Lycanthropy and Me: The First Semester(mlm)

Day 38. Wednesday Waning Crescent

Rather than the howling winds or voices echoing across the quad, late that night Hunter woke to fists banging against his door and hushed voices. He hopped out of bed quickly, frightened and sniffing the air. What was happening? Was there a fire? He didn't smell smoke.

He opened the door, and was almost blinded by the hallway light. Three blurry figures stood before him. "Can I help you? Oh just a sec." He walked back into his room to retrieve his sunglasses and was startled when his visitors entered his room. He slipped on his shades and turned quickly. "Whoa! Hang on who are--" With the dim light he could see them easily. His intruders were a trio of adults, all dressed in matching SWAT uniforms, two armed, and one holding up a badge--a SPOIPA badge. It was Abner, his partner Evangeline, and a newcomer.

"Hunter Reeds." Abner slipped his badge into his pocket. "You're coming with us."

Hunter stood frozen as Abner continued to rattle off the prepared speech. "Given the time of month, You are allowed to take any suppressors or bindings necessary. If you do not have these articles, they will be supplied to you. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Any audible howls made will be seen as a sign of resistance..."

"Sure." He had heard the rights before, even memorized and recited them for his father years ago. Hunter slipped on his shoes, his jacket and his crutches at gunpoint. "Overcompensating a bit, aren't we?" He chose defiance in the face of danger. "Are the guns really necessary? Look at me. Do I look like I can resist, let alone run away?"

"Standard procedure for the Waning point of the cycle." The third individual said.

Hunter rolled his eyes at that. Due to the varying effect between Lycanthropes, some held on to residual strength and other abilities while the moon was still waning. Abner's behavior seemed even more ridiculous considering the New Moon was close.

An idea struck quickly. Hunter interrupted Abner's speech. "Can I use my phone?"

Abner gave him an incredulous look. "What do you think?"

"I don't know! That's why I asked. I don't get arrested too often or like, ever." He sighed. "Listen I've got a paper to turn in and a test to take tomorrow, so could you at least let me email my teachers before hauling me off with this bullshit?"

The three agents exchanged looks.

"Thirty seconds." Evangeline allowed.

Hunter typed as fast as he could, copying and pasting a short message to both of his professors before sending a text message.

To: Mom, Grayson

Guess who's going to Werewolf Jail?

It's me.

With no idea what was in store for him, Hunter went along with the arrest. With Evangeline and Abner walking ahead and the stranger in tow, they walked single file towards a parked car outside the dorm. The absence of activity of the school grounds denoted the late hour, as no witnesses noticed his abduction.

Or so he thought.

As the car lumbered off the hill and exited the Redwood grounds, Hunter sat between Evangeline and the other agent. Abner was at the wheel. He fiddled with the car radio just as Hunter spoke.
"So what's changed?" Hunter asked. "You must have had some breakthrough if you're moving from stalking to arrest."

"Keep quiet until we get to the station," Evangeline instructed. She gave him a stern look before returning her eyes to the road.

With a sigh, Hunter closed his eyes.