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Chapter 4 - The Library

During the morning, I made my way to the library, which was the second location I would visit in my inquiry. The stately ancient structure stood like a sentry at the fringe of the city center, its stone façade and towering columns serving as a tribute to the knowledge that it contained within its walls. As soon as I stepped inside, I was met with the musty aroma of ancient books and wood that had been polished. This was a reassuring reminder of the innumerable hours that I had spent here over the years.

"Good morning, Ms. Thompson," I said to the librarian, who was a small woman with gray hair and a friendly grin.

The response she gave was, "Good morning lady," as she looked up from her desk. "What brings you here today?"

I mentioned it in a hushed voice, "I'm looking into some old legends," and I would not speak louder. "Particularly anything about werewolves."

She showed surprise by raising her eyebrows. "Werewolves? Why?" That is a rather peculiar subject to discuss.

"Yeah, well, unusual times call for unusual research," I remarked with a wry smile on my face. "Do you have any books or records that might help?"

She paused for a few minutes before nodding her head. "The local folklore and legends are covered in a section of our website, come with me."

While I was following her, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation because the shelves were so tall that they were towering above us. I was looking for answers, and if there was any place that could provide them, it was here, among the stories of Sable City's history that had been lost.

As I followed Ms. Thompson into the library, she took me to a dusty area where the shelves were stacked with old books and manuscripts that had yellowed. She pointed to the collection and remarked, "This ought to have what you're looking for," indicating some selections. "If you need any help, just let me know."

"Thank you," I responded, immediately removing a substantial volume off the shelf. "I am grateful." This book's cover was old, and the title, which read "Legends and Lore of Sable City," was scarcely discernible.

I took a seat in a neighboring reading nook, the book becoming increasingly weighty on my lap. I found myself transported to a different era, a world where myths and truth were intermingled, as I turned the pages of the book. Every page was loaded with tales of shape-shifters, curses, and ancient rites, and each one was more intriguing than the one that came before it.

Specifically, the story of the Moonblood Pack was the one that drew my attention among the legends. There was a formidable group of werewolves known as the Moonbloods who had resided in the region many centuries before, as stated in the story. The power and speed of these creatures were claimed to be unparalleled by any other creature, and it was said that they possessed amazing skills. However, their power was accompanied by a curse: whenever there was a full moon, they were compelled to hunt, and their desire to kill was uncontrollable.

During the course of my reading, I couldn't help but feel a chill run down my spine. The descriptions of the attacks were frighteningly similar to the occurrences that have occurred in the city quite recently. There is a possibility that the Moonblood Pack is still around, tucked away in the shadows of Sable City.

When I was thinking about something, I was distracted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. When I looked up, I noticed an elderly man standing nearby, his eyes glistening with interest.

He said, "Excuse me, miss," with a voice that was shaking with the effects of aging. "What you are reading is something that I couldn't help but notice. "Are you curious about the ancient myths and legends?"

I said, "Yes, I am," with a sense of inquiry. "Do you know anything about them?"

The smile that he gave revealed a set of teeth that were astonishingly white. "In all honesty, quite a bit, I am a neighborhood historian. My name is Harold."

I greeted him with a "Nice to meet you, Harold," and I shook his hand with me. "I am Alex Quinn, many have confused me to be a male figure because of my first name," I added.

"I see Alex, if you hadn't clarified, I would have headed there too." He said while sighing.

"Are you able to talk at this time? What you know would be very interesting to me," I insisted.

"Of course," he remarked as he approached me and sat down in the chair opposite of me. "Where should we begin?"

"Tell me about the Moonblood Pack," I murmured, leaning forward in eager anticipation of hearing some information.

The glint of enthusiasm could be seen in Harold's eyes. "The Moonbloods, ah, they are a legend that is both interesting and disturbing. They were said to be a formidable pack of werewolves, and those who were familiar with them held them in high esteem and reverence. In addition to having extraordinary strength and speed, they possessed senses that were more acute than those of any possible human."

"But they were cursed, right?" In an eagerness to learn more, I prompted.

"Yes," he insisted with a sincere nod. "Their authority was acquired at a very high price. At every full moon, they were overcome with an insatiable want of blood that they were unable to control. Under the influence of an unquenchable hunger, they would go on the hunt and slaughter anything that stood in their way."

"Do you think they could still exist?" When I asked, I made an effort to maintain a steady tone.

Considering the situation, Harold stated, "It's possible, a kernel of truth can frequently be found in legends. Additionally, over the course of the years, there have been stories of unusual happenings and deaths that have not been explained, which could be ascribed to the Moonbloods or other creatures that are similar."

A plethora of alternatives flooded my thoughts. "What do you think is causing the recent attacks?"

Harold sat back, his look indicating that he was thinking. "That is difficult to say. On the other hand, if the Moonbloods are involved, it is quite probable that their curse has taken a new form. Perhaps they have been reawakened by something, or perhaps there is a new generation that is carrying the curse.

I felt as though a heavy shroud had been placed over me by the weight of his remarks. In the event that the Moonbloods were responsible for the attacks, then the city was in a perilous situation that no one was aware of.

I responded, "Thank you, Harold," as my thoughts were racing with the new information. "This has been incredibly helpful."

"Stay safe, Alex," he cautioned, his eyes displaying a serious expression. "The past has a way of reaching out and touching the present in ways we cannot always predict."

I vowed, "I will," as I experienced a heightened awareness of the need to act quickly.

I was experiencing a peculiar combination of fear and excitement as I was leaving the library. Not only had the legends of the Moonblood Pack provided me with new clues to pursue, but they had also verified my greatest fears. The supernatural was a genuine phenomenon, and it was there in Sable City, where it lay in wait in the shadows.

Following that, I went to a neighborhood café where a number of the city's senior citizens were congregating to talk and reminisce about the past. Those individuals would be the ones who know more about the ancient myths and legends.

As soon as I walked inside the warm and inviting restaurant, I was met by the thick scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goodies. A dramatic contrast to the gloomy subject that I was exploring was the fact that the room was constantly buzzing with conversation and laughing.

"Please excuse me," I remarked as I approached a group of elderly women who were sitting close to the window." "Do you mind if I ask you a few questions about the old legends of Sable City?"

They looked at one other with a hint of curiosity, and then one of them, a woman with silver hair and a friendly grin, gave a slight nod. No, my dear, of course. What is it that you are interested in learning?

While I was taking a seat, I stated that I had been conducting study on recent incidents. "In addition to that, I came to find some tales concerning the Moonblood Pack. Are there any of you who have any information regarding them?"

There was complete silence among the women, and their looks became solemn. The woman with silver hair finally made her voice heard. "The Moonbloods are a long-standing myth that has been handed down from one generation to the next without interruption. Everyone who knew them feared them, and the curse that they carried was a horrible burden to bear."

"Do you think they could still exist?" Having a feeling of déjà vu, I inquired about it.

In a quiet voice, she stated, "It's possible." "There is a way that legends are able to endure the test of time. In addition, over the course of the years, there have been rumors that speak of weird happenings and deaths that cannot be explained, which are similar to the tales of the Moonbloods."

Another woman, aged and wise, leaned forward, her face etched with the lines of experience and said, "There are some dimly lit areas in this metropolis where the ghosts of the past continue to dwell. In the event that the Moonbloods are real, it is possible that they are hiding there, waiting for the appropriate time to come out."

Her statement caused a shiver to run down my spine. "Do you know where these places are?"

She gave a slight nod, "There are old tunnels beneath the city, as well as structures that have been abandoned and abandoned for a long time. The areas where shadows congregate and where the past refuses to die are the places that are important."

After expressing my gratitude for their time, I exited the café at a time when my head was ablaze with ideas. It was more than just a collection of stories; the old legends were a guide to the hidden perils that were waiting to be discovered in Sable City.

My last stop of the day was at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, an elderly couple who are well-known for their expertise in the folklore practices of the local community. Their home was a wonderful old Victorian, and it was stuffed with antique furniture and portraits of their family that were framed.

"Thank you for seeing me," I murmured as I sat down in a soft recliner in their warm and inviting living room.

Mrs. Johnson poured tea into fine porcelain cups and remarked, "Of course, dear," as she poured the tea. "We're always happy to share our knowledge of the city's history."

While I was taking a sip of the aromatic tea, I remarked, "I am especially fascinated by the myths and legends that surround werewolves." "Especially the Moonblood Pack," I added.

A tall man with a friendly face, Mr. Johnson, gave a slight nod. Around these parts, the Moonbloods are a well-known and respected legend. It was reported that they were a very powerful pack of werewolves, and that anyone who knew them feared them. Nevertheless, their strength was accompanied by a horrible curse.

My response was, "Yes, I have read about that." "Do you think they could still exist?"

In a deliberate manner, he stated, "It is possible, legends frequently have a foundation in the real world. Additionally, over the course of the years, there have been tales of unusual happenings."

It is possible that the Moonbloods or other creatures of a similar nature are responsible for that.

Leaning forward, Mrs. Johnson's eyes shone with the joy that she was feeling. "Additionally, there are tales that tell of a concealed sanctuary, a location that the Moonbloods would go to in order to get away from the curse. If you were able to locate that location, you might be able to find the answers to your inquiries."

"A hidden sanctuary?" Again, I repeated, fascinated. "Do you know where it is?"

She motioned with her head. "There is no one who can say for certain. The classic tales, on the other hand, provide tips and clues that could perhaps take you to the destination."

I thanked them for their time and then left, my mind ringing with fresh information as I looked about. The legends of the Moonblood Pack had provided me with further leads to pursue, but they had also established that my greatest concerns were correct. The supernatural was a genuine phenomenon, and it was there in Sable City, where it lay in wait in the shadows.

It was impossible for me to avoid experiencing feelings of both excitement and anxiety as I made my way back to my flat as the sun was lowering behind the skyline of the city. The truth was available, but it was concealed in the shadows, and it was waiting to be discovered. In addition, I was resolute in my pursuit of it, regardless of the expense.

As soon as I got back to my flat, I organized my notes and started putting the pieces of the puzzle together that I had accumulated. All the evidence, including the peculiar marks on the victims, the eyewitness testimonies, and the old traditions, pointed to something that was significantly out of the ordinary. I was looking for clues that would lead me to the truth, and I found them in the Moonblood Pack, the hidden refuge, and the tunnels beneath the city.

But where could this concealed sanctuary be? This could be the answer to the remaining questions I had.