Disclaimer: Rod Serling owned the Twilight Zone. This is meant only as a tribute to the man and his dream. I make no money from this and intend no harm or infringement. Enjoy.
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The Legacy
Tale Teller
Kasey flinched as the streak of lightening split the night sky outside the bay window.
"Close one." the servant murmered from across the parlor.
Kasey ignored him and continued staring out at the storm raging over the estate. This storm was so much like the one seven years ago when he had taken his place in the family's legacy.
***
Kasey stood at the parlor window gazing unseeingly at the storm that raged outside the glass. The roll os thunder and the eye-blinding flash of lightening was no more savage than the war raging within the young man.
A gentle hand fell on his shoulder and a voice spoke into his ear, "You knew it would come, Son. It is time for you to assume the mantle from me." His father's words and pressence were no true comfort to the Kasey.
Taking a clensing breath, Kasey replied, "I knew, yes. But, it makes this no easier. Can we not put this off for a few months, at least?"
"I'm sorry, Son. There is no denying the Change when it comes. I was younger even than you the first time. Neither your grandfather nor I were ready for it," the older man sighed, remembering his own pain and confusion fromthat night. "My father had not prepared me, as I have you. He hadn't even memtioned it. I had no idea what was happening to me. Or what it would mean. Father hoped the Change wouldn't come to me at all, and by denying its existance, he hoped to keep it at bay."
Kasey turned to see the pain in the brown eyes so much like his own. "I know, Father," he softly said, laying his hand on the other man's arm. "I wish it had stopped with Grandfather. I truly do not want this to happen."
He turned his head slightly so as to see the storm and sighed. "I will miss the way life has been until now."Kevin Carlisle, it is nearly time." The man nodded toward the window, "The storm has stopped and the moon rises." The older man released his hold on his son. Standing back, he prepared himself for what was to come.
"Son, I have told you how to do this. Have shown you the quickest way. It is time.
Kevin's father stood before him, straight and proud.
"I place upon you the duty of your house." He fell to his knees, head thrown back, throat fully exposed as the full moon broke free of the few clouds left in the sky. "Do what your duty requires of you."
The Change took the young man quickly and completely. His jaws lengthened, the elongated canines pushing into place. Coarse, dark fur sprang through his skin as the two almost-wolves fell to all fours. Muscles stretched and joints popped until two full-grown wolves stood facing each other in the parlor.
The older wolf crouched, bringing his belly close to the floor, then rolled over, exposing his throat. With a snarl, Kasey leapt on his enemy and tore out the others throat. A quick, bloody kill.
Duty had been fulfilled.
The pale full moon shone in the bay window on the body of a man and a wolf with the blood of his father covering his muzzle and chest. Kasey sat back on his haunches, raised his bloody muzzle and howled in triumph at his coming of age. In sorrow for the passing of his father. In the pain of knowing he would lead the pack until the time of his own son's Change.
***
"The child will be born soon, Isaac."
"Yes, Sir" the servant answered.
"It will be a son. My first born. The holder of the Carlisle Legacy."
The storm ended as the moon, nearly full, peeked out from behind the clouds and the cry of a new-born babe was heard from the second floor.
Family duty is a legacy passed from generation to generation. Sometimes duty is not the stuff of dreams, but the stuff of nightmares. And sometimes, it dwells in the Twilight Zone.