Crissa's Mate

Chapter Eighteen

As demanded by the professor, the four young researchers made ready to depart the hotel by mid-morning. All of them felt trepidation about leaving the security of the several-storied wooden structure, which had provided them safety and security over the past days and nights. Knowing the community of wolves they were seeking were not only deadly to humans, generally, now there was an added fear. That their saliva was a toxic agent of transformation. Some strange genetic anomaly of nature, which had developed thousands, perhaps millions of years ago, when the two species—Man and wolf, shared and inhabited the same environment.

"How are you doing," Brad asked Crissa as they put on their backpacks and prepared to meet down stairs in the lobby.

"I'm just really scared, Brad. For what could happen to any of us out there. And I feel so terribly worried for David and Julie. What kind of life will they have now? If they even ever come back to us."

"Come on, Crissa. Get control of those fears now. I'll be here at your side. We're all going into a survival mode now. Can you feel it? And we're all capable of amazing strength. So are Julie and Dave. If you consider Lara's case. That she comes back to her family, we should see them again. And soon."

"Yes, but that's' only when the moon isn't . . ."

"Forget that for now, Crissa. They'll be back. We'll deal with it then. I just want to get us out of here . . . all of us. Back home where this bad dream never happened."

Crissa, tightened up the zipper on her light jacket and adjusted the straps of her backpack for hiking. She nodded to her friend and placed her hand on his shoulder in gratitude for simply being there and comforting her.

"So how is all this going to play out," Brad finally said, as they began down the stairs to the dining area. "I mean, this attraction you had for David and all. It's going to be sort of impossible now, huh?"

"Believe me Brad, I'm as confused as ever. I still think of him night and day."

The two made it down to meet with Mary and Josh who were also fully suited-up for the day of trekking into the woods. Both were quiet, as well, and seemed reticent to travel as were their friends to proceed. This overall reluctance was met head-on by the professor who suddenly bounded out of the hallway, fully equipped and carrying his rifle over his shoulder.

Brad met him in immediate protest to the weapon.

"Dr. Dekker, the rifle?  I mean, our friends  are out there now.  And they could be easily confused with . . ."

"I know this, young man. But from what Horst has told me, the varkolak will not attack their fellow humans. Only the others are dangerous to mankind."

"But how will we know this for sure?" Brad insisted. "If a wolf charges any of us, how can you, in your conscience . . . shoot it?"

The others waited for his answer.

"Look. If we encounter their pack, I'm counting on all of you to make those observations today. Any of what we see and record is extremely valuable to the field we have entered."

He held up the rifle.

"I will only use this if it becomes absolutely necessary. We don't really know what portion of those species out there are varkolak or true wolves. But we must be prepared for the most serious encounter. As always."

The thought of David or Julie being shot as a wolf was but another element that made Crissa's knees weak. She stood around a table with the others, putting the bottled water and prepared food which Horst had provided them into their packs. After several quiet moments they all filed out behind the professor who walked vigorously along the village path leading along the river and up the mountainside. Once again, several of the village families stood on their balconies at the edge of the town, watching them in silence as the expedition moved along and eventually disappeared into the trees.