The year of the nightmare
Chapter XXIII: Shane to the rescue!
A lonely young man with his head down, looking at the ground was walking down a street. He was far away from home, and he knew that. His eyes couldn't stop but sometimes wander on this small city. He was at its limits. He raised his head slowly, gulping. He turned around, and looked back. Nothing. Only the wind's blows were audible as well as his torn heart, which he was think he couldn't hear its beats anymore. He shut his eyes tight, trying to remember any warm-hearted memory. He didn't succeed. He was punished for what he was. He was a monster, and no one would accept him. He had to do it. He had to run away, it was best. He paused for a moment, breathing with difficulties, as he had a heavy chest. Anywhere he looked, he saw big houses. Some cars went past him, not even noticing a young man lost in a completed unknown city to him. He felt out of place. These houses with gardens, trees near the porch, and neighbors, and such, remembered him of his brothers. They had a big house too when they were younger. Then, they grew up, they became celebrities, and they had to go where life wanted them to be.
-Watch your steps!
A drunk driver almost hit him. He honked furiously, without seeing the road. Shane watched him going away with a blank expression. He sighed deeply, and pursued his long walk. He was able to run very fast as a dog, a bit faster than cars. So, he didn't know where he was, not even how far away he was. Thunder started to roar loudly, and soon enough, when he was only two steps away, rain was pouring down on him. He shrugged, and continued his walk, lost, hurt, like a ghost. He was completely wet a minute later. He could remember these summer rains with the band and the girls. They were in their cabin, bored, when it started to rain. Jason, randomly, took his raincoat and went out. They all followed him, and they played out in the rain, like kids. It was still hot, and Jason soon took his jacket off. They were brawling, rolling on the ground, laughing… Before they ran away and jumped into the lake, fully clothed. It didn't matter, they were together, happy. They didn't need anything else. It was them, and only them. They all laughed when Jason "accidentally" pushed Nate, who fell on Caitlyn. He was bright red. Shane thought that it was at that very moment that they've fallen in love. They all witnessed it. A sudden sneeze snapped him out of his memories. He had walked a long distance now, as he was in another town.
-Where are you going, idiot?
Another man, this time with a cell phone, didn't notice him. He braked at the last minute, before he went away. It was the second driver that didn't notice him. So he really was a ghost, a lost soul. The sun started to decline over the horizon, and he sped up his pace. He started to feel weird as he looked for a place to hide…
######°######
He was laying, shaking and whimpering, though he no longer begged. His tear ducts were worn, even thought he hadn't cried. No longer could he feel anything, other than the large waves of dull pain. He felt it coming quicker and quicker. It was like if a whole new and bigger body tried to emerge from him, to replace his own, crashing his skull in the process. A now familiar stranger was taking his place tonight. A stranger he hated, for he made him run away. His robust legs were growing more muscle, and he curled them to his chest to regain any kind of comfort. His whole body was weak; he couldn't stand that pain anymore. His stomach growled and he was hungry for food. But his needs were more important that his will… That is how it all begins… He snorted violently, letting the curse take over what was left of his human parts…
His throat was dry and sticky, and his belly only whimpered, wishing to be fed, though knowing it probably wouldn't be granted food until sometime later… He still couldn't stand the fact he had to hunt for food. His loins tightened and he whimpered, hoping to not to have to give into the urge. Several minutes later he whined before roaring. His head started to change quicker than the last few times, his nose had another shape, longer, and his eyes hadn't change color but were smaller… Quickly, it was all his body that changed. It took him less than 30 minutes to change completely. He was no longer human. He was a beast. He tried to caught his breath, panting, exhausted from that transformation. It was quick, but the pain was worse. He slowly got up on his four legs, trying to find his balance. Everything was a blur to him. It was a mix of colors and couldn't guess what was what.
He whimpered while sniffing loudly. Then, he froze, watching carefully the lights fading in the few houses. Some weren't turned off, as families enjoyed watching TV. His huge shadow ran towards them and engulfed them while he was howling. The moon started to show slowly, and two brownish humans eyes were gleaming in hurt and fear, on what looked like the shape of a wolf's head but looked like a dog's. The eyes. The only human part left. Clothes were torn, on the ground, left in the mud and blood. He howled again, showing its all white teethes. He whimpered…
He slowly walked away, now fully aware. He went through a small wooded area, and reached a block. His belly growled as he sniffed loudly. He ran to the backyard of some random house, and jumped in the garbage. He quickly found what he was looking for, and took out of the trash can some meat. It wasn't something like caviar, but it was already enough for him. He hated to hunt. He chewed slowly, savoring this rotten meal, which was like a real meal to him. There wasn't food everywhere, and he had to spend some days without eating anything, and it didn't kill him. His Dad used to tell him a lot "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger". It was wrong. He was weak. But he didn't really complain, as there were tons of poorer people than him. He was a star, had a big house, a beautiful girlfriend, a loving family, lot of money… While there were some people who had to trim all their lives for nothing. They were fighting for their daily lives. Thinking he was the last person on earth who could complain relieved him a bit.
He got out of his trance when a loud noise startled him. He looked towards where the sound seemed to come from. He heard low growls and barks. The wind quickly made him smell a strange scent he had never noticed before… He was on a territory. Apparently, it was theirs, as they were a pack against him. He backed away, not dropping the food. The bigger, which was way smaller than Shane, faced him, showing his small fangs. Shane howled, showing his, and some dogs backed away, but not the leader. Shane was upset; he didn't want to fight the pack. He didn't want to wake up the monster in him. But it was already too late, as it lunged towards him, biting him shallowly. He wasn't really hurt from the bite and it surprised him. He smashed it with his huge paw, making it crash on the trash cans. The pack circled him dangerously, growling, showing teethes, drooling… He had no other choice than to face them. He went in battle stance, doing the same as them. He was way bigger. Then, a loud bark echoed in the empty street. In a flash, they went and attacked. Whimpers, cries, barks, hairs, blood… It was a blur. It was a nightmare to Shane, who tasted a dog's blood… Again.
######°######
The moon was more visible now. It was beyond fences and states, so far but also so close to him. It was shining with all its mighty and pride, trying to surpass the power of the sun. The sun and the moon were in constant fights for dominance. They're always hunting each other but can never reach their goal. It was a tale someone he couldn't quite remember told him long ago. That was why there were days and nights. He didn't believe it anymore, as he went to school. Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb. Knowledge isn't everything alone. It needs something more…
In Blue Limestone Park, a lone wolf-dog was wandering. He walked slowly around the lake, before sitting on the rocks. He sighed, touching the water with his paw. He looked at it, dull. It was big. Bigger than regular dogs. And covered with blood. He grimaced when he thought about what he had done earlier. At the end of the afternoon, he went in the nearest city, looking for food. He found some in garbage, but was in some dogs pack territory. He was hungry, depressed and lost. Without thinking, being pushed by his deepest instincts, he fought them. They were about seven or eight. They ran away, for he had killed one. It was his meal. Realizing what he had done, he ran away, and even had the desire to drown in this lake. He didn't. He was a coward. He sighed, looking at his reflection. He truly was a wolf-dog, but mainly a dog. But… He was still a monster. He killed. For food. He even got a scar on his chest. It was the mark. It reminded him of the monster he truly was. He sighed, got up, and walked away. He'll sleep in the bushes, and maybe he'll have the courage to drown tomorrow. Or maybe not… He'll see. He sat in the middle of the basketball ground. He could clearly remember and revive his memories… How he played basketball with his brothers… When Jason broke his ankle because of him… And how Nate was tired of playing all the afternoon… And how they were brothers… Now, he was alone, here. Alone. A thing he had never been used to.
-Hey boy… What are you doing here?
Shane looked away, and saw an old man handing him a bit of his sandwich. He was reluctant at first, but his stomach was growling and he was longing to eat something good… He whimpered, getting closer. The old man laughed at him. Finally, he sat next to him, chewing and eating, delightfully, the sandwich. The man ate some more, and gave him the rests. Shane happily ate them. He smiled and patted his head. Shane didn't move, and enjoyed his presence.
-You must have been through a lot, boy…
His voice was deep and yet, warm. Shane was feeling safe next to this stranger who fed him. It was the first human who didn't run away or ignored him. He was different. Good different. But, Shane's ears perked up. He got up, alerted. Since he was an animal, the nature that was surrounding him was his friend. It was telling him everything. And now, he heard cries and yells in the wind. His family was in danger! He walked in circles head down, knowing that the man was watching him. He got up, and Shane looked at him.
-I think it's time for you… You've found your way back… A wolf can't follow that road… But maybe a dog can…
He smiled at him, and walked away. Shane watched him disappear at the corner of some bushes. Then, he felt terribly lost, and ran there to find him, but saw no one around. The old man was gone.
-A wolf can't follow that road… But maybe a dog can…
He heard whispers in the wind. As well as his family's cries and yells. He sniffed loudly and smelt it. Its odor. It was attacking them. They can't survive… He was a monster… Like it. They were the same, in a way… He still had to try. It wasn't for him, but for them. He won't let them die. He won't let it kill them! It will pay for everything!
-Now, go boy!
Shane howled with all his might, hoping his family would get his call. After that, he looked around him. He was gone. He was thankful to him. He showed him his way back. He walked away, until he reached a road. From there, he ran as fast as he could to the East. He was coming. He'll help them. They won't be alone. But the clock was running down, and he had to make it fast. He had to get there before the beast. Or at least, before anyone could get hurt…