Women In The Night

The Wolf

Dean found out from the sergeant that Emily Martin was Hannah’s close friend that lived in town. 

She lived by herself in a small home towards the edge of town. She worked at the bank. She had blonde hair, brown eyes. She lived a street away from her childhood home.

“She’s a perfectly normal girl,” Adam told Dean as they drove to her house, “I can’t imagine that she turns into a wolf under the full moon.”

“Then don’t imagine it. Not a pretty sight anyways.”

“Not what I meant.”

“I know.”

“Look, Dean,” Adam said firmly, fixing her with a hard stare, “these are my townspeople, and I’m going to protect them. I’m not willing to let a werewolf continue killing my neighbours, but I’m not gonna watch you kill someone just because you think they might be a werewolf.”

“Jesus,” Dean scoffed lightly, “you think so little of me! If I went around killing everyone I thought was a monster, I’d be in jail. Also, I’d be very inefficient.”

“So how are you going to prove it?”

“Silver, duh.”

“For the love of god, elaborate.”

“Silver is harmful to a lot of mythical creatures,” Dean explained, “Specifically shapeshifters.”

“Why?”

“Hell if I know. What I do know is that it’s like touching a hot iron.”

“That must make it hard to wear jewellery.”

“Mm. Not really – a lot of stuff is synthetic, or made of sterling silver. Real silver isn’t as common as people think it is.”

“Right.”

Soon, they arrived in front of the plain white house and went up to the porch. They rang the doorbell three times before Emily answered, rubbing her eyes and wrapped in a blanket. 

“What?” She grumbled. “And who the hell are you?”

“You seem tired,” Adam said, eyeing her up, “You not been sleeping well?”

“No. Been down with a cold. Now, get off of my porch before I give it to you.”

“Yes, of course,” Dean replied politely, “We’re so sorry to bother you – we’re just checking in with people, since the animal attacks are getting more brutal and all.”

“You didn’t answer my question – who the hell are you?”

“Sergeant Dean Danzinger, RCMP.” Dean stuck out her hand for Emily to shake it. When she scowled and clutched her blanket tighter, Dean smiled, “Oh, I don’t get sick easy, no worries there.”

Leaving Emily with little excuse to say no to the polite gesture, she stuck a pale hand out from behind the blanket and grasped Dean’s.

As soon as she had, she yelped and yanked her hand back in shock, “Ow! What the hell, you got a buzzer on there or something?”

“Oops, sorry – must’ve given you a bit of a shock!” Dean said with an easy laugh, “My bad. Well, I hope you feel better. C’mon Sergeant Casey, we’ve got other houses to check.”

Adam seemed a bit confused at the interaction, but he said goodbye to Emily and followed Dean back to the van. Once they were inside, he spoke.

“What happened there?”

Dean turned to him with a grin, “I have a silver ring on my finger.”

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dean had explained everything to Sera once she got back to the motel.

It’s gonna be easy, she’d been assured, we just gotta wait until sundown and then tail her. We’ll watch her transform and get her before she knows we’re even there.

Sera wasn’t sure if Dean was playing down the danger for her sake, or if she was just that cocky. 

Probably both.

Still, Sera was nervous – how could she not be?! Her best friend was about to face off against a pissed-off werewolf! 

Yet somehow, Sera was also excited. She kept checking her phone even though she knew Dean was napping, as if she was going to come in with some insane new update. It was as though she was waiting for the season finale of her favourite show, except this had significantly higher stakes. Sera found herself desperately wishing that she was there; there to witness the undoubtedly badass fight; there to help Dean; there to celebrate.

But she supposed that getting live updates from Dean would have to do in the meantime.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Emily left her house a little before sundown.

Dean had foreseen this, as many werewolves either locked themselves up in their homes or left before transforming. Of course, since Emily was the target, it made sense that she would do the latter.

Dean followed on foot, keeping a safe distance behind and making sure to stand downwind. Werewolves typically had heightened senses, but they were only made stronger around the time of the full moon, human or otherwise. 

Emily went into the forest to transform, and Dean made sure to stand a far distance back. The different smells of the forest would cover her, but only a bit.

Dean didn’t see the transformation, but she didn’t need to – she’d seen it enough times in her life. She heard it though, the pained groaning morphing into hungry howling. It wasn’t long before Emily was running off through the woods, leaving Dean to follow the trail of broken branches in the dark.

As Dean moved through the trees, she listened for night sounds. It was quiet, though that wasn’t surprising – werewolves were apex predators, and they scared most creatures shitless. 

It was when she heard a scream that Dean swore and grabbed her gun, running full-tilt through the trees.

She paused when she saw the wolf gnawing on someone’s arm right at the edge of the treeline. She fired two shots into the wolf before it ran off, leaving a convenient trail of blood. Dean went to check on the man, hovering her hand over his mouth and nose to test his breathing without leaving fingerprints. 

When no air stirred around her fingers, Dean sighed and followed the trail of blood.

Well, she thought bitterly, at least I don’t gotta worry about calling an ambulance.

As she followed it, the drops of blood got thicker and thicker, now smearing on trees and rocks.  Before long, Dean followed the trail right up to a small body of water, just the right size that it was hard to determine whether it was a lake or a pond.

About waist-deep in the water was Emily, with her back to Dean.

Amazingly, she was back in her human form, allowing the two bullet holes in her upper back to shine in the light of the full moon, little rivers of ruby blood trailing down her back.

“I was wondering when I’d attract attention.”

Dean faltered in her steps, but only for a moment, her gun at the ready as she approached Emily. The girl still had her bare back to her, staring up at the moon. Dean couldn’t see her face so she couldn’t read her expression, but the girl’s shoulders seemed relaxed.

“You attracted it last month,” Dean admitted, “But werewolves are tricky that way. Only a couple of days to hunt.”

“Mm.”

Dean was at the edge of the water by now, but Emily still had not moved.

“It’s rare to see a werewolf so in control. Turning back into a human during the full moon? I have to admit I’m impressed.”

“I come from a long line of wolves,” Emily admitted, “and I’ve been taught to control my condition since I was a kid. We’ve always been careful, y’know, so we don’t get hunters sniffing after us.”

“So why become so reckless?” Dean asked, “You had to know this was coming? I mean, you don’t seem that surprised to see me here.”

“I knew it from the moment we shook hands. I figured at least one of the rings on your finger had to be silver. Neat trick, I’ll admit.”

“You didn’t answer my question, Emily. Why are you doing this?”

Finally, Emily began to turn. In response, Dean lifted her gun and aimed at her heart.

But Emily just smiled, facing Dean head-on to reveal her bare chest, covered in small scars and stretch marks in odd places from shifting.

To Dean’s shock, Emily’s smile was soft, but she had tears trailing down her face.

“Have you had a friend that’s ever been r***d, Sergeant Danzinger?”

“You can just call me Dean. And...no. I don’t have many friends but...I’ve met my fair share of victims.”

“Then you can’t understand the pain Hannah went through, the pain I went through. I could have protected her, Dean. I could have saved her, but I didn’t. So now, my best friend has to go through life feeling as if her body is not her own, living in fear of the men around her, with no idea who did it. I see the pain she goes through, and I know I can’t do anything to help her. Not really.”

“So you kill innocent men?” Dean demanded, “Emily, I understand that you want to help Hannah, but this is not the way to do it!”

“Then what is?!” Emily demanded, her fangs suddenly flashing, “How the hell am I supposed to help her?!”

“I dunno. I’m not a therapist, just a monster hunter, here to kill a monster.”

“Am I a monster to you, Dean?”

“Emily, I know you think you’re being philosophical here, but you are literally a werewolf; you’re one of the main definitions of monster.”

Emily chuckled, but when she did, she coughed a bit. In the light of the moon, Dean saw some blood trickle from her mouth.

“Any chance you’ll let me go? From killer to killer?”

“f**k no.”

“What about from girl to girl?”

Dean clicked the safety off.

“I see,” Emily sighed, earning another little cough.

“You knew I was coming for you,” Dean said, “you’re giving up.”

“I’m not giving up,” Emily snapped, “I just know when I’m beat. I can already feel the silver poisoning me – the damage from the last couple of bullets you gave me yesterday sure isn’t helping. I thought I’d at least talk to you before you killed me.”

“Well, I have to admit, the conversation is refreshing. Usually when I kill werewolves, it’s in a very heated battle.”

“I can only imagine. Can I make a request? Well, three, actually.”

“Depends,” Dean said with a slight shrug, “What are they?”

“One–” Emily held up one finger, “you make it quick. You seem like a good enough person to not want to make it hurt, considering you haven’t shot me yet, but I’d like to know you put an effort in.”

“I suppose that’s only fair.”

“Two.” She held up another finger, “You tell Hannah that I did this for her, and I forgive her – I know she probably gave me up. Tell her nímaanendam.”

“I can’t promise to pronounce it right, but sure.”

“And three. Promise me you’ll find her r****t, and you’ll make him pay.”

Dean adjusted her grip on her gun, “I can’t stay here for long, you know that. But I’ll do what I can. Sergeant Casey, too.”

“Promise me, then, that you’ll do that at least.”

“I promise to help while I can, and I promise Casey will do the same.”

Emily nodded, “Good, good. Thank you.”

“My pleasure. Anything else?”

Emily pondered for a bit before shaking her head, “Uh..nope. No, I think I’m alright. My final three demands.”

“Right. Goodnight, Emily.”

Emily took a breath, and Dean took the shot.

The bullet entered in the centre of Emily’s forehead, and Dean knew from experience that she was dead before her body fell back into the water. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“So you just...shot her?”

Dean rolled her eyes as she stood on Adam’s front porch.

“Yes, Adam. She killed six people, and if I hadn’t stopped her, that count would’ve only gone up.”

“Still…” Adam sighed, “It’s a shame. How did Hannah take it?”

“Haven’t told her yet. I needed you to do something for me first.”

“What is it?” 

Dean fixed him with a hard stare, “Promise me that you will do everything in your power to see that Hannah’s r****t be brought to justice. It was one of Emily’s last wishes.”

Adam frowned, “She spoke to you? While she was a wolf?”

“No. She turned back. Doesn’t matter – do you swear.”

“I– yeah, sure. I promise.”

Dean shook her head, “No, not good enough.” She reached into one of the inner pockets of her jacket and pulled out a small amulet in the shape of a face, holding it up, “Grab hold of it and promise me.”

Adam eyed it up and down, “Why…?”

“Because it’ll ensure you actually keep your promise. You do anything to suggest otherwise, you’ll meet with some bad luck. So c’mon, grab it.”

Adam looked like he really didn’t want to grab it, but he sighed and did so anyways.

“Now promise.”

“I hereby swear to do absolutely everything in my power to bring Hannah Doblej’s attacker to justice.”

There was a beat of silence as the weight settled around them, and Dean withdrew the amulet.

“Good. Well, I’m gonna go and see Hannah, then get the hell outta dodge. Nice working with you, Casey.”

“You too, Dean,” Adam said with a wave as Dean descended his porch steps, “Maybe I’ll see you around?”

“Hopefully not. Take care of your town.”

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hannah was waiting for her.

Her long dark hair was unbrushed, her tear-red eyes had deep bags under them, and she looked exhausted from crying all night.

She only watched from her muskoka chair as Dean ascended her steps.

“How did she die?” Hannah asked, her voice raspy and weak.

“With honour,” Dean replied truthfully, “She wanted you to know that she did all of this for you, and that she forgives you. Emily knew that you were just trying to do the right thing. I think you both were, in your own way.”

“Anything else?” God, she sounded so tired.

“Yeah uh, I’m sorry if I don’t pronounce it right but...nee-man-ehn-dam?”

“Nímaanendam,” Hannah corrected softly, “It means ‘I’m sorry’ in Ojibwe. I would sometimes teach her some words, when we’d walk home together.” Suddenly, a sob wracked through her body and Hannah covered her mouth with her hands, “Oh, god, Emily! I’m so sorry.”

“There was one other thing,” Dean said, “Emily made me promise to find your attacker. I can’t stay for a lot of reasons, but I did force Adam to promise as well. Made him grab this old protection amulet and everything, so now he thinks he’ll be cursed if he doesn’t fight the attacker. It was hilariously easy.”

Amazingly, that did bring a small smile to Hannah’s face, though it didn’t stay long.

“Really?”

“Oh yeah, he was totally freaked out. Anyways…” Dean held out her hand, a small business card on it, “that’s not my real name, but that is my number, if you ever need me for anything. Might take me a while to get to you, since I drive everywhere, but I’ll be there.”

Hannah nodded as she took the card, wiping her face, “Thank you, I think.”

“Don’t thank me, I’m sorry it went down like this. Anyways, I should head out. Hopefully you’ll never have to see me again.”

Hannah waved half-heartedly as she turned the business card over in her hand. Dean left her like that, sitting on her front porch, staring at the cellphone number of the person who killed her best friend.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“So you just...left?”

Dean sighed, looking both ways before turning at the fork in the road to get out of town, “I mean, yeah. It’s always suspicious when someone new blows into town when bodies start showing up. A couple more drop, I make a stink with a couple of people, then I disappear. And like, y’know, people are quick to point fingers at interlopers and outsiders. I do my best to make sure nothing identifiable is at the scene, but cops can do their jobs when they want to.”

“I guess that makes sense. I dunno, I guess it just feels incomplete? I can’t imagine what Hannah must be feeling,” Sera admitted.

“Well, she sure as hell doesn’t want my help – I am the one that killed Emily.”

“I know just...I feel bad.”

“This job isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, Opal. We’re not therapists – my job is to kill the monster and get outta town so I can live to see another day.”

“Makes sense. Oh, there’s just one thing about the whole ordeal that I don’t really get.”

“What?”

“Why would you just leave her naked in the lake? Why’d Emily not ask you to bring her home or bury her or something?”

“Oh, there are a few reasons,” Dean sighed, “For one, I try not to touch the bodies too much. I didn’t touch her at all, but the more you touch, the more evidence you leave behind. Plus, silver bullets are really hard to track since I make them myself, and the sheriff is on my side so I should be in the clear.”

“Okay, I guess that makes sense. But why was she in her human form?”

“I won’t pretend to know Emily, but I do know wolves, and I know that werewolves stay in the form they’re killed in, which usually proves useful for me. Anyways, the fact that she died in her human form is a testament to her control, and the wound proves that she was facing her attacker, which meant that she died with dignity. I think her family would be proud of her.”

“Huh. That’s actually really sweet, I think. So what now?”

“Well, I think I’m gonna head back to Kingston, see if Mom left – woah!”

Dean slammed on the brakes as she passed by a sign on the edge of the road. She tore off onto the shoulder and parked the van, catching her breath.

“Dean, Dean! Are you okay? Did you hit something?!”

“No, I saw something. I’ll call you back.”

Before Sera could respond, Dean ended the call and flung the door open, running back a few metres to look at the sign.

It was a small, plain white sign with an image of a water bucket pouring over a log fire. But it wasn’t what caught her eye – no, there was another Celtic knot spray painted on the sign. There were no other symbols, no numbers, no letters, no carvings, hardly any paint drippings at all. The message was ambiguous, but Dean found comfort in it.

Her mother had been there. 

Daisy was letting Dean know she was okay.