Wolf was flattened out on the floor, the cellphone just in front of his nose as he made gurgling growl-like noises into it. Hatfield had long since stopped translating for Wolf; after over two hours of back and forth, Kurt was moderately horrified to learn Wolf was actually for David joining the slayers, but mostly so he could get the training from Grace. He wanted to be able to be with his family more than a few nights a month. Hatfield had assured everyone that David and Wolf would merge, and Wolf wouldn't simply disappear. Now, Wolf and Hatfield were simply chitchatting about wolfy-stuff as far as Kurt could tell.

Alex was curled up between Wolf's shoulder blades, occasionally waking up and stretching, but generally just sleeping.

Paul had gone home once they got Wolf's opinion on the whole slayer-thing.

Carol, Burt and Finn had all gone up to bed soon after.

Kurt and Whittaker still sat on the living room furniture, Whittaker on the couch, Kurt in an armchair, talking softly while Wolf continued on his conversation with Hatfield. Once everyone else had left, Kurt had no real choice but to talk to Whittaker (or suffer through embarrassing, awkward silence) and had realized, horror of horrors, Whittaker was actually an OK guy. "I could just feel all the death around and underneath me. I guess it's almost like a kinda ESP – extra-sensory perception – that comes with being dead."

"That's how you were able to find all the bodies?"

"Yeah, I know it sounds kind of irreverent, but walking over their resting places I could feel them. Not only that, but I could sense who they were. It was like a tiny voice whispering to me, 'My name is Francene Sprandel; I'm buried right here.'"

Kurt shivered involuntarily. "That's so creepy. I don't think I'd be able to sleep after that."

"That'd be pretty amusing…a ghost afraid of ghosts. Though I suppose it's possible. People have people-phobias."

"Anthropophobia?" Whittaker pointed his thumb and index finger like a gun and pointed it at Kurt in affirmation. "Not everyone becomes like you when they die…is there something else? Or do we just stop existing?"

Whittaker shrugged. "You know as much as I do. It's like…I got on a train but got off a stop too soon. I don't know what comes next. Or even if there is a next; maybe my train's stopped running and this is just what I am, for the rest of eternity."

"How did you get involved with the FBI? From what you've said about yourself before you died…you don't really seem the type."

"I took to travelling the country. I was bored and restless. I was in DC around the time I figured out how to make myself solid again. I explored the Library of Congress buildings and while I was hanging out there, I found out about the unhuman exhibit at the Museum of Natural History. I went there trying to find answers of some kind. I didn't find any answers, but I did find Grace. She didn't even have to ask if I was an unhuman; she just knew. She took me under her wing and helped me strengthen my control. She hooked me up with some friends at the FBI and, hell, I figured what'd I have to lose? Not like it was gonna kill me or anything." Whittaker laughed at his own witty joke until he noticed the look of concern Kurt aimed at Wolf. "He'll be fine. I've only met a few werewolves, but he's easily the most powerful…and level-headed."

"If werewolves are so highly sought after by the military and the FBI and everyone…why not just make them?"

Whittaker was quiet – pensive – as he watched Wolf on the floor. It took him a while to gather his thoughts, but, at last, he spoke, "This does not leave this room…I can't even guarantee how much of it is accurate. It was long before my time in the government – during Vietnam. They called it Project Phoebe – Phoebe being a Grecian moon titan or something. The Army had a single werewolf in their ranks and convinced him to be part of this project. Then they got a few other volunteers. The werewolf, Subject Alfa, bit the other subjects during a new moon so that there would be less instantaneous stress on them…at least that was the idea. Each of the subjects, aside from Subject Alfa, were placed into holding cells for their first full moon. Everything was fine…at first."

xoxoxo

1961

Project Phoebe

Diary – Late evening – Day 13

Success! Doctor Stringfield allowed me to observe Nathan – "Subject Delta" (isn't it so queer to be expected to call him by such a silly moniker?) – during his first change. Dear sweet God, how painful the change appeared, but he has since assured me he felt no pain – he says it felt like nothing more than one of those stretches you seem to get stuck in until it has worked itself out.

Slowly, Doctor Stringfield and his fellow doctors moved in to examine him. The restraints appeared wholly unnecessary, though they did frustrate and anger Subject Delta. Subject Delta is much like himself as a man-wolf, curious and exploring everything. Just like when we were children, his nose must be buried in everyone's business but his own. As the doctors examined his vitals, he was busy examining the doctors. He stuck his nose in some truly scandalous regions! The doctors took it all in stride, though. – Gigi

Diary – Early afternoon – Day 14

I did my rounds on all the boys today. Only four fully recall what happened during the night: a better percentage than we were anticipating. I can only imagine the stress on the mind during that first change. And so many questions they had! I never thought I would get through the ten of them. Subject Alfa is the most curious. He is a born werewolf. His parents were both killed when he was young and, as an only child, he has never had other wolves to keep him company. He is so excited to truly be part of a "pack." He is sure my Nathan, sorry Subject Delta (I never shall get used to that, I think), will be his "Beta" wolf. They have been fast friends since joining the Army; it's only natural Subject Delta become Beta to the Alpha – Subject Alfa (here I thought the acronyms and initialisms were ridiculous when I joined the Army! These code names and code words are a terrible headache!). – Gigi

Diary – Late evening – Day 14

The restraints have been removed from the subjects. You can tell Subject Echo is the youngest of the soldiers. His wolf became much like a large puppy, bouncing off the walls, barking, howling, even baying! His bay truly excited the other wolves. We knew the wolves were aware of each other, but up to this point, they were more concerned with themselves. Now that they are released from their restraints, they seem truly curious about their neighbors, though they cannot see or get to each other. - Gigi

Diary – Early evening – Day 15

It is the final day of the werewolves' cycle. This will be our last opportunity for the duration of a lunar cycle to test how the subjects react to one another. Subjects Juliett and Golf exhibited symptoms of anxiety and nervousness throughout our meetings. I think they are just afraid. Doctor Stringfield announced to the subjects that tonight would be the night we move to the next step. – Gigi

Diary – Early Morning – Day 16

Dear God have mercy on them.

On us for what we have done to them.

It started off well enough. One by one, the wolves were released to a common area. It was as you would expect with canines. There was much circling and sniffing. There were a few scuffles that quickly righted themselves as the wolves struggled to create a hierarchy. Once Subjects Bravo through Juliett had figured things out amongst themselves, we introduced Subject Alfa into the mix. It is six hours later and I still can't make sense of what happened. Subject Alfa behaved no differently than the other wolves from what I could tell, but when he went up to Subject Delta, something seemed to erupt in the room. You could not tell where one wolf ended and the other began. A third and fourth wolf joined the scuffle – though we aren't certain whom, everything was happening so fast. When all had ended, Subject Hotel cowered away from all the others, Subject Delta merely licked the blood from his fur and Subjects India and Charlie attempted to share the "kill" between themselves. Subject Delta seemed to take offense to this and urinated on what remained of Subject Alfa, growling viciously when India and Charlie seemed about to protest the action.

Rest peacefully my wonderful Christopher. My hearts truly weeps for you, but for now, my Nathan must be my fist concern. – Gigi

Diary – Late Evening – Day 16

It seems irreverent to call my boys "subjects" any longer; it's bad enough we have stripped them of their humanity, must we also strip them of what little identity they have left?

Silence from Nathan. He will not talk about what happened. Corey rocks himself while crying. Justin seems to have detached himself from the situation. He is in heavy denial. Malcolm is also silent. The others seemed uneasy, but had no memories of the previous night. It was my regrettable duty to tell them what happened. I am physically, emotionally, and spiritually drained this evening. – Gigi

Diary – Mid-Afternoon – Day 26

Nathan is talking again. His confession was halting and heartbreaking. He, as a wolf, saw Christopher and was suddenly reminded of every slight, every insult, every perceived offense. Nathan instinctually wanted to "best" Christopher, to force him into submission. Christopher, ever the perfect soldier, would not back down from his mission. He had been designated leader of this group and he would keep that position. I doubt he expected it to lead to his death. And it may not have led to his death had the other wolves not already acknowledged Nathan as their rightful Alpha. Those two that aided him in destroying Christopher believed themselves to be defending their leader from an intruder.

Diary – Early Evening – Day 34

Strange things are happening with Justin. He has become standoffish, rebellious, and impertinent. He demonstrates no remorse over what has happened. - Gigi

Diary – Late evening – Day 165

Subject Alfa – Deceased

Subject Beta – Acute stress reaction (psychiatric hospitalization)

Subject Charlie – Sociopathic personality disturbance (federal incarceration)

Subject Delta – Acute stress reaction (psychiatric hospitalization)

Subject Echo – Deceased – Suicide

Subject Foxtrot – Generalized nervous disorder

Subject Golf – Chronic depression

Subject Hotel – Deceased – Suicide

Subject India – Deceased – Suicide

Subject Juliett – Acute stress reaction (psychiatric hospitalization)

The colonel is officially declaring this project a failure. The doctors and I are in agreement; the "bite" destroys some of what makes us human. Our ability to separate our instincts from what is right and wrong. This change bleeds over into the human. Individuals deal with this extreme alteration in psychosis differently. It is impossible to tell exactly how someone will react to the bite. It would take psychological testing beyond our ken. How can a psychologist possibly identify every nuance of our personality that may be released? Or suppressed? Or exacerbated? How well do we even know ourselves? I fear how I would react were I a werewolf; there have been those moments where only my sense of propriety has restrained me from flying into a heated rage. – Gigi

xoxoxo

Whittaker condensed the story as best he could, really only sharing how Subject Delta had killed Subject Alfa and how they'd then all eventually gone insane to varying degrees. "So what makes David so special? Or Subject Alfa, for that matter?"

"Well the Alfa wasn't special. Born werewolves usually have significantly less issues than their 'turned' counterpoints. David, though…who knows? Strong psychological fortitude? The catharsis from butchering the guy that did this to him and killed his mom? Not my job to know. All I know is that he has what a squad of battle-vetted enlisted men didn't. Kurt, if I promise to personally look after your boy…could we maybe, possibly share him without you freaking out?"

Kurt sucked in his lower lip and chewed on it. "I…I think…I might be able to deal with it."