The Werewolf Whisperer (The Werewolf Whisperer Series Book 1)

by Camilla Ochlan

  "Hi." Uncomfortable, Xochitl held up her hand and smiled weakly.

  She was relieved to hear the Toronado's trunk slam and turned to see Lucy walking across the street with the Remington shotgun slung over her shoulder and her utility belt strapped around her waist — the weight of the army green duffel bag causing her to lean slightly to the right.

  "That's my partner, Lucy," Xochitl said to Helen.

  Lucy bounded up the steps to the house, taking them two at a time, and dropped the duffel at her feet.

  "So, Bob, what's up?" Lucy asked.

  Xochitl was more comfortable being the muscle in these types of situations and was glad Lucy was there to take over.

  "Travis got out." Bob's voice sounded shaky. There was fear in his eyes.

  Helen began to sob again, and Bob put his arm around her. "Helen, it'll be okay." He turned back to Lucy and Xochitl. "My guys say Travis somehow ripped a hole in his cage and took off out the back of the house."

  Helen's sobs started to increase in volume.

  "Honey, why don't you go inside?" Bob said to his wife.

  "No!" Helen cried. "I'm staying with you."

  "Do you know where he went?" Lucy interrupted.

  Xochitl felt bad for Helen, but she wished the woman would calm down. Xochi and Lucy needed as much information as they could get if a Werebeast was on the loose, and Helen wasn't helping the situation with her hysterics.

  I guess this is why Vern made me stay behind at the pound.

  "There's only the canyon and the Santa Monica Mountains beyond that," Bob replied. "It's a lot of acreage to cover. One of my guys is already searching for him."

  "Good," Lucy said. "Bob, you should stay here with Helen. Procure us a vehicle to transport Travis."

  "I've got a rig I can hook up to your car," Bob said.

  Relief washed over Bob's face now that the soldier in him had something to do.

  "Great. Do that," Lucy said. "Don't worry. We'll find your son."

  Lucy tossed the shotgun to Xochi and out of habit, she checked to see if it was loaded.

  "What's she doing with that?" Helen shouted. Xochitl looked up. Angry tears streamed down Helen's face as she pointed at Xochi. "Bob! She's gonna kill Travis! She's gonna kill my boy!"

  "Mrs. Tanner," Lucy said, trying to calm the woman. "It's a precaution. A last resort."

  "I don't care!" Helen lunged at Xochitl. "I won't let her near my boy."

  "Helen!" Bob grabbed his wife. "Honey, Xochitl won't hurt our boy." Bob glanced at Xochi as he kissed the top of Helen's head. "I promise."

  Xochi's heart ached for them.

  She tried to hide the gun by her side as she walked over to Lucy. The haunted look in Bob's eyes reflected the lie he'd told Helen. Xochitl would do what she had to.

  She bent down and unzipped the bag and began pulling out various weapons: her Bowie knife, thick rope, animal repellent, which she handed to Lucy, and some beef jerky treats, which Lucy stuffed in the pouch of her belt.

  Xochitl strapped her knife to her thigh and looked up at the twilight sky, whispering to Lucy, "We better get moving. It's gonna be dark soon."

  "Crap. I know." Lucy hooked her handcuffs to her belt and stuffed some bandages and matches in a second pouch.

  Xochitl searched the bag and dug out a water flask and a granola bar, which she stuffed in the front pocket of her vest.

  "Xoch, Lucy?" Bob called.

  Xochitl quickly stuffed some extra shells in her cargo pant pocket, then zipped up the bag before she and Lucy — locked and loaded — walked over to Bob.

  Chapter 8

  California faces a crisis that is real and unprecedented. Simply put, California has been infected with a deadly and unexplained virus — the Kyon Virus. Though the cause of the Affliction remains in dispute, the initial outbreak has been contained. Some journalists are referring to our current problems as the "Werewolf Apocalypse." This fear mongering must end. Nothing is further from the truth...The term "werewolf" has been deemed offensive by a government sponsored think tank as well as highly qualified focus groups and should be substituted for the more politically correct "Werebeast"...This is not a time for politics as usual...At this moment of extreme difficulty, we must turn to the people and get a clear mandate on how we should proceed. Given the unique nature of our crisis, I want to involve the millions of voters whose lives will be seriously impacted by our decisions...But I am here to make the hard decisions for you...I come down on the side of those who believe that core functions of government must be funded first. Go back to your lives and routines...that is your duty and your privilege...I urge all citizens to return to work. Send your children back to school. Shop. Our economy is our greatest asset and is what keeps the wheels turning and the lights on. I see a bright future up ahead and a California economy that will rally. Our state will play a leading role, as it always has, and reap unimagined benefits from this unfortunate situation. California is the Great Exception! We defy the odds and fly in the face of conventional wisdom to rise again and prosper in completely unexpected ways. Make no mistake about it, the darkest night always gives way to the brightest dawn.

  -excerpt K-Day podcast, Gov. Holly Hollis, from an undisclosed location

  23 months ago

  CDC Quarantines California! Mexico Closes Borders — Canada to Follow!

  Xochitl scrolled down the iLA.com headlines on her cell as she sat on the MetroLink bus, sipping coffee from a chipped UCLA travel mug — a distant memory of her brief encounter with the university. She'd recently acquired it from her college friend, Jessica, who had let Xochitl lie low at her place since the night Xochi's world had turned upside down.

  Xochi stared out the window as the bus plodded down the 101 Freeway toward Downtown Los Angeles. The trek from Simi Valley was long and had taken most of her day. The never-ending brown haze blanketed the city, making everything look even dirtier to her. Xochitl's world had already been dirty enough before, but now it was the thing monster stories were made of.

  Werewolves are real? People are turning into these things all over the place.

  One had turned right in front of her. She wondered whatever happened to that cop — Officer Lowell's partner.

  What was his name...Gabe? They probably shot him...Oh, well. ¡Híjole! What the hell's going on?

  Feeling overwhelmed, Xochi set her phone and mug down on the seat next to her and began digging in her oversized tote bag. One by one, she pulled out what was left of her possessions: a hairbrush, toothbrush, change of underwear, a pen, her favorite pink lip gloss and some mints. As she performed this ritual of self-exposure on public transit, she felt someone watching her. She looked up to see a grungy bearded man. He grinned at her. He had a chipped black front tooth and a wild look in his eyes.

  God, I need a car!

  Xochitl scowled at the man and barked, "Hey pendejo! What're you looking at?" The creepy man just stared at her with his wild eyes, as if she hadn't said a word to him. That freaked Xochitl out even more.

  Great. He's probably one of those Werewolf-beast things and he's gonna eat my face off now.

  Frustrated, she continued her digging, finally pulling out the little white business card for which she'd been searching. She defiantly flipped it up to show the derelict. "See!" He gave no response.

  Hmm...Nada...Oh, well.

  Bored with Crazy Homeless Werewolf Guy, Xochitl turned her attention back to the card.

  Officer Lucy Lowell

  LAPD Animal Cruelty Task Force

  Metropolitan Division

  180 N. Los Angeles

  Los Angeles, CA 90014

  While she thumbed the card, her thoughts turned again to her little brother, Miguel — the only person in the world she cared about. She hadn't seen him since K-Day.

  When Papa's bar burned down. Our home.

  That had been the night Officer Gabe Torres had turned into a monster. The night the LAPD had taken down Memo Morales' gunrunning and dogfighting operatio
n.

  Of course, that Lowell cop was more concerned about pinche perros than the guns. We'd have gotten Memo if she'd just stuck to the plan. Memo's out there pissed off and probably gunning for me.

  Her stop approaching, Xochitl shoved her belongings back into her bag. She slung it over her shoulder, picked up the mug and a crumpled up paper bag containing the remnants of a stale bagel she'd bought at the AMPM before getting on the bus that morning.

  Miguel where are you?

  The bus brakes screeched as it rolled up along the curb next to the Metro stop on Temple Street. Xochitl sensed the nervous energy emanating from the remaining passengers as she made her way down the aisle. Whether it was because most people taking this route were on their way to stand in front of a judge or if they were just as freaked out as she was about the ever-growing werewolf population she didn't know.

  ¡Híjole! There's a werewolf population.

  She reached the front of the bus and gave a weak smile to the driver who thrust open the hinged door so she could exit.

  Xochi stepped onto the curb. A sudden wave of midday heat put her on her heels.

  ¡Ay carajo! It's hot. Not a good sign.

  "I hate Downtown," she groaned and tossed the paper bag in a garbage can next to the stop.

  Turning to leave, she caught her reflection in the plexiglass of the bus stop's bench enclosure. She was shocked at the sight of the person looking back at her. Her blue-green eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, and her normally golden skin looked sallow. Her blond hair was knotted in a messy bun. She tried to tuck a loose strand back up into the do without success. She had borrowed the navy two-piece suit, cream silk blouse and black pumps from Jessica — none of which fit her quite right. Neither the bus ride nor her giant bag was kind to the outfit, and she figured the heat hadn't helped. She felt disheveled, gross and tired, but she hoped she looked presentable enough to gain access to the police station to see Officer Lowell.

  Police stations had become fortresses ever since the initial outbreak.

  You practically have to have a court order to get some help from the LAPD. Pinche government's response to something they were not remotely prepared for. Well, at least some things remain the same.

  She took one last look at her appearance and steeled herself for what was to come.

  Xochi heard intense yelling and chanting coming from the direction of the LAPD Metro Division building.

  "¡Híjole! Just what I need," Xochi said to herself as she approached the corner of Temple and North Los Angeles Street.

  Huge crowds of protestors were gathered at the entrance of the station. A line of police officers in full riot gear struggled to hold the ever-growing mob at bay.

  "My son's gone missing! And he was in your jail!" an older Mexican woman screamed at the police while holding up an enlarged photograph of a teenage Latino boy dressed in a Catholic school uniform.

  "Yeah!" another protestor chimed in. "Why won't you let any of us in? What are you hiding?"

  Xochitl reached the rear of the massive crowd but was unable to move any closer to the building's entrance. She skirted along the edge of the mob in search of an opening. A sudden wave of protestors pushed forward against the riot police. Xochitl squeezed through a small gap. Again the mob pressed forward toward the station. Again Xochi pushed her way through another opening.

  Xochitl thought she was home free, as the crowd swept her up and pushed her forward to the front steps of the building where the wall of cops stood like an unbreakable barrier to the police station.

  I will get Lowell to help me. I will find Miguel.

  Xochi recognized Captain Burch standing in the center of the police barricade, holding a megaphone.

  I need to get to him. But how?

  "You must disperse immediately," Captain Burch spoke calmly into the bullhorn with the authority of a seasoned law enforcement officer. "You are all trespassing on government property. All who attempt to break through this police blockade will be arrested."

  The crowd responded with boos, jeers and expletives in varying languages that Xochitl didn't understand but could venture to guess their meaning.

  Someone shouted, "We are American citizens. We have rights!"

  Like they care.

  Captain Burch gave an order to his men before turning toward the station doors.

  This is it. My last chance.

  She lunged forward toward the police line, knocking several protesters out of her way. "Captain Burch! Captain Burch! It's me...Xochitl Magaña!"

  Captain Burch turned back toward Xochitl, his expression confused. Xochitl continued to force her way to him. "Please, I need your help."

  She could see the mob around her getting aggravated. Someone shoved her from behind yelling, "Hey, bitch, wait your turn!" She couldn't tell who'd pushed her. She didn't care. All that mattered was getting to her target.

  Captain Burch held up his hand to halt Xochi and quell the incensed throng around her. "You have to get authorization first, miss." He turned to leave.

  Desperate, Xochitl grabbed Burch by the arm, spinning him to face her. "Wait, please. You raided my bar a few weeks ago..."

  Someone grabbed her arms from behind. She tilted her head back to see a helmeted police officer dressed in riot gear, trying to band her wrists together with a zip tie. Looking as if he'd just graduated from the Academy, the fresh-faced cop was noticeably overwhelmed and through his clear helmet shield Xochi registered both his fear and his fierce determination to take her down.

  Trying to impress your captain? Well not today, rookie!

  Xochitl leaned her weight back against the officer, causing him to stumble down a step. "Whoops," she said.

  The officer steadied himself. Xochitl could see he was about to lunge at her, and she readied herself in a fighting position, her fists up by her face to block any attack.

  "Officer Gorski, stand down," Captain Burch ordered as he stepped between Xochitl and his subordinate.

  Immediately, the policeman stood at ease, and Burch turned his attention to Xochitl.

  Xochi hesitated for a moment, then followed suit — slowly rising from her crouched stance. Burch eyed her up and down.

  "You were Officer Lowell's CI," Burch said. "I remember you now. You turned your gangbanger boyfriend in."

  Unsure of where he was going, Xochitl replied, "He had it coming."

  "Oh, I'm sure he did." Burch chuckled. "Xochitl, right?" Xochi nodded. "Remind me not to get on your bad side."

  For a moment, Xochitl's spirits lifted. She could feel the weight of the past few weeks rolling off her shoulders.

  "Captain, I really need to get in to see Lucy...I mean, Officer Lowell."

  "I'm sorry, Xochitl." Burch placed his hand on her shoulder. "Officer Lowell took a leave of absence. She's not here anymore."

  Just like that, Xochitl felt her world collapse in on her.

  ¡Carajo! What am I gonna do now? I've got to find Miguel.

  "I could maybe get a message to her," Burch said.

  "Oh my God, really?" Xochi felt on the verge of tears.

  "I can't promise anything, but I'll try," Burch amended.

  Xochitl scrambled through her bag to find the pen and Officer Lowell's business card, before scratching out a quick note.

  Miguel's missing. Going back to the

  neighborhood. I think Memo's got him.

  Need backup. YOU OWE ME. — X

  She handed the card to Captain Burch. "Thank you so much."

  Without warning something whizzed by Xochitl's head, just missing the captain.

  "¡Híjole! They're throwing shit now?" Xochi had to duck again as a shoe flew past her.

  Burch pushed Xochitl to the pavement and yelled through his bullhorn, "Disperse now, or be fired upon!" But the crowd continued to push and throw objects at the line of officers.

  Officer Gorski slammed himself down onto the steps to avoid being hit by a glass soda bottle.

  "On your feet, Gorski
!" Burch yelled. "Fire a warning shot. Rubber bullets only."

  Gorski pushed himself up, his legs wobbling. His hands trembled as he unstrapped his 37 mm gas gun and loaded a round in the chamber.

  Looks like Papa's shotgun, except for the crazy big barrel. Man, I miss that gun. Papa taught me to shoot with that gun.

  Gorski fired a warning shot. The random thoughts dropped away and instinct took over. Xochitl ducked and covered her head with her hands.

  It was chaos. People everywhere were scrambling for cover and dropping to the ground.

  I'm in a full-blown riot. Awesome.

  Captain Burch signaled for the riot police to begin their advance on the crowd. They pushed their way toward the back of the mob, subduing protestors in their path. Each line of advance seemed to extinguish the riot's flame.

  Might just make it outta here in one piece.

  From somewhere in the back of the mob someone screamed, "WEREBEAST!"

  Xochi looked up from the cold steps where she was huddled to see a massive wave of people rushing toward the police line, breaking it easily.

  "¡Hijo de puta!" she cried.

  Parting the tsunami of protestors, a giant Werebeast tore through bodies, using its long, muscular legs to close the gap between it and the station.

  Xochitl rolled to her side and stumbled to her feet.

  Captain Burch barked orders to his officers, "Fall back! Open fire! Do not let it get inside!"

  Horrified, Xochitl couldn't believe her eyes.

  That thing's gotta be close to seven feet!

  Its eyes were like the glowing embers of a fire and wild with rage. It roared and howled as it ripped apart the fleeing people.

  This is a nightmare. I gotta get the hell out of here or die.

  But she couldn't move. She was petrified with fear.

  Racing for cover, the riot police swarmed back up into their building, leaving the crowd to fend for themselves. The pop of erratic gunfire pierced through the tormented cries of the monster's victims.

  ¡Carajo! Either that Werebeast thing eats me or I get riddled with bullets. What do I do?

  Someone shouted, "Move your ass! NOW!" She realized with a jolt, she was the one yelling. Regaining her wits, she kicked off her pumps and began to run. She didn't care what direction she was headed so long as she got as far away from the Beast as she could.