The Beasts of Baye Road

Darkest Night

‘Just spit it out Matteo.’ Blanca said when she felt they’d walked far enough from the manor.

His silence was killing her. Yet, she didn’t know what she would say when they started talking. Anneska warned her not to say anything. She didn’t want to keep lying to him.

‘Why haven’t you been honest with me Blanca?’ He stopped.

‘What are you talking about?’ She knew exactly what he was talking about. Blanca feared Matteo wouldn’t understand the position she was in.

‘Blanca, I’m giving you the chance to come clean. What are you hiding?’

Blanca sighed. ‘I’m sorry Matteo. There’s a lot I just can’t tell you. I want to believe me I do!’

‘Are you the white wolf Blanca? If you are why are you hiding? You could save so many people.’ He grabbed her cheeks.

Blanca took a step back and shook her head. ‘What? No Matteo I’m not. I’m not even a werewolf.’

‘Blanca I can sense the magic around you. It’s strong and it’s hiding something.’

‘What magic?!’

A pain stricken howl cut through the air and disrupted their conversation. Matteo’s ears shot up. He turned and scanned the darkness. The howl grew louder, a pain stricken cry for help.

‘What was that?’ Blanca asked.

‘Debra!’

Matteo darted into the darkness. Blanca gasped and ran after him. Matteo growled and with one leap he transformed into his inner self. On all fours he was ten times faster than Blanca. She watched as Matteo in his black shinny coat stormed to the gate and broke through it.

‘I’ll never catch him.’ She said. She twirled and was faced with the Manor's imposing presence.

She gasped and ran inside. Her heels echoed through the mansion.

‘Help! Is anyone here? Karl?’ She burst into the living room, the dining room was vacant. Her voice echoed back at her.

‘Debra’s in trouble. Matteo needs help!’ She yelled as she struggled to climb the stairs in her heels.

‘Blanca!’ Karl barked. He appeared on the landing and zipped down a few steps and grabbed her shoulders.

Blanca panted. ‘You and the other guardians have to help Matteo. Debra’s in trouble I think it could be the Beasts.’

Karl’s eyes turned to saucers. He released her and jumped down the stairs. ‘Stay here!’ He demanded.

‘I can’t!’ Blanca cried. She skipped to the bottom and ran through the open door. She caught Karl’s grey fur run down the road.

Blanca lifted her head to the half cast moon. Her eyes nearly filled with tears, these were the moments it’s cruelty burned the most. She started down the road and the howling hadn’t come from far. She neared the busted front gate and gasped at ravenous barking. Four tiny dogs jumped at a monstrous Beast straight from hell.

The Beast grabbed the grey wolf by its front legs and threw it across the road.

'No!' Blanca cried.

The guardians were outnumbered again. Matteo attempted a bite but was brushed aside like a flee, David went for the legs and was stomped on. The mighty guardians couldn’t take on one beast.

Blanca wanted to run into battle and cover them. If only sacrificing herself meant they would be saved.

‘They have to get out of there. They’ll all die.’

Broken barks and uninspired cries could be heard for miles. With every passing blow the guardians weakened and the Beast waited to make the fatal punch.

‘Matteo! Get out of there! You’ll all die! Please!' Blanca cried.

Matteo's black furry head lifted to meet Blanca's face. As did the Beast's. Matteo pulled his body a millimeter off the ground and flopped back down again.

‘Oh no.’ Blanca backed into a tree.

The red eyed Beast roared, it stalked Blanca as if she were a mere mouse.

‘Not again.’ This time her heros laid slain.

If she ran into the woods she wouldn’t have a chance, she’d be blind compared to her predator.

She turned and stormed up the road, back to the manor. Heavy footsteps blasted only seconds behind her, its claws were only centimetres from her flesh. The gate was in sight, but Blanca tripped and rolled into the thrones and twigs. She curled herself together and covered her ears. The footsteps grew louder and numerous.

A roar sounded meters away from her, her heart skipped a beat. The Beast’s nasty blood curddling scream sent chills throughout her. Then it all stopped, the sound of her beating heart was like thunder. She didn’t hear a sound, she knew not to trust the silence, but the man she wanted to be with was wounded not far from her.

Blanca jumped out of her hiding place and came face to face with a blue eyed beauty with white fur covering her. The Beast was no where in sight. The wolf's face was less than pleased.

‘Not now Gianna! Matteo’s hurt and likely the others.’

Gianna sniffled and shifted her body down the road. She took several strides and made it to the injured guardians before Blanca. They had all transformed back to their human form.

David coughed. ‘That one was pissed.’

‘Tell me about it.’ Cameron groaned and rolled on his side.

Blanca found Matteo laying on his back, staring at the sky. She knelt down beside him. She caressed his cheek and he didn’t even flinch.

‘Matteo?’ She whispered.

‘Well white wolf, it’s about damned time. We have to find Debra.’ Karl yanked himself up.

Matteo rolled his head to the side as Gianna sniffed the ground around him. Their eyes met. Matteo lifted his bloodied hand to her head.

‘I’ve been looking for you.’ He whispered.

***

Karl carried Debra in his arms, the other guardians stumbled into the house, hacking and groaning.

‘Help! Anneska! Damn it!’ Karl barked. He hurried Debra to the living room.

Gianna tugged on her sister’s coat. She was irritated and wanted to change back, but needed clothes.

‘I know, come on.’ She cast Matteo a painful glance before beckoning her sister.

Matteo grabbed her arm and pulled her close, the gesture hurting him more than her.

‘You knew all along, Blanca. We could have prevented this earlier.’

‘I’m sorry Matteo.’ She glanced at his bullied arm.

He shook his head. ‘Sorry won’t save Debra and it won’t protect my people.’

‘I had to protect my sister! I. Couldn’t. Trust. You. All I had to do was make sure Gianna wasn’t exposed.’

‘Whose bright idea was that, huh?’

Gianna stepped between them and barked, the sound bouncing off the walls. Matteo stepped back and raised his hands.

‘I shouldn’t have trusted you.’ He turned around and marched into the living room.

His friends fumbled with first aid kits, towels and blankets. Debra lay on the couch, barely awake, holding her wound.

‘She’s not healing.’ Cameron ran a hand through his blonde hair.

‘This won’t work.’ David said.

‘We can’t let her die!’ Karl yanked his hair.

Matteo gripped her hand. Debra took in short and shallow breathes. Matteo covered his mouth, the large gaping hole in her gut wasn’t closing.

‘I’m so sorry Debra.’

‘It isn’t your fault. It’s those damned Beasts we have to kill!’ Karl pointed at the window.

Matteo rattled his head. ‘I failed everyone. She shouldn’t have been patrolling alone.’

Karl’s hand landed on Matteo’s shoulder. ‘You were convinced you had the white wolf and you weren’t that off. We have her now, we have a chance.’

Matteo didn’t see it that way. He was weak, he fell for Blanca’s lies, the scent of her hair. The softness of her voice had fooled him completely, it would cost him his friends life.

‘This won’t work—‘ David began.

‘Will you shut up David!’ Cameron blasted.

‘If you’d let me finish meathead! I was saying we can’t help Debra like this. She needs a witch. We’ve got the white wolf maybe a witch could use her power to save Debra.’

‘The witches hate us.’ Cameron blinked.

‘Can you not be a little positive, geez?’ David folded his arms.

Debra coughed her fragile body shook. Karl licked his lips and nodded. ‘I know where to find one. She better be willing to help, because I’m not in the mood for games.’