Cruel and Unusual - serialised novel EXCLUSIVE to Steemit Part 55

Want to catch up? Want to start right from the beginning? Want to read the episodes all over again?

Here are the links:

Episode List From 1 – 52
Then: 53 54

Images below from Google and Pixabay

Please read the start of the story using the link above. I promise, it’s well-worth the time to check it all out. At least then, this excerpt will make more sense

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Chapter 5

David had been watching his estranged son and was becoming worried for the safety of everyone in the vicinity.

It had been all very well when he had thought Jack to be a benign type of Throwback, but after watching his progression through discovery and acceptance of his new psyche, on beyond insanity and into absolute psychosis, David realised that not only were Humes in great danger, but so were Wolves and therefore, so was he.

Perhaps the time had come to intervene.

David went to Jack’s house but found it empty. There were obvious signs of desertion as he peered through the windows at the back of the house. Furniture had a thin veneer of dust and doors were closed. The kitchen was the only room that showed any signs of habitation, there was crockery piled in the sink – by the looks of things, the maid had been either dismissed or given a leave of absence.

David did not know where to look next for his son.

As he left the back yard, he saw a familiar figure. The man saw him and did not pause; he did not seem pleased to see David, but was neither frightened nor angry either.

“Hello father,” Jack said, as he came up alongside, surprising David by keeping his tone flat and unemotional.

“Hello Jack. I wondered how long it would take for you to figure out your birthright.”

“Won’t you come in? I think we have a lot of talking to do.”

David nodded and followed Jack back into the back yard and through the back door into the unkempt kitchen.

“I shall not offer you any refreshments, father, for I would not wish you to think that you are a welcome guest here,” Jack said as he walked into the kitchen and removed his hat and then his coat.

David removed his own hat and stood with it in his hands, playing the rim through his fingers in a nervous manner, it seemed to Jack.

“You seem perturbed father.” Jack mentioned his observation in order to perhaps make David even more uneasy.

“Yes, Jack, I suppose that I am. I have some worrying news for you and information that could perhaps save your life. You are bringing yourself into the greatest danger imaginable.”

“Danger? From whom?”

“From the Sentinels of course…” David paused mid-sentence, he realised that his son knew nothing of Sentinels and therefore, he realised his own mistake in allowing Jack loose in the world.

“Sentinels? I have nothing to fear from Wolves.”

“Oh, you think not? Jack, you are in mortal danger! I do not know how they track you, but know this; they can, and will find you and destroy you!”

“I think not, father,” and the disdain in which Jack held his father was apparent and clear to David. He realised then that Jack was so far past eccentric that he may not be redeemable. But David had to try; he owed the love of his life, Amelia, that much at least.

“Son,” David tried another tactic. “Explain to me what has happened these last years.”

Jack looked at his father, deciding whether he was worth the effort or whether he should eject him from the house and go on with his plans for the Full Moon, which would rise in a few short hours.

He decided to eject him, forcefully if necessary. After all, Jack was superior to all beings – or so he assumed.

“No father, I do not have time for this. I am preparing for the evening and the Full Moon and all it promises. I shall weigh up my options and choose whether the time is right to change or not. I assume that you are compelled to change under the light of such a moon. I have supposed, therefore, that I have the edge over you, and that I am more powerful in intellect and possibly strength.”

David stared at his son. His eyes were wide in surprise at his haughty speech and eventually, David could hold his mirth no longer and he laughed.

“Why, you pompous ass! You think that because you are neither Wolf nor Hume that you are better? You are worse! Humes are food for Wolf, yet only a comparative few shall become prey. Throwbacks, like you,” David caught hold of his son’s jacket and pulled him up close. “Are a half-breed - neither one nor the other - and are fair game for the Sentinels. One in a million Humes may die by Wolf, but every single one of the Throwbacks shall be killed, either by Sentinel or Wolf, and no consequence shall befall the executioner for the kill.”

“Is that why you are here, to take my life?” Jack was terrified, but David had to give him credit, he stood his ground, he did not try to break from David’s grip.

David lost his temper then. He threw his son from him with the force borne of that anger.

Then David was upon Jack in an instant, his face a visage of death and destruction, his words barely distinguishable.

“Foolish human, you idiot boy! I have no wish to kill you, I never had a wish to cause you harm. I wanted to prevent any harm befalling you, you are my son! Even if I had not made a promise to your mother, I would never want harm to befall you. Had I realised that you would come to this, I would have made you full Wolf long ago. As it is, I hope it is not too late.”

David snapped his jaws on empty air as Jack understood what it was that his father meant to do and pushed hard with his feet to throw the surprised Wolf off him. He scrambled to his feet and grabbed a small bottle from the table.

Looking down at the bottle to make certain of what he had, Jack opened the top and fended off his father’s attack with his free hand, holding it in a ‘stop’ position. “Father, do not attack me again. I can kill you with the contents of this bottle. Get out of my house or I shall use it, I swear to you.”