The Hunter

Chapter Fourteen

After Lexie leaves, more people show up to introduce themselves and take a look around the store. A lady who called herself Mrs. Green gave us a pie, and a woman named Lydia gave us something called a tray bake. They both handed them to my father and spent half an hour asking him questions. My father looked to me for help, but I kept myself busy. No way am I helping him out of that. It’s way too entertaining.

I hear the bell from the door and look up. A tall man with short sandy brown hair and a red flannel walks in. He looks close to my age.

“Good afternoon, is there something I can help you find?” I ask. He’s impressively huge, he practically takes up the full frame of the door. If I weren’t trained to fight, I’d probably find him very intimidating. But when he smiles at me and his whole demeanor changes. He’s much softer, more like a teddy bear than a grizzly .

“Nah, I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Manny. I run the bar down the street.” He holds out his hand. I shake it.

“Nice to meet you.” I say.

“Absolutely, Lexie told me to come check this place out.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, even though Miriam is the mayor, Lexie is the real voice of the people. It’s probably because she’s their doctor and we all trust her. But I wanted to see if you two would care to swing by some time. First drinks on me. You can tell me your life story, and I can introduce you to the local riff raff.” He pokes his elbow into me playfully.

“Now Malcom, you aren’t being a bad influence are you?” Mrs. Green asks from the other side of the room.

“No way Mrs. Green. You know I’m just teasing.” He gives her a smile and he throws his arm over my shoulder.

“You were such a good boy when you were a kid. Just do me a favor and stay that way.” She turns back to the conversation with my father.

“She’s a middle school teacher. Tough as nails. Looks like your father has found himself in the widows club.”

“Widows club?” I ask.

“Both their husbands have passed away. There’s four of them. I’m sure they’re asking him about your mom right now.”

“Oh, my mom died a long time ago.” I don’t know why I told him that.

“Sorry man. That’s rough.” I don’t think about it too much honestly. My life is always so busy. Going from one job to the next. But when I do think about mom, I don’t get sad. I remember her tucking me in at night. I remember her holding my hand when we walked down the street. I remember the way she smelled.

“It’s alright. It was a long time ago. Don’t sweat it.”

“Come on, now you have to come by and let me buy you a drink for putting my foot in my mouth.” He squeezes his arm around my neck. This guy is strong, maybe I should be intimidated.

“He’d love to. Why not tonight?” I hear my father say. But tonight we have a perimeter check.

“Really?” I ask him.

“Sure. It won’t kill me to do inventory alone.” He smiles.

“Sweet. Then I’ll see you tonight.” Manny claps me on the back and waves goodbye as he heads out the door. What is the old man up to?

Finally it’s closing time. I lock the door and close the blinds.

“Do you seriously want me to go get a drink with that bear?”

“Bear? Looks more like a wolf to me.” My father says.

“You think he’s a werewolf?”

“He could be. Or he could just be a normal guy. Either way, it won’t hurt to do a little digging. I’ll do the perimeter check myself.” I’m not going to turn down free beer over walking around the woods at night.

“If you’re sure.”

“Yes, besides, you have to open the store tomorrow alone. I have a meeting with the Mayor.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. Now let’s go get some dinner before we head out.” My father says. We head home and my father makes dinner while I shower. I haven’t done a full day of work like that in a long time. After my shower I get dressed and have dinner with my father.

“I guess I’ll go meet up with Manny.” I say.

“Take some liquid wolfsbane with you. If you can, try and put some in his drink.” My father hands me a vial.

“Fine.” I take it and head out the door. I drive over to the bar. It’s nothing special, it looks like every other bar I’ve been to. The name on the sign says Waterwheel. Interesting name. I walk in and there are actually a few people sitting around. I walk up to the bar.

“Hey! You came!” Manny says as he turns around and sees me.

“I came.”

“Great. What can I get for you?”

“I’ll just have whatever’s on tap.”

“Coming up.” Manny pours me a pint and places it down in front of me.

“You going to make me drink alone?” I ask.

“Haha! Nah I can take a break and have one with you.” Manny pours another and places it in front of me.

“Hey Don! I’m taking a break. Watch the bar.” Manny pokes his head around the counter. I pull the vial out and put it in my drink, since it’s closer. Then I just pick Mannys up and start drinking out of it. Manny comes to the bar and sits down next to me.

“Well now. How do you like our small town?” He asks picking up the glass.

“Well It’s small.” I say. Manny drinks.

“It sure is.” He claps my back.

“So married? Divorced? Kids?” He asks as he drinks more. Guess he’s not a wolf.

“No, no, and no.”

“A free agent. I like it.”

Meanwhile

Rodney’s POV

I’m checking the second perimeter when I hear a howl. I freeze in my spot and wait for the reply. Two, three, no four responses. There are wolves out here that’s for sure. I come across some prints and I make a note of their location. Then I hear a low growl.