TWIN HOWLS: A Tale Of Vengeance

Chapter 2

"At least three victims have been confirmed dead at this scene. It's clearly a murder case and experts say it was the handiwork of a wild animal relating to the manner in which the victims were brutalized. But the question remains, what sort of wild animal comes on the open ground to murder people? The police have promised to look into it and investigate further..." the female reporter spoke before the camera, distributing the latest news on air. Police sirens ranted the air and their blue and red lights flashed continuously.

Two men were busy examining the dead bodies of the victims when a black SUV pulled over onto the scene. Every personnel present couldn't help but turn their gazes to the direction of the vehicle. They all knew the owner of that particular vehicle as his arrival was always filled with anticipation. The man alighted the vehicle. He was a young brown-haired man with equally brown-trimmed sideburns. He was none other than Detective Xavier Vesther himself, popularly known as Detective Vesther. He was dressed in a black trench coat and a black hat which didn't completely conceal his hair from view. He walked ever so confidently towards the men examining the bodies. He was a very popular detective in the city and, even at his young age, he had solved quite a handful of cases, murder cases being the most. This one was just an addition to his profile. "What have we got here?" he asked the men. "Three dead, suspected to be a wild animal" one of them answered as they both stood at their feet. "Hmm..." Xavier narrowed his eyes as he peered closely at the dead bodies. He opened his palm and the men didn't await any further information, one of them immediately handed him a pair of gloves. He puts them on and crouches to examine the bodies closely. He slowly traced his finger on the cuts on one of the victim's bodies. He used his finger to cup out invisible fragrance on the surface of the cut. He then places it before his nostrils and sniffs it.

Being a werewolf, he often used some of his supernatural abilities to aid his detective job, although no one knew about this, as no one was even aware that he was a werewolf. He had hidden that fact all his life, wanting to live a normal life in a new city. His eyes widened as he sniffed at the scent he picked. He recognized that scent. It took him back a long time ago.

Although his supernatural senses had never failed him, not even once, he still sniffed his finger again, just to confirm. His eyes widened again. He suddenly springs to his feet and looks at the lifeless body. Everyone here now had their gazes turned to him. They all wanted to witness Detective Vesther's investigating skills. He looked closely at the body and studied the cuts and slashes on it. There were two horizontal four claws slashes on the thorax region.

The first one was on the upper chest while the other was engorged on the lower chest and upper abdomen with a little gap between the two. He looked at the other bodies, and it was the same pattern that was on them. He was instantly sure of what or who it was. He sniffed his finger again and dashed over to his vehicle. He was going to trace the scent. Vroom.... His SUV revved to life as he reversed it and headed for the woods nearby. As he drove, a frown ladened his face. ... He drove speedily through the shrubs and trees in the woods as the familiar scent was getting stronger. He was so eager to get to its owner. Soon, he spots a small wooden cottage just ahead. He alighted his vehicle and moved towards the small building. He removed his silver revolver from his holster as he proceeded towards the cottage. He could smell the scent looming around in this vicinity. -It's still fresh, he just got here. He thought as he neared the cottage door. With the instincts of a security agent, he jammed his foot at the door, causing it to crash inwards.

The efficiency was as a result of the supernatural strength he possessed. He immediately pointed his revolver inside and looked around with his sharp eyes. He couldn't help but notice how shabby the indoors was. It looked like a makeshift house even from the outside. Suddenly, he felt a presence behind him. His supernatural premonition kicks in, and he bends to dodge a swing of someone's fist. His reflexes then kicked in and he kicked the assailant. The man landed roughly on a chair behind him. Xavier c****d his revolver at him. "Hehe, just wanted to be sure you're still my brother" the man said with a broad grin. He had a very keen resemblance to Xavier. The latter dropped his hand and exhaled deeply. "What are you doing here, Xander?" he asked with exasperation spelt evidently in his tone. Xander gasped. "You should be happy that I am here" he said, with a scowl on his face. "Why should I?" Xavier asked nonchalantly. Xander springs to his feet angrily. "You left me unannounced for five years, and now you're asking me what I'm doing here?" he asked, getting evidently upset with his voice raising slightly. The two had grown up together on the streets and in the woods, hunting and stealing together. But Xavier had left. Xander just got back to their hideout and discovered his brother was gone. For five years they had lived separately until Xander surprisingly found him. "Look Xander, I don't have time for this, why did you kill those people?" Xavier asked, raising his own voice also. Calming down a little, Xander replied "That was the only way to make sure you would find me" "What? You took innocent lives just so you could find your brother!" Xavier bellowed, obviously infuriated.

However, Xander still maintained his nonchalant demeanor and headed towards the kitchen. "Chilax dude, wasn't it worth it?" he asked while he opened a shelf and brought out a bottle of beer and two wine glasses. "No it wasn't, those people were innocent!" Xavier bellowed again, he was seriously furious at how cold-blooded his brother could be at times. "Alright then, if you say so" Xander replied and handed Xavier a glass of beer. "No, thank you" the latter said curtly and walked away. Xander shrugs and gulps in the contents of the glasses. "How did you find me?" his brother asked. "Well, I have to say, you're quite popular" he said and Xavier scoffed. "I heard about the awesome escapades of the super detective, Detective Vesther and how he has helped to rid the city of crimes blah blah blah" Xander said and rolled his eyes. "I thought maybe we could come back together and be that survivor family again" She said and moved closer to his brother. "What do you say?" he asked. "Not going to happen, I have created a reputable name for myself in this city and I don't want you ruining it, in fact you already are, I don't know how I'm going to pretend like I didn't find the culprit who slaughtered innocent civilians" Xavier said, making an air quote. "Tsk, don't make a big deal out of nothing Xave" Xander said, calling Xavier his childhood nickname. Xavier pointed his finger at him, glaring intently at him. "Look Xander, I'm serious, I'm going to let this slide for once, but if I find you causing any other havoc in the city, I won't hesitate to lock you up" he threatened, and his eyes had a momentary glint of red in them. He didn't wait for Xander to reply before exiting the shabby-looking house. "You're going to leave me like you did before?" Xander asked as he watched his brother's retreating back. "Okay" he muttered in addition.

Xavier storms out of the shabby cottage, his mind filled with conflicting emotions. He can't shake off the frustration and disappointment he feels towards his brother's actions. As he walks briskly back to his SUV, he can't help but wonder what Xander's next move will be. Little does he know, their paths are about to collide in ways he never expected, and the truth behind the recent murders will soon unravel in the most unexpected manner.