With Julie in the car driven by Alyssa; a person she met by pure chance in her bid for freedom, Julie can’t help but feel her luck is turning for the better. Thinking that the strange man that invaded her dreams was nothing more than a feeble attempt at her subconscious at trying to get her to change; Julie scoffs, “I make my own fate.”
“Did you say something,” Alyssa speaking up; “my friend’s place is only another thirty minutes from here.”
“I was just thinking about something,” Julie answers; “I guess I blurted out something that was meant for myself.”
“You’re nervous,” Alyssa commenting; “I could imagine, after the ordeal you just had. I just hope you know what you’re doing. Running away from your parents is one thing, a matter I’m all too happy to help; especially if it gets a nice dig at your father. But Statue 1A Julie; that is some serious business you’re trying to dodge.”
“I never actually succeeded,” Julie grouses; “my former friend Frieda saw to that. But I swear, if she didn’t interfere, Eric Anderson would be a wer-mer instead of a wer-panther.”
******
Alyssa Cooper’s friend Betty was lying in bed eager to feel the were-otter shaft of Brian Walker in her. Knowing she has to head to Moon Lake to satisfy her carnal desires with the fourteen year old teen, see absently grabs her cellphone and is about to text the kid when her phone rings with an odd email. Opening it up she stares wide eyed in disbelief as it is a message from the Luna Brotherhood.
‘To all were allies,
Julie Stovall, daughter of Moon Lake’s mayor Martin Stovall escaped the custody of the Elder council while standing trial for two counts of Statue 1A violation. Her escaped caused the death of a fellow were. Julie has now been branded as a rogue were. If spotted please inform the local Luna Brotherhood via our hotline. A reward resulting in her capture will be provided.’
Betty seeing an attached photo of the fourteen year old girl in question as well as a brief rundown of her wer-mer form puts down her phone and thinks to herself.
“Stovall. Stovall. Isn’t that the family you were talking about a few days ago Alyssa?” Betty getting up, she immediately shifts into her black were-cat fursona. Stretching; she sashays to the kitchen, her tail twitching and swaying as she walks to grab a juice from her fridge. Not knowing at that instance, Alyssa Cooper was nearing her residence with the same Julie Stovall as listed in the secured email Betty just received.
******
Sheriff Douglas Cooper was in a rotten mood. Driving to the Council Building to get further details of the Were-Alert; he arrives only to see Tachibana requesting he head to the Stovall residence to pick up Martin Stovall. Grousing that he has to be a taxi service as he storms off to collect Martin; he arrives at the mayor’s residence a few minutes later.
Knocking on the door and not getting an answer; Sheriff Cooper tries the handle and sees the door is unlocked. Entering the home; Sheriff Cooper growls, as he recognizes the telltale smell of liquor induced vomit. Heading into the kitchen he see a passed out wer-mer in his stage two form, drunk as a skunk and clutching a crumpled letter.
The sheriff shakes his head dreading that the letter is a suicide note; he manages to free it from the wer-mer’s webbed hand grasp. Reading it, the sheriff is relieved that it’s not a suicide note, but shakes his head as to the contents.
“I don’t blame you for wanting to get blottoed Martin,“ Sheriff Cooper noticing the empty beer cans and a bottle of rum that has been nearly emptied; “but the council needs you. And they’ll need to see this letter.” Looking at Martin and sighing, “But first; I hope you have aspirin, cause I have one hell of a headache.”
*****
Tachibana reads the letter that the sheriff found in Martin’s hand and sighs; “what of Martin? What is his condition?”
“Passed out drunk in the back of my cruiser,” Sheriff Copper answers; “if you want him to answer questions, you are going to have to wait until he fully sobers up. I don’t envy the hangover he is going to have.”
“It’s not me that wants him to answer questions,” Tachibana getting up; “It’s Julie’s council, Brett Smithson.”
“Speaking of Julie,” Sheriff Cooper asking; “what the hell is going on? What is with the were-alert?”
“I’m sure you already know by now Sheriff Cooper,” Tachibana leading the were-grizzly from her office; “Julie committed murder in escaping the building.”
“Yeah,” the sheriff grumbles; “my dispatcher told me as well as the were-alert being issued.”
“The Luna Brotherhood is also involved,” Tachibana seeing Benton and Amanda Knight making a scene at the front entrance; “great, another migraine for you to deal with Sheriff.”
“Oh hell no,” Sheriff Cooper balking at having to deal with a ten foot were-panther and his wife; “they are your problem. Mine has to organize a search party to hunt Julie. That’s assuming she is still in town.”
“The Luna brotherhood suspect she is on her way to Seattle,” Tachibana shouting as the Sheriff walks away; “but we need to make sure first on our end!”
Tachibana storming to the security entrance in her were-vixen form snarls at the two were-panthers. Getting their attention, Tachibana growls; “what is the meaning of this?”
“What happened here Tachibana,” Benton growling; “why is a were-alert being issued?”
“Is our daughter safe,” Amanda screaming.
“Frieda is fine,” Tachibana snapping back; “so are her friends. The were-alert is because Julie Stovall escaped.”
“Ha,” Benton snorting in disgust; “your grandkit Daisuke can’t locate a guppy?”
“That guppy has committed murder in these halls,” Tachibana booming; “your brother’s girlfriend discovered the body. She is currently beside herself in shock. And to top it off, I had to summon the Luna Brotherhood!” Tachibana clearly snarling, “So excuse me if I find your jape about my grandson dropping the ball in poor taste; I have had a really shitty day so far and I’m in no mood to deal with your bullshit right now!”
Benton and Amanda look in complete shock; never before has the leader of the skulk and were-fox representative ever swore to their knowledge. Seeing that Tachibana was in no mood for an argument, Benton sighs as he is forced to back down.
“How soon will this trial be over,” Benton asking; “do Eric, Spencer and Frieda still need to be present?”
“Eric and Frieda will need to be in the council chamber when the council is ready to render its verdict,” Tachibana clutching the letter Sheriff Cooper found in Martin Stovall’s hand; “which may be in a half hour. Perhaps its best you wait with them in the common area.”