“Oh ho ho! Now that is rich! You’re telling me you’ve been taking care of this pup an’ she don’t even know your true nature?? Harry, you’re a crazy old--” Seamus was cut off as a huge paw swiped at him, catching him square in the chest and throwing him into Papa’s dresser.
“Shut your mouth!” He warned, before turning to Robin, but she was already gone. He rushed into the hallway, “Robin! Robin wait!” He only just caught a glimpse of a lock of silver hair, flicking around the corner. He moved to give chase, but Seamus was on him before he took two steps. He felt the sting of fangs in his back, and he yelped and barked as claws raked against his ribs.
“You shouldn’t turn yer back on me, mate!” Seamus snarled, “Anna! Lyla! Let’s teach this traitor a lesson!” Suddenly, Papa found himself in the midst of a fight against three other werewolves. Claws scratched against the wooden floorboards as he swung left and right, deflecting the inexperienced younger wolves, only to receive powerful strikes from Seamus in the opening they made for him. His blood began to drip and soak into the wooden panels beneath them as the fight raged on, yet all he could think about was Robin. He had to get to her…
Downstairs, the girl’s mind was reeling with panic. She could hear the wolves fighting on the second floor, and every instinct told her to flee the house while she could. But that large beast...he was still her Papa...even if he was a terrifying monster. Eventually, she remembered that Papa had once told her that if anything were to happen, she should go to Rufus’ house. Surely being attacked by werewolves was not what he had meant, but that seemed like the best option nonetheless.
Gathering her resolve, she headed toward her bedroom to get dressed and gather essentials, only to find two more werewolves approaching from the dark hallway. She screamed, edging backwards and putting Papa’s armchair between her and the wolves.
“Eh?” One of the wolves, a mangy-looking thing that didn’t look like it had eaten in weeks, spoke, sniffing the air, “That’s odd...this’n don’t smell like a human…what do you think, Scoots?” The second wolf, who was missing an eye, laughed in a maniacal way, taking in a few deep breaths through his nose.
“Nope nope, that’s not human there, Fred. Not human. Not human.” The crazy-looking wolf--the one called Scoots--sat on the floor, scratching at one of his ears with his hind leg.
“She smells like a...like a…” The mangy wolf, apparently named Fred, furrowed his brow in deep thought, continuing to scent the air. Suddenly, Scoots howled into the air, followed by a laugh that was more hyena than wolf.
“Exactly!” Fred smiled in that disturbing way only a grinning wolf could, “She smells like one of us!” He continued to edge forward, and Robin kept her distance, though she soon found herself against the wall next to the fireplace, standing close enough that the heat stung the skin of her leg.
“Wait wait! Fred! Does that mean we can’t nibble her? I wanna nibble her!” Scoots whined, standing on all fours again. “Nibbles, biting, slurping, licking…flesh and bones no longer sticking~” he chanted, “I'm so hungry, Fred!”
“Alpha said we’re supposed ta kill everyone in town…” Fred replied, “He didn’t say nuffin’ ‘bout other wolves…” She didn’t like the way he licked at his chops while he said that.
“Ooohhh! Does’n that mean we can nibble her??” Scoots said hopefully, circling around to her right side. He looked even more unhinged in the deep shadows cast by the fire.
“Y’know Scootie m’boy? I think it does!” Fred pressed in closer. Robin’s heart was pounding in her ears. This was it. If she didn’t think of something fast, she’d be done for right here and now.
There was a loud bark and a yelp from upstairs, and Fred glanced at it just long enough for Robin to make her move. She spun around, grabbing one of the edge logs of the fire, and embers flew everywhere as she slammed it right into the side of Fred’s surprised face. With a yelp he crashed to the floor, and Robin dashed for the front door, dropping the wood and ignoring the searing pain in her hands. The log was at the edge of the fire, but it was still more than hot enough to ensure she’d have some nasty burns to tend to later.
Scoots only worried about his friend for a moment, before leaping onto Robin’s armchair, knocking it over as he launched himself into the air once more toward her. She saw him coming and screamed, scrambling to get out of his way. That was when the front door burst open, and in a flurry of cold air and snow, the blonde Hunter from earlier raised his rifle in his one good hand.
Bang!
Robin covered her head and shut her eyes tight, squealing as the wolf’s body crashed to the floor right next to her. It slammed into the wall before coming to a rest and moving no more. The blood pooling under his neck confirmed it; Scoots was dead. She gasped, backing away from the corpse before her wide-eyed gaze moved to the man at her front door. He had stepped to one side, allowing several other Hunters to come pouring into the mansion. Fred, who had gained his senses again, saw the men and grinned wildly. Instead of attacking, he let out one final, piercing howl that rattled the pictures on the wall. Several more rifles went off, and Fred went down, that crooked grin still stretching his features.
“Miss, are you okay?? Miss!” Finally, Robin realized that the blonde Hunter was trying to get her attention. She was huddled against the wall, her hands over her ears, which she only slightly removed to look up at the man. His rifle slung over his shoulder, he was extending his useful arm to her. “We came as soon as we heard the howling. Are you okay? We need to get you out of here!” He urged, but she didn’t take his hand. Instead, she looked to the upstairs balcony, where the fight between Papa and the other wolves was still audible.
“There are more on the second floor! Get movin’!” One of the other men shouted, signalling at the staircase.
“No! Papa!” Robin cried out, leaping to her feet and rushing past the blonde man. A strong hand grasped her wrist, however, forcing her to swing around to face the Hunter once more.
“It’s not safe, girl! We need to get you out of here!” He yanked on her arm, pulling her toward the open doorway. Suddenly, she noticed an intense burning pain growing where the man gripped her wrist, and she smacked his arm repeatedly.
“Stop! You’re hurting me! Let go!” She pleaded. Confused, the blonde released his grip, and she pulled her hand against her chest, wincing in pain. Both of them stared at the deep red marks that perfectly outlined where he had held her. She didn’t understand...his hand had burned her, but it didn’t feel hot. In fact, the glove he was wearing was made of a metal mesh, half-covered in leather, and was actually quite cold.
“My glove is made of silver…” The blonde man revealed, his expression darkening. “Boys! Look sharp!” He barked, calling the attention of several nearby Hunters as he used his good hand to once again raise his rifle...this time pointed directly at Robin.
“She’s one of them.”
---
Comments (0)
See all