It is the last night that Dean, and the wolves are on the train. Tomorrow should be when they make it to their destination. He has been telling his unexpected companions all the wonders his home has to offer. They all had nearly emptied their food and water supply. What can you expect, when feeding wolves and a human. Everyone was currently trying to keep each other entertained. The pups were playing with each other. Kate and Humphrey were talking amongst themselves, and Dean decided to look outside the train car. He looked to see the bright moon in the sky. It was full, and lit up the night. Stars carpeted everything else. This whole scenario was right to Dean. It wasn't too cold, for the snow was beginning to melt. It felt more like fall weather, than winter. Dean looked down, and saw the scenery moving along. He could see small patches of snow that were too stubborn to melt with the rest by a tree or two as they passed. Dean just continued to enjoy the moment. He then felt someone walk next to him. He noticed that Humphrey was doing the exact same thing He was doing.
"Doesn't this bring back memories, Kate," said Humphrey.
"It sure does, dear," she answered. She then walked up next to her mate, and they looked at each other.
"Are you ready," asked Humphrey.
"Oh yeah," said Kate.
They then began to howl together.
Their voices together left everyone else speechless. Dean just listened to the melody the two lovers created. It was so calming to him. He wasn't the only one as he saw the pups listening to them as well, and almost falling asleep in the process. Once the two were done, they began to catch their breath.
"Wow guys," said Claudette.
"You were amazing," spoke Stinky.
"You two were great," exclaimed Runt.
"You two sounded amazing," said Dean.
"You were amazing my love." said Humphrey.
"You weren't so bad yourself," said Kate.
Dean then moved himself away from his seat, and he then put his headphones in his ear. Everyone realized that this was a sign that Dean was going to sleep. Humphrey then tapped him. He pulled one bud out.
"Yes sir?"
"Could you leave those out? We can hear the music with them in."
It then finally clicked with Dean. Wolves have extremely good hearing. Throughout the whole time he has listened to his music around the family, they could hear it. He then grew embarrassed.
"I am so sorry. I have probably kept you guys up all night because of my music. I don't have to have them. I'll turn it off."
Humphrey then stopped him.
"Why? I like it," he said.
"You do?"
"Yeah, I like to listen to what you humans make."
"You listen to some pretty catchy stuff," said Kate.
"We don't care either," said Runt. Stinky and Claudette were nodding behind him.
Dean then smiled.
"I guess there's no point to having these if you could hear my music. So you just chose not to say anything."
"Yeah, it wasn't hurting anyone," said Kate.
Dean then pulled his earbuds out, and he let the music play. They were songs that were not too loud. Just right for sleep. Soon everyone fell asleep under the moonlight, and too the music coming out of the phone. The next morning Dean rose from his slumber, and he stretched. He then looked outside at the rising sun. Everyone else then began to get up. He then noticed that the train began to slow down.
"Why do I feel like we are slowing down," asked Stinky.
Dean quickly turned around.
"We are," he said.
He grabbed his bag, and packed what little items he took out.
As soon as the train stopped, everyone bolted out of the cart and ran for the forest. Once they were sure that they weren't being followed they slowed down. Dean then took out his phone, and pulled up a map. Once he found his trail, he began walking that direction.
"So pups," began Dean. "How was your first time riding a train."
"It was great," said Runt.
"I had fun," said Stinky.
"I enjoyed it," said Claudette.
"I liked it too," said Dean. "It was my first train ride too. How was your second train ride, Mrs. Kate, and Mr. Humphrey."
"It was great," said Humphrey.
"I had fun," said Kate.
The rest of the trip was filled with small talk. They made it a few more miles, and it was midday. Everything was great, but then Dean stopped. He saw a splintered tree. It was burned. It was less of a tree and more of charcoal. Dean knew what caused this. His mind went elsewhere, to a time not so long ago when he was a few years younger.
"Ok, Dean," stated his father. "Today we will try and do some element manipulation. If you don't get it today, it'll be ok, we will try again later, but soon you'll be able to perform like this." Dean then saw a bolt of lightning shoot from his fathers hand, and the tree fell, and burned. His father used some water manipulation to put out the fire.
"Let this be a reminder of what you are capable of," ended Julius.
Dean then came back to reality.
"Dean," asked Claudette. "Why did you stop?"
"Sorry, it is just something I remember from my childhood hood. I am almost home." He then began to sprint in the direction of his old home. Everyone began to run with him. As he kept running he looked to his sides to see everyone following him. There was that feeling again. The feeling of this being right. He then skidded to a halt when he came into a clearing. He stared at the giant log cabin. It was a two story cabin.
"We're here," huffed Dean.
"Wow, this is you den," asked Runt.
"Not all of it. It is like a bunch of dens combined."
"Wow," everyone gasped.
Dean then slowly stepped to the front door. As he got closer, and closer to it, he heard his uncle yelling in the back of his head. Taking him back to the night. The night everything was stripped from him. The night his life changed forever. His feet soon felt like they were slipping in quick sand. He grew slower and slower until he was at the door. He then stopped. He kept telling himself to just walk in, but it was easier said than done.
"We're right behind you, Dean," said Kate.
He turned and saw that everyone was indeed behind him. He took comfort in this and took a breath. He then opened the door, and walked in. He entered the threshold, and looked around. Many memories began to flood into his mind, good and bad. He then slowly walked around. He went up the stairs, to his room, and sat his stuff down. Everyone followed him.
"This is my den," said Dean.
"It is as big as our den," said Kate.
"I think the den is just a little bit bigger," joked Dean.
He slowly began to mellow out, the wolves made him a lot more comfortable through this process, but Dean did feel absolutely sure of one thing. This house did not feel like home. He then went down stairs and into the kitchen. Julius kept everything stocked up. He found the meats, but he soon began to drool as he saw what was underneath the meat shelf.
"Thank you," said Dean to nobody in particular.
"Who are you thanking," asked Stinky.
"Whoever left us the gift of meat lovers pizza."
"What is pizza," asked Humphrey.
"A very good type of human food."
He then presented a meat lovers pizza. Everyone began to drool.
"It smells so good," said Claudette.
"Don't eat it yet, let me warm it up."
Dean then cut the pieces up, and stuck them into the microwave. Everyone waited patiently, and finally the pizza was hot and ready.
"Before you eat, let it cool a bit, or you'll get burned," Dean announced. He then found some bowls, and put water in them, so everyone could drink.
He gave everyone equal pieces, and he took his and a bottle of water.
"Feel free to explore the house. I am going to my Uncles den to investigate," spoke Dean.
"Ok, be careful," said Kate.
"Always," he answered.
He walked to a giant door. He opened it, and was led down a hallway, and through another door. He then opened another door, and found a giant lab. He then saw a yellow sticky note on a notebook. On the sticky note, it read in big bold letters PROJECT UPGRADE. Below those words were, D3AN. Below that was FAILURE in big red letters.
"Real creative Julius," remarked Dean. He opened the journal and began to read. His eyes grew wide once he figured out Julius' plan.
Dean began to read.
"I have successfully created a being," he read. "This is supposed to be an aid to the future. It is injected into the bloodstream, and once the organism activates within the host, it will possess greateru speed, strength, and endurance. Anything the host is capable of doing normally, is increased dramatically."
He then turned a page titled EX1.
Dean read further.
"My first test subject, a lab rat my nephew has named Ratthew, has been injected with the experiment. I have not thought of a name for my experiment, so ,for now, it shall be called "The Experiment ." Dean rolled his eyes at Julius' naming skills. He then continued to read further.
"For the first week, Ratthew has been meeting all my expectations and far beyond. He is stronger, faster, and has more endurance. He far exceeds the capabilities of a normal rat of his species. I have labeled this as a success, and have chosen to move onto phase two of my experiment, human test subjects, or , in my case, Guardian test subjects."
"No," spoke Dean. He quickly turned to the next page labeled, EX2. He read further. Before he could read further he heard a commotion coming from the living room. He marked his place in the journal, and sprinted to the living room. He then saw the pups behind Kate and Humphrey, who were now growling and snarling at the television that was now turned on.
"Dean," said Runt. "There's humans here!"
"No there isn't." He then walked in front of the wolves and knocked on the screen. This was funny to him, and kinda frustrating. He didn't want to stay here as long as he needs to, so he desired no distractions from the mission.
"This is a television. It plays videos from all over. It is like a phone, but bigger."
He then grabbed the remote that was on the ground in front of the couch, and changed the channel. He changed a channel to a group of teenagers and their dog solving a mystery, he then changed it to a mouse and cat fighting each other with an abundance of items, and then he turned it on to an informational animal channel. He then showed the wolves the volume button, the channel button, and the power button.
"These are all the buttons you need to know for now. If you need me, I'll be back in the den." A thought came to Dean in that moment.
"Oh, and if anyone needs to go to do their business, tell me. I don't want the floor ruined."
Everyone calmed down and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ok, Dean, thank you," said Kate.
"Don't mention it." He then sped back to the lab, and back to the journal. He found his page and immediately began to read.
"My nephew, Dean, has been having nightmares," he read. "I have concluded that this is the pristine time to inject him with the experiment. I had some that I did not inject into Ratthew, so I injected that into him. Once I did so, my brother asked me what I injected into his son. I told him it was something to heal Dean. I did not wish to reveal my new experiment just yet, so I bent the truth. I then waited for the results. For the next few days, Dean said he felt worse. A few months went by, and he continued to have nightmares, and he has had no enhancement of any activity. The experiment hasn't triggered, and I am unable to figure out why. It was to my horror I saw that Ratthew had began to attack his cage. He became extremely agitated, and I realized that this is a symptom of my experiment, and I injected this monstrosity into my nephew. I quickly eradicated the experiment and it's host, and disposed of the remnants. I found that the experiment will leave the host once it is indeed dead, and try to find a new host. I quickly destroyed it before it could."
"Rest in peace Ratthew," spoke Dean. And then continued reading.
"I had only managed to come up with two logical conclusions: leave my nephew, and hope he overcomes the experiment, and exclude it from his body himself, or eradicate the host and experiment all together."
"So, he chose to eradicate me because he didn't think I could control it." This thought shook Dean to his core. This thought made his hatred for Julius grow more.
"Um, Dean," squeaked a voice behind him. Dean quickly slammed the book shut, and turned around. It was apparent that he was angry. He tried to calm down when he saw Runt behind him.
"Yes buddy."
"I just need to pee."
"Ok, yeah , sure, follow me."
Dean then stormed out of the room with Runt following him. He stopped and looked at everyone else in the living room.
"Does anyone else need to go?"
Humphrey nodded.
"Ok, follow me."
Dean led them to the back yard.
"Ok, this is where you can do your business."
"Thanks Dean," they both said. Dean then looked at the doorknob. It had a handle. Dean then had an Idea. He took two rags, and tied them on the inside and outside knob. The rags hung low to the ground. Once Humphrey and Runt came back, Dean shut the door, turned into a pup, and pulled down on the rag. The knob slowly turned, and the door opened. Dean turned human, and smiled at his work.
"Ok guys, if you need to go do your business, open this door, by pulling this rag to turn the knob."
"Ok," said Humphrey. "We'll tell the rest of the family."
"Great, I am getting back to finding answers."
"Ok buddy."
They then went their separate ways, and Dean went back to the lab. He reached the end of Julius' journal. He searched for more pages, and only found a note describing a hypothesis on how the experiment can take the powers it has gained from the host.
"Guess, that's a fact," said Dean, referring to how the experiment made a portal to an unknown location.
He then took what books and journals he could find, and walked into his room. He stuck the information in his bag, and made his way to his father's office. It was right next to his parents bedroom. He made his way across the hall a few doors up from his room. He opened the oak door, and looked inside. He jumped back in fright at the sight of Julius behind his fathers chair. He quickly slammed the door and breathed.
"That's impossible," he told himself. " I saw him die."
Dean went back to his room, and grabbed his daggers. He then crept back to the door. He opened it and saw Julius behind his fathers chair, but as he looked closer, he saw his father standing next to Julius, and his mother, and his sister, and Waya, and him. He got all scared over a family portrait.
"I'm just as bad as they are with the tv."
He then moved to his fathers bookshelves, and dest drawers drawers. It wasn't just his fathers office, it was where Dean's mother kept all of her spell books. Every spell and elixir used by magic casters is in this office. Dean was happy to find that his parents only used three ginormous books to contain the spells. He hoisted them up and began to walk to his room. He was going to have to make more than one trip for his answers. He put his books in his bag, and realized he would need more room. He found another bag, and began to fill that one with more books. He then walked back to the office. He then looked at his father's desk. Out of all his drawers, one was labeled. The largest was labeled with a big note on the front. "FOR FAMILY EMERGENCY."
"If this isn't a family emergency, then I don't know what is," spoke Dean.
He opened the drawer and found the his father labeled any sort of emergency that could have been encountered alphabetically.
"Geeze Dad, you were a neat freak," commented Dean.
He went down the alphabet and soon landed on the L's He froze once he read one of the labels. It read Last One. This caught Dean's eye, and he pulled out the folder. It was a lot of papers, so Dean chose not to read them yet. He wanted to read that at a later date.
He searched a few more hours and found more information. He looked outside and realized that it was dark outside. He went out of the office, and retrieved the last of his belongings. He then carried it all to the living room, and sat them down with a thud. Everyone was sitting and talking. It became dark, so Dean's human eyes couldn't really see. He felt for the lamp and flipped it on.
"I guess I forgot to tell you about the light."
"They were mesmerized by the new ability Dean possessed."
"Humans are so cool," said Runt.
"It has its perks."
"So, I guess those are your answers," spoke Kate referring to the two large bags.
"Yeah, that's everything I think I need. Now I am going to wash up."
"Can you show us the pond," asked Kate. "We need to wash up too."
"It's not a pond, but sure."
Everyone began to follow Dean up the stairs.
He then opened the first door in the hallway. Everyone was attacked with the scent of beauty products, body wash, and shampoo.
"What is this place," asked Humphrey.
"Humans call it a bathroom, or restroom. It is where we do our business, and clean up." He then removed the curtain to reveal the basin that was the bath and shower. Everyone was confused.
"It's dried up," said Humphrey.
"If you guys thought turning on light was crazy, you'll lose your minds after this."
He then turned the nozzle and cold water came out the nozzle. Everyone was utterly mesmerized by Dean's control of making a small waterfall.
"We call it indoor plumbing," joked Dean. "It can be cold water, and hot water."
He then turned on the hot water, and mixed it with the cold.
"That's a pretty small waterfall," began Humphrey. "I don't know if the pups can fit under it."
He then flipped a metal piece and the water began to flow out of the shower head.
"That is what the shower is for," replied Dean.
He then felt the water.
"Just right," he spoke. It then occurred to him that he needed some clothes.
"I'll be back." He then scurried to his bedroom, and pulled a new set of clothes. He then returned to the bathroom and put his a towel on the rack, and one on the floor. He then saw the wolves smelling something. He got a closer look and realized that they were smelling his bottle of body wash.
"What are you doing?"
"I found this," began Kate. "It smells like you when we first met you in your human form."
"It should, it is what I used when I use to wash."
"Are you using it now?"
Dean thought about it for a second. He took the bottle and smelled the inside. It reminded him of his past, what he had, and like many other things of this house, what he lost. It also felt unnatural to him to use shampoo, or body wash. He has gotten so used to just using water, that many of his human luxuries have become somewhat alien to him.
"Uh, you know what, I think I'll just let the water wash me."
He then took his socks off to reveal muddy feet.
"Yeah, these need to be cleaned. Could you guy's ,I don't know, leave, so I can have some privacy.
The wolves then exited the bathroom, and he shut the door behind them. He then turned on his music, and removed the rest of his garments."
He planted himself in the shower and let the dirt and grime wash off him. He began to sing and wash at the same time. This was his time. He let the water wash away the past, and cleaned him for the brighter future, his new future. He knew one thing, he now has his answers, and ,now, he is finding his new family.
Once the song ended, and he felt clean enough, he got out dried, changed his new clothes, and opened the door. What he didn't expect was everyone sitting in front of the door, listening to him singing.
"Uh, how long have you been there," he asked.
"Long enough to hear that voice," said Humphrey.
"You are really good, Dean," said Claudette.
"You sound amazing," said Stinky.
Dean was utterly embarrassed at the comments he was getting. He is definitely not a fan of being the center of attention.
"Uh well, thank you all. Who is next for the shower."
The girls raised their paws.
"Ok," Dean turned on the shower, and threw the curtain to hide the girls. Once they were done, they got out and dried themselves off. Dean did the same thing for the boys, and ,once they were done, he turned the water off. He then went to his room, and grabbed something he has missed doing for a long time, drawing.
He grabbed his pencil and sketchbook, and sat on his couch.
He thought for a moment, but soon knew what to draw. He began to sketch out the shapes, and outlines. He was very good at drawing, and loved to sketch out things. He then felt a weight next to him on the couch.
"How is everyone,"asked Dean.
"They are sleeping in your den right now," said Kate. "I hope you don't mind."
"No not at all. That's good, considering I drug them to Colorado, they need the rest," he joked.
"Hey, you didn't drag us anywhere. We chose to come with you."
"All jokes aside, I am glad you came with me. I can't thank you enough for what you guy's have done for me."
"Dean, you don't need to thank us. We were happy to do it. I am sorry about how, but I am glad you are here with us."
"I am glad I got to meet some great wolves. Some good came out of this bad. You guy's are great. You have helped me through stuff, taught me a lot, and we have so much fun. You guy's are so amazing in every way, and I am so lucky to have met you guy's."
"Hey, we're the lucky ones to have met you. You are so kind, smart, and ,I don't care what you say, you have a great voice. I just wish you can share it openly with others. You are a good pup, Dean. Don't change who you are. You are so great, and, no matter what you are wolf or human, you will do great things." She then moved closer and licked him on his cheek. She then looked down at his drawing.
"What are you doing?"
"I am drawing. I haven't done it in a while, so I thought I would do some on the way back to Jasper."
"That's a good idea."
"I think so," as he looked at it Dean began to see something in the drawing something like a memory. He decided to stop and head to bed.
"I'm getting tired, I think I'll head to bed."
"Ok dear," she licked him on the cheek again. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
They then walked to Dean's bedroom. Kate laid on the floor while Dean laid in his bed. Throughout the night he tossed and turned. The bed was too soft. Dean had gotten so used to sleeping on the ground that his human bed became too soft. He looked down to see that everyone else was sleeping he then got the idea of putting some blankets over them. He did so as silent as ever, and then he laid on the floor. He ran out of blankets, so he just used his cloak, and soon fell asleep. He woke up the next morning to Everyone closer to him, and Kate sharing her blanket. He turned into a pup and sneaked out of the bodies. He left the door cracked and he shifted back. He moved to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. He may have had his shower, but he looked different. He thought about the portrait hanging in his father's office. He looked so clean and civilized in the portrait. He didn't know the kid in the portrait, not anymore. He knows the thing staring back at him. The child living amongst wolves. The more he stood in this home, the more he realized he stuck out like the wolves. He let the thought sink in and went to the kitchen. He then looked in the fridge. He decided to chow down on some more pizza. He then walked outside, in the backyard, and sat on a porch swing. He ate his pizza, and looked out in the backyard. The morning was underway. It had a cool breeze along with the warm rays of the morning sun. Dean thought about everything he had been through, all of his childhood memories, and what he will do very soon. He looked into the yard, and could barely see a memory from a long time ago. He could see his family playing together in the grass. He continued to reminisce about his time at this home, and thinking about the plan he had set out. He didn't even notice Kate walked out to see him. Dean had left the door open.
"There you are," she said. "Good morning." She then joined him on the swing. This brought Dean back to reality.
"Good morning. How did you sleep?"
"I slept good. Thank you for the covering. How about you?"
"I slept better on the floor than in the bed. You are welcome about the blankets."
"What were you doing?"
"I am thinking."
"About what," asked Humphrey. He and the pups came out to join the two.
"I am thinking about this house, and leaving it."
"When are you leaving," asked Kate.
"I wish to leave today. I figured out that a train is leaving today. I have all that I need here, and I don't want to stay here longer than I need too."
"Well," began Humphrey. "If you're ready to go, then so are we. "
"If you guy's want to stay a little longer we can, but I have got all the answers I need."
"Dean," began Kate. "We came here for you. If you don't want to be here, then we have no business here. If you want to go, then let's go."
"Ok great, follow me."
Dean then led them to the tree line.
"Ok, stay here and wait for me to come back."
They did as instructed, and a few minutes later, Dean came back carrying his two bags. They both looked full.
"I have everything now," began Dean. "Now, in order to make sure no one finds the secrets this house holds, I need to destroy it. From what my family told me, this spell was in case of emergencies and we needed to hide. So, along with the house being gone, my magic will be as well, but only for a few days. My parents said that they will return as if nothing happened.
"Are you sure you want to do this," began Kate.
"No, but here goes nothing." Dean then began to did into the dirt. It didn't take long for him to uncover a stone. The stone had been carved into. It was a rune. Dean then dug into his bag and pulled out a dagger. He then poked his thumb and it began to bleed. He then rubbed the rune with the blood. The rune began to glow, along with other sides of the house, and Dean's eyes.
"This spell I must recite"
"In order for these secrets to not see light"
"Get this house out of my sight."
The whole border around the house began to glow bright blue. Soon, the house began to glow bright blue with it. Once the borders light died down, everyone could see the aftermath. Nothing was left, not even a foundation to indicate a house was ever present. It looked like it had before the house was built, untouched. It resembled a meadow. Everyone was shocked, even Dean.
"I was not expecting that," he said. He then walked a little bit toward the open field that was once his home. "Goodbye," was all he said. He then turned back to everyone and grabbed his bags. "Well, that is over and done with. Are you ready to go back to Jasper guy's." They nodded their heads.
"Great, let's get going. We have a train to catch." He then began walking. Soon, everyone was on their way to the train station.