Cruel and Unusual - serialised novel EXCLUSIVE to Steemit Part 38

For the full list of episodes, please see this post: Episode List
And Then, 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Images below from Google and Pixabay

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

“Was that you Keme?” Hazel asked in a hushed voice.

“No,” he answered and then again: “No, really it was not. I heard it as I was thinking on your decision to allow me to choose my kill. It came from quite a distance; how could it have been me?” Keme reasoned.

“I accept your denial but you had time to go that distance and howl your delight and get back here, but if you say it was not you, then I believe you.” Anton said.

Hazel said nothing.

They ate the remainder of their meal in silence and as soon as they had finished, they made their way out and onto the street once more. The walk to their destination was a short one and they continued their silence as they progressed, each contemplating their own thoughts. Keme had no idea where they were going or for what purpose. Anton and Hazel knew that they were going to a meeting of Wolves and questions would be asked of the three of them.

The meeting had been called by a number of families, two of which were missing a child. Marcus and Almyra’s families had reported their disappearances to Anton and were hoping that the meeting would bring good news.

Anton met with both families before the meeting began and received the news that there had been no sightings of either. Then they went on into the large room where a number of Wolves were gathered already. Anton recognised one Wolf, the presence of whom gave Anton good reason to frown. He had not been invited and he should not have been there. He pointed the Wolf out to Hazel and whispered, “Here’s trouble.”

Hazel understood Anton’s annoyance and the reason for it and shook her head.

“Let him alone, we shall deal with him, if and when he becomes a problem. If we cause a fuss now, he will be further filled with his own importance and will martyr himself in the eyes of his group,” Hazel said in a whisper. “Better to allow him to watch and listen to the proceedings so that he can at least give the warning.”

“I doubt that he will give any truthful report, but I shall leave him alone as you ask.”

There was no stage to speak of but the assembly had been provided with seating so all could see the three at the head of the room if they remained standing. Anton began by thanking them for coming.

“We are gathered this evening because we are missing two youngsters. Marcus Salter and Almyra Willoughby have not been seen for a number of weeks and their parents and families are becoming worried. This is not the only reason for the meeting; however, we also have another, equally disturbing dilemma. There would seem to be a serial murderer at large in the city of Whitechapel.”

Anton allowed the gathered assembly to voice their opinions to one another for a few moments and then held up his hands to appeal for silence once more.

“There are other factors of which we think you should all be aware. I shall allow the Sentinel Exemplar to tell you of these factors.”

Hazel stepped forward and waited for the room to become silent.

“I have a theory that the murders are being carried out by a Throwback.” She paused to wait for the hubbub to rise and then held up her own hand to ask for silence.

“I shall take questions later, but at this moment, please allow me to speak. I believe there is a Throwback loose in the area of Whitechapel.”

She stopped speaking as a furore erupted from the audience. Many voices asking questions at the same time made for a row that she could not interpret into one discernible question or another. She held up her hands in a plea for silence but it did not come. Men were beginning to rise from their seats and arguments had broken out.

Anton stepped forward and roared. The sound, unlike any that the assembly were used to, stopped their squabbling and though they did not all sit down, they were at least quietened.

Anton waited, glaring at individuals until they sat once again, then he spoke.

“Sentinel Exemplar is by no means obligated to keep you informed; she can go about her business without any of you knowing where she is or what she is about. She has called this meeting to inform us all of the very real danger that we face. She did this to keep you safe; I suggest that you give her at least the courtesy of listening to her. If that courtesy is not forthcoming, then she will leave you to it – and so shall I.”

Hazel took the front once more. “As I was trying to tell you all, I believe there is a Throwback and I believe he knows what he is doing. His actions seem to be deliberate and calculated and he uses some techniques designed to lure a Wolf to change.”

“There is no such technique!” a voice from the back of the room interrupted.

Hazel stopped speaking and looked directly at the person that had spoken. He shrank at her gaze and sat back down.

“I am not here to argue. I am here to tell you what I have discovered and what I believe to be the cause of this trouble. I care not if you disagree with my theory or me and whilst that may seem arrogant, again, I care not. There is a Throwback, he is murdering streetwalkers in Whitechapel and as yet, I do not know why, but I shall execute it and if I find out the reasons behind its actions, then I may or may not inform you. But, in the meantime, it may be a danger to us and therefore, I am warning you all to be vigilant and to warn your friends, family and other Wolves of the danger. Please do not take this lightly. Do not underestimate the Throwback; it may have limitations of being only part-Wolf but I know from bitter experience that it could also have inherited skills that we cannot measure. I believe he is targeting Wolves on purpose.”