Oh! A rough voice bellowed, and one of the bodies stirred. Marianne dropped to the trunk of a tree, but continued to follow the people around the fire. Now it was impossible to call them just people. Although, one might say, they were not even before that.
How long I have been waiting for this moment!
The hunter who said this stretched out and squared his shoulders. Marianne saw his face in horror. It looked like a wolfs face. An elongated nose, protruding teeth and large eyes. And everywhere on the face there is wool!
The largest of the three coughed. And it sounded like a muffled bark. Then he crawled to the fire.
The meat is not ready yet! Nero shouted at him.
The answer was a drawn-out growl.
Not ready? Asked Pontius. Now just something to chew. Teeth itch. No urine to wait!
You will scratch soon! Nero grinned. I would have killed this girl myself, if not for the agreement.
Marianne stared at the painting by the fire in mute daze. Hunters in white camouflage appeared before him in a new guise. Werewolves. The loose clothing did not give a complete picture of their bodies, but Marian could see the claws on their hands. Judging by the changed voices, the metamorphosis affected the throat, and therefore the entire body. At the same time, the mind of the werewolves was not affected, as well as the memory. Instincts Marianne could only guess, but it seems they have become wolf. Otherwise, why are these words about teeth?
Look, Pontius said with a cheerful tone. Our kitty seems to be scared.
Yeah, Nero agreed. He walked away from the fire and disappeared from sight.
Footsteps were heard, then a metallic clang. Nero returned to Mariannes line of sight, but was still alone.
Everything is good. Kisa will not run free. And now, maybe, the desire will diminish.
Various terrible thoughts swarmed in Mariannes head. Others made my heart groan in pain. He tried to see where Junia was.
He began to make his way to the place where Nero had gone. The problem is that there were fresh traces. It was necessary to seize the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Nero. But the risk of being noticed is too great. Marianne made up his mind. He will retire twenty steps from the fire and only then will he come to the place where Junia is.
The young man began to slowly walk around the werewolves, all the while remaining in the shade of the trees and trying to make out the girl. She must be very close, or Nero would not have returned so soon. Marianne looked closely. Snow, trees, snow again
There was something else between the trees.
Meanwhile, a lively conversation was resumed, word by word, by the fire. Nero enthusiastically recounted:
I chose an observation post by the lake. Everything is visible at a glance. All I did was glance into the thermal imager. I look, there is something warm on the ice. I drove to the goal. And there is. Here are the footprints in the snow. And here is Miss Claire herself!
Marianne held his breath.
Hes talking about Juniya!
In short, you sat and did nothing! And we chased with Pontius all over the area!
Why nothing? I caught the girl! You have to move your brains, Ersus. I noticed a good spot and waited in ambush, I shouted rudely at my friend Nero and stirred the meat on the fire.
Wait? Lying in the snow and taking time off from searches. And he sent us to these screams.
Pontius looked towards Marianne.
Okay, things got off the ground, and thats good.
I want to eat! How much longer? howled almost plaintively Ersus.
Wait. Just a little bit left. Nero examined the pieces of food on the spit and waved away the smoke.
You, of course, caught her with a net? Pontius asked Nero. The girl.
Yes, with a net. She darted on the ice in different directions. A cat is a cat. One accurate shot from the gun and the kitty is caught.
Great! exclaimed Pontius.
Anyone can do that on a snowmobile, Nero. Just try to keep up on foot, said Pontius. The main thing is the snowmobile. And you, frankly, were lucky that you even looked into the thermal imager.
No. The main thing here is to wait for the moment. Nero missed the reproach in his address. He liked to talk about his hunting merits. Now he turned to Ersus. If you miss, there will be no second chance, no. I have everything thought out. I come in from the left side. The girl shies aside like a rabbit. I taxied and squeezed on the right side. And Im already taking aim. I know where. And, of course, she again sharply to the side.
Then I shoot. I even slowed down and released the steering wheel. In order not to miss the mark, I hold the shooter with both hands.
Ersus took something out of his bag and began to chew, glancing towards the fire. The story did not interest him. Then he said:
I can not wait any more. It is very tasty and raw!
He reached out to the spit and cast a sidelong glance at Nero. He looked at the meat, swallowed and said:
Damn you. Let me myself! And then again you chop off the biggest piece for yourself!
And the werewolves were moving around the fire, feeding themselves food.
Marianne took advantage of this moment and walked quite close to the shapeless dark spot. There were only ten steps between them.
By the tree sat, curled up, a figure barely visible in the shadows. She seemed small and thin against the background of this stately old forest and completely defenseless next to these rude men.
Junia. She was tied to a tree, her hands tied. From under the jacket of the school hood, a pair of eyes looked at Marianne. The girl was scared and trembling. A black chain could be seen at her feet and then on the tree trunk.
Junia shuddered and sighed softly. She saw Marianne. This faint exclamation was heard by the fire, because Nero loudly and rudely shouted in their direction:
Sit still! Ill bite your neck myself if youre going to arrange a circus here!
Marianne stepped back behind the tree and in time. Approaching footsteps were heard. Then there was silence, only the crackle of branches in the fire. Marianne bent down to the ground. Will they notice him or not? Narrow shadows slid past the tree behind which Marianne stood. Then a satisfied Hehe flew to the ears! Marianne peered out cautiously, trying to gauge his chances of being discovered. Nero shone his flashlight on Juniya.
He seemed to admire his prey. A thin girl tied to a tree.
Sit-sit. And dont rock the boat! Nero spoke deliberately affectionately.
What are you missing there? shouted one of the hunters around the fire.
Nero turned reluctantly, but did not have time to answer. A wolf howl sounded over the trees. He walked from afar. Nero hurried to the fire, froze at the very flame and, raising his head, listened. His friends also listened to the howl, but it was repeated only once.
Not early? Nero worried and looked at his watch.
The moon has already risen, Pontius said. Maybe someone decided to clear his throat and thats all?
Howl answered another, who came a little closer.
Nero dropped the flashlight and took out his radio.
Welcome, says Invisible Five. Will the big hunt start at seven? Answer!
Pontius opened a folded sheet of paper and peered at it carefully. Meanwhile, the howl was repeated.
Were in the Four Dis. Ta-a-ak. Howl was from here and somewhere here.
Pontius opened a folded sheet of paper and peered at it carefully. Meanwhile, the howl was repeated.
Were in the Four Dis. Ta-a-ak. Howl was from here and somewhere here.
Welcome, this is Invisible Five. Were in the Four Dis. Will the big hunt start at seven? Weve heard the callsigns.
Nobody answered him.
It all fits, Pontius said, turning the map to Nero. You see, they moved north. Everything was as agreed.
But Nero did not glance at the map Pontius held out.
The hunt has begun, Pontius repeated, shaking his map.
I see, and earlier for two whole hours! Idiots! said Nero.
You are always dissatisfied with everything. Relax and lets enjoy the Hunt. Put the radio aside. Now she is not needed. Nobody will answer. Now everything is offline.
Pontius lifted his head and uttered first a guttural wheeze, then a powerful loud sound. Howl.
Nero turned sharply to the howling comrade, swung, wanted to argue something, but silently threw the radio into his backpack. Ersus chuckled softly and howled too. But he didnt do it so loudly. Yersuss howl was uneven and short.
We are already in the Hunt! He grunted contentedly and cleared his throat.
I have other plans now, said Nero, packing his things into his backpack.
Ersus looked at his comrade with interest.
I will deliver the captive where necessary, and I will get much more pleasure from it than from your Hunt, and not only, Nero grinned under his breath. Come on, take part in the Hunt.
Great, I didnt want to miss such an event, Ersus was delighted, apparently, he was not tempted to mess with the captive. When he heard the howl, all perked up and looked discontentedly in the direction of Junia.
And put in a word about us. Were on your team, Pontius asked. It is not for nothing that we ran through the woods here.
Yeah, we are your friends, supported comrade Ersus.
Nero nodded.
Yes, friends, he grunted, not quite satisfied, then turned and pointed a finger at Pontius. Keep your walkie-talkie with you, okay?
But its forbidden to use any of these new things on the Great Hunt! objected Pontius.
Ill call you as soon as I deal with this kitty. Once Im within earshot, youll answer. Got it?
Okay, Pontius agreed and put the radio back in his pocket.
Ersus looked at his friends and smiled contentedly. Then he tried to howl again, but coughed.
Marianne, taking advantage of the new care of the Werewolves, crept up on Junia. She watched his every careful step closely. Marianne touched the girls hands. They were cold and were tied tightly with a rope. He loosened the knot a little. These fetters were not difficult, but it was impossible to remove the heavy metal chain that encircled the girls waist.
Castle, the girl whispered, barely discernible, touching a heavy object on a chain at the roots of a tree with her foot.
Ill save you, Marianne said almost with his lips. The same eyes that he remembered were looking at him. Only now they seemed to Marianne a little different.
Junia is a werewolf! Cat werewolf!
The girl kept her head a little to one side, as if she were embarrassed by her appearance, but when Marianne bent down to her, she straightened. Junia saw that Marianne was just like her. Also with feline features.
I will help you, everything will be fine. Just wait, whispered Marianne and jumped back into the shadows, returning in his tracks. Then he took refuge with the folded things between the trees. It was a risky act, but Marianne couldnt think of anything better.
And how are you going now? Its not easy with wolf paws, Pontius asked.
Not the first time. Ill finish. Ill be there by morning. And there my hands will return. And dont be stupid, take your guns with you, Nero said, kicking his backpack.
Dont be insulted, okay? put in Ersus.
By the way, guns are not by the rules, Pontius said. I try to honor the traditions of the Hunt. If the Wolf Council finds out
We have net shooters, said Ersus. Why carry an extra load with you?
Pontius nodded and continued:
And I can not shoot from a gun with this, showed an outstretched palm and nodded at the backpack. And I dont want it to rub my back.
Yes, not according to the rules, Nero, repeated Ersus. Again we will get it because of your cunning.
Nero, meanwhile, fiddled with his backpack, pulled out a gun. It was uncomfortable to hold him in his hands with his claws. Nero took it between his teeth, but immediately threw it away.
Well, to hell with you. Im worried about both of you! And for the success of the business. And you and the net shooters are going to Wolf Mountain? Well done!
The comrades made no objection. Ersus sat closer to the fire and looked at the flame. Pontius scratched his leg with his claws.
Looking at the Werewolves by the fire and making sure they were busy with their packing, Marianne crept up to the outermost of the snowmobiles, pulled the hood. He gave way, revealing the inner tie rods and a small plastic reservoir. Marianne didnt know if it was for oil or fuel, but the idea of throwing snow at him seemed great. Marianne slowly unscrewed the lid of the tank, holding the hood with his other hand (the sharp smell of gasoline hit his nose), then threw a handful of snow inside, scooped up more with his palm.
Melting snow will disable the snowmobile
Marianne was sure of it. At least I hoped very much. Footsteps were heard. They headed straight for the awning. Marianne, in a panic, somehow attached the tank lid, quickly pulled his hand and returned the hood to its place. The footsteps stopped.
What is it? Nero asked sharply. Do you smell it?
Marianne backed away, cuddling as low as possible to the snow.
The werewolves must have sniffed. There was silence. Marianne quietly crawled further and further, then turned behind a tree and froze.
Gasoline, said Ersus.
Nero appeared under the awning, froze by the snowmobile.
Yeah, gasoline. Nero examined the snowmobile, throwing the hood open with a crash. Who didnt screw the lid down to the end? She can barely hold on. Hence the smell.
Ersus and Pontius exchanged glances. Ersus shrugged his shoulders.
This is your scooter. You know best, Pontius replied.
Is the tank leaking? asked Ersus.
No, the tank is all right. The lid is barely screwed on. Nero walked over to the other snowmobile and removed the canister from the trunk.
Just in case, Ill refuel. No, though. The tank is almost full. Nero looked at the fuel gauge. There was a dull sound. Marianne tried not to breathe and listened to what the oolki were doing. They could smell it, but now the smell of gasoline spread in the air like a sickening curtain. Nero fiddled with the snowmobile for another minute, then pushed it out from under the shed. I inserted my gun into a special cover located under the steering wheel.
Now, in the vacant space formed under the canopy, the tree behind which Marianne was hiding was perfectly visible.
Marianne waited for the Werewolves to talk about something again, and quickly climbed up the tree.
From a height of five meters, he looked down, tried to make out the werewolves. Two by the fire. One is missing. Nero has gone somewhere.
You will jerk, you will run behind on a leash, heard Marianne a disgusting voice.