Roadkill

Chapter 7-Black blood

Hey, Diane? We need to find somewhere to stay the night. I think we passed a motel a few minutes ago. Let’s turn back. You can drop me off there, and we’ll work things out from there.”

It wasn’t healing. I’d thought it was only being incredibly gradual and painful on purpose, but it would go away in due time, but the sinister-looking ooze didn’t stop. It had soaked through the top part of the joggers by now, painting the once-grey color a deep, sticky black. I could taste blood in my mouth. I was beginning to feel faint, my vision was swimming, and the pain kept getting worse.

Werewolves usually don’t feel this much pain. We didn’t get hurt, and when we did it wasn’t for long because of our supernatural healing powers. I hit my teeth as another wave of pain shook my body, the sweat trickled down my face and neck, and I began to feel hot, like a furnace was burning inside of me, then cold, then hot again. Did my brother actually mean to poison me with more deadly Wolfsbane? He’d always been a d**k to me since we were kids, pushing me around, and getting snively and spiteful when my father would favor me over him.

They were alike, Alpha and his first son, Griffith. They controlled the rest of the pack with an iron fist and a short temper, bending and breaking members into compliance. They were not forgiving in the slightest. However, they understood that although the people did fear them, their admiration and loyalty had not been won over. There were always murmurs about the odd werewolf deserting and talks of revolt, but at the end of the day, they came to nought. The Alpha was the Alpha. You keep your head down and do as you’re told and you'll be fine.

I did my best as a go-between. Pack members were often understanding and pliable when I spoke to them. I addressed them as I would my friends, with respect and regard for their place in the system and their contributions to the whole. I believed that each person was just as important as the other. I tried not to play favorites and to listen to each complaint or suggestion with a clear, open mind. All the decisions, of course, started and ended with my father. He would not listen to reason or any opinion outside his, and whether it was in the pack's best interests, everything he said went.

I could not continue that train of thought, it hurt too much to even think.

“Are you sure?” Diane responded, before taking her eyes off the road to glance in my direction, “Oh my God, Lowell. Are you okay? Your injuries look like they’re getting worse.”

She touched a hand to my forehead, worry and confusion etched on her face.

“You’re burning up! We’ve got to get you to a hospital, Lowell!”

“No!” I bit out, mouth full of bitter blood, “No hospitals! They can’t help! I just need somewhere I can rest before-“

She clearly wasn’t convinced. She looked at me, my eyes wide and stepped on the gas pedal. I could feel the car speeding up dangerously fast. She barely swerved out of the way of another car, narrowly avoiding crashing into it. The driver yelled obscenities and colorful descriptions of our mothers.

“Look, Lowell. I won’t say that I trust you, or that I understand all that’s been happening today, with you, with the wolf thing, or even with the black blood oozing into my car seats,” she swerved out of the way of another incoming vehicle, “and I also think you’re crazy for not letting me drive you to a hospital, so you have to promise me that when I get you to your motel, you’ll be okay!” she was sobbing now.

I could tell she wasn’t used to seeing people in pain, and that if I died in her car or the motel she would probably blame herself. I looked at the angel sitting across from me, the neon lights from a signpost reflecting on her perfect face, careful and compassionate, eyes wide, eyebrows furrowed with concern, the color drained from her face. Too precious for this world, helping a stranger like myself and saving him from near-certain death, driving me around with her clothes on my body. Keeping me company and indulging in my conversations, there was no disdain in her eyes when she looked at me, no overwhelming expectation, all she wanted was for me to get the proper care, so she could move on with her life. She didn’t deserve this and I didn’t deserve her.

“I promise.”