Fang Chronicles: Emily's Story Read online

  Fang Chronicles: Book II

  Emily’s Story

  By

  D’Elen McClain

  Copyright 2012 D’Elen McClain

  Chapter 1

  Nineteen years ago…

  The soft patter of rain beating against the rooftop did not mask the sound of breaking glass coming from the first floor of Carolynn’s home or diminish the ire at having her sleep disturbed. Living in a rural community was usually peaceful. Wild animals sometimes crashed through windows but crime was virtually nonexistent.

  She grabbed the Glock from the nightstand drawer. In the event the intruder was a large predator the shotgun would have been a better choice but it waited uselessly downstairs in the gun cabinet. The 9mm would do.

  Even though silence crept up the dark steps meeting her descent, she knew she would never get back to sleep if she didn’t check the house. The damage a raccoon could do by morning was unbelievable.

  Slowly she made her way downstairs, peering into the looming darkness, wondering if she should turn on a light, dreading what she might find. Her feelings of unease grew but she had no one to face the darkness in her stead. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she walked the final steps to the first floor.

  The porch light outside cast a soft welcoming glow into the front room. She turned and silently moved toward the kitchen.

  Suddenly, a soft noise whispered through the darkness and she spun toward the sound.

  A naked man stood ten feet away almost concealed by the dark shadows of the room.

  In one swift movement she lifted the gun and took a short inward breath. She had a split second to notice the man do the oddest thing. He smiled.

  The hard trigger clicked and the gun jerked. The explosion thundered throughout the house as his body slammed into hers.

  Her back hit the hard unforgiving floor and the gun flew from her hand. Pinned beneath the intruder, she could only watch as the gun slide out of reach.

  Instinct took over and Carolynn fought. Her arms flailed and her legs kicked while her fingers gouged at unyielding flesh.

  She never had a chance.

  Her pleas did not change the course of events that occurred over the next hour.

  The stranger never uttered a word. He walked out the front door when he was finished.

  She could only stare at the dark bloody smears that trailed across the floor and her skin from the bullet wound to his arm. Despite the shock to her mind and body, his smell was the one thing Carolynn would never forget. It was the pungent odor of a wet dog.

  She cried at the injustice. Her skin turned raw under the scalding spray of the shower as the force of a stiff prickly brush covered in soap scrubbed her flesh again and again. She wasn’t young or beautiful. Until tonight, she had only been with one man in her life. Her husband Dale died three years before. She was too young for widowhood and she thought, too old for savage rape.

  That night became her tormented secret. She refused to speak more than clipped sentences to anyone in her congregation and finally stopped going to church.

  She and Dale never had a baby and it was three months before she discovered her body held the horror of what happened. Her hatred blossomed when she felt the first flutters of the tiny being within her stomach. Suicide was a mortal sin but she welcomed eternity in hell over giving birth to the monster’s seed.

  Thoughts of killing herself and the child drove her crazy but she never took that final step.

  When the first cramps of labor began, she decided she would drown the hell spawn before its first breath.

  No one heard her screams of pain and seven hours later the small body slipped from her womb while Carolynn lay on the bathroom floor. Cold water filled the bathtub and waited to close around the infant who would never know more than a few seconds of life.

  Half crouching, half standing, Carolynn scooped up the bloody wet newborn and carried it to the tub.

  Carolynn tried not to look at what she held but her eyes lowered. The baby made not a sound but stark blue eyes, just like her own, locked on hers and pulled her into their depth. They would not release their hold. Carolynn collapsed to the floor, tears rolling down her face. She brought the softness of the baby’s cheek to her breast.

  Emily was granted life.

  A small spark of love began to grow within Carolynn’s heart but extinguished when Emily was two weeks old. The baby became a monster even more real than her rapist.

  Carolynn placed the wolf-child in a cage. The prison existed for nineteen years. During those years, her mother’s instinct fought the need to kill the demon in the basement.

  ***

  Emily’s entire universe was the caged room in the cellar. She knew little kindness and received only enough food to stay alive. She understood nothing of the world above stairs. She would have died in the room of her childhood, but her world changed the day she could take no more. Her life began the day she killed her mother.

  Chapter 2

  Current day…

  The quietly opening door at the top of the stairs jarred Emily from her stupor. She scrambled to her feet and tensed, sniffing the air. She listened to the routine sounds with a growing sense of dread. No food. Her stomach clenched tightly with hunger and fear. She listened to the clicking steps as her mother made her way down into the darkness. A light went on in the outer room and glowed under the heavy wooden door. The outside bar lifted and the hinges creaked when it slid open. Emily squinted at the sudden brightness. Her heart sank when her eyes confirmed what her nose had known; through the bars she could see Carolynn’s empty hands. No food.

  Her mother grabbed the hose rod and though this normally caused terror, today was different. Something was going on within Emily’s body. She was on fire and she was burning up from the inside. It had been this way for several weeks, but the feeling was now more intense. Despite the lack of food, she felt stronger. She wasn’t sure what had changed, but she almost welcomed the pain from the pounding icy spray biting into her skin. Bringing her head up though closing her eyes against the full force of the water, Emily knew what Carolynn wanted. Fighting her inner rebellion she slowly shuffled into a smaller cage made of iron.

  The water stopped. Carolynn released the nozzle’s trigger and used a key to unlock the outer bars of the basement prison. Grunts escaped her lips as she dragged the hose into the cell with her.

  Emily knew this was a bad sign and sudden fear invaded her awareness. Trained to sit quietly and stay away from the cage door, she made not a sound or dared to move even an inch. Carolynn came closer and Emily could smell the sour odor emitting from her body. Oily hair hung limp and covered part of her mother’s stern features.

  Carolynn’s voice cracked with hatred and spittle. “The devil’s child will not defy me. The Lord named me guardian to see this world was saved from your evil.”

  The monotony of the words, said many times before, spat from Carolynn’s mouth as her hands reached to the wall where Emily’s drawings hung. The sound of the first tear drew her eyes to the color filled images. Carolynn destroyed one after the other. Emily stared in horror and her mother’s angry words became muted.

  Emily’s rage grew and the heat within her body became unbearable.

  The last pieces floated silently to the wet floor but Carolyn didn’t stop. Crayons, pencils, and blank paper from the small desk were next. They flew through the door to the outer prison before resting in front of the cellar steps.

  Blinding intense fury consumed Emily while flashes of images were running through her mind; Carolyn reading children’s bible stories and showing her the pictures, small fingers drawing painstakingly from memory and bright colors adding small joys to her
cellar room. Her rage boiled. More flashes; God’s vengeance preached from a black leather bible, her mother’s voice screaming in anger, hateful words; devil, demon, hell spawn, Satan’s offspring. They blended one into the other. The foggy scenes continued and she became blind to her mother’s movements.

  Reaching into the pocket of her dress, Carolynn pulled out the hypodermic syringe. Sweat ran down her face and dampened her oily hairline as she approached the bars. Her speech demanded compliance, “Place the devil’s arm outside the cage.”

  Through a haze, Emily glared into her mother’s hate filled eyes.

  Carolynn screamed, “Give me your arm.”

  Emily didn’t move and again the full force of water burned her skin. Turning her head, she protected her eyes from the spray and used her hands and arms to take the punishing assault. The water suddenly shut off.

  “Put-your-arm-outside-the-cage.” Carolynn’s voice was now low, succinct, and laced with loathing.

  Emily’s chest rumbled and her skin seemed to catch fire. Red mist rolled over her eyes and demon hands grabbed the cage bars. The metal bent and slowly separated.

  A white beast snarled, launching itself through the bars at Carolynn. Blood sprayed over the walls.

  Screaming and fighting, Carolynn managed to ram the needle into the beast’s side. A moment of satisfaction was all she felt before the monster's fangs tore open her throat.

  Frenzied teeth continued to rip through flesh, muscle, and bone before the crazed wolf became sluggish. Bloodied paws faded to blood covered hands. The drugs flowed throughout Emily’s system and the red mist turned black.

  ***

  Blood caked skin, growing colder on the icy concrete floor, caused Emily to open her eyes. Moving her head, she took in the blood coated walls and thick congealed mess covering the floor. It was all that remained of Carolynn. Placing her hands beneath her body, she pushed upwards looking at what was left of her mother. Sadness, self-loathing, and bewilderment fought within her mind. But, even with all these bewildering thoughts, when she contemplated what lay beyond the door she had never before walked through, terror froze her movements.

  Eventually, two days without food caused unrelenting hunger. Not sure how long she remained crouching in the bloodied room, the heavy grumbling noise from her belly made her take that first hesitant step.

  One step followed another and her trembling feet traveled the stairs into the unknown. Grabbing the knob of the door at the top of the stairs she slowly pushed it outwards. Sunshine washed over her bare bloodied body. Countertops partially surrounded the room and Emily’s gaze zeroed in on bananas hanging from a strange contraption a short distance away. Her stomach overrode her fear and she walked swiftly to the fruit and devoured all three without taking time to peel them.

  After swallowing the last bite, she looked up and stared out at sunshine, trees, and mountains. Straightening her arm she reached for the light but her hand connected with a transparent barrier. She looked with longing and fear at what lay on the other side. Shades of greens and browns painted the outside world.

  With the slight edge taken off her hunger, she realized her fingers and skin were sticky with Carolynn’s blood. Using the kitchen sink to wash herself, she cupped her hands in the water then emptied them over her head. Over and over she poured the fresh water down her body allowing pink rivulets of water to cover the floor.

  When the last of the blood flowed from her skin, she gazed more closely at her surroundings. One by one she opened the drawers and doors of the cabinets. Not understanding what she found inside, her hands skimmed the strange contents and continued their exploration. The last cabinet, like the ones before, held nothing she could eat. Looking around, another door caught her attention and she walked slowly in its direction. Her feet sloshed through the pink water covering the now slippery floor. Reaching her hand to the door’s handle she twisted and opened it.

  Several boxes of cereal sat on a shelf. She had never seen the boxes before but her nose recognized the smell. She hooked her arms around the stash and carried them to a table in a small room beside the kitchen where the strong odor of Carolynn’s blood was not as prevalent. The boxes tore easily and Emily devoured the dry food inside while looking at her surroundings in fascination. Slowly, the hunger pains faded from her belly.

  Her blue frightened eyes took in the surroundings and her curiosity propelled her up another flight of stairs. White walls changed to pale blue at the top. The first room smelled faintly of her mother but except for a small bed the room was bare. The next room held a more condensed odor of Carolynn and Emily knew it was where her mother slept. Entering, she skimmed her fingers over the bed coverings and along the walls. Her fingers grasped the knob on another door and pulled it open. Several brown dresses hung from a long pole across one side of the small room. They were her mother’s clothing. Three pairs of brown shoes sat on the floor lined up neatly below the hanging garments. Emily’s fingers touched the colorless shrouds but she didn’t remove them. In the back corner she saw faded blue material and reaching over she pulled it out. Her fingers glided softly over the texture, its feel was different than the dresses her and her mother wore. Staring at the strange apparel, it took her several minutes to figure out how it could cover her legs. She continued her search, found soft white shirts, and pulled one over her head to complete her new outfit. She didn’t put on Carolynn’s shoes. Every step she took was a different sensation for her feet and toes and she liked it.

  The lower floor beckoned and she made her way back to the translucent barrier. Yearning to touch the colors beyond, her fingers traveled over the smooth surface. Apprehension held her back. Taking deep breaths, she pulled herself away and explored some more, putting names to the words her mother used and described.

  Heaviness descended over her body and she grew lethargic. Finally, she sat on a long soft bed with sides where she could see the world beyond. Slowly her body slid sideways and her knees met her stomach. Sleep took over.

  “Carolynn.” Thump, thump, “Carolynn, are you all right?”

  The loud pounding and gruff voice woke Emily and she quickly slipped to the floor and lay still. The red haze slid back over her eyes. If the person entered the house she would let the demon have them.

  The knocking and voice finally stopped. Taking a hesitant glance outside, she saw a large blue object rumbling away. She noticed the light shining into the room wasn’t as bright. Resisting the other side of the barrier was getting harder.

  Again, rumbles came from her stomach and she turned away and made her way to search for more to eat. She discovered a cabinet filled with cold food and devoured everything her stomach could hold. When she finished eating, the last rays of sunlight were leaving the sky. Dark shadows enveloped the room and Emily could no longer fight the needs of her beast. Her fingers played with the front door lock until it swung open and the scent of the wild filled the room.

  Emily was no longer afraid.

  Chapter 3

  Dying during a challenge for alpha wasn’t Brandt’s original plan. But the fight continued and he realized it would solve his biggest problem; his lack of a desire to live.

  Cheri, his clan leader and the vampire who could help him heal from death injuries, was in Europe working to bring the overseas clans into the 21st century. So far her success was minimal.

  Brandt knew she would be one pissed off vampire when she returned and found him dead. Not that it mattered because he wouldn’t be around to feel her wrath. And, she would have no choice but to accept Clem if he won the challenge for alpha. Pack rules dictated that if Clem killed him, he deserved the alpha title. Unfortunately, the pack did not deserve Clem.

  Brandt’s blood flowed and his life essence slowly faded. Over five-hundred years old, three-hundred of those years spent being leader of his pack, and a young barely two-hundred year old pup was getting the best of him. He could feel his broken ribs grinding and he knew they presented the biggest danger. He would not surv
ive if one pierced his heart.

  Clem’s insanity had shown for years and Brandt should have killed him long before this, but it was too late to go back now.

  The large fist landed slightly to the side of Brandt’s midsection and the sensitive wolf ears surrounding the ring heard the grating cracks. His pack had quieted to a hush of uneasy realization.

  Clem changed from man to wolf. He came in close for the death strike and his large teeth had one target, Brandt’s throat.

  “You fucking wolf, if you die I’ll follow you into the afterlife and kick your ass again.” Loud and clear, Cheri’s voice entered his mind and Brandt felt her presence like a beacon of energy.

  She could come to his aid in healing if he won, but according to pack law she couldn’t help him fight.

  Brandt’s internal sadness had rarely left him during the past year. He was tired of his life, but in that instant he decided that Clem would not be the one to take it.

  Brandt had no time to seek out the eyes of his queen. At the sound of her voice, he decided today was not a good day to die. Wrenching his head away, he avoided the yellow foam covered teeth attempting to tear out his jugular. Brandt’s body flowed seamlessly into his wolf form and twisted. The clang of vicious fangs missing purchase on his neck was satisfyingly sweet. In the next instant fur, flesh, and muscle from his shoulder tore in a savage twist by his enemy’s jaws. The pain caused him to focus.

  Brandt’s arms and legs changed to their human form.

  He grabbed Clem and brought the wolf’s neck to his elongated fangs. In one savage bite Clem’s life was no more. He threw the body to the ground and then changed to full wolf.

  Unsteady aching legs carried him from the ring into the surrounding woods and hills. His wolf form was pitch black in color and the night swallowed him leaving his queen behind.

  Brandt knew his injuries were life threatening, but he continued to run until his paws gave out and he lost too much blood to rise again. He lay on the leaves of the overgrown forest and allowed his breathing to slow. He embraced the pain, hoping for death.