The Change

For as long as I could remember, fear had been little more than a concept in my mind. Nothing more than an abstract idea. Then the day I turned sixteen? All of that changed.

“Come on, Takoda. We should have been on the road an hour ago.” Mato said urging his son to finish packing

“Aw dad, do we have to? Why can’t I just spend my birthday with my friends?” Takoda whined

“No, no. this is a family tradition, when I turned sixteen, I had to do it, as did my father, and grandfather before him. This goes back to the beginnings of our tribe.” Mato intoned

“Fine, I’ll be right down.” Takoda said knowing he wouldn’t get out of this

Takoda turned off his tv and finished packing his clothes, and other tools he’d need for huntihng. He pretended to be annoyed that he had to go on this trip, but in reality Takoda was glad to be spending this time with his father. He was like a different man out in the forest. Though as he got into his dad’s truck, he still put on a show for his friends as though this was the worst thing in the world. He and his father thundered down the road to the campsite listening to classic rock. Takoda felt at peace, his father bought that out of him. It took about two hours, but they had arrived. The sun was just kissing the horizon. It was beautiful. As Takoda and his father disembarked from the truck, Mato immediately put him to work as they set up the camp. Takoda let out the typical teenage grumbles but got to work quickly as he was losing daylight.

Mato watched as his son worked. He was proud of his son to be sure, but he worried about him. He was unsure if Takoda was ready for tonight. His son was a bright and inquisitive boy but he often bristled at the old traditions of the family. They still had time yet, so he would gauge Takoda as the night continued.

“That’s good Takoda! The camp looks great, now go and dig a latrine.” Mato boomed as his son finished setting everything up

“Aw come on! Why do I have to go dig a latrine out in the dark?” Takoda grumbled

“It’s your own fault, I told you we should have left earlier! Just take a flashlight with you, you’ll be just fine.” Mato said laughing

“Ok dad, I’ll be back.” Takoda said heading into the woods.

The forest was quiet, Takoda was uneasy because of it. Once he got far enough away from the campsite, he quickly got to digging the latrine. Takoda wanted to be back to the safety of the camp. As he worked, Takoda saw something out the corner of his eye. He turned in its direction and saw a great white wolf. It almost seemed to be beconing him. Takoda contemplated leaving and returning to his father, but instead he chose to follow the wolf. He almost felt compelled to do so.

As Takoda trailed the wolf, the forest was suddenly alive with sound, but what the young man heard didn’t make sense. Takoda heard the sounds, of gunfire, and war cries from his tribe, chants that hadn’t been used in centuries. Judging be the sounds of things, Takoda was in the middle of a battle. The wolf spirit led him into a clearing it waited for him under a massive tree in the middle. All around him, Takoda beheld corpses, some wore the ancient battle garb of his tribe, others were dressed as soldiers, the soldier’s uniforms were ripped as if they had been killed by a wild beast. None of this made any sense. Perhaps the wolf would give him some answers. Takoda stumbled to the tree, being careful to avoid stepping on the fallen bodies of his tribesmen. When Takoda made it to the tree, he didn’t find the wolf, but instead a man, as the teenager looked upon this warrior Takoda saw his resemblance to him.

“Who are you? Why did you bring me here?” Takoda asked

“Ah, Takoda. Hello. I’ve been watching you for some time, as for who I am? I am Odakota.” The spirit said introducing himself.

“Odakota? I’ve heard that name before but not for a long time.” Takoda said thinking of where he had heard the name before

“I am your ancestor. Lets just leave it at that. Do you know why your father bought you out here? Why our entire family for generations had done it?” Odakota asked

“I thought it was just a father son camping trip.” Takoda said

“No, it’s so much more than that. Return to your father. He’ll explain everything to you.” Odakota said calmly

“But I don’t understand, why can’t you just tell me? Takoda asked

“It’s not my place, it’s supposed to be knowledge passed down from a father to a son, I’m more here to get you moving in the right direction so to speak.” Odakota said

“Well, what can you tell me, can you explain why those soldiers out there look as they were mauled by a wild animal?” Takoda asked

“They came in the night, slaughtering our people. I and the warriors I could muster made a pact in order to gain the strength to stop them. Now that pact must be honored.”

Mato wondered what was keeping his son. Takoda was capable but it was getting pretty dark. He headed towards the direction that Takoda went to dig the latrine. Mato could hear the many sounds of the forest; it didn’t take long but he quickly picked up his son’s trail. He approached the clearing, but stopped to watch things unfold. He was impressed with his son for being able to find this place on his own and the fact that he had seemingly found his spirit guide. Mato never ceased to be amazed with his son,

“Takoda! I see you found this place, I’m proud of you!” Mato shouted

“Dad? You know about this? How did you find me so fast?” Takoda asked

“What do you mean? I’m a hunter, I just tracked you. It’s good that you’re here, now I can explain everything.” Mato remarked

“Explain? What do you mean?” Takoda asked approaching his father

“Takoda, wait! Don’t come into the moonlight!” Mato shouted

“What are you talking about?” Takoda asked approaching his father

Pain wracked his body as he entered the moonlight. Takoda looked at his hands and watched as they stretched and lengthened, his fingernails quickly grew into claws. His face painfully stretched into a snout N his skin was on fire as tufts of hair sprouted all over his body. Takoda called for his father to help him, but all that escaped his lupine form was a howl into the moonlight Not wanting to hurt his father, Takoda ran deeper into the forest, before the beast fully took over his mind.

“Damn! This wasn’t supposed to happen.” Mato shouted before returning to the camp to get the tools he needed to save his son before something horrible happened

“Oh boy, this isn’t good at all is it?” a voice snidly said

“Come on dad, I don’t have time for this.” Mato said as he gathered his tools

“No, no, no, I don’t wanna hear it.” Mato’s father Tahatan said

“Look dad, I get it ok, I made a mistake. Are you gonna help me stop your grandson from becoming a murderer or are you gonna break my balls?” Mato asked in exasperation  

“A little of both, if its all the same to you.”  Tahatan said chuckling

“Oh gee, thanks pop.” Mato said sarcastically

Takoda tore through the woods in search of food, he could smell the blood on the air and sprinted in the direction of it. Before long he came upon a small herd of deer, and with a supernatural speed Takoda pounced on one. Though his body tore apart the animals flesh hungrily, the human side of him recoiled in horror as he watched himself gorge. After he had eaten his fill, Takoda heard something else in the night air, and tore off into the night.

It took everything in Mato to stop him from changing, sure he could control his animal urges better, but the last thing these woods needed was two wolves fighting for dominance within it. Instead he used his senses to track his son.

“Mato, over here!” Tahatan yelled

“Hm, a fresh kill. He was here recently. He couldn’t have gotten far.” Mato said investigating the deer carcass

“I don’t need to pressure you, but we need to hurry.” I think there’s a town over there. That’s the last thing we need.” Tahatan said urgently

“Fucking hell, this has been a long damn day.” Mato said tiredly

Mato speed towards the town in his truck, he was just under the speed limit and was doing his best to find any signs of his son. He remembered the wild nights when he first had his wolf time, he was a demon. He couldn’t let that become his boy. He drove even faster, Mato had to save Takoda from himself.

Takoda found himself in a world of pain and rage. He no longer felt hunger, only a seething hatred at everything around him. Why was this happening to him? Where was his father. As the boy’s thoughts raced, he heard the shrill sound of police sirens. A deep fear rose up in Takoda and he ran, he wasn’t sure where he was going all that he knew was that he wanted, no he needed to be left alone. If not? He didn’t know what he might do.

As Mato arrived in the town, the signs of his son’s rage were all around him. As he drove from street to street, he breathed a sigh of relief as he saw no corpses. Hopefully Takoda still had enough of himself in check to not have hurt anybody. Before long, Mato cursed to himself as he saw the police lights in his rearview mirror. He didn’t have time to be pulled over. He had to save his boy.

“Good evening officer.” Mato said his voice full of mock cheerfulness

“Good evening sir, license and registration please.” The cop asked

“Uh no problem sir, here you go. What’s this all about?” Mato asked handing over his paperwork.

“We’ve had strange reports all around the town, we’re stopping everybody.” The cop said flatly

“Strange reports? What of?” Mato pried

“Of a strange animal, you’re asking a lot of questions. In fact, as I look at your id, you’re a little far from home, aren’t you? Why are you here?” the cop prodded

“Uh, Sorry officer, I’m in town because I’m camping with my son a few miles away, I just rode into town to gather up some extra provisions is all.” Said Mato thinking quickly

“Fine, everything checks out. You’re free to go sir.” Said the officer dismissively

“Thank you, sir, have a good night!” Mato said feigning cheerfulness

Takoda found a cave to hide in, he just wanted to be away from the noise, with his senses he could hear everything, could smell everything, if he could control it, it would be wonderful. But as it was it was just a cacophony of sensation that was driving him insane.  Takoda found the darkest corner of the cave and tightly curled himself in a ball. As the boy tried to rest, he heard a familiar sound.

Mato pulled up outside of the cave, he was hoping that his intuition was right and that this was the right cave. As he got out of his truck, he breathed a sigh of relief as he saw tracks. He was in the right place. He steeled himself hand headed into the darkness. He didn’t get far when he heard the growls, not of anger, but of anguish. His boy needed him.

“I’m sorry son. I’m sorry I’m late but I’m here.” Mato said tenderly

Mato remembered his own father’s words. About not being soft. And to be tougher with his son. But he also remembered how strained his relationship with the man was, in life he loathed him, and even now as a spirit they had a strained relationship. As he grew into the man he wanted to become, Mato promised to himself that he wouldn’t be the same for his son.

Takoda approached his father slowly. Now that there wasn’t so much going on his mind was quiet, and he could focus. All night Takoda had felt terrified, of himself, of his surroundings, and of the horrors he might inflict. But now that his father was here? Takoda felt safe. As the young wolf made it to his father, he collapsed in the older man’s arms.

“That’s good, that’s good. I’m here now.” Mato said reassuringly

Takoda concentrated on his father’s voice concentrated on his own humanity, as he did he slowly felt the beast loosen its grip on him and Takoda began to change back. Where once there was a hulking young wolf now there was a confused young man, weeping in his father’s arms.

“Dad, what am I? Why did this happen to me?” Takoda asked in a confused whisper

“We’re werewolves’ son. It happens to all of us when we turn sixteen, me, your uncles, our fathers, and their fathers ever since Odakota made his pact all those years ago.” Mato responded

“I don’t understand, why would he want this? Why didn’t you change?” Takoda asked his confusion giving way to anger

“Please son, stay calm, rage will only aggravate your change. I’ll explain as much as I know. In Odakota’s time the tribe was under siege from a contingent of rogue soldiers, they took women, livestock, whatever they wanted. Anytime one of us would protest, they’d make an example out of him. Odakota was tired of seeing our people die, so he went to shaman for help. He gave Odakota this.” Mato said continuing his story

“But this isn’t helpful! This is a curse!” Takoda said looking at his reflection in disgust

“Odakota didn’t know that. For him it was the strength he needed to avenge our clan, he used his new strength to eradicate the soldiers, at first The Change was celebrated, but then it didn’t stop and the blood didn’t stop flowing. Every man in the tribe was afflicted and would change at the full moon. And they’d kill anything in their way. Odakota went back to the shaman, and begged for a cure.  The shaman gave him a deal, he would free the rest of the men, but Odakota’s bloodline would be joined with the wolf until it ends. So, it’s been ever since.” Mato said finishing his story

“But if that’s true, how come you didn’t change tonight?” Takoda asked

“It took me years of training and meditation, but I reached an understanding with the beast within.” Mato responded

“Will you teach me?” Takoda asked

“Of course, I will son, but I mean, you know that’ll mean a whole bunch more camping trips with your old man.” Mato said playfully

“Thanks dad!” Takoda said happily

“You don’t need to thank me, son. As long as I’m here, I’ll do my best to help you.” Mato said hugging his son tightly

That night the father and son slept peacefully in the cave, together they had reached a deeper understanding and strengthened their bond. Takoda didn’t know what was in his future, but he was happy in the fact that he would have his father with him, to show him the way.