The Victorian Wolf Effect (Book III)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO - Chamberlain Creek

Timber and Henry had a wonderfully delightful evening out about the town. They each had a burger at the brewery, grabbed some chocolate, and then took in the latest movie at the Coast Cinemas that had both of them laughing until their sides were sore. The movie went on until almost ten at night. After the movie was over, Timber and Henry drove down Highway 20 for a few miles until they reached Camp 20. They took a left turn and followed the road all the way to Chamberlain Creek Waterfall. There was a small spot on top of the waterfall that was perfect for stargazing.

Timber and Henry spread out the massive patchwork blanket Timber made in high school that was large enough to keep six girls warm, lay down on their backs, wrapped the edges around them for warmth, and watched the stars in the sky move over the course of an hour. They lay comfortably, telling stories of their childhood. Henry and Timber were both more open with their stories now that they knew each other's secrets. It was more freeing feeling than when they were unofficially dating.

They talked about homework, teachers, classmates, their least favorite classes, and their favorite ones. After an hour, Timber got up and stretched. Henry followed her lead without knowing what she had in mind.

"Tag, you're it!"

Timber poked his stomach and darted away. Henry chased her through the trees. Henry was faster but Timber was agile and could change directions instantaneously. It gave them a level playing field. Henry tagged Timber and then she chased after him. Henry headed north and Timber followed, laughing as she ran.

Suddenly, she shifted forms. Being unprepared for the shift, she tripped, rolled head first, and collided hard with a tree. Henry heard her fall and stopped running. He looked back and walked toward her.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Timber nodded and sat up. She tried to take human form but she couldn't.

"Are you tired?"

Timber shook her head. She got up and shook a few pine needles out of her fur. She looked around. She saw something in the ferns closed to where she was when she Turned. She approached. Henry followed. Timber found a leather-bound book in the ferns. Henry saw it and lifted it.

"It looks really old," he said. "I wonder what it's doing here. Maybe there's a name in the book so we can return it."

Timber moved in and leaned on Henry. Henry opened the book and only saw the name Bates before a hard gust of wind blew at him. He shielded Timber's head from the debris flying at them at high speed with his shoulder. The gust died down as quickly as it started.

"What the hell was that?" asked Henry, looking around them. He looked at his wife. "Are you alright, Timber?"

Timber replied by vomiting violently on the ground. When her stomach was empty, she forced her hind legs to push her backside up so she was standing. She wobbled a little and looked up at Henry.

"I feel sick too," he said. "Come on. Let's go home and get some rest. Oh, the book belongs to Bates."

Timber huffed and began walking back toward the waterfall. Henry followed her with the book in his hand. They found where the waterfall was but the trail was gone.

"It must have been buried in the gust," reasoned Henry, though his tone was unsure.

Timber followed him to the parking lot. That was gone too. So was the car. Timber managed to take human form.

"Dude, where's my car?" she said, trying to lighten the mood.

"This is no time to joke, Timber," said Henry. "Something isn't right. The parking lot is supposed to be here."