19 Years Ago, 1998

James told the customer in front of him while he stood behind the cashier counter, "That will be $25.15." The customer who is a middle aged man that's bald handed the exact amount to him. Then James messed with the register and put the money in there, and grabbed the receipt. After that he bagged the groceries, dropped the receipt in the sack along with them, and scooted them over to the man. He said with a tiny smile, being as courteous as he can be, "You have a good day, sir." The customer only made a 'humph' in response. Without really saying a REAL word he grabbed the bag and casually strode off to the exit, the store doorbell rang as he left the place. Now alone, sighing, James crossed his arms, solemnly shaking his head, "Some people..."

The young man unfolded his limbs and looked down at his feet, as he waited for another customer to come up to where he is. This was James's first day on his new job he had gotten recently, working behind the counter as a cashier in a small grocery store called Lynch's. He can also stock up the groceries in the aisles at times too when needed, but at the moment, he's playing cashier now. Though he met a SOMEWHAT rude customer, he was having a bit of fun with it. Although he was getting a little bored, since standing behind the counter most of the time can be tedious, not to mention business was a bit slow today. He remembered what those days were like, working a bit during high school before going to college. 

But still, James didn't mind it. He didn't mind working a small job, which was a lot different than what he worked for before. He just wished there was something else to do to kill the time. He would've took a short pace around the aisles but he didn't want to chance it. He would've chatted with a fellow employee, a fellow cashier, but problem was he was working alone here at this hour.

James just stood there, letting out a cough. Then he snapped his gaze at the clock nearby. He was supposed to be done with his shift at 1:30. Only now it was noon. He can't wait to head for that diner and have some well deserved grub. His stomach already growled a couple times and was aching for chow. Sure he ate breakfast before leaving the cabin, but a few hours can really make someone's stomach hunger for more. His mind literally pleaded to speed things up already.

Then someone's voice interrupted the silence and his inner torment, "Hello."

The voice sounded like a girl. He looked straight at the person standing at the other side of the counter, just staring at him with a huge smile and holding her hands in front of her. When he heard it at first, he was honestly hoping that was Laurie, delivering some lunch for him, but sadly that wasn't the case. This was a WAY different woman than the waitress. James gaped at her for a long moment. She was young like him, a couple inches shorter, with a slender body and very long blonde hair and pretty green eyes.

James, being the polite employee that he is, smiled in return and replied, "Hi there." He glanced at the conveyor belt, and noticed there wasn't anything laying on it. He wrinkled his brow a bit and threw his stare back at hers. He sounded a little quizzical when he mentioned, "Excuse me, but you don't have any groceries."

The blonde haired lady remarked with a raised brow, "Do I look like I'm starving?"

James found her humor and smirked. He shook his skull and said, "I didn't say when you buy here that you have to eat all your stuff in one go. This place isn't McDonalds."

She chuckled, "I don't eat McDonalds."

"Yeah...But still." 

"Hey, I know what this place is and know how things work. And besides...I'm not in the mood for shopping. Nor eating for that matter...I already ate."

He shrugged with his arms, "Fair enough. So...What can I do you for?"

She answered, brushing her hair off her shoulder, "To talk to me."

James nodded slowly and asked once more, "Alright...What about?"

The lady said, "Nothing exactly. Just stand and chat. After all, you did look bored here...And this is your first time working here I presume...Considering you're new around here. I might as well help you get through your first day, James."

James pointed out in amusement, "Apparently you already know about me and know my name."

"Well, this town's not that big..." She pointed at his chest, "And it could also be the name tag."

He rolled up his eyes, "Ok that too." He chuckled and then she did too. He honestly admitted...He found her a bit funny so far. And she did have some kind of point...Her chatting with him is kinda helping him out a little bit. This may not happen all the time, so he'd better take his chance with this. The young man then shortly said, "You're really not lost and asking for help, are you?"

The blonde woman replied with a shake of her head, "I never get lost. I usually know my way around. Even when I was a kid, I never was acting like a lost pup." Her hands were on her hips and her posture changed to sass, "And I'm not the damsel in distress type either...I'm a lot tougher than you think."

He shook his head, "I ain't going to deny that." He gestured toward her, "Alright, since you already know my name...May I ask what's yours?"

"I ain't going to deny you of that either." She introduced herself, "It's Miranda. Miranda Hardwicke."

He repeated her name, "Miranda huh..." James nodded a bit after he got that registered and pressed, "So, uh...How come you're talking to me exactly? I suppose I'm some cute guy you saw from afar and you're trying to ask me out?"

Miranda quirked a brow, "Nice try but no. I'm not looking for anyone. I already got a boyfriend."

James spoke adamantly with a shrug of his shoulders, "That's nice. I ain't looking for anyone either. I, uh...Don't think I want anybody."

"You're handsome and all, but don't worry...You're safe from me." They laughed a bit together. Then Miranda shook her head a little bit before she said, "But no, actually...I came to see you...Because of your loss."

James was sorta taken aback by her statement. He held confusion on his face when he asked, "What loss?"

She was a bit hesitant to say, acting afraid like she was gonna cause him harm. But she did, "You know...Losing someone you love."

Right away he knew what she was referring to now. Shortly he pressed with a soft voice, "...Did you know my sister?"

She told him, "Not really. I've seen her before, but I never spoke to her. But I..." She looked away with eyes that show loss, "I do know what losing someone is like. I...Lost my father a long time ago." She gazed straight at him, "I wanted to tell you that I know how you feel and I'm sorry for your loss."

"Oh..." James looked down and responded, "Thanks. We...We were pretty close years back."

Miranda nodded with sympathy, "I can only imagine..."

He raised his head and asked her, "...How did your dad die?"

Before Miranda can answer, someone interrupted their conversation, "Hey, James!" James turned his attention now to his boss, Louis, hollering from a distance within a aisle, "How's it going over there? Thought I should check on you."

James hollered back, cupping a hand near his mouth, "Just hanging in there!"

Louis replied loudly, "Alright! Remember I'll be in my office whenever you need me!"

"Ok!" When the conversation was over, he attempted to return to the one he had with Miranda. But she wasn't in front of him anymore. Her disappearance left him surprised. Where did she go? That was so abrupt. He looked at the exit and found that she had already left the store and is now outside, taking quick strides to her left and out of his sight. He frowned in confusion. What's the matter with her? With all the curiosity he held, he decided to ditch his post and chase after her and find out what was going on with her.

James ran out the door and found her from a distance. He yelled, "Hey, Miranda!" But Miranda did not stop, like she didn't hear him. He frowned. What was going on with her? Didn't she hear him? First she acted all friendly, now she was acting like she didn't want to talk to him. Then he jogged after her, "Hold up a second!" Since she wasn't far away, he quickly caught up to her. James planted a hand on her shoulder and had her turn around and face him. His words were filled with concern when he started, "Hey...Is everything al-"

But suddenly before he could finish his sentence, a stray dog, a black and white pit bull, had already come out of an alley behind Miranda and started barking furiously at them. Miranda gasped loudly, hiding behind the young man as a shield. James wasn't scared at all, only surprised. He kept his stance, while the dog kept barking away. James seemed to notice by its eyes that it was staring right at her, but then again, that thing was acting crazy. He didn't have time to figure things out. He had to get that thing away from them. It'll probably hurt them. It is a BIG dog. 

James screamed at the animal, "HEY! GO ON! GET!" When it did not listen, he flung his arm to try to scare it off, "GO ON, GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE!" Finally, the dog whimpered, turned tail and took off. It ran till it went around the corner at the end of the street.

He took a deep breath and let it out. Miranda sighed in relief as well, and came out from behind him and smiled at him in gratitude. She said appreciatively, "Thank you."

James waved her off with a shake of his head, "Don't mention it." He took a glance where the dog ran off, "I guess he had a rough life."

Miranda remarked, following his gaze, "Either that or he was born that way."

He said in bit of worry, "Either way, hope the pound takes care of him. He seems dangerous to everyone."

Miranda lowered her head, her mind seemingly on other things, "Yeah..."

James looked toward her now, pressing her, "Are you ok? What happened to you back at the store? You just ran off."

Miranda giggled before looking back at him and shoving away some hair off her face, "Sorry...I'd love to chat with you some more and help make your day go by quick...But I realized I have to be somewhere. Actually, I'm late for something with my boyfriend. I'm meeting him."

For some reason, James thought she was hiding something. He wasn't sure what. But he didn't want to ask her about it. It was probably not the appropriate time to press with these type of questions. Besides...He might be wrong about her. He only replied, "I see."

Then she said to him, "I probably should work on my goodbyes, huh? Sorry I ran off like that."

James shook his head at that with a grin, "No. It's all right." His hand gestured down the street, "If you gotta be somewhere, then go. Don't keep your man waiting."

She timidly nodded, "And I really should. Thanks for talking to me...And scaring off the dog."

James replied, "Sure thing. And...Thanks for the condolence for my sister. I appreciate it."

Miranda said, her eyes seem to be peering down his soul, "You're welcome...You needed it. I can tell when someone needs it." She cast a quick glance to where she was going before telling him, "I gotta get going now. Maybe I'll see you later?"

He stared at her a bit more before accepting, "Sure. I don't mind having another friend around here. I reckon you know where I live?"

Miranda nodded in reply, "Definitely. Maybe I'll stop by one day." She began to jog off to her destination, throwing her last words behind her shoulder, "See ya!"

James just stood there watching her till she was gone. He took a deep breath and let it out. Miranda seemed alright, least in his eyes. He was looking forward to seeing her again, like Laurie and Doug. 

But standing around all alone on the sidewalk, he still couldn't help but notice something...A bit OFF about her. He still couldn't quite place his finger on it, but for some reason it still felt like she was hiding something from him. 

Come to think of it...He did kinda notice at first glance...That she felt strange. Like she was some kind of ghost. Which was no wonder she got out of the store very quickly. She didn't feel like Laurie, that's for sure. Those two are complete opposites.

In fact...Something was VERY different about her...

James huffed then whirled around to head back into the store and return to his post. He doesn't have time to think about this anymore. He has to get back to the register! Don't want to get in trouble on the first day.

*****

The tall hairy creature roamed through the forest in the den of night. It was having its routine walk just to unwind before heading back to its home. The night wasn't so quiet, since the crickets were doing their songs for this one in particular, but it didn't care. In these times of seasons, it always tolerated that noise whenever it hears them. 

It's just the way of nature...Like what the creature is.

It gazed up at the sky while its two feet carried it past the trees. It may look all white in its eyes, but unlike last night, it did know that a half moon has barely shown its face along with the stars in the sky. Wasn't exactly the FULL moon as humans would think creatures like it roam under at night, but it looked nice regardless. Upon thinking of humans, the creature dipped down its muzzle and thought of that certain one of them. A small smile appeared on it too as it strode along. It had came through with its plan today, just like it thought it would. It went through as planned, it came through without too much trouble. It had managed to find James today in town, as a human, and talked to him. Now, it became friends with the man of the cabin.

It can't believe it. It never had an actual conversation with a human before...Only to its own kind. It actually...Connected with him. 

As a human...

The creature held wariness in its eyes. Conflicted feelings arose in its chest. It's now friends with James, as a human...But for how long exactly? Part of it, despite what it really wanted at the end, was hoping that they wouldn't be friends. But now they were. Sure it made itself feel better for what it did, but it knew that this so called 'friendship' they now started won't possibly last forever. It was afraid that James would find out what it REALLY is and then everything would get bad. And who knew what could happen when he did know. The creature still didn't know what kind of person James actually is. It still didn't know him very well, not during their first meeting. Would he just scream and run away and tell people? Or would he actually turn out to be one of those humans that some creatures like it hated so much and possibly try to kill it? A silver bearer?

Even before going through with the plan, earlier today it still wasn't sure of the idea. It was still risky. 

But unfortunately, it was a little too late to back down.

After returning back to the other tall hairy creatures it knows after meeting James face-to-face, it never spoke a word to any of them about it. Like James, they never suspected a thing too, not even its parent. The creature pretended like it never did anything while it was in town...But it sure did. What if any of them found out what it did? It doesn't want to know...And it's best not to. 

A cautious breath escaped its snout. This is very risky...Maybe it should not talk to him again. It'd be best also if it didn't. Would James mind? After all, he does have a couple friends he's already have made. What harm could not talking to one friend ever again cause? It thought about cutting ties with him, but a guilty presence was battling with the idea and the cautious feeling on the inside. Course it didn't absolutely want to. Cause it still felt like the man wanted another friend...One that knows how he feels.

The creature put more thought into what it wants as conflicting feelings fought against each other. It did remember seeing that he wasn't wearing this certain necklace around his neck when the creature as a human being talked to him up close. Maybe he wasn't a silver bearer. But still, that probably won't mean anything. He could still be one. And even if he wasn't, that didn't mean he wasn't the kind of person that won't be afraid of it. Either way, he won't give it a chance if he finds out what the person he'd talked to truly is. It won't like the beast. 

But...Maybe he will. He seems nice. Maybe he'll give the thing a chance...

It shut its eyes, laid back its ears and growled with so much frustration. Oh...What's it going to do? It's driving it crazy!

Before it could think any further, a loud clanging sound struck its pointy ears, and sharp pain erupted around its leg. It cried out and fell down to its side. The creature quickly looked at the source of the problem as it laid on the ground. Apparently its foot set off a trap within the woods. It was a bear trap. The metal teeth were stuck in its furry leg, possibly leaving behind some red droplets. 

It snarled at the metallic thing. Curses! It didn't even see it! It walked through these woods more than once, but this never happened before! Then worriedness clawed at its chest. Were there human hunters around? Its face darted back and forth for any sign of danger. Nobody was around. Surely someone would show up by now. It locked eyes with the trap again. Maybe it was left behind by some old hunter and was never picked up again. And nothing came across it...Till now.

Lucky for the animals that live in the woods that never did.

The creature gritted its jaws as it shifted to a sitting position. It's gotta get free. It's got to get out of here. The big creature's furry hands dug in between fur and metal, and tried to pry the thing off. It tried to move it apart and lift its leg, but it wasn't doing a good job at it. It moved a bit, but not far enough. The creature let go of the teeth, and felt some more sharp pain again when the trap dug into fur and flesh again. 

It whimpered, laying its ears back. Goodness that thing was strong! Has it been out in the woods for so long and it has got all rusty by all the rain it got pelted on? Could be. The creature sighed helplessly and glanced around once more. It needs help. It needs help escaping the trap. It can't do this alone!

It's gotta call for help.

The creature knew that the others like it are at home right now. It was kinda far from where it's at. What if they don't hear it? 

But it's got to try. 

Without further ado, it drew back its head, and let out a long, haunting howl.

*****

On the tv screen, two animated characters were fighting each other. One of them was a werewolf named Yugo, and the other was a were-lion named Gado. This wasn't some movie that was on there. It was actually a arcade-style, fighting video game called 'Bloody Roar' being played by James sitting on the couch. He was controlling Yugo with the PlayStation controller, using several button combinations he knows to try to take down his opponent. Gado was giving him trouble a bit, losing a couple rounds already, but he's starting to get the groove with it.

James stared at the tv intensely when he won one of the matches. Now he's got two more to win and he'll beat Gado like before. He sighed, then paused the game when another match started. He kinda needed a tiny break from all the intense fighting...And wanted to get something to drink. So he got off the couch, walking around in the well lit cabin thanks to the electricity now coursing through the place, and went to the kitchen. He made his way to one of the cabinets and opened it and grabbed a glass, then filled it with tap water and took a few sips. He turned and stared outside through a window, seeing everything was still dark like it was a couple hours ago.

The young man let out another sigh as he listened to the crickets outside and brought the glass to his lips again and had another swig. It was a very uneventful afternoon after finishing his first work day in Little Valley. It did get boring very quickly again after his conversation with Miranda was over with, but he still put up with it and couldn't wait to get out of there. He did go to the diner like he told Laurie he would last night and ate there finally, meeting her and satisfying his hungry stomach after it tortured him for a bit. After that, with a little goodbye, he drove back to the log cabin, ready to settle in after a long day. 

James waltzed back into the living room, eyes gazing around in admiration at the welcoming interior as he was standing behind the couch. It's been a few days since he began to settle in, but he still almost couldn't believe the difference the inside the place is now compared to the first time he spent the night here. It certainly looked a lot like home now. A home he can come to.

James threw his stare down at the table across the couch with this game console and a bunch of games in CD jewel cases sitting on top at the far end. After coming home and taking a shower, he decided to play a couple of games, just to kill some time with his lonely self, enough to make him feel tired. After all, he has to go to work tomorrow. 

He smiled directly at the game console, his mind recollecting how he ended up with it. The PlayStation...Honestly he never thought he would ever own a game console. He wasn't really a big fan of video games. Plus they did cost like a lot of money. He has played a couple in the arcades and has heard of the Nintendo and the Sega Genesis from other people back in Rochester...But they weren't exactly enough for him to get into them.

That was until he found out about the PlayStation in a commercial a couple years back. He thought it blew him away with what it was showing about the system and the games. It looked edgy and hip. It just clicked with him. Then, like everyone else, he saved up enough money and bought the thing, and a couple games, which were Resident Evil and Twisted Metal, and BOY was he hooked to it. He became a fan of the system. And sure enough after a couple years have passed, he managed to buy some more games that caught his eye, including Bloody Roar. He has accumulated about eleven of them now.

Whenever he had an off day with literally nothing to do, he would go and play a game on that thing. Sometimes he can't stop playing it even if he wanted to. The games can be addicting.

James strode around the furniture and placed the glass on the table and picked up the controller, having had enough of a break and resumed the battle. While playing the match, he was thinking about Doug. He seemed like a real sport with this sort of thing, although James wasn't very sure of it yet. Maybe those two can play a game or two together sometime? According to a couple of them, like Bloody Roar, there is an option for two players to play together. James doesn't really have another controller, but maybe Doug owns a PlayStation and has one? He'll have to ask him sometime.

Then cutting through his alone time and thoughts, he heard something else other than the gameplay.

A howl.

James turned his head towards the window and paused the game again. It was long, eerie, and weird. His face went wide with surprise. That sounded like those howls he heard when he first spent the night here. Curiosity pushed him off the couch and pulled him quickly towards the window to stare out. He didn't see anything, only his truck, the yard and the looming treeline. That was it. But he did hear another howl go off, somewhere deep in the woods.

So it wasn't his imagination after all...

Last night, like the past few other nights, he never heard a single thing after Laurie and Doug left him alone after their little campfire party. He did expect to hear something the other night, but nothing happened...Until now.

He wasn't imagining the howling. He's sure of it now.

It was REAL.

But what was it? It couldn't be a dog or a coyote...What could be making that howling?

While standing around pondering the noise, a third howl came after that. He placed his hand beside the window frame as he listened closely. He realizes that it was just one creature doing it, and what's more there was something else about it that he noticed. It...Seemed like it was in pain. Like it was in some kind of trouble.

For some reason...It was almost making him feel bad. It was making him have the urge to go out there and rescue it.

The young man looked down at his feet, mulling over what he is about to do. It's probably a bad idea. It has to be some wild animal. It'll probably attack him if he tried. He tossed his gaze through the window again, feeling determined. Still...He probably won't sleep well if the howling continued. He has to go check it out...And help if he can.

James sped to the kitchen again and went through the cabinet beneath the sink. He pulled out a flashlight and turned it on. Then he ran out the loud creaking door and slammed it behind him after he got outside. James shined the beam around the area, trying to figure which direction the howling came from. When it happened once more, James somewhat pinpointed its direction, and started to wander out onto the yard and follow it. Very soon he ended up within the trees and bushes. 

There was some light thanks to the half moon in the sky, but the flashlight was helping him more. As he trekked through the darkened forest, he shoved away a thorny bush. He grunted when one of the thorns cut his hand, but he didn't give up. He pushed on past. Another eerie, pained howl guided him further, having him go towards another direction. His heart pounded deep in his chest, anticipation grew within him. The answer to what he heard before was getting close. 

He swung the light around, wondering if there was anything else out in the night, but nothing was. The critters were probably sleeping the night away...Unlike the one howling...And him. James continued on on a little trail he found, trying to follow the source still. He was anxious to see what's making all the racket, but he was getting nervous, a little worried that he might end up dead by that thing. This was a little crazy. He wondered if his sister ever heard something like that out here and journeyed outside at night to find what's howling.

Probably not. And he wasn't going to walk away from this. He has to know what it is and what's going on.

The somewhat wary man noticed he didn't know how deep he was in the forest and how far the cabin was, but he didn't want to think about it. He wanted to find the creature. By the sound of another howl, James realized it didn't sound far away now. He must be getting close. Sensing that something was around this certain huge tree, he went around the base to see if he can see it.

In the path of the light, something big and furry was on the ground on its side. Snapping its gaze towards him, the huge creature he came across stared at him for a second, and then growled.

James gasped, frozen in place. No way...What was that thing?!

He stared at the growling creature from a distance. The flashlight shook in his head as he tried to figure out what he saw in fear. James quickly realized what that thing was upon looking at it. Pointy ears, fangs, looks like a wolf but bigger and standing on two legs...It was a MONSTER.

It was a werewolf!

James cried out a little bit in terror and ran away. He rushed around the tree and headed towards where he thinks is the direction to his cabin. Several feet later, he shot his eyes back over his shoulder...And found nothing was chasing him.

He skidded to a stop, turning swiftly around to look for the werewolf. He frowned, and spat out in a confused whisper, "What the-?" It wasn't after him...But why?

But who cares why! He found a werewolf! He can't believe it! A real life werewolf! That's why the howling he heard was all weird. It's real.

Werewolves are real...

He snapped his light to one direction, then to another. He is certain that there is more than one other than the one he found, recalling that he heard more than one creature was howling that first night. Apparently these woods were filled with werewolves. His breathing was slow, trembling. Was this some sort of trap? Were there others out there other than the one he found? Maybe he better get moving...

But then, the same howling came off the monster close by. The same, pained howling. His face frowned. What's going on with that thing? Is it...Alone out here? Then he remembered seeing something else before running away. He did catch sight of the monster's leg being caught in something. Like a trap. Perhaps that was why that thing was lying on the ground. Maybe that explained what tonight's howling was all about. That thing was calling for help.

Well then he can't stand around gawking. He has to get out of here!

James whirled around, but...He couldn't get his legs to move. He was stuck, frozen in place. Despite his fears, he was actually feeling conflicted to leave that thing like that. Seeing that thing trapped like that...It was making him feel bad for the thing. It needed help. 

Maybe his...

He was shaking his head, trying to snap himself out of this madness. Is he crazy? That thing's a monster! It doesn't need his help, that thing will kill him! Hell more werewolves might show up and kill him too if he tries! They're probably on their way here now!

He sucked in a breath, still feeling unsure of leaving. But what if they didn't hear the howls? What if they were someplace far away and can't hear it? Another howl erupted through the silence. He groaned to himself, "Augh, damn it....I've got to do something..." His mind made up, crazy as it was, he slowly made his way back to where he took off from. He thinks he HAS to do something now. He probably wouldn't forgive himself if he didn't do something. It was acting like a dog caught in a hunter's trap. He'd probably do the same thing to that poor creature if he'd found it in the same situation.

Hopefully the thing will not slaughter him...He won't forgive himself for that either.

Hopefully it doesn't come to that.

James found the werewolf in the exact same place he left it. Shining the light on the monster again, it gave the man a deep growl, its eyes piercing towards him. He was taking some tentative steps forward, being as careful and cautious as he can be. From the way it looked, it didn't look the way he thought it'd appear. Usually he thought werewolves were supposed to be grey, like a regular wolf, but this werewolf's fur color is actually golden. That was kinda interesting. His hand moved the light toward the thing around the creature's leg. It was definitely caught in a trap. A bear trap no less.

That's got to hurt.

The golden werewolf's muzzle then snarled, lips curling back to show teeth. James stopped in his tracks, breathing heavily. He was sorta havin second thoughts about this...But he can't back down now. He's gone too far now. He looked straight into its eyes and held out his free hand. He spoke to it in a calm tone, "It's okay...I'm not here to hurt you."

The werewolf's lips were together now, as it stared right back with what seem to be very calm, but cautious eyes.

James reassured with a small smile, "It's ok...I want to help you." 

The creature didn't react much. It only stared at him, blinking a few times, breathing heavily.

He went up more closer to the thing. It didn't react aggressively when he was beside it now. Surprisingly that thing must really understand him. This was kinda going better than he thought it would. He won't let his guard totally down though. He eyed at the bear trap. He nodded and said out loud, "Don't worry...I'll get you out of this thing." He put the flashlight down on the grass, and had his hands on both metallic jaws of the trap.

James grunted very loudly with a furrowed brow. He strained, struggled a bit to pry this thing apart from the werewolf's leg. It moved a bit, but he was still struggling to take it apart. This was harder than it looked, but he's got to keep trying. Then all of a sudden, the werewolf's big furry hands came to help out as well. James gasped with his eyes shooting at it. The gold furred face of the werewolf strained as it tried to help with its own strength. James didn't hesitate, he kept at it with the thing. 

Then finally, the trap was coming further apart, till there was enough space for the wolf creature's leg to come loose. Both had yanked their hands off the trap as quick as they could, and the teeth crashed with a loud clang. 

James let out a loud sigh of relief as he sat. He gazed towards the werewolf now. Despite the injury, it stood tall not long after it was free. It looked down at him, without showing much emotion with one pointy ear flickering. James grabbed the flashlight and slowly got up on his end, standing face to face with it. He did show a lot of shock on his face as he was staring at it. Wow...That thing was taller than he thought...

Then out of nowhere the werewolf's hand struck out and grabbed around his throat. The lone human groaned, struggling to get free. Then he felt he was being lifted off the earth. The werewolf's eyes were now showing daggers, like it was ready to not show him mercy. His feet kicked the air, and his body squirmed above the ground. He tried hitting the thing's arm with his fist, even go so far as also hitting it with the flashlight, but he still couldn't get himself free.

Now HE was trapped.

His mind raced in panic and horror. On no! He should've known this was going to happen! He groaned again when he felt its grip tighten, threatening to crush his throat. His voice almost strained to make a noise. It was nothing but squeaks now. His eyes were holding plea, begging it to not kill him. Inside himself, he was afraid they wouldn't help him. That thing was going to do it. He was going to die this night.

But then a long moment later...The eyes of the golden werewolf slowly and suddenly softened up. That was when it lowered him back down to the ground. James backed away, coughing and rubbing his neck. He was shocked that happened. The werewolf only watched him intently, not moving a muscle, but showing the same calmness that just showed up. James watched it for a moment, but he didn't want to stick around and find out what'll happen next. That was his cue to spin around and run. This time he did not look back. The flashlight in his hand swung in all directions as he made a mad dash back to the cabin. 

He thought for sure he wouldn't find his way back, but it turned out it wasn't hard at all. Soon he was back out onto his yard and rushing towards the cabin. James ran inside, shutting the door behind him and locked it. His back leaned against the door. He was panting heavily, as he was short on breath. His heart pounded very hard in his chest too and it was also making it hard for him to breathe. James heaved, struggling to have air in his lungs as a bit of sweat rolled down his face. Slowly but surely, his heart slowed to a crawl, and he was now breathing again. Then shortly, he went for a nearby window to see if the real life werewolf followed him.

It didn't. Nothing was outside except his truck.

James let out a long sigh, closing his eyes with his forehead pressed against the glass. A werewolf...He met a werewolf.

He has to call somebody. He has to tell somebody what just happened to him.

He was thinking about it, but then he forgot that there's no phone line hooked up here yet. Fear struck him that time with that thought, but then he recalled that one thing.

The werewolf...It didn't kill him.

It let him live.

It could've killed him, but it let him live.

His eyes shot open upon the realization. Yes...It did. But why? If it wanted to kill him, why not do it? He thought it was going to. Obviously it didn't want to. 

Why?

James held in a breath for a very long time, and let it out slowly, not taking his eyes off the window. This is strange...Very strange.

Hopefully nothing else bad will happen.