FANGS:A QUEST FOR PASSION

Chapter 2

Mr. Byers was alarmed when he saw the c***k on his son’s windshield, and almost fainted when he noticed the bleeding as Jay walked in. Jay tried to act like he was okay but he looked far from okay. As he tried to walk towards the stairs, he fell unconscious. He woke a few hours later to find his father asleep beside him. He tried to sit up, but fell back into bed. Mr. Byers woke immediately and rushed to him. How do you feel, son? The doctor prescribed some pills for you to take when you’re awake. What happened? Jay stared at his father as if he didn’t understand a word. Finally, he managed to whisper “I’m fine”. His father heaved a sigh of relief. You were attacked by an animal? Was it a bear or a hyena? No dad, it was a wolf.

Now Mr. Byers was confused. Wolves haven’t been seen in Roseville in years. And they mostly moved around the woods in packs. It might have been too dark to see what attacked your son, a wolf. It makes no sense, said Mr. Byers. I know what I saw dad. It crashed onto my truck, Jay managed to say. Just then, Mrs. Marie entered with a glass of water. How are you feeling sir? She asked with a worried look. Jay smiled weakly. It is time for your medication. I will bring your dinner, she said, placing the glass of water on a stool beside him. She came some minutes later with a tray and placed it on the bed. Are you strong enough to eat by yourself sir? She asked with a smile. Jay smiled back and said, I might be injured, but I am not disabled. Mr. Byers asked Mrs. Marie to retire for the night; he would take care of Jay. Mrs. Marie was a very devoted worker, she had earned the love of both Jay and his father as she wholeheartedly took care of them as a wife and mother would. Jay ate little and used his meds, he felt a lot better, the pounding in his head had been reduced, the doctor had dressed his wound while he was asleep, and the stinging pains from the scratches had also been reduced. I would leave you to rest now, son. We will talk better when it's daybreak, Mr. Byers said, getting up on his feet. Soon after he left, Jay fell into a deep sleep.

Nicole’s train was set to get there at 8. She was already at the train station at quarter past 7. She booked her ticket and waited till it was time. She had called her aunt to inform her she was coming to Roseville for official purposes. Mrs. Dalton was overjoyed. Nicole was a daughter she never had. She had passed the phone to her husband and he could barely hide his excitement. Mr. and Mrs. Dalton were also ranch owners. It was a small ranch with few workers. They had made quite a good reputation for themselves due to the quality of products they sold to their customers. They were modest, but highly respected in Roseville. Mrs. Dalton had asked Nicole to move back to Roseville when she lost her parents, but Nicole knew she wasn’t going spend the rest of her life on a ranch. She turned down the offer but still kept in touch. Aunt May always sent letters. Nicole responded to the letters with phone calls. Mr. Dalton always seemed to be on Nicole’s side when the issue of loneliness came up. Aunt May was worried that she was isolated and too absorbed in work to even find a man; Mr. Dalton always said his nephew would become a man when it was the right time. Nicole had had a fair share of relationships. They were rosy at the start but hit a rocky path almost immediately. She became indifferent to romantic relationships and love itself. The journey was uneventful. She spent most of the time going over her debrief. She was to report every single event, make findings in partnership with the police department and also build up a newsworthy story. Aunt May had already called like a thousand times, she repeating instructions on how to locate the ranch. Nicole was amused and reminded her that she had a GPS to make sure she didn’t get lost. Aunt May obviously didn’t know what that was but reluctantly gave in. The journey finally came to an end. Nicole alighted from the train and was surprised at how very familiar Roseville still looked, after so many years. She had to admit, the countryside life is healthy.

There were a few cars on the street, some were taxis. She boarded one and through her GPS, she was able to find her aunt’s ranch. The first few hours of her arrival were a mixture of tears and laughter. It was obvious Nicole had grown into a beautiful young woman. She commanded attention when she walked into the room. Aunt May had made lunch for her arrival as it was Christmas. Nicole had missed this, it reminded her of her parents. After catching up with her aunt and uncle, she retired to her room. It was already well arranged and cozy. She needed all the rest she could get because her assignment would commence immediately. As an investigative journalist, no stone must be left unturned. She studied the Roseville map she was given and examined the path where both cases of disappearance happened. Both paths led to the river. Did they drown? If they did, the search party would have discovered their bodies. Besides, it is unusual for all four people to take a swim in the river at the time they disappeared. There are so many questions to be answered. She will go to the police department tomorrow, speak with the sheriff, then go to the barns and ranches near the river. The owners and workers there may know a thing or two that could be helpful in this investigation. She had a long sleep and was woken up by a knock on the door by her uncle; it is time for dinner dear. Okay, I’ll be right there, she said, still feeling sleepy. It had been ages since she had a sound sleep. She hurried downstairs some minutes later. The smell from the dining made her stomach rumble. Her aunt greeted her with a smile. You must have been really exhausted dear, you slept for hours. Yeah, I was tired without even knowing it, sorry I couldn’t help out with dinner, said Nicole. Nonsense, you’re our guest, said Mr. Dalton; May is more than happy to have another mouth to overfeed. Her aunt smiled and nodded in approval, let’s eat, shall we?

Nicole hadn’t had fresh cheese in ages, it tasted so good, coming across unprocessed food in the city was almost impossible, plus her schedule was tight. She usually makes do with what she gets at grocery stores. Mr. Dalton asked about her assignment. She gave them a summary of what she was asked to do. Aunt May gave a worried look; oh dear, the workers from Danny’s barn haven’t been found yet, then the students too, really strange. Please be careful out there. And leave the dangerous part to the police. Yes aunt, Nicole chuckled; my job is just to investigate and find answers, nothing more. Nothing to worry about dear, said Mr. Dalton placed his hand on Mrs. Dalton’s shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. Nicole shuddered as she took a sip of water. What if there was more to this than she actually thought? She shook the thought off and wondered what could possibly be wrong with Roseville. The worst that could happen would be a notorious gang k********g people and asking for a ransom. But no demands had been made yet; it appeared as if they disappeared into thin air. She tried not to look worried so it wouldn't alarm her aunt, who was already agitated. What could possibly go wrong? Absolutely nothing…but why was she fretting? She would find answers the next day and also the genesis of her journey to danger.