Lycanthrope

Tori was up and walking a few hours later. At first, she was leaning on Alistair to help her until her legs were strong enough to work on their own. Her muscles still ached, but it was fading. When she had left the room, which was acting as the makeshift hospital wing, the wounds on Layla had closed, the bandage removed. Maddie was also cleared to walk but refused to leave her bed, claiming she needed more time to process what had happened. Tori was itching to get fresh air. It helped to calm her, clear her head.

They were in a large castle and Tori was fascinated. Alistair took her on a tour of the entire west wing, which was mostly quarters for all the others who resided in the castle. It was quite active around the castle, much to Tori's surprise. Men and women wandered about, some were walking and talking about their schedules for the day or the food being served for dinner that night. Others were performing various chores. From washing the windows and floors to switching out the candles acting as soft lighting in the evenings.

Alistair led Tori out to the grounds, where more of the castle's residents were out enjoying the sunshine. Some were tending to the extensive gardens forming almost a maze on the southern end of the grounds. The Northern end was devoted to training. A range both for firearms and archery was set up. A circular sandpit was set up for sparing, where a crowd had gathered to watch the latest fight.

"What do you think?" Alistair asked as they walked. Tori was still trying to take in the sights. She turned so she could see the castle in all its majesty.

"It's incredible!" She said a wide smile on her face she had not noticed. The smile faded, however, as she turned to look back at Alistair. "I still don't understand what I am doing here, though."

Alistair's own smile faded. "I suppose I do owe you answers."

Tori looked out to the grounds. "Were all these people attacked like we were?"

Alistair sighed. "Most of them, unfortunately."

"And poisoned?"

"All of them."

Tori's brow furrowed as she looked over to the sparring pit. "These poor people. They're all dying."

Alistair shook his head. "They're not dying. They've become part of something greater."

Tori looked at him again. "I don't follow."

"They are helping to achieve the Den Mother's dream," Alistair explained.

"The Den Mother?" Tori asked.

Alistair smirked. "She's who runs this place, who gathered everyone here. The Den Mother is our leader. She cares for us; ensures we are alive and safe."

"Is she the one that…" She looked at his scars. His hand instinctively went to them, barely touching them as a sad look crossed his face.

"Unfortunately, yes," He said, lowering his hand. "In return for her care, we are to help her. If someone does something to disobey her, threaten our life here, they must be punished."

Tori hugged her torso, looking back at the castle. The awe had vanished, fear had returned as she thought about the Den Mother who had punished Alistair so severely. She pictured an elderly woman with was a whip in her hand, ready to crack it if she was disobeyed.

"What did you do?" Tori asked meekly.

Alistair looked down at the ground contemplatively. He looked back up, but before he could answer he froze, looking past Tori. She turned to see a tall, lean man with short dark hair staring at Alistair. He was dressed in a t-shirt, washed-out jeans, and a pair of hiking boots that looked like they had seen thousands of miles of trail.

"What Alistair did," the newcomer said, walking toward them, "was help a recruit go AWOL. Which could have compromised the entire operation. Now, we can't have that happen can we Alistair?"

"No, Theo," Alistair said softly, looking away from the newcomer.

Theo clapped Alistair on the shoulder and turned toward Tori. "You must be part of the new batch of recruits. Theo Kent, second-in-command." He stuck his hand out to Tori.

"Tori Grimes," She introduced herself and grasped his hand. She felt his hand clamp down tight enough for her to wince in pain. He released her again and she shook the pain from her hand.

"I see Alistair is giving you the tour," Theo said. "I suppose the den is next."

Tori's eyes widened. "The Den?"

"Oh, you haven't told her, Alistair?" He clapped Alistair's shoulder again. "If you don't mind, Tori Grimes, I think I'll accompany you over. I was meaning to stop over there today anyway. I wouldn't want to miss this for the world."

Alistair and Tori both nodded. The Trio set off across the yard with Theo in the lead. Alistair stayed quiet the entire way. Theo walked with his chest puffed out, nose in the air like he was above everyone in the yard. Tori watched as those around them gave them a wide berth as soon as they saw Theo. They barely acknowledged them; they just went back to whatever exercise they were working on at the time.

Theo led them through a portcullis and down a flight of stairs. The air grew damp the lower they went. It became harder to breathe with the smell of sulfur around them. The stairs seemed to go on forever, and the lower they went, the harder Tori's heart fought to leave her chest. It was when they started hearing noises coming from below that Tori became truly frightened.

The stairs lead to an open area, set up like an amphitheater. There were a few men and women gathered around, sitting on the stone benches that had been set up in layers around the pit. There was an air of anticipation as they walked through like a show was starting soon. Tori made note of the barred entryways along the far wall of the pit. There was a high wall around the pit, Tori wondered if that was for the view…or for something more sinister.

Theo escorted the duo to the front row, which put Tori on edge. Alistair sat, his jaw set as he looked up at Theo. Tori took his lead, sitting on the cold stone and looking toward Theo, who winked.

"Enjoy the show," Theo said as he walked away. He jumped up on top of the wall not far away from Tori and Alistair. He stuck his hands in his pockets, looking around at the small gathering of his comrades.

Alistair looked to Tori with an intense look in his eye. "I am going to tell you now: what you are about to witness, is going to be gruesome and barbaric. It's perfectly okay to vomit."

"What–" Tori began, but was cut off by Theo loudly clearing his throat. The crowd turned toward him.

"Welcome, my friends," Theo said, a wide smile spreading across his face. "We have a guest among us tonight who has not seen the purpose of the pit. Who would like to give a demonstration?"

Nobody volunteered as Tori looked around. Many were avoiding meeting Theo's gaze. Tori looked back to Theo, who leaped off the wall to the ground. He started pacing the length of the wall, looking at the crowd.

"Thomas!" Theo said, looking to a young man toward the back of the amphitheater. He started toward him, and Thomas looked frozen in place. His eyes widened, sweat started to glisten on his brow. Theo grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him to his feet. "You haven't been in the pit in a while. Shall we see how you do?"

"I think I'll pass, Theo," Thomas said shakily. Theo led the young man down toward the pit, keeping a tight grip on his shirt so he could not escape. When they reached the wall, a loud slap echoed through the cavern.

Thomas was recoiling from the slap. Theo looked like he was preparing another one. Once Thomas had recovered, Theo swung his hand again, his hand connecting with Thomas's already red cheek. Theo had a sadistic smile on his face when Thomas straightened up again, his breathing heavy, his jaw set.

"Good," Theo said, clapping Thomas on the shoulder. Suddenly, Theo grabbed the young man's shoulder and his wrist. With a swift movement, Thomas was thrown over the wall and down into the pit. Tori gasped, her hands covering her mouth.

Thomas convulsed in the air, his body twisting and morphing so he would land properly on his feet. As he fell, Tori watched as the young man's muscles convulsed under his shirt. The fabric of the shirt started to tear as the muscles expanded and changed. His limbs grew longer, his fingers extending and convulsing into long claws. Dark hair sprouted all over the young man's body and face. His face convulsed and extended into a long snout. His pupils expanded until it covered most of his eyes, looking inhuman and full of rage as the monster that had been the young man named Thomas landed.

Tori stood and walked over to the wall. One of her arms held her stomach as she felt like her insides were tearing themselves apart. Her other hand still covered her mouth as tears streamed down her face. She no longer looking at the human face, the face that belonged to Thomas. She turned to Alistair to look at him with tear-filled eyes. He looked at her solemnly, as if he had had this conversation many times in the past.

"Am I…" The words caught in Tori's throat. She turned back to Thomas in the pit.

The face of a wolf looked back.