The Beast Within and Seeking Answers
Marcus slumped against a vending machine throughout the school, his hands dripping with clotted blood. He began to recall in shattered pieces the beating, the cessation of the beating, the sound of cracking bone, and the metallic taste of blood in his mouth.
Marcus: (wide eyes) That animal. that animal that bit me.
(He clenched his fists, brushing a hand over the bandaged spot on his shoulder. To his shock, it was smooth. No sting. No scab. Just… healed.)
Marcus: (whispering) "I'm… like it. A werewolf."
He sank to the floor, breath coming fast. Suddenly every piece clicked. The wolf. The bite. The blackout. The monstrous strength and speed that surged forth when he was cornered.
Marcus: (his eyes narrowing) "That's why I beat them. That's why. I bit Logan."
(He shuddered, wiping a hand across his mouth.)
Marcus: "If I can turn people. then since i bit Logan won't he become like me? He was already strong. What if."
(A shiver went down his spine.)
"If Logan becomes one of us, this school. this city. doesn't stand a chance.".
He breathed a deep breath, scrubbing the dried blood off his fingers. The fear boiled, then hardened into resolve.
Marcus: "I can be stronger. Quicker. But if this is what I am… I must learn to master it. Or someone else will be hurt."
Meanwhile… The Aftermath
At the scene of the brutal attack, Vasco, Jace, Duke, and Jiho found it difficult to understand the brutality. The air was thick with the sting of blood and terror.
Vasco: (looking at them through squinted eyes) "This makes no sense. No monster attacks this way. The wounds… they're too planned out. Too brutal."
Jace: (glaring, tracing one of the deep scratch marks with a hand) "Looks like a monster. But a human being, yes? Someone with. sharp fingernails? Someone who could take down Logan Lee like that?"
Vasco glanced over at the sleeping boys. They were huge, massive — nobody at school pushed around Logan and his bullies like that.
Vasco: "What about that boy? The new boy. Marcus?
Jace: "Marcus Lane? Tall, but… he doesn't look like the kind of guy to fight. Not like this."
Vasco: (shaking his head) "Perhaps he doesn't look like it. But these cuts?"
(Showing the deep slashes.)
"It's like something was fighting or something."
He stood up and turned to Duke and Jiho.
Vasco: "What occurred here? Did you see?"
Duke: (trembling) "I–I don't know… We went to seek assistance, and when we came back, it was like that!"
Jiho: (gazing down) "Marcus… he was here when it started. But… when we came back, he was gone."
Vasco exchanged a quick glance with Jace.
Jace: "So he battles like an animal. But why? What is occurring?"
Vasco: (slowly shaking head) "We have to find him. Whatever is taking place here… this is more than some high school fight."
And then, as if shoving off their numbness, Logan and the rest whispered softly, stirring to life.
Vasco: "Get them to the nurse. Quick."
Jace: "Right."
Both of them strained with all their might, getting the injured boys up and running down the corridor to the nurse's office.
The Nurse's Office
The nurse gasped upon witnessing the state of the students and immediately called for an ambulance.
Nurse: "What in the world happened?! These injuries. this is serious!"
Vasco: "Just help them. Please."
Jace: (eyes squinting) "And call the ambulance. Now.".
As the cry of approaching sirens approached, Vasco took one last glance at Jace.
Vasco: (whispering) "Something is seriously wrong, Jace. Whatever—or whoever—was responsible… it's only the beginning."
Jace: (biting in assent) "Yeah. We need to figure out. And when we do, we'll make sure it doesn't happen again."
Meanwhile, somewhere within the school, Marcus Lane set his fists together and breathed slowly. The beast within him was awakened, and he was sure of one thing:
Marcus: (whispering) "I must get stronger. I must be able to control this… or everyone is at risk."