His flowing black jacket surrendered to the wind that hissed throughout the woods. It was dark yet he walked like it was the day. His black boots trod on the wet fallen leaves as his body aimed towards a specific direction. He wore his hat in a way that made his face less apparent but as the lightning flashed, it aided the full moon to reveal the fair skin at the back of his neck. Not too long, he came to a standstill. Observing his surroundings, he concurred he was alone and as he took a step further, he was sucked into what seemed to be a puddle – another world.
He kept on walking, his confidence was admirable. He must be familiar with this strange place. Persons walked past him, some stared, and some didn't care. He took a turn till he was standing before a door. He knocked twice.
"I'd be damned." A man on the inside declared. He seemed to be the one holding the door open for his unexpected guest who now slowly raised his head.
The light from the apartment revealed his face and he was indeed a stunner. He walked in, taking off his hat, his hair was neatly styled. He looked around. It was a fine flat despite that the furniture and setting weren't modern. His eyes fell on the mini antiques, framed photos and the fireplace. It warmed up the house from the coldness that had enveloped the night.
"You kept things the same." He said,
Turning backwards and holding onto his hat.
The other man had shut the door and now walked over to take his seat on a couch. He was obsessed with keeping fit. His arms were muscular and so was his chest, they popped out of the singlet he wore. Even his thick thighs couldn't be hidden behind his jeans. His hair was blonde and it curled down to his shoulders.
"Couldn't want it any other way ".
The man replied. "It's been a while, Jones, You became a ghost. Where have you been?" He asked.
"Been here and there Mike, making sure to not let the world fall apart," Jones replied, placing his hat on the table as he sat on the empty chair that was directly on the opposite side.
"Hmm." Mike voiced, reaching his hand into his trouser pocket. He brought out a pack of cigarettes and stuck one in his mouth.
" I see you still love your cigars," Jones said. He had his eyes fixed on him the whole while.
"I see you never did away with your accent and your obsession with James Bond ". Mike responded to him.
"If you are admitting my good taste in fashion then I am flattered," Jones said,
Mike returned the lighter to his pocket as he exhaled some smoke.
" To what do I owe this meeting?" Mike asked, leaning his back on the couch.
"Not even a drink, Old friend?". Jones responded.
" You never drink, Jones, unless it's you pouring the wine." Mike outlined.
"Very well. I hear of your excesses, Mike." Jones said to him.
Having scoffed, Mike rolled his eyes before fixing them on Jones again.
"Excesses?". He asked.
" You know I do not fancy games," Jones said to him.
Mike could see Jones' face had begun to show sternness and it made his face grow still.
"I'm only playing politics." He said,
There was a brief silence.
" You have your people to protect and I have mine. It isn't nice that I return from a trip just to find out you have begun to poison the hearts of my flock." Jones' voice had become deeper.
"And you thought it wise to come all the way here to my territory, to challenge me," Mike said,
Jones leaned forward from his chair slowly with his eyes buried in Mike's.
"Do not tempt me." He warned.
Mike scoffed again and then stood up from his seat. He walked over to the dining area that wasn't too far from the sitting room and he began dusting off the ash from his cigar stick in a saucer. He didn't seem to need it anymore. He wouldn't pick it back up. He lifted his head slowly.
"I'm not a man to be scared of you, Jones." He said and then turned around. His eyes met with Jones who was right behind him.
"I don't need your fear. Only your obedience. You know me, I will never betray a friend but neither will I let anything come in the way of my duties." Jones spoke furiously.
"Hypocrite. You betray your people for the ones who would kill them at first sight! Your true family! The hunters refuse to leave us be. Day and night, they are planning, aiming toward eliminating our species! Yet you protect them from us when it should be the other way round!". Mike retorted.
"You have always been too quick to anger, which is why you cannot see that there is no betrayal in this, only my intentions to secure our own! To prevent a great catastrophe that even your thirst for the blood of the humans cannot end. " Jones answered back.
"You're just weak. This double life you chose to live has only made you soft! You've forgotten who you are! You have forgotten your place! Open your eyes! We're reducing in numbers every day! Put a final stop to it, this is your duty!". Mike said,
" You just said it yourself. We're the ones dying. Should I do you the honour of explaining why?. Humans have advanced in Science! If you believe that our claws and strength even stand a chance against their machines then you are the hypocrite because those machines can have you dead before you could even lift a toe." Jones replied and there was silence.
" At least I'm not the only one who can see this. You are unfit to lead. Your pack supports my motion and with their strength united with my pack, we will achieve great things with or without you. We will build our machines, learn their science, use their weapons against them and glory will be ours." Mike swore.
"I came here for old time's sake but I can see you'd rather be unreasonable. " Jones told him.
"I challenge you to a fight outside the shield," Mike said scornfully. "Do not fear, it isn't a trap. I just want everyone to watch and yes, your pack, they have been waiting, or what? You believed I wouldn't know you were coming?" He added.
——
It had begun to rain and now they were all outside the shield. The lightning participated in the activity as the two stood ready for the physical brawl. Soaked up, their clothes glued onto their bodies and both packs stood back to watch. The fight was to begin once the drums stopped. Their hearts raced accordingly. Jones had taken off his jacket and now was slowly taking off his shirt.
The lightning struck again and his milky white skin glowed with it. He had the body built of a Warlord although he wasn't so huge.
The drums stopped and they immediately transformed into huge furry beasts that were terrifying to behold. They still retained their trousers as they raced towards each other with monstrous feet.
———
They had taken the combat to the trees till they were high up. Mike had caught a noise and now he swiftly turned his head towards the direction. His super vision made him see the vehicle driving smoothly on the lonely road from a distance. He took his face back to Jones' who understood. Mike vengefully raced for the car, Jones followed behind to stop him but just before Jones could get a grip of him, Mike jumped so far off. Jones did not relent either. He was right behind.
The driver had caught sight of the incoming beast on his right. Doubting his own eyes, he made a move to switch lanes to his left but he wasn't fast enough to get away. The beast had pushed the car with the strength of its body and now the vehicle went on to somersault.
This infuriated Jones even more.
———
Still held against her seat by the belt, she tried to lift her head to see. All she could see was blood, the driver's blood and as she weakly made the move to turn her head towards her window, she saw what no words could explain.
'Bears?'
Her mind struggled to comprehend. One was down and the other turned its head towards the vehicle with its right foot resting on the chest of the one beneath it.
'You would kill me for them.' Mike said weakly as he held onto Jones' foot. Still, in their beast forms, they could only communicate telepathically.
Jones slowly turned his face back to him.
'No. I would kill you for the sanity of my people.' He replied.
Mike smiled faintly.
'This is what they needed to see.' Mike said,