Chapter 3. I can't stay away

"We get up. We go down. Then we go one more round. It's wrong, they say. I can't stay a-I can't stay away. No I can't stay a-I can't stay away".
-The Veronicas "I Can't Stay Away"

The results of the blood tests came back and they were unusual. The blood of three victims seemed to be infected with something. At first he was told the forensics team thought it was some kind of poison, possibly from the alcohol. But further study discovered something much worse. Some kind of disease that took over the body's cells, morphing them or destroying them. In a way, it was both a poison and a disease. A poison to those who died, a disease to those who lived.

It was the fourth sample that caught Gordon off guard. It even baffled the ones studying it. The disappearing blood trail was from something that wasn't human, not completely at least. There was essence of canine in it, wolf. Just as he suspected. It sounded like something out of a bad horror movie.

Gordon wasn't one to believe in the supernatural, but who was to say that maybe there weren't higher powers at work here? Something he didn't know, or something he didn't want to know. But he knew something wasn't right. Whatever this thing was it needed to be hunted down or, chances were, it would infect the entire city.

As much as he hated to admit it: There was a werewolf in Gotham.

Canis woke hours later to a light gray cloudy sky, surrounded by the scent of Bane and the watery smell of snow. She was freezing to say the least, but the coat helped some. A part of her didn't want to get up but she knew she had to. Why would Bane dominate her, but leave his coat behind? Getting up, she shook the snow off the coat and practically wrapped herself in it. At first her movements were slow, sluggish, and human. But as she made her way through the snow, she retained her graceful, animal like movements. The ears were starting to change, she could feel it. Soon she'd have triangular ears and hear with the accuracy of the wolf.

She couldn't stop sniffing the coat. Something in his scent was addicting, if only she could pinpoint what it was. But being in that coat, she felt a sense of comfort she hadn't felt since starting this horrible journey. The wolf wanted to keep it, just to tear it to shreds. She didn't like being dominated. But Canis herself found that she was…treasuring it. She wanted to burn that scent into her memory. She wasn't staying in this city any longer than she had to. But if she had to remember anything, it was at least his smell. She inhaled on a sleeve deeply and started to run, pursuing her hasty opponent and resisting the wolf's temptation to tear it up.

The details of last night were a little fuzzy, but she remembered Bane's large hand around her neck and how strong he'd been. He could've crushed her windpipe easily. He could've killed her. But he kept her alive. Why? Did he think of her as a worthy opponent as well? Or was he waiting for the full moon to kill her? Maybe so. But either way, she had to return the coat and then she was leaving. Her maker wasn't here so there was no need to stay.

Unless you stay for him…the wolf taunted.
"I'm not staying for anyone. Not for him or anything or anyone else. We need to find him so you can get the hell out of me".
But yet you're dying to remember him. I know you are, Sarantha. A part of you is infatuated with him, fascinated. I know his kind though, they'll never understand us. How we think, how we feel. But I can change that for him, for us. His inner wolf can be awakened. Just one moment of pain, and he can be yours, Sarantha. All yours and no one else's.
"Absolutely not! And I don't think like that! All he's done is basically beat the crap out of us every chance he gets! I don't see him that way!"
Not what I'm feeling with you. You're curious, Sarantha. You want to know him. Who is this Bane and what does he want from us? You may not…love him, but he does intrigue you does he not? The mask…the power…The eyes…

The eyes were truly what made her wonder. Those beautiful brown-green orbs that captivated her, holding her in place. Canis could stare into those eyes all day and not move an inch. Her heart raced at the thought. As if that wasn't enough, the wolf continued.

Imagine how he would look with wolf eyes. The brown green would give way to either gold or that wonderful chocolate brown color. I'm sure you'd like the latter, brown seems to be your favorite color recently. I'd imagine he'd have maybe a brown coat as a wolf, brown or perhaps gray. But imagine it…he'd be perfect to frolic with on a full moon night….
"NO! We are returning the jacket and then leaving the city, and that is that! Got it?"

The wolf went silent. And it was well she did. The last thing Canis needed was more of her…bite attempts. She desperately wanted to bite Bane, to make him a wolf. But Canis would've rather died than turn another human. She didn't want anyone to share in this curse. It wasn't right. She lost her soul already, she wasn't going to make someone suffer the way she did. But the wolf had been right. Bane intrigued her. She didn't want to harm him, she never did. She wanted to know more about him. How was he able to find her without her detection? What was it about him she found so alluring, so beautiful in a way she knew would get her killed? More importantly would her fascination lead to her salvation or her death? She had to know.

The coat was beginning to feel heavy, but Canis had no desire to remove it or let go of the comfort it brought. It made her feel safe, warm, like nothing could touch her. She needed to find the sewers. She had to return the coat and leave. If she stayed any longer she feared what would happen. Canis made her way toward the sewers and inhaled deeply. His smell was faint. He hadn't been around in a couple hours. Perfect…

Canis wasn't sure what to do. She didn't know Bane very well, so he could've been anywhere. Sighing, she practically dragged herself around the city, avoiding as much trouble as she could. If she couldn't find him then she guessed she'd either take the coat with her or maybe leave it by the sewer for someone else to find. No…she didn't have the heart to do either one. She'd stay in the city and search for him. If he was here, she'd find him.

Or he'd find her.