New London Masquerade

Devin led Sadie in circles-slow-dancing in his studio.

Sadie kept in step with him-eyes drawn down-ever watchful of her wrappings to make sure that they did not come unwound.

Devin drew her into him-kissing her deeply. His incisors slowly unsheathed from their gums. His eyes burned to black as he began to entertain his bloodlust. His Wulf urges had been peaking all day.

He reigned himself in-softly caressing her cheek. He brushed back a bang of her white hair that stuck out from under bands.

She breathed huskily-choking up on heart for him.

He had always been hers-ever since the accident.

Somedays she almost wished he were free of her.

But most times she was greedy and kept him close.

He liked the attention-but he knew it was unhealthy.

He humoured her anyway-for he loved her to death.

She was already dead, of course, but he overlooked it.

"Tell me something, Devin-do you remember ... Do you remember when ... When we went over the edge together-that day ...?"

"You mean when we decided to stick it out as a team?"

"No ... No ... Dev-I'm talking about ... on the bridge."

Devin fell silent. She had not called him Dev in ages-since they were kids-before the tragic event that Halloween night long ago.

"We were different then--Sadie. I try not to think on it."

"I know-I know it was another life, but isn't it sad?"

"That's exactly why I block it out. What's the point?"

"I just wish we could go back--edit the events. Regret."

"I know babe. But don't torture yourself-or us. Easy."

"I won't--I promise. I just get sorry you put up with me."

"Please Sadie, that is the last thing in the world I would do."

"You mean you really stay with me just because you love me?"

"Absolutely ... How could you have such doubts after all this?"

"I guess I get relapses is all. I'm a woman. I need reassurances."

"I only ever loved your heart hun. I don't need your body too."

But he got her corpse every night. They were no longer human, but they still enjoyed the dance carnal. He had long before traded revulsion at her rotting frame-in for a burning need to touch her soul despite her husk. She had early on dispensed with all hesitation over his carnivorous cavorting-deciding that he may kill at night, but it was out of hunger--not love of the hunt. As far as she was concerned, he was committed to keeping her.

They danced for another few songs. It was good of his friend Roc to let him borrow the studio keys for the evening. His paintings hung all around them, reminding him that there was still work to do before long.

Soon they left and he lingered at her apartment for another hour before carrying on with his starry slaughter. The moon was full and he would without a doubt be in the papers again the next day. Sadie went to sleep in her coffin, praying to reign in her imagination-and not let it wander to what Devin was doing in the wee hours far away from her. She tried to stay attractive as possible-given the sub-human tools with which she had to work-but some days she feared it was a useless effort overall. Some day-she deigned in her darkest dreams to predict-that he would find a living woman to love him-and move on under shroud of night, never heard from again.

But every morning that he returned to her-covered in blood and nearly upon the brink of unconsciousness from exhaustion-relief washed over her--as her doubts dimmed in the shadow of his presence. She would hold on to every shred of him then-for she knew she had him unto dusk that night-and until then she planned nothing but to absorb his company.

Devin's fragile secret, however, was that he often played up the severity of his misadventures out in the streets of New London-for rather than spending every night on the kill-he had someone else he was seeing.

He was caught between a rock and a heart place. He loved Sadie in the way that makes you ache with passion-where you give over to your mammalian emotions entirely-forsaking all reason in the role of the show.

But while she was the summation of everything he ever wanted in life-in death she was all but that last percent that sometimes counted most-when he was partaking in a purer honesty. That final spark that differentiates rock from fire was something that he had never consciously given up on finding in a partner-despite his new feral nightlife-and he had accidentally found that in Barb, for she was still so full of the brightness of being.

At first, she had approached him at Sadie's funeral, to offer whatever comfort she could provide-and take whatever she could earn. He in turn had embraced her advances for friendship-and ever since he had been there for her, watching as she climbed the ladder of business to become a gym diva mogul-offering olympic level fitness programs to powerful customers. She had become a leader of men-which was an absolute transformation from who she was prior to the accident-when she was just a ditzy cheerleader-always deferring and putting on small airs of idiocy.

Even on the fated night itself-she had already begun to exhibit her newfound strength. The way that she had smashed the glass and yanked Sadie out was superhuman. How she had scissored her legs to speed them both up out of the water in a heartbeat was phenomenal. She had given Sadie mouth-to-mouth within minutes-only tragically to lose her anyway.

Something supernatural came over their lives that night-albeit under Gavin's hidden, malevolent direction--for what they had each picked out to wear for Halloween had come to consume their souls unto eternity.

So in the aftermath-he and Barb grew close-but he never told her about how he had been seeing Sadie ever since her death. At first, he was not sure if Sadie was even real anyway-or if he was just a victim to the visions as a result of his deep depression. But then later-when he knew for sure that Sadie did indeed still exist in spirit-he had already begun to fall for Barb. So now he was in it thick with them both-and he jealously feared losing either due to one finding out about the other-shattering his lies.

Still, he justified his position to himself by believing that Sadie truly needed him-while he desperately needed Barb-and if the three of them were happy, even with two of them in ignorance-then that was enough.

Devin knocked on Barb's office door--entering.

She came out from around her huge oak desk.

They embraced, kissing wildly. She forced him back against the wall and took control of the love-making like usual.

She was boss now, in all aspects of her life-whereas before she was just a meek, mousy mannequin. What used to turn her off and make her afraid now fed her every mounting confidence-almost to a fault, where she was engaging in ever riskier behaviour-from skydiving to professional wrestling-to space and ocean exploration-and underworld mapping.

When she had first made a move on him, he had been totally taken aback-but then the shy side from his youth summoned old feelings and he found himself beginning to like the strong flirtations-despite Sadie.

But lately he had come to wonder what it would be like if he ever tried to make a break from Barb, for she did not seem the type to take it cleanly. He may well be the Wulf of olden day legend-but she was a lot like the Wylde-and he did not want to underestimate her for anything.

The Wylde was a type of Woodwitch in New London lore. They lived in abandoned barns in the country-but came into the city during sleeping hours, to mesmerize the men-mixing up mischief by implanting subsconscious desires in their minds-meddling with their waking lives.

Few ever claimed to seeing a Wylde, but it was common for people to cross their hearts-rather than laugh about it-just in case-to be safe.

An hour later, when they were clear-headed and talking again-rather than just crushing lips-Devin got to thinking about the Wyldes more-and whether loving one of them would be better than loving Barb.

"There is someone else, isn't there? She lingers on you."

Devin went dead. He could not talk. His heart splintered.

"Barb ... Please ..." he began-lips slightly trembling up.

"Just be honest babe, I don't really care, " she said, sneering.

"Don't be ridiculous-nobody can replace you Barb-honestly."

"Well that is a rather cryptic reply I must say, clear as sewage."

"Alright-alright ... fine ... You want to know the truth? Fine."

She only nodded quietly-a slight smile creeping at lip edges.

"The truth is-there is somebody else. I'm in love with her."

He could almost not believe that he had just said this aloud.

But then, a sort of freedom overcame him-a peaceful resolve.

Barb grew more furious by the second, but only in a fitful way.

Then he said what he truly felt: "She is more of what I need."

"What does she have that I don't?" Barb snapped, red-faced.

"Please-it's not like that at all. I love you both differently."

After a moment of new clarity-Barb wiped her tears away.

"I never want to hear about her again-or we're through."

That was it. He never mentioned the matter again until it became of such urgent import that either he told her everything--or Sadie died.

It was a foreign concept to him-being willing to share someone's love with a stranger-instead of just letting them go-but Barb seemed to embrace it. Sometimes he thought she was just waiting for the right moment to take her revenge on him-but then other times he felt that she was taking her revenge on him every single day that they spent together in chains.

Despite all that, they got married the following year-signing their license down at City Hall-and planning their future on a cafe napkin.

He would go to see Sadie less, but still once a week at least.

She grew depressed, nevertheless, coming out of her sarcophagus less and less-getting tired of waiting around for him to come back, knowing he was getting settled in wedded life. She started thinking of an exit.

Then it happened one night--that Barb was out on a ladies romp-when Devin decided to pay Sadie a surprise visit-despite the looming spectre of a full moon coming on-and his tracker's vibe telling him chaos could be afoot. He saw Sadie so little lately, he could not afford excuse.

Lightning clapped just then-and he heard the front door swing in.

He thought that it must be Barb returning early-but he found nobody in the hall-saw nothing in the doorway. He called out to silence.

He looked out into the cool summer night and shortly shuddered.

Instead of retreating indoors and locking up in safety, however, he put on his tear-away suit and pack. Danger was not scary to him, especially when he was getting amped up for a kill thrill. His conscious mind knew he became a monster-but the specific details always remained a blur-like after a night of six-fisted drinking. Still, prior to going out, the onset of a distant tsunami of adrenaline racing his way was impossible to mistake-and he usually found himself drowning in the lure. He would take one step outdoors-and then on to the next block over-when before he knew it he found himself half-way across town-and every scent and sound was singing to him to move further on-like a dog on the prowl, some days never coming back for a week, getting so caught up in the chase and clash.

Eventually he climbed Snake Hill up to Cinders Cemetery where Sadie's mausoleum stood looking out over New London. He crept through the tombstones--passing the giant statue of Sadie-mounting up to the entrance which she usually left shut but unbarred. This time, however, he found that the door stood ajar-and so he entered, assuming she had stepped out. But when he got inside to find lit candles flickering, he sounded off.

"Sadie!" It was not like her to leave flames burning, but he did not see her anywhere. He checked her sarcophagus, but it was empty.

He was almost about to begin prowling the yards, when he came upon a ream of parchment beside the door.

The horror then unfolded before him.

Devin, My blood spring, it has been ages. I remember when we first met after our terrible loss. You were just a child and I always meant to care for you like my own son. But I was deeply conflicted, lost to the thought that somehow you were responsible for my daughter's death. So that fateful Halloween, when you left me all alone, on the anniversary of your parent's plane crash, I succumbed to my evil side. I divined the dark sedan. I steered the wheel when you were trying to pull out of the skid.

I saw to it that the railing gave way, through the will of my sorcery-and in my mind's eye I watched your jeep careen off Lion's Bridge deep into the Payne.

The moment you hit the water, however, regret coursed through my system-and I instantly saw what insanity I had summoned, without recourse to recovery-irrevocably doomed to living my life out in guilt.

But then afterward, when you were saved by divers, I welcomed the relief of knowing not all was lost-but I still bemoaned Blake's drowning-and watched in horror as the story broke of how Seth had raged underwater-killing two of the rescue team. The way the other divers described it, how it seemed as if his Dragun costume had come alive-I knew beyond a doubt that it was my own dirty spell that had caused this whole bloody mess. I realized, that by wishing your masks become you-I had caused more harm than good. Seth had escaped down river-and I knew from then forward that whatever havoc he wrought-it was my responsibility to accept the fact that I had done it. Needless to say, I could not sleep for a month-when out of the abyss one morning, I awoke in a feverish sweat-somehow suddenly now knowing that I had to fix what I had recklessly engineered.

But I was determined to do it without the aid of the Book of Calling or Orbring. I brought them with me, in case my hunt became desperate-but way inside I knew that ultimately my salvation was my own to provide.

Meanwhile, reports of the Dragun had started to sweep through the papers-and I knew in my gut it was Seth massacring those innocents.

So I cashed in my savings, packed my shoulder bag and jeep with enough supplies to carry me through a year's travelling, grabbed my rifle from the war-filled the tank to the brim-and set out after Seth.

Witnesses attested that the Dragun was some kind of half man--half flying reptile-straight out of New London legend. I knew it was all too real-and that I was running out of precious time-since his attacks were intensifying-as he blazed his way across the countryside.

I did not know how easy he would be to kill-and I had not killed man or monster in too many moons to count-well since my past life. I was mentally prepared, however, to meet with my assignment in destiny, if that was what it would take to cleanse my soul-and once more feel alive.

I was determined, with a bloodthirsty bent in my eyes, to hunt the-fire-breather down to any ends of the earth where he so fled, in order that my wrongs might be righted-and the damage I had done finally end.

I stayed in motels when I could not go on. Sometimes I would keep awake for days, scanning the horizon for Seth at every turn. I talked to those who had reported sightings-and they led me on to further trails. His scent would pick up hot for awhile, but then sizzle down again. I would find entire towns burned to the ground, with none alive left to tell about it. One fateful day, however, nine months on, when the public was growing weary of worrying about the wrath of the Dragun--when even the police could not seem to track him down-and Seth had not shown himself for weeks-leaving his capture bleak at best-I came upon him in the valley of my pursuit.

Just when I was most deterred-most ready to give up and go home-suddenly a great winged shadow crossed over my hood, as I was sliding through a lone country intersection way up in the hills. I knew in that very second that it was him-and my heart ratcheted up into my throat-as I jammed down the brakes and reached around for my rifle in the backseat.

I sprang out of the jeep, aiming as I circled around the front, but Seth was already up the side of the cliff-face, hiding in a crooked tree.

"SETH!" I screamed. "I've come for you!" I growled. I aimed my rifle and took a shot-but the recoil was more than I remembered-and Seth escaped to a perch higher up. I reloaded and aimed into the light of day.

Looking through the sight, I could see his face. It looked nothing like the Seth I remembered-just a mangle-mawed monster--face contorted in a permanent expression of anguish. Empathy rushed through me, for I knew this was the thing that I had done. He was the victim of my spiritual assault-for I had not only seeded his body with a violent strain, but stolen his mind from him, replacing it with a killer instinct--and an empty heart.

Hardly a hair's breadth had my trigger finger closed then when I realized that he was mouthing words at me, for he knew I could see him.

"Goddamn you, " I cried under my breath. I was torn, for he did not deserve either fate, of a living or dead lizard-but it was I that had wished this upon him, so it was my duty to take it away from him as well.

So seconds later I settled my soul and prepared to fire-but he was gone, as if he had been able to read my mind. I watched him arc aloft--a magnificent and deadly sight-casting a terrible shadow upon the clouds.

I shot once out of desperation, but he was too far off. I climbed back in the jeep and drove on down the highway after him. He outpaced me for awhile, so that I began to sink behind-and hope almost ran out of sight.

Then I came to a crossroads, way out in cracked earth country near Nowheretown and LosVilla, when I pulled over and got out a map. I traced my finger across the mountain ranges, scanning over where he might try to cut over Red Lizard River-when I suddenly suffered my first weakness.

I opened the trunk and pulled out my black bag-from which I produced my Orbring and Book of Calling. I was ready to wield the wild.

With them I spun an unnatural darkness across the land-in which not even Seth could see-but only myself-giving me killer upperhand.

I drove on with big long headlights piercing the heavy shroud.

All I knew was, this was my calling, my way back to innocence-redemption for the sins I had committed, in cursing Seth-and nothing was going to stop me from stopping him. My rest would wait until his death.

I carried on a ways before the darkness began to lift, some birds began to chirp-and I grew nervous for he had somehow yet evaded me.

Then I thought I saw something in the graying distance, before the sun had come back to full force, yet after it was light enough that I could make out the lines of the creature as it moved, but not its exact form.

It stood up in the middle of the road, at the top of the long hill I was driving up-unfolding big wide wings before launching cloudward.

I stepped on the gas and gave chase, as Seth flew across big sky countryside. At first I was keeping up, but never enough to overtake him, so I began to feel as if he was leading me on-perhaps mocking my pursuit.

Eventually, the last of the Darkspell wore off-and the full light of day returned. I was also low on gas now, so when I came upon a station-I watched Seth disappear into the distance-as I pulled in to refuel. I scrambled to fill up, sliding my card through the reader-twisting off the cap and inserting the nozzle. I ran inside to pay and grab some supplies-then when I was walking back toward the jeep, I saw a dark flash overhead-and I felt the ground shake--when something landed hard on the gas bar roof. I grabbed my rifle-when turning back, Seth dropped from above.

The Dragun landed on the pavement across the pad. His wings folded behind him-and he walked on two legs toward me-as he morphed into half-human form. He stared at me intensely, unwavering--confidence over-pouring-strongly exuding every evil an imagination could muster.

Then he stopped-as I checked my rifle was loaded-and I leveled it at him-even as he grinned wickedly, unruffled by my taking aim.

He cocked his head to one side, as if to hear me better.

"Why are you following me, Callow?" he spoke aloud.

My jaw unslung, for I had not expected his intellect intact.

"I have come to kill you, " I said dryly. "To right wrongs."

"You curse me thus-and then come to take even that?"

"I am not saying it's right to you, but it is just to me."

"What makes you think I won't just destroy you--Callow?"

"I choose who dies today, " I said. "Now you go into night."

But Seth opened his mouth and breathed fire across the gas bar-- fanning flames in arcs back and forth everywhere that he gazed agape.

I shot twice into the blaze, but then began to back off, fearing the gas igniting and the whole station going up in one giant fireball. I did not know if Seth was immune to fire, but it seemed settled if he was not that he was sealing his own death fate by undertaking such suicidal behaviour.

I dashed into the store and yelled at the girl, asking her where was the back door. I said there was no time to explain and dragged her by the arm to show me. She thought I was a madman, so broke my hold and ran back up front, headed for the phone, when suddenly a series of explosions rocked the place hard to the core-exploding all the store windows, knocking the girl over into the hallway-launching me at the far wall.

I returned for the girl and pulled her outside. Together we ran into the back-field--well away from the gar bar, which exploded one last time while we watched--sending a fireball so high as to blot out the moon.

Then from out of the flames flew Seth, wings spread, dragging fire with him, which burned at the fringes of his skin, but did not seem to hurt him-and which sizzled out after he swooped around a few times.

The girl gasped to see this lizard in the sky. I told her we had to run for it, as I was almost out of ammo--but she remained frozen, unable to subdue her paralyzing fright-and I had to drag her for awhile, before she managed to set her eyes on the rough ground ahead as we tread.

Meanwhile, Seth heard our footfalls with his superior ears-and he was able to scan and vector our position in uncanny short order.

I pulled the girl down into a ditch at the edge of a copse where we would make a stand. I told her to remain as motionless as possible, because Seth would be busy relying on his sonic senses-and looking for visual clues second--so that was her best hope for remaining undetected. Then I climbed up a strong young tree and perched for the best sniper's advantage.

I saw Seth flying across the field toward us and I just tried to remain as calm as possible. I held back, keeping patience cool. I knew hope resided in outstripping Seth's experience-and I would have but one shot.

I had to hit him between the eyes, for I had read in the ancient literature that Dragonlings derived their powers from their third eyes. I knew if I could explode that pineal gland in his head, he would be as good as dead.

He flew closer, but veered back and forth, narrowing our location down. I breathed out, seeing that I had a few more moments to prepare.

But then I dropped my reload round that I had in my hand. I could see where the bullets landed in the leaf-bed below-and as they glimmered I thought I noticed Seth correct his course toward us. I had almost blown it.

The Dragun landed and walked to the edge of the ditch where the girl hid under a big knot of tree-roots that jutted out from the bank-side. Down the slope, where I stiffened in the branches, I set my scope on Seth's scaled forehead, then let it lower to between his slit eyes. He winked at me.

The girl went to move. I could see the fright on her face-and I feared she was about to reveal herself--when Seth was just coming up.

She looked at me for guidance-and I put my trigger hand out, signing for her to stay put. But then Seth dropped out of my sight-and I had to re-scan the area, before I found him climbing down the far side, just beyond where the girl crouched. So I motioned for her to come my way, not meaning for her to be the bait, but that is how it turned out. Seth spotted her and took to wing in pursuit. I tried to track him in the air, but he was too agile.

He landed on her before I could take a shot. Then I fired under pressure--and only grazed his shoulder. He tore her limb-from-limb before my eyes-and I vowed never to be happy again-never to forgive myself.

When Seth finally finished his feast of flesh, he looked up at me. I had climbed down out of the tree and now approached him with palms upraised. I had given up. I was no longer willing to go on hunting while I was the one who had ultimately set all of these events into motion. I let go. I still had the Book of Calling and Orbring. I could have finished it then and there by putting the cursed object on my finger-but instead, I just let go.

Seth grinned, unsure why I was offering myself up, but not of the mindset to question it beyond a passing thought, before taking teeth to task.

He swooped down upon me, as I raised my hands up-but just as he was within a yard of my body, he lit up in a bright light, like a meteor entering atmosphere-and I realized that it was my Protection Bond kicking in. Even when I was not wearing it, the Orbring was defending its host's life.

Seth spun to the side, crying out in agony-and I broke from my guilty trance, suddenly realizing another chance to reclaim my life. I jumped on him, grappling him into an iron hold. The flames continued to lick at his edges-but being fires from the Orbring, they left me unharmed. He took off into the sky-and now I was looking over my shoulder at the ground far below. Even as he writhed in pain aflame--he continued to fly higher, spiraling up until I nearly felt sick from the height. Then he started slowing down, as if he was growing too weak to keep the wind under him-and I cursed my luck, anticipating being stranded up there high above the trees-with two dead wings under me-and no hope of soft landing in sight.

"Good night, Seth Greenwood, " I said in his ear, satisfied with our fate being sealed as one, as long as my soul would see redemption in it. The Orbring glowed brightly in my pocket-sapping the life from Dragun.

"You think this saves you, Callow? You were already lost forever, long ago. There is no hope for you now, no matter what happens to me."

Then Seth's eyes closed and his body became an instant anchor.

I let go and watched his lifeless shell float away as we both fell.

I watched the ground racing up at me as I blinked in the wind.

I closed my eyes, unable to watch longer. I hit ground hard.

I blacked out-but then came to ten minutes later-unharmed.

The Protection Bond had intervened yet again-sparing me.

The Orbring was vying for my finger-drawing me into it.

Seth lay in a heap nearby-in a broken, bloody mess of scales.

But I felt hollow, for I'd failed the girl-despite the dead snake.

I walked over to her shredded body and clipped a locket of hair.

I kept it to remind me of what had happened and who I still owed.

I walked back toward the highway, where I would flag down help.

While waiting with my thumb up-I looked at my hand in a new slant of light-and marveled at each finger as if for the first time. Then some cold wave washed over me-and I casually slipped on the Orbring.

On my way to the next town over, where I would take a motel bed, I got to pondering upon the events of the day-and how my hunt had ended--but I had failed to find that perfect redemption I sought. Now it started to come clear to me that the only way to finish my cleansing was to rout not just the Dragun--but every monster I had created that day, no matter if they posed real danger to society or not. I was now convinced every one of you was unnaturally enjoined with the demons I had spawned-and none of you belonged here on Earth, save six feet underground for all eternity.

But I had not only settled on your deaths-I had settled in myself to use the Orbring again-or whatever means necessary to meet this end.

So this is what brings me here now, with this pen to this page, addressing you, my grandson, Devin Drake, most cursed of all lost souls.

I knew you had been staying in touch with your pack of friends, including Barb Black during her rise to success-Blake Ash since he first started coming around to see you, long after the search for him was called off and he was presumed dead-and even Sadie Gawn, who walked the night.

I knew they had come to trust you-and this is why I now use you.

Sadie thought you had come to see her, when I opened her sarcophagus. By the time she recognized me, I already had her tied up and stuffed in the back of my jeep. Now the game is up to you, Devin. Do you dare defy me-or will you allow fate to take its course and give yourself in? I will find you if you run. I will kill you if you come. It's my final duty, to close your circle of abominations-so that I may once more arise sinless.

Consider this my warning shot and the only mercy I will be foolish enough to grant. Make your best play, Devin--but be aware, I have no remaining hang-up-no twitch of conviction, nor moral restraint-and my sole remaining central purpose in life, that provides me fuel-is your death.

Most Sincerely, Gavin Callow

Devin set the pages down on the ledge and began to back off.

He had thought Gavin was gone for good, having fled his life.

He had no clue Old Magic had been hunting Seth all that time.

He left the mausoleum, reforming into Wulf. His tear-away suit snapped into a belt around his waist-allowing for added bulk to flex freely. The full moon was still out, so as long as Gavin's tracks were fresh-the hunt was on.

Sadie, I'm coming, he thought to himself. They had shared a psychic connection ever since she had first appeared before him after dying-when she had beckoned him to enter her sarcophagus as the other mourners gazed graveward, lost as one in their collective sadness, as her eulogy unfolded the morning.

He listened for her, but she did not reply. He followed the highway across the high hills of town, where the two scents fled. He ran free through the acres of wheat fields that rose and fell down into the valley of smog.

Whenever he took to all fours he found himself again-in the hunt.

To be human was high-it was consciousness-it was compassion.

But to be the hunter-it was his true form-it was his wholeness.

He would forget about his social woes. He would cast behind his intellectual musings. He would banish all moral and ethical conundrums.

When he was of fang and fur, few misfortunes prospered, for he was the aggressor for once-he was the one calling the shots and taking them.

Indeed, during some of these feral episodes, he almost lost himself entirely to his animal mind. In some cases, he did not snap out of it for months-and once for nearly a year-when everybody thought him dead.

But inevitably, eventually, he always came back to remember what it was like to have empathy again-and to seek others pleasure, not just his.

Then he would have trouble remembering why he loved being predator so much-why the adventures were such a rush that they became a fix.

He would get lost in his books and studies-focus on writing his poetry and songs-playing guitar and riding his bicycle-instead of blood.

But when the moon was full-and he had had quite enough of the steady drip of his solely cerebral existence-he would snap back to biting.

He would rip the skin of polyester from his frame and howl at the lunar altar--altering his physique--from thin and gangly-to big and hulking.

He would switch between human and Wulf at will-to his needs.

He would strip New London of its weaker prey under shadows-and in the mornings after--he would struggle to recall any of it at all.

He now came upon the edge of town, with all the lights fanning out over the horizon-and he took a moment to check some prints headed east.

He did not like getting too far out of New London-because his Wulf was not as strong beyond the city limits. Sometimes he felt it was as if his powers waned by certain degrees--in concentric circles spreading out from the scene of the accident--where he once crashed off Lion's Bridge.

It was also likely that Gavin was leading him out of New London-because he knew that Devin would be less menacing beyond town.

Nevertheless, Devin could not let Gavin get away with this-and he knew from experience there was always enough Wulf if truly needed.

He tracked them along Highway 88, until their sole impressions ended-and he cursed himself for not acting sooner, for they had likely now hitched a ride and were outpacing him every moment he wasted waiting.

Now he would have to get wheels or lose Sadie for good, so he reverted to human form, using all of his concentration-and from out of his hip pack pulled his tear-away, buttoning it back down his front and sides.

He put his thumb up, a few cars passed--then he tried two thumbs-and with a turn of good luck for once that evening, a trucker stopped.

From then forward he felt like the stars were behind him.

"Where you headed?" the old bearded driver asked upfront.

"How far you going? Is that old Motel Paradise still operating?"

"Sure is, but I'm driving all night if you want to go farther on."

"Do you always stop for hitch-hikers? Risky these days no?"

"I can take care of myself, " he said with a wink, showing gun.

"Ahhh-good on you. I'm sure you've got plenty stories-no?"

"Don't get me started. World's full of crazies, you know, son."

"I know. Don't get me started. Some days I think we're all mad."

"Oh ... We are ... no doubt about that. We all lost it long ago."

"Do you ever get the feeling that people are prone to being nuts?"

"I think we go off--out of touch with ourselves-with Earth."

"You're right about that. Body clock could use some resetting."

"It's not just us though, the world is losing it too-speeding up."

"I've heard that-the core is quickening-shortening the days."

"It's not just to do with getting older-time is actually bending."

"I feel it. Days are like blinks of an eye now. Years just gazes."

"So why are you on the road, son? You stranger to these parts?"

"Not really, I'm sort of, chasing my girl. She's with someone."

"Ah-love is worth pursuing, but don't beat a dead horse over it."

"I'm not-it's not like that. She's trying to get away from him."

"Sure-that is what they all say. Why waste your time on her?"

"She's special--my school sweetheart. I owe her so much."

"As long as you realize there are others like her waiting."

"I know-I know, believe me. There is--another ..."

The old trucker fell silent--watching the road.

Devin sighed-so sick of complication.

"It's best not to think, " the man said.

"Easier said than done-agreed?"

"Not at all. I do it all the time."

"What? Never worry at all?"

He shrugged. "I try not to."

"Well ... It's worth a shot."

"What bothers you the most?"

"Sometimes I wonder, how I got to loving two women at once."

"We get divided by the losses-then less willing to settle down."

"So true-I can see two futures-and neither is so sure to stick."

"Especially if they find out about each other-I would imagine."

"Well-Sadie knows already-but I think Barb would kill me."

"She would be pretty upset to find out that you loved another?"

"Well, yes ... But I mean, she would literally try to murder me."

The old man laughed. Devin just rubbed his face, tired of it all.

"Well-I don't agree with you leading this Barb on-but no one deserves to die for love. All's fair. Plus, she sounds a bit jealous, from my sense of it-and maybe that is what drove you into Sadie's arms in the end?"

"Sort of ... I loved Sadie first-but Barb and I shared alot-and then one thing led to another. It was too late to turn back, once our emotions became entangled-even while secretly seeing Sadie at the same time."

"Damn-this is straight out of my wife's soaps-you have to tell me everything-she loves to hear about gossip like this, it makes her day."

Devin just laughed. He didn't mind indulging this stranger with his stories of romance and remorse. It almost felt good, in fact, to unload for a bit-since he never really had another guy to confide in, besides Blake. But Blake was just like a blank slate from all the booze-and you could tell he never absorbed anything that you were saying, so it was not really dialogue-for you knew it all passed out the other ear every heartbeat.

He looked at you long enough at first while you were blathering on-but then after awhile you could clearly see his attention beginning to flee.

"Well, if you really want to know, I'll tell you everything, " he said. Just don't say I didn't warn you ... because it's a bit of a nail-biter ... Hey-do you think we could make a stop-I've got to drain the lizard."

They were just coming up to Wheels Of Fire truck stop. The old man swung in to refuel-and Devin jumped out to leak in relief.

When he came back, the trucker was leaning against the glass storefront. "I asked inside if a couple had come through here. They said someone stopped for gas about an hour ago. They said the girl inside wrote HELP backward on her fogged window. They called the cops already."

Devin's face fell. All he could do was pray he was not too late.

"So I'm guessing there's more to this story than you're letting on."

Devin sighed in defeat. He did not want to have to dispose of this kindly gent if it could be avoided. He was not hungry or feeling the tug of the moon at the moment-but nothing would stop him from saving Sadie.

"You're right, I've been sparing you some of the deadlier details."

"What am I wrapped up in, son? Are you in trouble with the law?"

"No, no ... It's Sadie ... She's been kidnapped ... By my kin-my grandfather. He has gone and blown his mind. He's seriously lost it."

"You're serious ...? Really? You can't save her yourself, son."

"There was no time. Cops would just be dead weight anyway."

"Who would do this? What is he? Some kind of madman?"

"Yes-absolutely insane. He believes he is the seed of night."

"What on earth were you thinking? How dangerous is he?"

"He's capable of almost anything. I may die trying to do this."

"How did it happen? Where was your girl when he took her?"

"She was asleep ... all wrapped up in her bed ... He snuck in."

"That seals it, " the old man said. There was a twinkle in his eye, like he had a personal investment in the drama. He patted his jacket where his gun was holstered. "I will take you far as you want to go-my word."

"That means a lot to me, " Devin said, holding out his sure hand.

The trucker shook it. "The name's Addison. Cadence Addison."

"Tell me, Cadence ... Why are you so quick to help a stranger?"

"Because I lost a daughter long ago-in an alien abduction."

Devin remained silent. He was not sure if this was serious.

"Ten years searching, " Cadence said--shaking his head.

Devin nodded. "Darkness prevails in and off this world."

"Not on my watch, " Cadence quipped-quickly grinning.

"Alright-then let's get going while the trail is still fresh."

They blazed out of the Wheels Of Fire at a quick wild clip.