37 Ch 36 Marathon (1/2)

\”Rick!\”

My boss motioned me over. \”I need you to set up for the 5k, then make sure the route is clear of any debris. I have a special guest I need to spend today and tomorrow with.\”

\”Oh?\” I asked casually. I couldn't help wondering what special guest was code for now that I knew John was part of Mac's network of connections.

\”It's exciting,\” chimed in Beatrice, the lady who worked the counter. \”She's a make-a-wish recipient; thirteen year old with cancer who wants to see real wolves. She and her family are staying in one of the cabins for a few nights.\”

\”I'm going to be taking them out in the jeep,\” John added, \”see how close we can get to the wolves wearing the trackers. Oh,\” he said quieter, moving me off to the side, \”your training class is set up for two weeks from now.\”

He looked at me with this narrowing of the eyes. I don't know what he was thinking.

\”Thanks, John.\”

\”Mac told me about your, a, condition, said you had a few concerns. Honestly, it's probably just a bunch of campers throwing themselves a party,\” he said.

I agreed with him, trying to laugh it off, but I was a wolf on the hunt now where those annoying odors were concerned.

I headed out to load up one of the jeeps with what I'd need to set up the check stations. I was loading up the last canopy and chairs when I saw her.

She was wearing a white knit cap with pink in the front even though the day was getting warm. She was literally bouncing in place. I assumed it was her mother with her. The two of them got in the back of the jeep, the mother throwing a blanket over the girl. I had to chuckle at the young lady's unlady-like comments expressing her exasperation at her mother's concern.

I was heading home for the day when they came back. The young girl was obviously exhausted, a fact her mother was quick to point out.

\”No, mother, I'm not going to sit out tomorrow! I came to see wolves and to run in a pack out in the wild. Tomorrow's race will be the only chance I'll have! A human pack is going to be as close to what I want as I can get!\”

In that moment I felt Spirit Wolf stir. Here was a werewolf candidate if ever there was one. Her desire to be one with the wolf was palatable. I felt his love for the child before he faded away again.

I thought about her and others like her as I rode home. I could feel the wolf about her. I wondered how many others were out there who would truly desire to be one with the wolf.

From what I'd learned from the other wolves, there were some that were called naturals; people who, when bitten, took to the wolf as if they'd been born to it.

Old Grey had mentioned a few for whom life with the wolf was just the opposite. Some of the people who had left with him, escaping the madness of a werewolf war, kept seeking ways to end their life, unable to live with what they had become.

Businessman had spoken of the intensity of the pain of his first shift, lasting for days. He said his had lasted almost a week. He had barely survived and was both weak and ravenous at first. Eating during that pain-filled week had been difficult.

That young girl, her body riddled with cancer, would never survive such an ordeal.

Ah, my brother, I thought to Spirit Wolf, find a way to grant her what she desires.

I was back again early the next morning. The station I got to man was 2kilometers into the marathon. I had a walkie-talkie, first aid kit, and a cooler of electrolyte drinks. And plenty of boredom.

I watched the runners go by, the faster and more serious competitors at the front. The good runners who ran just to run came by next. It was the back of the pack that might need something at this point. Many stopped to rest for a moment and got a drink, but no one needed any serious attention.

I watched the girl wave to me as she went by. Her dad was wearing a small backpack that I could guess was filled with anything he thought she might need. I smiled widely and waved back at her.

I waved to the tail runner when he finally went by, and radioed in that he had passed me. That was a job I had turned down. I would go nuts walking slowly behind everyone! I folded up the canopy and table, closed up the garbage bag, and got everything ready to load up for later. I picked up the two-way again. I don't know why they kept using such old equipment.

\”Hey John, I want to double check that tree by the annex road, the one that's been leaning after the last storm.\”

\”Sure Rick, let me know if I should load up a chainsaw when we bring the jeep around later.\”

\”Will do.\”

I took off, strictly keeping to man-form. The last thing I needed was for someone to freak out over a wolf that close to everyone. I avoided the road the runners had used, making my way lithely between the trees. After watching so many runners go by, it felt good to let loose myself. I made good time, allowing myself slightly clawed hands as I ghosted through the trees.

I pulled up short when I heard what sounded like crying. Slowing down, I increased my hearing, making my face more wolffish in the process. I honed in on the distressing sounds. Wolf instincts kicked in as I moved to a position where I would be invisible to my prey.

\”I am not going to just stop because everyone else outran me! I am going to see at least one wolf while I am out here! This is nothing like what I wished for! I am not going to cry! I am...\”

I listened to her quietly rant to herself. My heart expanded just listening to her determination. The young girl in the knot hat had more spunk than anyone I could think of.

I don't know how she managed to get away from her father. They had to be worried about her by now. I couldn't help but be proud of her. Her parents understandably kept trying to coddle her in her sickness and she kept insisting on fiercely living. Not only live, but she was determined to live what was left of her life on her terms.

I was practically chuckling as my uniform came off, neatly stacked behind a tree. I moved to position myself in front of her, waiting for her to notice me. I couldn't keep my grin off my face, even as a wolf.

It was so worth it to see the look on her face. First her eyes got big, her breath drew in and she held it for what seemed forever before slowing exhaling and going \”Ohhhhh!!!!\”

Delight shown from her eyes. One hand stretched out toward me without her even realizing it. Once she was aware of what she was doing, she drew her hand back.

I moved slightly, as if I was slightly startled by her movement.

\”Don't go,\” she whispered desperately.

I stood still, cocking my head at her. At her gentle and awed encouragement, I approached slowly, step by hesitant step.

We were only a few feet away from each other, her still on the ground where she had shed her unwanted tears, me standing before her. I slowly lowered my head, raising my rump, and started wagging my tail. I did a few small slow hesitant playful leaps back and forth in front of her, before coming in suddenly to carefully swat her with my paw and leaping further away.