Stories To Be

The Lost Song broke the 15,000 word mark! Woo hoo!

Just felt like sharing. :)

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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This takes place three days after the last scene (when Nathaniel and Rosemary met).

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Orion loved basketball. It wasn't so much the game itself, as it was the activity of playing. The testing of the combination of skill and instinct in an individual against others. Which in basketball is heightened due to the fast pace of the game, and made things all the more exciting in Orion's opinion. And then of course there was the winning. Orion always won at sports. Which, while he quite enjoyed bettering others, was part of the reason his love for sports lay more in the playing of them. Football, soccer, hockey, really any sport that pitted people against each other. He especially liked hockey, because hockey had the highest threshold for violence. Not that Orion thought he was violent, but he was always aggressive when he played something. After all, why bother playing if you're not going to do your best? But apparently most people considered him too rough when it came to contact sports. Which was why Orion had been banned from every basketball game in town. Even pick-up and street players knew him and his style of game and refused to let him play anymore.

So now Orion practiced on his own. It wasn't the same as playing a game, but it kept his skills from fading. He did shooting and dribbling drills. He'd work on passing to himself off of walls. The most fun lay in pretending he was facing off against his favorite NBA players and figuring out how to win against them. Sometimes he would even narrate aloud to himself as he practiced, simulating game conditions as best he could.

Today he was on the court practicing fancy moves. He could dribble between his legs without thinking about it anymore, while he was moving. But he still had to pay attention to his own motions when standing in one spot trying to keep the ball away from a grabby opponent. That just wasn't acceptable to him. He needed to be able to look around the court and judge what was going on without having to worry about the ball in his hands against a good ball stealer. The best way to do that was to constantly keep in motion. Right foot forward, bounce from left hand to right between the legs. Switch feet so the left is forward, bounce from right hand to left between the legs. Keep the feet and body moving, but the ball in the same place and protected. In theory it was easy enough, but in reality it was more art than science. Plus, any good player would be able to recognize a repetitive set of motions and adjust to them. He had to be able to throw in a stutter step every once in a while, or move the ball around the outside of his leg as he switched feet position. He had to be able to keep changing it up, without concentrating. That last bit was what kept tripping him up.

He caught the ball from its last bounce, and stood up straight for a quick stretch. Then he walked over to the sideline where he had left his bag to get a drink before starting up again. He didn't have much time before others would come and kick him off the court. It was a public city court, no way to reserve it for anything, and street rules were the group with the most people got to play. Unless there was a game in progress, in which case the group got to play next. As one person he wasn't actually playing a game, therefore any group could come take the court from him. So he had skipped class today to get some serious practice time in. Most everyone else was still in school, making the competition for courts quite small for the time being. Still, there had been enough kids out that the best court he could find was this old one. The baskets had chain nets that weren't fully connected, and the backboards were cracked. The one concrete wall the court had was covered with graffiti, though the building behind the wall was stable enough. And the ground was still even and smooth, which made the court decent despite its appearance. The other three sides were standard chain link fences, with a door sized hole in one of them.

As he turned back from his bag to face the court again, he saw a girl standing behind the fence wall with one hand rested in a chain hole. She was a blonde bombshell, and she was obviously watching him. He grinned at her. She smiled back. He put down his water, and picked up the basketball. With four long strides towards the basket to get up to speed, he pushed himself off the ground, stretched his arms as long as they would go, and slammed the ball through the rim. Before he could fall back to the ground, he grabbed the rim and swung from it. He looked back towards the girl and winked, then let go and landed on his feet. She blushed slightly and giggled.

Orion quickly retrieved the ball, and showed off a little more with some fancy dribbling and foot work. The girl laughed and clapped. He finished with a fast-break towards the basket that ended in a 360 turn followed by a hook-shot instead of the simple standard lay up. The girl cheered and clapped some more. Orion took a quick bow, then trotted over to her.

"Hi there, I'm Orion," he introduced himself, then grinned.

"Rosemary," she happily replied. "Can I play?"

The question surprised Orion, but after a second he recovered. "Uh, sure," he answered with a shrug. It wouldn't be real playing, but he didn't mind if it meant he got to run around a bit with her.

She grinned and walked around into the court.

"Do you know how?" Orion ventured, wondering if he'd have to teach her the basics.

She walked right up to him, took the ball out of his hands, turned and shot the ball at the closest basket. And it went in. "Nothing but net," she commented with a sly smile.

Orion nodded slowly. Her form had been perfect. Shooting form that was. "Alright then," was all he could think of to say. "Let's play."

Rosemary ran over to the ball and picked it up. While she did, Orion noticed a man walk to the doorway to the court and look at Rosemary. When she reached down and starting taking off her heels, the man crossed his arms and frowned. Orion started to move towards Rosemary, just in case.

"Miss Delacourt," the man called to her with a displeased edge to his voice.

"Oh Jacob!" she responded, looking up at him with a smile, "There you are." On finding they knew each other, and Rosemary not sounding at all threatened by the man, Orion relaxed. Rosemary walked over to Jacob and held out her shoes to him. "Don't look at me like that. I'll only play for a couple minutes, then we can go."

Jacob clearly wasn't happy with the deal, but he took the shoes. Rosemary then handed over her purse to him. He accepted that as well and moved to lean against the fence wall to wait.

Rosemary headed to the center of the court and passed the ball to Orion. "Half court?"

"Sure. First to three shots, since you have to leave soon?" Orion asked, tipping his head towards Jacob.

"Oh don't worry about him," she said with a wave of her hand. With her other hand she hiked the skirt part of her dress up to her knee and held it there so she'd be able to do more than only walk. "Besides, three shots wouldn't be much of a game. How about seven?"

Orion grinned. "No, it wouldn't be much of a game," he agreed, mentally adding to himself, Since I can do that in a minute.

They took up positions, and Orion passed the ball back to her. "You start." Should give her a chance to shoot before I win, he reasoned with himself.

She shrugged, and started dribbling with her free hand. Orion crouched slightly to a defensive stance, and moved along side her. When she faked to her right, he didn't fall for it, and slid right up next to her as she moved to the left. Much to his surprise, she had faked left as well. Instead of moving into his block, she stepped around his left leg with her left leg and with her next step was past him on her way to the basket. He tried to turn to keep up with her, but as he moved his left leg to step backwards he hit it against hers and tumbled backwards to the ground. Rosemary stumbled slightly, but caught herself before she fell, and proceeded for an easy lay up.

She caught the ball on its way back down from the net, turned and smiled at Orion. "That's one."

Orion set his jaw, and snorted. I'll never underestimate someone based on looks again, he admonished himself. As he pulled himself off the ground, Rosemary jogged back to the starting position. "Okay, okay," he said, in an attempt to regain some dignity. "I see we're playing for real."

"Of course!" she replied.

He fell into a full defensive stance. No more showing off, no more messing around. She was no longer a pretty girl, she was his opponent. "Then you better fix your skirt in place, 'cause you're going to need both hands."

She nodded and fetched a few pins out of her purse. After her dress was in place she returned to the court.

They played hard for several minutes. Full contact, hip checking, foot stepping, elbowing basketball. Orion was only careful enough to not use his full strength unless both his hands were firmly on the ball and not her. Each one of them hit the ground more than once. Rosemary's strength was her quickness. Once Orion realized she had a hard time shooting from the outside, he was able pull ahead in the game. But he couldn't shut her down because every few times she managed to slip by him.

When the score was six to four in favor of Orion, he was so anxious to finish the game he stopped focusing on anything else. Rosemary passed him the ball to start the play. He judged the distance to the basket, her stance, and the distance between him and her. He started dribbling and heading for the basket. When she moved to block him, he stepped into her and charged on through. A few steps, and he found himself free at the basket. A quick lay up won him the game.

Orion turned around with a triumphant smile. "Seven!" he proclaimed. But his victory didn't last beyond that.

Rosemary was sitting on the ground looking slightly disoriented. Jacob was by her side holding her arm as if he wanted to help her up. He flashed Orion a nasty look, then turned a concerned one back to Rosemary.

"Oh man," Orion said and hurry over. "Are you alright? I'm sorry. I just-"

Rosemary waved her free hand at him. "No no, it's okay. He's just mad 'cause I tore my dress and Daddy likely won't believe the story."

Orion looked quickly from the tear to Jacob to Rosemary. "That's it?" he asked dubiously.

Jacob shook his head. "No, it's not. You hit your head Miss Delacourt. Come on, I'm taking you to a doctor."

"Jacob, please!" she protested. "I'm fine. It's only a little bump. Just... take me to the hotel."

Jacob frowned, but nodded. It was clear to Orion this man didn't actually have any control over Rosemary, no matter how much he tried to assert some.

"Hey, I'm sorry," Orion said again.

Rosemary looked at him, and smiled. "No worries. It was just part of the game. Congratulations by the way."

He smiled slightly, feeling a little better that she truly seemed alright, and that she understood. "Thanks. Any time you want a rematch," he shrugged. "Well, I'm around."

"That'd be fun," she replied.

Orion and Jacob helped her to her feet. She flashed another smile at Orion. "Don't worry! I'm fine. Thanks for the great game! I haven't gotten to play like that since... well I don't remember but I bet it's been a while!"

He smiled back, more assured this time. "Okay. Thank you, Rosemary."

"And you!"

With one last smile from her to Orion, Jacob escorted Rosemary off the court and away.

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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This is the first scene in chapter one. It takes place umpteen years after Rosemary's birth.

I'm gonna need some male perspective on this one, to make sure I got it right enough.

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It was what Nathaniel considered a perfect day. Comfortable temperature, not quite T-shirt and shorts weather, but warm enough for the girls to be wearing cute outfits that showed just enough. A slight breeze carrying nearby smells through the air, both the pleasant scent of blooming flowers and the fun fragrance of passing perfume. The sun peeking out from behind big fluffy clouds. And the park full of the sounds of happiness from children, animals, and adults alike.

He was sitting on one side of a stone bench just large enough for two, sideways so his feet dangled over the other edge. His laptop rested on his legs while his eyes wandered over the park. It was too nice a day to be thinking so hard. But as much as he wanted to run around and play, he also wanted to solve the most recent puzzle on his mind. Could the beliefs of creation and evolution both be right? Could they co-exist? More importantly, if they could he wanted to know how. And if they could not, he wanted to know why not.

Surely there was something somewhere in one that disproved the other, or that explained the other. So far he had concluded that the biggest flaw in evolution was did not account for what started it all. He did very much like evolution because for every question of "but where did that come from?" or "but how did that happen?' there was an answer, all they way back to things that wouldn't be considered life but only the building blocks of life and even before that. And Nathaniel was all about answers. He always wanted to know Why. But where evolution satisfied his thirst for answers at nearly every turn, it failed to answer the all important first question. Where did everything come from? For example, if there had been a Big Bang that started everything in motion, what caused it and where did all the energy and matter that was involved come from? And what made all the laws of physics and nature they way they are? Why, why, why?

On the other hand, creation had a very simple and elegant answer to the all important first question. God. Nathaniel was not enough of a scientist to dismiss outright things he could not see or measure. Especially when so many things had no answers. He didn't believe coincidences were just that either, somewhere inside he felt everything had some meaning no matter how small. Which is all the more reason he wanted to know what those reasons were. But it also seemed to him people used God too much as an excuse for things they didn't want to know or for things they wanted to blindly believe.

Then again, he had discovered many times over most people were much more comfortable being ignorant of everything going on in the world around them. And he couldn't fault them for that, sometimes it was just nicer not to know about the atrocities that went on. But that also meant not knowing about all the other stuff, and Nathaniel simply couldn't live like that.

Couldn't God have created evolution? After all, when a concept for something great occurred when had the concept ever been brought into reality immediately as the end result? Never, as far as Nathaniel had found. Every great concept always began as something much smaller and was built up to its envisioned form. It only made sense humanity would be the same.

Nathaniel looked up from the research on the screen in front of him, up towards the crystal blue sky spattered with white. So much information to go through. So much nature to enjoy. He was quite thankful for the invention of the laptop and the wireless internet that allowed him to indulge in both his favorite activities at the same time! When temperatures were not at their extremes, he much preferred to be outside doing anything.

"Look out, Mister!"

Nathaniel turned in time to get hit in the shoulder by a large ball. It was one of the red rubber playground kinds, sturdy enough to make his arm smart but not enough to do any real damage. A kid about ten years old came running after it, catching it as it bounced low to the ground back towards him. Behind him two other children stood watching.

"Sorry!" one of them yelled to Nathaniel.

Nathaniel rubbed his arm for a second to be sure it was going to be fine, then waved at the children to indicate all was forgiven.

He took a few moments to look around at the people in the park. People watching was interesting too, as another form of gathering information, but not one Nathaniel was particularly good at. Especially when a person looked like that!

She was all that. Nathaniel found he couldn't look away. Long curly blonde hair that shined in the sun and bounced with every step she took. Flawlessly smooth skin like a porcelain doll, but the color of lightly roasted peanuts or a perfect tan. A true hour glass shaped figure, bust and hips created curves every which way she turned. Strong long legs that kept going up and up. Heels high enough to show off her ankles and make her walk in that way that drives men nuts. All of which was nicely displayed by the dress that flared slightly at the thigh and form fit all the way to the neck without seeming to cling anywhere.

She looked to be his age too. And she was the perfect height as well, just short enough that she needed heels but not so short that even in heels you looked down on her. When she momentarily turned his way to flash a smile at someone, his heart jumped. Her eyes were as blue as the sky above them today, with a sparkle of life in them he had seldom seen in anyone over five years old. He didn't care she was way out of his league, he wanted to meet her. He wanted to talk to her. He wanted...

...to not suddenly be at a loss for words as the girl passed him by.

Nathaniel watched with a sinking heart as she walked away. With every step she took his disappointment grew. He desperately wanted to call after her, to go after her, but he couldn't find the courage.

And then, as her purse swayed with her walk, something slipped from the corner and fell almost soundlessly on the grass. Nathaniel's eyes locked on it. Just as quickly as his hopes jumped he bolted from the bench, not even thinking to take care for his laptop, which dropped forgotten to the ground. All that mattered in this moment was the object she had lost.

On reaching the item he found it to be a small mirror. It didn't really matter to Nathaniel. He said a silent Thank You to whomever was listening as he picked it up. Then he took a deep breath, and quickly jogged up behind girl.

He reached out to tap her on the shoulder, but at the last moment couldn't bring himself to mess up the vision that she was. He was sure he would do so if he touched her. "Um, excuse me?" he said instead to get her attention.

She turned around, and they both stopped walking. On seeing it was indeed her attention that was being sought, she gave him an inquisitive look. With her eyes now actually on him, Nathaniel lost all memory of what was going on and merely looked back at her. She was beautiful and mysterious, and paying attention to him! Why was that again? Oh right, he had her make up thingy. He was about to offer it to her when she spoke.

"Yes?" she prompted him.

Nathaniel lost all ability to think in that moment. Her voice was soft and angelic, like the most pleasant song. He loved the sound, and simply wanted to hear more.

"Do I know you?" the girl asked after a moment of silence had passed.

Her question made Nathaniel jump slightly as he came back to the world. "Oh, um, uh," he fumbled for words while his mind worked as fast as it could to understand her question and seek out the answer. "I mean. No," he smiled to try and cover for the awkward moment. "I don't believe we've met before," he finally managed to say and sound coherent.

She nodded, but pulled her purse into a more secure position as she looked around. "Can I... help you with something?" she offered hesitantly.

Suddenly Nathaniel found he was very nervous. He hadn't meant to scare her. He didn't want her to think he was dangerous, or some sort of weirdo. Not that he had done such a great job of proving otherwise thus far. Good going, he chided himself as he started fidgeting with the object in his hands. Just get yourself out of this!

"Um, no, um...." He looked down at his hands, and seeing the mirror remembered why he was in this position in the first place. "Oh, here. You dropped this." He held it out to her.

The girl's attitude changed abruptly when she saw the mirror. She smiled sweetly at Nathaniel. "Thank you," she said. As she took it, her hand gently touched his. But he didn't notice.

She's smiling at me!

The girl tucked her mirror securely back into her purse, gave Nathaniel a parting smile, and turned to walk away. That Nathaniel did notice.

"Wait!" he called after her. She turned half way back towards him with an expectant look, but kept walking. He only hesitated slightly, this time knowing what he wanted. "What's your name?"

She giggled slightly. "Rosemary!" she called over her shoulder, then turned again and headed out of the park.

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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Argh! The recollection/revelation that Arthur is Annette's Uncle is causing story issues. Either I have to break that relationship - which I don't particularly want to do because it is the best support of reason for Rosemary being taken into the werewolf community before she first changes into one - or I have to make a significant change elsewhere.

The option I'm leaning the most towards is making Arthur wolf-blooded instead of a werewolf. In Rosemary's original character history that's what her father was. I made him a werewolf for this story because at the time it was a better concept for what I was writing for the contest. But I like how it's been working out so far.... Argh!

If I leave Arthur a werewolf, then I think for this story I have to make it he who Rosemary watches get killed on "The Night". But then that likely ruins the reason she so willingly accepts Jonathan as her new caretaker/mentor (a scene I have yet to post here). If she's taken under the wing by a non-family member as a child, one specific person teaching and guiding her for most of her life, then when that person is killed it's natural to look for another to fill that place in her life. And it is crucial Rosemary accepts and trusts Jonathan.

If I leave in the mentor (HHH/Alpha), then what's the reason he takes over looking after Rosemary's growth and education in the werewolf community when her own father is a werewolf?

*sighs* Any advice?

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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It's to the point where I need to start keeping track of characters. Which probably means y'all reading need this are more confused on some people than I! (Has anyone noticed yet when I don't have a name for a character I just pick a letter and repeast it three times as a name?)

So I've done up a list of who's who so far. Obviously this will grow and change as the story goes on. If you have any name suggestions, have an idea on how to flesh out a character, or even just want a character named after you, let me know!

Delacourt Family
Annette -	Werewolf, Deceased, Niece of Arthur, female
Arthur -	Werewolf, Husband of Belle, Uncle of Annette, male
Belle -	Human, Wolf-blooded, Wife of Arthur, female
Rosemary -	(Unknown), Eldest daughter of Arthur and Belle, female
Annabelle -	Human, Wolf-blooded, Youngest daughter of Arthur and Belle, female
Rose's Thorn
Melinda -	Werewolf, Alpha, Strategist - Gibbous Moon, female
Orion -	Werewolf, Beta - Half Moon, male
Nathaniel -	Werewolf, Occultist - Crescent Moon, male
Katrin -	Werewolf, Quiet, Youngest, LFL - Half Moon, female
XXX -	Werewolf, Medically adept - Crescent Moon, male
??? (Neighboring Pack)
YYY -	Werewolf, Alpha, male
(1)	Werewolf
(2)	Werewolf
Other New England People
Alpha -	Werewolf, Arthur and Annette's alpha, male
Other Colorado People
Doomwise -	Werewolf, Powerful Oracle, female
(Have to decide location of The Night)
HHH -	Werewolf, Rosemary's "Father"/Mentor, possibly New England Alpha, male
?	Werewolf, Thanks new werewolves, amused, male
?	Werewolf, Thanks new werewolves, unamused, female
AAA -	Werewolf, Guidance for the new werewolves, female
BBB -	Werewolf, Some leadership position, Doubtful of the new pack, male
(3) -	Werewolf, female

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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{This takes place immediately after Rosemary's birth}

By noon the next day rumors were circulating in the Uratha world. The coincidence of Annette's death followed by Rosemary's birth, of the timing and appearance of the eclipses during their births, and of Rosemary being Wolf-blooded, none of it was lost on the werewolves. Quite a bit of attention was turned the baby's way during the next few weeks, everyone hopeful she may have been sent to pick up the mantle of Annette. Letters and gifts welcoming the baby and wishing her blessings in her future swarmed the family. But locally no action was taken on the birth for a while, Arthur's pack and the local members of the lodge spent quite a lot of time grieving Annette's death.

Eventually Arthur's Alpha could no longer ignore the swirling hypotheses centered on one technically in his care. He knew it wouldn't be long before the pressure started for official answers from him, or at least on his behalf. Not knowing where to start looking for those answers, he called on Arthur to arrange for a visit with the child.

Belle was all a-twitter the day the Alpha was coming to meet Rosemary. She constantly moved about the house arranging and re-arranging everything light enough for her to move, fretting over every detail. Her friends had already helped her clean everything spotless, but she still worried.

Arthur rolled his head and closed his eyes. His wife's incessant movements were wearing on him. He was amazed someone could be so active only a couple weeks after giving birth. "Honey!" he pleaded. "Trust me. My Alpha is only coming to see Rosemary. He won't even notice the house!"

"How do I know that?!" she replied, her voice high with anxiety. "He didn't get to where he is by not paying attention to details!"

Arthur sighed. Before he could reply, the doorbell rang.

"That's him!" Belle gasped. She dashed off to the nursery.

Arthur shook his head slightly as he stood and went to the door, half smirking at Belle's reactions on the way. Silently he hoped she wouldn't freeze up. His Alpha's presence tended to intimidate, and add to that the instinctive fear reaction of humans when in the presence of werewolves, he wasn't sure her being used to her husband being a werewolf would be enough.

Arthur was surprised to see more people than he expected on the other side of the door. Accompanying his Alpha was the pack's record keeper, the lodge's local representative, and someone Arthur didn't recognize. Arthur greeted his Alpha with respect, then gestured inside. "Please, come in," he said to them all.

The Alpha nodded. He took only enough steps for the three behind him to enter as well.

"You don't have to dwell in the entryway," Belle's soft voice informed the group, sounding quite the contrast from a minute before. Arthur turned to see his wife cradling his daughter in her arms. She gazed peacefully on the baby, gently swaying from side to side. Ever since her birth, Rosemary had demonstrated a calming effect on any one who held her. Arthur still wondered if that was an effect every baby had or if it was a gift unique to his own.

"We won't be long," the Alpha explained, "and we don't want to be an imposition."

"Nonsense," Belle replied, and turned towards the living room. "You came to visit. Come in, sit down," she said as she walked away.

The five werewolves followed her into the next room. Arthur indicated seats for the other four, then took up a position by his wife who had sat down in the rocking chair and was slowly moving back and forth for Rosemary's sake.

"Now," Belle said with a smile, "what can we do for you?"

"I apologize for taking so long to pay my respects," the Alpha started with. "I've...," he glanced in the direction of the representative from the lodge, effectively the one taking Annette's place, "been busy."

"No need to," Belle replied with sympathy in her voice. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," the Alpha replied. He gestured towards Rosemary. "And congratulations to you both."

Belle beamed, Arthur nodded. "Thank you," they said together.

"Speaking of the baby," the representative prompted.

"Yes, yes," the Alpha replied. He motioned for the one Arthur did not know to rise. "This is Mordred Pathfinder, a talented seer," he gave as an introduction.

Belle frowned slightly, but otherwise her demeanor did not change enough for Arthur to determine what she was thinking. Mordred stood and bowed his head slightly.

"Because of the circumstances," Arthur observed aloud.

"Yes," Mordred and the Alpha replied.

Arthur sensed Belle tense up next to him, and placed a hand on her shoulder to ease her.

"My child," she whispered under her breath.

"We just wish to know what her future holds," the Alpha stated the obvious at the same time.

"Nothing will happen to her," Mordred assured Belle as he approached her and Rosemary. "I simply need to hold her."

"No," Belle answered with as much authority as she could muster.

"Arthur," the Alpha ordered.

Arthur nodded and gestured for Mordred to continue.


Belle narrowed her eyes at Mordred. She watched him step up to her chair, only moving enough to keep her eyes trained on him. Once it was clear Belle was not going to hand the baby up to him, Arthur leaned over and took Rosemary from Belle. He hesitated a moment, knowing form his wife's look at him he would pay for this later. But he turned Rosemary over to Mordred as was his duty.

Mordred held her carefully in one arm. For the next several moments he slowly waved his other hand over her. While he was doing so, Rosemary woke. At first she just followed the motion of his hand. When she started making soft noises and seemingly gestured to grab his hand, Belle jumped up from her chair.

"She's hungry."

Arthur tightened his grip on Belle's shoulder, holding her back from Mordred.

Belle started to vocalize her protest, but was cut off when one of Rosemary's small flailings managed to connect with Mordred's moving hand. A popping sound occurred and a spirit appeared, surprising everyone. It took the form of a little silver bird and alighted on Mordred's hand. As Rosemary coo-ed at the shiny form the bird looked down on her.

"An avatar spirit," Mordred very quietly informed the room with a touch of awe.

"Yes, she has a destiny," the bird chirped, the words sounding much like a tin bell ringing. "Many found and many lost. Hers is to save the future generation." With that proclamation the spirit disappeared, accompanied by another popping sound.

Belle reacted first, grabbing Rosemary away from Mordred while the werewolves pondered the message. Her action surprised the rest, causing everyone to jump and react.

Thankfully Mordred's reaction was to take a step back. Arthur had the benefit of having felt his wife pull away from him, and so managed to get between Belle and the rest before anything violent had a chance of occurring. All the sudden commotion scared Rosemary, who began to cry.

"Now see what you've done!" Belle accused.

Arthur reached behind himself and placed his hand on Belle. "You have what came for, yes?" he asked bluntly of those before him.

"For now," the representative began to say.

"Yes," the Alpha answered firmly over the representative. "We'll talk more later."

Arthur nodded. He looked to Belle, making sure she was alright for the moment. She was intentionally ignoring everyone else and trying to quiet Rosemary. So he saw the other werewolves to the door. When he returned to the living room, he expected to be facing a fight. Instead he saw tears.

"Belle..."

"She's my child," Belle protested weakly. "They can't have her."

Arthur wrapped his arms around her. "You knew it was possible any child of ours would grow to be Uratha," he reminded her, not understanding her sudden change of heart. "You were okay with it."

"Yes, but this is different. Don't you hear it? Can't you see what's in their eyes? They're going to take her away," she lamented. "Losing my baby when she's a teenager to your world isn't the same as losing her while she's a baby!"

Arthur held Belle as tight as he dared. He didn't have a reply. He honestly did not know what the pack or lodge would do with the spirit's prophesy for Rosemary. He knew word of it would spread as rapidly as the rumors surrounding her birth had. Which meant he expected they wouldn't have to wait long to find out what would happen.

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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Two of my friends have asked me to continue with the WoD story. Thank you both, because of you I intend to do so.

I'm going to change things up a bit from how I was doing this before I think. Now that I'm not beholden to the contest, I feel free to do whatever I want with the story and it's characters! I can do more with Rosemary, I can change Doomwise's purpose in the story, I can go more esoteric with events.

I'm planning to start from the beginning this time in posting scenes. And, if you noticed, I've decided to name the story "The Lost Song". It has meanings on different levels for me, plus I simply like it.

I likely won't get the chance to write until Sunday at the earliest, maybe even later than that. But I do intend to write more. In the meantime there should be a reorg of the story's page.

Also, would people prefer I put scenes in posts as I have been doing, or only link to them and post that there is a new scene to go read and what the link is (so that posts aren't loooong)?

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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Well, I shouldn't have given up all that sleep. I didn't make round two of the contest. Lots of work, no payoff. (Not as much work as I would have liked, but I guess now that's a good thing). Oh well, such is life. I can't always get what I want. At least I got some good writing in.

Labels: The Lost Song

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I started rewriting the third section of the opening sequence to make it better. Here's what I've got so far:

---

This night, exactly nineteen years to the hour after the eclipse that Annette had been born under, another eclipse began. Which wasn't too strange since Lunar eclipses occur every six months around the world. At first no one paid it much mind, for there was too much else going on. Arthur took his wife's hand and tried everything he could think of to help her through the pain. Doomwise pondered through her vision, trying to find some significance beyond just a vision of coming death and destruction. However, as the pack reached the lake to begin their hunt in earnest and Belle's contractions escalated, this December 30th eclipse turned as peculiarly dark and red as its "twin" nineteen years before.

Just as the Moon was emerging from totality, Belle gave birth. It was immediately obvious to Arthur the blood of werewolves ran strong through the new baby girl. The happy new parents named her Rosemary, meaning "Bane of Evil." Everyone present rejoiced, and announcements to family and friends were made.

By noon that day rumors were circulating in the Uratha world. The coincidence of Annette's death followed by Rosemary's birth, the timing and appearance of the eclipses during their births, and Rosemary being Wolf-blooded, none of it was lost on the werewolves. Quite a bit of attention was turned the baby's way during the next few days, everyone hopeful she may have been sent to pick up the mantle of Annette. Soon the closest seer was sent for to confirm or deny the hopes. After spending many minutes with the baby, the seer indeed proclaimed Rosemary would be the salvation of the lodge.

Eventually the news reached Doomwise's ears. To her there was another layer of coincidence, considering that same night had been the one of her most recent vision. She felt there was a connection, and had a need to know what it was. So she put aside her day to day responsibilities for a while to make the trip to visit the new baby.

Because of how long it took word to reach her, by the time she arrived Rosemary was several days old.

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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"Annette is dead."

The messenger's voice carried easily through the cold night air in the mountains where werewolves gathered. Without a cloud in sight, the full Moon brilliantly lit up the sky. The messenger stopped running when he reached the edge of the clearing and looked around. Heads turned towards him, everyone falling silent in surprise. One belonged to the man he was looking for. "Annette is dead," he reiterated to the Alpha.

"What?" the Alpha asked. He stood abruptly and walked over to the messenger, becoming more angry with each step. "How!" he demanded to know.

"I do not know," the messenger replied. He was panting lightly, indicating the run had been a long one. "We found her body floating in a lake about an hour ago."

Whispering began amongst the others present. "What will we do?" "Who will keep the peace?" "Will we be able to stand them without her?" "How will we know who to trust?" were questions asked between the statements of what a tragedy this was.

There was no doubt in the Alpha's mind this signaled hard times ahead, not only for his pack but for the whole lodge. Annette was usually a key figure in dealings with the other lodges and with non-werewolves. Her loss would be felt by many. On a personal level as well, for she had one of those genuine personalities that made everyone she called friend love her, and everyone else want her to call them friend.

The Alpha leaned back and howled a long mournful wail. Others joined in, their voices lifting high into the night a chorus of loss. When the last howl drifted off, the Alpha gathered his pack.

"We are going to hunt! If it takes all night, or longer, we will hunt down who killed our packmate and make them pay," he announced. He balled one of his hands and slammed the fist into his other hand. "There will be time enough to mourn later. We must act before the trail is cold!" Then he turned to the messenger. "Lead us to the lake."

Everyone leapt to their feet and rallied themselves for the hunt. Many shifted into {wolf form} in anticipation. The group was quickly organized. But as it began to head out a call was heard, immediately followed by a faint cry of pain from a farther source.

"Arthur! Come quick!" the call said.

Arthur turned from his position in the pack at the sound of the urgency with which his name had been spoken. But a stern look from the Alpha kept him from moving any further.

A human came into view. He stopped abruptly at the sight of all the werewolves staring at him. It was a moment before he gathered himself enough to continue on his mission and looked around. "Arthur!" he exclaimed again as his eyes found who he was seeking. "Your wife! She's in labor!" he explained with wild gestures. "Come on, man, come on! Belle's in labor! She's calling for you!"


Arthur looked to the Alpha. He nodded permission for Arthur to go to his wife instead of with the hunt.

As the pack took off in one direction following the messenger, and Arthur and his human messenger in the other, the slightest sliver of a shadow darkened one edge of the moon. An eclipse had begun.

---

Doomwise's eyes snapped open. Disorientation took hold for a few moments as she struggled to understand where she was. Then she began to feel as well as see. Instantly she knew these were not her eyes, what she felt was not what it felt like to be in her own body. Especially since she felt pain!

She blinked a few times to clear her vision. But when she tried to look down at herself she wasn't allowed. Apparently the dream had something specific it wanted to show her.

All around her there was intense fighting. She could see it and hear it. Werewolves locked in deadly combat, one already dead at her feet, many more littering the battle field. She couldn't tell what the reason was, but she knew she was on the losing side.

There were screams and howls and yelps, all downing out words not meant for her to hear. No matter how much she blinked or wiped her eyes, blood blurred her vision. There was even lightning crackling and flashing about to add to the confusion. Everything worked together to keep her from identifying the enemy. But as she looked around she could get pockets of clarity.

First she saw a locus, an evidently powerful locus. It was being drained while the battle raged nearby. At that moment she knew the battle was not only for survival, but also to defend or steal the locus. Only she wasn't able to identify by whom. So she looked on.

Surprisingly, in one area she saw humans fighting as well as werewolves. They appeared to be defending themselves while attempting to retrieve a fallen comrade.

The view in another area was of several werewolves trapped by some sort of barrier restraint. They were angry and fiending to help the well outnumbered side. But each time one of them tried to break through the barrier, that one was thrown helpless to the ground by a jolt of energy.

Then a flash of reflected moonlight caught her eye. She turned to see a blade raised high with expected triumph. Then she saw two, then three. The owners of the blades grinned with sadistic glee at their already badly wounded target. He valiantly lifted his arm and blocked one of the attacks, but the other two struck true, one through his chest the other his back. They pulled their weapons out, and the body of the now dead werewolf slipped to the ground.

Suddenly an unearthly cry erupted from behind her, and Doomwise found herself shocked awake.

She stumbled to her window, committing every detail of the vision she had just had to memory. Once she was sure she would not be forgetting any of it, she looked up to Luna for comfort. She hated her visions. Most regarded them as a gift, for Doomwise was as powerful a seer as her mother had been. But she considered her so called gift a curse. Still, she would continue to bare the responsibility of her ability, and forewarn all who would listen.

As she calmed herself in the moonlight, she noticed the Moon's profile had changed ever so slightly from being full. (Must be an eclipse,) she realized.

---

This night, exactly nineteen years to the hour after the eclipse that Annette had been born under, another eclipse began, which isn't too strange since Lunar eclipses occur every six months. However, this December 30th eclipse was as peculiarly dark and red as its "twin" nineteen years before.

Just as the Moon was emerging from totality, Belle gave birth. It was immediately obvious to Arthur the blood of werewolves ran strong through the new baby girl. The happy new parents named her Rosemary, meaning "Bane of Evil." Everyone present rejoiced, and announcements to friends were made.

By noon that day rumors were circulating in the Uratha world. The coincidence of Annette's death followed by Rosemary's birth, the timing and appearance of the two eclipses, and Rosemary being Wolf-blooded, none of it was lost on the werewolves. Quite a bit of attention was turned the baby's way, everyone hopeful she may have been sent to pick up the mantle of Annette. Soon the closest seer was sent for to confirm or deny the hopes. After spending many minutes with the baby, the seer indeed proclaims Rosemary will be the salvation of the lodge.

Eventually the news reached Doomwise's ears. To her there was another layer of coincidence, because that same night had been the one of her most recent vision. She felt a need to know if there really was a connection, and what it was. So she made the trip to visit the new baby.

Including how long it took word to reach her, by the time she arrived Rosemary was several days old. Doomwise was greeted by Arthur, who seemed nervous at her arrival. That wasn't new to Doomwise, because of her accuracy in predicting disaster and death most people where afraid of her when the issue somehow pertained to them. But he willingly escorted her to Belle and the baby.

It was obvious in the look in Belle's eyes that Doomwise's reputation preceded her with the Wolf-blooded as well as werewolves. At first Belle refused to let Doomwise near her child. Arthur had to spend half an hour and much effort convincing his wife it was best for them to know whatever Doomwise had to tell them. Finally Belle begrudgingly agreed, so long as she held the baby. Doomwise didn't believe she'd need any more than to be able to touch Rosemary. She was proven right when she reached out and gently made contact with the baby's head.

Suddenly she was back in the vision of the battle for the locus. Her eyes opened to the same scene of combat and death as before. Only this time she had a different perspective. She quickly realized she was seeing things as Rosemary as a teenager. She was crying over a fallen werewolf, whom Doomwise knew from Rosemary had been the local pack's Alpha and Rosemary's mentor and father figure. Looking up, she saw there were young werewolves circling her protectively. The young werewolves dispersed towards the woods and the werewolves threatening her turned away. She stood up, and backed away from the fallen werewolf she was mourning over. Then Doomwise felt Rosemary begin to change. In that moment she also heard the same unearthly cry from her previous vision, only this time it sounded like it came from all around her. As before, she was jolted awake by it before being able to determine anything more.

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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"NO!" she cried out, hoping vainly that simple act would stop them. It didn't. HHH was struck by their blades. His body fell limp to the ground, torn and bent in all the wrong places. Rosemary inhaled as deeply as her lungs would allow, her whole body shaking as sorrow took its hold. But when she opened her mouth to scream what emerged was much more: it was the sound of her soul crying out.

Everyone present felt Rosemary's cry as well as heard it, and for a brief moment each felt her pain. The humans felt compelled to pause a moment out of respect for the loss of something so great it had created such emotion. The werewolves felt compelled to seek and rip apart whomever had caused such a tragedy as could make a creature create that sound. Almost instantaneously all eyes were on the two who had just killed HHH, staring with hate. The two were looking at each other the same way. Both were dead before Rosemary stopped screaming.

Rosemary fell to the ground in exhaustion and tears. For a brief second there was silence, then everyone remembered what was going on and why they were there. The battle resumed where it had left off, but with renewed intensity. All the werewolves knew Rosemary's cry was going to bring every werewolf who heard it to her aid. There would be a very limited time before those reinforcements arrived, and it was anyone's guess as to which side would arrive first, or if those who came even cared about sides.

The cry carried for miles. To most it sounded like it came from just a few feet away. But when they turned to see what was the matter, there was nothing, just the lingering impression that something was dreadfully wrong. Every father immediately stopped what he was doing and single-mindedly sought to find who had hurt his family, for only his wife's or child's cry could sound like that to his ears. Every mother immediately located her children, no matter the age, and swept them up into a protective embrace or sounded hysterical on the phone with them, for there was no doubt in her mind one of the children needed her care. Everyone else acted accordingly to whomever was the most important in their life.

But to werewolves, the sound beckoned them to a specific location. They didn't know who it was, all they knew was someone needed their aid. Some heard it as a call for protection, some as a call for vengeance, some as a call for justice, some as a call for tending. And all of them knew they had to answer and try their best to help.

As quick as they could be ready, they each headed off via the fastest means available. Melinda grabbed her keys and hopped into her truck. Orion instinctively shifted to wolf form and ran. Nathaniel quickly doused his fire then took off on foot. Others took cars, bicycles, even skateboards. The lingering instinct the cry left behind in every werewolf kept telling them in what direction to go. But eventually the terrain became too much for anything on wheels, whether it be due to a deep stream, large trees too close together, or a long steeply graded hill, and everyone was finally forced to using only their legs.

---

Orion ran without caution, ducking and weaving only those obstacles that threatened to stop his forward movement. Anything else he simply sucked up the pain from encountering. Until a door opened from seemingly nowhere. He had no time to evade, and crashed full force into it. Once he had gathered himself, he glanced around to see what had happened before heading on. He saw a truck in the middle of the forest with a now non-functional driver's side door, and a familiar girl sitting inside with a look of shock.

"Are you alright?!" she asked once she realized he was looking at her.

He couldn't respond vocally, being a wolf at the moment. And he didn't much care for this speed bump that was delaying him. He skirted the door and started in the direction his gut told him he was needed.

"Wait," she called after him as she slid out of her seat. "Don't I know you?"

He paused long enough to look back at her and nod.

"I thought so," she said. "You're going to help, right? Wait up!"

Orion grumbled to himself, but decided to wait. He didn't know what he was about to go up against, and going with someone would be better odds than going alone.

She reached back into the truck for something, shoved it in her pocket, then ran up to him. "Okay, let's go."

---

Just when Nathaniel thought he wouldn't be able to run anymore, the forest gave way to a large clearing, and he knew he was there. He jumped back behind the tree line, then looked around to determine what was going on while he caught his breath. There were dozens of werewolves, about half trapped by something that looked like a colorful domed electric fence. Those that were free were tearing each other apart. From what Nathaniel could tell, the numbers were about three to one, but he had no idea what persuasion was outnumbered. He noted five living humans amongst the fray. One was on her hands and knees, crying over a body. (That' her,) his instincts told him, (she's the one who called). He nodded to himself, now knowing who he needed to help. The other four humans were wearing business suits, holding briefcases and short poles, gathered around a certain object he couldn't quite see. (Very odd,) he commented to himself.

He decided to try and reach the one who had called him by the safest path until he could figure out what was going on. He kept to the tree line and circled the combat. Suddenly he noticed movement up ahead of him. He ducked behind the nearest tree, and carefully peered around. There was a wolf and a human. The woman was motioning for the wolf to stop. Nathaniel was sure he recognized her. "Melinda!" he called out loud enough for only the two to hear. She turned at the sound of her voice, confirming to him she was the one from the park.

He ran up to the two. Looking down on the wolf, Nathaniel thought he was familiar too. "Is this Orion?"

The wolf nodded. Nathaniel nodded back and looked to Melinda.

"I told you something like this would happen," she said to the two. "Now we're here and not prepared. We don't know what to do!"

Nathaniel looked towards the fighting. "I think it's pretty obvious. We defend our own, keep what happened to us from happening to others." He pointed at the woman who had called him. "Her, specifically."

Orion indicated his agreement with a nod and growl towards the combat.

"And how do we know who is our enemy, or if any are like us and potential allies?"she asked, sizing up the scene before her.

As if in answer, the last few of the outnumbered fell and those still standing looked around for their next targets. Their gazes settled on the woman, and those inside the electric prison growled and yelled at those who were free.

Before anyone could make a definite threatening move against her, the edge of the clearing became a blur of moment. Those answering her call were arriving. Most of them circled around her, taking up fighting stances. A couple bent over her to see what aid they could be.

Orion and Nathaniel started to head in to join the defensive line, but Melinda grabbed each by a shoulder. "No, wait," she advised in whisper. Neither of the two were happy with her as the enemy werewolves started attacking. She pointed to another side of the clearing. "Look." They followed her finger, their eyes finding the humans in suits. "They didn't even consider those four a threat. But they did the girl who's injured? No way that's a coincidence, they must be working together."

Nathaniel nodded at the logic. Orion growled slightly.

"And here," she was now pointing to those who were trapped. "They are going crazy. I bet they are on our side, as it were. Or at least hers."

"So?" Nathaniel voiced both his and Orion's thoughts.

"So...," she paused a moment as her eyes scoured the scene again, trying to put the pieces together.

What she saw, what they all saw, was most of those trying to defend the woman being easily defeated. It was quickly apparent the new werewolves did not have the skill to stand up to the enemy werewolves. Each second cost another life. Orion started out again, but this time Nathaniel held him back.

"You'll only get yourself killed," Nathaniel said.

Orion insisted otherwise by forcing his way past Nathaniel.

"Our best chance," Melinda informed the two, "is to get that barrier down. If I had to guess, it's those suits who have the control to it. Either that or it's not here, 'cause I don't believe any device would survive being in that kind of battle."

Orion paused to look over at the suits, and had to admit with a nod he agreed with her theory.

"But where?" Nathaniel wondered aloud as he joined Melinda in trying to search it out. "We're too far away," he quickly said. "No way to see it from here."

"Then we have to go find it there," she replied.

The trio quickly moved around towards the suits, doing their best not to attract the attention of the werewolves.

"Here's the plan," she said as they got as close as they could under cover of the forest. "Each one of us pick one to jump, and we hope the fourth isn't the one in charge. As soon as you can, check your target for a control device of some sort."

"I'll take the closest one," Nathaniel said.

Orion indicated the one most to the right, who was carefully scanning all areas away from the combat.

"I'll take the guy on the left, that way we have the last one somewhat surrounded," Melinda said.

They all nodded. Nathaniel and Orion shifted to (dire wolf form). Melinda managed to get herself into (dire human form). Then she counted, "One... Two... Three!" and they took off from the forest towards their targets.

Orion's target was the only one of the four humans who had been keeping an eye on the tree line. He saw the three werewolves coming and tried to warn the other humans. But the werewolves were on them before the others could react in anything but surprise.

Nathaniel saw the one man aim his pole thing at Orion, and Orion deftly managing to avoid being hit by the electric shot that came forth from it. Orion's reaction to spring on the man and bite appeared to be pure instinct, as the attack had clearly scared him out of any rational thought. Thankfully the man reacted without reason as well, and dropped the rod to try and brute force Orion off instead of using the rod again.

Nathaniel and Melinda each managed to tackle their targets before a shot could be fired. When Nathaniel's hit the ground, he heard something skitter away. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw a rectangular piece of plastic that looked very much like a garage door opener. He leapt off his target in favor of the device. The man yelled and tried to come after him, but Nathaniel quickly picked up the device in his maw and ran a few paces off. He turned back to see the fourth human leveling her rod at Melinda, who was unaware while trying to deal with her own target. Orion noticed however, and jumped off his target to take down the forth just in time to send the shot well over Melinda's head.

Because of those rods, being outnumbered merely by one was enough to make the odds in favor of the humans. Nathaniel knew he had to do something, and fast. He dropped the device back on the ground, and stepped on it. After a couple seconds of putting pressure on it, a light flashed. Then the distinct sound of electricity fading was heard, followed promptly by the howling of werewolves.

Nathaniel looked quickly to see the newly freed werewolves taking up the fight from the few inexperienced ones that were left. Satisfied, he turned his attention back to the four humans and his two partners. He leapt on the closest standing human, and knocked the rod away from her hands. Then he jumped off and took up a position next to Melinda. Bruises were already forming on her. Orion finished mauling one of the men, and took up position next to Nathaniel. He looked worse for wear, some of his fur was definitely singed, but he appeared to be enjoying himself.

Now regrouped, the trio faced the remaining three humans. "Hold them off," Melinda said, and darted towards one of the rods lying on the ground.

"Hold them off," one of the humans said to another, sounding like a creepy echo of Melinda. Two of the humans then helped the one Orion had mauled to his feet. The last stood unsteadily between the three and Nathaniel and Orion, firing whenever either one got too close but not managing to hit.

Melinda took the human down with a shot from the rod she acquired. Then she discarded it to better chase after the three running away.

Nathaniel glanced around before following, something didn't feel right to him. He shifted back to human form. "Wait! Let them go!" he called to Melinda and Orion.

The two stopped and looked back. Nathaniel turned scanned the clearly frantically from one side to the other.

"What's wrong?" Melinda's voice asked from right behind him.

"She's gone," Nathaniel informed them, though a bit unsure. He looked around again to be certain. He saw the body she had been crying over. But he couldn't see the woman who had called them anywhere. He turned to Orion and Melinda. "She's gone!" he reiterated, his surprise wearing off. "Did either of you see where she went?"

They both shook their heads.

Moments later the battle wound down. A few of the enemy retreated, only to have a search party quickly organized and off on the hunt after them. The rest of the able werewolves rounded up the survivors and began tending what wounds could be helped. Nathaniel noted most of the werewolves alive were one who seemed skilled in what they did. Only a handful at best besides himself were obviously new werewolves. He looked around the clearing again, and for the first time actually saw the carnage that lay scattered around. The ground was tinted in various shades of red all over the place. Various appendages were unattached from their former owners.

"Yes, you were lucky, young one," a voice broke through his thoughts to tell him.

He turned toward the source of the voice, just as another contradicted, "they were smart."

"All of them," a third added, the voice's owner gesturing around the clearing to indicate the dead new werewolves, "were brave."

While the werewolves commented to each other on the various valors of the battle, Nathaniel joined Melinda and Orion who were standing in human form slightly away from the rest.

"Do we trust them?" Nathaniel asked in a whisper. "Can we?"

Melinda shrugged. "I don't know yet."

Orion regarded the other werewolves. "We may not be given a choice." Nathaniel and Melinda looked at him. "Even wounded, they could take us without too much issue," he stated. "We could be in trouble still."

"If we are, at least it's together," Nathaniel said.

"We're still agreed?," Melinda asked. "Defend our own. That includes each other."

"Absolutely," Orion affirmed.

"Yes," Nathaniel confirmed as well.

The three stood together waiting to find out what would happen next. Eventually a couple of the werewolves approached them, one male and one female.

"We owe you a lot of thanks," the female said. "You saved the day."

"Your teamwork was impressive," the male added. "I see you're already learning on your own. But we can help you learn faster. I'm sure you have a lot of questions, not just about what happened here, but about yourselves and what you are. We will answer them all, in time. For now-"

"I just have one question," Nathaniel interrupted.

The werewolf looked surprised. "And what would that be?"

"Why?" Nathaniel demanded to know.

"Why?" the werewolf echoed, but with a tone of confusion.

"Yes, why," Nathaniel repeated. "Why us. Why anyone? Why are you, or your kind, spreading this curse of lycanthropy?"

The werewolf snickered, and looked to the female one who was with him. She simply rolled her eyes and started walking away. "You have a lot to learn," was all the male responded. "Come, let us tend to you. Your lessons won't start until tomorrow."

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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I realized while writing today that the story's title is going to be the same as the pack's name! Yay!

That being said, I haven't named the pack yet, so I still have no name for the story. Some ideas are:
The Lost Song (that's a tribute to another pack from another game)
Rose's Thorn

Any other ideas are welcome!

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"So now what?" Nathaniel asked, walking over to his two new best friends.

"I don't think anything has really changed," Melinda commented while drawing doodles in the dirt around the fire pit with a stick. "Before we found out this wasn't a disease, we agreed to defend our kind from being prayed upon, help keep them safe."

"She's right. 'Our kind' has a different meaning, but your original idea for us is still a good one," Orion added from the chair he was sitting on.

"Who's going to lead us?" Nathaniel asked.

"That's a very good question," AAA replied, looking with interest at each of the three before her. "Which one of you will be the Alpha?"

"Well, I don't want the job," Nathaniel informed them all with a turn of his hand.

"I'll be the Alpha," Orion stated more than offered.

"No, I'm the Alpha," Melinda claimed as if it was obvious.

"Why you?" Orion challenged.

AAA quietly backed off. This was something they had to work out on their own.

Melinda looked genuinely confused. "Because I'm always in charge," she explained without even a hint of ego her words implied.

Orion's eyes narrowed slightly. "This isn't some social group or school club or like whatever organizations you're used to running. This is our lives from now on. The way we live, the way we fight, they way we learn, and possibly even the way we die."

"I know that," Melinda told him with attitude to match his. She stood up to look him directly in the eye. "I was there that night too. In fact, I'm part of the reason we didn't die."

"We were as much lucky as we were smart," Orion reminded her, sidestepping having to acknowledge her plan had been a great deal of why anyone survived.

"So you think you would be better than I at leading?" She brought them back on topic. "Because..." she looked at him to fill in the rest of her statement.

"Can you be impartial? Always?" he asked of her.

"No, of course not," she replied with a shrug. "No one-"

"I can," he asserted.

She looked at his dubiously. "So what? Can you be practical? Always?" she turned his tactic around on him.

"Being impartial is being practical," he retorted, and crossed his arms.

"No, it most definitely is not," Melinda informed him. He opened his mouth to respond, but she held up her hand and continued talking. "Either way, the really important question is, if you were Alpha and did something, made a decision or gave an order or acted in some manner, and I told you were wrong, would you listen?"

"Ha!" Orion scoffed. "No. If it were reversed, would you?"

"Yes," Melinda answered matter-of-factly.

"You l-" Orion started to accuse Melinda, when Nathaniel stepped between them.

"Now wait a minute. This is interesting. Orion, why did you say no?"

"Because, if I were the Alpha, I wouldn't be wrong. What I do or say would be what is."

"I see," Nathaniel nodded slowly as he considered the answer. "Melinda, why did you say yes?"

"Because I need to know everything there is to know if I'm going to be able to make the right decisions. If someone thinks I'm wrong, it might be because I don't have all the information. Once I hear what the person has to say, then I will know if I was wrong or not."

Nathaniel nodded and looked back at Orion. "Well she has my support."

Orion clenched his teeth. "This isn't a democracy."

"I agree," Melinda stated. She slowly pushed Nathaniel out of the way while staring at Orion. "If you want to be the Alpha, you will have to take it."

Nathaniel backed up to where AAA was watching. "Is this how this should be decided?"

"Absolutely," AAA answered. "They understand how we do things. Pay more attention to your own instincts and you will too." He turned his attention to the fight that was starting. "Either one would make a good Alpha," AAA commented to no one in particular.

Melinda took up a ready stance that clearly indicated she did not know how to fight. "Wolf," she announced to all.

Nathaniel and AAA looked at each other wondering what that meant.

Orion crouched down, and shifted into (wolf) form. Melinda waited for him, opting to stay in (human). When he started moving, so did Melinda. "Throat," she announced as before. At that same moment Orion jumped at her, and she intentionally fell onto her hands and knees. Orion sailed over her. Just as he landed on the ground, Melinda lashed out with a foot and struck him hard in the hind thigh.

Orion quickly turned around and growled. Melinda grabbed a thick stick with her right hand and scrambled to get back on her feet. "Right," she announced. Orion lunged at her, making an attempt for her left arm. Melinda dodged to her right and cracked the stick against his neck, snapping it in two. "Leg," she said.

"She's calling his attacks!" Nathaniel finally realized.

Sure enough, Orion moved to take Melinda's left leg out from under her. Because she had shifted all her weight to her right foot, he was successful in his attempt. Melinda didn't recover in time and fell hard on her butt and right elbow. She lost the stick due to the jarring, but quickly regained it with her left hand. Nathaniel thought it was too short now to be of much use, but Melinda proved him wrong. "Maul," she announced. And as Orion closed on her with an open maw, she jammed the stick vertically into his mouth.

Momentarily stunned by the action, Orion inadvertently gave Melinda enough time to get away from him. He first tried to get the stick out by forcefully closing his mouth so it would break. Instead he only hurt himself. Growling in anger, he shifted forms so he had a hand to reach in and pull the stick out with.

The next thing he knew, his head hurt much more and there was a ringing in his ears. He suddenly realized he had lost track of Melinda. Turning toward the pain, he saw her swinging a folding chair at him. He turned again fast enough to not get caught in the face. But the force of the impact sent him to the ground.

Melinda instantly dropped the chair. She ran over to Orion and grabbed him by the throat with her left hand. He clawed at her, trying to force her to let go. With her right hand she pulled a Swiss Army knife out of her pocket, flipped the blade, and placed it on his throat next to her other hand.

For a moment neither Melinda nor Orion did anything.

Melinda broke the silence, but didn't move. "I would have followed the order, even if I thought you were wrong," she informed him.

"I will, even if I think you are wrong," Orion promised, "Alpha."

Melinda smiled and let go of him. Orion turned away from her, and rubbed his neck and jaw while he sulked over his loss.

Nathaniel jumped up and headed over to Melinda with a grin. "Nice job!"

"Thanks," she replied, her attention half elsewhere. She looked at Orion's back and shook her head softly. What was the best way to soothe a sore looser? In Orion's case she wasn't sure if anything but time could.

"Let's get back to the others," Melinda said. "We have some land to claim."

Orion nodded at that. He squared his shoulders and turned around to join her and Nathaniel.

"Now, we are pack," Nathaniel proclaimed with nod of his head.

Laughter broke out behind him. The trio turned to see their elders approaching them. "You still have much to learn, young ones," BBB informed them with an amused shake of his head. "You are not a pack yet. Before you will be recognized as a pack, you should find a totem to (patron) your pack and somehow convince the totem to do so. You must also decide what your purpose as a pack will be. And before you can approach a totem, you must choose an Alpha. No totem, nor any Uratha, will acknowledge you as a pack without an Alpha!"

"I am the Alpha," Melinda announced. She stepped forward from her pack and lifted her head in challenge to BBB's statements. "Ours is to help and protect our family, the Wolf-Blooded. And we," she gestured to Orion and Nathaniel, "are (the Lost Song)."

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That was the third time today someone had tapped on his shoulder, and when he turned around no one was there. It was the fifth time in three days. He knew he was being followed, he could feel it, but he couldn't see anyone near him. He was certain someone had been watching him for days, but he hadn't been able to catch anyone in the act. And last night he had been kept up by voices. Most were gibberish to his ears, but one he had partially understood. It had been speaking an old form of Latin. That was what made him certain he wasn't hallucinating any of it.

Most people would be getting spoked by this point. Nathaniel was getting sick of it. He knew something was playing with him. Not someone, for no one could vanish that quickly, at least not someone human.

Nathaniel believed in ghosts and goblins and witches and fairies and gods and all sorts of things most people dismissed nowadays. He had studied too much religion, legend and science to believe miracles were miraculous, or that human actions were the explanation for everything. He knew that some spirit or the like was messing with him. What he didn't know was why.

"Why!" he loudly demanded to know. He jabbed a finger towards the sky. "Leave me alone! You hear me? LEAVE. ME. ALONE!" He pointed at several random spots the way a parent points at a teen to make sure the child understands what had just been said. He looked around to be sure nothing was acting in spite of him, and saw all the people who had been walking by where now staring at him. Slowly he lowered his hand and turned back towards his destination.

Minutes later he could feel "they" were back. Frowning, he slowly looked around. This time there was no one to be seen, not even people going about their lives. Suddenly he felt hands trying to push him. There was an urgency in the air around him, like he could feel someone screaming at him to run. Whatever had been playing with him for the last few days was now panicking. It was enough to make him take a step in the direction the invisible hands were pushing. But he couldn't just blindly run. After all, he wasn't afraid of anything right now. He had to know why first. What was coming? Should he even trust the beings that had been driving him crazy for days? Perhaps it was another prank.

"No," he said to whomever was listening. "I've had enough of you. Either you tell me what you are and why you're following me, or I go ahead." He waited for as long as he felt was reasonable. Getting no response, he started on.

He could feel the urgency around him escalate as he walked. Unconsciously he moved faster. His eyes darted from side to side looking for the cause of the panic. He heard the creature a second before he saw it, which was not enough time for him to get out of the way. A large wolf, with seemingly human features, jumped on him with so much force he was knocked to the ground. The creature bit into his shoulder, not enough to mess it up but more than enough to draw blood. It then nudged Nathaniel's head and took off. It disappeared into the nearby park before Nathaniel could get to his feet.

The spirits that had tried to warn him of the attack began patting his head and poking at the punctures in his shoulder.

"Stop it," he got out between grimaces of pain, futilely waving away everyone around his shoulder. Though they could physically affect him, he didn't expect he could physically affect them back. "Go away," was all he could think to say. "Please." He simply wanted to figure out what the heck had just happened, and get to a hospital in case he needed a rabies shot. To his surprise, they left. He new it wouldn't be forever, but at least he would have some peace from the supernatural world for the time being.

-----

Days later Nathaniel was in the worst pain of his life. It felt like his limbs where stretching and tearing and bending in ways they hadn't been designed to go. The worst part of it was, when he opened his eyes he could see his limbs actually were doing those things! His spirits were being no help, even though some were trying to calm him or ease his pain - and failing miserably - it seemed some were encouraging the process and enjoying his torture.

Then his face started to contort more than it already was in anguish. His mouth and nose were pulled away from their normal places. His forehead sloped back and his neck shifted. He tried to scream to ease the pain. Instead a guttural yawl emerged.

By the time he was a wolf he knew he was insane. He figured he was probably dying as well, if not already dead, off to join those spirits that would not leave him alone. Then he would get to pester some poor fool. But it wouldn't do to be a wolf spirit, since he was born a human, right? No, he had to get back to being a human before he could go haunt anyone, it just wouldn't do to be any other way.

Nathaniel fought struggled against his own body for the rest of the night. He was pretty sure he had existed in at least three different forms before he found his way back to being human again. When dawn arrived Nathaniel lay exhausted on his floor. Just before he fell asleep he managed to put together enough brainpower to figure out what had happened to him. That creature that bit him last week was a werewolf, and now he was one also. (Damn it...,) he berated himself as he slipped into unconsciousness, (why... didn't I listen... to the spirits....)

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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The question in my mind now is who gets killed saving Rosemary, Nathaniel or Melinda? I wrote the aftermath scene for Nathaniel, but does it make more sense for it to be Melinda? I think so. But then again, do I think that because I'm getting attached to Nathaniel moreso than Melinda?

Either way it goes, I have a scene in mind where Orion "talks" to the survivor of the two about Rosemary and trusting her. Is it a bigger hit, and more motivation to keep protecting Rosemary, that the alpha died or that the only one who actually trusts Rosemary died?

Decisions, decisions.

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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The dumpers didn't have a pattern for when they showed up. Simply whenever suited their needs, so long as it wasn't dark. Which meant a constant watch had to be kept between dawn and dusk. A rotating schedule was drawn up, every pack member getting their fair share. Orion offered to sub for anyone who needed to be elsewhere during their shift. And whenever he wasn't busy and wasn't on shift, he could be found prowling nearby.

It was day seven when Katrin howled there were trespassers. Orion was on the scene in seconds. There were three as usual. Katrin hadn't made a move, as she had not yet been told she could hunt large prey alone, and had been instructed to wait for others before engaging in combat. At the sight of Orion dashing by, Katrin jumped to her feet and took off after him.

When the two jumped from the forest in (dire wolf form), the humans screamed. One of them pulled out a handgun and began firing wildly. Orion jumped on the man and bit deep into the side of his neck. He was dead by the time Orion let him go.

The pack successfully hunted down the other two. One had jumped in their SUV s fast as he could and drove off, abandoning his partner. That made one easy to catch. The other in the vehicle had required some cleverness, but the end result was the same.

--------

It was Orion's shift the next time the dumpers came. He saw there were five this time, three of them with guns drawn and eyes peeled. No doubt checking for whatever had kept the last group from returning. The other two were disposing of the latest body as quickly as humanly possible. Orion let loose the warning howl, and impatiently waited for any of his pack to show up. As soon as he saw one he charged the humans.

Four of the humans balked at the surprise of wolves pouncing out of the woods. The fifth managed to keep his wits long enough to get an accurate shot off at Orion. Orion briefly ignored the pain of the bullet ripping through his shoulder, and pounced that shooter. He mauled the man's arm to prevent him from shooting again. For Nathaniel's sake, or rather for the sake of not having to hear Nathaniel lecture him, Orion left the man alive. He did break the man's leg to prevent him from getting away.

Katrin had pulled a gun from one of the other armed ones and was busy subduing that person when the rest of the pack arrived. The two unarmed ones had run at the first sign of attack, and were getting into their vehicle by this point. The third gunman had been trying to get a steady aim, but upon seeing three more large wolves, he fired off one last random shot and ran after the other two humans. After he dove into the SUV, the driver took off.

Melinda stopped briefly to make sure Orion was still combat worthy, not that she expected him to stop if he wasn't. Then she led the pack, minus Nathaniel, after the humans attempting to get away.

Nathaniel stayed behind to watch the two humans, and take care of the body. He had come to feel it was his responsibility to properly tend to the remains of the wolf-blooded left on his pack's lands. First he checked to be sure the two living wouldn't be going anywhere any time soon. Then he headed down the hill to the body.

He mulled over the information they had gathered so far, considering how to factor in the dumpings were still occurring here even though the dumpers knew wolves were going on the offensive whenever they showed up. He was deep in thought when he picked up the arm to help pull the body off the sloping ground. Which made him all the more startled when he heard a soft moan of pain as he lifted the body. He froze for a moment, his mind shifting from trying to understand the enemy to processing what had just happened. Gingerly he raised the body and turned his head to place his ear on the chest. Sure enough, he heard a heartbeat.

(She's alive!) he had to proclaim to himself before he could believe it. For a fleeting moment he was ecstatic. Then he realized how severely wounded she was, which brought up conflicting instincts. She needed immediate attention. But why was she still alive? How even? It appeared she had been subjected to the same beatings as all the rest, by all he knew she should be dead. Though it was clear that if she didn't get medical help she would not be waking up any time soon, if at all. He activated his gift of healing to take care of the deepest wound. That would at least give her a fighting chance.

Forgetting about everything else for the time being, Nathaniel carefully carried the woman to the pack's home. Once there he laid her on the closest bed, that being XXX's. He spent the next half hour setting broken bones, finding appropriate containers for applying ice, and trying to avoid making the deep bruises worse.

"Nathaniel!" Melinda's voice cut through his thoughts sharply.

"In here," he called back. He refrained from applying one last bandage. "XXX, you're needed," he added.

Melinda appeared in the doorway with a disapproving scowl. Orion was behind her shoulder with a deep frown. "And just what made you think it was okay to abandon your duty?" Melinda demanded to know. If it hadn't been Nathaniel, she would have launched into a lecture on how abandoning your duty was akin to abandoning the pack when it was depending on you, and all the possible repercussions. There might even be a punishment involved.

Nathaniel motioned for XXX to enter. "Get in here. She's alive. Barely." He glanced at Melinda.

Melinda jerked slightly as her face changed to shock. She pushed Orion off to the side, and made room for XXX to pass by. After Nathaniel filled XXX in on all the wounds and what he had done, Melinda gestured for him to come out of the room.

"I'm sorry," Nathaniel said as soon as he was through the door. He lowered his eyes as he explained himself. "I decided she was more important. If that was wrong, I'll apologize personally to everyone."

Melinda pursed her lips and thought a moment. "You should anyway," she finally decided. "It's simply that it was completely unexpected."

"Which is the only reason you were given a chance to explain," Orion added. "I knew you wouldn't just leave us."

Nathaniel nodded. "She is more important. Keeping her alive should be our priority."

Orion didn't look any more pleased then when he had arrived. But he did agree. "Besides having saved one of them, she should be able to tell us what's going on, without needing persuasion." He looked to Melinda.

Melinda had her eyes narrowed at the woman on the bed.

"What?" both Nathaniel and Orion asked in unison.

"She looks familiar," Melinda replied. "I'm certain I've seen her before. Somewhere... I can't quite place her though."

Both Nathaniel and Orion turned to look at the woman. They all stood silent as they tried to determine if Melinda knew her. Thinking it might be more of a unconscious recognition, Nathaniel opened is spiritual eyes.

Suddenly Nathaniel's hand was on Melinda's shoulder. "It's her," he whispered, "from the night."

"Yes!" Melinda confirmed. Orion nodded in agreement as well, his demeanor finally shifting to something other than negative emotion. For a few moments the three were taken back, feeling like the original inexperienced, yet bound by a newfound deep friendship, trio they had been that night when she had inadvertently brought them together. Their unshakeable trust in each other had been forged that night. The pack had begun that night. Their future had been set that night. She had helped them save quite a lot. And no one had been able to save her.

"We owe her," Orion broke the silence with.

"Where has she been?" Nathaniel wondered.

Melinda's eyes darkened. She crossed her arms. "I don't like this. Not one bit."

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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In the next room, Melinda's hands balled up. Her arms started shaking under the force with which she was squeezing nothing but her own fingers into her hands. "AAAAAAAHHHHH!" she screamed in frustration.

"Melinda?" Orion called out. He ran into the room to find out what had happened. Everyone else was right behind him. "What's wrong?"

"I can't DO this anymore!" Melinda exploded, waving her arms around her head almost frantically. "It doesn't matter! How can it not matter?!" She grabbed her own head. "I can't take it!" For a moment she remained silent. But her eyes were a symphony of motion, wide and rapidly searching every possible position for some unseen answer. Finally she squeezed them closed as a look of pain crossed her face.

"Melinda? Are you alright?" someone asked.

She wheeled around to face the group. "No-o!" she replied, drawing out the word to indicate what a stupid question that had been. She threw her hands up in the air. "No! I'm not alright! I'm completely NOT alright. How can I be alright when I can't figure this out?! I can't figure any of it out!" She took a deep breath, which calmed her down only slightly, then continued rambling. "I can't predict her. The stuff she does, it's too hard to understand. There's no telling what the results of her reaction to something will be! If I don't know what she's going to do, I can't account for it. If I can't account for it, I can't plan for it. If I can't plan for it, I can't plan for anything happening around it. Which means I can't account for anything when she's around! UGH!" She turned back towards her table and huffed her frustration. "She's going to be the death of me," she muttered absentmindedly.

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Bits and ideas of scenes have been rattling around in my head. Getting at least the concepts up before I forget them entirely.

# Opening Sequence
# Transformations
# One Fateful Night
# Scott says Hi
# Becoming a Pack
# Orion's Past Surfaces
# Melinda Figures Out Eneny in Nick of Time
# Rosemary Reappears
# Melinda's Rant

Labels: Scene Ideas, Story, The Lost Song

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No title, or even a working nickname yet, for this story. It's about werewolves in White Wolf's new World of Darkness (aka. WoD), and the trials they go through in establishing themselves as a pack and trying to defend their human kin. Scenes I'm writing for this story have been and will continue to be posted to this blog as I write them. But you can also get the scenes listed out in proper order for the story here or by following the link up top in the left column.

Any suggestions for a title would be appreciated!


A bit of history
I found out about the WoD novel contest about two weeks before the deadline for entering. The concept I chose came from a former character history of mine - a Mage set in the old World of Darkness - in which I established the existence of a trio of werewolves:

"Then a new battle began, and this time the numbers were fair. However, skills and experience weren’t. A couple of the new Garou soon realized this. In a quick thinking move that would later earn them Wisdom Renown, three of the new Garou pounced the unwitting ... Fortunately for the three Garou ... they survived that night when many of the new Garou didn’t. They became a close knit trio, theirs a friendship based on trust forged in the heat of battle. They went on to doing everything together, and proving again and again their balanced skill in brains and brawn in service to Gaia. But that’s another story."

Starting with that, I scrambled to my local bookstore to check out the new WoD, which I knew nothing about, so I could adapt my idea properly. I wrote up a few different drafts of a synopsis (which can be found in the recent news list to the right), while trying to build a full story concept in my mind based around the werewolves instead of the mage. I think I'm doing pretty well so far!

I hope to write as much as possible before I find out if my synopsis was chosen, which is supposed to happen the first week of May. Mostly because if it doesn't get chosen I loose my motivation to keep writing, so I should use the motivation while I've got it and not just go stir crazy waiting to find out if I made it to round two. But also because if it does get chosen then I will already know a fair amount of what's going on with the story and it should be easier to get a first chapter together for round two.

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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Finally, Orion bounded up to the gathering in (wolf form), his maw the slightest bit spotted with blood. Melinda raised an eyebrow at his approach. The Alpha of the other pack was still speaking, so no one said anything about Orion's tardiness for several moments. Orion took the time to shift to (human form).

"Melinda," the Alpha finished with, turning things over to her.

She nodded her thanks, then turned to Orion. Before she could say anything he spoke.

"There were trespassers," he stated in a manner that indicated he didn't have to defend himself. He then took a seat next to Nathaniel and looked around expectantly.

Melinda motioned for him to elaborate.

He cracked his neck before complying. "It looked liked they were trying to bury a body on our land. Four of them, one definitely dead. They were two feet deep in a hole when I found them. But I drove them off quick enough." He grinned. "Scared the crap out of them too."

Melinda nodded. "Good. That should be the end of that. Now onto the matters at hand. We..."

Melinda's voice trailed off in Nathaniel's ears. He had a suspicion that wasn't going to be the end of that. He could feel something was amiss. He opened his spiritual eyes, and sure enough saw things weren't quite normal. The local spirits were acting with curiosity, heading in the direction Orion had come from. Which didn't help Nathaniel's curiosity at all. He knew he couldn't jump up and follow them though. Leaving now would not reflect well on Melinda. But he so wanted to go! He was sure this was a new mystery, and one right on their proverbial doorstep. How could he not investigate?

Patience, he told himself. This feels like this will be around for quite a while.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nathaniel looked over the latest body. Female, Caucasian, perhaps thirty-five years old, killed the same way as all the others: beaten to death. That made seven in the last five months. None of them had any physical similarities. Male, female, married, single, parents, childless, a variety of races and ages and education levels. What's the common thread? Nathaniel wondered for the umpteenth time. He had managed to learn a fair amount about three of the victims, as all of them were being left with whatever was in their pockets when they were attacked. And he had learned quite a bit about three more, due to them having their wallets on them.

"Four," Nathaniel commented to no one as he pulled a wallet out of the woman's coat pocket. This one also had a driver's license. It told him where she had lived, her birth date, and a variety of other information he would be able to use to learn about her life. Yet doing so with the last three hadn't yielded any common information, not even so much as the same place of work or the same phone company, so why would this case be any different?

He had decided he had enough information to narrow the possibilities to either old history or random happenstance. Such as perhaps they each had accidentally come across some information they shouldn't have. Or perhaps they had all once served together on some task force. Or perhaps they were the current generation of some common thread that existed in their family histories.

He could think of two options for a next step. He could try to track their movements for the last several days of their lives, not something he was particularly suited to doing. He could hire an investigator to do so, which would be too expensive and likely draw attention he didn't want. Or he could try to find spirits that had been around the victims during those days and interrogate them.

His second option was to start looking into the victims' families. Living, deceased and ancestors would all have to be accounted for. But that would actually be easier than trying to learn about the victims' lives, due to all the public records and genealogy reports readily available.

He lifted the woman from near the shallow grave that had been dug months ago by the first three "disposers". Orion had indeed scared whomever it was well enough to keep them from attempting to complete or repeat their task. Since then, each time they had come they hurried in and hurried out. But the untraceable removal of the body each time was too good of fortune for them to give up using this site to dispose of the bodies. One of them had turned the whole affair into a kind of game. He tried to get the body into the grave without getting too close. Nathaniel had watched him one time heave a body down the shallow hill that ran next to the grave, hoping as he watched the body tumble that it would land correctly. He had even commented to his partners about how he'd been figuring what the proper angle would be. And the body had indeed slid just far enough over the edge of the grave for gravity to pull it down in.

As Nathaniel left the site with this body, to take it off their lands, he again considered the cause of death, and realized a third option. It could be that the people behind this merely found enjoyment in beating and killing some poor unsuspecting person. Killing them slowly and painfully. There were never any puncture wounds, no missing parts, no blood. Always only bruises and broken bones. Blunt trauma, but not in ways that would kill immediately such as breaking the neck. And the attackers must have taken special care in what they did for none of the victims had even the smallest mark on their face or head. No, it was all too specific. It had to be premeditated. This wasn't random acts of violence by some sadistically joy happy amateurs. He didn't yet know what it was. But he knew he was going to figure it out, somehow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Melinda, help me figure this out?" Nathaniel called out.

Melinda got up from her charts and walked over to him. "What are you working on?"

"The dumpings."

"Still?"

"Of course still. Have I found the answer yet?"

Melinda chuckled. "If you keep being that predictable, you're going to get yourself caught in a set up."

Nathaniel shrugged. "That's what I have you for."

"True!" She leaned over his shoulder for a better look at all his papers. "How can I help?"

"I know there's some connection. I can almost feel it. Every time I pick one of the bodies up it's like a glimpse into something." He gestured non-meaningfully with his hands for several seconds as he fumbled for the words he wanted. "It's a sensation. I can't explain. I just know there's a connection amongst all this."

Melinda nodded and pushed him aside. "I think it's that you're too close to the issue. Let me see everything you've got. You-" she pointed towards the other room "- go away. I've found that taking time off from things for a couple days can give me a new perspective. And even if it doesn't, it will keep you from hovering over my shoulder," she grinned at him.

He smiled back, and nodded. "Thanks. I think I can find a few other things to keep me out of your hair."

"Good."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Orion frowned deeply. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, absolutely," Nathaniel replied.

He had gathered the entire pack to share his news. He had found the common thread of the victims being dumped on their lands for the last year. None of pack were happy about it. Their expressions ranged from anger and hatred, to shock and near disbelief. They all looked to Melinda.

"Wolf-blooded. Every one of them," she repeated what had been revealed as her mind absorbed the information. Nathaniel nodded his affirmation again.

"I'll kill them," Orion stated.

"Now wait a minute-" Nathaniel tried to say.

"All three of them," Orion informed Nathaniel pointedly. "The next time they show up, they're all dead."

"You can't just do that," Nathaniel protested.

"Watch me!"

"How can you say he shouldn't kill them?" Katrin asked, anger creeping into her voice.

Melinda stepped in the middle of her pack mates, to diffuse any confrontation before it even started. "I'm sure Nathaniel has a good reason," she stated authoritatively, then turned to him expecting to hear it.

Nathaniel nodded. "We don't know who's behind this. Those three are our only link. Our family is being hunted. Of course we have to stop it, but do you really think those three are operating on their own?" He looked around at his pack mates. "We need to know what they know, then we can kill them."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Labels: Story, The Lost Song

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