When Dusk Falls
Chapter 3: Scars
Chloe and Max got inside the cabin, Chloe leading the way holding the door open for the shorter girl. Then shut the door behind them.
"This is on the edge of my territory, close to the border of it. Hang here a moment I'm going to make sure there are no uninvited fuckers around", stated Chloe
She pulled her arm free of Max's hold and went room to room. Max watched, then glanced around herself at the wooden walls and animal fur rugs.
"I'm kinda hoping this isn't Chloe's idea of decorating...", Max thought to herself.
She noticed a few claw marks on the walls and floor. She, locked the door...
Soon, Chloe returned, her hands pocketed.
"Come on", she beckoned with a nod to the stairs behind her. Then she headed up them herself.
Max followed, still glancing around the typical hunter's cabin decor. The stairs lightly creaked under their steps as they climbed.
A diagonal stretch of hall ended the stairs with a doorway right across from them. Chloe turned the left corner and made her way down the hall.
Max was still looking around, when she turned the corner not really watching in front of her, until she looked forward, and jumped with a slight yelp as her eyes instantly locked with a bear head trophy's open jaws.
Chloe stopped and looked back. "You alright"? She asked casually.
"Peachy...Loving the decor you've got going on...Very relaxing atmosphere...", Max replied with sarcasm lacing her tone in the most obvious way.
"You're just jumpy cause you were almost eaten alive tonight", replied Chloe dismissively in a slightly hidden teasing tone.
"Thanks for the reminder...", Max replied with a roll of her eyes.
"You're welcome. Now come on. I promise there aren't any scary heads in here", stated Chloe. She gestured with her thumb toward an open bedroom door.
Max gave the trophy a wide berth and hurried after her.
Chloe entered the room calmly and looked to the wall by the door and saw a stuffed juvenile cougar, full body, on the shelf next to her; fangs bared at the door way.
She heard Max coming up behind her and closed her eyes, grabbing the stuffed predator; casually chucking it aside into an open closet. She then walked over to it, and shut it casually.
She made her way over to a wall by a floor level, large mattress with a scattered comforter and sat down against the wall; bending one knee, resting her right arm over it. Leaning her head back.
Max entered the room and looked around.
The room was, very lived in, with blankets and pillows and various other items scattered around.
A couple dressers with the drawers open, two closets one open with empty hangers another closed. A computer desk, without the computer, that had a good sized cubby space in the middle.
Max looked over at Chloe sitting against the wall casually, she could see her wounds still bled, but slower.
Chloe looked tired, as though she didn't sleep too often, and simply worn out and yet indifferent to everything, including her injuries.
"Is this seriously the same Chloe I grew up with ? The one I used to watch cartoons and movies with every weekend morning ? Even on week days" ? Max thought. She insecurely held her forearm and looked around the room again.
"This is only a temporary shelter, its not the place I actually live in. Not for long periods of time. So excuse the shitty-ness. I only come here when I don't feel like going all the way to my real pad", stated Chloe calmly.
"Its, cool. At least it's quiet", replied Max. Chloe looked to her. "Keep the jacket on tonight, or the quiet won't last; even in my territory, since we're near the edge", replied Chloe firmly.
"R-Right, sure thing", agreed Max nervously looking out the window at the distant movement.
Max returned her eyes to Chloe, and her gaze softened on the punk, with concern.
"Hey, does this place have running water"? Asked Max softly.
"Yeah, the bathroom is across from the stairs", replied Chloe indifferently.
"Thanks", replied Max. She turned and walked back out, making her way through the dark to the washroom.
She passed the bear trophy, widely. "Ah we meet again smokey...And I still don't like you...", she thought bitterly.
She entered the bathroom, and checked the taps. When she saw they worked, she turned on the hot water tap.
She then looked around herself, squinting in the semi-darkness, with only a bit of moonlight speckling into the room behind the clouds, through the window, illuminating some floating dust particles like tiny stars.
Max found what she was looking for and grabbed it, emptying it out and looked around for something else. She stole a glimpse out of the window, watching the wild werewolves run rampant in the streets.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Chloe sighed tiredly. She looked down at her right hand, not lifting it from it's resting place on her leg; she gazed at the drying blood on it, her expression stoic.
She heard a shifting noise and quickly closed her hand into a relaxed fist and looked up to see Max return.
The photographer carried with her a bucket of heated water, with a cloth draping over the side of it, while nearly juggling several things of bandaging; mostly gauze wrap, gauze pads and medical tape.
Chloe quirked a brow as Max nudged the bedroom door closed with her foot and carried the items over to her and set them down as she knelt in front of Chloe.
"Whats all that for"? Asked Chloe suspiciously. "Tending your wounds, duh", Max replied calmly with a light smile.
Chloe scoffed and closed her eyes. "Don't bother, I have accelerated natural healing abilities. They'll tend themselves", stated Chloe turning her head away dismissively.
"Whether they seal themselves or not Chloe, they should still be cleaned, or they could get infected. You'll get sick. Something tells me Werewolves don't have great medical insurance", replied Max.
She took the cloth and dipped it into the water, wringing it out a bit. Chloe looked to her.
"I don't need it. I'll deal with it myself"! Stated Chloe defensively. "What're you going to do, Lick them ? Come on, just let me help", replied Max calmly. She moved to press the cloth to Chloe's shoulder wound, and Chloe pulled away.
"I don't need your help ! Leave me alone"! Snapped Chloe.
"Why are you being so stubborn ? This isn't the first time I've taken care of you. Remember when we went tree climbing" ? Asked Max calmly.
Chloe looked away a bit, seemingly thinking it over.
"You were trying to help me regain balance on a high branch, you managed to, only to end up falling instead. We had to sneak back into your house and clean you up before your folks realized we'd snuck out", stated Max gently. She tried again to reach Chloe's wound.
Chloe's expression softened briefly, then her expression reverted back to cold, and she pulled away from Max again.
"That was different and a hella long time ago Max, Now go away", growled Chloe.
"How is it different ? You still got hurt, because of me"? Asked Max gently. She kept trying to tend Chloe's wound, Chloe kept avoiding.
"We were stupid kids then ! Now just-", stated Chloe, still avoiding. "Thats ridiculous ! Chloe just hold still and let me-", tried Max gently. Still trying and Chloe kept moving the wound away from her.
With a frustrated groan, Max feigned one movement and quickly followed through with the actual direction; cutting off Chloe's recoil, and finally managing to press the wet cloth to her shoulder. Chloe yelps yanking away angrily.
"That hurts"! She snapped. "It wouldn't hurt so much if you'd just hold still "! Stated Max in annoyance.
"Well this, wouldn't have happened if you had listened to me and not stayed out so late", stated Chloe firmly.
"I wouldn't have been outside if you had just explained things from the start. Which, you fucking didn't" ! Snapped Max angrily.
"Oh and how would that have gone down ? Since you were clearly not keen on listening to me anyway ? Hey Max, just so you know, since you fucked off to Seattle for five straight years; Arcadia came under a fucking werewolf infestation ! Oh, by the way, I'm one of them"! Chloe snapped.
"I would have listened if you'd kept a lid on your hostile attitude"! Stated Max sharply.
Chloe motioned to counter the argument, then paused. She sighed and leaned back against the wall in defeat.
Max sighed and moved to continue. "Now, hold still, this might sting a little", she warned gently.
She pressed the cloth to the wound again. Chloe gave a sharp hissing growl of pain, but didn't fight Max.
She sighed once more and brushed aside Max's hand; but before Max could protest, Chloe, lifted off her shirt, leaving her in her black bra, giving Max access to her other wounds.
Max blushed lightly and choked down her embarrassment and resumed tending to Chloe's injuries.
Max gently washed the shoulder wound thoroughly, going back and forth between the wound and the bucket of fresh warm water. They were quiet. Max looked over each of the different sized cuts on Chloe's semi-bared upper body.
"...Thank you...For...Saving my life Chloe...", Max spoke up softly.
Chloe looked to her a little surprised, then softened her eyes as she watched Max tend her wound. "...No, problem...", she replied softly.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Chloe was patched up and Max was returning the items to the bathroom and dumping out the bucket.
Chloe sat in silence, looking lost in her thoughts as she gazed at the bandaging covering her shoulder and some of her right bicep, and more wrap veiling her torso partially.
She pulled on her muscle shirt again. When she heard Max return and shut the door . Chloe looked up at the shorter girl. Her expression still gentle.
Max walked over and sat down right next to Chloe, cradling her knees to her chest, looking to Chloe calmly.
Chloe, looked into her eyes and was surprised to no longer see any trace of fear in the other girl's freckled face.
"...Max, aren't you..."? Chloe started then stopped herself. "...Aren't I...what Chloe"? Asked Max curiously
Chloe looked away. "Its nothing...Never mind", replied Chloe calmly. "Okay, if you say so... So, can we get a bit more in depth about all this werewolf stuff. Like, how it happened"? Asked Max.
Chloe closed her eyes and leaned back into the wall.
"Nobody knows how this shit storm started, and if they do, they sure as hell haven't shared it with the class. There's plenty of theories though. Chemical spill, rabid wolf bite, government experiments to create super soldiers, voodoo curse, new disease similar to wendigo syndrome and werewolf syndrome combined or a casual, shit happens", started Chloe.
She sat up a bit more comfortably. She sighed lightly.
"All I know, is when it happened, it happened fast. Silver is about the only thing that helps. So shops and homes barricade all possible entrances with the crap. It doesn't work the way people think it does though...But I'm not getting into that right now", stated Chloe calmly.
"Well it explains the shiny metal I've been seeing. How the heck did they find the ore for it ? Is there a silver mine discovery around here"? Asked Max.
Chloe shrugged.
"Okay, thanks for the specifics Captain Price...You really should hold back on all that detail you give me, I don't think I can take it...", replied Max dryly with a roll of her eyes.
"Sorry for the info over load . I'll try and restrain myself next time", smirked Chloe.
"Kay. Lets try this. Wild Ones ? Tamed Ones ? Any extra detail for that"? Asked Max.
"The things I fought earlier, are Wild Ones. People who have turned, but couldn't control their change. They're mindless, without a trace of humanity left in them. They're incapable of reverting to a human state and they follow the basic animal survival guide. Hunt, eat, sleep, mate. They're nocturnal like most wild animals, they're kinda like primitive cave dwellers and don't appreciate light, but its not a weakness", Stated Chloe.
"And tames"? Asked Max.
"Tamed Ones are Weres like...Me... People who had the willpower to maintain control of their change; they can take human form and because they kept their human side, daylight isn't a problem for them; since they aren't completely animal. And because they have control; they can still use the human language, even in their altered forms, though its more of a thought projection in werewolf mode, their mouths don't move or anything", stated Chloe calmly.
She gazed up at the ceiling.
"Sadly, tames are rare. There's only enough to divide Arcadia by territory. But not all of it. There's a few neutral territories, the junkyard, Blackwell, though one tame thinks it's his turf... Anyway you get the point. As I said earlier, there's a turf war going on right now with some of the tames, so Wild Ones are the least of anyone's problems", Stated Chloe calmly.
"What about the Two Whales, is it still...Standing, I mean thats where your-"? Asked Max. "Yeah, so I prefer to avoid it", stated Chloe spitefully. "But-", tried Max. "Next question...", replied Chloe firmly.
Max was quiet and looked away briefly, before focusing on Chloe again.
"Okay, moving on... I can see why humans are on edge around here, so why are they still here ? For that matter, why isn't this place quarantined, like entry way roads blocked off or something"? Asked Max.
"Fear mostly, a running target is more fun they believe. That, and stubborn people not wanting to leave the life they built, cause of a pest problem, so they've adjusted. And of course, stupidity", started Chloe.
She closed her eyes.
"Some humans have left town without looking back, but not a lot have. The remaining humans mostly stay behind closed doors cuddling silver, while the monsters fight it out at night. Any caught after dusk risk being killed, eaten, or turned", continued Chloe.
"Tames don't usually attack humans, but they aren't heroes of the people either; unless a wild one chases a human who crosses into their border. But as it stands, Wild Ones greatly out number Tamed Ones", She finished firmly.
"I...see...", replied Max. Chloe sighed, opening her eyes.
"As for Arcadia not being closed off from the world, I don't know. Maybe the military just thinks Arcadia is crying wolf", She continued.
"Literally...You'd think they'd check it out at least", stated Max. "You'd think. Next"? Asked Chloe.
"Your superpowers. I thought werewolves, at least from the movies I've seen, only get one form aside from their human side. But, you've got two", replied Max.
"Yeah. Hybrid and Dire Wolf. Hybrid is the tallest form, like a wolf on hind legs like a human, its used for strength. Dire Wolf, which, as you saw, is not hybrid on four paws, you change into an actual wolf; well with the massive size, you're closer to a prehistoric wolf breed, a Dire Wolf, hence the name. Though real Dire wolves weren't that big, just bigger than today's wolves. Anyway, that form is used for speed and agility", stated Chloe.
"Cool, and thanks for the history lesson Professor Price...", replied Max with a slight grin.
"Anytime, what else do you wanna know"? Asked Chloe.
Max's eyes drifted over Chloe's body and saddened slightly, looking down.
"...Um...This, might be personal, and its your call to answer or not, of course...", started Max cautiously.
"...I'm not promising anything...but go for it...", replied Chloe guardedly.
"Kay...here goes...Your...scars...". Replied Max cautiously.
Ah...these...", replied Chloe looking to the scars on her left arm for reference, despite having others scattered on her body.
She lowered her arm down into her lap, closing her eyes and leaning into the wall again.
"From battle against the wild ones, tamed and even humans. No I don't kill humans, or even tames in most cases...I've had to fight a lot...Basically everyday, sometimes the wounds don't heal right and scars form...", replied Chloe calmly.
"Everyday ? No wonder she looks run down...", thought Max worriedly.
"But if you're looking for war stories to come with each individual battle scar, sorry to disappoint. I can't remember half of them". Stated Chloe calmly.
"Damn, no wolf veteran reminiscing ? How boring", teased Max playfully. Chloe smiled.
"You're still a dork I see", smirked Chloe playfully. Max chuckled. "Look who's talking", Max teased. Chloe chuckled lightly.
Chloe looked at Max calmly and quietly in thought. She looked down, half tensing her hand.
Max looked at her curiously.
"...Max"? Asked Chloe. "Yeah, whats on your mind Chlo"? Asked Max in a calm tone.
Chloe sighed, closing her eyes, subconsciously gripping a burn scar on her bicep.
"When I, became what I'am. Mom and the asshole she remarried to, chased me out of the house at gun point...Mom, even pulled the trigger, grazing my arm...", stated Chloe bitterly, but her tone was calm.
"What ? Joyce did that ? But she was always so kind, I can't believe it. I-I mean I do believe you, you wouldn't make this shit up, but, still...I'm sorry to hear that Chloe, thats harsh...", replied Max with a sympathetic tone.
She hesitantly placed her hand on Chloe's bandaged shoulder, gently and comfortingly. Chloe sighed.
"Thats, why I acted the way I did earlier, when you were trying to help... I'm not too trusting these days...I've spent years on my own, getting the cold shoulder; I'm...out of practice with people caring about me...And I guess I can't really blame them, I mean I-", started Chloe.
When she stopped, suddenly going rigid. Her eyes darkened angrily and she stood up. Max recoiled her hand and looked up at Chloe. She could hear Chloe growling.
"What is it"? Asked Max nervously. "Someone's trespassing", growled Chloe angrily.
"Shit, seriously"? Asked Max nervously. "Cover up with the blanket, it has my scent on it, so it should help my jacket mask yours. That should keep you from being tracked", stated Chloe pointing to the mattress and comforter.
Max got up and grabbed the blanket climbing onto the mattress and wrapping the thick fabric around herself and watched Chloe.
"Stay put, I'll be back after I've dealt with them", growled Chloe. Max watched her leave, shutting the door behind her.
Max's heart was beating hard, but she tried to calm it with slow controlled breaths. She ignored the over-heating of her body from her grey zip hoodie, Chloe's leather jacket and the comforter.
She remained as still and quiet as possible.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Chloe exited the house slamming the door behind her and changed to her hybrid form and approached two other hybrid Weres that were watching her. One masculine the other somewhat more feminine.
The female was somewhat white furred with goldish blonde streaks along her bangs and some very thin streaks of black, the male was a dark chocolate brown furred.
"Oh what do you know, looks like the punk ass was in here after all", the female spoke up.
"Damn, guess we can't mess her shit up, or maybe we still can...", The male spoke. He stepped forward tensing his claws.
"You omega shits have some nerve coming on to my turf and making threats like this. Even if it was your bastard Alpha that sent you. So get lost before I put you mangy pups down", growled Chloe tensing her own claws and stepping up to the Male's challenge with a threatening dead serious glare.
Chloe still held the height and size advantage. The male backed up again lowly growling, unnerved. The female followed also unsettled.
"What do you want"? Growled Chloe. "...The Alpha told us to send you a warning, keep messing with his shit and the whole pack will start messing with yours", The female replied.
"You tell your bitch Alpha, I won't stop until he's paid in full for what he's done. And if I catch you two or your Alpha on my land again, I will kill every last one of you runts. Now beat it"! Snapped Chloe angrily.
The two stared her down a moment, but their resolve was quick to deplete. They glanced at each other, then turned tail and ran off changing into their Dire forms.
Chloe watched them disappear from sight, before scoffing and walking back to the cabin, opening the door and ducking down under the top of the door frame as she entered. She shut the door, changing back to her human form, locking the door behind her.
She pocketed her hands and headed up the stairs.
When she returned to the bedroom, closing the door behind her. She paused and looked around for the now missing Max. She walked further in and glanced around, then stopped looking and smirked.
Max was hiding under the desk, bundled up with the blanket like a little kid. Chloe approached her hiding place, stopping before it, crossing her arms, grinning.
Max peeked out at her, seeing the amusement in Chloe's expression.
"Um...Are the monsters gone"? Asked Max sheepishly.
Chloe laughed lightly. "Yes, I scared them off for you, my brave little hipster", teased Chloe playfully.
"Oh shut up...", grumbled Max in embarrassment. She climbed out of her hiding place, standing up.
Chloe chuckled. Then looked out the window, eyeing the path the two tames took. She narrowed her eyes angrily.
"Chloe"? Asked Max curiously.
Chloe closed her eyes briefly, then looked to Max, seeing the photographer gazing at her looking worried.
"Its nothing, don't worry about it. Anyway, no more Q and A, tonight, you should try and get some sleep. Its been a hella long day", replied Chloe calmly.
"You think I'm going to be able to sleep"? Asked Max nervously. She looked out the window at all the wild Weres running around.
"You'll be safe Max. I'm right here with you, and I'm not going anywhere. So don't worry about them", replied Chloe calmly.
Max smiled lightly. "Thanks Chloe", she replied, feeling a bit more relaxed.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
~~~~A note from Pure Set~~~
Alright thats done. Sorry if its short, I swear the chapter looked longer when I wrote it on paper...
Anyway, a little game for you folks. Could you spot the reference ? Its an obvious one~
On another note, I know there is likely a very obvious question about the cabin on people's minds, it'll be answered in the next chapter.
Also, all credit of the wonderful cover image for this story, goes to AthenaAsa on . Please take a look at their art, you won't be disappointed~
I hope you enjoyed Chapter 3. Review, favor/follow if you so desire~
I know I haven't dealt with the other characters too much, but that is due to me setting up the world and setting up the main characters' backgrounds first.
The following chapter will start getting longer and other characters will be more explored as well. In fact one, already introduced (sort of), will have an important roll to play.
So look forward to that. And I can promise you, it is not the one you are thinking about now.
And yes, there actually are real human diseases called Werewolf syndrome and Wendigo Syndrome. If you are curious you can find info on the net.
Bottom line Werewolf syndrome is where humans grow excess body hair in places they wouldn't normally. Wendigo syndrome is a psychological disorder that basically drives people with it insane, and makes them act strangely. Though I don't have all the details at the top of my head currently.