I opened my mouth and sharp fangs shot from my gums while my snout lengthened and filled with all the wonderful smells of the night—denied to me as a human. My eyes glowed and night became bright as day to my sharp eyes.
Dropping to all fours I stretched my powerful back.
RIIIIIP!
My clothing tore at the seams and fell away from my sleek, muscled limbs. More muscles rippled under the skin as the power of the moon flowed into my legs and arms. My smooth claws shone in the moonlight. Swept up in the thrill of the wereing, I lifted my magnificent head and howled.
“AHHHHOOOOOOO!”
I was Gruff! The beautiful and strong!
As my howl died away I dropped back onto my haunches. I could hear every sound of the crowd—a crying child, laughter, confusion. And under all that the growling of werewolves, getting ready to work their evil.
Instantly I knew myself for what I really was—not beautiful and strong but a hideous and unnatural monster!
Then my keen ears picked up an ominous sound.
CLICK!
The werewolves had locked the front gate. So that’s why they’d put up the fence. It was the only exit! The townspeople were trapped.
Chapter 41
BOOOM! CRACK! BOOM!
Everybody was looking up into the sky as colorful fireworks burst overhead.
“Oooooooooh,” they cried joyfully. “Ahhhhhhh.”
They were so intent on the show they didn’t see the werewolves creeping in from the edges of the crowd, red eyes flickering hungrily under the rainbow colors of the fireworks.
A little girl screamed. “Mommy! Look! Monsters!”
The mother looked around, laughing. Then she caught sight of me.
Soon other people were screaming as they glimpsed the glowing eyes and gleaming fangs of the monsters surrounding them. But the explosions of fireworks drowned out their cries.
BOOM! BOOM!
People were running and shoving in panic. They would trample each other once they realized the gate was locked. Already people were falling to the ground and screaming in terror.
I could save them if they’d only listen. I knew what to do. I streaked around the crowd and then leaped into the air, sailing over their heads.
I landed smack in the center of the stage, scattering terrified musicians.
I grabbed the microphone. I can save you, I wanted to tell them. If you’ll only listen to me.
I opened my jaws to shout but all that came out was a howl, tremendously magnified by the loudspeakers.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
Chapter 42
I gnashed my teeth in frustration. People ran screaming. A werewolf lashed out with its claws and pounced on a fleeing man. There was something oddly familiar about the werewolf.
As the man struggled wildly, the drooling monster sank its teeth into his arm. With a pain like a knife in my heart, I recognized the werewolf. It was Mr. Parker. He lifted his head, fangs dripping, and laughed.
“HEEEEEHAHAHAHHEEE!”
The man dropped to the ground, writhing. Instantly bristly hair began to sprout and the man’s clothes ripped at the seams and fell away from his bulging new werewolf body. The man leaped up and began to race after the humans, fangs gleaming wetly.
They were going to do it, I thought. The werewolves were going to take over the town. I saw two of them stir up the fire on the barbecue grills, their eyes glowing hotter than the coals.
Then I caught sight of Paul and Kim. They were running toward the rec building, urging others to follow. My heart gave a leap of hope. That’s right, I shouted inside my head, go to the rec building. It’s your only chance!
I jumped off the stage and began hissing and growling, driving the terrified people toward the building.
Werewolves howled in frustration but I lashed at their faces and drove them back. One of the werewolves leaped in the air in front of me. With a little shiver, I recognized Big Rick, the bully from school.
“You can’t stop us,” he taunted inside my head. “We’re on to your tricks!”
With a cackle of werewolf laughter he leaped again and opened his paw. From one claw dangled the key to the rec building.
“We’ll lock ’em in,” he crowed, “and pick them off one at a time. They’ll all join us—whether they want to or not!”
Chapter 43
The Rick werewolf danced away from me, swinging the key, howling with glee.
Suddenly a pigeon, flushed from its hiding place in the rain gutter of the rec building, burst into flight over Rick’s head. The blood urge blazing in his eyes, Rick swiped at the bird and captured it easily.
“No!” I screamed, launching myself into the air.
I crashed into Rick, knocking him to the ground.
“Ugh!” With the wind temporarily knocked out of him, his paw opened and the bird flew off. Rick let out a bellow of anger.
“Don’t make your first kill,” I growled. “Or you’ll be one of Them forever.”
“Good!” shrieked Rick, struggling. “I like being a werewolf. What’s so bad about it, sissy-monster? I’m strong and powerful, not like those weak humans. Werewolves can do anything!”
“Werewolves KILL people,” I hissed into his ear.
For an instant he went slack. “No, we just make them werewolves like us,” he muttered. But the red glow dimmed uncertainly in his eyes. I hauled him up and dragged him to a toolshed next to the rec building. Yanking open the door, I tossed him inside. “If you know what’s good for you,” I snarled. “You’ll stay here until dawn.”
I slammed the door and snapped the shed padlock shut. It wouldn’t keep him in if he really wanted to get out. I looked at the key I’d taken from him. He could break down the door. And the werewolves could break down the locked rec building door. But if I locked the rec building door it would give the humans a few more minutes.
I ran to the spot
