Chapter 9

The Edge... There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.

-- Hunter S. Thompson

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Kerry POV

   Work is hell on the weekends, it's always full to the brim, guess everyone wants their fill of Ma's pizza. I guess the day wouldn't have been so bad if Slade would've gotten back to me, he told me he wanted to get to know me better yesterday, now… I haven't heard from him since then, no text... no call… not even showing up, I know I shouldn't be worried. But he had business with lucas, So he should be fine. I was cleaning off a table for the next group of people when I spotted lucas walking in the door,

What the hell?

    He was all scuffed up, bruises up and down his arms, scratches and purple bruises on his face. God he looked terrible, did Slade do that? He walked over to an empty table and sat there, I walked over to him ready to take his order even though I knew what he was going to ask for.

How's it going Lucas? Did you business with Slade end badly?

    He looked at me with a rather annoy looked that turn to a sly smile

L: Went swell Kerry, you should see how Slade looks…

Wish I could, but I haven't heard from him since yesterday.

    Lucas had a questioned look on his face

L: he hasn't shown up today… weird

Ya, you're telling me.

    After taking his order I went to the back to tell Ma when I heard the door being thrown open, when I looked back into the parlour, I saw the boy that had been here the first time I ever met Slade, I think his name is Keith? Anyways, he didn't look happy at all, when he spotted Lucas, he stormed over to him and looked like he was about to kill him

K: Where the hell is he you goddamn bastard

    Everyone in the parlour through their gazes upon the boys, noticing the hostile feel Kieth was giving

L: How about we talk about this in the back man, let the people enjoy there food in peace.

    Keith looked like he was about to blow a gasket, but he nodded and they headed my way, I turned a corner and listened in on there conversation

K: As I said out there… Where is he dammit

L: are you talking about Slade? If you are, I have no clue bro.

K: that's bullcrap… he wouldn't just disappear and not tell me where he was going.

L: I don't know where he is Witch, your pissing me off, is been a rough day and I'm tired, deal with your mongrel on your own time

    I swear the entire parlour could've heard that slap, it connected with the side of Lucas's head with a massive THWACK

K: Listen here Vampire, He is a Werewolf, I don't want to hear this damn slang anymore, I'm not going to take this bullcrap from you, tell me where he is. Or your going to pay for it.

    Witch now vampire, what the hell were these too, I've heard this stuff from my father, more of warning then anything. Now there telling me Slade is a werewolf… I got a glimpse of the boys for the first time they entered the back, Lucas looked like he was ready to kill Keith for the slap he had received, but instead he responded

L: You want me to tell you where he is… fine, the last time I had seen Slade, he was going north into the forest, towards the old chop shop run by Jack.

K: Jack, you mean Jack Mourne, WHAT THE HELL MANN!

L: what?

K: Do you know who Jack his, He a damn hunter, a wolf hunter

Oh god…

I could see the connection snap into lucas's mind.

L: Kerry's last name is Mourne…

I knew they would see me, but I needed to get out of there, if I didn't get home fast… then I wouldn't get to talk to Slade again, I would be helping my father dig the hole his body would be thrown into.

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Slade P.O.V

J: Wake up Wolf!

    I was splashed by freezing water jolting me back into the world I've been cursed into, I was chained to a chair, when I tried breaking them they sent a massive shock that sent a wave of pain through my body

J: No wolf can break those chains kid, I've made sure of it.

    I finally caught a glimpse at the man that had taken me captive, I'd say he was a good six foot with a dark brown hair covering most of his head, a scar reached from one ear going down around his neck coming to a stop above his heart, this man had fought something that left its mark. But if he is still alive... then he had more than likely killed it.

Release me… now, if you know what's good for you.

    I wasn't going to let him live even if he released me, he was the only person to ever capture me, and he knew he wouldn't live I was able to escape these binds, something about them though, not exactly chains, felt more like ribbon but it still held me down, I've heard about these.

J: Ya… I think not wolf, I know better than to trust a wolf to keep his captor alive… Give it a rest boy, those chains won't break, they are like the ones holding down the first of you terrible beasts

…. Your talking of Gleipnir, the chains crafted to hold down the mighty Fenrir

    Fenrir, the first of the werewolves, while he never became human, he gave birth to the first shape shifting werewolves, and now I was held down by the twin of those terrible chains he was held captive by, there is no possible way out of these, unless the host was to die, then these chains would stay around me.

J: still know the old names… you are a fascinating werewolf after all, unlike your brothers who know nothing of these chains are tend to lose themselves in the fight to break them… You come with the knowledge and know your not getting out of this alive

Why have you taken me, there is no reason I should be on your mind.

J: No reason, NO REASON!, I know of your adventure into the next town, yes your witch had cleaned it up… but not before I heard about it, plus… you have an entanglement with someone I care about, and I've decided to put an end to it…

Who may I ask, do I have an entanglement with that has had the company of a damn hunter?

J: Three people actually, two Hunters you have already killed, and one that is oblivious to what you are.

Three, there's no way in hell I've met three people that have a tie with this bothersome hunter, and I've never killed a hunter, knowing if I had… more would come seeking revenge, now he was telling me I've killed two? As well as have been in the presence of one that is still breathing yet doesn't know what I am… There is only one person that I've had contact with that doesn't know what I am.

Kerry… she is the only person that has no idea what I am. How the hell do you know her.

J: Slade, do you know who I am? I'm surprised John hadn't warned you about me. The names Jack Mourne, and I want you dead for being involved with my daughter and for the killing of two hunters.

I haven't killed any hunters dammit, I don't kill hunters

J: Yes you have, you might've not known they were hunters… but you did kill them, maybe I should refresh your memories, it has been eight years after all… The night of your change to be exact, you killed two men seeking vengeance for your fathers death… Logan's death

The two men, John Worthing and Samuel Lane… they were hunters?…

J: Bingo boy, and you slaughtered them, well… sliced John's throat and then ripped Sam apart.

    I went Berserk in the chair, the chains shocked me but it didn't stop me, I needed to escape from the bonds and kill this bastard… he knew of my fathers death… and was telling me I had to die because I killed them. I felt a sharp release of tension in the chains, giving me more room to move about, I was actually breaking free of Gleipnir twin, Jack must've noticed to because he had pulled a .45 on me.

J: If you move another inch I'll end it with the simple pull of the trigger…

Those bastards don't deserve an act of vengeance! They died because they took a father out of the world… my father.

J: Logan was acting upon his own thoughts, he was coming close to some things that shouldn't come to light, so we had to kill him.

Don't speak his name! Your not worthy enough to speak it.

    He laughed at this, How dare he, my father wouldn't do something unless he believed it had been the right thing to do.

J: Slade… I think it's about time to end this chit-chat of ours…

    He came close and placed the muzzle of the gun on my temple.

J: So long wolf… enjoy hell.

    Before he shot, a door burst open and in came Kerry.

K<3: Father Don't!

J: Kerry, Leave… Now

K<3: You can't do this, Slade doesn't deserve.

J: Kerry you don't even know what he has done. Remember John and Sam. They were killed by this bastard, he killed them without hesitation, so I won't hesitate to pull this damn trigger to get payment for their deaths.

    Kerry looked towards me, shock on her face, then fear…

K<3: why Slade?

    She was the daughter of this hunter, how did she not know who I was, or that I had killed them.

I killed those bastards because they were the ones who killed my father, My first kills, the best moment of my life.

    Jack Hit me across the face with the gun, blood began to flow from my nose

J: THEY WERE GOOD MEN! Men that did what was needed, Logan had to die, you should've died along with him long ago…

    He placed the muzzle against my forehead once more…

J: I won't let you live any longer, farewell Slade.

K<3: Dad No!

    Jack pulled the trigger, and the next thing I remember… was darkness…

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Eight years ago (Four weeks before Logan's death)

L: Heads up Slade!

    In came a football towards my head, before it hit me I raised my hands and catched it

How about more of a warning next time dad… almost took my head off.

L: I said heads up didn't I?

We tossed the football between us and spoke a bit in between tosses

L: Slade where's you brother? He should come play catch with us.

You know Travis, probably inside reading with mom, are you sure he's my brother? where nothing alike, he's a wimp.

L: Slade I don't want to hear that again, understood?

I retreated at the harsh tone of my fathers

Yes sir…

L: You got to realize Slade, he three years younger than you, you also have more of my sides build then your mother, Trevor, he gots you mother's side… he's small, but if he's anything like your mother. He'll be a pain in the neck.

I laughed.

You know if she hears you talking like that she'll give you a heck of a time.

L: Wouldn't be surprised… still haven't heard the end of it over the firebird.

    We both laughed, he was right. Ever since he had gotten that car, mother hasn't stop scolding him about it. While thinking about it my dad had tossed the football a bit harder then he had wanted and it flew over my head into the street. I went to retrieve it without looking for any cars coming. The screeching of tires brought me back to realization and I was staring at an incoming escalade. Before I was flatten into a pancake my father ran and pulled me out of the way, the car flew by and I was laying on my back in my yard

L: Slade! Son are you ok?

    The fact that I had almost died hit me hard and I broke down in tears. My father grabbed me and cradled me in his arms telling me it was alright, that I was fine. After a good few minutes I was able to stop the tears and slow my breathing down

L: You need to pay attention Slade, what would I have down if I lost you.

I'm sorry… I just wanted the ball.

    I was about to burst into tears again but he spoke up before I did

L: Slade, I want to give you something, it'll protect you.

    He took off his favorite ring… Silver with black wolf engravings on it, it wouldn't fit me for a good year or so, but I didn't want to take it.

Dad… that's yours, you don't go anywhere without it, I can't take that.

    He pushed it into my hand

L: I don't go anywhere without it because it protects me, but I'll be fine, I'd rather have you take it for protection.

    I didn't understand, how could a ring protect someone, it's just jewelry. But I did as he said and put it into my pocket. He then stood me up and walked me towards the house

L: Come on… Mom will be wanting you inside and fed before you go to bed.

Thanks dad…

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Present Day (Five minutes after Slade had been Shot)

Kerry P.O.V

    The shock of Slades death hit me hard, a person who would've changed my life forever… gone, in one shot. Tears started flowing from my eyes and all my father did was hand me a shovel.

J: You know what's next, get going.

How could you…

J: I don't want to hear it Kerry, I've told you many times about these wolves, there unpredictable. All they do is slaughter, can you believe they think themselves above all other beings, above all the other dark creatures out there.

    I stayed silent, I couldn't look at my father. he has loathed wolves sense he was a child, the time he been brought into this world of darkness. I wanted to believe him, to believe Slade was a bad person and his death was nothing, but his death was something. It hurt knowing he was gone, so soon… I looked over to his body, his head slumped forward with blood flowing from the wound. I turned to leave and start digging the hole we would place his body, but before I left… Slade Jolted back into the world. One of his rings were glowing, so was the bullet wound.

K<3 and J: How?

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Slade P.O.V

    My head was in so much pain, the pain had torn me out of death and brought me back, I looked towards my hand, my fathers ring, the ring that also hid my hands burns… was glowing. The ring brought me back, but it didn't bring me back happy. I looked towards Jack, my hatred for the man burned and I fought my bindings… letting my lycan take control, my eyes turned blood red and my body strengthened into the wolf it was meant to be. Jack drew the .45 once again.

J: No way in hell your still alive!

Shoot again, see where it gets you.

And he did, he shot again aiming for my heart instead of my head, big mistake. I moved my hand in front of the bullet and it hit the ribbon, snapping it and setting me free. I got up and knocked the gun out of his hand and grabbed him by his thoat ready to snap it, but instead… I looked over at Kerry, her eyes showed fear of the beast that had her father by the neck, why it stopped me I don't know, instead of killing him… I knocked him out, the wolf in me growled in hatred, it wanted Jack dead, but I wasn't going to kill a father, especially Kerry's father. I slowly let go of my lycan form bringing back my human form, the rush of it all, coming back and almost killing again, brought me to my knees, and then something I hadn't expected happened, Kerry ran over to me.

K<3: Slade?! Are you alright?

No not really… kinda was dead then not dead, drains you of energy it seems.

    She got me to my feet and moved me out of the building, outside I got a good look at where I was, the Chop shop… no wonder I smelled all that oil and grease.

How'd you know? Did you father call you and tell you he was about to kill you boyfriend.

    She looked away then back at me.

K<3: Keith came into Conte moretti looking for you, instead he found Lucas who said you were heading towards the chop shop. Keith knew what my father was, so before he came and got himself killed… I came to get you home safe.

… Never thought I would need someone to help me. Especially a huntress.

    She was quiet for the long walk towards her vehicle, good. I didn't hate her but dammit. She's a huntress, and I didn't catch that, I let my guard down. She helped me into her car and drove me into town

Did Keith give you trouble?

K<3: No… Keith watched me leave conte moretti but he didn't follow I guess, thought I would need to deal with a witch.

    I laughed

More than likely he's been tracking you sense you left, plus he probably felt my death due to our blood bond. You might not have a job to go back to.

    She looked at me in shock.

I'm kidding… If he felt my death then he would head to my home to see if he has any nik-naks that could bring me back. So let's head there.

    I told her where to go, she seems hesitate… guess her father told her where the wolves hang out but not who are wolves, I said she'll be fine, that most of the wolves she'll see are people she already knows.

Your father is wrong, yes we wolves are dangerous. But we don't just kill willingly, we are hunters just like him, if anyone ends up on the list. Then they deserve death.

We entered the tennessee's pack territory, many of them looking our way, feeling the presence of a human, they stayed back only because my presence was along with Kerry's. We finally reached my home, Keith must have driven the Angel of death hom because she was parked in front of the garage, hopefully he handle her nicely.

Thanks Kerry… I can handle myself from here.

K<3: Are you sure Slade? You're looking pale.

I got it Kerry… I've dealt with worse.

    Apparently I hadn't… because after only five steps, I was on the ground and looking at darkness once more.