The next time James and Marcus met, Marcus informed James that another attack had taken place. Fortunatly, the victim had survived. They would be paying a visit to the man's house.
When they entered they saw a man James recognized as William lying in bed. A bandage was wrapped around his arm and he appeared to be sleeping. His wife, Beverly, was at his side. Both of them were good friends of James' family.
"How is he doing?" asked James.
"There's a lot of damage to his arm," replied Beverly, "but he'll live. He was in pain real bad, so the doctor gave him a sleeping potion. He'll be out for awhile."
"Did you find out what happened to him?" inquired Marcus.
Beverly nodded. "He had been out hunting. Said that some kind of monster came at him. He managed to fight it off, but not before it bit out a chunk of his arm. That's all I can tell you for now. Will can tell you the rest when he wakes up, I'm sure."
"Thank you Beverly," said James, "I'm glad he made it. We can come back this afternoon when he is awake. Let us know if you need anything."
That afternoon James and Marcus returned. However, before they got to the door they heard a scream from inside the house. The door swung open, and Beverly rushed out and threw herself around James. Her face was stricken with terror.
"Beverly, What is it?" he asked. She pointed to the open doorway.
They heard some snarling and snorting from inside. Then a creature out of James' worst nightmares emerged. It was shaped like a man, but its entire body was covered in fur. It had a head like a wolf, with a snout full of dagger like teeth. Its eyes were solid purple in color. On the creature's arm was a tattered bandage. Beverly retreated behind James. James and Marcus drew their swords. With a growl the beast charged. Acting on reflex, James leapt forward and ran his blade through the monster's chest.
James, Marcus, and Peter stood around a small table in Peter's basement. On the table was the creature James had slain. Even though it was dead, the beast's presence still unnerved James. He half expected it to jump up and tear his head off, but this did not happen. So he continued to stand there and listen to Peter.
"And you're telling me you believe this abomination was previously William Jones?" James and Marcus nodded. "I find that both disturbing and intriguing. Based on everything you have told me it seems that this condition is not unlike rabies. Perhaps there is a way to treat it" Peter put on a pair of heavy leather gloves, grabbed a ball of cotton, and swabbed inside the creature's mouth. He then dropped the ball into a beaker.
The three men heard a creak on the stairs and looked to see Beverly. She came over to the table and looked down at what used to be her husband. Even in the dim light James could see how she had changed. The bight smile he remembered her having was gone. She had always been graceful, but now she moved in a lethargic fashion.
"Hard to believe it's him," she said quietly, "But I know. I saw it happen myself." She reached out a hand and slowly ran her fingers through the fur on the monster's head. "Could I have a moment alone with him?" Marcus and Peter looked unsure.
"Yes," responded Peter, "We will wait outside." He indicated for the other men to follow him and then headed for the stairs.
Beverly cane out the door and walked past the three men with her head down. James caught up with her and pulled her aside. "I'm so sorry," he said.
"It's good that you killed him," she murmured without looking up, "Otherwise he would be stuck out in the woods with the rest of them. At least now he can rest."