I haven't written for so long, I feel all awkward-y. And, there may be some cursing and a little bitty bit of graphic violence in here, just sayin...
And many thanks to (or laying of blame on) Tara R. from Thin Spiral Notebook for the inspiration.
Archie strolled down the sidewalk ignoring the lure of loud music leaking from the open doors of the clubs lining the street. He'd occasionally glance up at the full moon shining down on the lines of night lifers waiting their turn to get inside.
He let out a sigh, he just wasn't in the mood anymore. .
His spirits had been high as he left his basement apartment and bounded up the steps to street level dressed in his clubster's best. Tight black jeans and ab hugging red polo, his black hair artfully tousled. He was primed for a hip grinding night of dance followed, hopefully, by a light snack before heading back to hide his head in bed.
At the top of the stairs stood a pale figure, obviously waiting tor him. That was where Archie's night began to lose its luster.
"What now, Conner? Did I break another rule? Sleep too late, awaken too damn early?" He'd been in the city a couple months and had immediately stepped on the local brood's toes. Conner had become a regular bearer of criticism
"Gratch wants to see you. You haven't attended a meeting in weeks, and you're overstepping Pike's territory."
"What? Bullshit!" Archie tried to step around Conner, who moved to block him. "Okay. Look, I'll check in with Gratch in the morning. Right now, I'm hungry. Just let me get on with my night." He tried to sidestep again, "And just how much "territory" does Pike have? I haven't hit the same street twice since I've been here."
"If it's east of Talbot Street, it's Pike's. I know you're new, but at least pretend to be considerate. Play west tonight and see Gratch before you crash." Conner gave Archie's outfit a contemptuous once over. "And, dude, wear shades. Your eyes are fuckin' glowing." Conner turned his back and strode quickly away. Archie could still hear him mutter about freaking lone wolf freaks that thought they could do as they pleased.
"You invited me, asshole! And my eyes don't glow!" Archie yelled at Connor's retreating back. He regretted accepting that invitation. Nothing here had been as Conner had promised. It was all rules and checking in and don't go here, or there.
"Bullshit." Archie stubbornly headed east, toward the rising full moon.
He was met at the entrance of the first club by one of Pike's clan. "Not even, jerk. Move on." Archie left. They'd guessed he wouldn't obey and were waiting for him. He'd be outnumbered and knew it wasn't worth the risk.
He turned around and wandered more or less west. The neighborhood changed within a few blocks. He left the boisterous club life behind and found the streets lined with shops that closed before the night took over leaving only smoke filled dives and swaggering working girls. Each half block broken by unlit alleys.
The moon had reached it zenith as he crossed yet another alley. A yelp caught his attention and he stopped to listen.
"Get off ya little piece of shit!" A growl followed by cursing and another yelp piqued Archie's curiosity. He silently entered the alley. Careful to avoid the litter of trash, he made his way farther down the narrow space.
In the dim light from an open door he saw two men digging behind a dumpster at the alley's end. A pasty faced blond held a broom, a sickly thin black man had his right hand wrapped around his left wrist. The smell of fresh blood filled Archie's nostrils. His pace quickened.
The broom wielder thrust his weapon under the dumpster and pulled. A tiny, dirty ball of fur tumbled out. With a growl it headed toward the man with the smell of blood wafting from him. Before the creature could reach him, he aimed a vicious kick at its small form, rolling it across the alley to collide with the wall. The broom made contact eliciting another yelp.
"Hey! What's the deal, dudes? You got to pick on a puppy?" Archie stepped in between them and the injured animal.
"Screw off, kid. The little bastard bit me. It's dead."
Archie grabbed the growling pup by the scruff. "I'd say you provoked the poor thing. It had to defend itself, didn't it?"
"Go home, boy. This ain't your business."
"Well, I just made it my business. So back off and everything will be fine. No one gets hurt, especially the puppy."
The men looked at Archie, then each other. Blondie swung the broom, Archie yanked it from his hand, twirled it baton style then drove it through his throat. As pasty face dropped to the ground gurgling, Archie grabbed his partner before he could recover from shock and run.
"Oh shit man oh shit! I didn't see nuthin' let me go. Didn't know it was your dog so sorry man. Oh shit oh shit!"
"Oh shut up." Archie put the pup down as he grabbed slim's head, jerked it back and sunk his fangs deep into the jugular.
He drank until the heart stopped then dropped the lifeless body. Turning his attention to the blond, he found the pup grunting and growling, furiously tearing flesh from the dead man's throat wound.
"Slow down there,Turbo!" Archie picked the pup up by the scruff again, holding it at arms length as it snapped and snarled. "Dude, you'll make yourself sick gorging like that."
As the animal realized its belly really was full, it settled into Archie's arms. "Bet the Gratch's brood missed you when they decimated that lycan nest last week, huh? Damned intolerant jerks."
"Hmm, Dude or is it Dudette?" His attempt to find out and was rewarded with a growl and nip.
"Okay then." Archie glanced at the west leaning moon. "We'll just wait until we can do a diaper change to check your junk."
With the satiated pup in the crook of his arm, Archie exited the alley. The tiny werewolf lifted its nose and howled mournfully. The full moon dipped a little lower as Archie made a decision.
"I'm pretty sure rescuing you is another no-no. Well, they did say go west."
He grinned, leathery wings ripping through shirt fabric as he lofted into the air and pointed westward, following the moon. "Since you won't give me a hint, we'll go with a gender neutral name, okay?"
"Wanna see the Pacific...Robin?"
