Hunter

Chapter 9

         Dawn had shown up for only a few minutes that I was already in the kitchen. I was preparing breakfast. Or at least, I was trying. My thoughts went around in a circle. Full moon, full moon, full moon... What would happen if Arthur turned?

"We need to talk."

Hair wild, ringed eyes, he stood in the threshold. When he had spoken his voice was grave and dark. Very dark. What was going on? He had not slept well at all, that much I knew, but there was something else.

I turned and leaned on the counter as I crossed my arms on my chest and bit my lip, looking at my feet.

"I listened to your discussion with your colleague the other day."

"You did what?!"

I was stunned. I could not believe it. Beside the indignation I felt because of his lack of education, I also felt a slight panic take a hold of me. He must have heard about the portrait.

"I did well apparently! That story about a portrait in the pocket of the vampire who almost diced you, I am involved as far as I know! What was it doing there?! Why me, huh?!"

He was angry. I could understand but he had to stay out of all these supernatural stuff. Even more since I did not know more. I could not reassure him.

"I don't know. It maybe related to..."

"Related to...?"

"It doesn't matter."

That was close. Had I said a bit more, it would have been too much.

For a moment which looked like eternity, Arthur silently stared at me. As he was frowning, the golden speckles in his eyes stood out. I could feel his anger.

Sighting heavily, he dropped his arms which slapped his thighs.

"Very well." He said.

After that, he wheeled, and for a second I thought he was going to end the conversation. But he changed his mind. He wheeled back, and pointing at me, spoke again.

"Non! You know what? I'm done with you hiding things from me! It's over now! Tell me the truth!"

I opened my mouth to form some excuse but I was out of ideas. I leaned a bit more on the counter and laid my hands on it for more stability. I felt a catastrophe brewing.

I wished I was wrong.

"Let me help you! I am a werewolf, am I right?"

Two things crossed my mind: "Merde!" and "how?". I did not answer. I stared at him, staggered. Why did have to learn the truth at such a moment? How was I to get out of this mess?

Arthur yelled and woke me up.

"Answer me!!"

His face was red, his eyes brimmed with tears and his cheeks flooded. He stared at me, out of breath because of the oppressive anger which had blood swelling his temples.

This time there was no escape.

"You are a werewolf. Nothing more to know. You're the son of a werewolf at least.

I was shaking and covered in sweat. Saying the words aloud was more difficult than I had anticipated. I rubbed my face with one hand. I felt like I was suffocating. All the while he was staring at me, Arthur, grabbed the closest chair, pulled it to him and sat. He held his belly, teeth clenched, head towards the floor.

"I know I should have told you sooner, but..."

I stopped in the middle of my sentence. Arthur was no longer listening, he was gripping his sides moaning. I felt myself bleaching. I rushed to him and kneeled, grabbing his thighs, then his cheeks.

"Arthur?!"

I saw blood running from his nose and his ears. He was still moaning and breathed way too quickly. I looked out the window. It was broad daylight! I was not dreaming! It was morning and yet...

Suddenly, he sprang from his chair, knocking it away and throwing me to the ground. His arms pulled backwards, he fell to his knees, face to the ceiling. He screamed in pain and the cracking of bones resounded through the air.