CHAPTER I--THE NEXT DAY

Andrew Raymond just pulled into the parking lot of the Lupine Valley Sheriff’s station. Gliding the clutch into neutral, he leaned over and scooped up his badge, hat, and gun. Climbing up the steps, he reached the door and walked in.

“Good morning, Sheriff Raymond,” his kind receptionist acknowledged him.

“Morning, Beatrice,” Andrew muttered back, almost incoherently. That was his nature, a rough man with little to say: walk tall and carry a big stick complex. Andrew was middle aged, with a robust stomach that loved his wife’s cooking. Gray hairs started to penetrate his once handsome jet-black mane. Pressure from his incompetent, but young, deputy served for many long days at the office. Andrew’s tall frame accommodating him well for fighting crime, but his better days were behind him. Andrew was rapidly closing in on retirement, with only five more wonderful years to go.

“Another day, another day.” Andrew skimmed through his mail on the desk. “Crap, crap, and more crap.” He chucked the mail into the small silver wastebasket at the foot of the desk. Walking over to the coffee pot, he poured himself a steaming cup of coffee: black, no sugar. Sitting back down, he turned to his left and looked at the picture on his desk: his son and wife. Pinning the badge securely onto his brown shirt pocket, he reached for the black telephone. It rang before his hand had even reached the black receiver.

“Sheriff Raymond?” He responded into the phone. “Yeah? Really? Okay.”

He placed the phone down on the cradle and paged Beatrice through the intercom.

“Yes?” Her super friendly voice returned immediately.

“Get me Deputy Dog,” Andrew said in a dry tone. His attempts at humor were sometimes lost on other people.

“Right away sir,” she replied back. “Everything okay?”

“Another exciting day in Lupine Valley, and I didn’t even touch my coffee yet.”

Andrew made his way back up Daredevil’s Curve from his small office in Moon Junction. He approached the scene of the accident from the previous night.

The blue and brown official Sheriff’s Department Ford Bronco rolled to a stop along Daredevil’s Curve. Turning off the flickering blue and red lights, and the ignition, Sheriff Raymond opened the door and stepped out.

“What do we have here?” Andrew asked his deputy, as he got out of the Ford Bronco.

“A downed tree boss,” Deputy Dan noted.

His deputy was young and fresh, a rookie by any other name. This kid was wet behind the ears. Maybe too wet behind the ears for Andrew’s taste. Dan was almost twenty-one, although his puppy dog face would lead one to think he was still a minor. His dirty blond hair kept close to his head, and his wiry frame needed bulking up; but Dan had one thing even Andrew didn’t have. Underneath all that rookie ineptitude, Dan had the thrill for the job. Andrew’s enthusiasm might have faded over the years, stuck in a post where nothing exciting ever happened. He always wanted be a cop in a big city, but circumstances would prove otherwise. Things had changed and today would be different, he just didn’t know it yet.

“Yeah, I see that,” he responded back in an annoying tone. “What’s with the notepad, Sherlock?”

“For any key clues we might find,” Dan replied with his rookie grin. “Looks like the storm split the tree into two.” Dan seemed proud of his brilliant deduction.

Andrew was steamed. “I left a hot coffee for this?”

Dan just shrugged his shoulders.

“And what’s with the skid marks?” Andrew inquired, already knowing the answer.

“I don’t have skid marks in my notepad, did a witness tell you about them?” Dan answered back.

Andrew smacked the pad away from Dan’s hands. “No dipshit. No one told me about the marks,” he repeated back in a wise tone.

“How did you know then?” Dan asked as he picked up his notepad.

“I’m psychic,“ he snorted back in a sarcastic tone.

“Really?” Dan’s eyes widened. “I have this Aunt in Memphis who’s a psychic.”

Andrew cut him off. “Are you on automatic pilot today?”

“No, I had a good breakfast. I ate my Wheaties.”

“Better eat another box.” Andrew impatiently rolled his eyes.

“Let’s take a better look at those skid marks over there boss.” Dan pointed to a few yards up, before the tree.

“Well, looks like those Wheaties are working already.” Andrew smiled. “Yes, those are the ones. Go in my truck and get my binoculars, please.”

“Right away sir.” Danny obediently scurried of to do his task.

Reaching into his uniform brown slacks, Andrew pulled out an opened box of cigarettes. The red and white box was a bit crushed, but one could still make out the brand name: Marlboro.

“Marlboro Man, save me please.” He cupped his large hands, and lit a nice long cigarette. Drawing an ever-needed drag, he blew rings of smoke into the air until Dan came back.

Andrew peered through the green binoculars. First, he looked at the tree, then the marks on the road.

“Maybe a,” Andrew was cut off by Dan.

“A pickup truck.” Dan finished off Andrew‘s sentence.

“Yes, how did you know?” Andrew sounded impressed. Maybe there was a glimmer of hope after all.

“Well, my daddy loves trucks and tires. So I can tell those marks are from a brand new tread. Firestone tires, factory made.”

“Really, all that from a skid mark?” Andrew drew another long drag from the cigarette.

“It’s like a DNA sample for automobiles. And, well, there’s your truck down there in the valley. And over there, and over there, and over…” Dan pointed towards the wreckage below.

Andy walked up beside his partner and peeked through the binoculars again. Deputy Dog was right. His eyes followed Dan’s voice and piece by piece he saw remains of the truck.

“Well, fuck me!” He blurted out. “This trip is definitely worth missing my cup of coffee now.”

Dan broke up the profanity with a well-placed observation.

“That’s a mighty fine drop boss.”

“Quite a fall, if you spun out of control trying to miss, say, a fallen tree? Let’s regroup at the office and plan this one out.”

The Sheriff returned to his office and nodded to Beatrice.

“Well?” She inquisitively asked.

“Definitely worth my trip. A truck careened off Daredevil’s Curve, straight drop into Lupine Valley below,” replied Andrew.

“I tell my youngest not to race his car around, but does he listen? No way. Does any teenager listen to their mother?” She heard the door to Sheriff Raymond’s door slam shut.

Dan was knocking on the door moments after the Sheriff shut it.

“Come in Dan.”

“Let’s get some equipment and go investigate boss.” His perkiness began to wear on Andy.

“Slow down. Keep your eagerness in check. I like your moxie, but let’s get some tasty breakfast first. That truck ain’t going anywhere.”

Deputy Dog and Sheriff Raymond swung by Andrew’s house for some of that tasty breakfast. They did it everyday for the past year, exactly at nine o’clock in the morning.

“I love your wife’s flapjacks,” Dan said. “They sure are scrumptious.”

“You have be the only one in the state of Washington that adores my wife’s flapjacks,” Andrew said with a slick grin. “That box of Wheaties you ate earlier had more flavor.”

“Oh, you love them too,” Andy’s wife, stated as she poked her head around the corner. She patted his round belly and pointed to a huge mound of flapjacks. “Chow down, boys!”

His wife was an ordinary woman, with a short, average build, and quick as a whip. She would match Andy’s attitude on any given day. She was very smart and always there for her family. Everything he needed to center his universe. His gruff ways sometimes caused her to go nuts, but she opted to stay with him instead of being committed to the Tarpis Mental Hospital, up north in Seattle.

“Thanks Darlene,” Dan responded back. “May I have some orange juice, with lots of pulp?”

Darlene returned with a full pitcher of orange juice for her favorite Deputy. “I’ve known you since you were three, and you still love orange juice. Good to see some things never change.”

“Except his stomach.” Dan laughed back at Andy.

“That’s all from my excellent home cooking.” Darlene went over to husband.

“I look pretty damn good for being in my mid life cycle.” Andrew guzzled down a cool glass of calcium enriched orange juice. “I could outrun you any day of the week, rookie.”

“Now, how’s your morning Honey?” She pulled up a chair beside him.

“Action packed,” he replied back. “You know you look really good today, in that red sweatshirt and those blue jeans.” He gently placed his hand over hers. “They show off that nice ass of yours,” Andrew whispered into her ear.

“Now, Andrew Theodore David Raymond!” She slapped him gingerly with the red plaid dishtowel that hung from her hip. “We have a guest at the table.”

“Anyway, besides the usual stuff, like road kill, or some fat cat stuck in a tree,” Andy responded to her original question about his day. “We might have something worthwhile today.”

“Like what?” She poured herself some water from the other pitcher on the table.

“Like,” he began to talk as he crunched into a buttery piece of toast. “A truck went of the side of Daredevil’s Curve last night.”

“Ouch!” She said. “Sounds awful. Foul play?”

“Colombo, I’m not. So I doubt it. Looks like a tree fell down and caused someone to swerve in the rain.”

“The vehicle fell off the curve into the woods below,” Dan interjected, with maple syrup dripping down his chin.

“Use a napkin.” Andy threw a handful of napkins at him. “Damn, you’re disgusting!”

“Oh man, it’s in my goatee now.”

“Go to the bathroom and wash up, we’re getting ready to motor.” Andy stood up from the table.

Dan left the room and went to the bathroom.

“You see what I deal with?” Andy looked to his wife, as he shook his hand in Dan’s direction.

“You’re doing your best Sweetie. He’s still a kid, so mentor him. You were young at one time.”

“Grant can do a better job than him, and he’s eight years old!”

“You’re saying that because he’s your son.”

“No, I say it because it’s true.” Andrew readied himself to leave.

“Dan’s parents are very thankful for you giving him a job. No one ever expected Deputy Earl to disappear into thin air.” She held his hand. “Grant wants you to read to him tonight.”

“Three little pigs?” He smiled.

“Of course.” She smiled back.

“Same story every night.”

“I love you.” Darlene kissed him on the cheek.

“I love you back.” He squeezed her hand a few times. “Tell Grant I’ll be back by dinnertime.”

“Let’s go Dan!” Andy’s voice bellowed. “Time’s a wasting!”

“Sheriff Raymond?” The CB cackled. “Sheriff Raymond?” The female voice repeated.

“Yes, what’s up Beatrice?” Andrew responded with a click of the button.

“Before you go truck hunting, I’m getting several reports of a naked man walking through the next town over.”

“Ah, Moon River. And he’s naked? As in birthday suit naked?” The Sheriff rolled eyes towards Dan.

“Yes sir. Buck, white knuckle, in the buff, naked.”

“Alright, thanks Beatrice.” He released the button and returned the CB back to the black holder on the dash.

The Bronco pulled into the small town of Moon River. Lupine Valley was made of only four towns, a close-knit family like situation. Generation after generation grew up in these towns, taking care of each other, looking for out each other’s children and the like. The Sheriff and his family worked and lived in the main town of Moon Junction. The heaviest dose of the population resided there, with the rest scattered throughout the other three towns. The other two towns, Moon Landing, and Moon Lake completed the foursome. Harper’s Woods surrounded the area, enclosing it within her grasp. The next bustling city, definitely a lengthy two-hour car ride away, was up in Centre City, Seattle.

The land was once settled by Native Americans before white man settled here, banishing them onto waiting reservations in the lower western states. They had named the four areas in reverence to the moon. They had named Lupine Valley in honor of the wolves and their spiritual significance in their culture.

“Danny boy.” Andrew looked over at his partner. “You with me?”

“Yeah, just daydreaming about the history of this place.”

“Rich tradition.” Andrew waved his hand at the green forests. “The Indians settled it, got kicked off and moved to several gaudy reservations, then Manifest Destiny drove everyone and their uncle out here.”

“I know, I learned it in school,” Dan replied back.

“Yes you did my friend.” The Sheriff interrupted himself, once he found the man walking aimlessly through town. “There he is.” He pointed in the man’s general direction.

“Excuse me, sir.” Andrew pulled to a stop and got out. Walking over to the man, he withdrew his badge and pocket flashlight. “Sheriff Raymond here.” He flashed the white light into the man’s eyes. The man looked lost and confused. “Sir, you need to come with me.” Sheriff Raymond waved to the passersby, showing them that he had the situation under control.

Danny handed an extra coat to the gentleman. Reluctantly, the man draped the coat over his shaking body.

“What in the hell are you doing walking naked through my streets in November? You’ll freeze your pecker off in this bitter weather!” Andrew tried humor, but to no avail. “Got a name?”

The distant man just looked ahead in a complete stare. A deer caught in the headlights kind of look. A middle aged man, he was balding a bit on the top, but otherwise in perfect condition. Muscular and toned, he seemed to be very strong, if he so desired to use his strength. His passive nature was certainly a mystery to them.

“Sir, you have blood all over your hands and mouth. How did that get there? Did you cut yourself?” Danny surmised the situation.

Again the man remained completely silent.

“Let’s bring him back to the station and refresh his memory with some coffee and sandwiches.” Danny turned back to Andrew.

“Great thinking.” Andrew smiled. There seemed to be more hope every minute for Danny boy.

“No!!!” The man screamed loud as a banshee. Andrew and Danny winced at the piercing scream.

The man never said another word on the ride back to Moon Junction, the next town over, and the main headquarters for Sheriff Raymond and Deputy Dog.

“Beatrice, I have a surprise for you,” Andrew snickered as he entered he station. “I found you an eligible bachelor.”

“Hush your mouth,” she hissed back. “He looks like a dead man walking.”

“Keep and eye on him for us?” Andrew brought the naked man to Beatrice.

“You’ve got be kidding me!” She laughed.

“We’ll dress him in some old clothes of mine, and nourish him a bit,” Andrew said. “When he’s ready to talk, call me.”

“Alright.” Beatrice poured some hot coffee for her new guest.

“Stay here for awhile and get some rest. We’ll be back shortly to resume questioning,” Andrew talked to the man. “Rest in this cell here, until we get back.” He locked the cell and gave the golden key to Beatrice. “Be wary, and very careful,” advised the Sheriff.

“I will,” Beatrice sniffed back. “If I can handle a teenager, I sure can handle a naked guy!”

“Just don’t drool on the floors.” Andrew tried again for some humor.

“Trying to be funny?” Beatrice shot back sarcastically.

“No, of course not,” Andrew slouched his shoulders and walked back to the truck. “We need to get back to the truck Danny boy.”

The two men returned to the truck.

“We’ve been hounded all week by domestic calls. Save my dog, arrest a shoplifter for pilfering gumballs, and my best, a blind man in an argument with a deaf man,” Danny said with a hearty chuckle.

“What’s so bad about that?” Andrew replied.

“Over a chess game!” Danny snorted, rolling his eyes.

“Good all Harry and Wayne.” Andrew laughed. “Those two brothers are something else.”

“Yeah, funny stuff.” Danny seemed irked. “This naked guy sure takes the cake, though.”

“Let me swing by the house and say hello to Grant. I’m not going to be there for dinner. I just have this gut instinct that this will be a really long night.”

“Grant my boy!” Andrew swung his arms open to greet his son.

“Daddy!” He ran up to his father. His blond hair was a bit long and in need of a trim. “I’ve missed you!”

“Me too.” Andrew grabbed his son’s hair and rubbed it. “I have to work late tonight, probably to about seven or eight o’clock.”

“No story?” Grant lowered his head. Bedtime was eight o’clock: strict rules.

“Probably not.” Andrew glowered. “Where’s Mommy?”

“Mommy!” Grant called for his mother. She came into the foyer.

“I won’t be here for dinner Honey, but what about we pack me and my helper here a snack for the ride?”

“We’re going on a ride?” Grant’s eyes lit up. His eight-year-old body screamed with excitement. He always loved spending time with his father. Now, they could be like the cops in the movies, busting the bad guys and restoring justice.

“I’d like to take you with me, if it’s okay with your mother. You could be my second deputy.”

“Can I Mommy!” Grant jumped up and down, tugging at her apron strings.

“Well, I don’t know.” She looked at her husband.

“Hey, it’s Friday, there’s no school tomorrow, and it’d be great bonding,” Andrew stated. “I just have to scour the area for clues and he’s great at that.” He pointed to his son. “I’ll have him back by bedtime.”

“Homework done young man?” She looked down at her son.

“Yes,” Grant replied eagerly.

“Okay then, let me pack my detectives some stuffed peppers for dinner.” She kissed her son and husband before leaving for the kitchen.

The threesome finally reached their destination. Only an hour of light was left, so they had to hurry.

The truck landed in a secluded dense area of Lupine Valley. Daredevil’s Curve was right above the truck. The curve helped link Lupine Valley to the rest of the world. Andrew pulled up alongside the blown up truck.

The Sheriff began to look around. Looking up at the curve, he tried to estimate the drop. “Long fall, about thirty feet or so.”

Danny began to search the debris for clues, while Grant walked over to his father.

His father now climbed into the cab of the charred vehicle. His badge got caught on the seat belt and snapped off, as he forcefully tugged at it to break free. The badge popped off and disappeared somewhere in the cab. Ignoring the badge, he turned his attention to the intense damage: a broken windshield, driver’s side window smashed, and the remains of the severely damaged black steering wheel.

“Daddy.” Grant tugged at his father’s overcoat. “Did you see this?” He handed his father a burnt brown wallet.

“Great eye Grant!” He opened the wallet and looked down at the charred picture on the curled up driver’s license, “Peter. Peter Rawlings!”

“Isn’t that your receptionist’s nephew daddy?” Grant wondered, remembering what Peter looked like.

“Sadly, yes. Let me give her a call and let her know. Poor little lamb.” He picked up the CB and called into the station house.

“Beatrice can you copy me? Beatrice?” A bad feeling swept over Andrew. She always answered the CB; she was like a damn hawk on that thing.

Meanwhile, back at the station, Beatrice had her hands full with her guest.

“Let me out!!” The man snarled at her.

“Now, now. That’s no way to talk to a lady!” She pointed her finger at him, as if she were scolding a young child.

“Sorry but you don’t understand,” his voice demanding.

“Understand what? Don’t you have a name? We could have a very calm talk, if you told me your name.” Beatrice started to walk closer to the cell.

“I need to go back home.”

“Home, like in Mars?” She sarcastically retorted.

“Listen, my name is Terrance.” He seemed to be calmer as he walked towards the cell door.

“Beatrice.” She reached out to him.

He started to suddenly shake and she approached him with caution. Terrance became more irritated and shook the cell door violently. “Listen to me! Let me free or you’ll die!”

“Must be a full moon tonight, cause’ you’re blitzing nuts!!” Beatrice screamed back at the man. “I’m calling the Sheriff, he’ll straighten your ass out.” She glanced down at her watch, six thirty and plenty dark outside. The moon began glowing outside and grew fuller with every breath Beatrice took.

“I warned you woman!” Terrance shouted back. His hand started to shake; his fingernails slowly grew from their normal length. His hands cupped his spinning head, while high pitched shrills escaped from him. “The madness!!!”

“What are you going to do? Change into a bloody werewolf?” She scoffed as she slowly turned back around. Her mouth dropped wide open and her eyes couldn’t move. Paralyzed with fear she stood there, mouth still agape with terror. Screams rushed from her lips, only there was no sound.

Before her stood a massive, eight foot tall werewolf, complete with razor sharp teeth, big yellow eyes, and awesome body strength.

The wolf let out a huge howl and grabbed Beatrice by the neck and rammed her into the metal bars on the rusty cell.

Finally words escaped her. “Help!” She screamed. She felt the warmness of blood trickle down her forehead and into her mouth. Her nose was broken, and her head busted open. Her faint cries faded into the loud roar that followed. She slowly slid down the cells bars, collapsing onto the floor.

The wolf grasped the cell door in his enormous hands and ripped it off the hinges. Furious, the wolf scampered outside, into the dark night cold night.

“No answer.” Sheriff Raymond clicked off the radio. “Must’ve left for the night. In any case, I’ll tell her tomorrow.”

“Danny!” Andrew called for his partner. “Find anything!”

“Yeah, the hood!” Danny yelled back.

“Oh yeah.” Andrew stared down at the truck. “No hood, I really missed that. Blood all over the place, and what’s this?” He bent down to pick something white and jagged off the ground.

“Look like a shark’s tooth daddy.” Grant peered from around the corner. “Can I see it?”

“Sure, I guess.” He tossed to his son. “Big sucker, isn’t it? Looks canine. Be careful with it.”

“Yes, daddy.” Grant’s eyes glowed at the new prize.

His dad went to the back of the truck. “Danny come here!” Andrew kneeled beside the truck and motioned for Danny to do the same.

“Look here, Dan.” He pointed to the gas tank. “Something set this truck ablaze, and we‘re going to find out what it was.”

“A really big explosion,” Dan responded. “The gas tank could’ve burst upon impact.”

“Look around,” Andrew told Danny. “See what you can find, we’re going to need more information on Peter. Grant come with me, we’ll grab a light from the truck.”

Father and son went straight into the woods, once they armed themselves with flashlights. Danny went along the perimeter.

A soft cold rain began to fall down upon the valley. “This place creeps me out Daddy,” Grant eyes showed fear.

“Relax, you’re with me. I’ll protect you from those evil squirrels!” They both laughed. The ground softened beneath their treads, while a few miles down the path Andrew saw something stuck in the ground. Rubbing his stubbly chin, he recognized the item, a wooden brown Remington hunting rifle.

“This sure looks like Pete’s. His father bought it for him on his eighteenth birthday. We better get you home son. I can certainly re-canvas the area in the morning.”

But something else had caught his eye. It looked like a human hand. “What the hell is that?” Andrew moved closer to the beige object.

He leaned over and picked up the hand, which was attached to an arm! The rest of the devoured body was missing!

Sensing utmost danger, Andrew called out to his son, “Grant, back to the truck! Now!”

“Daddy I’m scared!” Grant eyes had never seen anything like this before, at least not in real life. His hair matted down from the wet rain, and his muddy blue and red Converse sneakers began to leak water onto his white crew socks.

“Stay with me!! Hold my hand!” His father heroically reached for his son.

The flashlight revealed the rest of the body. Torn to shreds behind a nearby tree, not far from the truck. Looked like Pete made a run from whatever was after him, and didn’t make it.

“That’s Pete all right.” Andrew reached down and quickly inspected the body. Grant covered his eyes like he always did during the scary part of a movie. All he wanted to do was go home and be tucked into his warm bed cuddled with his Mommy and Daddy.

“Danny!” Andrew shouted for his deputy. “Time to motor! Let’s go Danny!” No answer, and Andrew didn’t like that one bit. What could have done this to Peter? Could it be a bear, or a mountain lion, or perhaps even a roving, raging, madman? Nothing made sense in these woods.

The wolf became stronger with every step it took. The wolf’s senses realized the object from last night, and continued on his path. Its keen sense of smell picked up new prey, not far from the truck. The werewolf’s vision could see something moving in the dark, and followed the scent into the deep thick wooded area.

The full moon illuminated the valley, as Danny kept on searching. He was so involved in his search, he never heard Andrew calling for him. Tunnel vision kept his eyes away from his surroundings, and only focused on the ground looking for clues.

The wolf started to gain ground and soon appeared right in front of its prey. Those yellow eyes focused on the bright light coming straight at it. The wolf picked up his pace and slammed right into the animal.

Danny felt a thundering crack. His body was sent flying through the air. A loud howl penetrated through the woods.

“Daddy, did you hear that?“ Grant asked.

“Yes, it seemed to come from over there, in Danny’s direction. Let’s go get Danny!” The two of them raced to find Danny.

Danny awoke to the spinning of his flashlight. His fingers reached through the mud for the flashlight to find out where he was. Eventually, his senses returned, and once standing up, Danny did a three-sixty with the light to see what had crashed into him. Danny came upon a pair of yellow eyes to his right side and turned to face it.

The wolf, briefly stunned by the glaring light, let out a vicious slap, and sent the light flying out of Danny’s hands.

“Mother of God!” Danny’s eyes bulged from their sockets in horror.

The wolf slashed through Danny’s Varsity football jacket and into his chest, gorging huge marks throughout.

Danny fell backwards onto the ground, blood spilling from his chest cavity. He could feel his organs slipping out of his body. Holding himself together, he reached for his gun and fired off a shot.

“Hear that? That’s Danny’s gun!” The Sheriff and his son raced further into the woods.

“Danny!” A thick rolling fog filled the forest completely now. Vision reduced to a mere few feet. Andrew would have to hurry if he wanted to rescue Danny.

A tall statue was heading their way. Too tall to be a person, it reminded Grant of Bigfoot; But, Bigfoot was a legend, and legends aren’t real. They’re only stories told to pass time. He tugged at his father’s cuff. “Over there.” He pointed for his father.

Before Andrew could react, the figure broke through the fog with a vicious snarl. They couldn’t believe their eyes. Standing before them was a werewolf!

Grant wet his blue jeans. Andrew shouted to his son. “Grant! Run!” Grant obeyed his father’s last command. The wolf fiercely pounced on Andrew.

Grant stopped and looked back for a second.

“Daddy!” Grant saw his father held up against the tree and the wolf tearing into him. The fog rolled over the two and Grant couldn’t see his father or the werewolf anymore. All he heard was his father’s scream: ‘I love you son’ and then it was over. The noises had stopped and Grant stood there scared shitless. An eight year old all alone in the dark woods, fearing for his life, he thought it was all over and done with. Until, the wolf came out of the fog into the open and snarled in front of Grant’s weepy face.

Saliva dripped onto Grant’s sneakers. The hot musky breath of the wolf bothered him. Standing still, he faced the wolf and prepared to die with his own honor and pride. Grant looked the devil in the eyes and dared him. Anger filled him inside. He clenched his fists into tiny balls of rage and begged the wolf to attack him.

“Grant!” He looked beyond the beast and saw Danny standing a few feet behind the beast.

“Run!” Danny yelled, as he pumped shot after shot into the werewolf’s back.

Angrily, the wolf turned around and devoured Danny.

Grant kept running and running….“I HAVE TO GET HOME…”

QUIVER: TERROR IN LUPINE VALLEY

3O YEARS LATER..EVIL RETURNS HOME

IN A BRAND NEW EDITION/WITH AN EXTENDING ENDING!!

FROM STONEGARDEN PUBLISHERS

July 10, 2006

QUIVER 2: FULL CYCLE  11.15.2006

QUIVER III: NEW CYCLE  WINTER 2007

More praise for the Quiver Series

Quiver 3
by
Jason Gehlert {Reviews by Bob Morgan, Author}

Jason Gehlert is an author who does not pull his punches. If you pick up a copy of any of the books in the Quiver series expect some really strong jolts to be coming your way.

These days among lesser known horror writers there is a problem that I've noticed. That problem is one of timidity.

The concept of political correctness has slowly crept into the consciousness of mainstream America like a cancer and dulled many revolutionary voices. On one hand you have the best known authors, you know who they are, who can write anything no matter how politically incorrect and they are widely published while the public and media eat it up and call them brilliant.

If a lesser known author does this the major publishers won't touch what he writes and he's labeled not revolutionary but revolting, not brilliant but obnoxious.

It is refreshing to see a new gutsy author buck the system and write exactly what he feels is worthy of being read.

Jason Gehlert has written three books in the Quiver series. Each book is bloodier than the one that preceded it.

Since this review concerns Quiver 3 I'll tell you that it spans a wide range of locations and times. The reader is shown America in the early part of the 1900's, the frozen wastelands of Russia and some truly horrific prison scenes and believe it or not, the future.

Jason Gehlert is an author who does not flinch away from violence in his books. He does not flinch away from gruesome details when it comes time to show the mayhem. Since he is writing horror I applaud him for this.

The books in the Quiver series all have moments of extreme ugliness and a few moments of tenderness.

They are powerful.

When you buy a horror novel you lay down your money to get a dark thrill and occasionally be grossed out. You pay your money to get an emotional reaction.

Quiver 3 delivers on it's promise of bringing the blood and guts. It is highly recommended.