CAN'T FIGHT THE MOONLIGHT

CHAPTER SIX-THE MORRIS FAMILY

Phil and I headed back to the police station.

Mr. Morris was talking with Gabrielle.

"Mr. Morris? Can we talk to you?" Phil asked nervously.

"Sure," Mr. Morris said.

We hesitated.

"In private?" Phil prodded.

He and Phil headed off to a corner and they began talking.

"What's going on?" Gabrielle demanded looking at me through the bars.

"Let's just say we've hit a bit of a snag," I said.

"Pim," Gabrielle prodded meaningfully.

"Alright, alright," I said rolling my eyes. "We got Sam to confess that he killed that little girl and framed you."

"How?" Gabrielle asked curiously.

"The Darin. Phil changed his appearance to look like you," I explained. "But there's a problem. Sam thinks he told you and said that if you told, he'd kill you."

"Oh man," Gabrielle moaned banging her head against the bars, making them rattle and clang.

Mr. Morris and Phil looked over.

"She's fine," I called grinning coyly and waving at them.

Gabrielle kept doing it.

"Stop," I hissed through clenched teeth. "We've come up with a plan."

Gabrielle finally managed to stop banging her head against the bars.

"What plan would that be?"

"We're going to ask your family for protection," I said.

"My family?" Gabrielle asked tilting her head. "You mean…?"

I nodded.

"Do you think they would do it?"

"I'm not sure," Gabrielle said slowly. "See, I was allowed to grow up with normal humans, but the rest of my family has a sort of an old fashioned belief that humans and werewolves shouldn't mingle…I mean they would never hurt a human being of course, but I'm not sure they would protect a human."

"Even if the human was in danger of being killed by the Androse family?" I asked putting my hand on my hips.

Gabrielle sighed.

"This is really up to my father. He's the only one that would be able to convince them,"

I turned to Phil and Mr. Morris.

"I'm going to call the family," Mr. Morris said. "I want Phil to be there to talk to them. Maybe hearing from him might help persuade them too."

"What about Keely?" Gabrielle asked worriedly.

"She should be spoken to," Mr. Morris said slowly. "She's the one who's in real danger here."

"Leave that to me," Phil said nodding.

"Good," Mr. Morris said. "I'm heading home and I'll call the family to come and meet at the house."

Gabrielle nodded.

Mr. Morris gave his daughter a kiss through the bars before turning and leaving. Phil put comforting hand on Gabrielle's as we turned and left.

PHIL.

Pim headed home to explain to Mom and Dad what had happened.

I immediately headed over to Keely's house.

Keely was sitting on the porch listening to music on her CD player.

"Phil?" Keely asked sliding the headphones off her ears. "Where's Gabrielle?"

"Jail," I said raising an eyebrow. "How could you not know that?"

"Oh Phil," Keely said as tears formed in her blue eyes. "I'm really sorry! I was so stupid to open my mouth! Now an innocent person is behind bars! I can't believe I did that!"

"That's not important right now," I said urgently. "Sam confessed to killing that little girl. I heard it with my own ears. He threatened you that if you told he would kill you. But to prevent that from happening, we're going to try and enlist the help of the Morris family to protect you until we can figure out what to do."

Keely's blue eyes widened.

"You're jealous," she said her voice shaking.

"God, Keely will you listen to me?" I demanded as I pulled out the tape recorder. "Listen to this!"

I hit the play button.

Immediately Sam's voice came over the speakers.

"I'm the one that killed the little girl…I let that Gabrielle take the blame…"

Keely's eyes moved onto mine.

"How'd…?"

"I changed my appearance into you," I explained. "See? He thinks he told you but he really told me. That's why we've got to try and enlist the help of the Morris family to protect you against the Tyrix's. Which is exactly what Sam is."

Keely slowly stood up.

"I can't believe it…" she said tucking a strand of blond hair behind her ear. "I can't believe I helped that scum!"

"You didn't know," I said softly putting the tape recorder away, back in my pocket and I stood in front of her. I put my hands on her shoulders. "You had no idea…none of us did."

"Gabrielle did," Keely muttered. "So what now?"

"We've got to head over to the Morris' house. Mr. Morris called the family. We've got to convince them to help us,"

Keely nodded.

We immediately headed over to the Morris residence.

By now, it was 9 O'clock.

We arrived at the Morris' residence. Mr. Morris answered the door.

"Good," he said. "Come on in. They're all here."

We slowly entered the house and headed into the living room.

There was a girl about Keely and I's age, a guy in his late 20's, two men in their 30s…one woman in her 30s, which was next to another woman who was in her 50's and a old man that had to be in his 60s.

"Phil? Keely? Let me introduce you to the Morris family," Mr. Morris explained. "This is my niece, Elaine…"

He gestured to the girl that was our age. "Her brother, Daniel…"

The guy in his late 20s. "My brothers Adam and Nick…my sister in law, Mary,"

One of the women in her 50s. "Next to Mary is my cousin Lucy and my grandfather, William."

I waved a shy 'Hello' and Keely just beamed.

"Alan, why did you bring those humans around?" asked Daniel surveying Keely and I like we were garbage.

"There's a bit of a problem," Mr. Morris explained slowly. He launched into the whole story.

"She told humans about us?" Lucy demanded.

"Yes," Mr. Morris said nodding. "But she trusts them. So do I."

"We told you not to trust humans," William scolded. "After what happened the last time?"

"I assure you," I said clearing my throat. "Keely and I would never betray Gabrielle's trust."

William studied me closely.

"What is your name, son?"

"Phil Diffy, sir," I said politely.

"You aren't afraid of learning that there really are werewolves among you?" William asked.

"No sir," I said. "Gabrielle is a great person."

"She's not a human being," Lucy said raising an eyebrow. "She's a wolf."

"She is too a human being," I argued. "Just because she changes at night on full moons doesn't make her less of a human being than Keely and I. She's got feelings, and emotions like a human. That's what makes humans humans…the ability to have feelings and emotions."

"She's kind, caring, thoughtful and a great friend," Keely added softly.

Everyone was silent and looked at each other.

"That is the most brilliant thing I've ever heard," William said as he broke into a smile. "And who are you, young lady?"

"Keely Teslow," Keely replied. "I'm the one that is in danger that needs your help."

"Very well," William said nodding. "We will help you."

The rest of the family grinned and nodded, except Daniel who folded his arms over his chest as the rest of the family came over to meet us.

"What's the plan for getting Gabrielle out of jail?" I asked.

"Tomorrow's the full moon," Lucy said. "We'll all change and break her out."

I nodded.

Two of the family members planned to stay with Keely at her house. Elaine and Lucy volunteered.

The next day, Keely and I anxiously went to school, wondering if Sam had any idea as to what was going to happen.

Apparently, he didn't.

When school was over, Keely and I headed home before heading to the police station.

GABRIELLE.

I looked out the window. A full moon hung in the darkened sky. Immediately, I felt a pang shoot across my abdomen. None of the police officers even noticed me doubled over in pain. I began changing.

PHIL.

I headed to the police station. As soon as I entered the police station, the police officers were terrified to go near one of the jail cells.

I saw why. Gabrielle had changed into the gray wolf.

"Oh boy," I said as I crouched down in front of the bars. "Help is coming."

Sure enough, about five wolves burst into the station. The officers leapt out of the way. The five wolves immediately came over to Gabrielle. They clamped their jaws on the bars and began pulling at them.

To my shock and awe, they managed to bend the bars enough so Gabrielle could squeeze through. Once she was out, they took off out of the station. I ran after them. They immediately headed to Keely's house.

Five wolves burst into the house. Mr. and Mrs. Teslow had joined my parents for dinner that night.

The wolves bounded up the stairs. I followed close behind. Elaine and Lucy had changed as well. Seven wolves now surrounded Keely.

"Wow," Keely said as three stood guard at her door while the remaining wolves scattered around the room.

"I know the feeling," I said sitting on the bed beside Keely. "Creepy but awesome huh?"

Keely nodded.

There was silence then Keely spoke.

"You like Gabrielle huh?" Keely asked quietly.

"Very much," I said softly.

Keely was silent again.

I checked my watch. It was now midnight.

"So far so good," I said to Keely then turned to her. I realized she had dozed off.

I smiled affectionately.

The wolves were yawning too.

I had hoped we hadn't made a mistake.

One of the wolves came up to me and started growling.

"He'll be here," I said.

Something heavy was thrown against the door to Keely's bedroom.

The wolves' ears perked up and Keely snapped awake.

"What was that?" she demanded.

"I think it's Sam," I said slowly.

Immediately, the wolves started snarling as the object threw its weight against the door again.

The door shook and rattled on its hinges. After three more thrusts, the door burst open, hanging on by one hinge.

The black wolf appeared.

The gray wolves went into action. They charged down the black wolf until it turned and left the house with its tail between its legs.

They kept charging the black wolf all the way out onto the street. Only one wolf remained behind.

Gabrielle.

When the sun came up, she changed back into her human self.

Keely quickly ran and got some clothes for her.

I waited outside the room until Gabrielle was fully dressed.

"Okay Phil," Keely called.

I stepped back into the room.

"I can't believe Sam came here," Keely said hugging herself.

"Don't worry," Gabrielle said putting an arm around her. "I won't let anything happen to you."

Keely smiled at her.

"I'm going to get breakfast," Keely said quietly as she got up and headed down stairs leaving Gabrielle and I alone.

I went over to her.

"You okay?" I asked worriedly.

She nodded.

"Good," I said beaming. "Thank your family for me okay?"

Gabrielle smiled and I wrapped an arm around her waist as we headed into the hallway.

I suddenly heard Keely screaming down in the kitchen.

Gabrielle and I looked at each other before we tore down the stairs and I leaped over the banister. We tore into the kitchen. I skidded to a halt at the kitchen entranceway.

Gabrielle bumped into me from behind.

My breathing sped up as what I saw burned itself into my mind forever.

Keely was lying on her back with the black wolf standing over her. The black wolf's jaws had been clamped on Keely's throat. The black wolf raised its head, and looked at us. Blood stained the muzzle and chin. It retracted its top lip, exposing red canines and incisors.

The ears flattened out sideways as it snarled.

"KEELY!" I cried.

Immense guilt flooded over me as well as pure grief.

Gabrielle opened one of the drawers and pulled out a silver knife. She flung it at the wolf. The blade embedded itself into the wolfs side. A hissing noise erupted and a bit of steam arose from where the blade hit. The wolf took off, jumping through one of the living room windows.

I rushed to Keely's side and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Keely," I choked out as tears formed in my eyes. Gabrielle began sobbing as well.