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Plot summary: It began as a simple evening stroll when Mr. Wolf suddenly finds himself opening up to his youthful charge, revealing more of his background and why he became who he is. But once certain things are shared, rewinding the tape is no longer possible. Part five in the series "About a Boy and a Wolf".
Previous parts of the saga:
1. The Fan
2. A Wolf's lesson in consequences
2b. A curious occurrence (PG13 side-story)
3. Around L.A. in a day
The background:
I wrote this short instalment in the saga as a means to pave way for an hitherto unrealised, action-oriented (not to mention darker) heist episode. To my surprise it turned into something more significant than I originally anticipated, concerning Wolf's past and his inability to keep up the emotional barriers. Then, wouldn't anyone have similar trouble if in his shoes? Read and consider for yourself!
DISCLAIMER! This work is not affiliated with DreamWorks in any way. I do not claim ownership of any characters from the movie. All events herein are purely fictional and sprung from the writer's imagination. The mirror Earth where the story takes place is different from ours (although there are overlaps), so if you enjoy things “dark and realistic” do not continue reading as you may find this disheartening.
This story plays out approximately five years prior to the events of the movie.
The weather had begun to shift, foretelling the hottest part of summer was nearing its end, leaving many domestic gardens in its wake looking brown and burnt. The metropolitan recreation spots were still kept green however, as were the wooden parks that tended themselves.
A teenage boy and a tall adult male were taking an early evening stroll through one of the wooden parks, talking and laughing as they went. A middle-aged jogger passing them by took notice, thinking it was nice to see the youth chatting so enthusiastically with the old for a change. He then turned his mind back to the time schedule and picked up the pace.
Behind him the two strollers made a right turn and started climbing up a steep path. It was more challenging, less inviting and therefore suitable when somebody wished to speak without risk of being overheard.
"Hey, Wolf?"
Ethan, thirteen years old, thin and not the most athletic person in the world, panted slightly as they made their way up the hillside.
"Yeah? The going getting too tough for you? Should we slow down a bit?"
"No, I'm fine. I just had a thought."
"Let's hear it then."
"What do your friends think of you spending time with an outsider like me?"
"Weeeeell..." Wolf hesitated. "They are chill with it. Mostly."
"Meaning they object to it."
"Make that SOMEONE."
"I am not going to ask who."
"Good call."
"Something else I have been thinking of..." Ethan paused and stepped over a large tree root crossing their path. "I can't recall ever having seen the REAL Wolf. You are always in a disguise when we meet but is that really you - or an act?"
Wolf pondered this question until they reached the top of a tree covered hill.
"Only place I can be myself all the way is back home, where you can't come, obviously. As for me acting... Good question! Guess most I do is both me AND an act. Sometimes there's more of one than the other."
"But we are alone now. Can't you at least lose the hat? I never saw your ears set free except on the wanted posters and those look phoney."
"Well..." the canine stopped and put his snout in the air, sniffing. "Since I can't smell anybody nearby..."
He pocketed the sunglasses and removed his hat, both ears perking up and swivelling about.
"Can't hear anyone either. Ah, that feels nice!"
"At last I get to meet the infamous mister Wolf uncloaked!" Ethan said gleefully and studied the unmasked outlaw with interest. "I am so glad to have made your acquaintance."
"Likewise." Wolf bowed, his tail freeing itself to give a quick wag.
"I want to do something stupid. Hope you don't mind?"
"Huh?" Wolf tilted his head, ears flickering quizzically as Ethan began rummaging through the backpack and fished up his smartphone.
"I want to take a photo of us!"
"No! No-no-no..."
"Come on! Do you think mother is EVER allowed into my phone, or anybody else for that matter? Besides, I'll just say it's photoshopped. Please, Wolf?"
"Oh... Alright! But only because it's you."
"Okay, say COFFEE!"
"Coffee!"
"Not bad, huh?"
Wolf had to agree the photo came out pretty well. Ethan looked unusually cheerful and he didn't look half-bad himself. A little 'fangy' perhaps, but that's what he was. At least the kid never seemed to mind.
A signal indicating an incoming call broke the tranquility of the moment.
"Oh no." Ethan groaned and touched the answer button on his phone. "Hello, mother. ... I am out. ... The city library. ... Yes. ... No. ... No. ... Yes. ... Okay. ... No, I have not forgotten. ... Don't be obnoxious. ... Well, so sue me. ... Yeah, you too! ... You too. ... Bye!"
"Is that how you address your mom?" Wolf asked as Ethan returned the phone to the backpack.
"When she is being unreasonably stupid or too controlling, yes."
Wolf hadn't got the impression that Ethan's mother was in the slightest bit stupid, having spent a surprising and memorable night with her earlier in the summer, and although she seldom entered into conversation he felt terribly awkward whenever it happened. He also had to watch his tongue so as to not raise the boy's suspicions. He cleared his throat.
"You two don't get along, do you?"
"No."
"Has it always been this bad?"
"No."
"Anything to do with your dad?"
"I don't want to talk about my family anymore." Ethan looked up at Wolf and there was a sudden flash of anger in his eyes. "You have your secrets and I have mine!"
"Sure, fair enough, no problem!"
The atmosphere had suddenly turned quite sour and Wolf felt a strong sense of déjà-vu. How similar they were, mother and son. The loss of the husband and father must have had a devastating impact on this family.
"It is okay to be sad, you know." he said gently, glancing at the morose boy trotting along. "And you don't have to tell me anything. But maybe I can tell you about MY folks, if you'd like to hear?"
"Okay."
"You really should be glad you have a mother to hang up on."
Ethan shrugged.
"I never even knew my father. He walked out on us when I was still a small pup and wasn't heard from again. Ma' always said he was dashing looking, resourceful, a smooth talker and a no-gooder. Heh, guess I'm following in his trail."
Wolf paused while they passed through some sweet-smelling shrubberies growing on either side of the narrow path.
"Mom alone cared for me as best as she could," he continued, "until she got sick. Real sick. A canine disease that destroys your liver if it goes bad and is left untreated. She didn't seek medical attention."
"Why not? WHY didn't she go to a hospital?"
"Because she was afraid. Afraid of rejection for being a wolf. I caught the same bug and recovered in a week or two. She didn't and kept trudging on until she couldn't. By then it was too late."
"So... She died?"
"Yeah. She died. Must have been eleven or something. Had to fend for myself from that point on."
"No one took you in?"
"Nope! One downside of being a wolf is people think you'll bite and cause mischief. I spent a few years alone on the streets."
"But... But... How did you manage?!"
"I learned to steal, of course. Pickpocketing people, nicking food. Sneaking around unseen."
"What about school?"
"Did without school. Learned through other means, you know?"
Ethan stared at the ground, his facial expression difficult to read.
"Sure got quiet here." Wolf commented when the silence had been dragging on long enough. "What's up?"
"I feel so sad for you as a pup. Thinking about how NO ONE wanted you makes me feel... I... I don't like it! And your mom, too. Are you anything like her?"
The innocent question caught him completely off-guard and Wolf halted, his mind blanking out as an onslaught of conflicting feelings reared inside his heart. His ears folded back by reflex, a low growl escaping him.
"SORRY! I'm sorry!" Ethan seized the canine's left paw with both hands, pleading. "I didn't mean to pry! Please don't be angry with me!"
Wolf closed his eyes. All by a sudden he felt exhausted, regretful, touched, sad, warm, cold - too many emotions had struck him in one go. Taking a deep breath he amassed his full strength of will to meet the boy's upset gaze.
"No, it's me who's sorry. You have nothing to apologise for. I'm not angry, just overwhelmed by lots of old memories. But...figure I could really do with a hug right now."
Ethan almost threw himself into his arms and having a kid clinging around the neck was a new sensation unlike anything Wolf was accustomed to. Wary of doing it wrong he returned the embrace with great care and they held on to each other for quite some time. The evening sea breeze rustled in the tree crowns overhead, otherwise everything was very still.
At last Ethan pulled back and looked up, his light blue eyes brighter than usual.
"I think you have answered my question."
"We're getting to know each other pretty well, aren't we?" Wolf spoke in a soft voice, his tail doing its thing behind him.
"Yes, let's get along nicely. I say you owe me an ice tea for that scare, though."
"Do I? Guess I do." Wolf laughed and straightened up, putting on the hat and sunglasses. "I'm in serious need of a pick-me-up myself."
They found an open diner close to the parking space and sat down by a small table on the wooden terrace.
Drinking deeply from a large coffee mug Wolf soon recovered from the earlier emotional turmoil. Ethan was holding a cup of hot mint tea in both hands and seemed more relaxed than usual. Meeting Wolf's eyes over the cup he flashed a serene smile.
"Liking the tea, huh?"
"It is nice enough."
"Noticed it's getting dark real fast? Are you sure your mom is alright with you being out this late?"
"She doesn't care, as long as I am not given a ride home by the police again."
"Huh?" Wolf put the mug down. "You got arrested?"
"Only once. I was totally sick of mother at the time and left home to stroll around our neighbourhood. Things were fine until the police showed up."
"What did they do?"
"They began badgering me about why I wasn't in bed. Annoyed the heck out of me. Care to guess what happened next?"
"You got smart with them, didn't you?"
"You could say that. I was stuffed into the backseat of their patrol car and taken to the precinct where they kept me for a few hours, initially asking and then shouting questions as I gave them the silent treatment."
An image of a sullen, crossed-armed Ethan refusing to give a single answer flashed through Wolf's mind.
"But in the end you gave in?"
"The game became tedious and going home seemed preferable so I shared a few facts that pacified them. Mother was most unhappy and told me NEVER to let it happen again."
"Now I'm really curious." Wolf lowered his sunglasses. "What did you say to make the cops go all nicey-nice?"
"I doubt it would work for you," Ethan replied dispassionately, "and whatever I told them doesn't matter no more. It's history."
Wolf knew better than to push the topic further.
When the diner closed at 9pm, darkness had fallen in earnest.
"I'll take you home. No objections?" Wolf asked as they walked across the empty parking lots.
"That'd be nice. Drop me off at our local Metro. I don't want to risk mother seeing me getting out of a strange car."
"Gotcha."
Neither felt any need to talk much during the drive downtown and reaching Ethan's neighbourhood Wolf double-parked close to the Metro station.
"Guess this is it for today. Until next time!"
They bumped fists and clasped hands, laughing.
"Good night, Wolf."
"Night, Ethan."
Wolf watched Ethan set off and vanish around the corner of a tall building before entering the southbound traffic, a myriad of thoughts swirling inside his mind.
He hadn't planned to divulge anything concerning his background, let alone the story about his puphood. Dwelling on the past just wasn't something he tended to do. Did it happen because he empathised with Ethan's trauma of basically having lost not only one but both parents?
The boy having been the very first person to ever commiserate with him had also awakened a new, strange feeling. He and Ethan understood one another too well now. Where would they go from there?
Things could never be the same between them again.
"Hey Wolfie, you are home late." Tarantula greeted him when the car elevator doors had opened, briefly looking up from whatever she was doing on her miniature laptop.
"There was some heavy congestion downtown."
"And Wolf sure enjoys taking his pet human for an evening walk!"
"Har-har, always the jokester aren't you Snake? How's that poker game going?"
"Badly! Shark's winning as usual and just as well! I don't feel like getting on his bad side tonight."
"Aww, come on. I'd never brawl over a lost card game!"
"Sorry for not believing you a 100 percent! Your win, Shark. I'm outta here!"
Shark and Piranha continued the game as Snake moved towards Wolf who was stretching out on the couch fronting the TV.
"Managed to wheedle anything useful out of the posh whelp today, eh?"
"Won't you ever stop asking? I've told you we got to be patient."
"While we are sitting around here being SO patient would you care explaining why you're happily hanging out with someone half your age?"
"I like doing that. I'm half your age, remember?"
"Not relevant!"
"Okay, wanna know, huh? Because it makes me feel kinda...good! There! I said it."
"Makes you feel good, does it?" Snake hissed, eyes narrowing.
"Yeah! I can be myself and he doesn't scream and run away. It's a nice change of pace. He's also become less insufferable and I do mean a LOT less. He's a good kid and I ain't having this conversation any longer!"
"Sounds to me you're really going SOFT!"
"I'm not going soft!"
"Then where are those fancy plans for our next big job?"
"I'm working on them, alright?"
"Why don't you just bring the brat here, turn him and get it over with? Who knows, he might even prove useful, one way or the other."
"I don't think he's very interested in crime anymore."
"Come on Wolf, turn him BAAAAD!"
"No."
"Why the heck not?"
"Because it's the wrong thing to do."
"What did you say?!"
"Unlike us he's got options! Why would I try ruining..."
"Like we care what happens to some rotten punk!"
"Well, I do!"
"Gotcha!"
Wolf shut his jaws with a snap.
"Better get your priorities straight, Wolf! Been reeking of humanity lately." Snake's tongue flickered in disgust. "What's wrong with you?!"
"It's late and I don't feel like talking about this right now so d-r-o-p it, okay?"
"As our planner and leader it's only fair you come clean!"
"Man!" Wolf groaned and pinched his forehead. "Can't I be free to do ONE good deed in life?"
"Meaning what?"
"Meaning I befriended this troubled kid and I'm gonna do whatever it takes to keep him from becoming like us."
"Like us, huh?"
"You know what I mean!" Wolf sat up. "Someone people fear. He scared off all class mates and keeps his snappy lawyer mom at bay using nothing but words. Cops couldn't intimidate him. Heck, I couldn't intimidate him! See what he could turn into?"
"Someone I'd love to meet."
"Not happening on my watch, Snake. Get it?"
"Or what? Plannin' on dumping your best buds to be the new dad of some human spawn? Gonna go marry his MOM, are you?"
Wolf flushed.
"Listen here, Wolf." Snake went on, sounding almost sympathetic. "It's fine by me that you care about this Eric or whatever his name is, but we all gotta pick ONE side in life and you don't want him on ours. Want to keep him out of trouble? Then you know what has to be done, right?"
Leaning back into the couch Wolf stared at the ceiling before speaking.
"I don't want to walk out on him just like that. It's got to be done slowly."
"Don't wait too long. Kid's not the only one needing your guidance."
Having said his part Snake slithered off to bed and the others followed suit.
Wolf remained on the couch throughout the night and woke up in the early morning hours feeling less than rested. Groaning and scratching his fur he walked over to the kitchen to prepare the Moka pot and to wash. Drying himself he soon realised the towel had left grease stripes all across his face. He threw it to the floor, seething with sudden fury.
Luckily the scent of boiling coffee helped alleviating the foul mood and drinking the first cup Wolf felt his spirits lift. The brain cogs also started turning. Snake was correct about him having been far too distracted as of late and the crew were itching for some action. They needed an audacious and challenging mission!
Stopping mid-sip Wolf recalled something interesting Ethan had mentioned the previous day:
"...and mother has received yet another invitation to this fancy wine tasting event hosted annually by a 'monsieur Grandsaignes' who loves throwing money around. It's held on his large, private yacht and only people of High Society with certain prestige are invited. But the ugly truth is it's little more than a bender where all the fine folks end up getting abominably drunk! Or so mother said before dropping that flashy ticket into the bin. Ridiculous, isn't it?"
Sipping on his coffee Wolf felt a growing desire to deprive the snooty lot of their precious beverages. Doing so would also have the additional bonus of shutting Snake's trap concerning the boy's usefulness. A real plan was taking shape at last!
Wolf hummed as he began cleaning the place up. Finding a fresh towel hidden inside a cupboard he degreased himself over the sink. The Moka pot was simmering on the stove again and he proceeded to fry lots of bacon and make plenty of scrambled eggs.
"You sure are in a chipper mood!"
Snake had woken up and was making his serpentine way to the kitchen.
"Did you clean the place?!"
"Yup! Want some toast? Coffee's almost ready. And we've GOT to help ourselves to a dishwasher one of these days!"
"HEY! WAKE UP YOU!" Snake shouted in the direction of the sleeping quarters. "Wolf's making breakfast! Hurry, or I'll have it all to myself!"
Once the remaining three crew members had groggily joined the kitchen table Snake cleared his throat.
"I think our leader's got something more to share, besides breakfast!"
The serpent's eyes glittered with anticipation.
"Guys," Wolf rubbed both paws together, "how do you feel about a little adventure at sea?"
~
To be continued...
Previous parts of the saga:
1. The Fan
2. A Wolf's lesson in consequences
2b. A curious occurrence (PG13 side-story)
3. Around L.A. in a day
The background:
I wrote this short instalment in the saga as a means to pave way for an hitherto unrealised, action-oriented (not to mention darker) heist episode. To my surprise it turned into something more significant than I originally anticipated, concerning Wolf's past and his inability to keep up the emotional barriers. Then, wouldn't anyone have similar trouble if in his shoes? Read and consider for yourself!
About a Boy and a Wolf
Part 4
Recollections
By Agncec, 2022DISCLAIMER! This work is not affiliated with DreamWorks in any way. I do not claim ownership of any characters from the movie. All events herein are purely fictional and sprung from the writer's imagination. The mirror Earth where the story takes place is different from ours (although there are overlaps), so if you enjoy things “dark and realistic” do not continue reading as you may find this disheartening.
This story plays out approximately five years prior to the events of the movie.
The weather had begun to shift, foretelling the hottest part of summer was nearing its end, leaving many domestic gardens in its wake looking brown and burnt. The metropolitan recreation spots were still kept green however, as were the wooden parks that tended themselves.
A teenage boy and a tall adult male were taking an early evening stroll through one of the wooden parks, talking and laughing as they went. A middle-aged jogger passing them by took notice, thinking it was nice to see the youth chatting so enthusiastically with the old for a change. He then turned his mind back to the time schedule and picked up the pace.
Behind him the two strollers made a right turn and started climbing up a steep path. It was more challenging, less inviting and therefore suitable when somebody wished to speak without risk of being overheard.
"Hey, Wolf?"
Ethan, thirteen years old, thin and not the most athletic person in the world, panted slightly as they made their way up the hillside.
"Yeah? The going getting too tough for you? Should we slow down a bit?"
"No, I'm fine. I just had a thought."
"Let's hear it then."
"What do your friends think of you spending time with an outsider like me?"
"Weeeeell..." Wolf hesitated. "They are chill with it. Mostly."
"Meaning they object to it."
"Make that SOMEONE."
"I am not going to ask who."
"Good call."
"Something else I have been thinking of..." Ethan paused and stepped over a large tree root crossing their path. "I can't recall ever having seen the REAL Wolf. You are always in a disguise when we meet but is that really you - or an act?"
Wolf pondered this question until they reached the top of a tree covered hill.
"Only place I can be myself all the way is back home, where you can't come, obviously. As for me acting... Good question! Guess most I do is both me AND an act. Sometimes there's more of one than the other."
"But we are alone now. Can't you at least lose the hat? I never saw your ears set free except on the wanted posters and those look phoney."
"Well..." the canine stopped and put his snout in the air, sniffing. "Since I can't smell anybody nearby..."
He pocketed the sunglasses and removed his hat, both ears perking up and swivelling about.
"Can't hear anyone either. Ah, that feels nice!"
"At last I get to meet the infamous mister Wolf uncloaked!" Ethan said gleefully and studied the unmasked outlaw with interest. "I am so glad to have made your acquaintance."
"Likewise." Wolf bowed, his tail freeing itself to give a quick wag.
"I want to do something stupid. Hope you don't mind?"
"Huh?" Wolf tilted his head, ears flickering quizzically as Ethan began rummaging through the backpack and fished up his smartphone.
"I want to take a photo of us!"
"No! No-no-no..."
"Come on! Do you think mother is EVER allowed into my phone, or anybody else for that matter? Besides, I'll just say it's photoshopped. Please, Wolf?"
"Oh... Alright! But only because it's you."
"Okay, say COFFEE!"
"Coffee!"
"Not bad, huh?"
Wolf had to agree the photo came out pretty well. Ethan looked unusually cheerful and he didn't look half-bad himself. A little 'fangy' perhaps, but that's what he was. At least the kid never seemed to mind.
A signal indicating an incoming call broke the tranquility of the moment.
"Oh no." Ethan groaned and touched the answer button on his phone. "Hello, mother. ... I am out. ... The city library. ... Yes. ... No. ... No. ... Yes. ... Okay. ... No, I have not forgotten. ... Don't be obnoxious. ... Well, so sue me. ... Yeah, you too! ... You too. ... Bye!"
"Is that how you address your mom?" Wolf asked as Ethan returned the phone to the backpack.
"When she is being unreasonably stupid or too controlling, yes."
Wolf hadn't got the impression that Ethan's mother was in the slightest bit stupid, having spent a surprising and memorable night with her earlier in the summer, and although she seldom entered into conversation he felt terribly awkward whenever it happened. He also had to watch his tongue so as to not raise the boy's suspicions. He cleared his throat.
"You two don't get along, do you?"
"No."
"Has it always been this bad?"
"No."
"Anything to do with your dad?"
"I don't want to talk about my family anymore." Ethan looked up at Wolf and there was a sudden flash of anger in his eyes. "You have your secrets and I have mine!"
"Sure, fair enough, no problem!"
The atmosphere had suddenly turned quite sour and Wolf felt a strong sense of déjà-vu. How similar they were, mother and son. The loss of the husband and father must have had a devastating impact on this family.
"It is okay to be sad, you know." he said gently, glancing at the morose boy trotting along. "And you don't have to tell me anything. But maybe I can tell you about MY folks, if you'd like to hear?"
"Okay."
"You really should be glad you have a mother to hang up on."
Ethan shrugged.
"I never even knew my father. He walked out on us when I was still a small pup and wasn't heard from again. Ma' always said he was dashing looking, resourceful, a smooth talker and a no-gooder. Heh, guess I'm following in his trail."
Wolf paused while they passed through some sweet-smelling shrubberies growing on either side of the narrow path.
"Mom alone cared for me as best as she could," he continued, "until she got sick. Real sick. A canine disease that destroys your liver if it goes bad and is left untreated. She didn't seek medical attention."
"Why not? WHY didn't she go to a hospital?"
"Because she was afraid. Afraid of rejection for being a wolf. I caught the same bug and recovered in a week or two. She didn't and kept trudging on until she couldn't. By then it was too late."
"So... She died?"
"Yeah. She died. Must have been eleven or something. Had to fend for myself from that point on."
"No one took you in?"
"Nope! One downside of being a wolf is people think you'll bite and cause mischief. I spent a few years alone on the streets."
"But... But... How did you manage?!"
"I learned to steal, of course. Pickpocketing people, nicking food. Sneaking around unseen."
"What about school?"
"Did without school. Learned through other means, you know?"
Ethan stared at the ground, his facial expression difficult to read.
"Sure got quiet here." Wolf commented when the silence had been dragging on long enough. "What's up?"
"I feel so sad for you as a pup. Thinking about how NO ONE wanted you makes me feel... I... I don't like it! And your mom, too. Are you anything like her?"
The innocent question caught him completely off-guard and Wolf halted, his mind blanking out as an onslaught of conflicting feelings reared inside his heart. His ears folded back by reflex, a low growl escaping him.
"SORRY! I'm sorry!" Ethan seized the canine's left paw with both hands, pleading. "I didn't mean to pry! Please don't be angry with me!"
Wolf closed his eyes. All by a sudden he felt exhausted, regretful, touched, sad, warm, cold - too many emotions had struck him in one go. Taking a deep breath he amassed his full strength of will to meet the boy's upset gaze.
"No, it's me who's sorry. You have nothing to apologise for. I'm not angry, just overwhelmed by lots of old memories. But...figure I could really do with a hug right now."
Ethan almost threw himself into his arms and having a kid clinging around the neck was a new sensation unlike anything Wolf was accustomed to. Wary of doing it wrong he returned the embrace with great care and they held on to each other for quite some time. The evening sea breeze rustled in the tree crowns overhead, otherwise everything was very still.
At last Ethan pulled back and looked up, his light blue eyes brighter than usual.
"I think you have answered my question."
"We're getting to know each other pretty well, aren't we?" Wolf spoke in a soft voice, his tail doing its thing behind him.
"Yes, let's get along nicely. I say you owe me an ice tea for that scare, though."
"Do I? Guess I do." Wolf laughed and straightened up, putting on the hat and sunglasses. "I'm in serious need of a pick-me-up myself."
They found an open diner close to the parking space and sat down by a small table on the wooden terrace.
Drinking deeply from a large coffee mug Wolf soon recovered from the earlier emotional turmoil. Ethan was holding a cup of hot mint tea in both hands and seemed more relaxed than usual. Meeting Wolf's eyes over the cup he flashed a serene smile.
"Liking the tea, huh?"
"It is nice enough."
"Noticed it's getting dark real fast? Are you sure your mom is alright with you being out this late?"
"She doesn't care, as long as I am not given a ride home by the police again."
"Huh?" Wolf put the mug down. "You got arrested?"
"Only once. I was totally sick of mother at the time and left home to stroll around our neighbourhood. Things were fine until the police showed up."
"What did they do?"
"They began badgering me about why I wasn't in bed. Annoyed the heck out of me. Care to guess what happened next?"
"You got smart with them, didn't you?"
"You could say that. I was stuffed into the backseat of their patrol car and taken to the precinct where they kept me for a few hours, initially asking and then shouting questions as I gave them the silent treatment."
An image of a sullen, crossed-armed Ethan refusing to give a single answer flashed through Wolf's mind.
"But in the end you gave in?"
"The game became tedious and going home seemed preferable so I shared a few facts that pacified them. Mother was most unhappy and told me NEVER to let it happen again."
"Now I'm really curious." Wolf lowered his sunglasses. "What did you say to make the cops go all nicey-nice?"
"I doubt it would work for you," Ethan replied dispassionately, "and whatever I told them doesn't matter no more. It's history."
Wolf knew better than to push the topic further.
When the diner closed at 9pm, darkness had fallen in earnest.
"I'll take you home. No objections?" Wolf asked as they walked across the empty parking lots.
"That'd be nice. Drop me off at our local Metro. I don't want to risk mother seeing me getting out of a strange car."
"Gotcha."
Neither felt any need to talk much during the drive downtown and reaching Ethan's neighbourhood Wolf double-parked close to the Metro station.
"Guess this is it for today. Until next time!"
They bumped fists and clasped hands, laughing.
"Good night, Wolf."
"Night, Ethan."
Wolf watched Ethan set off and vanish around the corner of a tall building before entering the southbound traffic, a myriad of thoughts swirling inside his mind.
He hadn't planned to divulge anything concerning his background, let alone the story about his puphood. Dwelling on the past just wasn't something he tended to do. Did it happen because he empathised with Ethan's trauma of basically having lost not only one but both parents?
The boy having been the very first person to ever commiserate with him had also awakened a new, strange feeling. He and Ethan understood one another too well now. Where would they go from there?
Things could never be the same between them again.
"Hey Wolfie, you are home late." Tarantula greeted him when the car elevator doors had opened, briefly looking up from whatever she was doing on her miniature laptop.
"There was some heavy congestion downtown."
"And Wolf sure enjoys taking his pet human for an evening walk!"
"Har-har, always the jokester aren't you Snake? How's that poker game going?"
"Badly! Shark's winning as usual and just as well! I don't feel like getting on his bad side tonight."
"Aww, come on. I'd never brawl over a lost card game!"
"Sorry for not believing you a 100 percent! Your win, Shark. I'm outta here!"
Shark and Piranha continued the game as Snake moved towards Wolf who was stretching out on the couch fronting the TV.
"Managed to wheedle anything useful out of the posh whelp today, eh?"
"Won't you ever stop asking? I've told you we got to be patient."
"While we are sitting around here being SO patient would you care explaining why you're happily hanging out with someone half your age?"
"I like doing that. I'm half your age, remember?"
"Not relevant!"
"Okay, wanna know, huh? Because it makes me feel kinda...good! There! I said it."
"Makes you feel good, does it?" Snake hissed, eyes narrowing.
"Yeah! I can be myself and he doesn't scream and run away. It's a nice change of pace. He's also become less insufferable and I do mean a LOT less. He's a good kid and I ain't having this conversation any longer!"
"Sounds to me you're really going SOFT!"
"I'm not going soft!"
"Then where are those fancy plans for our next big job?"
"I'm working on them, alright?"
"Why don't you just bring the brat here, turn him and get it over with? Who knows, he might even prove useful, one way or the other."
"I don't think he's very interested in crime anymore."
"Come on Wolf, turn him BAAAAD!"
"No."
"Why the heck not?"
"Because it's the wrong thing to do."
"What did you say?!"
"Unlike us he's got options! Why would I try ruining..."
"Like we care what happens to some rotten punk!"
"Well, I do!"
"Gotcha!"
Wolf shut his jaws with a snap.
"Better get your priorities straight, Wolf! Been reeking of humanity lately." Snake's tongue flickered in disgust. "What's wrong with you?!"
"It's late and I don't feel like talking about this right now so d-r-o-p it, okay?"
"As our planner and leader it's only fair you come clean!"
"Man!" Wolf groaned and pinched his forehead. "Can't I be free to do ONE good deed in life?"
"Meaning what?"
"Meaning I befriended this troubled kid and I'm gonna do whatever it takes to keep him from becoming like us."
"Like us, huh?"
"You know what I mean!" Wolf sat up. "Someone people fear. He scared off all class mates and keeps his snappy lawyer mom at bay using nothing but words. Cops couldn't intimidate him. Heck, I couldn't intimidate him! See what he could turn into?"
"Someone I'd love to meet."
"Not happening on my watch, Snake. Get it?"
"Or what? Plannin' on dumping your best buds to be the new dad of some human spawn? Gonna go marry his MOM, are you?"
Wolf flushed.
"Listen here, Wolf." Snake went on, sounding almost sympathetic. "It's fine by me that you care about this Eric or whatever his name is, but we all gotta pick ONE side in life and you don't want him on ours. Want to keep him out of trouble? Then you know what has to be done, right?"
Leaning back into the couch Wolf stared at the ceiling before speaking.
"I don't want to walk out on him just like that. It's got to be done slowly."
"Don't wait too long. Kid's not the only one needing your guidance."
Having said his part Snake slithered off to bed and the others followed suit.
Wolf remained on the couch throughout the night and woke up in the early morning hours feeling less than rested. Groaning and scratching his fur he walked over to the kitchen to prepare the Moka pot and to wash. Drying himself he soon realised the towel had left grease stripes all across his face. He threw it to the floor, seething with sudden fury.
Luckily the scent of boiling coffee helped alleviating the foul mood and drinking the first cup Wolf felt his spirits lift. The brain cogs also started turning. Snake was correct about him having been far too distracted as of late and the crew were itching for some action. They needed an audacious and challenging mission!
Stopping mid-sip Wolf recalled something interesting Ethan had mentioned the previous day:
"...and mother has received yet another invitation to this fancy wine tasting event hosted annually by a 'monsieur Grandsaignes' who loves throwing money around. It's held on his large, private yacht and only people of High Society with certain prestige are invited. But the ugly truth is it's little more than a bender where all the fine folks end up getting abominably drunk! Or so mother said before dropping that flashy ticket into the bin. Ridiculous, isn't it?"
Sipping on his coffee Wolf felt a growing desire to deprive the snooty lot of their precious beverages. Doing so would also have the additional bonus of shutting Snake's trap concerning the boy's usefulness. A real plan was taking shape at last!
Wolf hummed as he began cleaning the place up. Finding a fresh towel hidden inside a cupboard he degreased himself over the sink. The Moka pot was simmering on the stove again and he proceeded to fry lots of bacon and make plenty of scrambled eggs.
"You sure are in a chipper mood!"
Snake had woken up and was making his serpentine way to the kitchen.
"Did you clean the place?!"
"Yup! Want some toast? Coffee's almost ready. And we've GOT to help ourselves to a dishwasher one of these days!"
"HEY! WAKE UP YOU!" Snake shouted in the direction of the sleeping quarters. "Wolf's making breakfast! Hurry, or I'll have it all to myself!"
Once the remaining three crew members had groggily joined the kitchen table Snake cleared his throat.
"I think our leader's got something more to share, besides breakfast!"
The serpent's eyes glittered with anticipation.
"Guys," Wolf rubbed both paws together, "how do you feel about a little adventure at sea?"
~
To be continued...
Category Story / Miscellaneous
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