The Timber Effect

by Jacklyn Reynolds

  Timber expected some form of surprise, but Henry looked as if he was accepting this new information easily. Timber suspected that he already knew she wasn't human and he was simply confirming his suspicions.

  "Can I see you? The real you."

  Timber smirked and transformed. Where the human Timber stood, there was a beautiful silver timber wolf with black fur down her back and tail with a black tip. Her eyes were a piercing shade of ice blue and her four legs were as white as freshly fallen snow. Her fur was rough and thick with the exception of a patch of fur missing on her right leg. Timber was large and heavy for a wolf, with a broad snout, short, triangular ears, a short torso, and long tail. She was a slender, powerfully built animal with a large, deeply descending ribcage, a sloping back, and a heavily muscled neck. Her teeth were heavy and large, and perfectly suited for crushing bone. The only difference in appearance between Timber and a normal wolf was her claws. They were abnormally long and sharp and capable of ripping skin to the bone.

  "You're the wolf I saw yesterday protecting Michelle." There was a short pause. "Are you still you?" asked Henry. Timber nodded and transformed back to her usual appearance. Henry smiled and wrapped her in his arms. "You're more beautiful than I imagined. Knowing the real you... I love you."

  "I love you too, Henry. Will you kiss me again the way you just did?"

  Henry smiled and shook his head. "No. I want to. Believe me! But I don't know if I'll be able to stop myself from going too far. If whatever that noise was didn't happen, I would not have been able to stop myself from continuing."

  "What if I didn't want you to stop?"

  "Please don't say that," pleaded Henry. Timber could tell the kiss had affected him in more ways than one. "You're still seventeen. If someone found out and complained, it would cost more than my job. I could do jail time even though it would be consensual." Henry took a breath to calm himself. "One day when you're older...maybe we'll go that far. Not now, though."

  Timber nodded. Henry was right. Timber was so caught up in the seduction of his lips that she wasn't thinking as clearly as she normally did. Henry's next question brought her reeling back down to earth.

  "So, if you don't mind me asking, what happened to your parents? They're well known in Haven but no one knows how they really died."

  Timber sat down on the bed beside Henry and focused on a knob on her dresser.

  "They were murdered in cold blood by Hunters," said Timber. "My aunt and uncle don't know the whole story because I never told them. Emily knows though because she tricked me into telling her. It was a full moon and they were hunting. When I was with them, they seemed to be more themselves. That night mom told me I needed to stay home because she felt like something bad would happen to me if I went with them, but I didn't listen and I followed them. I saw the Hunters through a window in an old shack and I watched my parents die. They were shot to death with rapid-fire guns. I managed to stay hidden but I wandered about the woods for a few days after. I still don't like the sound of shouting or breaking glass. Uncle Chad and Aunt Grace have been very careful not to shout at anyone when I'm home because loud sudden noises still scare me.

  "Anyway, I couldn't control my transformations easily at that point so I stayed a wolf. I was found and put in a cage because they thought I was an abandoned wolf cub. I was taken to the wildlife sanctuary nearby but thankfully, I managed to escape as a human and find my way home. I was close when I was found. I don't remember much about the man who saved me except a gold mark on his hand, but he let me grab things from home and left."

  "Is that when you were sent here?" asked Henry.

  Timber nodded and got up. She took a picture out of her top dresser drawer and handed it to Henry. In the photograph, there was a picture of a man and woman smiling happily. The woman in her early twenties and was stunningly beautiful with long curly brown hair and ice-blue eyes. The man was in his mid-twenties and was handsome with jet black hair and brilliant russet eyes like Timbers.

  "Your parents?"

  "That's the only picture I have of them. I wish I had more but I didn't have time to look. This was on the mantle. The frame broke when I was being moved. I like it out so I can talk to them. If they're in a frame, they won't be able to hear me."

  "You look exactly like your mom," said Henry looking at the faded picture. "You've got your dad's eye color, though." He handed Timber the photo and she put it away. "They have a portrait of your mother and you as a puppy in the castle in Haven. I passed by it so many times. That explains why you looked so familiar when I saw you yesterday. I'm not sure why I didn't put all this together sooner. I should have known exactly who you were immediately because you look so much like your mom."

  "I wish I had more pictures of her. Is it crazy that I talk to a photograph?" asked Timber.

  "No," said Henry tenderly. "You miss your parents. Some people talk to headstones; others try to reach lost loved ones through psychics. If it comforts you, you should keep doing it. There's no shame in that."

  "I swear sometimes that I can hear my mom in my room on nights when there's no moon," said Timber. "Or I can feel her near me. I know it's crazy and it's all in my head, but I talk to her still." Timber smiled and wiped a tear away. "Now you know my big secret."

  "And you know mine." Henry grabbed her hands in his and looked at her with pleading eyes. "As much respect as I have for your aunt and uncle, I can't do what they're asking of me. Timber, can I please call you mine? Please? I can't wait another month to kiss you again. I know I'm being selfish, but can't go another day without knowing that I have you to myself."

  Timber smiled and kissed his lips gently.

  "As long as you promise me something."

  "What's that?" asked Henry.

  "Never stop loving me," said Timber.

  "I promise I will never ever stop loving you. Not even for a second."

  Timber smiled up at him with tender love shining brightly across her face. "Happy birthday, Henry."

  Henry smiled and embraced her. They stood there for ten minutes wrapped up in each other. Nothing else in the world mattered to them at that moment as time seemed to stop.

  Happiness was short-lived however because someone started banging frantically on the front door. Timber didn't hesitate for even a second because there was only one person who would ever pound on her door like that. She left Henry, ran down the stairs and threw open the door. Xianna collapsed into Timber's arms and sobbed hysterically. Henry came down the stairs and looked positively alarmed when he saw Timber holding a mess of blonde hair that looked as though it had come in contact with blood.

  "Xianna! What happened?" cried Timber.

  Xianna looked up at Timber and broke down. Xianna's face was swollen, bruised and bloody. Timber took a close look at the damage, feeling all over her face and arms, and came to the conclusion that nothing was broken. She helped Xianna up and took her to the kitchen and got an ice pack out of the freezer. She handed it to Xianna who took it and put it on her face. Timber saw Henry come into the kitchen. Timber looked at him apologetically but Henry shook his head and looked at Xianna and then at the front door. Timber nodded in understanding and Henry left.

  "Are you up to talking?" asked Timber. Xianna shook her head. "Do you want anything to drink?"

  Xianna nodded and Timber went to the refrigerator and got a pitcher of spiced apple cider and warmed it up before pouring Xianna a large glass. Xianna downed half of it in one breath. She didn't look up at Timber when she started to speak. She kept her eyes on her lap.

  "I'm sorry," said Xianna in a hoarse voice.

  "What happened, Xianna?" asked Timber.

  "I don't know," said Xianna. "I was working on my physics homework in the dining room and he came in all angry. He started yelling at me, calling me every name under the sun. I tried to walk away. That's when this happened. It could have been worse, though. I managed to knee him in the groin and run. I ran all the way here."

  The front door opened an
d Timber smelled Henry come closer. When he came into view Timber saw a small red box in his right hand and his birthday cake in the other. He put both on the white tile counter. He opened the red box to reveal a thick blue paste. Xianna looked at it curiously.

  "This will help," said Henry. "It's going to sting but it'll remove the bruises and the swelling."

  He took a small amount on his finger and gently applied it to Xianna's purple face. She hissed in pain but to Timber's great surprise the bruises started to disappear and the swelling went down.

  "There," said Henry. "That should do it."

  "Thank you. I'm sorry." Xianna looked at her feet.

  "Don't worry about it," said Henry. "I know something that will make everyone feel better. Cake."

  Xianna smiled and Timber grinned as Henry pushed the cake towards them. They devoured the dessert quickly. After a short time, any sign of Xianna's abuse was unavailable. She was back to her loud, confident self and for that, Timber was happy.

  The next morning when Timber picked up Henry from his house to walk to the school, she immediately noticed how exhausted and ill he looked. There were dark shadows under his tired eyes and his light olive skin held almost no color. He looked ill against his black leather jacket. His normally sturdy stance was unusually weak and he was supporting himself with his cherry wood cane. Timber looked up at him and touched his cheek lightly with her manicured forefinger. He closed his eyes, savoring her gentle touch.

  "Thank you for helping Xianna yesterday," said Timber.

  "I almost went to her house and took care of her father but I didn't want to risk trouble. How is she?"

  "Back to her usual self," said Timber. "She's tough. She shouldn't have to be as strong as she's been. She'll be okay. If he ever does anything in front of me, I'll rip him apart."

  "That's what I wanted to do yesterday," said Henry. Then he yawned.

  "Did you sleep at all last night?" asked Timber.

  Henry shook his head and said, "I haven't slept much since Friday. I was too busy arguing with myself about whether I should tell you how I feel about you."

  "Come on. I'll help you." Timber grabbed his briefcase and closed the door behind him as he stepped on the porch.

  "Thank you."

  "You're welcome," said Timber with a slight smile. "Did you at least eat?"

  Again he shook his head and Timber sighed and took a plastic container out of her bag. She opened it and took out a large chunk of rare meat in a tortilla and handed it to Henry. He looked confused as he took it.

  "You know I eat rare meat after the full moon?"

  "My parents were werewolves too remember?" said Timber. "I remember a bit about their preferences. They preferred rare meat up to two days after the full moon. To be quite honest I do too. It's one of the few werewolf traits I inherited. Aunt Grace and Uncle Chad keep the refrigerator stocked for me on those nights since I prefer to eat in the middle of the night. It keeps me from going out to hunt."

  "I appreciate this," said Henry. They stopped for a moment as Henry ravenously ripped into the meat, tearing it into thick slices and engulfing it as though it were a liquid substance. "That hit the spot."

  "I'm glad I could be of some help," said Timber as they began walking again. "How come you didn't sleep last night?"

  "I never sleep on full moon nights," said Henry. "I can't. So I lock myself in the electrified kennel I put in my garage."

  "You what?" cried Timber in anger. She stopped in front of him and glared at him with a red face. "Henry, why would you do something like that to yourself? Aunt Grace told me about what she and Uncle Chad did for a living, finally. That medicine they developed is supposed to keep your mind in check during the full moon. You're not supposed to go full wolf."

  "I know but it's a precaution," said Henry. "The pills help keep my mind human, but the rest of the internal instincts are still there. I'm afraid that I will get weak and let my instincts overpower my mind."

  "I don't care what your reasons are. I don't like the idea of you in a cage," said Timber. "I know what that's like. It's cruel. That's honestly why I hate the zoo. I know zoos can help some animals, but still."

  Henry looked at Timber and they continued walking. "I'm sorry it upsets you that I locked myself up last night. If I knew of another way to keep everyone safe I would do it."

  "There is another way," said Timber. "I'm staying at your house on the next full moon. I'll be eighteen then. Also, I'll stay in my real body. If you did accidentally bite me, it would do nothing but make me sick. I'm immune to werewolf venom."

  "You most certainly are not staying with me during the full moon," said Henry sternly.

  "Why not?" demanded Timber angrily.

  "Because I could kill you," said Henry firmly. "What if my medication stopped working and I wasn't in my cage?"

  "I can defend myself as a wolf," argued Timber. Her cheeks flushed hot pink.

  "Not against me Timber," said Henry. "When I'm a wolf, I'm more than three times your size and my venom is more lethal than most. You would stand no chance. I've also been trained in combat."

  "So? I have too."

  "I could throw you around like a rag doll," said Henry. "There's a reason why I'm not covered in scars like other werewolves. No one would dare fight me because of my size, my strength, and my skill. You are never going anywhere near me on full moon nights. Do you understand?"

  "Yes. I understand. Well, we're here. I'll see you second period. Oh, Henry?" He stopped and turned to face her. "I love you."

  Henry smiled at her and his tired eyes brightened up. "I love you too, Timber."

  Timber smiled as he walked toward his classroom. She darted off to the quad to find the area clear of students. She looked around and saw Xianna waving frantically at her by the library. Timber ran to her and was instantaneously covered by all of her friends.

  "Are you alright?" asked Kendra looking at Timber for any sign of stress.

  "You had us all worried yesterday!" said Ashley.

  "I'm fine now," said Timber. "Really. I - umm, well..."

  "Is this about Mr. Santelli?" asked Gina. She was so eager, she hadn't even opened her book. Timber nodded and everyone leaned in eagerly.

  "Spill it," demanded Kendra. "Did you tell him?" Timber nodded and the girls all smiled. "Then what? Come on, we want everything!"

  "He - feels the same way," said Timber. Xianna, Kendra, Ashley, and Gina laughed joyously as they wrapped their arms around Timber, who turned beet red.

  "And ....?" said Xianna. "Did he kiss you?"

  Timber shook her head and the girl's faces fell but she grinned. "I kissed him."

  There was a loud squeal of excitement as the girls lost themselves in happiness. Suddenly Timber was buried under a mound of arms hugging her. When they let her up and regained their composure, Gina asked, "How was it?"

  "Incredible," confessed Timber with pure joy. "You know those scenes in movies where you can tell that the only thing they want is each other and nothing else on earth matters? It was like that." The girls giggled.

  Then Timber asked why no one was in the middle of the quad. A dark and fearful cloud suddenly appeared and loomed overhead as the girls looked at each other. After a tense moment of silence, Kendra spoke. "There was an accident with the Blue Lady last night," she said sounding scared.

  "What happened?"

  "Jaden Crrane, the sophomore in the marching band, found a message carved into the concrete by the bench," said Kendra.

  "Anyone could have done that as a joke," said Timber. She didn't doubt the Blue Lady. Timber had seen her before, but the Blue Lady was peaceful and generally remained solitary.

  "This is different," said Gina. "Jaden said that the words are backward and they're not engraved inwards, they're coming from underneath."

  Timber had to go and see for herself. She left her backpack with Xianna and crossed the quad. The students lining the wall fell silent as they noticed where Timber was going. She reached the
words, knelt and reached out her hand. She felt a sense of fear, not from her, but from somewhere under the ground. Keeping her hand on the ground, and keeping her nose and ears on high alert, she examined the message with intense concentration. It did look as though it had been carved from underneath the concrete. As she studied the words she mentally reversed them.

  ABANDON THIS PLACE

  Timber touched the words. As she ran her hand over the protruding letters, a blue, transparent hand reached up and grabbed her wrist. Timber's body suddenly felt ice-cold and she didn't like it. Then a soft voice whispered so only Timber could hear.

  "Abandon this place," said a distant-sounding voice. It sounded like the remnant of an echo. "He is coming."

  The hand disappeared and the bell rang. Timber looked at her wrist and saw that the Blue Lady had left a mark in the shape of her hand. It looked like a dry ice burn, but it didn't hurt. Timber met Xianna halfway from the writing and the library and she handed Timber her bag.

  "I'll tell you later," said Timber and she hurried off to the locker rooms to change for gym class.

  Timber's mind was racing. What on earth could be coming that could frighten someone who was already dead? All Timber knew was that if the Blue Lady was afraid, everyone was in danger. She had to talk to Henry during the break. He knew more about Haven than Timber and he would know what to do. She pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind so she could concentrate on her feet.

  They were running the mile in gym class that morning and Timber needed her full concentration. She hated the mile run. Not because she hated running, but because her broken ankle from last year did not heal properly and running long distance put her in a good deal of pain afterward, causing her body to want to Turn. Timber had to watch her pace and her breathing otherwise she would lose control and turn into a wolf right in the middle of gym class. It was this reason that she had to stop running on the Cross Country team. So when they started running, Timber found a steady pace and focused all of her attention on her legs and her breathing.