The Werewolf Chronicles, Prompt: 087: Life
Title: Anticipation
Author: luthienberen aka Jadwiga
Character: Alexander Finch
Warnings: Homosexual character, horror, werewolf.
Prompt: 087; Life
Beta: rae_fa
Word count: 1,180
Feedback: Welcome! Constructive criticism also appreciated!
Rating: R (no under 17s) overall.
Notes: This is part of a series of chapters, which can be can either be found via the community’s tag system or fictionpress.
Notes: 1) Grade 10 = 15 to 16 year olds.
Grade 11 =16 to 17 year olds.
Grade 12 = 17 to 18 year olds.
2) When typeface is like this it signals that Alexander is conversing with the wolf cub inside.
Summary: Alexander samples his first taste of the mysterious journals.
= * = * = * =
Chapter Sixteen: Anticipation
25th October, Tuesday, 3:45pm
The exhausted werewolf dumped his briefcase onto his study desk, ensured the door was securely locked, then walked over to the only window in the small room.
The day had been long and he was relieved to be back home - both the wolf and the man.
Touching the window handle, he adjusted it so that the window was slightly ajar - for while he was on the side of the house away from the driveway Alexander would still be able to hear Michael’s car when the Mountie arrived, and be able to check everything was normal (such as unlocking the study door) before Michael entered the house.
Pulling off his jacket, Alexander slumped into his chair and sighed as he ran his hand through his messy hair. While he had no homework or coursework to mark, the situation with the substitute ‘teacher’ meant that it was imperative for Alexander to re-structure his teaching schedule for the next three or four weeks.
It had taken him two days to track down all his students, either through classes or by haunting the damn school corridors and lunch hall, to confirm that they too were behind. The situation with Class 10B wasn’t too bad but for Grade 10 to 12 it was alarming.
Extra lessons after school would be required - and arranging a suitable time for everybody could be considerably problematic due to the plethora of extracurricular activities Cougar School offered.
Additionally, Alexander deeply desired to start reading the journals - preferably making some sort of headway before Michael returned from wherever he had vanished.
So which task to tackle first?
Easy, the school one. He would feel much better once it was sorted, as otherwise the mess would weigh too heavily on his conscience and would render any reading of the journals useless.
Straightening in his seat Alexander flicked open his briefcase and withdrew a notebook containing the notes he had made over the last couple of days on the condition of his classes.
Turning to the appropriate page in the book, the redhead reached for his original teaching plan, placed it next to his notebook, snapped shut his briefcase and removed it from the table.
Snatching up a pen and highlighter he dove into his complicated task.
----------------
---------
An hour later Alexander was kneeling on the floor of his bedroom, listening as his open bedroom window rattled in the growing wind. Shivering against the strong drafts that easily entered his room, he pulled aside boxes containing shoes that lay on the bottom of his wardrobe until he found a battered looking one right at the back; he yanked off the lid to reveal numerous historical journals and magazines.
However, underneath, was stored the steel case which held a much smaller silver box that housed the three diaries marked I, II and III. Removing the steel case, Alexander replaced the cardboard box and its contents to their resting place and rose, firmly shutting his window before he retreated to the study.
Quietly relocking the door, Alexander glanced at the study window grimacing at the cold that sneaked its cruel way inside, but he was reconciled to the fact that he would have to suffer some chill to ensure he heard Michael when he returned, for time had trickled by leaving little time to begin researching the diaries of this mysterious author.
Sitting, Alexander dug into his pocket to extract the key to slide into the copper-plated lock, which clicked loudly in the semi-silence of the room.
Retrieving the silver case Alexander once more opened the box. Inside nestled the three black leather-bound journals, which held the mysterious records of a personal experience with the werewolf. The first two were thick, bulging with use and inserted pages; in comparison the third was depressingly slim, almost as if it heralded a physical end (death), and not just that the author had no longer wished to maintain a record of his life.
Shaking his head Alexander chided himself over having such a foreboding premonition and, steeling himself, reached for the journal engraved ‘I’.
Carefully turning the cover Alexander immediately noticed that the first page was a much later addition, less yellowed and worn than the other pages, with the page somehow glued into position.
The ink was faded but Alexander had no difficultly in reading what turned out to be an impassioned speech:
This journal and the two that follow are a record of my life from the point when it transformed from the mundane to the extraordinary. It details the very struggle between good and evil, and light and dark as represented by two players: man and beast.
The beast was …is … literal.
The man is someone I love beyond all reason - but whenever has love been based on logic? For to love is to live and to love is to know a madness of a kind - madness I have indeed suffered.
Yet, I tell you Reader, that I am sane and what proceeds is a faithful rendition of my life. And lest any should think me insane I ask thee: how sure are you that Man knows everything about this world that we inhabit? Or is so certain of the order of things that he or she can afford to scoff at supposed fairytales, and sneer at myths and legends?
For I assure thee that such arrogance leads to grave turmoil and to great evil. Remember: in every tale or legend there is a grain of truth - perhaps more.
Therefore, I implore thee to pursue these diaries with an open, cognitive mind, and I pray that my words may be of help to the next poor soul who finds themselves with the same condition.
= = =
Alexander swallowed hard. The urgency of the passage was frightening, yet hope was stirred in his breast when he read and re-read the last line of the extra page:
‘…I pray that my words may be of help to the next poor soul who finds themselves with the same condition.’
Feeling sweat break out on his forehead and his cheeks grow chill Alexander fumbled for a drink from his teacup.
/Steady yourself Alexander. Now's not the time to feel faint or dread what comes next!/
Turn the page, issued the whisper of the wolf cub. I want to discover who wrote this record of a life with one like us. I want to know our past, our present and the future that awaits us.
“You think these journals will reveal our future?”
Isn’t that why you took them? To discover more about the werewolf? Isn’t that why you wish to read these records? To better understand how we can fight against the evil, perverted nature of the Beast so we may become one?
“With enlightenment comes control.”
Yesssss…until then I’m your guide and I need help for I am as ‘young’ as are you. Now turn the page.
Agreeing silently with the wolf cub Alexander caressed the attached page once more before gently turning to the first entry of the diary proper.
= * = * = * =
Author: luthienberen aka Jadwiga
Character: Alexander Finch
Warnings: Homosexual character, horror, werewolf.
Prompt: 087; Life
Beta: rae_fa
Word count: 1,180
Feedback: Welcome! Constructive criticism also appreciated!
Rating: R (no under 17s) overall.
Notes: This is part of a series of chapters, which can be can either be found via the community’s tag system or fictionpress.
Notes: 1) Grade 10 = 15 to 16 year olds.
Grade 11 =16 to 17 year olds.
Grade 12 = 17 to 18 year olds.
2) When typeface is like this it signals that Alexander is conversing with the wolf cub inside.
Summary: Alexander samples his first taste of the mysterious journals.
= * = * = * =
Chapter Sixteen: Anticipation
25th October, Tuesday, 3:45pm
The exhausted werewolf dumped his briefcase onto his study desk, ensured the door was securely locked, then walked over to the only window in the small room.
The day had been long and he was relieved to be back home - both the wolf and the man.
Touching the window handle, he adjusted it so that the window was slightly ajar - for while he was on the side of the house away from the driveway Alexander would still be able to hear Michael’s car when the Mountie arrived, and be able to check everything was normal (such as unlocking the study door) before Michael entered the house.
Pulling off his jacket, Alexander slumped into his chair and sighed as he ran his hand through his messy hair. While he had no homework or coursework to mark, the situation with the substitute ‘teacher’ meant that it was imperative for Alexander to re-structure his teaching schedule for the next three or four weeks.
It had taken him two days to track down all his students, either through classes or by haunting the damn school corridors and lunch hall, to confirm that they too were behind. The situation with Class 10B wasn’t too bad but for Grade 10 to 12 it was alarming.
Extra lessons after school would be required - and arranging a suitable time for everybody could be considerably problematic due to the plethora of extracurricular activities Cougar School offered.
Additionally, Alexander deeply desired to start reading the journals - preferably making some sort of headway before Michael returned from wherever he had vanished.
So which task to tackle first?
Easy, the school one. He would feel much better once it was sorted, as otherwise the mess would weigh too heavily on his conscience and would render any reading of the journals useless.
Straightening in his seat Alexander flicked open his briefcase and withdrew a notebook containing the notes he had made over the last couple of days on the condition of his classes.
Turning to the appropriate page in the book, the redhead reached for his original teaching plan, placed it next to his notebook, snapped shut his briefcase and removed it from the table.
Snatching up a pen and highlighter he dove into his complicated task.
----------------
---------
An hour later Alexander was kneeling on the floor of his bedroom, listening as his open bedroom window rattled in the growing wind. Shivering against the strong drafts that easily entered his room, he pulled aside boxes containing shoes that lay on the bottom of his wardrobe until he found a battered looking one right at the back; he yanked off the lid to reveal numerous historical journals and magazines.
However, underneath, was stored the steel case which held a much smaller silver box that housed the three diaries marked I, II and III. Removing the steel case, Alexander replaced the cardboard box and its contents to their resting place and rose, firmly shutting his window before he retreated to the study.
Quietly relocking the door, Alexander glanced at the study window grimacing at the cold that sneaked its cruel way inside, but he was reconciled to the fact that he would have to suffer some chill to ensure he heard Michael when he returned, for time had trickled by leaving little time to begin researching the diaries of this mysterious author.
Sitting, Alexander dug into his pocket to extract the key to slide into the copper-plated lock, which clicked loudly in the semi-silence of the room.
Retrieving the silver case Alexander once more opened the box. Inside nestled the three black leather-bound journals, which held the mysterious records of a personal experience with the werewolf. The first two were thick, bulging with use and inserted pages; in comparison the third was depressingly slim, almost as if it heralded a physical end (death), and not just that the author had no longer wished to maintain a record of his life.
Shaking his head Alexander chided himself over having such a foreboding premonition and, steeling himself, reached for the journal engraved ‘I’.
Carefully turning the cover Alexander immediately noticed that the first page was a much later addition, less yellowed and worn than the other pages, with the page somehow glued into position.
The ink was faded but Alexander had no difficultly in reading what turned out to be an impassioned speech:
This journal and the two that follow are a record of my life from the point when it transformed from the mundane to the extraordinary. It details the very struggle between good and evil, and light and dark as represented by two players: man and beast.
The beast was …is … literal.
The man is someone I love beyond all reason - but whenever has love been based on logic? For to love is to live and to love is to know a madness of a kind - madness I have indeed suffered.
Yet, I tell you Reader, that I am sane and what proceeds is a faithful rendition of my life. And lest any should think me insane I ask thee: how sure are you that Man knows everything about this world that we inhabit? Or is so certain of the order of things that he or she can afford to scoff at supposed fairytales, and sneer at myths and legends?
For I assure thee that such arrogance leads to grave turmoil and to great evil. Remember: in every tale or legend there is a grain of truth - perhaps more.
Therefore, I implore thee to pursue these diaries with an open, cognitive mind, and I pray that my words may be of help to the next poor soul who finds themselves with the same condition.
= = =
Alexander swallowed hard. The urgency of the passage was frightening, yet hope was stirred in his breast when he read and re-read the last line of the extra page:
‘…I pray that my words may be of help to the next poor soul who finds themselves with the same condition.’
Feeling sweat break out on his forehead and his cheeks grow chill Alexander fumbled for a drink from his teacup.
/Steady yourself Alexander. Now's not the time to feel faint or dread what comes next!/
Turn the page, issued the whisper of the wolf cub. I want to discover who wrote this record of a life with one like us. I want to know our past, our present and the future that awaits us.
“You think these journals will reveal our future?”
Isn’t that why you took them? To discover more about the werewolf? Isn’t that why you wish to read these records? To better understand how we can fight against the evil, perverted nature of the Beast so we may become one?
“With enlightenment comes control.”
Yesssss…until then I’m your guide and I need help for I am as ‘young’ as are you. Now turn the page.
Agreeing silently with the wolf cub Alexander caressed the attached page once more before gently turning to the first entry of the diary proper.
= * = * = * =