Chapter 5: Research Whoas and Oh Nos (Part 1)
As Benson finally began to stir he could vaguely register the faraway voices of whoever was in the room with him.
"He's waking up!"
"Is he going to be okay?"
"Stand back and give him some air." When he finally managed to open his now golden, wolf-like eyes the first thing he could make out was a blurry images of the other park workers who hovered over him. After blinking several times to clear his vision he could see their uneasy expressions. A moment passed before his memories came flooding back to him and he shot up from once more being laid down on the couch with a gasp.
"Benson relax. You're okay," Mordecai assured seeing the panic flash across his boss's face.
"For the most part anyways," Rigby added earning him a stern glare from the others and causing him to shrink back slightly. Benson looked down at his hands and feet and saw to his dismay that he was now equipped with some sharp, wicked looking claws. He could only imagine what else the latest transformation had done to him. He brought his hands up to his face to investigate as his fingers came across his now more pronounced fangs, which gave him a slight overbite. He placed his hands on top of his head and felt his once more exposed ears. A quick glance over his shoulder also revealed his tail. Discouraged by his worsened state, he tried to get up from the couch but was stopped by Pops who placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. The kind lolliman gave an understanding look and motioned for him to stay put and take it easy.
"How long was I out this time?" Benson asked hesitantly.
"About an hour," a gruff voice answered. By the tone of the speaker's voice, as well as the scent of heavy and expensive cologne in the air, Benson knew right away who it belonged to. Sure enough, the others moved to the side to let in a frowning Mr. Maellard followed by a speechless Audrey into the gathered group. Benson looked away ashamed, his ears drooping as he realized that he must look like some sort of monster to them now.
"I…" Benson started unsure of what to say. However Audrey approached him and tenderly placed a hand on his cheek turning his gaze back to her. She looked him over for several moments before finally speaking.
"Benson, what's happening to you?" she asked gently.
"Actually I believe I might be better able to explain that," another voice spoke up before Benson could respond. The others glanced to the doorway as Vick (being the one who had spoken) along with another man walked in. The other man appeared to be much younger than Vick, possibly in his late 30s. He was a somewhat lithe man of about Benson's height dressed in a simple button up shirt wearing a black blazer and pants. He also had a sleek head of black hair and a thin black mustache. His grey eyes seemed to bore straight into Benson when his gaze fell upon him.
"Vick, who's this?" Skips asked curiously indicating to the new presence.
"Ah yes. This is my research assistant Sykes," Vick introduced.
"Charmed," the man now confirmed as Sykes greeted albeit rather curtly.
"I called him previously to ask him to bring over the rest of my research materials. After seeing specifically what we are dealing with I believe we're going to need them," Vick explained. That last comment put Benson slightly on edge. The last thing he wanted right now was to be treated like some sort of science experiment.
"Now hold on," Maellard snapped. "As I've said before I don't know who you think you are but what makes you think you can just start calling the shots around here?" Maellard asked pointing a finger at Vick. "Furthermore, I've been waiting for too long to hear a proper explanation as to what is going on in my park and before anything else is said or done I want those answers NOW!" the elderly lolliman demanded.
"Father," Pops started not liking the harsh tone of his father's voice.
"No it's alright. It's only fair that I explain myself," Vick cut in before clearing his throat and taking a business-like posture with his hands behind his back. "My full name is Vincent R. Simmons, PhD in Cryptozoology."
"Crypto- what?" Rigby repeated tilting his head to the side in clear confusion.
"Cryptozoology," Thomas repeated. "That's from the Greek word 'kryptos' meaning 'hidden' and zoology is the study of animals. So it's the study of hidden animals right?" Needless to say the park workers were taken aback by the intern goat's sudden show of knowledge. "What? I am a college student remember," Thomas added catching the stunned expressions on his coworkers' faces (though not without some silent and smug satisfaction).
"Precisely," Vick confirmed with a pleasantly surprised smile. "In other words, cryptozoology is the search for and study of animals whose existence or survival is either disputed or unsubstantiated. The Tisquantum Ty-Ohni, or 'Rage Wolf' as it is more commonly referred to, is a special and rather rare type of werewolf that I personally specialize in."
"And what does any of this malarkey have to do with the current situation?" Maellard impatiently questioned.
"I'm afraid the answer to that is currently sitting on your couch," Sykes replied casting a glance to the hybrid-like gumball machine. Benson's ears laid back slightly as he averted his gaze from the others.
"What Sykes means to say is that earlier today I had received a call from Skips here, who is actually an old acquaintance of mine, saying that a friend of his was actually bitten by a Rage Wolf, evident by that mark on his arm," Vick explained as Benson subconsciously placed a hand to the half-way formed mark on his right arm.
"What? Bitten?" Maellard repeated. He didn't know much about the strange or the supernatural (his own experiences in the park aside) but it didn't take an expert to know that a bite from a werewolf was a bad thing. "Is this true?" he asked brusquely looking to his park manager. Benson barely resisted the urge to flinch but nevertheless directed his gaze back onto his boss.
"Yes sir," he answered somewhat meekly.
"Oh Benson," Audrey exclaimed quietly as she placed her hand to her mouth in worry. "When?"
"Last night. Not long after talking to you actually," Benson answered casting her a quick glance. "I went out to the alley behind the apartment to take care of the trash when it attacked and bit me. But I didn't know it at the time. I just thought it was a big dog. I didn't think twice about anything until…until this started happening," he said indicating to his now altered appearance.
"That's actually one thing I don't get," Mordecai interrupted drawing everyone's attention. "Werewolves are only supposed to change with the full moon right?"
"Hey yeah," Rigby said catching on. "So how come he's changing like this now?"
"And what's up with that freaky mark on his arm?" Muscle Man chipped in motioning to the half-formed mark on their Benson's arm that was.
"As I mentioned before, the Tisquantum Ty-Ohni aren't your typical werewolves," Vick replied. "Their transformation isn't restricted to the phases of the moon nor forced to change back during the day, if at all. Instead it's based on the changes in their demeanor, specifically when they get angry or stressed, hence the name. Roughly translated 'Tisquantum' is derived from the Wampanoag term for 'divine rage'."
"That explains the subtle changes whenever Benson got upset over something," Skips confirmed.
"Yes. As for the mark, it is like a branding, which ties you to the pack. Each time the transformation progresses, so does the mark."
"Branding?" Benson repeated paling slightly looking to the foreboding symbol.
"How much time does Benson have left before…" Pops asked fearfully unable to finish his sentence.
"You misunderstand," Vick said. "It only serves as a problem when it is fully formed, indicating the peak of the transformation. But it looks to me that it is only half-formed," Vick assured upon closely inspecting the mark on Benson's arm. "As long as you keep your emotions in check it shouldn't have to come to that." Everyone let out a small, relieved breath upon hearing this. "Yes. Theoretically, a person can keep the transformation at bay for months or even years after being bitten so long as the pack doesn't interfere. However it's what we witnessed with those attacking Rage Wolves that concerns me."
"What do you mean by that Vick?" Skips asked as the others immediately became worried of the ominous statement.
"You see, unlike typical werewolves who bite and infect others in an effort to spread the curse, Rage Wolves typically avoid humans. And when they do attack they are very selective with who they choose to turn. When a victim is marked, they typically always observe and wait from a distance until the bitten concedes and gives in to the transformation, no matter how long that may take. However, it seemed that the Rage Wolves that attacked before were directly trying to influence the transformation in any way they could, which is not their typical behavior. In fact it seemed almost…desperate," Vick said mentally noting the strangeness of it before continuing.
"Furthermore the only Rage Wolf capable of biting and marking a victim is the alpha male of the pack and the ones that attacked were clearly lower ranking members, most likely omegas or scouts."
"Scouts? Seriously?" High Five Ghost questioned.
"Yes," Vick nodded. "Unlike a normal wolf pack, which hunts as a whole, the scouts' jobs are mainly food gathering and often times reconnaissance when in a strange or new environment. They don't typically make contact with anyone even if they're another pack member."
"Speaking of contact, how was it Benson seemed to understand whatever strange language they were speaking?" Thomas asked as all eyes fell on Benson.
"How should I know?" he remarked defensively as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat from the unwanted attention.
"It's most likely a result thanks to the transformation," Sykes responded.
"Sykes is right," Vick affirmed. "Unfortunately not much in known about their language but there have been rumors that those marked have been able to telepathically link with other Rage Wolves to communicate longer distances than the typical communication of howling. From what I understand, it's a highly valued ability."
"I bet that saves a fortune on long distance calls," Rigby joked causing another swift punch to the arm from Mordecai. "OW! Stop punching me!" Rigby demanded rubbing his arm and shooting a glare to his taller friend.
"Only if you stop saying stupid things," Mordecai retorted. "This is serious!"
"You think I don't know that. I was just trying to lighten the mood."
"ENOUGH!" Benson half-snapped, half-growled as he quickly stood, eyes shifting into a more beast-like state by narrowing into slits at the two bickering employees. The others, even Mr. Maellard, took a cautious half step back in worry at the sudden and disturbing change. The irritation on Benson's face quickly left and his eyes went back to normal (or at least back into wolf mode) when he saw their expressions of concern and fear. "I'm sorry," he muttered sheepishly, his ears drooping slightly once more as he directed his gaze to the ground.
"Don't worry about it Benson," Skips assured placing a comforting hand on his boss and friend's shoulder. "What exactly did they say when they were communicating with you?" Benson thought for a second before looking to his best worker.
"It was like Vick had said. They were trying to convince me to give in to the transformation. And for some reason they kept calling me 'brother'."
"Brother?" Pops repeated unnerved.
"That actually sounds quite typical," Vick cut in. "Like a normal wolf pack, they are social animals and are well-known to share close ties with one another."
"Speaking of the pack, there's something else," Benson started reluctantly as his memories went back to the scout leader's parting words. Catching the tension in Benson's voice, the others looked to him with concern. "They said they'd be coming back, and that they would bring the whole pack with them." The others' eyes went wide at this new information.
"Oh no bro," Muscle Man uttered.
"You mean that was just the beginning?" Rigby asked incredulously.
"But why?" Audrey asked perturbed. "Why Benson? What is it that they want?"
"I'm afraid I can't say for sure," Vick responded. "No one quite knows why they choose to turn others, it's hypothesized that it might have something to do with boosting their population numbers or widening the gene pool but it's hard to say for sure. But I do know one thing: they are not behaving typically, which makes them unpredictable and far more dangerous. Whatever their goals might be, whether they are looking to enhance the transformation or anything else, it's clear they'll do whatever they deem necessary to achieve them." Everyone, Benson especially, paled in grim understanding.
"Well we're not going to let that happen," Mordecai interjected with resolve.
"Indeed," Pops agreed followed by nods and similar words from the others. "Surely there must be some way we can change Benson back to normal?"
"Unlikely," Sykes merely stated crossing his arms.
"Actually," Vick started as he placed a hand to his chin in thought. "I believe there might be something in my research notes on that subject. But it could take some time."
"At this point, I'd say there's not much choice," Benson said.
"What are we waiting for then?" Maellard spoke up. "The sooner we get this mess taken care of, the sooner I get my park manager back doing his job."
"Alright. I'll just need some help bringing my research materials inside," Vick declared as Skips, Muscle Man, Mordecai, and Thomas followed him out.
"I shall help as well sir," Sykes said also following his employer. However, he cast one last unreadable yet strangely discomforting look to the hybrid gumball machine before exiting the room. For a brief moment Benson could have sworn he could smell an ever so faint, yet somehow familiar, coppery scent that seemed to linger behind before it too seemed to leave the room.
Author's Notes: Happy Fourth of July everyone! I have received a comment from one of my readers who was kind enough to review that the chapter length that I have been posting was a bit overwhelming and since this chapter is so big I've decide to split it into three parts to make it more manageable. I had major inspiration to write this chapter specifically after visiting a Wolf Conservation Center in Manitou Springs for a brief vacation from home and job/internship hunting. The information on Tisquantum I got from Wikipedia (finding a direct translation for the word "rage" in Native American was kind of difficult) and I just went with one of the generic Native American words that sounded like it would fit well with the word "Tisquantum." Anyways, part 2 of Chapter 5 should be up most likely in a few days. Until then, please read, review and enjoy!