FANGS:A QUEST FOR PASSION

Chapter 3

Jay woke the next morning with energy bursting through his veins. The pains had vanished and for a second he felt like the encounter with the wolf was a dream. Then he stared at the bandage on his injured arm, he sighed and touched it lightly, he felt nothing. He touched his arm more intensely now and felt not even a sting. He loosened up the bandage and, to his surprise, the three deep cuts were gone. He was alarmed. Was he hallucinating? He thought to himself. He got up to show his father, then immediately decided against it, he would call BJ his friend later. For now, he has tied the bandage back and acted injured. He felt strangely strong, strong enough to lift a whole building. Just then he heard his father’s voice from outside the window. He could hear every single word that his father said, including his breathing; in fact, he could hear every single thing outside. This only worsened his state of confusion. He reached for his phone and called BJ, hey man, my house by 10, it is urgent. Hey said the voice, anything up? You sound like you’re freaking out; chill and I will be there. The call got disconnected and I went back to lie in bed. He checked the time, it was almost 8, and his dad would soon be on his way to the ranch. Just then, he heard footsteps coming towards his room. It was his dad. Mr. Byers knocked lightly, and entered. How do you feel this morning son? Jay sat up on the bed and said he was getting better. I can see that, said Mr. Byers felt relieved. I am going to see Sheriff Halle this morning to report last night’s incident. Wolves can’t wander around, causing accidents and injuring people. How is your arm? I think the bleeding stopped last night. He moved towards Jay to examine it. No dad, Jay said immediately, it didn’t hurt as much anymore. Touching it might make it hurt. Okay son, said Mr. Byers stepped back. I will be on my way now; Marie is downstairs if you need anything. Do not hesitate to call me if you need me here. Be strong son, and then he left. Jay heard his dad’s truck zoom off some minutes later. He lay still in bed to process everything happening, his sudden strength, his wounds being completely healed, it made no sense.

Just then, he heard the doorbell ring. Bj wasn’t coming till 10, so who could it be? The doorbell rang again and he hurried downstairs to see who it was. He opened the door to a beautiful woman in her late twenties; she looked like she was in a hurry and needed something important from whoever answered the door. Overall, she was the most attractive woman she had seen in Roseville in years. Good morning. She greeted him, Jay almost didn’t hear her, and then she greeted him again when she noticed he was distracted. Good morning miss, how may I help you? He asked. I’m looking forward to speaking with Mr. Byers, owner of the Byers ranch. He is my father. What is this about? He asked, getting curious. Sorry for not introducing myself properly. I’m Nicole Hopps from the Daily clock. I was at the police department earlier this morning, so I was asked to come here and ask for permission to carry out an investigation on one of his ranches, the one near the river, to be precise, as a result of the disappearance of two workers and two students within a week’s interval. Jay looked concerned, the case was getting more intense. He had thought the missing persons would have been found. I’m Jay, his son. You missed him by a minute; he is in the barn now. Okay, I will head there immediately, thanks for your time, said Nicole as she took her leave. He closed the door behind him and went back to his room. BJ will be here soon; at least he could share his worries. A land rover drove into the Byers’ huge compound and parked. He was greeted by Mrs. Marie when he rang the doorbell. Good morning. He greeted, good morning. She answered with a smile, Jay was upstairs in his room. Thank you ma’am, he said as he made his way upstairs. Jay rose from the bed as BJ knocked and entered. My man,beamed Jay as he gave Bj a handshake. Their friendship had grown into comradely love, both being the only children of their parents, they saw themselves as siblings. After exchanging pleasantries and joking about each other’s physique, Jay tells him about the attractive journalist that came by earlier. BJ laughed and asked if he got her digits. He said he didn’t because he had more pressing issues. He looked more serious and settled down to tell Bj all that transpired between last night and when he woke.

Nicole was already getting irritated at how slow things were going with the investigation. She had gone to the Byers’ lounge and still did not meet him there. She headed back to the police station and the sheriff said she could tour around the station while they waited for Mr. Byers to return to the ranch. She could not hide her irritation so she went back to the office they had arranged for her. She was used to getting things done and not waiting around or touring around an old police station. Once it was 6pm, she went home. Aunt May was already preparing dinner. Nicole tried to force a smile as she entered. You look exhausted, what did they do to you honey, asked Aunt May, examining Nicole’s face. I’m fine aunt, just a stressful day with no results," she replied," accepting the cup of water from Mr. Dalton. You don’t do things done with a sheriff like that in charge, said Mr. Dalton, putting on his hat, and making his way to the door. I’m heading to the tavern, old Mike is celebrating the opening of his ranch, I won’t be long"" See you later," and he kissed his wife on both sides of her cheeks. Don’t be late for dinner, she called out after him. Nicole ate dinner silently, deep in thought; she had managed to convince her aunt to let her eat in her room. She remembered the young man she met at Mr. Byers’ house. He seemed nice. How did she not ask him a few questions? At least she would have gotten something. Surely, the workers on the ranch who stayed overnight would know something, probably strange activities in the river and beyond. Another thought crept into her mind. She will go to the Byers’ ranch tomorrow and speak to the workers. She knew quite alright that her superiors would start calling for answers soon. Right now she had none. Some hours later, she heard Mr. Dalton’s car drove in from downstairs. He is very late for dinner, she thought to herself with a smile. She knew her Aunt Marie well; she cooked beautifully well and was pleased when everyone was overfed.

BJ could not hide the shock as he listened to Jay’s ordeal. It was all too much to take in. What baffled him the most was the wound healing completely. Wow, he finally exclaimed. This is a whole lot to take in. First, a strange wolf attacking you. If I didn’t know you so well, I would have called you a nut case. At this point, I doubted my own sanity, Jay said, walking towards the window. Do you think I’ve been infected with something? Infected? More like gifted, said BJ. Your wounds healed without a trace, you have a high sense of hearing, there may be more. I think these are gifts. Like a superhero gift. You’ve been watching too much television, Jay said as he bent down to fetch his sock from under his bed, he tried to move his bed frame slightly, but he lifted it from the ground. They both stood shocked at what was happening. Jay quickly put the frame down and stood transfixed. BJ shouted in excitement," Man, something extraordinary happened to you last night. Let’s try something. He reached into his pocket and took a pocket knife. I would cut you with this and let’s see what happens. No way, you’re not bringing that near me, Jay said, as he moved away from BJ. We want answers, let’s see what we are dealing with; you can’t freak out now man, get a grip and hold still. Jay finally held still and let BJ cut his palm, blood flowed freely from the cut, and nothing unfamiliar happened. Now I have to deal with this too, as my problems weren’t already enough. I listened to your stupid advice, Jay said, regretting why he let BJ cut him. Just then, BJ pointed to the cut. It had vanished completely. Now BJ was very excited, this is huge, he said. Imagine all you could do with these gifts. You can’t tell anyone about this BJ, not even my father, till I understand what’s going on. You have my word, man, we are in this together. Bj stayed till Mr. Byers got back from the ranch. Mr. Byers had gone to report the wolf incident when he was done at the ranch. The sheriff was not exactly convinced that it had been a wolf, but promised to look into it. He also let Mr. Byers knew of Nicole’s intention to weigh into the missing persons’ investigation. This was connected to the Byers because their ranch was between the river and the deep woods. They might have noticed something unusual at a point. Mr. Byers assured the sheriff of his full support for the investigation to yield results. Jay told his father that the news lady had dropped by. But I don’t see why we are connected with these disappearances, dad, Jay said; they could as well carry out their investigations without involving us. Well, they need all the info they can get, and our ranch happens to be in the middle of where all this is happening, son. I hope they find something useful. What could possibly have happened to these people? Are they still alive? BJ asked. Well, that’s what they are going to find out once we cooperate with them. They would question the ranch workers, mostly the ones that stay overnight, said Mr. Byers. That aside, how are you feeling now son? You can take as long as you want to rest. I’m fine dad; I will be on my feet tomorrow morning.