Within: Releasing the Werewolf

 

Kado and Cindy finally make it over to see Olivia. Cindy is completely shocked when she sees the state she is in. Hunched, old looking and barely walking - using an old umbrella as a cane. There isn't the usual life in her and no smiles when they arrive. 

"I imagine...that this comes as a shock to you, Dear." Sad eyes look at Cindy as her willowy, raspy voice fills the hall. "I've been cheating death for a long while now with the help of the manor. Now that the inner workings are no longer working...time is catching up with me." 

"But we're fixing it. Nico is making good progress." Kado smiles. 

Olivia waves her hand. "Yes...we'll see." She turns and limp-walks down the hallway with Kado and Cindy in tow. "I have something...I need your help with. The two of you should be able to manage it...without my help." She's winded by the mere act of walking. "Tanner....needs our help. She wants to break her bonds."

Kado frowns. "Is that a good idea?"

Cindy says nothing. 

"She's been...cleaning up for me. For us. And she's running into issues...with her performance." Olivia sighs. "I'd hate to lose her...as she tries to remove our Italian problems."

Kado nods. "Understood." 

"I'll help....if I can." Cindy smiles, still taken aback by Olivia's crone-like appearance. 

Olivia croaks out. "Blessed be..." 
_________________________________

Kado and Cindy work with Tanner to get the necessary supplies for the ritual. They lay out a blanket and have Tanner lay down, then they read from the book Olivia has given them as they place the objects around her. 

Beads of sweat come up on Tanner's forehead even though it's a chilly night. 

"You're sure?" Kado says, kneeling beside her. 

"Aye...I'm sure." Tanner's voice quivers. 

Cindy keeps hold of the tree branch and makes sure it's firmly set in the ground to channel the energy...and to protect herself once the ritual is complete. 

The fire they have built flares as Kado begins the binding break ritual.

Tanner grinds her teeth and her mind races. "Is this what she really wants" fights with "make it happen NOW!" in her head as the wolf in her longs to be free again.  





Cindy stares down at Tanner knowing it will be a long time before she feels safe with her again once this happens. 

Kado reads from the book, chanting louder and louder as the effects start to hit Tanner. 

Tanner writhes and struggles on the blanket, then starts to scream as the intensity builds within her. 

Cindy takes Kado's visual clues and mimics what he does, raising her hand as she feels energy flow from her to him and around Tanner. Her vision blurs slightly and she tries to focus her energies like Olivia has taught her. 

Kado's voice rings in the night as Tanner writhes like a snake on the blanket. 

Cindy watches as Kado reads the last passages in the book. 

Tanner's screams stop as her jaw clamps tight, then wails as a burst of energy encircles her body and small, glowing bursts fly from her midsection. 

Kado watches and his eyes narrow. Two bindings? That's not right.....

Tanner jolts upright onto her knees, raises her hands, and shivers as the glow leaves her. 

She spins round and faces Kado and Cindy with an intense look on her face. 

Cindy holds the branch up in front of them as Kado barks out, "TANNER! It's us....are you ok?!"

Tanner stares at them blankly, her mind racing and working at great speed. She narrows her eyes. "Kado....and Cindy...."

"That's right. We're helping you." Cindy's voice is shaky and filled with fear.

"Well....isn't tha' kind of ya...Cindy. Kado." Her voice is rough sounding and grows deeper with every word she speaks. She stretches up and rolls her head. Kado and Cindy can hear popping and snapping deep inside Tanner. Tanner pulls off her shirt and growls out, "You two...should go...now...."

Cindy's heart skips a beat when she sees Tanner's distorted features. "Holy shit..." she whispers as Kado grabs her arm. 

"Run!" Kado screams as he takes the branch from Cindy and pulls her towards the manor. 

Tanner strips out of her pants and shoes and underwear as a growl builds deep inside her. Her face grows longer....her arms grow longer...and hair erupts over her skin in waves. Snapping...popping....and sickly squelching sounds ring out as the quick transformation to wolf sweeps over Tanner. 

And the wolf is free. 

Tanner shakes her head and takes in deep breaths of night air as she stomps around the fire. She sniffs again and smells Kado and Cindy's lingering scents including a little urine from the woman. She stops and stares into the fire as her mind tries to sort out the feelings within her. Tanner's human form....her friends....her enemies. And the wolf with her desires and drives. 

The wolf glances in the direction of the fleeing Kado and Cindy and sees them making a break for the manor. She narrows her eyes, pauses, then runs off in the other direction. Free. 

__________

The next morning, Tanner wakes up outside. The sun warms her skin deliciously and she sits up, but lays down again when her head spins a bit. 

She looks at the sunrise and smiles a wide, happy smile. 

She glances around and sees the manor. She managed to make it home. That was good. 

Inside, she stares around her room and breathes deep taking in the various smells. Being here will take some getting used to. She gets dressed and goes to find the others.