Mistaken Identity
Chapter 2
By: EckoStalker
Disclaimer: NO, Harry Potter and those peoples do NOT belong to me, but to J. K. Rowling. I own the plot, Alexis Whyte, the biker dude, and all of the mentioned Muggle peoples in this story. Artimis Callabella belongs to my bestest buddy, Deep Shadows.
Author's notes: The second chapter! Yeah! ...
(Um, don't know what else to say that you don't already know, or should know... sorry... hehehehe)
The air was getting warmer, the wildlife awakening and beginning to stir, ready to find the morning's meal. All was quiet and serene in the untainted forest... except for a blur of white that streaked through the trees and skimmed the forest floor like a ghost in the fog.
Alexis Whyte ran as fast as her canine legs could carry her, ignoring her burning lungs and sore muscles. She wanted to run for as long it would take to run this curse out of her blood.
Wolves are cool, but this is ridiculous! I don't want to be stuck like this! Think of the social out casting!
She barely had a clue as to where she was, she couldn't get help from the Family at the Manor, and everyone else would probably shoot her. And she'd be damned if she crawled back to that bloody hermit who did this to her, she would probably kill her next.
Alexis could already see what kind of day this was going to be.
So, she continued running, hoping to stumble upon a solution of some sort. What she stumbled upon was not what she expected.
Her thick nails clicked across cool, black pavement, and Alexis halted in surprise, panting furiously.
A road? In the middle of the forest? ...
A distant humming irritated her ears in the back of her mind, but Alexis ignored it in her speculations.
I must be near that Muggle-city! There's bound to be some wizard there who could help me... if I can find a way to locate them...
That damn humming was getting mighty persistent, like a mosquito that wouldn't go away. Alexis finally turned around to view the other end of the road. A single orb of halogen white light was floating quickly towards her, and Alexis saw through the darkness that it was attached to a small, but larger than her, motorcycle. Her wolf sense took over, and Alexis was shocked into awed stillness, watching it speed toward her with the fascination of the cautious unknown, until the last moment. Alexis barely had time to bound forward before the bike made contact and slammed into her body.
She yelped sharply in pain as she was flung forward over the asphalt, slamming into the pavement and skidding across the ground, rolling to a rough stop. A rainbow of vivid colors danced in her vision, then everything went black, and Alexis lay still, breathing shallowly.
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The young man was oblivious to his surroundings, enjoying the bike ride through the diminishing darkness and head banging to a rock band that was blaring through the headphones perched on his brown haired head. He wasn't going no more than ten miles per hour as he turned the sharp corner on the deserted road. His head came up briefly to view the stretch just in time to see a flash of something white right before his front fender jolted and hit something solid. His bike was spun around sideways, and the young man hung on for dear life as it skidded and fell on its side, dragging to a screeching stop after a minute. He remained trembling and motionless for a moment, glad that he remembered to strap himself onto the bike, before he decided to move. He yanked off the battered headphones and crawled out of the strap and beside the bike. Confused by the sudden wreck, he surveyed his bike for the damage. The front fender's edge was sunken in somewhat to where it almost grazed the front wheel, the kick stand was tore off, the foot rest was bent out of proportion on that same side, and a few long jagged streaks decorated the side where the bike had skidded across the gravelly concrete. But otherwise, the bike was unhurt. He was also, to the extent of a few good bruises and scrapes.
He turned around to find the cause of the collision, and gasped at what he saw.
Not ten feet from him lay sprawled across the ground a small, brilliantly white wolf. It lay unmoving, and the young man dimly saw a splotch of dark color spreading over the animal's left foreleg and lower chest in the growing light. He was hesitant to go near the creature, lest it lash out in it's injured state. That is, if it were still alive. He looked closer, seeing the telltale rapid rise and fall of it's side, and breathed easier. That would be all he needed, being recorded for the death of such a creature.
He leaned back against his bike and took out a newly dented black cell phone, punching in a number from the directory. When someone answered, he pepped up.
"Yeah, is this Braman's Humane Society? Good... okay. I just had an accident involving one of the local wildlife and it looks injured. You guys were the closest people I knew around who could do something about this... no, my bike can't take both the animal and me. Besides, I think it's a wolf. Not going to risk getting my ass bit off... okay... oh, thanks. Ten minutes? Right... " He gave instructions to their location, the pocketed the phone, watching the animal for a moment. Curiosity and concern got the best of him, and the young man slowly crawled forward towards it.
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Oh, man... animals are so bloody stupid...
Alexis thought to herself through a fuzzy haze of pain. It was due to her damn wolf sense that she got hit in the first place. She lay still, trying not to hurt herself further than she knew she was, trying to remember what the hell had happened. Her left forefoot and lower chest throbbed in an oddly numb way, not responding to her mental shouts to obey and move. She forced them to shift, and she yelped softly as a stab of white-hot pain lanced up along the bone and into her chest. Her wolf sense immediately took over, as she smelled the human getting closer. She opened emerald green eyes, staring straight up into the surprised gaze of a young man on hands and knees in front of her. She bared her teeth in a weak snarl, her voice lost to her at the moment; but he got the idea and slowly backed up a few steps. Alexis relaxed for a brief moment, then difficultly moved to her stomach from her side, whimpering involuntarily and resting her aching head between bruised paws.
The man sat back on his heels, watching her in animal-reserved sympathy. He spoke, mainly to fill the silence, and not knowing how well the wolf really understood.
"Making it harder on yourself. Already called the Humane Society, they'll be here in a few minutes to help..."
He didn't finish for alarm as Alexis raised her head bolt upright.
Ah shit...
She couldn't be seen there, not like this. The last thing I need is for some snot nosed brat to call me doggy and ask mommy if they can keep me...
She strained to rise to her feet, favoring her left foreleg, trembling with the exertion. The man slowly stood in surprise, not sure of what to do. Alexis growled at him, warning him not to try anything funny. He raised his hands and quickly stepped away towards his bike.
Alexis gingerly set her injured limb down, almost collapsing at its present uselessness. Determined, she started half limping, half hopping forward as best as she could, pushing back the sears of pain that constricted her breathing. She had to get out of there as fast as possible before she was caught. She made the ten feet to the stretch of trees on the opposite side of he road, leaning against one to catch her breath. This was going to be difficult. She turned a final time to the man, growling menacing and angrily, before starting off again.
In the distance, she heard the rumbling hum of a larger vehicle approaching, and Alexis knew she hadn't much time. She pushed herself faster, picking and tearing her way through brambles and thickets, not caring at the time where she was headed as long as she wasn't followed.
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About five minutes after the wolf had disappeared into the surrounding trees, the young man watched as a shining white van pulled up, Braman's Animal Care And Services stenciled in forest green lettering across its windowless side. The young man stood from his seat on his still prone motorcycle, brushing off his jeans as two uniformed men exited the vehicle, acting as professional and official as possible as they scrutinized the area.
Always making a big deal over nothing...
He smiled smally as they walked towards him with confused expressions. He explained casually, "Don't know, she just got up and walked off... well, limped off. Acted like she knew what I was say-"
"Which direction did she head towards, sir." One of the officers spoke, cutting him off abruptly.
The young man nonchalantly gestured to the north and Alexis's present course. A look passed between the two of them, and they roughly thanked the young man, quickly getting back in their van. The man lifted his bike and called out to them in confusion. "What's the panic for?"
As they drove by, the one in the passenger side of the vehicle leaned out the window and impatiently stated, "An injured wolf heading towards a populated town? Obviously a bad combination." Without another word, they sped off, heading back towards the town. The young man mounted his bike and cranked it, gazing after the van affronted. "Jerks..." he spoke to himself as he spun out and zoomed down the opposite end of the road.
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Alexis stumbled to a halt, staring in disbelief down at the small Muggle town that sprawled before her. Of all the bloody places...
She never intended heading here, it only increased the chances of her being caught. But yet, where else was she supposed to go? You're a damn wolf, where do you think? Alexis argued with herself. But she wouldn't last too long in the forest in her present state, especially if she couldn't get a hold of Artimis yet. Maybe she could scrounge up some food and a place to rest. She looked down, seeing splotches of bright red dripping to the ground below her. And some medical attention wouldn't be too bad... She didn't bother think of how she would get any of that, she just knew she had better try. So, she tiredly limped out of the safety of the woodlands and entered the more dangerous habitat of Men. She remained on her guard, careful to avoid being seen.
The section of houses she had entered was almost enough to make her turn around and head back. It must've been the 'downtown' of the place, most all the houses having at least two busted windows or boarded areas of wall. Trash of all sort littered the two-laned road, the garbage bins overflowing with enough filth to feed entire armies of rats. Busted and looted cars and vehicles occupied more of the pavement then driveways, and half starved cats and one or two scruffy looking mutts roamed from house to house, looking for scraps. She noticed they usually didn't head for the numerous trashcans. Don't blame them, probably contract AIDS or something from that nasty shit...
The sun was barely over the horizon, and the little bit of heat warming the filth on the streets sent invisible currents of stink drifting through the homes. The smell was enough to make Alexis's eyes water as it stung her delicate senses.
She found a narrow alley between an out of business furniture shop and half demolished apartment building further in, and hid there as a rusted car rattled past. How do people live with this? One thing's for sure, I'm not staying here too long, probably get worse then I already am...
A wave of exhaustion swept her as if to prove her thought, making her tremble and wobble as her muscles strained to keep her upright. Her front, left side was stiffening up, and every step she took made the pain worse. Surveying the grungy alley, she saw a mountain of sagging cardboard boxes and large warped wooden crates. Well, nothing better as shelter here, and I'd rather starve than go through any of these peoples' stuff...
So, as quiet as the shadows and on her last legs, she picked her way around the rotting bags of garbage and debris, approaching the mound of boxes. She nimbly squirmed her way into the pile and under an incline made by the debris. Sighing dog-like, she gingerly collapsed, falling into an uneasy sleep.
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The white van slowly drove through the streets in the downtown area of their city. Both the Humane Society's employees knew through training that this wolf couldn't have made it too far past the outskirts of this section in its supposed injured state. So they searched the roads, disgusted at the condition everything was in. If they didn't bring in this wildlife case, they knew that their employer would have a royal fit. As well as the damn environmentalists who made it their job to find out everything they didn't need to know. Their speed was no more than five miles per hour and both men hung out the windows, scrutinizing every suitable hiding place. They made it further into the trashed territory, encountering more alleys and broken down buildings. But one side street caught their attention. The dark haired man of the duo who occupied the passenger seat poked his buddy and pointed at a smear of red on the lower edge of a wall that led into the darkened alleyway. They parked their van, jumping in the back of it and setting up a cage and sedatives if needed. Both donned on thick gloves and the driver pocketed one of the company's cell phones. They both grabbed long wooden sticks that held a thick coil of loose plastic at the end, used to get ahold of the animal, and each grabbed a muzzle. The dark haired man pocketed a covered hypodermic needle filled with a mild sedative, and both exited the vehicle, leaving the back doors open.
They carefully entered the damp, smelly alley, gazing around cautiously as they searched for any sign of the wolf. All they saw were spaced apart droplets of blood that led into the alley. They passed the dumpster, two or three destroyed bikes and car parts, and stopped beside a mountainous pile of precariously balanced debris as the viewed a tall rusted fence that marked the end of the narrow alley. They could see no breaks or holes in the fence despite its worn condition, and they didn't pass any other exits. Lowering their guard for they moment, they pondered the situation, and turned to search the alley once more thoroughly. They froze in shock at the vision of a crouched beast in front of them, from which emanated a savage growl that promised pain and suffering if they got any nearer.
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Alexis shivered from an unknown chill, grimacing in pain. A new smell had assaulted her wet nose, one that stood out among the mingled smells of decay and mold. She swallowed, her throat dry and sore, and she cracked an eye open in dazed confusion. Her vision was slightly blurred, but she clearly saw two solid figures standing on two legs each directly in front of her. She stiffened in shock and anger, not knowing what to do. Through her pain filled and sleep deprived mind, Alexis thought only two things. Enemy... intruders...
Pushing back her pain, she slinked out from her hiding place and positioned herself behind her two stalkers. She saw them turn, and she growled in a deep and throaty voice, loving the immediate look of fear on her new prey's features. The three natural enemies stood still in pre-battle stillness, the world coming to a stop in their minds.
Alexis smirked to herself, and the two stared in shock at how closely the wolf resembled a human in her expression. They didn't have time to think about it as Alexis let out a savage half snarl, half bark, lunging forward at them.
The dark haired man thought quick and brought up his staff in defense, Alexis bowling against it and knocking him to the ground. She yelped in angered pain, and snapped powerful jaws around the wood, shaking her head and ripping it out of the man's grasp. Something shoved her harshly, and Alexis rolled off the man, dropping the stick. She struggled to her feet as the other man jabbed at her with his stick, and Alexis latched teeth around the coil to his surprise, twisting her head and making him drop it. She ran at him, and the dark haired man scrambled to his feet. Alexis banked sharply and rammed the offending human against the knees, sending him tripping over her. But she misjudged and he landed half on her, crushing her to the ground. She howled in unbearable pain, her injured leg trapped beneath her.
She turned her head and sunk teeth into the nearest thing she could reach, which happened to be the man's tender buttocks. He yelled in pained surprise, and Alexis laughed mentally. She felt a stab in her neck and spun her head to see the other human stumbling back with a now empty syringe. The man who had tripped over Alexis scooted off her, holding a hand over his mutilated bottom.
Alexis lay panting furiously in place, left leg bent under her at an odd angle and lip raised in a snarl. She tried to get to her feet, but her legs gave out under her. Her vision started to swirl, everything distorting out of place. The dark haired man grabbed his partner's arm and attempted to help him to his feet.
Alexis managed to her feet, now strangely not feeling as much pain as the drugs took a hold of her. Her delusional anger subsided, being replaced by a giddy calm as she swayed, finally falling back onto the ground, muscles going limp and relaxed. She rested her head against the cool pavement, eyes half closed and herself only half conscious, some of her old self coming back to her as the sedative put a damper on the disorienting pain.
Whoa... the world is spinning... so cool... wonder if they see it too...
She thought deliriously as the two men slowly approached her. It was the last thing she saw before her vision slowly faded out and she fell into peaceful unconsciousness.
The man who had been bitten leaned against the stonewall, breathing heavily and grimacing in pain as the dark haired man kneeled next to the drugged wolf.
He gazed at his partner in tired amusement, chuckling in amazement. The other glared. "You wouldn't be fucking laughing had you been bitten in the ass... damn animal..."
"Ah, lighten up Charles. Probably wouldn't have if she wasn't beat up like this."
"Yeah, whatever... I, on the other hand, won't be able to sit for a bloody week... you paying for the damn doctor bill, Trent?"
"Give it a rest... you're just pissed..." Trent, the dark haired man, replied. He gazed down at the beautiful animal, carefully examining her wounds.
"We better get her back to the office quick. Broken leg and possibly some ribs. Probably from where you fell on her." He joked.
"Not my damn fault... damn thing knows how to fight back..." Charles grumbled, though feeling some pity for the creature. He did like animals; otherwise he would have shoved this job in his employer's face a month ago.
Trent carefully situated one of the green, cloth muzzles over the wolf's snout and jowls and Charles limped around, gathering his own intact staff and Trent's half bitten through one. Trent carefully hoisted the animal in his arms, and both men tiredly walked back to their van, Trent carefully situating the sleeping Alexis in the steel cage in the back of the vehicle while Charles started the van.
Finis Chapter 2
