Final Harvest of the Werewolf

All Rights Reserved © 2002 by Dragan Vujic

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the publisher.

Writers Club Press an imprint of iUniverse

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Any resemblance to actual people and events is purely coincidental. This is a work of fiction.

ISBN: 0-595-21520-3

ISBN: 978-1-469-76773-4 (ebook)

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER ONE

Forbiden Knowledge

A bright full moon illuminated the dark, navy blue sky that was sporadically speckled with stars. Autumn signaled a time for harvest. All crops were in their various stages of being gathered. The harvesters had already commenced to reap the bountiful fruits of their respective labours. Each person would profit from what he or she had sown in the spring of this year. Although most of the edibles would be commercially distributed and sold to the populace at large, the farmers themselves would personally consume a small portion of what they had produced. However, there was a particularly precious item in the town of Vufield that was specifically grown for the exclusive consumption of a very elite group of individuals.

Fall was the most colourful and picturesque season of the year. Everything appeared in varying hues of gold, orange, scarlet, green and brown. Nature had its own magnificent and majestic brand of beauty. It was the last merry dance before a blanket of snow covered the land. A cool evening breeze tenderly rustled the dry leaves of the hardwoods and softly stroked the needles of the evergreens. The nightly beacons lit up the interior of a predominantly deciduous woodlot, which abruptly ended at a paved highway. A field of fallen grass was located on the other side of the roadway. Nocturnal creatures composed and played their own music in the dark hours. In the tranquility of this autumn evening, the symphony of the fauna orchestra could be heard clearly.

Suddenly, the melodic notes of the nocturnal choir ceased. An eerie quietude momentarily reigned. Then, one could hear the crunching of crisp leaves and the cracking of dry twigs as a frightened man ran across the forest floor. The carpet of autumn made movement in silence an impossible feat. Emerging from the depths of the north woods, consisting primarily of deciduous trees, a solitary figure navigated his way towards the two-lane highway. Perhaps, the quickly advancing individual hoped to find sanctuary thereat. In any event the intended destination glimmered in the distance.

A pale white face, which exuded an expression of absolute horror, shone like a beacon in the darkness of the night. Terrified green eyes frantically searched the blackness for a hint of the roadway. Sweat drenched the trembling body of the runner. His powder blue dress shirt was matted, wrinkled, soaked and even torn in some places. The right shirttail hung outside of the black dress pants. Gray Argyle socks in black Dack shoes were wet from a combination of sweat dispensed by the body and water that had seeped in through the leather. Expensive dress shoes were not designed for jogging through predominantly rough terrain interspersed with isolated soggy patches. The tough leather squeezed the feet of the fleeing man and his feet ached.

Somewhere along the side of the paved highway, there was a marine green Corvette. The doors of the vehicle were unlocked and the keys were in the ignition. This car presented the only hope of escape from a fate far worse than death. If only Eduardo could reach his vehicle in time, he could blast out of this bizarre nightmare. Screeching tires and a powerful engine would carry him to freedom. His life depended on attaining his car before his pursuers caught up to him. Otherwise, damnation would surely follow. He was definitely being chased. The distance between the prey and predators decreased significantly by the passing of every second. Soon, the hunters would have Eduardo in their grasp.

Eduardo Munro was a law professor in the faculty of law at the prestigious university known as Breslau University. He had taught there in excess of ten years and had tenure. Eddy, as faculty, staff and students commonly called him, was well respected and highly regarded. Professor Munro was in his late forties, of average height and slightly on the heavy side. He was definitely not into athletics and his flabby body testified to this fact. Short trimmed black hair, somewhat thin on top, splattered with varying shades of gray was combed straight back. His round, pudgy face displayed coarse features. A pair of emerald green eyes shone from deep-set sockets that were crested by thick, black eyebrows. He was by no means a handsome man. However, the professor was acutely intelligent in the academic sense.

One day, Eddy committed a grave cardinal sin. Although not specifically delineated in any procedural manuals, it was a well-established ethical rule that staff would never date students. This was absolutely forbidden. It was part of an informal code of conduct—a code of conduct that all of the other staff member had adhered to judiciously. All since the foundation of the university had obeyed this unwritten law. Eddy became the first offender.

Unable to resist his biological urges and an unexplainable attraction to a specific young lady, professor Munro blatantly violated this unwritten law. Eddy surreptitiously dated and subsequently fell in love with one of his first year law students. Love grew with time. Passion overrode common sense. He could not resist the temptation. She made him feel so good. His sensation to soared to novel heights. Within the space of eight months, Eddy publicly declared his feelings and married this special student. He knew better, but emotions overruled logic and Eddy strayed from the standard norm. All hope to redemption was lost. Later, retribution would be exacted. Life has a strange method of administering justice.

Her name was Miranda Souka. She had recently completed a Bachelor of Arts degree from another university. Her major was psychology. Miranda was very well acquainted with the functioning of the male mind and she certainly knew how to satisfy a man sexually. Eddy was totally taken by her. The law professor became captivated by her stunning good looks and she was enchanted by his fecund mind. There was definitely a mutual attraction, but for different reasons.

Eddy’s desire was purely physical. Her warm, naked body drove him wild with lust. He had become addicted to having sex with his wife on a daily basis. On the other hand, the lady had conducted an extensive cost and benefit analysis of teaming up with this particular individual. The calculated gains and advantages greatly exceeded any minor sacrifices. She acted in accordance to a hidden agenda. Financial security and a comfortable lifestyle were foremost on her mind.

Miranda, a young woman in her early twenties, was extremely beautiful and possessed a mysterious charisma about her. Her oval face possessed delicately chiseled features that emanated with sensuality. Soft blue eyes enticed and ruby red lips beckoned. Long, flowing auburn hair gently caressed her back and shoulders. An hourglass figure completed the ensemble of elegance. At first, she seemed to sincerely love Eddy, who found it impossible to resist her charms.

The passion of the moment and the prospect of imagined future treasures seized both of them. At that particular point in time, they appeared to be very much in love with the idea of each other. Their romance displayed all the signs of two soul mates that had found one another. Perceptions and anticipations clouded reality. However, in the near future, Miranda would unwittingly bring Eddy more pain than pleasure. It would be a matter of priorities and loyalties.

Initially, the newly weds resided in Breslau. Eddy continued to lecture at the university and Miranda attended classes. Within two years Mrs. Munro graduated with her law degree. She had successfully acquired an articling position in Breslau. However, she demurred.

Instead, she convinced her husband to take a one-year sabbatical and come live with her in her hometown of Vufield. The change of pace would be good for the both of them. Besides, she wanted him to meet some of her friends and relatives. For a variety of reasons, they had not attended the wedding of Eddy and Miranda. Eddy agreed, made arrangements for his academic vacation and accompanied his young, beautiful wife to Vufield.

Eventually everyone’s sins catch up with him or her. No one escapes with absolute impunity. All violators are severely punished. Life is most unforgiving and the universe imposes its own set of laws. Everyone suffers the consequences of his or her actions. The time had come for Eddy to atone for his indiscrete transgression. He had been judged, found guilty and sentenced. Now, the time neared for the imposition of the punishment.

Currently, Eddy cursed the day that he had met Miranda, as he rushed through the dark woods. How could he have been so foolish? He should never have expressed his feelings for a student. His penis had overpowered his brain. Eddy should have adhered strictly to the code of professional conduct. He should have treated Miranda objectively—the same as any other student. And, he certainly should never have agreed to come to live in Vufield—a town that harboured a terrible secret. However, now it was too late and Eddy was in a horrible mess.

Two large black wolves with flaming red eyes rushed through the forest in pursuit of their prey. Padded feet tore up the leafy carpet underfoot and tossed the debris in every direction. The dark wooded interior was a familiar playground to them. They had traversed this territory on many previous occasions. Onward they ran. The creatures of the night could already smell the scent of the human. His sweat and stench left a clear trail for them to follow. He was not very far away. Soon, the beasts would be upon him. Then, Eddy would pay for what he had done. Forgiveness was not an option. Backwoods justice would be administered tonight. A different set of laws would be invoked and applied this evening.

Eddy heard the frightening floral disruptions of the advancing wolves. Their swiftly moving feet sounded like thunder rolling through the forest. The noise grew louder by the second. The evil beasts were rapidly closing the shrinking distance between them and the desire of their chase. Staying focused on what lay ahead, not what was coming up from behind, Munro continued running as fast as he could. The edge of the woodlot came into view. A mere ten yards separated him from the pavement. Safe haven appeared to be a stone throw away. He was almost there.

Suddenly, an enormous black wolf jumped out in front of Eddy, blocking his path to freedom. The huge abomination became bipedal and menacingly glared with burning red eyes at the exhausted human. Towering in excess of seven feet, the werewolf perused the runaway. An ear splitting howl signaled the capture of the potential escapee. A large maw opened and displayed a set of sharp canines. The moonlight sparkled on the ivories. Saliva gathered in the corners of the mouth. Thick lips curled back. A pink tongue darted back and forth.

Aaaaahhh. Oh, no! Please. No. Oh, God. This cannot be., exclaimed Eddy, skidding to a halt.

The slippery surface caused him to lose his footings and fall backwards. He landed on his back in the soft muck. A nightmare unfolded before him. There was no escape from this werewolf. Eddy knew that he was damned, but attempted to reason with the aberration anyway.

Please. Let me go. I won’t tell anyone. Please. I promise. I will never ever even mention what I saw tonight. I have forgotten it already. I won’t tell anyone. I swear. Please. I beg you. Please. Let me go. I won’t say a word. Please. Please., pleaded Eddy.

I know you won’t say a word. In fact, I can guarantee that you will never speak of this to anyone. We will ensure your silence. However, in order to be absolutely certain that you do not say anything, I cannot let you go. Surely, you understand. We are not prepared to take any unnecessary risks., replied the werewolf, chortling to himself.

The two werewolves that were in hot pursuit caught up to the fallen individual and became bipedal. Their comrade had circled to the left and had come up in front of the fleeing man. Eddy sat up and then came to his knees. Encircled by three upright abominations, the law professor made his final plea.

Please. I beg of you. Spare me. Show mercy. Let me go. I shall leave and never return. Please.

No. That is not an option. Now, stand up. And quite sniveling. You spineless coward., instructed the lead werewolf.

In compliance with the abomination’s command, Eddy stood up and hung his head. All hope of liberty was forfeit. Defeat permeated his entire essence. Curiosity is not always an admirable trait. The werewolf was right. Eddy Munro had seen too much. He knew too much. The werewolves could not take a chance on him disclosing this information to the world. The secret of Vufield had to be protected at all costs. No one could ever know what transpired within the confines of this seemingly quite little town. The illusion of normalcy had to be maintained.

Look at me!, yelled the werewolf.

Obeying the order of the lycanthrope, Munro slowly lifted his head and looked at the abomination with pathetic eyes that had lost their former luster. Without warning, the werewolf backhanded Eddy on the right side of his head. The impact of the unexpected blow sent Eddy to the forest floor. He lost consciousness. Everything went black inside his head.

Pick him up. Let’s take this sack of shit back to our congregation. Cyrus will deal him there., stated the werewolf who seemed to be in charge of this recovery expedition.

One of the two lycanthropes hoisted Eddy’s limp body and threw the unconscious man over his shoulder. Thereafter, the three werewolves strode off into the darkness of the forest. They walked erect like humans. Their destination could be found somewhere in the heart of the north woods. The manbeasts knew exactly where to go. Silence was their only companion. Neither one spoke a word throughout the duration of the relatively short journey.

Within a half hour, the captors and their captive arrived at the desired destination. They quietly stood and waited at the edge of the forest. In the very heart of the north woods, there was a significantly large clearing that consisted mostly of trampled grass. Twenty feet away, an enormous ring of fire burned bright. The flames danced gaily, reaching maximum heights of three feet. In diameter, the blazing circle measured approximately thirty feet. Colours of yellow, orange and red lit up the surrounding darkness.

A huge, gray, stone table stood in the center of this clearing and in the middle of the ring of fire. It was circular in shape and had a diameter of approximately twelve feet. A single round pedestal of similar material, measuring roughly three feet in diameter, sprouted from the grassy ground and provided the sole means of support for this unusual and extraordinary structure.

Thirteen stone stools surrounded this huge table of stone. One of these frontier chairs was visibly larger than the other twelve. It signified the head of the circle, which otherwise would have no beginning and no end. This cherished place represented the seat of power. It was reserved for the leader of this unholy congregation. Several centuries ago, the table and implanted chairs had been hand carved from the same block of hard granite. The handiwork of a clever craftsman had withstood all of the harsh tests of time.

The top of the granite edifice was littered with small pools of blood, pieces of flesh and bone fragments. A feast of some sort had obviously taken place. Raw meat appeared to have been the main course. There were no plates. Cutlery could not be found either. The meal must have been eaten in the traditional medieval style. Uncultured beasts had no need of knives and forks.

Ten of the thirteen stone stools were still occupied. Only the three at the far end were vacant. Nine werewolves sat in the company of their leader. Cyrus occupied the place of honor. He was larger and grayer than his assembled disciples. The leader of the abominations appeared to be an older and wiser creature. Cyrus was the first to notice the return his comrades and their captured human. He rose from his seat and motioned for them to come forward.

Inside the circle of burning flames, there were thirteen individuals dressed in scarlet silk robes. Deep hoods of the same material were drawn over their heads in such a manner that the faces of the servants could not be seen. Each attendant stood three feet behind his or her allotted stone stool. They were the privileged few that had been chosen to serve the werewolves. Their loyalty to these aberrations was beyond question. The red robed individuals served their masters faithfully.

Outside of the ring of fire, approximately three dozen people wandered around the blaze, keeping an accurate distance of roughly three feet between themselves and the flames. Every person wore a black silk robe with a large hood. Their faces were also covered. They were of a lower status than their brethren robed in crimson. These selected individuals were members of some sort of a secret society established by the werewolves. A clandestine meeting was taking place here. An evil ritual was in progress. It was the annual harvest of the werewolf that occurred in the second last week of October of each and every year exclusively in Vufield.

Nine disciples followed Cyrus to the edge of the flaming circumference. Thereat, the three werewolves walked through the blaze with their prisoner. Thirteen werewolves, thirteen scarlet robed servants and one human prisoner were now inside the circle at its outmost edge. They were on the west side. Red robed attendants stood a distance of six feet behind the abominations, whereas those clad in black remained outside the ring of fire. The ones clad in the black robes were not permitted to enter the inner circle under any circumstances.

Mathew, the lycanthrope that had carried the limp body of the human, lowered Eddy unto the ground. Munro sat there in a huddled heap at the feet of the aberration that appeared to be the leader of the pack. A scarlet robed servant threw cold water into the face of the alleged perpetrator. The shock of the icy liquid reverberated through the hot body of the captured man. Eddy regained consciousness almost instantly. He sat up immediately and opened his eyes, gasping for air. This was no dream. The nightmare was real. His fate was sealed. The werewolves had indeed captured him. Eddy had not escaped with impunity.

Stand up, Eduardo Munro. Prepare to face judgment., commanded Cyrus in an authoritative tone of voice.

Attempting to comply, Eddy struggled to stand up. However, his legs had turned to rubber and he failed miserably. Mathew grabbed him under the armpits and hoisted the man to an upright position. Eddy required a couple of moments to steady himself and struggled to refrain from falling down. Once he appeared to be relatively well balanced, Mathew let him go. Eddy’s breathing was quick and shallow. He was terrified. Immeasurable pain lay in store for him.

As he awaited the fatal, final judgment of Cyrus, Eduardo recalled the previous events of today, which led up to this predicament. Around four o’clock in the afternoon, he was listening to a recently purchased Chopin CD. Classical music was his favourite. An impressive collection of all of the classical composers graced his library. Eddy sat in the living room in a comfortable leather armchair, savouring the sounds of the romantic piano nocturnes. It was such a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere. A warm glass of cognac and a Cuban cigar heightened the mood.

His wife entered and announced that she would be helping out with some of the church affairs for the better part of the evening. Miranda stated that she would be coming home either rather late this evening or early the next morning. There was nothing to worry about. The perish priest had gotten behind in his work. Everyone would be busy catching up and straightening out routine matters. Thereafter, Miranda kissed her husband tenderly and left through the front door of their nice home.

Eddy was not satisfied with her explanation. He suspected that his wife was having an extra-marital affair. Although the law professor was most confident in his literary abilities, he felt insecure about his worth as a man. Perceived inadequacies devoured him daily. Eddy knew that he was not a handsome man. On the other hand, Miranda was drop dead gorgeous. Heads turned when she walked down the street. Miranda could have any man that she desired, yet she had chosen her former law lecturer. Self conscious about his own physical appearance, Eddy often wondered what Miranda ever saw in him.

A set of peering eyes, filled with unwarranted suspicion, watched Miranda through the living room window. She got into her car, a navy blue station wagon, and drove off in the direction of the Vufield church. There was only one religious establishment in the entire town. Eddy decided that he would follow his allegedly unfaithful wife and catch her in the act of fornication with another man. That was his strategy and the motivation for his behaviour.

Taking an alternative route, the jealous husband arrived on the corner of Holloway Avenue and Main Street. Thereat, he parked his marine green Corvette and exited the vehicle. The town church was located on Main Street—approximately two blocks away. Eddy sat down on the wooden bench in front of the barbershop and pretended to be reading the newspaper. However, he never took his suspicious eyes off of the twin doors of the holy establishment. Within a few minutes, Miranda arrived, parked her car and entered the church through the front entrance. She was casually dressed.

About an hour and half passed. Then, Miranda and five other ladies left the House of God and proceeded towards her station wagon. They were all carrying almost identical black tote bags. Miranda opened the rear door of her vehicle and everyone deposited her luggage inside.

After that, the ladies piled into the spacious vehicle and headed out of town in a northerly direction.

‘Ah, ha. I knew it. She is going to drop her girlfriends off and then go see her lover. Church business, my ass. She is going to go fuck some guy. No wonder that she will be out late. I knew it.", thought Eddy.

He hurried back to his car, entered, started the engine and drove off after his allegedly cheating wife and her cohorts. Tonight he would discover betrayal. Keeping a considerable distance away, Eddy followed the navy blue station wagon out of Vufield. He was far enough away to avoid being detected. Contrary to his initial assumption, no one exited the car along the way. All six of the women proceeded to leave town. They seemed to be going to the same place.

After about a twenty-minute leisurely drive outside of the town limits, Miranda pulled her car over to the right side of the paved highway. There were several other vehicles already parked along the soft shoulder of the road in front of her. The north woods loomed on their left side. Six ladies exited the vehicle, grabbed their tote bags and walked into the forest. Eddy parked the Corvette roughly five hundred yards away and also rushed off into the woods. He navigated his way towards the projected path of his wife and her companions. What were they up to? Was there some kind of a secret rendezvous taking place here? Were all of the married women having affairs? Eddy thought that he would soon discover the truth. However, he would soon find out much more than he had ever imagined.

In the space of thirty minutes, Eddy came upon the clearing. Something very strange was going on here. At the edge of the forest, Munro hid himself in a cedar thicket that was located a good forty yards from the main path. From this vantage point, he could see everything without being seen. Patiently, he waited and watched. Peering through the foliage, Eddy could observe everything with reasonable clarity. More people commenced to arrive. At approximately six o’clock, everyone donned his or her respective robe—either red or black at this point.

Dusk descended and someone lit the ring of fire. Then, the people dressed in red entered the interior of the blaze, while those clad in black remained outside.

Suddenly, an ear splitting howl shattered the night. The black robed individuals parted and made a pathway leading to the fire. Out of the dark woods, a procession of thirteen upright werewolves emerged and walked on their hind legs towards the flames. Eddy became extremely frightened. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Terror and shock filled his very essence. He froze where he was—unable to move in the slightest. Something very evil in nature was about to transpire here. At this point, Eddy should have summoned enough courage and departed. However, a morbid sense of curiosity prevented him from leaving. He wanted to see more.

After all of the werewolves were seated on the stone stools encircling the round table, thirteen hooded individuals, wearing white robes, came forth bearing the annual harvest. Each person delivered her offering to a separate lycanthrope. An alabaster bundle was gently laid down in front of every werewolf. Thereafter, the white robed individuals bowed to show respect to their respective masters and quietly departed. After the servants clad in the ceremonial white robes had passed through the flames, the werewolves focused their attention on the proffered harvest. Cyrus was the first to remove the wrapping.

The contents of the harvest absolutely horrified Eddy. He involuntarily let out a gasp. A dry twig snapped beneath his right foot. The two sounds were immediately detected by the acute hearing senses of the abominations. Thirteen sets of glaring red eyes turned to view the uninvited intruder. Evil issued forth and struck Eddy with the force of a sledgehammer. He temporarily lost his breath. His entire body shook with fear. Composing himself to the best of his ability, Eddy stood up, turned around and ran as fast as he could through the dark forest. His only thought was to reach his car and blast out of this nightmare.

Mathew and two other werewolves stood up to pursue the unwelcome guest that was attempting to get away. Cyrus motioned for them to sit down and enjoy the fruits of their labour. There would be plenty of time to capture the man who had seen too much and who now knew too much. He would not escape. After all, four legs could run faster than two. Subsequent to completing their meal of fresh raw flesh, Mathew, Albert and Mark set out to catch the human who was trying to reach his vehicle. Cyrus was right. They had plenty of time to apprehend the culprit.

Wishful thoughts whisked through Eddy’s frightened mind. He wished that he had never suspected his wife of infidelity. Save and except for his own feelings of inadequacy, there were no reasonable grounds to think that she was unfaithful. Miranda had never shown any signs typical of a cheating spouse. In fact, she had always loved her husband and had never engaged in an extra-marital affair. His