Our Next Mark - Episode 8

We rode on trembling with fear at the thought of what might happen next. Lou sternly pulled me back toward her and said, “Who… who is next?” I spoke louder than I cared to for the rushing sound of the wind attempted to drown out my voice, “His name is Bruce Dickson and I am not confident he truly exists…” I started when suddenly something happened. All I remember is seeing something black from the corner of my vision and then nothing. I do not know how long I was out but it must have been quite some time because the mid-morning sun blared into my eyes as I began to open them. I was in horrible pain, and from what I could tell I had been bleeding for quite some time from just above my left eyebrow. When I looked around I noticed that I must have been dragged for quite a distance by the horse. A trail of displaced soil told the tail. My immediate worry was for Lou. Was she hit by the same thing as I was or had she lost control of the horse, or worse yet, had she been caught? I attempted to pick myself up off of the ground when a piercing pain shot through my leg originating at my ankle sending me directly back to my knees. Having it caught in the stirrup and being dragged had obviously done its damage. I was so scared for Lou that I grabbed a loose tree limb and used it to prop myself up with no regards to the status of my wounds. I had pain pulsing through my body with such force that I nearly passed out immediately. But, my ears caught a sound that made me forget all of that at once. I turned slowly and deliberately towards the origination of the sound, though I knew what was making it. There standing just to the side of the road in the shadow of a large thicket he stood with his eyes glowing with intensity. During Hitler’s reign many of his generals had toyed with different kinds of sickening tests and experiments. One unfortunate byproduct of those tests were the breeds of animals that we had to deal with in this region of the country. They were a result of gene-splicing and genetic experimentation from what I am told. This particular creature confronting me is known as the brutalwolf. These ferocious creatures are a cross breed of mainly wolf and other extremely fierce creatures. He could smell my blood from miles away and I am sure I appeared as an easy meal. He lurched forward heading at me in a full sprint. I attempted to turn and run but my body wouldn’t have it. The second step I made immediately dropped me to the ground in agony. I tumbled forward and turned to use my stick on the creature as I could sense his proximity to me closing quickly. By luck or miracle as I pulled the stick up from underneath me as I rolled to turn towards him, the beast leaped for me and the stick drove directly into his eye. His body fell immediately limp on top of me. I struggled from beneath him as quickly as I could. His blood poured out upon the road. I was saved again, for a reason, a purpose, to continue my journey. I knew where I was, but I felt lost, so lost, without Lou. I had none of my possessions with me. Just then I heard hoof prints in the dirt. They were coming from behind me and as I turned my spirit lifted. Lou had gone for help. She explained that she had attempted to find some way to take me with her, but that she just didn’t have the strength to lift me. She had a doctor with her and he motioned for me to lie in the grass. He began to treat me as Lou filled me in on the details. I saw her eyes trace over to see the carcass of the brutalwolf as we spoke. She froze her thoughts and changed subjects immediately. “You know those things travel in groups don’t you?” she stated. The doctor looked over at the carcass and said, “No, this is good! Something in the blood of the brutalwolves carries a healing power for humans, though most are afraid to try it.” I was in so much pain, and if there were more of the wolves on the way, we would need to get out fast so I agreed to let the doctor try it. He ran to the carcass and filled four vials that he had with him. He immediately corked them and ran back to me. He began, “I know this sounds disgusting, but I have to rub this on your wounds.” I motioned for him to continue. The blood smelled horrible and my ideas about its usefulness were quickly wavering, until I heard more growling in the verge. I caught their glowing eyes and as soon as they met mine they began to quiet themselves. The doctor ran as soon as he understood our predicament and took off on our horse. Lou was too concerned with my well-being to go after him or the horse. She merely stayed with me and appeared as motionless as a statue. They moved from the hedges and walked directly toward the dead brutalwolf, never once taking their demonic eyes off of me. They dragged the carcass back into the bushes and appeared to vacate the premises as quickly as they could. They were gone, and now it was time for Lou and I to try and travel, daylight or not. We definitely couldn’t stay here. We had to search for Bruce Dickson, whether he existed or not.