Down By The Docks

"Did you hear about the latest attack?" The old man said in a faint voice to the person siting next to him. Despite the fact that the old man's voice was barely audible over the clamor of the busy street, I was able to pick up every single word that he said.

I gave the impression that I was looking through the ancient books that were arranged in a haphazard manner on the table of the vendor by turning my head slightly. My nose was flooded with the reassuring aroma of old paper, a scent that always brought back memories of hours spent in the dusty archives of the Chronicle. My mind, however, was not at all at ease with the familiarity of old texts on this day.

"What's the latest? In the same vein as the others?" Fear could be heard in the second man's voice, which was more irritable.

"Aye," the elderly gentleman responded. "They found him torn to shreds close to the docks." 

My heart was beating quite fast. This was the kind of lead that I had been waiting for all my life. I made an effort to adopt a nonchalant demeanor as I turned towards the males. "Excuse me, did I hear you mention something about an attack?"

A map of mistrust and interest could be seen in the eyes of the elderly guy as he stared at me. "Who's asking'?"

I said, "Alex Quinn," while flashing a brief smile into the room. "I'm a journalist with the Sable City Chronicle."

He mumbled something beneath his breath, and then he looked over at the person he was sitting with. His partner simply shrugged and murmured, "Another one" he continued speaking while nosing around.

"Down by the docks, miss," he eventually expressed the location. It is located close to the ancient warehouses. The body was discovered very early this morning.

"Thank you," I gave my gratitude while scribbling in my journal.

"I really appreciate it." I added.

The weight of their gazes was pressing down on my back as I walked away, and I couldn't help but feel it then. It was a town that flourished in secrets and shadows, where tales of evil events were as ubiquitous as the fog that flowed in from the sea. Sable City was a place that survived in secrets and shadows. All throughout my life, I had a strong attraction to those shadows, to the stories that were hiding just out of sight.

The city's streets were bustling with the usual mayhem that characterizes the city. Vendors yelled at their products, which included anything from homemade souvenirs to exotic spices. Children ran through the gathering, laughing and playing, their joyous voices providing a striking contrast to the underlying sense of unease that appeared to permeate the air. As a demonstration of the city's ongoing development, the buildings that towered above were characterized by facades that were a patchwork of older bricks and more recent repairs.

With my target firmly in mind, I negotiated the maze-like streets with the ease that comes with years of experience. There was a world that was completely different from the docks; it was a place where the past clung to the present with absolute determination. During the gradual swaying of the sea, rusty ships made a creaking sound, and the air was dense with the aroma of decay and salt. It was the location where the city's lifeblood met the boundless horizon, and it was a site where endings and beginnings occurred.

The scene that met me as I reached the area that was blocked off was one that was both horrific and recognizable at the same time. In contrast to the subdued and dreary surroundings, the bright yellow tape flapping in the breeze was a garish and distracting addition. A relatively small throng had assembled, and the expressions on their faces were a mix of horror and morbid interest. In front of a young cop who was standing guard, I flashed my press card.

"I'm with the Chronicle, Can I take a look?" I said.

"Just don't touch anything," he nodded while hesitating.

Despite the fact that my stomach was churning, I ducked under the tape and approached the body. Even though I have covered crime scenes for many years, the sight of such cruelty has never become any less distressing. It was unable to provide an explanation for the manner in which the victim's corpse was torn apart. The victim was a middle-aged man lying on the ground. Even though it appeared as though he had been attacked by a wild beast, the wounds were cut with a spooky level of accuracy.

"Alex Quinn, you are always where the action is," announced a voice that I recognized from behind me. I turned around to see Detective Sam Harris, whose trench coat was rumpled, and his appearance was continuously fatigued. It was a sight that I was happy to witness.

"Sam," I said as I acknowledged him. "What have you got for me?"

A sigh came out of his mouth as he ran his fingers through his graying hair. "Yet another muddle. This is the third one that came out this month. It is the same method of operation: harsh, barbaric, and absolutely unexplainable."

"Any leads?" When I inquired, I was already aware of the response.

The answer was "none that makes sense," he conceded. "There are no witnesses, and there are no suspects. Simply the bodies"

My thoughts were racing as I nodded. "Do you think it could be... something supernatural?" I made sure to keep my voice quiet because I did not want the crowd that was gathering to overhear me.

Sam gave me a suspicious look. "Alex, you are aware that I do not believe in such kinds of things. However, to tell you the truth, I am at a loss for words at this point."

I let forth a little smile. "Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me." After taking a few more notes, I took a step back to give myself some time to process the scenario. Dark secrets had always been a part of the city's history, but this one seemed distinct and more sinister than the others.

I could feel a prickling sensation at the back of my neck as I walked away from people who were watching me. The only thing I could see was the shifting shadows and the occasional person walking by when I looked back. Despite this, the unease continued to linger, compelling me to hasten my pace.

I returned to my cramped flat and laid down my notes on the table, my fingers pounding a cadence that was a source of restlessness. There was a jumbled mosaic of my investigations that covered the walls, which were covered with articles and images. Throughout my life, I have always been fascinated by the peculiar and unexplainable; yet, this most recent situation felt different and more pressing.

I murmured to myself, "All right, let's see what we have." Immediately, I began to comb over my notes, searching for any patterns, links, or anything else that would provide any insight into the enigma. Because I was so engrossed in the task, I failed to notice the passing of the hours. The background noise of the city served as a steady backdrop for my thoughts.

Exhaustion was beginning to set in by the time I finally leaned back, which was well after midnight. With a groan, I took a quick look at the clock. "Time to call it a night, I guess." However, just as I was going to turn off the lamp that was on my desk, my phone began to vibrate. I took it up and saw a message from a number that I was not familiar with.

"The old church on Sycamore is where we should meet up. By tomorrow at midnight. Come by yourself."

My heart skipped a beat upon seeing the message. I had been looking forward to this moment, and it finally arrived. My mind raced with the various possibilities that might occur, so I quickly texted a response, confirming the meeting. I eagerly waited the day to come.

The following day seemed to drag on forever, with the anticipation making each minute feel like it had been a whole hour. This could be my big break, the story that would put me on the map, and I couldn't afford to make any mistakes throughout this process.

I was standing in front of the old church on Sycamore as the clock struck midnight. There was a structure that had been abandoned for a long time and had become overrun with ivy. There was a spooky glow cast over the landscape by the moon, which caused the shadows to move and appear to flicker.

"Hello?" The sound of my voice reverberated through the void as I screamed out. "Is anyone here?"

There was no response to this. I took a careful step forward, my eyes searching the darkness for any indication of movement even as I moved ahead. At the very moment I wanted to make another call, a figure materialized from the darkness.

When The figure stepped into the light, a towering man with piercing blue eyes and a gruff demeanor was the first thing that I saw. "I've been watching you."

"Who are you?" I asked with a steady voice.

"My name is Lucas," he responded. "And I have answers to your questions."

I felt a chill run down my spine. Not only was this the moment I had been anticipating, but it also marked the beginning of something that was significantly more perilous than I could have ever anticipated.

"Why should I trust you?" I inquired while my pupils contracted.

"Because you do not have any other option," he responded. "If you want to know the truth, you have to come with me."

I paused for a few minutes before giving a slight nod. "Everything is OK. Be the one to lead."

I couldn't escape the feeling that my life was about to undergo a transformation that would last for the rest of my life as we walked into the darkness together. The city, with all of its enigmas and secrets, was calling out to me, and I was prepared to answer its call.

As we made our way through the shadowy alleys, the sound of our shoes reverberated off the cobblestones, and I made an effort to ignore the mounting dread that I was experiencing. Lucas went with a determined step, his eyes searching the darkness as if he could see things that I was unable to see through my own eyes. I found myself feeling both apprehensive and interested in him, since he exuded a level of intensity that was almost impossible to contain.

"How do you know so much about me?" In an effort to break the silence, I asked.

He responded without turning around, "I make it my business to know things," and he did not look back.

I mumbled, "Cryptic," but he did not respond to my sentiment. We continued to walk in silence for a few more minutes until we arrived at a door that was set into the side of a building that was in various stages of disrepair. He took out the key, unlocked the door and motioned for me to enter.

Compared to the deteriorating façade, the interior was a striking contrast. The room was spotless and well-lit, and it was crammed with shelves for books and maps that were affixed to the walls. I was reminded of my own chaotic setting in my flat, although it was much more organized than what I was experiencing here. A massive wooden table that was covered in photographs and documents took up most of the space in the middle of the room.

"This is your headquarters?" I inquired.

"Of sorts," he said as he shut the door behind us. "Take a seat... There are many things that we need to talk about."

After taking a seat, I looked around the room for any indications that could provide insight into Lucas's motivations. His gaze was penetrating and unrelenting as he sat next to me in the opposite seat.

In a direct manner, he stated, "Alex, you are in danger." "More than you realize."

"I've always been in danger, danger is my name."

"Anyway, why do you say that?"

"Because you're close to uncovering something that others would prefer to keep hidden," he explained. 

 The truth is something that you have the right to know.

"Which is?"

The expression on Lucas's face as he leaned forward was serious.

"There is more to Sable City than meets the eye. You have just scratched the surface of the problem with the attacks that you have been researching." Lucas continued.

"There is a conflict that is developing below the surface, a struggle for control that encompasses forces that you cannot even begin to fathom."

"Supernatural forces?" I inquired with skepticism.

"Yes," he said in a straightforward manner. "Werewolves, to be precise."

In a moment of startled silence, I blinked. "Werewolves? Why" Could you possibly be kidding me?

"I wish I were," Lucas remarked. But the reality is much more bizarre than any work of fiction that you could ever compose. There are werewolves in existence, and they are at the center of everything that is taking place in Sable City.

Trying to make sense of what he had said, I took a seat. "So, you're telling me that the attacks... were caused by werewolves?"

"Yes," Lucas responded. Moreover, not just any werewolf will do. There is a pack that blends in with the human population, remaining undetected. In addition to being headed by a formidable alpha, they are not the only ones in this group. There is a competing faction, and the antagonism that exists between them is becoming more intense.

"And how do you know all this?" I inquired, still attempting to make sense of the information that had been revealed.

As Lucas whispered, "Because I'm one of them," he explained. "I'm a werewolf."

There was a mixture of terror and intrigue that was surging through me, and my pulse skipped a beat. "You're serious?"

"Deadly serious," he responded.

"And now that you are aware of it, you are at an even greater risk. On the other hand, you are in possession of a one-of-a-kind opportunity to unearth the truth and report a story that has the potential to alter everything."

I inhaled deeply, my thoughts filled with several questions. "What do I need to do?"

"First, you need to understand the world you're stepping into," stated Lucas in response. It is impossible for you to even begin to comprehend the laws, alliances, and dangers that exist. Nevertheless, with my assistance, you will be able to navigate this world and discover the truth."

"And why would you help me?" I questioned while squinting my eyes.

"Because I believe in your integrity," he stated in response. "And because I require the assistance of an outsider who is able to tell our story and shed light on the absence of light."

"You and I have the potential to make a difference." he concluded.

I glanced into his eyes, trying to locate any indication that he was being dishonest. On the other hand, all I could see was genuineness and a drive that was identical to mine. 

I said, "All right, I'm in"

Lucas responded, "Good," with a smile that could only be described as unusual. In light of the fact that this is just the beginning, Alex. It is about to happen that the real tale will be told, and it is going to change everything that you thought you knew about Sable City.

As we walked through the night, I couldn't help but experience a rush of excitement and terror at the same time. The city, with all of its enigmas and secrets, was calling out to me, and I was prepared to answer its call. My life was about to undergo a transformation that I could never have conceived of, and I was resolved to confront whatever challenges arose in front of me head-on. The story of a lifetime was about to be told, and I was going to tell it no matter what the consequences were.