The sun started to dip toward the horizon before anyone thought about baby Hope. Julie hadn’t reemerged from her room and had kept Hope in there all day. The baby had apparently been delighted to stay because she never cried or sounded upset at all. Becka was the first to call the group’s attention to their inattention.

“So, you guys do realize we left baby Hope with Julie all day, right? Poor girl probably needs a break. I’ll go up and check on her.” Becka went upstairs, and in a moment, there were whispered voices that were inaudible to those downstairs. Five minutes later, Julie came down.

“Thanks, jerks. Damn. I’ve been tiptoeing around up there for half an hour. That little girl hates noises. Every time I’d stand up, she’d start to cry. Super quiet, cute as hell cries, but cries all the same.”

“Sorry. We’re not used to babies.” Seth deadpanned.

“Oh yeah, that’s right. I’m the one with “I’m all about babies” written on my shirt, right? Jesus. I need a day off. No more Hope today. Becka, bless her heart, just heard this first-hand as a whisper, then was eye-shamed until she sat down on my bed. Then I walked out to tell you lot to truly suck it. Oh, and what’s for dinner?” She looked around expectantly.

“Good question. Who’s on dinner duty tonight? It definitely ain’t me.” Sal grumbled from the couch. His eyes were still red, and if ever a person looked like a billboard for the morning after, he was it.

Mikel got up and headed for the kitchen. The sound of food preparation soon met their ears. A moment later, he stepped into the hallway and tossed a bottle at Sal, who barely caught it before it smashed into his face.

“Da hell, man?”

“Drink three pulls right now. In five minutes, two more. Then, drink a glass of water. I’m tired of your hung-over ass.”

Mikel disappeared back into the kitchen.

“He’s in a freaking mood, isn’t he. What’s going on there?”

“It’s part Nick, part Byron, and part something he won’t talk about, which, honestly…scares the shit out of me. He’s an open book with me. He even called me on the phone two minutes after he kissed another woman to stay in cover because he felt guilty and wanted me to know. If he’s hiding something, it’s because he either doesn’t know how to deal with it and doesn’t think we can help or because he’s terrified, which is worse.” Jesse had fear in her voice, and the group had a sudden realization that this was the first time they had actually heard her express actual, full-blown fear. If the werewolves hadn’t scared her to her core, but Mikel not talking about something did, then what could it be?

Seth joined Mikel in the kitchen, hoping to help him out and maybe get some information about the search for Byron, of which Mikel had been silent. There was no talk about the wolves at the gate nor the pool of whatever it was. The darkness in the woods was not about to be discussed until he could come to grips with whatever it was.

Stolen novel; please report.

Mikel had Seth sort and peel the shrimp. Their conversation consisted of what type of alcohol would be best to sauté the shrimp in or if they should just use butter. As they cooked in relative silence, the stereo in the living room started playing Van Morrison. It was a welcome reprieve for Seth, who was failing with every attempt at small talk with Mikel.

Seth popped open a bottle of wine and drained it into two glasses, proffering one to Mikel. They silently toasted and then drank. Mikel finished the glass and reached for another bottle. He gave himself another generous pour, finished it, and drained the second bottle.

“Okay, Mikel. Somethings fucky. What happened out there? You obviously saw something, and it’s eating you alive. You’ve gotta share it, or it’ll kill you. I’m a friend, man. You can tell me anything. I’ll take it to my grave, not share it with anyone. But you gotta open up. We don’t have an endless supply of wine here.”

“You really want to know? Okay, something is…wrong. There’s something…else out there. Something far worse. I don’t know what it is, and I didn’t see it. I felt it. I felt it all around me in the woods. It felt like one thing, but it could have been a bunch of little things. Whatever it is, it’s not a wolf, it’s not about that, and it’s freaking dark, man. I’ve not felt that kind of fear since, well, ever. It was like Jason or Freddy Krueger was standing right behind me, and I couldn’t do anything at all about it. I walked back to the house, and every fiber in me told me to run. I couldn’t, or I would have. I couldn’t go much faster than a slow jog. I tried. It was like the entire world was holding me back. I got out of the woods, bent down to catch my breath, and puked. Not from exertion but fear. I still taste copper. I’m freaking terrified, man. Terrified and cold. It’s like it sucked out all the goodness and left me feeling an empty, cold husk. I don’t know what to do. And the worst part is, I’m not the only one here. We all have to face this thing.” Mikel began to shake. He dropped the shrimp pan onto the stove and put his hands over his face. Seth moved the pan off the heat and tried to comfort his friend.

“We’ll make it through, man. We have to. If we don’t, here’s hoping it’s at least quick.” Seth tried his best to sound lighthearted.

#

The music was loud but not loud enough to drown out the sound of a knock at the front door. It was more of a pounding. Sal jumped up from the couch, all signs of a hangover gone. Julie was right there with him. He picked up a rifle in the hallway just as Mikel and Seth came out of the kitchen, both equally armed.

Julie was carrying the shotgun, prepared to bring down anything that got in her way. Mikel switched off the interior lights before entering the front room, only leaving the porch lights on. Standing at the edge of the light’s reach was a werewolf. It was at least ten feet tall and glared at them, watching them approach the front door as easily in the dark as in the light.

Sal opened the door and hollered at it to leave them alone. Julie looked around the porch and saw a basket filled with baby care products. Diapers, formula, and some toys were placed in a basket, along with medications for babies and everything else one might need to take care of Hope. She walked out without looking at the wolf, picked up the basket, and returned to the front room.

Sal shut the door, and the group went back to the living room in the back of the house. Julie set the basket on a table, and everyone started removing items. Sal pulled out a rather thick-looking baby blanket and exclaimed in surprise about its weight. He started unfolding it.

Byron’s severed right hand and one of his eyeballs fell out of the blanket onto the floor.

#