazed up at the man at the front of the cave. He tried to keep his face expressionless, but Billy didnt miss the flash of fear that lit up the mans eyes. He was hiding something from them.

"You... you found Jasons... body? Where? How do you know its Jason?"

"We found his body, buried in the side of a ravine, about a half a mile from here. It being dark, we couldnt see too much, but we did see an arm sticking up out of the rubble. It... was wearing the watch I gave to Jason two years ago, for a wedding present," Tommy stated, his eyes filled with unshed tears.

"Well head out tomorrow to dig the body out." Chandlers voice was low and hollow.

"Ill help," Billy volunteered.

"Thanks, it means a lot."

"Wed better get some sleep, all of us. Its been a long and eventful day. Were all cold and tired, and weve got a lot to do tomorrow," Lloyd said, moving back into the cave, closer to the fire. His eyes never left Billy for a moment. As if he were trying to read Billys thoughts by his actions.

Everyone nodded their agreements, taking up their places on the sleeping bags. As Billy smoothed out his bad, dusting the dirt from it, he gazed over at Adam.

"Whats up with the big guy; Lloyd, was it? He keep staring at me," he whispered.

"I dont know. Hes been acting really strange ever since he saw the bear that tried to attack Kim, and took a shot at it."

"He shot at it?"

"Yeah. You didnt hear the shot?"

"I did, but I just passed it off as a hunter." Billy shrugged as he unzipped the bag. "Did he hit it?"

"Im not sure. We heard a howl of pain, but..." Billy nodded, watching as Adam slid down into his sleeping bag. He looked back up at Lloyd, locking eyes with the huge man as he slid into his own sleeping bad. He continued to hold the mans gaze for a while, then closed his eyes and let the comfort of friends and sleep enfold him.

<hr>

Unable to sleep any longer, Billy slid out of his sleeping bag and gazed around at his friends who were curled up in their bags, sleeping soundly. Carefully he pulled his blanket tighter around himself as he dropped another log onto the fire. Sparks shot out, and he watched them dance, then die out as the reached his bare feet.

A quick glance at the entrance showed that not even the large man was immune to sleep. Straightening, Billy moved to the front of the cave. For a moment he stood watching Lloyd sleep, his arm cradling the rifle. Billy momentarily found himself transfixed by the sight of the fires flames dancing off the polished metal of the guns barrel.

Shaking it off, Billy ducked through the entrance and out into the cold, dark forest of the early morning.

<hr>

Lloyd slowly stretched, refreshed by the rest hed had, but surprised that hed even slept at all. He had appointed himself to guard the sleeping group, then hed fallen asleep on the job.

As he carefully looked over the sleeping group, he was instantly on his feet, his huge form blocking out the thin tendrils of sunlight fighting to get in. Stepping forward, he took count of everyone. He stopped when he found an empty spot on the ground where Billy had been when theyd fallen asleep. Raising his rifle, he moved deeper into the caves darkness, carefully stepping between the still, slumbering bodies.

Chandler had fallen asleep propped up in a corner, his blanket pulled haphazardly over one shoulder. The pistol hed given him, lay across his lap. An unexpected yawn from behind him, brought Lloyd around, gun raised.

There, leaning against the opposite wall, was Billy, the blanket pulled tightly up around his chin. Relaxing, Lloyd began to turn away to the front of the cave, but stopped when he noticed Billys bare feet sticking out from beneath the blanket. The boys feet were caked with drying mud. His eyes snapped up to Billys when he heard the boy speak.

"Is there something you want?" Billy asked, his voice groggy with sleep.

"You left the cave last night."

"Yeah. So..."

"Where did you go?"

"Not that its any of your business, but nature was calling." Billy shifted, gasping as he moved his leg.

"Nature?" Billy looked at the big man. Was that word spoken with suspicion?

"I had to take a leek, okay? What is it with you, anyway? Ever since you guys got here, last night, youve been watching me." Billy watched the expressions wash over the big mans face. "Wait," Billy chuckled with shock. "You think I killed Jason? Thats just ridiculous! He and I were best friends ever since we were children."

Lloyd sighed, letting the rifle fall to his side.

"Hey look, Im sorry. Youre right, I was suspicious of you. There have been so many strange things happening, that I think Im ready to suspect just about anyone, right now."

"I understand."

"Guess wed better get everyone up and going."

"Yeah," Billy agreed. He watched as Lloyd turned away from him, then stopped him in his tracks with his next statement. "It wasnt a bear that you saw last night, was it?"

Lloyd whirled on him, bringing Billy up short. His huge hand pressed Billy against the ruff surface of the cave wall. He could feel the edges digging into his bare shoulders.

"What?" Lloyd growled into his face.

"I saw it in your eyes, last night, when Tommy was talking about you seeing a bear. It wasnt a bear you saw, was it?" Lloyd remained silent, his eyes burning into Billys. "What did you see?"

"Nothing! The less you know, the better." With a growl, Lloyd released Billy and stormed out of the cave. Carefully, Billy righted himself and noticed several pairs of startled eyes aimed his way.

"Everythings okay. Lets get dressed and get what we had to do, done, so we can get the hell out of here." Billy moved nervously to his pack. He always hated to be the center of attention, even when it was from his friends.

<hr>

The forest seemed like a whole new world without the rain and darkness, as the sun warmed the chilled morning air. Five men made their way through the tangle of trees and bushes to the ravine where Kim had fallen that night.

They might have missed it if it had not been for the rope still hanging from the tree, down into the ravine. Tommy was the first to reach the spot, stretching out to grasp the rope where it dangled out over the edge. Theyd tie one end of the rope to a neighboring tree, then use it to climb down to where Jasons body lay waiting for them beneath rocks and mud.

Stretching a little more, Tommy was able to wrap his fingers around the rope and pull it to him, but as his fist closed on the end, something wet and sticky squeezed between his fingers. Releasing the rope, Tommy found his hand covered in thick, cold blood. Stumbling backwards, he bumped into Lloyd and Adam. Chandler turned to look at Tommy, then gazed at the rope.

Nearly two feet of the rope was soaked in blood. Where had it come from? Then, like a light bulb coming on in his mind, Chandler stepped up to the edge of the ravine; gazing down at the mound of mud and rocks below.

"No!" came his unbelieving voice, barely a whisper. The others quickly joined him, being careful of the edge.

Below them, the mound of rock and mud had been scattered; Jasons body missing.

"Where is the body? Where is it?" Adam beseeched as he began to shake.

Billy looked up and down the ravine, as far as he could see. There was nothing.

"Are you sure you saw what you think you saw? Maybe with it being dark..."

"No, Billy. I saw it, too," Tommy uttered, staring at his blood covered hand.

"Well, if Jason was dead, he didnt just get up and walk away."

"Maybe he did." Billy heard the rifle being caulked. Slowly he turned to face Lloyd, the gun leveled at his head.

"What in the hell do you think youre doing?" Chandler questioned, shocked by his friends actions.

"You know what I saw last night, and it was no bear," Lloyd said emotionlessly, his eyes never leaving Billys.

"Youre saying you saw Billy down there? That it was Billy who took the body?" Adam inferred; surprised. He couldnt believe what he was hearing.

"Not Billy, but the beast he becomes."

"Are you crazy?" Tommy pushed past the others to confront Lloyd.

"Stay where you are!" Billy started to move, but was forced to stop as Lloyd thrust the barrel of the gun in his face. Billy carefully raised his hands. "You interfere, I wont be responsible for any actions I take against you."

"Lloyd, this is crazy. You cant be serious. Those things dont exist!" Chandler stated, trying to reason with the man. He could see Billy starting to tremble at the end of the gun.

Billy.

He remembered the boy when he was just a kid; shy, intelligent. Jason had invited him on may camp outs with him and Jordy. It just couldnt be possible for him to be what Lloyd was claiming. It was insane.

"Chandler, can you look me in the eye and deny what it was you saw down there last night? The thing that was looking back at us from the dark? You know as well as I do

, that it was a werewolf. He is a werewolf." Lloyd motioned at Billy with the rifle. "And I shot it."

"Okay. Youre saying you saw... a werewolf?" Tommy couldnt believe what he was hearing. "All right, say it was a... werewolf, why do you think it was Billy?" Billy couldnt believe that Tommy was going along with all of it.

"He was alone in that cave last night, and on the bush, just outside of the entrance were a few tufts of dark wolfs hair..."

"But, you told us that it was normal for wolves to be out here. So, Billy held up in a cave that wolves had been using. What does that prove?" Adam demanded

"Jasons body disappeared last night," he said, trying to make Adam understand; to make them all understand. "When I woke up this morning, Billy wasnt asleep where he was last night-"

"I got too warm, next to the fire, so I moved."

"What about the mud on your feet? Your bare feet?"

"I told you. I had to take a leek last night. I had to go really bad, so I just ran out really quick without my boots. Look, this is crazy! Youre friggin insane!" Billy dropped his hands and started to walk around the big man. Quicker, than anyone thought possible of the large man, Lloyd dropped the rifle, grabbed Billy by the shirt and pushed him to the wet ground. Billy tried to fight the man, but the breath was forced from his chest when he saw the gleam of a knifes blade.

"What the hell are you going to do?" Fear was written all over Billys face. The silver blade flashed, blinding him.

"Lloyd, you cant!" Chandler yelled. He ran towards the man but stopped when Lloyd turned his wild eyes on them, teeth bared.

"I shot that damned beast, last night. I heard its cry of pain." In one quick motion, Lloyd brought the blade down on Billy. Billy screamed out as the knife sliced cleanly through his jeans.

Dropping the knife, Lloyd pulled at the material, ripping it up to Billys hip. Bared, for everyone to see, was a blood soaked rag.

"Where did you get this, huh, boy?" Lloyd demanded, pinning Billys arms down and slowly, painfully prodding at the wound beneath the rag. Billy tried to pull away, but the huge man continued to hold him down as he ripped at the bandage, revealing a deep puncture. Gradually, blood began to seep out of the exposed wound, coating the mans fingers.

"I fell down an incline, yesterday. I rolled into a felled tree. The branch lanced my leg. That was another reason why I was in the cave."

"Bullshit! What did you do with the body, last night? Where is it!" Billy flinched away from the man. He looked to his friends to help him, but found eyes full of suspicion.

"You-you cant believe this lunatic? Guys, youve known me for years. Im no this-this... thing he claims I am. Things like that are only myths."

"Billy, I... we..." Adam stuttered over his words. He didnt know what to think.

"I am not a... werewolf! And I certainly didnt kill anyone," Billy proclaimed. He looked at his friends, but none dared meet his gaze.

"Well let the authorities decide that, once we get you back to town. And, if you try anything, I wont hesitate to put another bullet in you, preferably in your head. Now, move!"

Lloyd jerked him to his feet, and he stumbled forward, head down and hands raised as he moved past his friends; heading back to the cave, gun in his back.

<hr>

Kim paced back and forth in front of the cave, her nerves on end. She and Tanya had refused to join the guys when they left to retrieve Jasons body. They didnt want to see their friend in such a condition. They wanted to remember him the way he was the last time they had seen him. Happy and getting married.

Chandler had told them that they would send either Adam or Billy back to get them once the task was finished. And still, here they were, waiting.

"Kim why dont you just sit down, youre starting to make me nervous."

"Im sorry, Tanya. I just want to get out of here. I have this weird feeling that something isnt right."

"Like what?"

"I dont know. Its hard to explain, but ever since my fall into the ravine, Ive felt as if none of us will be safe until were out of here." Kim rubbed her hands slowly over her arms as she gazed out into the sun lit woods.

Tanya sighed and leaned back against their packs, letting the warmth of the sun wash over her. A second later, a rumble from inside the cave brought her to her feet. For a moment she and Kim stood staring at the caves entrance. What had made the sound? They had been alone in the cave just an hour before, and neither of them had wondered more than a few feet away.

Tanya untangled herself from Kims arms. With a protest from Kim, she removed the flashlight from her pack and moved cautiously toward the cave.

"Tanya! Dont go in there, please. Lets just go. We can meet up with the guys, halfway."

"Look, Kim. We saw Jasons body in the ravine, but not Jordys. What if hes been in the back of the cave all this time?"

"Dont you think he would have showed himself to us, by now?" Kim shifted nervously from one leg to the other, wringing her hands.

"Not if hes scared, or was unconscious. We dont know what happened to Jason, or how he got buried in the wall of the ravine."

"Thanks for bringing that up, Tanya. You just made me feel so much better." Kim couldnt stop the sarcastic tone in her voice.

"Ill be right back. I promise." With that, Tanya disappeared into the dark, yawning mouth of the cave.

"Famous last words," Kim declared, as she gazed around the forest around her. "Where the hell are you guys?"

Minutes seemed like hours as Kim waited for Tanya to return. Nervously, she started to wring her hands again.

"Tanya!" Kims own voice echoed back at her from inside of the silent cavern. Hesitating, she took a few steps forward. "Tanya, answer me!" Again there was only silence.

As panic began to rise up in her, Kim heard Tanyas voice call out to her from somewhere inside the cave. Her words sounded urgent.

"Oh, God... Kim. Come in here!"

This time Kim didnt hesitate as she entered the dark cave. Ahead of her, she could make out the faint flicker of Tanyas flashlight.

After stumbling over the rocks that littered the floor, Kim found her way to Tanyas side. There, before her in the back of the cave, Tanya was hunched over a pile of rocks. She was digging determinedly through them.

"It was the rocks falling that made the sound?"

"Yeah. But look what caused them to fall in the first place." Kim moved around Tanya to gaze where the beam of light was trained.

"Oh, God." Kim slapped a hand over her mouth.

At their feet, trapped under rocks and lit by the beam of Tanyas flashlight, were two very familiar backpacks. In her hands, Tanya held two wallets. To Kims surprise, she opened them confirming what she already knew. "Theyre Jason and Jordys packs."

<hr>

As the men reached the cave, they were met by a nervous Tanya and Kim who were waiting for them. Both women gasped in surprise to see Billy approaching them, hands held high and Lloyd following behind him with the barrel of his rifle aimed at their friends head.

Kim rushed forward, but was stopped by a restraining hand from Tommy.

"Whats going on?"

"Billy might have done something to Jason and Jordy." Kim looked up at him as if hed grown a second head.

"What about Jasons body?" Tanya asked.

"Missing," Adam stated, simply.

The women watched silently as Lloyd pushed Billy down to the ground, making sure to keep the gun trained on him.

"But, Billys been searching for Jason and Jordy, as well; and he was with us, last night," Kim declared.

"Not all night," Lloyd jeered.

"Lets try and keep some form of civility, here, please?" Chandler begged. This search had just gotten way out of control. Hed never seen his friend act this way. He didnt want to believe any of what Lloyd was saying, but things werent adding up just right.

"I wont ask you again. What the hell is going on?" Kim nearly screamed.

"Your friend here, has killed Jason, and possibly Jordy, as well. He left the cave last night while we were sleeping. This morning, when we get to the ravine, Jasons body is missing. Last night I shot a beast, and this..." Lloyd pointed at Billy, the right word to describe how he felt about the boy, was lost in his frustration. "Hes wounded. When I prepared to enter the cave lastnight, there was a tuft of wolf hair on the bushes outside. When I went in, I saw him coming out of the very back of the cave."

Tanya glanced at the two soiled packs sitting just inside of the entrance of the cave, but before she could say anything, Kim burst from Tommys grip and rushed to Billys side. Chandler tried to pull her away, but she jerked her arm from his grip.

"You all are crazy! Does Billy look like an animal to you?" she tossed over her shoulder at them.

"Not now, but when it gets dark..." Kim glanced up at Billy, looking into his eye, wanting him to deny what was being said.

"Defend yourself. Tell them its not true, please?" she begged.

"I have. But it doesnt do any good. They believe what they want and wont listen to reason." Kim let her head fall. What Lloyd was saying was ridiculous. Billy had been her best friend ever since they were children.

With teeth clenched, Kim stood up and faced the behemoth of a man. Everyone was shocked by her king-sized backbone. Kim was small for her age, but next to the man before her, she resembled a small child. Tommy stepped forward, but a glance from Kim told him to keep his distance, this was her fight.

"Do you even realize just what it is that you are insinuating? Its absurd!"

"That boy is a werewolf. Theres no easy way to say it." Kim shook her head and looked to Chandler to back her up. Hed known Billy for years. But what she saw in the mans eyes made her shoulders slump in defeat.

Chandler looked down at his feet, not even bothering to look at her as he spoke. "I dont want to believe it any more than you do, Kim. But all the evidence points to Billy. Im sorry."

The group grew silent, and the only person willing to look at Billy, was Lloyd, and hed just as soon he didnt look at him. If the man had his way, hed be caring around Billys head on a pole. This man was crazy, and he was dragging all of his friends down into his crazy world with him. Theyd all be lucky if any of them made it out of the forest alive.

The silence that fell over the group was nerve shattering. Tanya kept looking over the group and back at the packs. She had to say something, even if it did further incriminate Billy.

"Um... while you guys were gone, Kim and I found a couple of things in the very back of the cave, buried under some rubble." Everyone watched her as she moved to the caves entrance. Watched as she struggled with two backpacks; one a bright red one, trimmed in black and the other a camouflaged one. Seeing them and recognizing them, he realized they had just brought forth more evidence against him. In defeat, he closed his eyes and let his head fall back.

Chandler moved toward Tanya, like a zombie. He knew those packs. "Theyre Jason and Jordys packs." Lloyds eyes turned on Billy, who had closed his eyes.

"So, thats what you were doing in the back of the cave last night. You were hiding their packs." Billy didnt bother to open his eyes.

"No! I heard a noise and went back to see what it was. When I saw only some rocks that had fallen from the wall, I came back to the fire. I didnt even know they were there."

"Liar!" Everyone jumped at Chandlers voice, and Billys eyes flashed open. The man had turned two shades of red. Dropping the camouflage pack, he spun; hurling himself at Billy. Billy had only a brief second to react and try to protect himself, as Chandlers fist connected with his jaw. Chandler immediately got to his feet, towering over the boy.

Billy wiped the trickle of blood from his lips and gazed up at the enraged man.

"What did you do with Jasons body? And where is Jordy? Where is my son!?"

"I dont know," Billy said in defense. Chandler started to leap at Billy again, but was stopped by Tommy and Lloyd.

"Easy. We have to get him back to town alive, and turn him into the authorities. Theyll get the truth out of him."

Chandler pulled away and walked to the edge of the woods.

"All right, everyone, lets get going," Lloyd ordered.

Billy looked at his friends, but no one would look at him. They believed Lloyd. Lloyd had done what he set out to do, and that was to make them believe that he, Billy, was some kind of murderer. Even worse... a werewolf, and they believed it all. Billy almost laughed, the thought was so absurd.

Chapter 10: Truths Raveled

I am the spirit that denies forever! And rightly so! What has arisen from the void deserves to be annihilated. It would be best if nothing ever would arise And thus, what you call havoc, deadly sin, or briefly stated; evil, that is my proper element. -Johann Goethe, "Faust"

For the fourth time, Billy tripped over a stray tree root. At some other time it probably wouldnt have even been a problem, but his hands were tied securely behind his back, keeping him from being able to put his hands out to stop his fall. The most he could hope to do, was to try and twist his body so that he would land on his back, or shoulder, and not his face.

Casually he looked over his shoulder at his friends, but each time he caught their eye, theyd look away. He felt sorry for them, in a way. They knew him, knew he couldnt do the things he was being accused of, but they were also trapped by Lloyds findings. Turning back to the path ahead of him, he saw Chandler cast a glance at him. If looks could kill, Billy would have been dead ten times over.

As he continued to follow the mammoth-sized man, Billy twisted his hands within the confines of the rope. Each twist filled his wrists with razors blades of pain, but it also continued in loosening the ropes, as well. If he was able to get free of the ropes, where would he go? He had no clue, but he had to get away, to have time to prove that he was innocent.

Billy jumped, suddenly, at the sound of Lloyds voice. Grateful for the reprieve, he came to a stop.

"Its time to rest. Fifteen minutes is all." Lloyd moved away from the group out into the surrounding trees. Billy watched him until he disappeared. Usually now would have been a good time to try and make a run for it, but he knew that Lloyd was out there, watching. he found a felled tree and sat down, carefully, making sure that he didnt tip backwards onto the other side.

Once he was situated, he watched his friends mill around, almost as if they didnt know what they were suppose to do. Shaking his head he glanced up at the tree tops, noting that the sun was starting to set.

<hr>

It was all Kim could do to keep from rushing to Billys side each time he stumbled. She knew, deep in her heart, that he hadnt done the things that Lloyd and Chandler accused him of. That whatever had killed them, was still out there, somewhere. Just the thought of it raised the hairs on her arms.

She was glad when Lloyd called for a rest, she sorely needed it, and she could tell, just by looking at him, that Billy did, too.

"Tommy, Billys innocent, I just know it. Cant you feel it?" she pleaded.

"I can, Kim. Im just as certain as you are, but-"

"The evidence; yeah, I know."

"Im sorry, Kim. When we get back to LaGrande, well find out for sure." He tried to put his arm around Kims shoulders, but she brushed him off.

"Yeah, thats if Lloyd or Chandler dont kill him first."

"Kim, dont be ridiculous?" Kim pulled away from him then.

"Ridiculous? Ill tell you whats ridiculous! Its us standing around like a bunch of strangers. Letting a man we dont even know tell us what to think, and believing him when he tells us our best friend is a murderer-no, werewolf. Were ridiculous! Im going to check on Billy while the rest of you try and decide just whos side youre on." Kim stormed away from him, dodging his hand as he tried to stop her.

Chandler, overhearing her outburst, was immediately in her path, blocking her from getting to Billy.

"Are you going to let him bleed to death?" Kim challenged, staring Chandler down.

"Doesnt sound like such a bad idea to me, considering what hes done to Jason and Jordy."

"Youre so full of shit. You know Billy almost as well as you know the rest of us. Hes not a killer, and hes definitely not what Lloyd is accusing him of being."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because hes my friend! Now, you either get out of my way, or kill me; but one way or the other, Im going to check his wounds." Kim put her hands on her hips, waiting for the man in front of her to make up his mind.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw the gun raised, slightly. She held her breath. She knew Chandler was no more a killer than Billy was. But, as he continued to bring the gun up, she started to have her doubts.

Finally, with a sigh of defeat, Chandler moved away, letting her past. As she moved past him, and headed toward Billy, she tried not to let him see how the confrontation had turned her legs to jell-o.

"Hi."

"Still have some of the old fight still in you, huh?"

"Well, being married to Tommy keeps me in practice." Kim felt her heart lighten when Billy smiled at her joke.

"You dont have to act like you trust me. I know the others dont."

"Shows what you know. I do trust you, so its no act. And the others do, too. Its just that theyre looking at the evidence instead of what they know. Aside from all of that, how are you doing?"

"Alright, I guess. My legs starting to kill me, but at least its not bleeding too much."

"Mind if I take a look?"

"No." Kim knelt down beside him, carefully untying the cloth that was wound around his leg. At Billys gasp of pain, she stopped and looked up at him. "Im okay. Go ahead."

Taking a deep breath she pulled the crimson tinged cloth from around the wound, then looked up at Billy with worry.

"I figured as much. It feels like its on fire."

"We need to get you some medical attention, soon." Kim gazed down at the seeping wound which was swollen and surrounded by red, inflamed tissue.

"Ill be okay, thanks."

"Thanks, for what?"

"For believing in me." Kim smiled up at him.

"No problem." Carefully she replaced the cloth, mindful not to tie it too tight.

"Lets move. We should be at the helicopter before dark." Chandler watched the group get to their feet. He motioned to Lloyd who stood within the shadows of the trees. Chandler then waited patiently as the group filed past him, then he brought up the rear.

<hr>

Everyone sighed in unison as they entered the clearing and saw the helicopter waiting there for them. Adam seemed surprised that they had arrived back so quickly, but he also remembered that they hadnt even left on their search until latter in the morning, and theyd gone slowly, looking for clues. This time they headed out earlier, and marched straight to the chopper.

As he let his thoughts wonder, the group was herded quickly to the awaiting helicopter. The last rays of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon, casting the clearing in a semi-darkness, and it wouldnt be too much longer before total darkness engulfed them all.

Ahead of the group, Chandler unlocked the chopper, prodding Billy in first, then the others. He closed the door and proceeded in helping Lloyd untie the blades and check things over.

The group sat in uncomfortable silence, trying not to stare at Billy. With a growl, Adam turned to face his friend, and one time teammate.

"Im sorry about all of this, Billy. I know what all the evidence points to, but... This time its wrong. I know you. We all do. When we get back, Im in your corner."

"Me, too. Ive been stupid," Tanya added from her spot on the opposite side of the helicopter.

"Hell, Billy. Were all behind you, no matter what." Tommy reached out to untie the ropes binding Billys wrists when the chopper was violently jostled.

"What was that?" Kim asked, slightly terrified.

The remaining light from the setting sun had faded quickly away, making it too dark to see outside the window.

"I cant see anything," Tanya said as she tried to see into the darkness beyond the window.

"Well, as mad as Chandler and Lloyd are, theyre probably throwing our supplies into the back," Adam tried to joke, hoping to lighten the mood.

The group continued to wait in silence for the men to get into the helicopter. Nervously, Kim pressed the illumination button on her watch, casting her face in an erie green glow.

"How long does it take to prepare to leave? Theyve been out there a long time."

"I agree. Im starting to get a little worried, here," Tanya added.

"Ill go and see whats taking so long." Adam moved to the door, sliding it open.

Screams filled the cabin as a body appeared in the opening.

"Jason?" Tommys voice was filled with surprise at the site of his friend. Immediately everyone was on their feet and out the door. Jason backed away from them as the stared on in shock.

Before them stood a shell of their friend. He was naked, his body dirty, bruised, scratched and bloody. Tommy tried to approach him, but he pulled away, a touch of wildness and fear flaring up in his eyes.

"Jason. You need help. We wont hurt you, we just want to help," Tommy encouraged.

"I know," he rasped.

"Lets get you into the helicopter, where its warm," Tanya begged as she watched his body tremble.

"No."

"Jason, your uncles been looking for you. Thats why were here," Kim added. Tears stung her eyes at the very site of Jason.

"I know. He and Lloyd are in the forest retrieving Jordys body," he told the group. He looked past them at a sudden movement in the helicopter. He stood frozen in place, his eyes wide in fear. Tommy looked behind him to see Billy standing in the opening of the helicopter.

"Someone want to untie me so I can help?" Everyone jumped at Jasons terrified voice.

"No! Dont!" Jason stumbled backwards, tripping on a stone. He landed hard on his side, then curled into a fetal position, hands wrapped over his head. The group stared at him in fear and gazed back at a shocked Billy.

"Whats wrong?" Billy called out, watching as his friend trembled on the ground.

A low whisper emanated from Jason, then. Kim heard him and moved closer to understand what it was that he was saying.

"Jason? Whats wrong?"

"Dont let him hurt me anymore. Please." Kim slowly stood, her eyes wide, her body starting to tremble.

"Kim, what is it?"

"Billy... he-hes the one who did this to Jason." Kim looked up past her friends to a furious and shocked Billy. How could it be? She had trusted him, believed in him and he had betrayed that trust. She felt tears spill from her eyes and her body began to shake in anger.

"Jason! You know I havent done this. Whats going on?" Billy demanded. Tommy rushed to the helicopter. He stood facing Billy, fury in his eyes. Unable to find his voice, Tommy pushed Billy back, knocking him down on the floor of the helicopters cabin. Acting swiftly, he closed the door, wedging a rock up under the handle, keeping Billy from opening it.

Angry, he turned his back to the door as Billy began to rant and slam his body against the door. How could they have been so wrong?

<hr>

Tommy and Adam offered their coats to Jason, watching as he gently wrapped them around his battered body. Behind them they could hear Billy calling out to them as he continued to put his shoulder to the door.

As soon as Jason was covered, he sat down, cross legged, on the ground. Kim and Tanya kneeled beside him, their arms wrapped around him, offering what little body heat they could give him to stop his bodies trembling.

"Jason... this is important. Which way did Chandler and Lloyd go?" Jason looked up at Tommy, his eye glassy.

"Um... a... that way." Jason raised his hand pointing off to the east of where they were.

"Adam, you come with me. Kim, you and Tanya stay with Jason. Were going to see if we can help Chandler and Lloyd with Jordys body."

"Okay," the girls agreed.

Jasons head snapped around at Tommys words. He looked past his friends at the woods. "Stay."

"Everything will be fine. Well be back soon, bro. Billys locked in the chopper, and the girls will stay with you. Okay?" Tommy tried not to sound like a father reassuring a child, but he couldnt help it. Jason, at that moment, seemed so small and helpless, and he wanted nothing more than to protect him.

Jason nodded his response, then tucked his chin to his chest, rocking back and forth. Kim watched silently as both men disappeared into the dark night. Slowly she slid to a sitting position next to Jason, making sure to keep her arms around him.

"Youre safe, now, Jason. Can... can you tell us what happened to you and Jordy? I know it will be hard, but the more we know, the better." Kim looked past him to Tanya who nodded her head in agreement.

"I can. I think I need to tell someone." Jason took a deep, shaky breath, concentrating on everything that had transpired over the past two weeks. Painstakingly he began to tell his tale. "Jordy and I were being chased through the woods, in the dark. We were late getting back to camp, and the dark was making it hard to navigate through the forest. On our way back... something started to follow us. No matter how far or fast we ran, we couldnt get away. It was everywhere."

Jason began to tremble with the memory. Tanya held him tighter, whispering into his ear that he was safe, now. Slowly the trembling subsided and Jason continued....

Flashback......

Suddenly, the darkness seemed to reach out and grab them out of mid-air.

As a deeper darkness reached out for Jordy, Jason lay motionless among a pile of rocks, his body too hurt to move. He tried to gaze around him, to assess his location. To his left, he spotted one of the flashlights, its beam pointed up into the darkness of the top of the forest. Above his head, the other lit up the cliff face that theyd just fallen from.

Trying to take a breath, Jasons body jerked at the pain it caused. Where was Jordy?

"Who-whos there?" A deep rumbling growl was his only response. Fear fueling him, Jason tried to move, to get up and continue running, but his body wouldnt obey.

With his breath coming in painful gasps, he tried to look around, his survival instincts doing their best to take over. Gazing to his right, he found a large, sharp rock just within arms reach. With fingers that were cold, and becoming numb, he stretched out, reaching for the rock. Feeling its cool-ruffness in his finger tips, Jason pulled it toward him, and as he looked up, the rock slipped from them as he gazed into the nightmare that loomed above him.

Jason tried to scream as the werewolf reached down, dragging him up from the ground in its huge, clawed hands. He could smell the foul stench of the beasts breath on him as it held him, like a rag doll, suspended above the ground.

He tried to tell himself that things like this didnt really exist, and that this was all just a nightmare and he would wake up at any minute. But, as the beasts claws dug into his skin, drawing blood, he knew it wasnt a dream; it was real.

The beasts muzzle moved closer to him, sniffing at him, its slimy drool spattering across his face. Feeling his body tremble, he looked the beast in the eyes to see two glowing, yellow orbs gazing hungrily back at him.

Jason was helpless. His body wouldnt respond t his commands. For a brief moment he panicked, realizing that if hed injured his spine in the fall, he was probably paralyzed now. Then the reality of the situation seeped in to his thoughts. Never being able to walk again was possibly the last thing he needed to be worried about. It was nothing compared to the certain future that held him in its grasp.

He drew in a deep breath as the creature pulled him closer, its huge maw opening wide, giving him and up close and personal view of the sharp fangs that lined its mouth. Unwilling to watch his own demise, Jason closed his eyes, waiting for the crushing bite of death to take him. But, even as he awaited his death, a loud yell from somewhere behind him caused him to open them. The gapping maw was closed, the beast was looking away from him.

Jason tried to turn his head, but even it refused to turn without excruciating pain. Suddenly beside him was the flash of silver, as Jordy leapt at the beast, his silver hunting knife drawn.

The beast released its grip on Jasons arm, letting him dangle painfully in the grip of the beasts free hand.

With one quick swipe of its massive arm, the beast ripped a hole in Jordys chest, sending him sprawling against the ravine wall in a bloody heap.

Through a red haze of pain, Jason watched the still form of his cousin, tears streaking his cheeks. This should never have happened, he thought to himself. His thoughts were snapped back to the moment when the beast, once again, turned its attention back to its prey; raising Jason up by the arm. Slowly it wrapped its other clawed hand around Jasons neck.

As the beast pulled him closer, the stinging stench of the beast filled his nostrils, more powerfully than before, keeping the darkness of unconsciousness at bay. As the beast opened its maw once more, Jason prayed, at the back of his mind, that the darkness would enfold him before the creature sunk its razor-sharp teeth into his pain wracked body.

Mercifully the darkness drew closer, narrowing his vision until all he could see was the dreaded teeth of death. But, as the teeth sunk deep into the flesh of his shoulder, the darkness retreated, leaving him in a deafening roar of rage and pain. Beyond the pain, he vaguely remembered being released and falling.

As he crashed into a heap on the rocks at the beasts feet, he watched through a fog of pain, as the huge, black, wolf-like creature twisted in a fury of pain. Then out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the bloody body of his cousin sinking to the ground, his chest coated in a darkening slick of blood.

Jordy continued to breath for a few brief minutes, until, with a sigh of breath, his chest stopped moving and his eyes became void. Jason squeezed his eyes closed, the continuous roar of the beast filling his ears. Then, like the last gift from God, the darkness engulfed him.

<hr>

Kim pulled away from Jason, her eyes wide in fear as he continued on with a tale she wanted to refuse to believe.

"When I woke up, it was morning. I remembered everything about what had happened that night. And I was surprised to find that my wounds were miraculously healed and my body worked. I was a little stiff, but I didnt hurt.

"Jordy was dead, his body stiff and cold. I closed my eyes and cried beside him. After a time I looked around us to find the dead, naked body of a strange man laying in the ravine along with us.

"I didnt know who he was, or how hed gotten there. Not until I saw the silver hunting knife buried, to the hilt, in his back. Then everything came flooding back.

"And now, there was something else; something inside my head, commanding my actions and my thoughts, mocking me, telling me what I was, now."

Tanya moved away from him then, joining Kim in her shocked and terrified stare.

"What do you mean, what you are now?"

Jason didnt look up at them, but watched as he fidgeted beneath the warmth of the coats, missing the expressions of fear cross over their faces at the timber of his voice when he spoke.

"Whoever is bitten by a werewolf and lives, becomes a werewolf when the moon is full and bright." Slowly Jason lifted his head, turning his gaze on the two terrified women. And audible gasp filled the air as they both gazed into glowing, yellow eyes.

Jason rose gradually to his feet, impossibly taller than they remembered from a few minutes before. The coats that had been keeping him warm and covered, slipped from his body, pooling up at his bare feet. As they watched him, frozen in place, they saw that long claws adorned his pulsing hands, and he clicked them together as he approached the terrified women.

"There is one thing that the myth of the werewolf left out," Jason said, his lips moving smoothly over lengthening fangs. "There doesnt have to be a moon. Night, day, it doesnt matter. Its the beast inside that decides when."

In that instant, the women gazed heavenward to find no moon in sight.

"What did you do with the body of the... man?" Kim gulped, already knowing the answer to her question.

"How do you think Ive survived out here so long?" Jason sneered around razor sharp fans as he leapt at the frightened women.

Chapter 11: The Loupe

"The thing that happens to me now is my curse for as long as I live. I must bear those nights alone." -Gary Brandner, "The Howling II"

Upon entering the woods, Tommy and Adam split up, calling out to Chandler and Lloyd. But they got no response. How far did they have to go to find Jordys body? Tommy didnt want to go too far into the woods; too far away from the girls and Jason. Frustrated, he stopped, closed his eyes and tried to focus on the sounds around him. A moment later Adam called out to him, bringing Tommys eyes open and causing his heart to start racing.

"Adam, where are you?"

"O-over here!" Tommy could hear the distress in Adams voice, and it only made his heart beat that much faster.

Straining to see in the dark, Tommy quickly made his way to where Adam was. As he located Adam, Tommy came to a skidding halt in the dead leaves at his feet. The sight before him caused his stomach to convulse unexpectedly.

Adam sat on the ground, his face pale, eyes wide. Before him lay the bodies of Chandler and Lloyd. It was clearly visible to both men that they were dead, nothing or no one could survive something like this. It was nothing less than a slaughter. Blood seemed to cover everything in sight. Holding back the bile that rose in his throat, Tommy moved through the blood splattered leaves to the bodies. Carefully he bent down, closing the sightless eyes of each man. Each one with their throats ripped out, blood still seeping languidly from the gapping wounds.

"Tommy. They were killed just minutes ago; while we were still in the helicopter..."

"Then that means-"

"Billys not the killer. Tommy, its... Jason...." Adam looked at Tommy, who was stricken by the truth of the past two days.

From somewhere in the dark, a scream brought them to their feet. They were off and running, forgetting about the obstacles in their way. "Oh God, Kim... Tanya..." Both men stumbled over rocks and limbs as they made their way to the clearing.

<hr>

The ropes were loose, but not enough to allow Billy to slip free from their confines. Outside of the helicopter he could hear the screams of the girls. This only managed to increase his efforts to get free of the ropes.

With a grunt of pain, Billy pulled at his bindings with all of his strength. His fingers tingled, and his hands were wet with blood from the biting ropes. With a cry of pain, his hands slipped free. Acting quickly, he tore the rope from his other hand and reached for the door. Before his hand touched the latch, the door was ripped open, hinges popping, metal twisting. As he stood gaping at the torn metal opening, a clawed hand reached into the cabin, grabbed him by the throat and pulled him from the helicopter. The hand released him and he felt himself falling. All too soon the ground rose up to meet him, knocking the air from his lungs.

As Billy gasped for air, a figure loomed up above him. "Well, hello Billy boy."

"J-Jason?"

The figure crouched down over him, bringing Jasons twisted features into view.

"Go ahead and... kill me," Billy gasped. "But I hope you choke!" Jason only grinned down at him, his features slightly elongated, fangs gleaming.

"Its against our laws. We cannot kill one of our own." Billy stared at the creature above him, a creature that looked as much like his friend as the thing it was trying to become. "I see you are surprised. And youre the genius," Jason mocked.

In one swift movement, the clawed hands ripped at the cloth wrapped around Billys leg, pulling it away, exposing the infected wound.

"Cant you smell it?" The beast plunged a sharp claw into the wound, wrenching a scream of pain from Billys twisting body.

The creature withdrew its claw, waving it under his nose. The he then made the same motion beneath Billys nose.

"The beast is within you. It has been, ever since it accepted you on Phaedos. It wants out, Billy. Let it out. Join us."

"Never!" Billy growled between clenched teeth.

"Youd change your mind if you could know what its like to feel your muscles come alive beneath your skin. To have a power and strength youve never had before, and... youll be young forever, never dying." Again Jasons face was hovering over him, taunting him.

"The waters of Aquitar have already seen to that. But I will never be one of you. Thats not what the spirit of the wolf was ment for."

Again Jason laughed, moving away from Billys prone form.

"Youll change your mind. And then youll truly be free." In an instant Jason was gone, disappearing into the darkness that surround them.

Billy staggered to his feet, rushing to Kim and Tanyas still forms.

<hr>

Beams from two flashlights flickered over the clearing, lighting Tommy and Adams way. Theyd located Lloyd and Chandlers flashlights at the edge of the clear on their retreat from the woods. And as they made their way to the helicopter, they began to wish they hadnt used them at all.

The first flash of light lit up Tanyas still form; thick, dark blood darkening her yellow coat, her back to them. Adam rushed past Tommy to her side. Tommy watched as Adam turned her slightly toward him, leaning her body against his knees as he knelt behind her.

"Adam?"

Adam couldnt answer. He could only shake his head as Tommy moved past him in search of Kim. "Kim!" he called out to her, hoping beyond all hope that she would respond. Suddenly his flashlight caught a slight movement just ahead of him. Quickly he aimed the beam where hed seen the movement. Two figures were lit up in the beam of light. One was laying on the ground, while the other knelt over it. Tommy drew closer and was able to make the figures out. Billy, covered in blood, stood above Kims still figure. "No."

"Tommy, it wasnt me. I swear to God, it wasnt me." Billy held up his blood soaked hands, as he backed away from the enraged man. Tommy slid to his knees beside Kim, lifting her head into his lap. Her face was pale, blood spread across her chest. He could barely see the shallow rise and fall of her chest. He looked up at Billy. "Im sorry, Tommy. I did all I could do, but it was-"

"Jason."

"Yes." Tommy squeezed his eyes closed, as if by doing so he could make the last forty-eight hours disappear.

"Where is he now?"

"I dont know. After pulling me from the helicopter, he disappeared into the dark." Tommys eyes slowly opened, suspicion rising like a fire within them.

"He let you live?"

"Dont make it sound like such bad thing. Id give anything if it was me laying there instead of Kim or Tanya," Billy stated, defending himself.

Tommy lay Kims head gently on the ground as he rose to his feet. Like a snake, he grabbed Billy by the shirt, lifting him up so that only his toes were touching the ground.

"Why did he let you live?" Tommy growled. A voice from the darkness behind them answered.

"Because he had the beast inside of him. And I cannot kill my own kind." Tommy released Billy, turning to face his old friend. A man who had become like a brother to him.

As Jason moved into the beam of the flashlight, both men stared in horror at the sight of Adams lifeless body clutched in his hand. Tommy gulped back a sudden burst of fear.

"Billys a..."

"Werewolf? No. But he could be, if the beast inside of him had not been polluted and had been set free." Jason released Adams body, letting it drop into a heap at his feet.

"What did you do with Jordys body? It was his body we saw in the rubble, wasnt it?"

"It was. When I woke up from the werewolfs bite, the beast inside of me was telling me what to do. I hid our packs in a cave, and buried Jordys body in the wall of the ravine."

"Told you what to do?" Billy asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"Do you remember how it was to be a Ranger? How the powers seemed to be inside of us, telling us what to do? Well, this feels the same, except I dont have to be morphed for the loupe to tell me what to do.

"Its like a fire in my blood, a fever in my brain. I fear it, but I also fear being without it. And the kill? Ecstasy!"

A howl ripped through the cold night air as Jasons body began to twist and shift. Bones popped as their shape changed, muscles spasmed to twist into a new form.

Tommy and Billy were frozen in stunned silence as Jason dropped to the ground, his face lengthening even more, taking on the shape of a wolfs head. Thick, dark hair slowly began to cover Jasons body, transforming him even more.

As they continued to watch the change, Tommy finally found his voice, his feet shuffling him backwards toward Billy.

"Billy! Head for the helicopter... now!" Bumping into him, Tommy brought him out of his daze, forcing Billy forward ahead of him.

Suddenly Tommy was jerked off of his feet. Billy spun around to find a huge werewolf standing over his friend. The stance resembled that of a man, both arms stretched out, clutching Tommy. But that was where the resemblance ended.

Tommy gazed over the beasts head to find that Billy had stopped in his flight to the helicopter. "Dont stop now! Go, Billy! Get the hell out of here! Argh!" Claws dug deeply into his shoulders, drawing a cry of pain from Tommy.

Reluctantly Billy turned away, continuing toward the helicopter.

The beast watched the retreating figure of the human-wolf. Slowly it turned its sights back to the human male in its grip.

"Jason. You cant do this. You were a Power Ranger. We fought things like you are now. And you can still fight it. Fight it!" The creature tilted its head to the side as it tried to recognize the words it was hearing.

"Power Ranger..." The words were there, though they barely resembled what they were suppose to be.

"Yes, a Power Ranger. And my friend." Tommy watched as the words seemed to be processed by the creature. But, in a flash of claws and teeth, the process ended, as Tommy was yanked from the ground and was held level with the beasts maw, its putrid breath fanning across Tommys face.

Suddenly there was an explosion, a flash of light that pushed back the darkness. Tommy, without warning, felt himself being dropped, the ground rushing up to meet him. Pain stabbed through his body. Sluggishly he gathered himself and looked up to find the beast clutching its shoulder as blood gushed through its clawed fingers, a roar of rage and pain filled the night around them.

Tommys mind whirled. What had happened? He looked around him to find Billy standing beside the helicopter, Lloyds rifle held tightly in his hands. But before either man had a chance to react, the beast was on top of Billy, ripping the rifle from his hands, lifting him from the ground.

Billy could hear Tommy screaming his name as he stared into the eyes of death, the creature holding him in its grip. Slowly the beast began to speak, lips moving clumsily over gleaming fans.

"Polluted loupe. No good." With a flick of its wrist, the beast flung Billy away from it, then turned back to Tommy. Tommy staggered backwards, trying to keep distance between him and the creature.

"Billy!" He had seen Billys body land, collapsing into a boneless pile on the ground. As the werewolf drew closer, Tommy continued to back peddle. As the beast quickened its pace, Tommy spun, racing toward the forest, hoping that he may somehow be able to circle around and get back to the helicopter before the beast could catch him. But, the ground abruptly disappeared from beneath him. He knew, now, that it was all over.

The beast spun him around to face it. Glowing, yellow eyes bore holes into his own, making his breath catch as the creature began to speak.

"Welcome... to the... family... Tommy." A bestial grin bared gleaming teeth, then the beast opened its jaws.

A scream of pain split the night as those jaws closed over Tommys shoulder.

Epilogue

Soon he realized what it meant to survive the bite of a werewolf. -Gary Brandner, "The Howling II"

Tommy jerked awake, the book he was reading, slipping from his hand to land at his feet. Quickly he gazed around, taking in his surroundings. Several glances were cast his way, then they turned back to their own business.

"What?" he asked groggily.

"I said, were getting ready to land."

Tommy fumbled for his seat belt, then clasped it and pulled it tight across his lap.

"Sorry. I guess I dozed off." Noticing the book on the floor, his companion picked it up, turning it over in her hands.

"Wolfsbane, by William W. Johnstone. I dont know why you read these stupid werewolf books." She handed the book back to him.

"Theyre exciting. Besides, you dont hear me complaining about your romance novels, do you?"

"True," she responded, smiling.

Tommy leaned his head back against the seat. "It was all just a dream," he whispered to himself, his heartbeat slowing. Sighing, he looked to his right to see Kim smiling back at him.

"So, do you still feel up to this?" she asked.

"I-I..."

"Are you feeling all right? Jason and Jordy are suppose to meet us at the airport. Tanya will arrive an hour behind us and Adam should get there about the same time as us." Tommy suddenly felt his heart start to speed up again as Kim continued to talk.

"Billy already has headed out. Jasons uncle Chandler will take us up, drop us off and then well hike down to join Billy at the campsite.

"Why am I telling you all of this? Youre the one who helped plan all of this out with Jason and Jordy." Kim laughed, then stopped when she noticed how pale he was. "Are you sure youre okay?"

"A...just a bad dream, is all." He took her hand, smiling. "I dont think I really want to do the hike. I think Ill talk to Jason and Jordy and see if we can just hang out at the cabin instead."

"But, Billys already out there."

"We can call him, after all he does carry his cell phone with him everywhere he goes. We can have him meet Chandler in the clearing and fly back down with him."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, Im sure." Tommy straightened in his seat and glanced down at the book in his lap. The picture on the cover seemed to mock him and his dream. The cover showed a picture of a man transforming into a loupgarou. "Very sure," he whispered, slipping the book back into his coat pocket.

The End...?

Special Note: Thanks to all who read my work. Though I do write it for myself, it wouldnt truly be worth posting on the web if there was no one to enjoy it. 🙂 I like receiving e-mails, weather they tell me that you liked what you read, or didnt. So, if you like you can e-mail me at cinders@xmission.com. Thanks again. 🙂

</body>

</html>