Chapter 1 - The Beast
The creature quietly creeps along the edge of the woods, intently watches his next victim. Soon, he’ll kill him the way he did all of his other victims. It won’t be a painless death. No, the beast plans to rip him apart piece by piece, devouring every morsel of his being. If he’s lucky, his victim’s heart will shower him with warm blood as he gobbles the delicious feast.
Being a shape shifter, he’s able to turn himself into any creature he chooses. Tonight he decided to become a hyena because this small creature is able to devour every tiny fragment of a human body. Unlike the other creatures where he’s forced to leave bits and pieces behind. This is an important detail for this mission. He plans on killing the entire Navajo tribe for what they did to his family.
A few years ago the tribe accused his family of being witches, torturing them until they confessed. After being brutally chastised by the entire community, they were burned alive in their home. The town’s people tried to burn him too, but unlike the rest of his family, he was a sorceress, a skin walker. Using his strength and powers, he broke free of their restraints, claiming he’d be back to kill every last one. Now that he’s mastered the skill he’s ready to seek his revenge.
“All of them will die a slow, painful death the way my family did.” He roars. The creature started licking his lips as he meticulously watched as his victim walked towards him. It’d had been almost a week since he’d eaten last and couldn’t wait to tear into his prey. He knows he has to be patient because if he attacks to soon the others will hear him and come running to his defense. Besides, he didn’t want to be rushed on an important mission like this. No, he wanted to take his time to enjoy every delicious bite.
He continued to watch his prey diligently works his way through the woods, stopping when they reach the clearing. Hearing a strange noise behind him, the creature looks towards the open field. He sees a herd of cattle trampling through the pasture. Turning around, he sees his prey chasing after them. Not wanting to lose his victim, the creature quickly darts into the field. Reaching the middle of the pasture the creature hears a loud rumbling noise coming from the top of the hill. Turning around he sees a dozen large heifers stampeding towards him. Dust starts flying all around as he dodges out of the way.
Seeing the cattle charging down the field, the rancher mounts his horse and races to the top of the hill. Looking around he notices a small, frail creature lying helplessly in the dirt.
“That’s the culprit?’” He laughs, watching feeble animal take another agonizing breath. Sliding off his horse, he bends next to the whining creature.
“I need to put the poor thing out of its misery,” he thinks. Grabbing his gun off his saddle, he walks back over to the injured animal.
“Sorry little guy,” he says, lifting the rifle up to his shoulder.
“Did you find out what was going on Jack?” Mr. Mc Callahan asks, riding up beside him.
“This little creature must have spooked them. What is that ugly looking thing anyhow?” He asks, lowering his weapon.
“It looks like a hyena but I don’t know what a hyena would be doing around these parts?”
“Maybe it escaped from a zoo or something. Hey, do you think they’ll give us a reward for finding him?”
“The shape he’s in, I doubt it.”
“It never hurts to try, right boss?”
“I suppose. Just be sure to keep him locked up tight, away from all of the other animals.”
“Yes, sir.”
Grabbing his keys off the counter, Stan runs for the door. His boss wants him to pick up more prospects for the lab studies, tonight. Dr. Wiser said the last batch of experimental drugs had failed and he wanted to try a different combination on a new set of people. He asked his boss what happened to the last bunch, but Dr. Wiser refused to answer. When Stan pushed the doctor further, Dr. Wiser stated he’s paid good money to get him test subjects, not ask a bunch of ignorant questions about something he knew absolutely nothing about.
Stan thought the entire lab experiment thing was shady at first, with all of its secret information and topp notch security system. He became really suspicious when he was told to choose people who’d no one would miss and to escort them to the lab immediately, once they agree. Stan thought about refusing the job and would have if he didn’t need the money so badly.
After he brought the second group of people in, Dr. Wiser explained why they were doing and why they had to be so secretive. He claimed that the government was paying him to do research on Alzheimer’s disease. He went on to say that 5.2 million Americans suffer from this illness and scientist predict that number will double every twenty years. By the year 2050. Experts when on to say that it’d cost the government 1.2 trillion dollars to care for them. This is why the government is willing to pay top dollar to him and all of the recruits he signs up. Stan understood why the research was so important and why the government wanted to keep it under wraps during the preliminary stages. He still couldn’t help but wonder how many other government cover-ups were going on that no one was aware of.
Although $500 a test subject is nothing to sneeze at, he figures he earns every cent with everything he has to go through. Besides finding someone who is healthy and wouldn’t be missed, the participant has to agree to a strict set of rules. They have to agree to live at the facility. They’re not allowed to have visitors, make or receive phone calls. They have to agree to take all the medicine that’s given to them. They have to abstain from any recreational drugs, alcohol and tobacco. They have to agree to eat the meals that’s prepared for them and to periodic health exams. Many will balk when he starts reading them the rules, but once he mentions a thousand dollars a week, the strict regimen is quickly forgotten.
If finding someone who meets the criteria and who agrees to the rules wasn’t hard enough, they give him an old black van to use A vehicle that anyone with half a brain would be suspicious of. The doctor claims the pile of junk is equipped with expensive devises to enhance the lab’s security.
Pulling up to his friends Larry’s house he honks the horn. Larry had agreed to help for $100 per client. Stan didn’t like having to pay the extra expense, but found he needed someone to help him with the larger hauls.
“We’re going to make some good money tonight, Larry.”
“How do you figure that?”
“I found a new spot, a goldmine of opportunities.
“As long as I make enough to pay my rent tomorrow I’ll be happy.”
“You’ll make double maybe triple tonight.”
“I sure hope so.”
“What did you find out about that beast?” Mr. Mc Callahan asks.
“The zoo’s claim they don’t carry hyenas. They say they’re so dangerous, unpredictable the owners didn’t want to chance it”. Besides, there isn’t a high request for them.”
“They are ugly looking critters.”
“A face only a mother could love.” Jack laughs.
“Isn’t that the truth? So what are you going to do with him?”
“A friend of mine wants him, says he can make good use of him.”
“I hope he plans to pay you something. At least cover some of the feeding cost.”
“He said he would.”
“Good, when is he coming to get him?”
“He should be here soon.”
“I’ll be happy to get that hideous looking thing out of my barn.”
“Yeah, he gives me the creeps every time I walk in there. Especially when he does that howling thing. Did you know their only predator is a lion?”
“That doesn’t surprise me one bit.”
“They’ve been known to take food away from the lions.”
“That little creature steals food from the king of the Jungle?” He laughs.
“Sometimes.”
“He must be one mean mother or have a big pair.” They both laugh.
“So what did you think about the new spot, Larry?”
“It’s alright I guess, but we only got five so far.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll sign up more soon.”
“Shouldn’t we drop the others off first?” He asks point towards the back.
“No, they’ll be alright for a little while.”
“What if they get anxious and decide to leave?”
“There’s no way they’re escaping the van.”
“Here comes two more.” Stan says, pointing to a couple crossing the parking lot.
“How do you want to do this?”
“I take the woman and you take the man.”
“Why do I always get stuck with the men?” He protests.
“Because I know how to charm the ladies and you don’t.”
“I do too!”
“When was your last date?”
“Well, I .”
Exactly.” Stan laughs, walking towards the couple.
The creature laid quietly at the bottom of his cage. The ranch hand thought he was sleeping, but he was using his magical gift to repair all of his wounds. He knew he had to heal quickly because he couldn’t possibly survive on his own like this. He certainly couldn’t finish what he’d started, locked up in a cage.
“Here he is, sir.” The ranch hand, says, flipping on the light. Dr. Wiser peeks in the cage.
“He’s absolutely perfect.” He exclaims with delight.
“Do you want me to load him up for you?”
“That would be wonderful, thank you lad.” Feeling the cage suddenly shift, the creature looks up. He sees a short, rounded man staring down at him.
“Don’t worry little fellow, Dr. Wiser will feed you well.” The beast lets out an eerie howl. The doctor jumps back.
“He’s a spooky little creature.” The doctor replies.
“To creepy for me.”
“Well, he’ll serve my purpose just fine.”
“What do you plan on doing with him?”
“Never mind that, just load him up and make it snappy I don’t have all night.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’ll be fed gourmet style from here on out.” Dr. Wiser whispers, closing the hatch.
