Werewolves are Wicked

“A wolf bit ya?” She asked in her thick Massachusetts accent.

“Yeah, I think so. It was really dark and I didn’t get a good look.” I say.

She was chewing the corner of her lip while propping her face on the table. The sleeve on her multi-colored sweater was sliding down her forearm, and her long brown hair hung in waves over it.

Her name is Mellany, Mel for short. We have been dating for roughly a month, and this is the first time we will be staying in the same room.

The tiny mountain cafeteria was typical of most hotels along the northern Appalachians. There was a modest group of guests milling about this morning getting their freeze-dried eggs, coffee, and cruelly slaughtered pig links. The smell of maple syrup hung in the air, and the clatter of tableware clinked from every direction.

“Lemme see the bite.” Without hardly moving or her soft brown eyes showing anything but mild interest, she wiggled a finger at my arm, like that was where everyone gets bit by wolves.

“It bit me on the side.” I rolled my eyes.

“So?”

“So, you want me to just lift my shirt up right here. There’s a family eating pancakes right next to us!” I wanted that to be the real reason, but I knew better. I’m skinny… too skinny. No matter how much I hiked, ate, or worked out I looked like a strung-out, flat-chested chihuahua… with a beard. That’s not something anyone here wants to see, and certainly not something I want Mel to see.

“Com’n Gene, I drove all this way cause ya said ya was hurt. jus’ gimme a peak.” Her accent playfully begged.

In all our time together there has been a constant battle inside me taking place. Each time she wants something I am not comfortable with, I give in. Not very long battles to clarify.

“Fine.” I try my best to hide what I am doing from the nearby tables. The shirt comes up just enough for her to see the red marks, clearly in the shape of teeth, wrapping around my ribcage.

“Tha’s it?”

“What? Of course that’s it.”

“Thas no blood, and ya skin is still togetha.”

“I know, but it was torn and gory a day ago. I just healed fast.” I know she doesn’t buy that. I don’t buy that, but it’s the truth.

I expected her face to remain in disbelief, when all of a sudden she lights up like I announced her winning lottery ticket. “Wait, wait, wait… Are ya a wahwolf?”

I am stunned. “No… I… that’s impossible.”

She smiles and bites her lower lip. “Wahwolves are wicked.”

“You mean vicious and evil.” I frown.

Mel’s eyes are sparkling with delight and she is giddy, looking around the room as if she expects people to come up and congratulate us.

I can’t be a werewolf, I am vegetarian. I can feel the perspiration on my forehead building up.

“I don’t think I am. Wouldn’t I be able to tell? I mean, how would I know?” Dread and Hope are two faces of a coin flipping over in my gut.

Her eyes squint and rove all over my face. “Tha most obvious way would be if a full moon changed ya.”

“Those only happen once a month, right?”

“Maybe, I dunno. I never been with a wahwolf before.” Something in her eyes looks playful. Is she just curious? The way she said, ‘been with…” kind of implies—

I shake my head to clear it. “Mel, what do I do? I was attacked out on the trail, woke up bleeding in the woods, and by the time I got back here I felt better. What does that mean?”

“Why ya askin me? I aint no expert. But hey, we should go swing by one a them booky places to figya it out.” And with that she bounced up and began heading towards the elevators. As she walked I could swear I heard her giggle —“A wahwolf. This is wicked cool.”

The Bookstore

The Ancient Evil of Werewolves, by P. Clarke has me feeling like I’m holding a pornographic magazine. I am horrified and trying to hide it from the other bookstore customers, but can’t put it down.

Mel is casually flipping through Werewolves for dummies and shouting questions at me loud enough for the whole store to hear.

“Do ya feel any cravings for lamb?”

I freeze. “What? No!” The page in front of me has a photograph of an old Roman carving showing a wolf standing on two legs and devouring two children. The image is swimming in my vision. My stomach turns, nausea threatening to climb my throat.

“How bout chicken meat?”

“Mel, please…” I rub my eyes between my thumb and finger.

The bookstore is quiet. The fresh paper smell is assaulting my nostrils and I can hear myself swallow back my saliva. Mel turns another page.

“Oh, have ya noticed if ya are growing any hair fasta than usual?”

“No. I haven’t!” I whisper through my teeth.

She turns another few pages.

“Check this here, Jimmy.” She calls. That’s not my name, she knows that is not my name, but she regularly substitutes it in despite my corrections. “Says here that ya can change at will with this thing called a moonstone. Maybe we can find one’a those.”

I move up to her. “I don’t want to change. We don’t even know if I will, let alone what will happen if I do.”

“Well, how we gonna prove ya are one if we don’t check?”

How can she make sense while asking the stupidest questions?

“Can we just buy these books and go? I’m not feeling well.”

She eyes me up and down while skewing her lips. “Sure thing! Ya are lookin a bit pale.”

I don’t care. I just want out of here. Just the thought of this “research” has me ready to hurl.

We move to the check out and wait on this high-school red-headed clerk to walk over. He looks so stereotypically nerdy, I am expecting him to give us an elfish greeting. Instead he hits us with the old standard, “Were you able to find everything okay?”

Mel dove in on this. “Do ya have any books on moonstones?”

I feel a shudder work its way up my spine.

“Uhm, we probably have some geological books in the Science section.”

“No.” She answers like he had named the wrong ingredient for a meal. “We need sumthin more myth-like.”

That’s when he looked at the two book titles and then straight to me. My throat dried up and I’m surprised I didn’t evaporate.

“Werewolves?” He raises an eyebrow while his eyes glance over Mel than me. I think he is going to dig more when he shrugs and motions for Mel to follow him. They quickly return with a mythological relics book. Mel proudly places it on top of the others, pays, and scoops them up.

“Thanks, Chuck.” She says. I am pretty sure that’s not his name, but he just nods and we walk to the door.

I push open the door to let Mel by when it hits me. A scent so strong I would swear it was pressed to my face. Its Indian chicken curry, and I can’t control it any more. Instantly, everything from breakfast is now on the sidewalk. Mel luckily stopped short and watched as I upchucked my guts.

As I fell to my knees, I hear her rifling pages in one of the books.

“Symptom fahteen, uncontrollable vomitin. We really need to get ya a moonstone.”

“Great!” I want to disappear.

The Hotel Room

Mel’s voice is breaking through the comforter barrier I have pulled over my head. I am laying curled in bed trying my best to ignore the world.

“This says the inahds change first. Is probably why ya hurled. The curry ya smelled was ovah two blocks away. Wolves have wicked senses of smell.”

“Mel.” I groaned. “I’m not feeling well.”

She kept talking like I didn’t say anything. “What else do ya smell, Gene?”

I hate this question. Not because it’s so absurdly childish, but because I have to answer truthfully. “I can smell the lotion you use in the bathroom.” I pause and think. “left over dinner in the hall. The… the bird outside on the window.” I pull the comforter tighter around my head.

“Tha’s great, Jimmy!”

“Thanks, mom.” I curse.

I hear her get up and start moving about the room. A few seconds pass and her weight is added to my bed. Her hand gently rubs over my shoulders.

“I know, this is probably hahd for ya. Not being fully human no more. Ya still the best man, I’ve evah dated, Jimmy. Tha’s why I’m gonna help ya through this.” She pats my back and continues rubbing.

I feel bad. She means well and I genuinely feel cared for. I pull the comforter off my head—

She has her phone and an image of a full moon pointed directly at me!

“Geezus, Mel!” I return to my cocoon. “What the hell?”

“Seriously… Nuthin?” She sounded disappointed.

“You thought a pic would work?!?”

“Wahth a shot.”

What came next was an exasperating event of trials.

An inspection of my beard for wolf-like hairs.

A request for a howl—that I refused.

A chase around the room as she tried to de-pants me. “Ya know, to find a tail.”

And a very close up inspection of my eyes to see if they were turning yellow.

Before I leapt off the bed and finally lost it. “For the love of all that is holy—can we stop? I thought I wasn’t supposed to change till a full moon?”

“Well, yeah.” The smallest hint of a tear glistens in the corner of her eye. “I jus was thinkin thehr might be some small signs.”

Mel was sitting on the bed with her hands in her lap, like a scolded child.

And that’s it. Now I feel guilty for letting my temper flare. So, I relent. “How about we take a break. Dinner’s on me.”

Her answer was a bright smile.

Dinner

The outside patio of the restaurant is teeming with people. The late-September mountain air hangs in the low sixties, but I feel warm enough to shed down to my T-shirt. I wipe the sweat out of my eye.

Mel peeks from behind her menu then ducks back like a toddler caught up past bedtime. She is still in a light coat and I hear the faintest ‘ahem’.

“What?”

“I didn’ say anythin’.”

“You coughed.”

“It’s nouthin.”

I pull her menu down and eye her.

“Ya said we ain’t talkin about that. An I’m not.”

“Okay.” I nod. “Are you finding any good vegan meals?”

“I bet yah feeling warm cause the time. The moon’ll be up in two houwas.”

“I thought you said we weren’t talking about this.”

“Than why’d ya bring it up?”

I’m at a loss and just stare at her, defeated.

“Look Jimmy, we gotta be ready when this thing hits ya.”

“I… yeah.” I give up and bring up my menu.

I’m trying to find a dish not tainted with a murdered animal when the waiter finally arrives.

“Good evening, I’m Paul, and I’ll be taking care of you tonight. What can I get you started with?”

An odor hits me as he is standing there. Its sweet and robust. His cologne? No. It has the hint of spice and herbs to it.

“Is that duck soup I smell?” I ask.

“Wow sir, you have a keen nose. It’s our special tonight. Would you like a bowl?”

“Uhh… sorry, no. We’re vegetarian.”

“Oh, well I can suggest several—”

“Jus some bread or a salad befah we ordah, Pauly.” Mel cuts in. Her eyes are fixed on me.

Paul senses the awkwardness and scurries off.

“Ya feelin okay, Gene?”

“Yes, I am. Why?” I lie.

“How’d ya know it was duck?”

I meet her gaze to ease the worry in her eyes. “I…” She is shaking. My confidence immediately fails and my shoulders slump. “I don’t know.”

She reaches across the table and grips my hand. “Its gonna be ahright.” Her voice cracks. “I’m here for ya.”

I need to compose myself before I speak. “Mel, I think I need to go for a walk.”

“Sure thing, babe. Le’ss get outta here.”

“No.” The word comes out sharper than I intended.

Mel rocks back in fear, but doesn’t let go.

“I don’t want you near me if… if…” I pinch my eyes shut at the thought.

She just squeezes my hand tighter. “I’m not leaving ya alone, Gene.” Her voice has gone husky and tears are streaming down her cheeks. “I… I know ya’d nevah hurt me.”

The Trail

I know its cold even if I can’t feel it. Mel is locked on to me as we walk, but her body is shivering. Several times she has looked to me and opened her mouth to speak, but faltered and returned to walking. I guess that’s okay. I don’t feel like talking.

I keep glancing towards the east, looking for the sliver of light announcing the moonrise. Maybe we were wrong. Maybe I’ve caught some bug and that’s what I’m experiencing.

Mel sniffles.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Yah… yah. It’s jus’ cold.” She doesn’t turn to look at me.

“Mel?”

“I’m good, Jimmy. Le’ss keep walkin.”

I obey against my better judgment, and we walk on for another minute.

“Jimmy… Gene, do ya think…” she pauses and her arm tightens around mine. Her voice shrinks. “Do ya think a gal like me could live in a place like this, be ahtdoorsy like you?”

This hits me hard and I feel my chest tighten.

“I think you are strong enough to be… ahh!”

The pain in my chest sharpens and won’t go away. I grip at it and groan—only my voice comes out a deep and guttural growl.

“Gene?” Her voice quakes.

“It’s nothing.” I stumble back till my back hits a tree.

Steps approach as a couple walks out of the shadows.

“Are you okay?” The man asks.

“Uh… my boyfriend is jus’ a little dizzy. Been workin’ through a wicked mahgrain all day.”

“Oh dear.” The woman soothes. “Do you need any help, miss?”

“Nah thanks. We’re headin back ta our room, an lettin him sleep it off.” Mel grabs my arm and waves them on.

“Oh, okay. Good luck. Hope you feel better.” They call as they move on past us.

I am steadying myself against the tree and can feel my nails dig deep into the wood. I carve four solid gashes out of its bark. I stare at my hand, horrified.

I turn and look into Mel’s eyes. She is speechless for once. All of a sudden it hits me, she shouldn’t be here.

I push her off me. She stumbles backwards and falls.

“GET BACK!” I feel like ants are crawling all over the inside of my skin. My hairs stand on end. “RUN, MEL! Please.” My voice resonates in a low rumble.

Mel is stunned, sitting awkwardly on the trail. At first, I think she is following my command and getting up to run, but she doesn’t. She dusts herself off and turns her tear streaked eyes on me.

“I can’t. I love ya, Gene.” she moves closer. “Its okay, Jimmy. This’ll be okay!” Even as I feel my skin stretch and my jaw clamp, she wraps herself around me for a moment. Then steps back and resolutely holds her ground.

I fall to my knees and catch my reflection in a puddle.

The gold in my eyes shines back!

Epilogue

I wake feeling like I was beaten with a baseball bat. The scent of autumn leaves and earth still fresh in my nostrils. As my eyes slowly focus on the light, I realize—I’m in the hotel room!

I hear a page turn from a corner. I shoot up to see Mel, sitting in a chair leafing through her book.

“Mel?”

“Oh well, look whose up an movin.”

“Wh… what happened?”

“Ya don’t remembah? Makes sense I guess. This says ya’ll staht recallin bettah the more ya change.”

“I will… I mean, I didn’t attack you?”

“Nah. It’s the strangest thing. I nevah heard of a vegetarian wahwolf. Ya grew ya snout, a hella bunch a hair, and then scampered off towards this fahm. When I caught up, ya was knee deep in cabbages in some greenhouse.”

I am still processing that as I pull the sheets off me—and quickly return them.

“I’M NAKED!”

“Yeah! Ya wolfy form didin’ like the clothes. When ya changed back, I wrapped ya in some sheets and had some officahs place ya in bed.”

I hold a hand to my head. “Oh god, you saw me. I… I’m trying to work out. Mom says I’ll fill out as a I get older.”

“Jimmy, ya’re babbilin.” She shakes her head at me. “Ya might wanna check a mirror. Thahs some subtle side effects to transformin into a beast!” She is eyeing me hungrily.

I look under the sheet to see I have muscle definition—a LOT of muscle definition.

Mel raises a playful eyebrow at me.

“Wow. I’m ripped.” For once I might be warming to this curse.

“I saw.” Her eyes give me a once over.

I grin and lean over on the bed and pat the side playfully.

She giggles. “Oh no. Not yet big guy. Fahst you go clean up then I wanna head out into town.”

I can’t stop smiling as I walk toward the bathroom. “What are we going to do in town?”

“What else when a gals gotta wahwolf fah a boyfriend? Get ya some dog treats!”