Werewolves of the New Moon

I felt weak. My heart throbbed in an aching chest, sweat trickled into my vision, stinging my eyes. My shirt was torn and reduced to mere strips of white cloth, stained by mud and ripped by thorns, my jeans tattered and shredded from the knee down. 1

I held my hand before my face, ragged gasps still escaping aching lungs, as I studied the trembling fingers. 'Great' 2

I sat up, blinking as dust and grit showered over me. Fearfully, I looked upward. 3

A smile curled around the down turned corners of my lips as I recognized the face above. 'Seth!' 4

I leapt upright, lost balance, and collapsed. My legs were numb with exhaustion, and would not hold my weight. I let out a pleading whimper as Seth stared down at me. 'Help me, Seth!' 5

He paused, glancing around. I saw his mouth open slightly, he wanted to speak, but thought better of it. 'What's happened, Geoff?' He growled in that low undertone, a sound only recognized by wolves. 6

I sighed and cast an anxious glace over my shoulder. 'The full moon is raising tomorrow! Please Seth, help me from here! I will tell you at a better time of this incident!' 7

He looked doubtful, but being a loyal soul, Seth made his way down to my side, and pulled me to my feet. His own jeans were muddied and his plaid shirt bore a gapping hole across the back, clearly he had been running hard after my trail. 8

I leaned against him, eyes glowing in the light of a growing moon, as I sought out the faint navy of the sky, which was fading to a pale amber with the coming of dawn. 'So, the new moon begins!!‘9

*****************************time passes**************************10

For every werewolf, the time of the new moon is a time to celebrate and look forward to. 11

In fact, few felt anything but excitement when that yellow disk first traveled to the brim of the night sky, after several days of partial moon. 12

However, there ARE party crashers. And, as usual, I was not on my best behavior. 13

Dressed in a casual black leather jacket, matching dark navy jeans, and a western style hat titled forward at an angel to hide my face, I slunk through the crowds of people, wolves, and the odd wolf-dog, refusing to make eye contact with anyone. 14

My medium length black hair protruded slightly from below the hat’s rim, and curled about my bare neck. 15

Seth ambled along beside me. 16

I glanced at him, just a fleeting glimpse, and saw his night-black eyes were lit by curiosity. 17

Seth was my friend, and coincidently my partner in crime. Both of us had met while we were young, and had grown up together. We trained hard for many years to become as strong as we were, but then disaster struck, and we had been separated. Now reunited, I felt as if I was whole again, with him at my side. 18

I paused, feeling the strange sensation of someone watching me. ‘Seth, do you…feel that?’ I growled softly. 19

Seth, being a true werewolf, was able to understand wolf speech, like me. 20

He shook his head, rumbling in reply, ‘Ah, no, Geoff. What are you talking about?’ He narrowed his eyes, clearly wondering about my urgent tone. 21

The burning of the watchers gaze bore into my very soul. “Er, nothing…” I said aloud. 22

He smiled and gave me a playful shove. “Why the sudden change of language, eh? Something wrong?” 23

I pushed him away, trying to suppress my urge to tackle him and play fight like we used to, lest it drawn any wandering eyes. “I just saw no need at speaking wolf all the time.” 24

He snorted, letting his head fall forward until his soft gold/brown hair fell over his eyes. 25

I loathed him we he did that. 26

And I had reasond WHY.27

28

Seth was a handsome young man, tall and well built, but only slightly muscular. 29

Garbed in a knee length red coat with gold embroidery, with broad symbols etched out of the fabric, dark blue jeans, and a shirt of white cotton, he made a striking figure. 30

I felt simple standing next to him, out of place. 31

Seth was unlike any being I had ever encountered. He had a caring nature, but it only came to certain people. 32

I let my gaze settle on the wide scar that ran across Seth’s one shoulder. It was barely visible, but I could still see the ridge of flesh that had once endangered its bearer. 33

Touching my neck with index finger and middle finger, I ran them lightly over a scar of my own, thinking. 34

Seth’s eyes meet mine in a questioning glance. “So?” 35

I blinked, confused. “So what?” 36

He nodded toward my hand. “What's on your mind? You always rub your neck, if your thinking, I noticed that awhile ago.” 37

I sighed, answering in a somber voice. “Just remembering old times, Cal’Way…that’s all.” 38

Seth titled his head to one side. His eyes hardened. ‘Old times…or new that you wish to forget?’ 39

I halted, turning to my companion as if he’d hit me with his fist other then his words. “What? What do you mean?!” 40

He didn’t answer. 41

The crowd had gone silent, I wisely closed my mouth. All eyes rose simultaneously towards the night sky. 42

I looked up, too. 43

Over head, a full moon illuminated the land below with a veil of translucent yellow light. I heard the satisfied growls of the others, as they breathed deep, relishing in the scent of the new moon. 44

The time of werewolves was upon us!!