I dried my body quickly, putting on a pair of stretchy jeans and a black top. I fluffed my hair and let it air dry as I checked my laptop to see if the listing was still there for Locke.
It was; no one had reported catching him yet and my lip curled in excitement. I closed the computer and shoved it, along with my burner phone, into my heavy fireproof lockbox underneath one of the kitchen seat compartments.
It was getting late in the day, and my goal was to head to the Iron Fang bar and take a look. I was hoping not to stick out too badly, but being a newcomer, it would be inevitable. I had to become part of the town and be friendly.
I rolled my eyes at that. Usually, I stay under the radar and hide. My targets usually hide in big cities and I go unnoticed by so many. This town would really test my skills.
With the sun hitting the tops of the trees, the shadows hovered over the camping area. I took one quick look out the window to see if the wolf creature was present, and damn if he was.
I reached out and firmly gripped my Glock, feeling its cold metal against my palm. With a slight click, I toggled the safety switch on and off, ensuring its readiness. Confirming its loaded magazine, I carefully slid it into my holster, leaving my hand on it as I felt the weight now resting against my hip. I approached the door and opened it, ready for him to barge inside. Instead, I found him patiently waiting. His curious gaze meeting mine, and his tail swished into the dirt.
Weird.
“Whatcha doing there?” I tried to give him soft voices to not provoke the animal. He looked better after a dip in the lake. He didn’t have the deranged look in his eye and the blood had been washed away from most of the fur that was left.
He cocked his head and whined, then glanced at the gun I was holding.
“If you stay back, I’ll let go of it.” I spoke to him like he understood me. I wasn’t sure why. I’d never been a big nature person, but then I never had time. This animal, though, I felt was different.
Why I thought that, I wasn’t sure. I should shoot the thing and put him out of his misery. I bet the thing has fleas and ticks all the way up his asshole.
The wolf didn’t move, and even dared to lay his head on his front paws. So, I slowly let my hand go of the gun in my holster, covering it with my leather jacket. The wolf stayed and wagged his rat-like tail— since it held no fur.
Huh, guess I have a little companion for the time being.
As I continued to walk away, the beast’s whines became louder.
“Easy there, just going into town for a bit.”
Hopefully, you’ll be gone by then.
“I’ll be back. Just—stay over there.” I put my hand low to the ground, and the beast lay his head back down.
Smart thing.
I revved up Marlow and she roared to life. As I put her into gear the beast was already at my window, his green eyes shining brightly into mine.
“Damn it!” I exclaimed, my hand instinctively clapping over my racing heart. The monstrous creature locked his gaze with mine, his eyes unnervingly resembling human orbs, rather than those of an animal.
Surely not.
“D-down, boy,” I muttered.
It took a few long seconds before his claws fell off the truck so I could get out the hell out of there.
Those eyes stuck with me the entire drive to the Iron Fang.
I couldn’t keep them out of my head and I couldn’t figure out why. I leaned my arm against the window and rubbed the side of my head. Therewasnothing weird about that forest. It was my lack of sleep, and the townspeople putting crazy ideas in my head. That beast could just be my imagination or just an enormous sick wolf that needed some care and was looking for someone, anyone, who would give it attention.
I could go to the town vet and ask for some meds for it?
I shook my head, and parked on the other side of the street from the bar. I wasn’t really thinking about helping that animal, was I? I was here to get Locke. Get the bounty, get paid, bring myfamily to the States and hopefully be done with this sort of thing. Get a real job and then do… what? What would I do?
I blew out a breath and stepped out into the late afternoon sun. I got here at a time that would allow me a few hours before dusk, to show my face and get to know some patrons so I could start asking questions.
As I approached, the sound of laughter echoed through the open window. Pushing open the door, a vibrant melody poured out from a nearby DJ stand, captivating the room. Against the wall, a guy leaned casually, exuding an air of nonchalance. A silver vape dangled from a chain around his neck, emitting a faint scent of sweet vapor. He clutched a beer bottle by its neck, his mischievous smirk fixed on a girl who held his undivided attention.
No one turned to look at the door to see me come in, which was good, since I needed as few eyes on me as possible. As I walked closer to the bar, the bartender, tall, slim and muscular build, approached the side where I now sat and looked me up and down.
