Beasts (Quickreads Series 4)

Beasts Janet Lorimer

SERIES 1

SERIES 3

The Bad Luck Play Breaking Point Death Grip Fat Boy No Exit No Place Like Home The Plot Something Dreadful Down Below Sounds of Terror The Woman Who Loved a Ghost

Black Widow Beauty Danger on Ice Empty Eyes The Experiment Kula‘i Street Knights The Mystery Quilt No Way to Run The Ritual The 75-Cent Son The Very Bad Dream SERIES 2

SERIES 4

The Accuser Ben Cody’s Treasure Blackout The Eye of the Hurricane The House on the Hill Look to the Light! Ring of Fear Tiger Lily Code Tug-of-War The White Room

The Barge Ghost Beasts Blood and Basketball Bus 99 The Dark Lady Dimes to Dollars Read My Lips Ruby’s Terrible Secret Student Bodies Tough Girl

Development and Production: Laurel Associates, Inc. Cover Art: Black Eagle Productions

Three Watson Irvine, CA 92618-2767 Website: www.sdlback.com Copyright ©2005 by Saddleback Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher. ISBN 1-56254-738-0 Printed in the United States of America 10 09 08 07 06 05 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Ellie

Orson couldn’t stop shaking. Even after one of the police officers put a blanket around her shoulders, she was still trembling. “You’re in shock,” he told her. Then a man in a gray suit sat down beside her. “I’m Detective Ulric,” he said. “Ms. Orson, I know you’ve had a bad experience—but I need you to tell me what you saw.” Ellie gazed at him. “If I tell you, you won’t believe it,” she said. “I don’t believe it! And I’m the one who saw— it!” She shuddered. Detective Ulric gently patted her shoulder. “This brute has struck before. But you’re our only eyewitness. I must know what you saw—no matter 3

how strange your story sounds.” Ellie took a deep breath. She forced her thoughts back to what had happened less than an hour ago.

Ellie was studying to be a lab technician at the local community college. To pay her way through school, she waited tables at the Top Cat Restaurant. Tonight, just after closing, the cook had asked Ellie to haul a bag of trash out to the dumpster. Dragging the bag behind her, she’d stepped into the alley. Next to the dumpster, she saw a man bending over a figure on the ground. At first Ellie thought they were two street people. Then the standing man looked at her. Horrified by the sight of him, she screamed and ran back inside the kitchen, slamming the door shut. Then she heard a terrible roar, and the rasping 4

scritch-scritch sound of fingernails—or maybe claws—on the door. Ellie screamed again. This time, a couple of busboys came running. When they opened the door, they saw a woman lying on the ground, groaning—but the attacker was gone!

“That’s it,” she told Detective Ulric. “That’s what happened.” He was silent for a moment. Then he said, “Okay. Now I must ask you to describe the man you saw.” Ellie felt sick to her stomach. “You— you don’t understand,” she gasped. “He—it didn’t even look human.” Ulric frowned. “Just what do you mean, Miss Orson?” “I don’t know how to explain,” Ellie groaned. “He looked part human, part animal. His face was covered with hair. His eyes seemed to—well, glow. And his teeth—” She shuddered again. 5

“He had fangs,” she whispered. Glancing at the detective, Ellie could see that he was trying to picture what she’d seen. “I told you that you wouldn’t believe me,” she said. The detective turned and gazed at her. “Oh, but I do,” he assured her. Ellie stared at him in shock. “But it doesn’t make a bit of sense!” she exclaimed. “There’s no such thing as a creature that’s part animal, part human.” She thought for a moment. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the guy was wearing some kind of ugly monster disguise. Or—or maybe he was just badly deformed or . . .” Detective Ulric smiled. “I meant that I believe you think you saw someone who’s part human, part animal. But you’re right. No man could really be part animal.” He paused and his smile widened. “Now could he?” But Ellie noticed that the smile on his lips had never reached his eyes. 6

After completing his interview with Ellie, Detective Ulric drove her home. “I’ve assigned a female police officer to stay with you,” he said. “More officers will be stationed outside your building. You’ll be quite safe.” “Safe from what?” Ellie asked in surprise. “No one attacked me.” Ulric glanced at her. “We’re just trying to cover all the bases. I don’t think that thug will come after you. On the other hand, you’re our only witness. When we catch this guy—and we will—you’ll have to testify.” Ulric walked Ellie to her upstairs apartment. But when she unlocked the door, Ulric reached out and stopped her from entering. “Just to be safe, I’ll go in first,” he said. He checked the living room and kitchen. “All clear here,” he called out. Ellie was eager to get out of her uniform and into a hot shower. “I’m 7

sure everything’s fine. I always lock up tight before I leave,” she said as she headed for her bedroom. Ulric shouted at her to stop, but she had already opened the bedroom door. A big dark form with glowing red eyes was crouching near the open window! When she screamed in terror, the creature let out a roar. Detective Ulric pushed her to one side. Then he drew his gun and fired at the cowering, dark form. The creature howled in pain—then seemed to disappear out the window! Ulric hit the light switch next to the door. Seeing that indeed the room was empty, the detective cursed in anger. “He got away!” Ulric groaned. Ellie pointed to splatters of blood on the floor under the window. “It looks like you hit him,” she said. Ulric studied the drops of blood. “I don’t think he’s badly hurt,” he said. “I’m afraid the bullet just grazed him. 8

Unfortunately, his wound is likely to make him even more dangerous.” “I don’t understand how he opened the window,” Ellie said as she crossed the room. She noticed a tuft of hair—or was it fur?—caught on the window-sill. Without thinking, she closed her hand over it and shoved her hand into her pocket. “I know I locked that window before I left for work.” Ulric closed and locked the window. “Oh, you aren’t giving him enough credit,” the detective said. “This fellow is very clever. How do you think he knew where you lived?” Ellie gasped. “He followed us?” Ulric nodded. “He must have. That means he must have been hiding close by while I questioned you. I hope that scares you, Miss Orson,” he added seriously. “That fear could save your life, you know.” Ellie sank down on her bed. Her voice was shaking. “What am I going to 9

do?” she cried out. “The monster knows where I live and where I work!” “Don’t worry,” the detective said. “Tomorrow morning I’m going to see that you get out of the city for awhile. I’ll take you to a place where I know you’ll be quite safe.” Ellie thought of something as she saw him to the front door. “The blood! Are you going to take a sample to the lab? Maybe you can get some DNA from it. Then we can figure out what that creature really is.” The detective laughed. “You’ve been watching too much television,” he said. “That creature, as you call him, is most likely to be a very sick person who needs to be caught and treated.” Ellie couldn’t understand why he wasn’t eager to get the blood analyzed. Would she have to do some detective work on her own? Before she went to bed, Ellie put the tuft of hair and a note inside an 10

envelope. On the outside she wrote the name of her lab partner at school— Todd. She put the note in her purse. “Okay, Detective,” she muttered to herself, “if you won’t, I will.”

Early the next morning Ulric was putting Ellie’s suitcase in the trunk of his car. He shared the good news that the victim would soon be out of the hospital. Ellie was relieved. “Can we stop by the college?” she asked. “I need to pick up some assignments.” Ulric agreed, although he also insisted on coming in with her. Ellie got her assignments. Then, while Ulric talked to her teacher, she secretly handed the envelope to Todd. “Read this later,” she muttered. Todd nodded. Ellie was glad that he was playing along. She hoped he’d be able to do what she asked. 11

A few minutes later, Detective Ulric pulled the car away from the curb. “Where are we going?” Ellie asked. “To a safe house,” Ulric said. “I’m not going to tell you just where it is. It’s really better for you not to know.” “But I’m not the bad guy,” Ellie objected. “What harm would it do?” “You just might accidentally tell a friend,” Ulric said with a smile. “Right now we can’t afford to trust anyone.” “I really don’t think so! Why would any of my friends tell a horrible creature with fangs where I’m staying?” Ellie said sarcastically. Ulric wasn’t amused. “What makes you think the man you saw always looks like he did last night?” he asked. Ellie gazed at him in surprise. “What are you saying—that this creature can change the way he looks? But you said the attacker was most likely to be a mentally ill person!” Ulric shrugged and pretended to 12

laugh. “I’m just joking around, Miss Orson. As you said, the brute who assaulted that woman in the alley was probably wearing a disguise.” Ellie stared out the window. Joking around? This was no joking matter.

Around noon, Ulric drove up to a diner. Ellie was glad to get out of the car and stretch. “How much longer until we get there?” she asked. “Not long,” he assured her. After lunch, they drove on. When Ellie found herself nodding off, Ulric suggested she crawl into the back seat. “Why don’t you stretch out and take a nap?” he suggested. “We’ll be there by the time you wake up.” Ellie fell asleep almost at once. When she awoke, just as Ulric had said, they seemed to have arrived. Ellie sat up and looked out the window. The car was parked on what 13

looked like the main street of a small country town. She climbed out, stood up, and stretched. The crisp, cool air smelled like pine trees. Ellie glanced around. Where in the world were they? And where had Ulric gone? Why would he have left her alone in the car? “Hello, Ellie.” At the sound of her name, Ellie whirled around. A young woman about her own age was standing a few feet away. The woman had bright red hair and green eyes. Ellie had never seen her before. “Hi,” Ellie said slowly. “Uh—how do you know my name?” “Because we’ve been expecting you,” the woman said with a smile. “I’m Carolyn Russell. You must be tired after your long trip.” Ellie nodded. “And hungry, too,” she added. “You don’t happen to know where Detective Ulric is, do you?” 14

“He’s in the hotel,” Carolyn said. “You’ll be staying there, too.” “Where am I?” Ellie asked. “What’s the name of this town?” Carolyn shook her head. “Sorry, but Detective Ulric asked us not to tell you. It’s for your own good. But I can promise that you’ll be safe here.” “How does Ulric know about this place?” Ellie asked. She was beginning to feel more than a little annoyed with the secretive detective. He seemed to be going overboard on the safety issue. “Oh, Detective Ulric used to live here,” Carolyn explained. “We’re all good friends. He told us all about what happened to you. I’m awfully sorry you had such a bad scare.” Carolyn led the way into the hotel. It was small and rather old-fashioned, but Ellie noticed that it seemed clean and comfortable. A man and a woman were standing in the lobby talking to Detective Ulric. 15

When they noticed Ellie, all three of them immediately stopped talking and smiled at her. “Ellie,” Ulric said pleasantly, “I want you to meet Debra Leonard. She owns this hotel.” Debra was a tall woman with a thick mane of golden hair and a firm handshake. “Welcome, Ellie,” she said in a friendly tone. “And this is Rudi,” Ulric went on. The man called Rudi also greeted her warmly. He seemed to have the confident posture of a natural leader. “We hope you’ll be happy here,” he said. “I know this is a strange situation—but everyone here cares a lot about you. We want to keep you safe.” Ellie forced a smile. “Thank you,” she said stiffly. “May I see my room? I really want to get unpacked.” “Of course.” Debra took Ellie’s suitcase and motioned toward the staircase. “Once you get to know us, 16

you’ll be glad Detective Ulric brought you here,” Debra said as they climbed the stairs. Ellie didn’t know what to say. The more effort these strange people made to welcome her, the more uncomfortable she felt.

Ellie’s room was just as oldfashioned as the hotel lobby. Right away she noticed that there was no TV or telephone. But the bed looked comfortable and the closet was roomy. “Good thing I brought my cell phone,” Ellie thought. But when she punched in Todd’s number, the call didn’t go through. “Oh, darn! I must be out of range,” Ellie groaned. Suddenly, she felt very isolated and afraid. After she’d unpacked, Ellie went downstairs for dinner. All conversation stopped the moment she entered the crowded dining room. Everyone in the 17

room turned to stare at her. Ellie felt very self-conscious. Then Debra appeared. She showed Ellie to a table and handed her a menu. “Where’s Detective Ulric?” Ellie asked. “I hope he hasn’t left already.” Debra smiled. “He and Rudi had some business to take care of. But he plans to be in town until tomorrow.” Ellie was scanning the menu when a friendly looking young man came up to her table. “I’m Giles,” he told her. “I’ll be your waiter tonight.” “Is it my imagination?” Ellie asked. “Or am I the main attraction here?” Giles grinned. “We don’t get a lot of strangers in town,” he said. “So, yes—I guess you are the main attraction. But I hope you know that we all want you to enjoy your stay with us.” Ellie started to relax. She glanced around at the other diners and smiled. That seemed to break the ice. Before long, one by one or two by two, they 18

came up to her table and introduced themselves. “Hi! My name is Leona. I hope you’ll be happy here.” “Welcome, Ellie! I’m Colin. This is my wife, Tabitha.” “Hi, there. I’m Gavin. Glad to meet you, Ellie.” Being the center of attention was a little exhausting. But by the end of her meal, Ellie was feeling much more at home. “It must be a small-town thing,” she thought to herself. “In a big city, you can go along forever without chatting with your neighbors.”

After

finishing her dinner, Ellie went upstairs and unpacked her nightgown. She was about to climb into bed when she heard a gentle knock on the door. It was Debra. “I brought you a cup of tea,” Debra said. “I know how hard it can be to fall asleep in a strange place. I thought it 19

might relax you. It’s an herbal tea. I hope you like it.” Ellie was pleased. “It smells delicious,” she said. “Thanks!” After her long nap in the car, Ellie wasn’t sleepy. Luckily, there were several books stacked on the nightstand. One of the titles grabbed her attention. “A History of Names,” Ellie read out loud. She curled up in bed with her cup of tea and opened the book. Soon she found her own name—Ellie, short for Eleanor, meant “light.” This is fun, she thought as she looked up the names of other family members. Then she read about the names of several friends and coworkers. About a half-hour later, she began to yawn. “Maybe this oddball little town won’t be so bad after all,” she thought as she turned off the light. She was just on the edge of sleep 20

when she heard people talking outside. From down in the street she heard a hoarse voice whisper, “Be quiet! You don’t want to wake Ellie.” At the sound of her name, Ellie’s eyes snapped open. She slid out of bed and crept to the window. Staying hidden in the shadows, she peered out. The street below was filling up with a crowd of people! Ellie recognized several of the people she’d met that day. There was Debra. And Ulric! And Rudi! Ellie had no idea what was happening. Why would so many of them be gathering out in the street at night? Then Debra’s voice rose above the murmurs. “Keep your voices down,” she said quietly but firmly. “No more talking until we get to the clearing.” “Didn’t you give her something to make her sleep?” Rudi asked. “No, just a cup of tea,” Debra answered. “My special herbal tea.” 21

When several people chuckled at that remark, Debra glanced up at Ellie’s window. Ellie drew back just in time to stay hidden. Then, without another word, Debra and Rudi led the growing crowd of townspeople down the street. Ellie grabbed a pair of jeans and a sweater, and quickly dressed. She was angry with herself for drinking the tea. For all I know they may be trying to poison me, she thought to herself. But, so far, she felt okay. Ellie resolved to be strong—no matter what. I’m going to find out what’s going on, she said to herself.

Ellie

tiptoed through the empty hotel and out to the street. She hung back in the shadows, keeping her distance behind the crowd. At the end of the main street, the townspeople followed a path into the 22

woods. At first Ellie felt nervous about walking in the woods at night. But her very life might be at stake! She took comfort from the full moon that lit the path with silvery light. For some reason the people up ahead seemed excited, even joyful. It was as if something special was going to happen. Shortly after entering the woods, Ellie saw everyone stopping at a clearing. She ducked down behind a screen of bushes to watch. Someone had lit a bonfire, and the people talked and laughed as they grouped themselves around it. Then, as if they could hear music, they began to dance around the fire. Faster and faster they went, leaping and twisting as if to some strange wild tune. When the fire leaped, the people cried out in joy, leaping even higher. To Ellie, they looked like unearthly black shadows outlined against the red-gold blaze. Then, to Ellie’s horror, a curious 23

thing happened. One by one, bit by bit, the people began to change. A head of hair became a mane. A human face became a muzzle. Ears grew longer, eyes glowed, and hands turned into paws, hooves, and talons! Within a few moments the clearing was filled with animals—bears, foxes, lions, deer, strange-looking birds, and wolves! Ellie clapped her hand over her mouth to keep from crying out. No wonder Ulric wanted to get his only eyewitness out of the city! He was one of these shape-changers. And so was the man-beast who’d attacked the woman in the alley.

Ellie

backed away from the screen of bushes. She turned and ran to the empty hotel. When she reached her room, she threw herself across the bed and tried to think. 24

Detective Ulric was not her friend; he was the enemy. Only Todd might be able to help her now—but how could she get in touch with him? By the time her classmate realized that something was wrong, it would be too late. Discouraged as she was, an idea came to her. Grabbing the book of names, Ellie searched for the names of people she’d met today. Carolyn Russell! Russell meant ‘red fox.’ Debra Leonard! Leonard meant ‘lionlike.’ And Rudi! His name meant ‘famous wolf.’ Feeling sick with despair, Ellie threw the book across the room. She was trapped! Then a sudden sound out in the street broke through her thoughts. She tiptoed to the window and looked down. The glowing red eyes of the monster she was trying to escape were gazing up at her window!

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On instinct, Ellie unlocked her door and started to sneak down the stairs. There had to be a way out the back—maybe through the kitchen. But the brute seemed to be reading her thoughts. Just as she reached the lobby, he burst through the front door! Ellie bolted back up the stairs, ran to her room, and locked the door. A moment later she heard the sound of claws scratching on the wooden stairs. Then she heard a low growl and the same clawing sound on her door. Whimpering, Ellie drew back to the window. She studied the distance between the window and the street. Maybe she could do it. Or maybe not. It was a long drop. The scratching became a pounding. Then the monster howled in fury and threw himself against the door. Ellie saw the wood begin to splinter! She knew she had only two choices: Die in 26

this room or possibly die in the street. She climbed onto the windowsill just as the door began to give way. Waiting as long as she dared, she let her legs, then her whole body, dangle from the windowsill. She was trying to gather enough courage to make the drop when she heard the hinges break off the door. Closing her eyes, she counted to three and let go. She fell into a pair of strong arms.

When her eyes snapped open, Ellie was staring into the smiling face of Detective Ulric. “You!” she gasped. “You’re okay, Ellie,” he told her. “I promised that you’d be safe.” Ellie struggled until he put her down. Once on her feet, she backed away—into the middle of a crowd! Apparently, all the townspeople had returned from the forest. This is it, Ellie thought. There’s no 27

escape. I don’t care what Ulric says! These people are going to kill me. Looking around, Ellie spotted her lab partner at the edge of the crowd! “Todd!” she cried out. “Thank goodness you’re here. But be careful—” Then she gasped. His eyes glowed yellow in the darkness! Ellie moaned with fear. Her last hope had vanished. But what have I got to lose? she thought to herself. I won’t go down without a fight! She gritted her teeth and glared at the crowd. “I followed you all into the forest!” she exclaimed. “I watched you—all of you. I saw what you became.” She spat out the last words. Ulric shook his head gently. “It’s not what you think, Ellie. We’re just—” A sudden, deep growling sound made them all look up. The monster was leaning out Ellie’s window. Ulric pushed Ellie toward Debra. “Take care of her,” he snapped. “We—” 28

He motioned to several others. “—have to take care of this.” Debra tried to lead Ellie toward the edge of the crowd, but Ellie fought back. “No! You must tell me what that creature is,” she demanded. “—and what you are, too.” “Of course, Ellie. We’ll explain everything,” Debra promised. “But first we have to deal with Luard.” Ellie frowned. “Luard? Are you talking about the monster? You sound as if you know him.” Debra nodded. “We do. He’s one of us, Ellie. But something went wrong during one of his changes. For some reason, he couldn’t complete it. Poor Luard got trapped between human form and wolf form. Being unable to go backward or forward has driven him mad. Now—” Her eyes filled with tears. Ellie was stunned. “What will you do to him?” she asked. 29

“Luard needs treatment,” Debra said. “It will take time, but we’re sure we’ll be able to help him.” Ellie stared at Debra in wonder. “What? You aren’t going to kill him?” she asked in amazement. Debra shook her head. “Oh, we couldn’t do that, Ellie. Luard is a good friend. Yes, he’s done some terrible things—but his poor mind is quite disturbed. We don’t destroy friends who are ill.” Ellie couldn’t stop staring at Debra. Just a short time ago the blonde had been a sleek lioness. Yet even now, there was something different about the way she held herself. Ellie could tell that somewhere inside Debra the lioness was there, waiting to come out. “What are you people?” Ellie asked. “We’re shape-changers,” Debra said. “I know you’ve heard stories about werewolves. They’re shapechangers, too—humans who can turn 30

themselves into wolves. All around the world there are stories about people who can turn themselves into different kinds of animals—tigers and lions, birds and deer, bears and foxes.” “I—I thought those stories were all made up,” Ellie sputtered. Debra smiled. “Most all people have an animal inside, Ellie. Just think about how we describe each other: As timid as a mouse. As brave as a lion. As stubborn as a mule . . .” Ellie was shocked. “And Detective Ulric?” she said. “What is he?” “The name Ulric means ‘wolf,’” Debra explained. “Yes, he’s a shapechanger—but, like many others, he chooses to live in the city. Todd does, too. Todd’s a fox, by the way.” Ellie slumped against the wall, all the fight draining out of her. “Now that I know your secret, what are you going to do with me?” she asked wearily. “Are you going to treat 31

me the way you plan to treat Luard?” Debra laughed. “Oh, good grief, no! You’re already one of us, Ellie! Your change will come soon. Whatever animal you become was always in you, waiting to come out. The special tea I gave you smooths the transition by helping you relax.” “No way!” Ellie snapped. “I am not a shape-changer. I am not—” Then the strangest feeling came over her. It was as if something inside of her was struggling to get out. Her body seemed to be stretching and pulling and pushing and— Ellie tried to cry out, but she couldn’t make a sound. She could only hear Debra saying, “Did you happen to look up your own name, Ellie? Your last name? Orson means ‘the bear.’”

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