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THE SILVER FANG
By
Tamara Gray
© copyright December 2004, Tamara Gray
Cover Art by Amber Moon, © copyright December 2004
ISBN 1-58608-273-6
New Concepts Publishing
Lake Park, GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com
This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author's imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.
Chapter One
I was alone. A sudden feeling of despair crept into my mind as I perched on the edge of the barn roof overseeing the landscape below. An eerie fog swirled lazily across the trees billowing down to the yard covering everything in a blanket of gloomy mist. Rolling my shoulders trying to release the tension and fear, I huddled against myself wrapping my arms tightly around my legs. A mind-numbing chill ran up and down my spine, and the only thing I could feel was my body trembling uncontrollably mixed with terror and adrenaline. Concentrating on survival was the only way to dispel the pending feeling of doom that now inundated my senses. The only hope of escape was inside the barn, and somehow I had to build up the nerve to make my next move. Scanning the area one last time, I reluctantly stood. Taking a deep breath, I leaped into the fog floating effortlessly through the cool night air. The mist chilled my skin while the long leather jacket I wore flared out around me. Flipping in mid-air, I landed safely with a small thud. Nostrils flared as the stench of the dying creatures mixed with freshly cut grass. The smell of blood and danger mingled in the cool evening breeze causing my stomach to churn with hunger. I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts and forget the flashbacks of the attack. Now what lay before me was silence filled only with the pounding of my heart.
Squatting low to the ground, I peered cautiously into the night. The moon illuminated the gloomy world causing silver light to dance over everything in its path. Aiming my guns into the darkness, I propelled my power searching for what my eyes could not see. My energy flowed effortlessly, but could only find dead or dying creatures. Dawn was approaching and the moon was descending rapidly. I might actually survive this hellish night.
A bolt of fear jolted through me as a long sharp cry pierced the silence. My power probed the creature nearest me. I stiffened waiting for a possible attack. Sending my energy deep inside the creature it turned to meet my gaze, red eyes glowing angrily as he sniffed the air feeling my presence. The werewolf let out a blood-curdling scream trying to escape my grasp.
"Die," I whispered wrapping my power around its beating heart squeezing with the unseen force. I watched from afar, as my energy captured its heart, exploding it into a million pieces. The monsters deafening screams and claws slashed at me breaking my trance even as I felt its life slip away. The smell of rotting inhuman flesh and muffled whimpers was the only evidence left of the fight that occurred moments before. I stood, my emotions buried somewhere deep within. The numbness moved across my whole body as the rush of power tingled over every muscle and cell. Smirking wickedly over my triumph and the fact I was still alive and the sun was about to rise, I turned to face the barn doors shoving them open. I cringed as they swung inward creaking and banging into the wall.
"Shoot!" I cursed, knowing that the noise probably woke the dead.
As I entered a wave of stagnant, warm air floated over my face stealing my breath away. The moon's light cast ominous shadows around the barn, but I did not need the light to see my intended target. "God bless you old man." I whispered, thankful the car was parked exactly where he said it would be. Staring into the dimly lit building, I waited patiently for any sign of the creatures that hunted me. Nothing!
I bolted for the car wrenching on the door handle. Locked!
My hands were shaking as I raced to the passenger side it was locked also. Just my bloody luck. "Who leaves their car keys in the car when it's locked?" I grumbled to myself, getting angrier by the minute. From what I could see, the car looked to be in good condition and the keys were exactly as the old man said, in the ignition. I screamed internally as I kicked the door of the car.
I hated getting messy. That thought made me chuckle softly as I looked down at the cuts and bruises from the battle with the werewolves. I quickly removed my leather jacket while moving back to the driver side, wrapping my arm and gun in its velvety protection. I struck the weapon against the glass shattering the window sending shards of glass onto the front seat and barn floor.
Tossing the gun and jacket into the car, I bent down to unlock the door. That was when the hair on my neck bristled standing on end. Clenching my fists, I swerved around to meet the beast, sensing the evil clawing at my mind. The creature's power engulfed me sending fear pulsing through my veins. Waving my hands, I frantically tried shoving the wicked energy away, to no avail. I backed slowly up against the car and reached in grabbing my gun, never taking my eyes off his amber demonic stare. Gun in hand I moved away from the car as the beast stalked closer.
Losing my footing, I stumbled back as the monster took another step forward mirroring my every move. The werewolf was hideous, eyes glowing red with demonic power and hate. His body elongated standing on hind legs that were once human. Blood dripped from his massive fangs pooling in the hay at his feet. Its claws had chunks of skin and flesh clinging to his long razor-sharp nails, some of the flesh, my own. The smell of death forced me to retreat until I was cornered between the beast and the vehicle. I was trapped, nowhere to go, frozen in horror.
Move, Samantha! MOVE! My mind screamed in terror as I contemplated my options. The thumping of my heart roared in my ears drowning out the growls of the beast before me. As I inhaled the warm musty air, pain shot through my lungs. I slowed my heartbeat attempting to catch my breath while the adrenaline raged unchecked inside my body. The creature effectively blocked the barn doors with his enormous frame. Samantha, stay in control.
"Ty, you don't have to do this," I pleaded, hoping he could understand what I was saying. "You have a choice."
The creature only watched oblivious to my pleas. In a whirl of inhuman speed, I darted past the car, heading for my only escape, a ladder leading to the second floor of the barn. The ladder seemed to be moving away from me, rather than closer, as I sprinted towards it. If I could get to the second floor, I would have a clean shot at the beast. Turning I sent a couple rounds in his direction. He avoided the bullets with ease. Reaching the first step, I leapt up, grasping the rung holding on for dear life. Swinging myself into action, I started to climb.
The monster crashed through the barn following its prey. Crouching directly below my escape route the werewolf lunged into the air. He made it up two steps when he reached for my leg. A warm power tore through me as his claws began to shred my flesh. I screamed as bones snapped tearing tendons and muscles beneath the onslaught of his fury. My leg dangled as he continued to rip into my soft tissue exposing crushed bones beneath. He jerked me downward and as he did, I dropped my gun screaming from the pain. Blinding white light and dizziness overwhelmed me as I fell back landing on the ground with a thud. Slowly pulling my body up I tried to crawl away from the monster. I could only move from the waist up, the rest of my body immobile with throbbing pain. My arms steadied my weight as I slid across the floor. Straw stuck to my wound causing me to cry out in agony.
The werewolf jumped, landing with a loud bang. He remained motionless in front of me watching my painful progress. I screamed as he put his lengthened claws around my neck lifting me into the air. I dangled helplessly as he held me inches from his distorted face. Excruciating pain shot through my body as he shook me mercilessly.
He was going to snap me in two.
The creature's lips curled back showing his needle sharp fangs. The blood on his breath made me gag while my eyes blinked in disbelief at the repulsive monster. He leaned over my neck taking me into his mouth. I felt warm liquid flood down my neck and chest as he crushed and shredded my muscles, growling with pleasure. With every beat of my heart, the warmth spread over my body.
My sight blurred as I fumbled for my second gun. Fingers shook as I aimed the weapon at the demon's deformed head. My body shivered uncontrollably as I could feel my life slip slowly away.
I managed to gargle what would be my last word, "DIE!"
I fired the gun over and over until it clicked empty. It released me as it fell, while my torn, limp body slammed to the floor. I had to get to the car. With every ounce of strength, I dragged my body towards the vehicle. The smell of my own blood blended with the straw made me retch with nausea. My eyes hazed over brining on the welcoming darkness. Soon my cries of pain diminished to shallow whimpers as the smell of lilacs filled my nostrils. Lilacs? I don't remember....
I was dying, alone and cold. I had never feared death but the thought of dying by the hands of this monster just didn't feel right. In the back of my mind, I knew the end was near. The last few days of my life flashed before me in a blur. So many risks had been taken and for what? I had finally found a purpose for living and now the end was crashing down around me. It had all started with him. He came into my world and changed me forever....
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