Alfie the Werewolf 5: The Evil Triplets

by Paul van Loon

  Alfie couldn’t believe his eyes. Cheeker and Choker came lurching down Luke’s path with the rowing boat on their shoulders, singing their song at the top of their lungs.

  ‘Rubbedy, rubbedy, rubbedy, rubbedy,

  Here and all about.’

  They carried the rowing boat over to the yellow car that was parked in front of the house and lifted it on to the roof, screeching away the whole time.

  Alfie groaned. ‘I didn’t recognize the car without the rowing boat. What are those mad sisters doing here? How did they get into Luke’s house? And why do they always have that boat with them? And where’s Noura?’

  There were far too many questions and Alfie didn’t have a single answer. Cheeker and Choker climbed into the car, laughing and cackling and calling each other names.

  ‘Get in, witch.’

  ‘Drive, hag.’

  ‘Wa-ha-ha-ha!’

  The doors slammed shut and a pitch-black cloud billowed out of the exhaust pipe as the car tore off.

  Alfie looked at Luke’s house. The door was still open.

  For a moment he hesitated, then quickly crossed the road and ran up the path.

  He tiptoed up to the door. There were no more party noises to be heard. It was silent inside the house. Alfie pushed the door open quietly and listened. Nothing.

  He peered into the dark hallway. There was nothing moving. The house seemed deserted. As if there had never been a party.

  Alfie whispered, ‘Noura?’ Very cautiously he ventured past the doorstep. ‘Noura? Luke?’ He took another step.

  The party was over, that was obvious. But where were Noura and Luke?

  Alfie went inside, his eyes adjusting quickly to the darkness. There wasn’t anyone in the hallway. Not in the living room either. Alfie’s werewolf eyes saw a bare room with hardly any furniture. He could just see the dark outline of a small table.

  ‘Noura? Luke?’

  No answer.

  ‘Wrow, this house is empty. There’s no one here.’

  He heard rustling behind him and spun around. His hand brushed something on the table, which fell to the floor with a bang. He felt something run over his feet: a mouse or a rat …

  An enormous racket erupted. Loud hip-hop music. Voices. The dark, empty house suddenly sounded like a party in full swing.

  30

  Ghostly Noises

  Alfie looked round in fright. Where were those voices coming from? And that music?

  There was still no movement in the darkness. Alfie was getting more and more confused. Ghostly noises in an empty house.

  ‘Wrow, stop,’ he growled to himself. ‘Don’t panic.’ He knelt down on the floor and felt around with his hands. After a while he found what he’d knocked off the table. A flat square box with buttons.

  Alfie bashed it. Click! Instantly it was dead quiet. No music, no voices, no hubbub. The silence hissed in his ears. Astonished, Alfie stared into the darkness.

  ‘Wrow?’

  Suddenly it was obvious. He didn’t need any lights. It was as if a bright light had flicked on inside his head.

  A recording, he thought. All that noise, the music, all those voices, it was all on a CD. Slowly, the terrible truth sank in. There had never been a party. Noura had been lured into the house with a CD full of party noises. By Luke! But why? Where was she now? And where was Luke?

  Suddenly he saw it all in front of him like a film. Cheeker and Choker leaving the house with the rowing boat.

  They’ve taken Noura away with them, he thought. They’ve kidnapped her. And maybe Luke too. Now I get it. It’s not a rowing boat, it’s a kidnapping boat.

  31

  Kidnapped!

  Run!

  Like a gust of white wind, Alfie tore through the streets. Leaves flew up. Cats leapt away from under his feet. Alfie ignored them and kept running.

  ‘Wrow, out of the way, out of the way. Rush, rush.’

  Down the street, turn right, straight ahead, turn left. Above the houses the full moon floated along with him. He rounded a corner, leaping over hedges and bushes. Finally he was there, leaning against a lamppost and panting.

  He looked at the house across the road. Chalker’s house. Where the two sisters lived. And Noura was here too. He was sure of it.

  The yellow car was parked out the front with nothing on its roof. They’d carried the kidnapping boat inside, of course.

  In the meantime it had grown dark. The moon was big and round. A crow cawed and took off from the roof gutter.

  Noura’s been kidnapped, thought Alfie. But where has that stupid Luke got to? Have they kidnapped him too? Serve him right. He shouldn’t have lured Noura to his so-called party. It was his fault the sisters had nabbed her. Did Mrs Chalker know about it? Probably not, thought Alfie. She’s changed an awful lot. The sisters were doing it secretly, of course. Mrs Chalker would bash them with her umbrella. But what were they planning to do with Noura?

  I have to go inside. I have to warn Mrs Chalker. But how? I don’t even know if she’s home. I can’t ring the doorbell, Cheeker or Choker might answer. What should I do?

  If only Tim was here. He always comes up with something. Wait! I’ll call him.

  Alfie pulled the mobile out of his pocket. Then he changed his mind. Oh no, we’re still fighting. I’ll call Dad instead. He’s always ready to help.

  Quickly he pressed Dad’s number. Tring … tring …

  ‘Come on, Dad, answer,’ Alfie growled.

  Suddenly there was a voice. ‘Hello?’

  ‘Hi, this is Alfie. Dad?’

  It was quiet for a moment.

  ‘No, this is Tim.’

  32

  Chalker’s Clothing

  ‘Tim? Wrow, what are you doing with Dad’s mobile?’

  ‘Dad’s playing the Green Monster,’ Tim said. ‘Listen.’

  The next instant the sound of the accordion was jangling out of Alfie’s mobile.

  ‘I’d gladly swap places with you,’ Dad’s voice sang.

  ‘Or be a werewolf too,

  Together we’d howl out a tune,

  Under the light of the moon …’

  ‘He’s singing a werewolf song,’ Tim said.

  Alfie had to laugh for a second. Crazy Dad, he thought. Then he heard Tim’s voice again.

  ‘We’re here in front of the supermarket. There are lots of people. I’m helping Dad. He’s playing and singing and I’m going round with the tea cosy. I’ve already collected two coins and a button. Good, huh?’

  Alfie felt his heart growing one boulder lighter. Tim wasn’t embarrassed to be with Dad after all.

  ‘Tim, we’re not arguing any more, are we?’

  ‘Course not, Alfie. But is something wrong? Where are you?’

  Alfie was still staring at the house.

  ‘I’m standing outside Mrs Chalker’s house.’

  ‘What are you doing that for?’

  ‘I think Noura’s inside.’

  ‘Noura? Why?’

  ‘I don’t know. She went to a party at stupid Luke’s. Those creepy sisters were there too. And now I’m here and—’

  Just then the front door opened and the two sisters emerged, swearing at each other. They came down the path, got in the car and drove off.

  ‘Alfie, are you still there?’ Tim said. ‘What do you mean? I don’t understand a word you’re saying.’

  ‘No time,’ Alfie growled. ‘The evil sisters have just left. I’m going in.’ He hung up.

  Alfie looked left, right, then shot across the street and jumped over the hedge into the garden. There was a narrow path alongside the house.

  At the back there was a big, brick extension with a badly spelled sign on the door:

  CHALKER’S CLOTHING

  Get you’re free clothes here if you’re childrens are paw and under priviledged.

  There was a dusty window in the door. Alfie pressed his nose up against it and peered through the glass. It was pitch black inside.

  He tried the do
or handle. The door wasn’t locked.

  ‘Wrow, I can just walk in,’ Alfie growled.

  Suddenly he heard panting and hurried footsteps behind him. He spun around in alarm.

  33

  A Runaway

  Alfie was standing with his back to the wall and nowhere to hide. Someone ran up the narrow path and came towards him. They stopped in front of him, panting.

  ‘Alfie? Is that you?’

  Alfie recognized the doggy panting and the raspy voice immediately.

  ‘Luke?’ Alfie tried to conceal the growl in his voice and kept his head in the shadows, out of the moonlight. He mustn’t let Luke see his hairy cheeks.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ Alfie asked.

  Luke was still panting. ‘Long story,’ he said. ‘I’m looking for Noura. I think she’s here.’

  Alfie didn’t answer at once. I’ll act like I don’t know a thing, he thought.

  ‘Wasn’t Noura at your party, Luke?’ he said.

  Luke nodded. ‘Something went wrong. Noura was at my place, but then two old ladies suddenly jumped out and grabbed Noura! They’d hidden in my house. The ugly old hags took her away in a rowing boat.’

  ‘Kidnapped?’ Alfie said in a whisper.

  Luke tried to look at him, but Alfie kept his face in the shadows.

  ‘Why didn’t they grab you too, Luke?’

  ‘I ran away,’ Luke said. ‘As soon as I saw them. I got out through the back door and hid in the bushes. I saw a yellow car drive off with the rowing boat on the roof.’ He sighed. ‘Then suddenly I felt ashamed of myself. I’d let Noura down. I’d been a coward. I started looking for her, street after street, house after house. Then I saw the yellow car in front of this house. So Noura must be here somewhere.’

  They were both silent for a moment.

  ‘And your parents?’ Alfie said. ‘Weren’t they there?’

  Luke gave a quick snort of laughter. ‘I don’t have any parents. At least, I don’t know where they are. I live with my sister. And she wasn’t home tonight.’

  For a moment, Alfie was surprised. He didn’t know where his real parents were either.

  Weird, he thought. Luke and I have more in common than I thought. If his story’s true, at least.

  Luke looked at the door behind Alfie. ‘She must be in there. Don’t you think?’

  Alfie nodded. ‘You go first,’ he whispered. His voice was getting growlier and growlier, but Luke didn’t seem to have noticed. He grabbed the door handle and pushed the door open.

  Quickly they slipped inside. Alfie looked around. It wasn’t completely dark. The moon was shining in through the dusty window and the room seemed to be full of a blue mist.

  ‘You see anything?’ Luke whispered.

  Alfie didn’t answer. His werewolf eyes adjusted quickly to the darkness and he could already see almost as well as a cat. But of course he couldn’t let Luke know that.

  The next moment he had a tremendous shock. Standing in front of him was a whole row of dark figures. Deathly still …

  34

  One Hundred Per Cent Werewolf

  Alfie didn’t move a muscle. Who were those people? Why were they standing still like that? It took a while for him to figure it out.

  Of course! He was being stupid. They were racks full of clothes. Coats, trousers, things like that. Mrs Chalker’s clothes for poor children. This must be her storeroom.

  Just then he heard Luke’s voice somewhere in the darkness.

  ‘Alfie, where are you?’

  ‘Here,’ Alfie whispered. He stuck his hands out and grabbed a couple of coats.

  But his hands weren’t hands any more, they were paws. And his ears were hairy and pointed. His nose had changed to a muzzle. Alfie was now one hundred per cent werewolf.

  Thank goodness it’s dark, he thought. Luke can’t see a thing in here. But I mustn’t let him get too close.

  Quickly Alfie slipped in between two coats, the sleeves brushing against his ears. He stepped out on the other side of the rack. Yet another clothes rack was in front of him.

  ‘Alfie, where are you?’ Luke said. ‘Wait for me.’

  Alfie didn’t want to wait for Luke and quickly crept on to the next rack. Again the pieces of clothing brushed over his hairy cheeks. Suddenly a hand grabbed his ear and felt it. Just for a second.

  Alfie looked around in fright. There was nothing there except coats, overalls and jumpers.

  ‘Luke, did you do that?’ Alfie whispered.

  No answer.

  ‘Luke?’ Alfie searched between the clothes racks. No Luke. Maybe he got scared and ran away again, thought Alfie. He looked around carefully. The moonlight was making strange things appear. There was a big black cauldron under the window for boiling the clothes for underprivileged children, next to the window was a big wardrobe, and lying in front of the wardrobe was the rowing boat.

  Alfie blinked. Everything took shape and grew clearer. Suddenly he got goosebumps all over his body. Lying next to the rowing boat were a hat and a walking stick.

  In that same instant Alfie was blinded by a beam of bright light. He screwed his eyes up. Someone was shining a torch in his face.

  ‘Wrow, who’s that?’ he growled.

  It was quiet for a moment, then he heard Luke’s voice. Very loud.

  ‘Quick, hurry. He’s here.’

  A door flew open and light shone into the storeroom. Two skinny figures with hats and umbrellas were standing in the doorway.

  35

  Men’s Work

  ‘Dad, pack up, quick.’

  Dad looked at Tim in surprise. ‘Why? Where are we going?’

  ‘To look for Alfie. It’s a strange story. Something about Mrs Chalker’s house and Noura.’

  Dad put the Green Monster in its case. ‘That’s funny. Isn’t he with Leo and Grandpa Werewolf? It’s a werewolf night, isn’t it?’

  ‘No idea,’ Tim said. ‘It doesn’t make any sense to me either. But I’m still worried.’

  Dad nodded. ‘Me too. Mrs Chalker’s not a problem any more, but those creepy sisters of hers are.’

  Just then the sound of a sheep blurted out next to them. Baa, baa, baa! Tim jumped with shock. Dad pulled out his mobile.

  ‘Relax, Tim. That’s Mum’s private ringtone on my mobile.’ He winked. ‘Just a little joke of mine. Hello, honey, where are you?’

  Mum’s voice blared out of the mobile. ‘I’ve finally found a broom. It’s fantastic. A very good—’

  ‘That’s wonderful, dear,’ Dad said. ‘We’re going to look for Alfie now. He’s in danger at the Chalker house.’

  ‘Pardon?’ Mum said. ‘What are you—’

  ‘Sorry, sweetie, no time to talk. You just get back to your sweeping. This is men’s work.’ Dad hung up, looked at Tim and shrugged. ‘This is not for women. Off to the rescue!’

  Tim nodded. ‘But what are we going to do, Dad? Those two sisters are really dangerous. They’re not scared of us.’

  Dad looked at Tim thoughtfully. Suddenly his eyes lit up.

  ‘I’ve got a plan. You remember what Mrs Chalker told us about her sisters?’

  Tim thought back carefully. ‘Um, something about them being scared of a monster?’

  Dad smiled. ‘Exactly …’

  36

  Trapped!

  Too late, Alfie realized what was happening. He stared at the two figures in the doorway, who were holding their umbrellas out in front of them like swords. Their skinny shadows stretched out into the storeroom.

  Oh, no, Cheeker and Choker, thought Alfie. I’ve been lured into a trap, just like Noura.

  The bright light was still shining in his eyes. It was Luke, who had a torch trained on his face. Alfie held his paws up in front of him.

  ‘Wrow, Luke. Why …’

  Luke gave a mean little laugh and panted with excitement. ‘You are one idiotic werewolf, Alfie. Did you really think I wasn’t on to you? I can smell a werewolf a mile away. Just like your little girlfriend. Ta
lk about easy!’

  Cheeker and Choker came into the storeroom. They were carrying a plastic bag with something wriggling inside it.

  ‘Well done, Lukey,’ they cackled. ‘We just popped out to the killer pet shop. Fortunately you were here to look after things. Now we’ve got them all. They’ll make beautiful skeletons to add to our collection. The Rub Out Werewolves Club for ever!’

  They walked over to the cauldron and upended the plastic bag. Something slithered into the cauldron. Now the sisters pointed their umbrellas at Alfie.

  ‘Into the corner, werewolf. Fast!’

  Alfie cowered back from the silver points of the umbrellas. He felt sick. So much silver! He brought his hands up to his throat.

  ‘Ugh, I’m choking.’

  Black spots appeared in front of his eyes and his whole body shivered as if he’d suddenly come down with a temperature. He stumbled backwards. Cheeker poked him in the ribs with her silver umbrella point.

  ‘Wrow-ow,’ groaned Alfie, grabbing his chest with his paws.

  ‘Oh, poor little wolfie,’ cackled Choker.

  The sisters pushed him back and forth, as if he was a toy wolf.

  ‘A werewolf for the cauldron,’ Cheeker screeched.

  ‘We’ve got the ugly four-eyed mutt,’ Choker cackled. ‘This’ll be a laugh. Push! And in he goes … And then we’ll leave him to our little darlings. He’s all theirs. Biting, snapping, scraping him clean, until we have a beautiful white skeleton.’

  The two horrible old women slapped their hands together and sang,