A Wolf's Tale: Chapter 9

Raine began her travel from a local bookstore to Dan's remote home. She pulled up in a strikingly similar black sedan, causing everyone to be a little edgy. The first thing, however, to exit the vehicle this time was not a cane, but a shoe and then the rest of Raine.1

Raine approached Dan, not quite sure whether or not he was to be believed. 2

“Raine, how are you?”3

“A little concerned, but happy to see you none the less.”4

“That's sort of good to hear.” confirmed Dan5

“So, tell me why I should believe you about the whole thing.”6

“Look behind me, and I think you will get it.” Dan beckoned, watching as Raine looked in awe as she saw two girls transforming into gigantic black canids. 7

“Holy crap! I'm sorry I didn't believe you at first.”8

“It's understandable” Dan laughed.9

“Well, It's definitely your style.” noted Raine enthusiastically.10

“My style?” Dan inquired.11

“You always managed to bypass the standards of believability, remember our Senior prank” Raine explained12

“Ah, good times. But I think we have more pressing matters then reminiscing” Dan suggested.13

“I guess we do. I'll go get my supplies.” Raine agreed.14

“Do you need a hand, or some paws?” Dan mused15

“No, I'll be fine.” Raine hastened to reply.16

“What, someone afraid of the big bad wolf?” Dan jested, eliciting a wolfish grin from Kiara and Kagami, who had managed to switch back to their human forms unnoticed.17

“No, I'm not, it's just I can handle it on my own. Now on to more pressing matters.”18

“Whatever, but I have to remind you, this isn't a brick house.”19

“Dan I swear! You better shut up before I decide to tamper with your transfusion.” Raine screeched childishly, evoking a growl from Kagami, causing her to reconsider. “Or maybe not.”20

“Kiara, go ahead and follow her in, I'll be in in a minute.” instructed Dan.21

“Okay.” replied Kiara.22

Dan decided to go out on a limb. He walked slowly over to Kagami, making eye contact with her “Kagami, every fiber of my being is telling me to do this right now.” Dan announced, grabbing her in a hug, tilting her head, and placing an earth-shattering kiss on Kagami's lips. Kagami went limp, as if she had passed out, but Dan knew she hadn't. Neither one of them anticipated this action until Dan began his slow walk over to her. Both of them wanted to stay locked together forever, but they knew that Dan needed the transfusion.23

“Promise me you will be like this after the transfusion.” Kagami plead, breaking the kiss.24

“I'll try” replied an adamant Dan.25

“See you soon.” said Kagami, not sure of the truth of her own statement.26

“Bye.” Dan said, hoping it wouldn't be a permanent separation.27

Dan walked into his house, Kagami walking behind him. He knew that she would have to leave him soon, so she wouldn't force it too early. He came in to find Kiara just beginning to get situated on the same couch that Kagami was on just a few days earlier. Raine was swabbing her arm with an alcohol pad. Kiara laid there still until Dan walked up to her and smiled, conveying the thanks that he couldn't express in words, an act that was returned by a similar gesture, a smile that seemed to say 'no problem'. Raine prepped a local anesthetic and injected it into Kiara's upper arm, making her quiver lightly. The injection was over before Kiara could tell, proof that the anesthetic had began to take effect.28

Raine prepped the next needle, attached to a standard-issue blood bagging unit, similar to those used in blood banks. Raine carefully inserted the needle into the upper forearm of Kiara, who winced at the sight, but no pain came. The machine began to remove the premeasured amount of blood from Kiara's body. She didn't even notice anything until the entire process had completed.29

Soon enough Raine was removing the needle and placing a tourniquet on Kiara's arm. Kiara got up and promptly left the room, Dan handing her a serving-size bottle of orange juice to make sure she didn't pass out. Raine switched out bags, tubes and needles, cleaned the machine, and asked Dan if he was ready. Dan gestured to both of the wolves, both of them knowing to leave the room.30

“Why did they leave?”31

“Human blood drives them crazy.”32

“I wish you wouldn't have told me that.”33

“You asked” Dan said, seating himself on the couch.34

Raine prepped him just the same as she had prepped Kiara, telling him that she had to first remove some blood in order to replace it. Dan saw the logic in this and allowed her to remove a pint of blood from him. She waited for the anesthetic to wear off before prepping him for part two of the transfusion, and yet another anesthetic dose. She injected an IV needle into his forearm above his wrist. He convulsed with the first flow of blood. This was the testing point. Raine had hooked him up to a heart/respiration monitor and was making sure that he was reacting well to the new blood. Other than an occasional temperature change, he seemed to be reacting normally.35

Dan began to relax. Everything worked well so far. He was sure that he would make it out of this unscathed. He began to get really relaxed, too much so, the calm beep of his heart monitor dulling into a hypnotic rhythm, driving Dan even further into his trance. He slowly drifted off into unconsciousness.