The Protectors

roy sat with pack members at a conference table in his office. He had a stack of papers four inches thick in front of him. He put a hand on it.

“Well, we’ve had a week for each of us to go through this. Carlo wouldn’t have left us these notes in his will if they weren’t important.”

“I couldn’t make much out them,” John said.

“It looks like they may have something to do with genetics,” Hannah said.

“Yeah. That’s possible,” Miriam chimed in.” Didn’t Carlo say he was trying to develop a serum to cure Lycanthropy?

“Lycanthropy?” Kevin asked. “What’s that?”

Hannah turned to Kevin. “Lycanthropy is the scientific term for werewolfism.”

“Yes,” Tom said. “Carlo said something about that, but we don’t have the backgrounds to know if that’s what these notes are about. Hannah’s a nurse and all she can say is that they might involve genetics. In short, we’re stumped. We may never find out.”

Barry looked at Troy. “There’s one thing we might try, if Troy is willing.”

“I’ve been thinking about it,” Troy responded. “But I haven’t seen her in almost a year.

“Who’s that?” Kevin asked.

“Two years ago,” Tom said. “Troy saved a woman named Barbara Lane.”

“That’s the woman I told you about the other day,” Troy noted.

“He didn’t do it as a wolf,” Tom continued. “He was in human form and saw two guys trying to pull her into their van. He beat the two guys senseless and called the police. Then, he took Barbara to the emergency room to be sure she was all right. They  started seeing each other and … well, I think you understand.”

Troy sighed. “She was beautiful, brilliant, witty. I’ve never been so attracted to anyone. We fell in love, but, as I told you, I ended the relationship.”

Kevin looked puzzled. “What’s that got to do with the notes?”

“She a microbiologist,” Troy said. “Does a lot of research on genetics.”

Kevin’s eyes widened. “She might be able to interpret the notes.”

“Correct. But I’m reluctant to contact her. I’m afraid we’d pick up where we left off.”

“Couldn’t you control your emotions?” Miriam asked.

“I don’t know. I’m really drawn to her.”

“It’s worth a try.”

The others gesture their agreement.

Julia stood. “Well, I don’t. If he doesn’t want to see her, that’s it. Why are you all badgering him?”

“It could help us, that’s why,” Tom said. “Maybe it’s a cure. Who knows? It’s worth a shot at getting a normal life.”

Julia shook her head. “I still think you’re wrong to push him. He wasn’t the same for months after he broke up with her.”

Tom stared at Julia. “Why are you so upset about this?”

“I’m not upset. I just don’t think we should force him to do something he doesn’t want to.”

“It’s okay, Julia,” Troy said. “Tom’s right. It could help us. All right, I’ll call her tonight.”