Chapter 2

Private awoke the next morning to the sound of the familiar voice of his leader, "Rise and shine boys!" he barked. The youngest penguin shot up from his bed immediately, attempting to act natural. He was quick to salute his superior as usual, before going to make himself breakfast.

It was as he sat down with his fish sandwich, that his façade was broken. The news program from the night before, was on a replay. The mysterious fox's words from the night echoed in his mind. 'Tell your team that the deaths on the news are certainly their problem'.

Kowalski, having noticed the small penguin's change of character, inquired, coming to sit beside him. "Is something the matter, Private?"

He shook his head, "N-No Kowalski" he lied, smiling nervously. But then, he sighed. She told me to tell them. So I have to tell them. Private took a deep breath, stood from his 'seat', and spoke, "Um, could I have everyone's attention?" he asked timidly.

The rest of the penguins turned to him, and Skipper smiled, "Shoot little Private" he answered.

The small penguin nodded, took another deep breath, and stammered. "So, you know all those mysterious d-deaths that have b-been on the news? Well, we got a visit from someone last night, a fox that stood on her back legs, and she t-told me that the deaths are our problem. She obviously thought we could h-help." He was usually never so timid in front of the friends, but feeling their eyes on him just added a whole lot more pressure.

There was silence, until Skipper broke out in laughter, "Good one Private!" he said. Only more silence met the laughter, and the leader's amusement faded, "Wait. You were serious?" he asked in shock.

Private nodded, and idea coming to him, "Yeah," he waddled over to his bunk, and pulled out the piece of blood red cloth, "Here. She gave me this and told me to show it to you as proof" he continued.

He handed the cloth to Kowalski, who quickly sniffed and licked it. Turning to Skipper, he confirmed, "Sir, Private is telling the truth. This cloth clearly belonged to a female fox…but her scent is verystrange."

The leader narrowed his eyes and jumped up from his place, "She must be a spy, then! She must be helping whoever is behind these murders!" he exclaimed.

Private commented, "I wonder who it is?"

Skipper muttered under his breath, "Blowhole."

Kowalski rolled his eyes, "Sir, has it ever occurred to you that Blowhole might not be behind every single strange thing that happens?" he questioned rhetorically.

"No. But, for arguments sake, we should go and check out these victims" answered the leader.

Private interjected, "But Skipper, we don't even know if there's been another murder" he pointed out.

As if on cue, a female voice came from behind them, "You should go to the alley behind the fifth building on Main Street. A body will be there" she said. Then, the cloaked fox stepped from the shadows.

Private jumped back, "H-How did you get in here?!" he asked in shock.

Skipper growled, "Men, we've had a security breech."

The fox laughed kindly. It was an almost musical sound, "Relax, dear penguin. I got in here by my own accord. Now, go to the address I told you to, if you really want to inspect one of the victims" she explained. Then, she placed her front paws together, and a burst of blinding white light flashed. After it disappeared, the fox was nowhere to be seen.

The penguins arrived at the alley, and Private immediately clung to Skipper's side as they entered. His eyes darted around nervously. It was dark, and it smelled damp, like recently fallen rain. Old boxes and crates were piled against the wooden fences, and the grass was brown and wet. Even though it was the morning, the sky was pale and grey, which made the alley seem even more frightening.

All of a sudden, Skipper whispered, pointing to a limp figure lying on the ground not too far away. "I found our victim, men."

The penguins belly slid over, and Skipper waddled even closer to the victim. It was a healthy, young woman, with slightly torn clothing. However, what caught his attention the most, was the fang puncture wound in her neck.

All of a sudden, a low, deep animalistic growl came from in front of them. Then, to everyone's terror, a gigantic wolf-like creature stepped from the shadows. It was about the same height as an eighteen year old human, and muscular. Its claws were long and jagged, and its teeth looked as sharp as razors. But, two teeth in particular were slightly longer and seemed sharper than the rest. They were vampire-like fangs!

It bared its fangs and growled again, licking its teeth before stepping closer. The penguins backed away slowly, all of their focus on the creature's steely yellow eyes. It snapped its jaws and barked, continuing to near the petrified birds.

Suddenly, something moved at lightning speed towards the demonic wolf. The creature was knocked aside, and a girl stood in its place. The teenager snarled, glowering at the wolf as it tried to stand back up, "Wanna fight?"

The creature charged towards her, but the girl did not seem afraid. She lunged at the wolf, slamming it to the ground on its stomach, and called while holding the creature down, "Now, Leah!"

In seconds, another teenage girl appeared from the shadows, and got behind the creature. Faster than lightning, she stabbed it with what looked like some kind of golden stake. Then, she stepped back, and the other girl let the strange wolf go. It twitched for a few seconds, before disappearing in a cloud of black smoke.

The penguins stared in shock. Skipper stepped forward, "Could someone explain what just happened?" he asked.

The human girls looked up at the same time, and were taken aback at first. However, understanding flashed in their eyes, as they both stepped further into the light.

The one that had first attacked the wolf, smirked, "You must be the 'help' that she sent. Hi" she said.

Private raised an eye ridge, "She?" he reaped curiously.

The teenager nodded, "Yeah," she gave a confused look, "Don't you know her? Fox? Long red cloak? Can do some really awesome magic?" she pressed.

Kowalski nodded, "Yes, we know her. Pardon me, but who exactly are you, and what did we just witness?" he questioned.

Another female voice came from behind the girl, "What you just witnessed, was Mina and I saving your ass." The girl, who was leant against one of the crate stacks, ran a hand through her long, slightly curly black hair, and glanced at them, her dark brown eyes twinkling in the small amount of light.

Skipper glowered at her. It was the human that had killed the wolf creature. The one that was named Leah. He turned to the other girl, "So, really, what was that thing?" he asked.

Mina replied, her eyes narrowing, "That was a Death-Wolf. Half vampire and half werewolf. They look like vampires most of the time, but they can change into their wolf form whenever they want." She brushed a strand of her long dirty blonde hair from eyes. All of a sudden, the penguins noticed something striking about the young girl's eyes. As difficult as it was for them to believe it, Mina's eyes irises were blood red.

All of a sudden, another girl stepped from the shadows. She looked at Mina, her light green eyes almost pleading, "C'mon, why didn't you let me fight?! I would have beaten that fucking prick to the ground!" she complained.

Mina responded, "'Cause you get too angry too easily in or after a fight, and we don't want you to phase, because then the Death-Wolf might mistaken you for his friend."

"What!? I do notget too angry in or after a fight!" objected the other girl.

As if to prove her point, Mina ruffled the teenager's short red hair, causing her to let out an animal-like growl. Then, the girl's eyes flashed golden.

Private took a step back, "She's…she's a…" he started.

Mina looked at him, "Oh, right. This," she gestured to the red haired girl, "Is Faith. She's half Death-Wolf. But don't worry, she's never killed anyone or anything like that."

The penguins looked at each other, and then at the three girls.

Clearly, things were just getting started.