Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2017 02:41:48 +0000 From: Pony Boy1984 Subject: The Haunting of Cabin 13: Chapter 5 "A Crash of Lightning" Disclaimer: All acts depicted in the following story are strictly fictional and consensual. Please help support Nifty by donating. http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html Nifty Stories Archive Donation donate.nifty.org Donation information for the Nifty Stories Archive The Haunting of Cabin 13 By Ponyboy1984 Chapter 5 – A Crash of Lightning Tommy ran the stem of a white rose down the length of Billy's chest. His friend twitched several times before his eyelids began to flutter. The strong aroma of a rose filled Billy's nose and accelerated his ascent to awareness. "Come on, Billy. It's time to get up," Tommy whispered into his ear. "Uh, quit it!" Billy replied. Tommy turned the rose around, allowing its delicate petals to brush across Billy's smooth flesh. The boy giggled in response, a smile appearing on his face. "Come on, we got archery practice," Tommy said, before turning his attention to Tad in the top bunk. Billy forced himself to sit up, despite his desire to fall back to sleep. He glances out the window to see the sliver of orange emerging from beneath the horizon. "Ugh, what time is it?" "It's five-thirty," Tommy replied. "Why are we up so early?" "So we have privacy." Billy raised an eyebrow, a wry grin crossing his face. "Alright, I'm getting up." He made no effort to hide his morning erection and suspected things would work themselves out. Tommy looked down with a smile as he woke up Tad in a similar manner. The trio carefully crept out of the cabin, not wishing to wake the others, boys. While the air felt laden with moisture, there was a crisp breeze blowing across the cool lake that felt good on their exposed flesh. A crescendo of bird calls from the surrounding pines competed with their footfalls that echoed down the trail. "What if there is someone there?" Billy asked. "Don't worry. That's why we're going so early," Tommy replied. Billy felt some relief to find the archery range empty, he took the time to look down the main trail to make sure he saw no sign of the other campers or counselors approaching. "Stop worrying," Tommy assured his companions. Billy unlocked the equipment cabinet and dispensed bows and a quiver of arrows to the others. Tommy wasted no time in shedding his ragged, cutoff jeans, tossing them to the bench without concern. Tad followed suit, pulling down his gym shorts, exposing his bare body before putting on the leather wrist guard. "Safety first," he said, winking at Billy. His companion blushed, reluctantly pulling down his shorts after carefully surveying the surrounding forest for voyeurs. "Yeah, safety first," he replied sheepishly. The boys approached the firing line and took their first few practice shots. Billy's eyes would wander between the target, his friends and the trail in the distance. "Focus on the target and nothing but the target. Nothing else exists," Tommy said. Easy for you to say, Billy thought to himself. He closed his eyes for a moment and tried to purge all his concerns from his mind before refocusing on the target and taking a shot. "Good, but remember to account for the wind off the lake," Tommy said to the others. Billy led his shot into the wind, pulling the bowstring back before letting another arrow fly. He didn't need to see where the arrow hit, the dull thunk in the distance indicated he solidly hit the target. A smile crossed his face as he let go of his concerns and lost himself in the moment. There was only the visceral feel of a drawn bow, the whistling of an arrow in the air and the inevitable sound of a target struck. It brought a satisfied smile to his face. "I'm out of arrows," Tad said. "Alright, all stop. Let's retrieve our arrows," Billy replied, trying to hold on to a veneer of responsibility. Tommy grinned, placing his bow on the ground beside the others. After retrieving their arrows, replenishing their quivers, the trio returned to the line. "Alright, time to add an extra challenge," Tommy said. Billy didn't need to ask what his friend had in mind, as his cock immediately began swelling in excitement. "Take up your weapon and remember that there is only you and the target," Tommy instructed. Tad knelt behind Billy, wasting no time pressing his hot, wet tongue into Billy's hole. Tommy knelt in front of Tommy and began by running his tongue along Billy's now hard shaft. "Live in the moment. Don't worry about what happened before and what may happen in the future. There is just you and your target," Tommy added, before allowing Billy's cock to disappear into his mouth. "Oh, God," Billy whimpered as pleasure washed over his body. However, he looked down the field and focused on the target. It's just me and the target, he thought to himself as he drew the bowstring back and let his arrow fly. The result was a satisfying hollow thud indicating he had found his target. By the time he had fired off several more shots, Tad was now standing behind him, allowing his four-inch cock to slip into Billy's tight boy hole. "Yes, do it!" Billy pleaded as he took aim at the bullseye. He quickly learned to release the bowstring between Tad's gentle thrusts inside him. Despite the waves of pleasure and gentle moans, he did not look at either of his lovers. Instead, he saw only the hordes of armored Persians in their flowing red robes and bronze armor that glistened in the dawn's light. He aimed at his target and fired at the advancing column. Each shot growing closer and closer to the bullseye before those waves of pleasure yielded to an intense orgasm, his cum spurting into Tommy's mouth. This, in turn, drove Tad over the edge, spurting his own adolescent seed deep inside Billy's quivering hole. Tommy took Billy's bow and walked to the line. He glanced back at Billy and winked, "My turn." Billy knelt in front of his friend, taking the boy's four inches into his mouth, swirling his tongue along the shaft. Tad knelt down behind Tommy and pressed his tongue into his hole, flicking it in and out. Tommy moaned in approval, drawing his bowstring and firing methodically at the target. Each arrow pierced in and around the bullseye in a tight cluster. After a few moments, Tommy arched his back and filled Billy's mouth with cum, which he swallowed eagerly. "You're getting better, Billy," Tommy said. Billy wasn't sure whether he was referring to archery or giving blowjobs, but he was happy to receive the compliment none the less. "It's getting late, we should probably retrieve the arrows and get going," Tad said. "Wait, there's one more arrow left," Billy observed, taking one of the bows back into his possession. Tommy grinned, taking a step back and nodding in approval. Billy closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath before opening his eyes once again. Just me and the target, he thought to himself as he drew back and let his arrow fly. This time he did not hear the corresponding hollow sounding thwack of striking a bale of hay. No, this sound was quite different. It was the sound of splitting wood. Billy's eyes widened when he realized he split Tommy's arrow at the bullseye. "Holy shit, nice shot!" Tad exclaimed. Tommy rubbed Billy's bare, slender shoulders. "Now what did I tell you!" As the boys walked to retrieve the arrows, the smile, and the color gradually drained from Tommy's face. "Wrong, it's all wrong," he whispered. "What's the matter?" Tad asked in concern. The boy staggered for a moment, as the others helped him to the ground. "Your skin is really cold and clammy," Billy observed. "I don't know...It's just... Not right. Nothing about this feels right," he said without making eye contact with anyone. Billy wasn't sure if Tommy was referring to the archery contest, their nudity or something else. There is something serious bugging him, Billy thought to himself. "You can tell us anything, Tommy. We're here for you," Billy said. Tommy looked up and smiled at Billy. "You guys are the best. You know that right?" Billy and Tad blushed as they helped Tommy back to his feet. "I'm sorry guys. It's just like there should have been someone else here with us." "Who should have been here, Alex?" Tad asked, casting a sidelong glance at Billy. "No...Derek." Now it was Billy's turn to look back at Tad. "What do you mean? I don't think Derek..." "Not that Derek!" Tommy snapped, before falling silent. He looked down at the ground and shook his head. "It can't be him. That's not possible," he said, shaking his head. "I'm sorry he couldn't be here, Tommy. I wish I could make it better," Billy said. Tommy brushed his fingers gently across Billy's face. "I meant what I said. You guys are the best. I just feel like all of this has...nevermind. It's not important. I'm just being stupid." Billy decided to drop the subject, even though Tad gave him a look. The boys gathered up their equipment and stowed the equipment before retrieving their clothing. The color gradually returned to Tommy's complexion. "There, didn't I tell you how great this would be?" Billy giggled, "Yes, you were right. This was awesome!" Tad nodded, "I never would have imagined how...free this would make me feel." "Now you guys understand," Tommy replied. The boys returned to the cabin just in time for Derek's alarm clock to sound off. Billy and Tad decided to withhold their early morning activities from the other boys, though Alex sported a knowing grin. Billy couldn't help but detect a similar look from Derek and wondered just how much the man really knew about their activities. ... The morning heat rose much quicker than the previous mornings and gave rise to billowing white clouds that periodically blocked the sun. The high-pitched squeal of June bugs and cicadas seemed to swell with the heat. The dining hall likewise was abuzz with the excited chatter of boys, the clanking of ceramic plates and the sound of kitchen utensils dropping to the floor and echoing around the room. The scent of bacon and eggs excited their senses and seemed to resonate positively with Billy's senses. "Man, I am starving!" "Oh? Did we have a strenuous morning?" Derek asked. Billy's face flushed bright red. He kept his eyes glued to his plate as the man surveyed the buffet before him. "Uh, what do you mean?" Derek laughed, "You earned the equipment key for the archery range, did you not?" "Oh, right...that. Uh, yes we had a good practice." "So, are your skills improving?" Derek asked. "M-m-my s-skills at w-w-what?" "What do you think? Archery." "Yes, he's getting much better," Tad interjected, trying to save his now stuttering friend. "What skills did you think I meant?" Derek asked, shrugging his shoulders. "Sorry, Sir. I'm half asleep. My brain isn't working yet," Billy replied, looking up at the man to give him a smile. Derek looked right into Billy's eyes and smiled. "That's alright. I'm glad you're having a good time." Oh my God, he knows. He knows! Billy thought to himself. The knot that had begun forming in his stomach suddenly released. Billy looked up and flashed the man a dimpled grin. I think I like him knowing. "Come on guys, get a move on. I'm a growing boy!" Sammy said. The others laughed, and soon the boys of Cabin 13 were seated at their bench and devouring their morning bounty. As the boys finished their meal, the camp director walked to the front of the room and turned on his wireless microphone. Without any prompting, the boys immediately began shouting, "Announcements! Announcements! Announcements! The director smiled and waited for the boys to finish their chorus. "Goodmorning, boys. I have just a couple announcements for you this morning. It wouldn't be a summer at Camp Lakeside without some thunderstorms. The National Weather Service is forecasting the chance of severe thunderstorms late today. If you hear the siren sound, return to your cabin immediately because a thunderstorm is on the way. Fortunately, it should be late in the day, so we should get in most of our activities. Speaking of activities, while Lakeside doesn't have a formal competition, we do have an informal competition tomorrow. This competition includes swimming, rowing, climbing, and archery. I'm putting this signup sheet on the bulletin board. Please print your name and cabin number if you want to participate. The competition begins tomorrow afternoon, so today is your last chance to get in some practice." After a few other announcements, the director pinned the signup sheet to the bulletin board and returned to the office. The swell of excited chatter was immediate upon the director leaving the room. At first, none dare approach the empty signup sheet. Instead, the boys actively conspired with one another, taking inventory of their skills and trying to convince one another to participate. It would be Greg of Cabin 10 and his comrades who would print their names on the sheet first. Greg approached Cabin 13's table, glaring at Billy before gesturing toward the signup sheet. "Don't let him psyche you out, Billy," Tad warned. "We can kick Cabin 10's ass!" Sammy assured the others. Derek cleared his throat before addressing the boys, "This is an unofficial competition. There are no trophies or awards. It's just for fun, not a competition between cabins." It's totally a competition between cabins, Billy thought to himself. He couldn't help but glance back at Cabin 10's table and made eye contact with Greg. I'm not going to let him psyche me out. It's exactly what he wants. "I'm going to sign up for climbing and archery," Billy declared. "Fuck, yeah!" Sammy shouted. "Sammy! Language!" Derek warned. Sammy's freckles flared, "Sorry, Derek. Alex and I will sign up for swimming!" Alex laughed, "Oh, am I?" "Yes! You have no choice," Sammy replied. "Oh, alrighty then. I guess I'll be signing up for swimming and rowing," Alex responded, before messing up Sammy's hair. "Well, I figure Alex will need a partner for rowing and Billy will need one for Archery," Tommy said. "What about me?" Jeffy asked, feeling left out. "You don't have to participate if you don't want to, Jeffy," Derek said. "But, I want to!" Jeffy said. "Are you the same Jeffy I met four days ago?" Derek teased. Jeffy nodded, "Damn right!" Derek raised his eyebrows, "Language, young man." He called me young man. I'm not a little kid anymore!, Jeffy thought to himself. As if reading his mind, Derek asked, "What would you like to compete in? Which one did you enjoy the most?" Jeffy took a moment to consider his options, "I'd like to do climbing and rowing." "You really want to climb the monolith?" Sammy asked. "Yeah, if someone can help me practice today," Jeffy replied. Billy placed his hand on Jeffy's shoulder, bringing a smile to the boy's face. "I'm going to practice during the free activity period. You can come with me if you want." "I'd like that, thank you," Jeffy replied. "Tad, would you like to row with Jeffy?" Derek asked. "Sure, I'd love to," Tad responded. "Well, go signup for the events," Derek said. The boys scrambled to the front of the dining hall, lining up behind Cabin 7 to signup for the various events. After the boys had filed out the door, Greg and Sean emerged from the bathroom. Greg glanced around the room before proceeding to the signup sheet and pulling out another piece of paper. Greg held the paper against the signup sheet and carefully traced Tad's signature from the sheet. "What's that for?" Sean asked. "Oh, you'll see. For now, just concentrate on kicking their asses tomorrow. Everything else will fall into place tomorrow night," Greg replied. ... Jeffy stopped to look up at the monolith and shuddered. "Are you sure want to do this?" Billy asked. The boy nodded his head without taking his eyes off the climbing wall, "The other one is too easy now." "This one is a lot tougher though." Jeffy turned to look at Billy, "The other one is for little kids. I'm a young man now!" Billy chuckled softly and messed up Jeffy's hair, "Yeah, I know. Well, no point in just staring at the wall, right?" "Nope, let's do it!" Jeffy said. Billy walked up to the counselor and asked if Jeffy could go up the wall alongside him. The man agreed and immediately began placing Jeffy into the harness while Billy equipped himself. Once he was satisfied that both boys were safely secured in their climbing gear, he stepped back to hold the safety line. "Now, you have to watch where you're putting your feet. Some of those stones are loose and just spin when you put any weight on them," Billy warned. Jeffy nodded his head as he began his ascent. Billy patiently waited for Jeffy to find his footing and push himself up a couple feet at the time. "It's a lot harder than the other one," Jeffy confessed after a few moments. "I know, but you can do it." Jeffy smiled and reached up to grab a bright red stone, but didn't have enough upper body strength to pull himself up, "What do I do?" Jeffy asked in concern. "You don't have to go straight up. Look for an easier route. Here slide closer to me and step on this bumpy blue stone." Jeffy held his breath for a moment, taking a large lateral step towards Billy. Once feeling secure, he breathed a sigh of relief, "Whew, made it!" "Alright, good job. Now start climbing you goofball," Billy said. Jeffy giggled as he quickly ascended six feet before stopping to catch his breath. "I'm so glad you're here," he said. "I told you I'd help you." "No, not with the climbing. I mean being here at camp with me." Billy stopped to look over at his friend, "I'm glad you're here at camp with me, Jeffy. It's been a lot of fun." Jeffy held his breath again as he was forced to make a small jump to grab an overhead stone. "I don't have many friends back home. It's just Mom and me by ourselves." Now it was Billy's turn to make a tricky jump, allowing him to ascend several feet above his friend. He stopped to take a couple deep breaths. The sweat trickling down his forehead was now beginning to sting his eyes. "What about your dad?" Jeffy looked up, but his countenance had fallen, "He divorced my Mom when I was little. He's still around, but I guess he doesn't really want to be around me. Maybe guess that's why everyone picks on me at school." "Well, it's his loss. I think you're great to be around and I know everyone else feels the same way." "Really? You think so?" Jeffy asked as he came astride his friend. "Yes, Sammy is crazy about you. Both Tad and I like having you around, and so does Alex." "I wish I could have a brother like you." Billy's face which was already feeling the effects of the swelling morning heat and physical exertion flushed a deeper shade of red, "Aww, Jeffy, you would be an awesome brother. But, I tell you what. We're not related, but that doesn't mean you can't be my brother if you want." Jeffy's eyes widened, "Really? Do you mean it?" "Swear to God, hope to die. Stick a needle in my eye." "Come on boys, you don't have all day," the counselor shouted from the ground. Jeffy and Billy climbed about ten feet with the younger boy gaining upward momentum, overtaking Billy with a surge of momentum. "Be careful, Jeffy. Some of the stones to trickier close to the top." Heedless to Billy's warning, Jeffy confidently grabbed for a stone that twisted clockwise in his hand, causing him to lose his grip. The boy teetered for a second before falling earthward. Without thinking, Billy reached out and grabbed Jeffy's wrist, slowing him down enough that Jeffy was able to find his footing. "You saved me!" he gasped. Billy laughed, "You've got a safety line. You wouldn't have fallen far." "No, you saved me," Jeffy replied earnestly. He wasn't sure what his friend meant, but he suspected it didn't have anything to do with the climbing wall. "Brothers have to watch out for each other," Billy replied. Jeffy smiled, "That's right." "Alright, let's ring the bells!" Billy urged. The two boys climbed side by side for what felt like hours though only took moments before the boys were able to reach for the rope to ring the bells. The sound of metallic clanging echoed across the pine forest. "OK, one more step." Jeffy took one more step, allowing the sunlight to seemingly ignite his platinum blond hair. "Woah, we're so high up!" "Uh, don't look down," Billy advised. "Yeah, that's how you do it, Jeffy!" Sammy screamed from the ground. "Great job, Jeffy!" Alex and Tad cheered. "See, I told you," Billy said, looking to Jeffy who beamed with pride. "You know, it's really weird," Jeffy said. "What's that?" "How one cabin had so many special people in it." Billy suspected what his friend meant by special. That's a damn good observation, Billy thought to himself. What were the chances of one cabin consisting entirely of gay or bisexual boys? This wasn't just boys experimenting away from home. There is a genuine surrealness to it. It wasn't just weird. It seemed impossible. Billy looked over the edge towards the western horizon. The billowing white clouds seemed to be likewise ascending into the sky, their bases turning an ominous black. Billy shuddered, though he wasn't sure why. "Alright, we better get back to the ground," Billy said. ... By the time the dinner bell sounded, the skies had grown progressively darker. The billowing white clouds now dominated the sky, and there was a rumbling that periodically reached the campers' ears. The wind had shifted direction, causing prominent ripples to form along the pond. The boys of Cabin 13 were splashing in the water, as Alex and Sammy practiced their laps in the deep end of the swimming area. "Come on Sammy, pick up the pace!" Derek shouted from the beach. Sammy did the breaststroke, his upper body occasionally lifting out the water, allowing him to take a breath before diving back under. He took on the appearance of a redheaded torpedo cleaving through the cool water. The crash of distant thunder disrupted his stroke, causing him to pop out of the water and look towards the west. "That sounded kinda close," he said as he kicked his legs beneath him to stay afloat. "Yeah, it's almost time to head back I think," Alex replied. The western horizon flickered with a bright white light, followed by a peal of thunder a moment later. The wind increased enough to cause the branches of the distant pines to flail, sending birds flying for cover. "Alright campers, start heading for the beach. You have about five minutes," the lifeguard warned. The other boys were splashing around in the shallow end. Tommy had joined them with a speedo that left little to the imagination, not that anyone minded. Jeffy spent most of his time hunting tadpoles and minnows that were darting around the boy's feet. Billy and Tad were practicing treading water while Tommy floated on his back, showing off his bulge to anyone who cared to notice. "There is something peaceful about water," Tommy observed as he stared up at the increasingly tumultuous skies. "Everybody seems to love being near the water," Tad replied. "Well, we're made mostly of water, and our earlier ancestors climbed out of the water millions of years ago. Maybe it's like returning to where we were born. We're sort of connected to water," Billy said. Tommy glanced at Billy as his smooth body gently bobbed in the water, "You're really smart." Billy blushed, "Nah, not really." "You are smart, and you shouldn't be ashamed of it," Tad said. "I'm...not...ashamed," Billy replied. All three boys turned to stare at him, prompting him to sigh and stare down at the minnows swirling around his feet, "Well, maybe just a little." "Why should you be ashamed of anything. You're smart and sexy, live the moment, Billy. Never let anyone make you ashamed of who you are. That goes for you too, Jeffy," Tommy said. "But, everyone pushes me around because of that stuff," Jeffy replied. Billy looked to Jeffy, "It's because people are jealous that you're smart. So, they look for any excuse to put you down. Don't let them get to you." Geez, I sound like my dad now. Maybe this is what it means to be a big brother, Billy thought to himself. "You know what? I don't ever want to go home. I want to stay here with you guys," Jeffy sighed. Tommy tilted himself so that he was now crouching in the water. "This is my favorite place on Earth, Jeffy. I'd like to stay here forever too, but my mom and dad would miss me. Besides, I got stuff to do. You know?" "Yeah, Jeffy. How would your mother feel if you didn't come home?" Billy added. Jeffy slouched into the water, sitting in the soft sand. "She would be pretty upset, I guess." "Besides, my dad always says, just close your eyes, and before you know it, it will be next summer," Tommy said, giving Jeffy a little splash. He giggled, returning a splash with the cuff of his hand, "Yeah, I guess you're right." The boys' conversation was punctuated by a flash of lightning that illuminated the darkening forest. A piercing wail reminiscent of a nuclear air raid siren startled everyone to their feet. "That's it campers! The thunderstorm is heading our way. It's time to head back to the cabins!" the lifeguard yelled through a bullhorn. "Awww," Jeffy whined. A stronger gust of wind began generating waves the lapped at the beach as a swirl of pine needles filled the air. There was a smattering of cold rain drops and a rumble of thunder that sent the boys scurrying to the beach, grabbing their towels and heading towards their cabin. "This one is gonna be a doozy, I can feel the electricity in the air," Tommy said. While each step took the boys closer to the cabin, the wind offered increasing resistance. Oak and maple leaves danced in the swirling wind, sending them skittering into the chaotic skies. Cold raindrops assailed the boys as thunder crackled around them. By the time the boys reached the cabin, the smattering drops of rain had turned into sheets that obscured the pond. Derek opened the door, allowing the boys to flee the downpour with several seconds to spare. "Whew, that was close!" Sammy exclaimed. "What are we gonna do now?" Jeffy asked, sighing dejectedly. "We'll make the best of it," Derek said. The man gestured toward the table which was covered with juice, soda, and snacks. Besides the allure of treats, Derek pulled out several board games for the boys to play. Any semblance of disappointment on the part of the boys evaporated, allowing their smiles to return despite the crash of thunder overhead. Jeffy gasped as the lights flickered. "What if the lights go out?" Derek pulled out several candles and flashlights, "Don't worry, I've got that covered." Despite the storm's growing intensity, the boys lost themselves in bags of snacks, sugary drinks and a rousing game of Monopoly. The game continued until the storm had reached a crescendo. Hail pinged off the windows as torrents of rain obscured all visibility outside the windows. A flash of lighting was immediately followed by a cabin shaking crash of thunder. The lights flickered for a few seconds before leaving the cabin in darkness. Jeffy and Sammy gasped in fright, looking up at the roof expecting the worst. There was a loud crack of wood and the ground trembling thud of a tree hitting the ground. This sent all the boys to the floor as the howling wind muted all discussion until the storm gradually abated. After long moments of silence, Jeffy asked, "Is it done?" "I think the worst is over, but it will probably rain all night," Derek said. "Well, now what? It's too early for bed," Sammy said. "I don't know. What do you think, Tommy?" Derek asked. Tommy grinned, "I think it's story time." Jeffy raised an eyebrow, "Story time?" "It wouldn't be a summer at Lakeside without some good stories," Alex said. "Are you gonna tell us stories, Derek?" "No. Actually, I'm taking volunteers to each tell a story." "Oh, geez. I could write a story, but I don't know about just inventing one from the top of my head," Billy said. "What about you, Jeffy? Do you have a scary story you could tell?" Derek asked. "Me? Tell a scary story?" Jeffy asked. He thought for a moment as he looked around the room. His eyes settled on the plastic tub containing Frogzilla. The creature seemed to peer out of the tub curiously as if waiting for the boy's reply. A dimpled grin appeared on Jeffy's face as he looked at his amphibious companion. "Oh, yes. I have a story." Billy and Tad looked at one another, then looked at Jeffy in curiosity. "Well, let's hear it," Derek responded. Jeffy leaned back into Sammy, "I call it, The Frog that Ate Lakeside." ... The dark gray barge's motor rumbled softly as it traveled down the Merrimack River. "How much further, Captain?" a crew member asked. "Not, much further. There is a tributary just ahead," the Captain replied. "Navigator, hard to port. Reduce engine speed to 5 knots." The navigator spun the wheel as he pulled the throttle back, reducing the engine noise to a murmur, "Reducing speed to 5 knots, Captain." "No sense in drawing attention to ourselves," the Captain said. He stepped out of the cabin and approached a large blue tarp that concealed the barge's cargo. "Just a few more minutes and we can head home." The man pulled the tarp back, revealing a dozen stacked yellow barrels labeled, "Warning, Radioactive Waste." Within a few moments, the barge had reached a lake. It motored out to the center of the lake, where the captain ordered the barrels to be dumped. The barrels floated for a moment, before sinking out of view. "Well, that's another ten thousand dollars. Navigator, head for home." "Aye Aye, Sir," the navigator replied. The captain smiled up at the starry sky as the barge began turning back towards the river. "I'm sure glad to be retiring tomorrow," he said to his crew. "We'll miss you, Sir," the cabin boy said. ... Sammy interrupted the story, "Barges don't have cabin boys!" "They do too!" Jeffy retorted. "It's Jeffy's story, let him tell it his way," Derek interjected. ... "Captain, sonar is detecting something surfacing to our starboard side," the navigator said. The glassy smooth surface of the water became a frothing, bubbling mass as two black eyes focused on the boat. "Hey, I see something out there, Captain." The man pointed at a large, dark green object at the center of the disturbance. As he leaned out to get a better look, a long sticky black tongue shot across the water, hitting the man squarely in the chest. It knocked him back at first but suddenly yanked him off the boat into its waiting mouth before anyone knew what happened. All they heard was the crunching of bones and screaming. "Man overboard!" the cabin boy yelled, running for a life preserver. "Navigator, best possible speed, now!" the captain yelled. The motor rumbled loudly as the barge slowly accelerated. "What the heck is going on?" the Navigator yelled. The frog used it's webbed feet to propel itself through the water like a torpedo, hungry for more. Its massive tongue darted out its mouth, grabbing the Captain's foot. The man screamed as his body was dragged down the length of the boat. The man grabbed onto the stern of the boat, but the frog's tongue was too strong. Crunch...Crunch...Crunch The Navigator slammed the throttle down until smoke started pouring from the engine compartment. "You're going to burn out the engine," the last crew member warned before he disappeared into the frog's maw. After making some loud metallic noises, the engine failed with a hiss of steam. Everything grew silent as the boat slowly drifted towards the shore. The frog slipped under the barge and surfaced, causing the barge to tilt into the water. The Navigator and Cabin boy slipped across the boat and fell into the water. They both began swimming for the beach, but the frog opened his mouth and swallowed the Navigator in one gulp. The Cabin boy swam as fast as he could, screaming for help as he reached the beach. Some boys who had been out skinny dipping heard his cry for help and came running. But, before he could reach them, the frog's tongue wrapped around the Cabin boy. The boy reached out, clawing his fingers into the sand, but it couldn't stop him from being dragged back into the water and the frog's waiting mouth. Crunch...Crunch...Crunch When the boys on the beach realized the only thing left on the beach were the long, deep gouges in the sand from the Cabin boy's fingers, they screamed and ran to the nearest cabin. The ground trembled as the frog leaped from the water and crashed into the beach, sending curtains of sand throughout the camp. The counselor opened the door to see what was causing the commotion, only to be plucked from the door by the frog's long tongue. The boys locked themselves in the cabin, and everything seemed calm after awhile. One of them dared to look out the window, discovering only darkness. That's when he realized he was looking at one of the frog's black eyes. Everyone screamed as the frog swallowed the whole cabin in one gulp. All the windows shattered, spraying glass across the floor. The walls splintered inward as the sound of cracking wood and screams filled the camp. After a moment of silence, the counselors from the other cabins went to investigate the noise, "Oh my God, it's Frogzilla!" one of the men shouted. The wail of sirens filled the air as police cruisers raced into the parking lot. Frogzilla's dark eyes were drawn to the lights. Before the officers could open their doors, his long tongue lashed out and grabbed one of the cars. It's siren distorted as the car was crushed in Frogzilla's mouth, the men still inside. The campers could hear the popping of the remaining officer's pistols, the smell of sulfur in the air. However, Frogzilla's thick amphibious skin deflected the bullets, and soon the men were forced to flee. "Call in the military!" one of the officers yelled. So the Navy sent in a battleship. ... "Hold up a minute. Dude, there is no way a battleship is going to fit in the Merrimack River," Alex said. Jeffy sighed, "It was a small battleship!" "You mean a destroyer?" Tad asked. "Yeah, OK it was a destroyer," Jeffy replied. "I don't think a destroyer would fit either," Billy whispered to Tad. Jeffy pouted for a few seconds. "OK, so a destroyer arrived..." Derek said, signaling that Jeffy should finish his story. ... The destroyer arrived at Lakeside, it's klaxon signaling battle stations as its massive guns slowly turned towards the beach. Its searchlights swept through the air, focusing on Frogzilla's slimy back. The sound of rotors cutting through the humid air echoed throughout the camp as Apache Gunships arrived to provide air support for the destroyer. Frogzilla's tongue flew through the air, crashing through the cockpit of the helicopter, sending glass raining to the ground before swallowing it whole. The other Apaches launched their missiles which swooshed through the air before exploding in bright orange balls of flames. The chatter of machine guns from the helicopters and the destroyer was eclipsed by the roar of anger from Frogzilla. The massive frog spat water from its maw, sending another Apache crashing to the ground in a ball of flame that illuminated the entire camp. "All guns, open fire!" the destroyer's captain shouted through the loudspeaker. The massive barrels of the destroyer's main turrets illuminated the night sky, as the shells launched with a thunderous boom, rattling the windows of all the remaining cabins. The shells exploded upon hitting Frogzilla, causing blood to splatter around the camp. The monster leaped through the air towards the lake, sending torrents of water into the air as it disappeared beneath the surface. Everything grew quiet as the destroyer's searchlights focused on the turbulent water. "Do you see anything?" The captain asked. "No, Sir! There is nothing on sonar." "Drop depth charges!" the captain ordered. The underwater explosion of the depth charges sent massive spouts of water high into the air. However, Frogzilla was never seen again. Navy divers could not find Frogzilla's body and couldn't be sure whether the mighty frog was dead, or hiding in the thick mud at the bottom of Lakeside. One day, Frogzilla may return to devour the campers of Lakeside! ... As if on queue, the bullfrog waiting patiently in the plastic tub leaped gracefully through the air, landing beside Billy, "Croak...croak!" "Oh, shit!" Billy exclaimed, pulling away from the frog in surprise. Everyone else jumped, before bursting into laughter. Everyone applauded Jeffy, who scooped up Frogzilla and held him in the air to receive his just accolades. "That was quite a story, Jeffy. Well done! So, does anyone else have a story?" Derek said. Alex grinned, "I have a story. You might call it a cautionary tale." Derek raised an eyebrow, "Indeed. Please, go on." Alex leaned back, "I call this story, The Werewolf of Lakeside." ... "Alright campers, you've heard most of the rules. There is just one last rule that above all, you need to follow. Don't leave the cabin after dark without a counselor," the director of Lakeside warned. "Why not?" one of the campers asked. "Well, besides stumbling around in the dark and hurting yourself. There are wild animals out there, while not dangerous during the day, any animal startled in the dark can turn on you in a heartbeat. Raccoons can bite, skunks can spray, and even a buck could charge you without warning. Finally, there is the Lakeside wolf. He's not been seen every year but almost every summer you can hear him howling. Gray wolves have been largely extinct in this part of the country for a century, but somewhere out there in the pine forest is a lone wolf that hungers for the flesh of young campers. Now to be honest, only once did a camper get bitten, but he was never seen again. Although, recently some of us have heard two wolves howling out there in the woods. Make of that as you will, young man." "You mean he turned into a werewolf?" the astonished boy asked. "I didn't say he turned into a werewolf. I just said we heard two wolves howling out there. Alright, campers, you have your cabin assignments." Jimmy turned to his friend Brian, "That's bullshit. He's just trying to scare us. There is no such thing as werewolves." "Yeah, that's right. Besides, I'm not afraid of any wolf!" Brian replied. "We'll sneak out tonight and have a little fun," Jimmy said. His companion nodded in agreement, and together they headed to their cabin. Later that evening, after their counselor and the other boys had gone to bed, Jimmy snuck over to Brian's bunk. "Come on, let's go. Maybe we'll find the wolf," he whispered. The boys moved slowly towards the door, freezing every time the floorboards creaked. They gave one last look around the cabin to make sure everyone was sleeping, before slipping outside and hitting the main trail. "Oh, that breeze feels good," Brian said, as he took off his tank top. "Yeah, it does," Jimmy said. He pulled his t-shirt and tied it around his waist. He pulled out a small plastic bottle sprayed his bare flesh. The small droplets of clear insect repellent glistened in the bright moonlight overhead. "I'm worried more about the mosquitos and ticks than any werewolf." "Hey, can I have some of that?" Brian asked. "Sure, here you go," Jimmy replied. The trail the boys followed became narrow and winding as they disappeared into the shadow strewn forest. Brian peered into the darkness as he heard the loud crack of a branch breaking. "Hey, did you hear that?" Jimmy nodded, "It's probably just a deer." "Someone might be following us." "You worry too much," Jimmy chided. Brian stopped for a moment, looking around. Searching for the telltale sign of a flashlight beam or the sound of footfalls, but he saw and heard nothing. "Come on, we won't have all night," Jimmy said. "Alright, I'm coming," Brian replied. The boys walked for about ten minutes into the woods, until reaching a small clearing that was bathed in pale moonlight. The moon loomed large as it rose above the tops of the pines and seemed to take on a life of its own. A few bats fluttered overhead, diving at their prey over the boys' heads. ... "I thought this story was about werewolves, not vampires," Jeffy said. "Not all bats turn you into vampires," Tommy replied. "Yeah, only vampire bats do that," Sammy asserted. Alex cleared his throat, "Don't worry about the bats. They just eat bugs and don't bother anyone. It's the Lakeside wolf you need to worry about." Jeffy shuddered, looking towards the nearest window as if expecting a bat or a wolf to come bursting through at any moment. "OK, sorry to interrupt." ... Jimmy pulled out a cigarette, placing it between his lips. He dug into his left pocket, pulling out an engraved silver lighter, opening it with a flick of the wrist. The head of the cigarette flared with an orange glow as he took his first puff. He exhaled, allowing a plume of smoke to escape his mouth. "Want one?" "Uh, sure," Brian responded. Jimmy grinned, handing the boy a cigarette and the lighter. Brian's hand shook as he raised the cigarette to his mouth and lit it. "You need to take a drag, like this," Jimmy instructed, showing his friend how to inhale. Brian coughed the moment he attempted to inhale, prompting laughter at his expense. He held up the lighter, examining it in the moonlight. "Where did you get this? It looks fancy." "I stole it from one of my teacher's on the last day of class. I'm going to a different school next year, so I figured I'd help myself," Jimmy replied. There was a distant, deep-throated howl in the distance, drawing the boys' eyes to the far end of the clearing. "Oh, crap," Brian whispered. "It's nothing. No wolf is going to bother the both of us. Besides, I brought this," Jimmy said. He pulled out a small switchblade, it's polished steel blade glistening in the moonlight. "That's not going to do much to a wolf," Brian said, his body now shaking visibly. "We don't need to hurt it, just scare it away," Jimmy said, standing up to look around the clearing. "Besides, it may be someone just trying to scare us." "M-m-maybe we should get g-going," Brian said. "What, are you chicken?" Brian coughed as he attempted to take another drag of his cigarette, "I just don't want to get in trouble. That's all." Jimmy waived his right hand dismissively as he stared up at the moon. "What are they gonna do, send us home?" Brian shrugged, figuring his friend had a point. There was another howl with a higher pitch coming from the other side of the clearing. Jimmy's eyes widened, as this howl sounded considerably closer to their position. "See, I told you we should go," Brian whispered. After a moment of silence, Jimmy threw his cigarette to the ground, crushing it beneath his shoe. Brian sighed in relief, discreetly throwing his own cigarette into the soft sand before following Jimmy back to the head of the trail. Before reaching the edge of the canopy of pines, another howl came from behind them. Both boys turned around and caught the glimmering amber colored eyes staring at them in the distance. "Holy shit, it's true. The Lakeside wolf!" Brian gasped. "Don't make any sudden moves," Jimmy warned. "Just act natural and walk away." Brian nodded, taking a few steps back and fighting his urge to bolt. The wolf held its position, tracking the boy's motion with his head. The creature waited until the boys disappeared into the shadows of the pines before following them towards the camp. Jimmy heard the snapping of twigs somewhere off the trail. He peered into the darkness and perceived an amorphous shape lurking behind a wild hawthorn bush. There was the sound of heavy, labored breathing but the shape was far too large to be a wolf. "I think you were right, Brian. I think someone was following us. They're trying to scare us, but it's not going to work." "Come on, let's just get going," Brian urged. "Alright," Jimmy said. The boy's bare arms broke into gooseflesh as a growl emanated from behind them. The pair simultaneously spun around, spying the wolf in the distance. He was a little closer than before, but not close enough to send either of the boys into a blind panic. They followed the trail around the bend, almost in sight of their cabin. However, a figure steeped in shadow blocked their forward progress. "It's our counselor," Brian said. "Naw, it can't be him. He's too small. It must be one of the other kids." "There's something wrong," Brian said, pointing at the figure. A gust of wind blew down the path, causing a shaft of moonlight to illuminate the figure. It's long, gray fur wavered in the breeze, and its eyes glowed like smoldering embers. Upon seeing the moon above the forest canopy, the werewolf raised its head and howled. This call was returned by its four-legged compatriot trailing just behind the boys. "We're trapped!" Brian shouted. He sprinted off the trail and into the darkened forest, ignoring the branches that lashed at his soft flesh. He stumbled over some moss covered rocks, hurtling to the ground in a dull thud. Jimmy pulled his switchblade with a snap, "I'm not afraid of you!" he shouted defiantly. The looming figure on the trail approached on its two hind legs, snarling menacingly. Jimmy realized the creature's individuals claws were the same size as his switchblade. He knew he was outmatched and now must maneuver himself around the creature to stand any chance of reaching his cabin. The werewolf took a swipe at Jimmy, its razor sharp claws narrowly missing his tender flesh. Jimmy slashed at the creature, the slender blade flashing in the moonlight. The pair exchanged glancing blows with neither landing a strike. Jimmy used every opportunity to work his way around the werewolf until the cabin was behind him. He slowly stepped backward, swinging the knife wildly at his opponent, attempting to keep the creature out of striking distance. Brian moaned softly, his eyes fluttering rapidly as he struggled back to awareness. It would be a wet, moist tongue licking his face that awakened him. "Huh, wha...?" he began. It wouldn't be the overhead moon or the trees that Brian awoke to, but rather a pair of amber canine eyes staring into his own. He gasped, jerking his head back in fear. However, the wolf stood passively, almost protectively over the boy. He rose to his feet, slowly but deliberately taking several steps away from the animal. Brian could hear the snarling and snapping of jaws in the distance guessing that Jimmy was fighting against the werewolf. "Should I help him or just make a run for it?" he asked the wolf. The creature just looked up at him passively, laying down on the soft ground. He opted to head towards the cabins, jogging parallel to the main path. Once he was certain he was safely behind the werewolf, he fashioned his tank top into a sling. He gathered up several round stones, loading one into his makeshift weapon and ran to Jimmy's aid. The werewolf lunged at Jimmy, snapping its jaws just inches from his throat. The creature knocked the boy's switchblade from his hand with the swipe of a paw. "Oh, shit!" Jimmy gasped. "Jimmy, duck!" Brian screamed from behind. Jimmy wasn't sure what his friend was planning, but he wasn't going to question it. He dove for the ground as Brian hurled a rock towards the werewolf using his sling. The first rock struck the creature in the chest, prompting a salivating snarl. Now focused entirely on Brian, the werewolf leaped over Jimmy landing about twenty feet in front of Brian. The boy wasted no time loading another rock into the makeshift sling, hurling another stone at the werewolf. Once again the stone just bounced off the creature's tough hide. "Watch it, Brian. He's going to charge!" Brian thought to himself, What am I gonna do? He had used his last rock, and the werewolf was preparing to pounce. Hey, it's a werewolf, and I have silver! He grabbed the silver lighter and loaded it into the sling, swinging it furiously around before sending it spinning towards the growling creature. The lighter struck the werewolf on the muzzle, just above its snorting, black nose. It yelped in surprise, stumbling back, clutching its muzzle in pain. The werewolf seemed to shrink in stature, as it's long soft fur shortened and yielded to pale, youthful flesh. The boy with scraggly long brown hair, covered with long streaks of dirt glared at Brian, "What did you do that for!" By this time, the Lakeside wolf had caught up with his companion and stood at his side. "Can you believe it? What an asshole!" the boy said, motioning back at Brian. The pair disappeared into the shadows, as an astonished Brian and Jimmy watched. "Uh, Jimmy?" "Yeah?" "Can we please go back to the cabin now?" "Yeah, I think that would be a good idea." ... All of the boys had broken out in laughter. Even Derek couldn't bring himself to admonish Alex for the use of expletives. Everyone applauded the story until a sudden crash of thunder startled them, resulting in the lights suddenly flickering back to life before extinguishing again. Brian looked towards Tommy and couldn't help but notice that the boy's flesh had nearly become translucent during the bright flash of lightning. "Are you alright, Billy?" Tommy asked. "Uh, yeah. It's just the flash of made you look like..." "What, a ghost?" Tommy laughed. He took the flashlight and held it beneath his chin, illuminating his face in its pale glow. Everyone laughed, except Derek who cleared his throat. "On that note...We have time for one last story. How about you, Tommy?" Tommy turned off the flashlight and placed it in front of him. His countenance had become one of solemn seriousness. He leaned forward as if to share a secret of great importance with the others. "This is my Grandfather's story, and it takes place before Lakeside became a real camp. Hell, it doesn't even start off in the United States. During World War 2, my grandfather served with the O.S.S, the Office of Strategic Services." "What's that?" Tad asked. "The O.S.S is what came before the CIA. World War 2 was a time of spies, and the United States didn't really have anything. So, we had to come up with something fast." "So, you grandpa was a spy?" Sammy asked. "I think he'd rather be remembered as a soldier. But, yes, he was a spy." "Wow, that's cool!" Jeffy said. Tommy laughed, "He'd like being called cool. At first, he did regular stuff like reporting troop movements, aiding the resistance and even sabotage. All that changed on June 6th, 1944. They called it, Operation Overlord." "Oh, wow. You mean he was at the invasion of Normandy?" Billy asked. "Well, he was a few miles inland from the beach. Helping Airborne Rangers cut telephone lines, destroy Nazi listening posts, that sort of thing. Once the Allies had taken the beach, the clock began ticking to the end of the Third Reich. There was only one hope the German's really had left." "The atomic bomb?" Tad asked. "That's right. Think about how history played out. What would have happened if the Nazi's got the bomb first? Or even the Soviet Union?" "Everything might have been different," Alex said. "That's right. And the Nazi's were closer than people thought. They knew they couldn't stop the western front from approaching the Rhein River. All they needed was just a little more time. They didn't need to defeat the Allies, they just needed to delay them long enough to develop the atomic bomb. The O.S.S. knew they were desperate, so they sent my Grandfather behind enemy lines to see what they were planning." "Woah!" Jeffy and Sammy said simultaneously. "There were a lot of Allied spies checking into various projects. My Grandfather was assigned to infiltrate a mysterious biological warfare project by a German scientist based in a lagoon along the northern coast of France, and that would lead him right back to Lakeside. This is the true story of the Lakeside Bog Monster." ... "Alright, bring the next volunteer," the scientist said. A black iron door was opened with a loud groan that reverberated around the cement bunker. A boy with blond hair and blue eyes walked into the room, coming attention at the drab wooden desk in the center of the room. He immediately saluted, "Heil Hitler!" The man peered at the boy over his spectacles. "Yes, yes. Heil Hitler. Tell me, young man. Why have you volunteered for this assignment?" The boy looked down at his boots, so polished that he could see his pale face staring back up at him. "I just want to help the Fatherland." The man removed his spectacles, folding them in his hand. "Yes, I see. What about your family, Rudolph? Your friends?" Rudolph looked up at the man dressed in white, his mane of gray hair the only contrast visible on the man's body besides the Luger strapped to his side. "I don't think my family cares and I really don't have any friends." The scientist opened a file, flipping through a report on the boy a page at a time, "Your file reflects mostly positive comments and even a commendation for courage. Why wouldn't you have any friends?" The boy sighed, looking back towards the ground. "I'm just different, I guess.I don't really fit in with my unit. Everyone knows it, so they just stay away from me." "Well, your Unit Commander Klaus had good things to say about you." Rudolph allowed himself a smile at mention of the name Klaus, "Yes, I was his...attache for awhile. He got transferred to the western front a couple months ago." "And how did that make you feel?" "Lonely and worried," Rudolph responded. "War mandates sacrifices of us all, Rudolph. But, it doesn't mean we don't feel the impact of those sacrifices. I think you will make a fine volunteer for my special project. And, if you succeed you will help bring brave men like Klaus and your unit home, victorious. You would like that, wouldn't you, Rudolph?" A resolute look crossed young Rudolph's face as the prospect of bringing Klaus back home and helping save his unit brought him the first real sense of hope he felt in months. "Yes, Sir! I will not let you down!" "Please proceed into the next chamber, and we'll begin your service, Rudolph. Just give me a few moments to prepare. Have a seat and relax." A guard escorted the boy to an egg-shaped metallic chamber with an open door. Rudolph stepped inside, sitting on the hard metal bench seat at the back of the chamber. The chamber's metal door was shut with a thunderous crash. The guard spun the chrome handle around, sealing the boy inside the chamber. Rudolph stood up, staring out the narrow rectangular window, wondering what was happening. He tapped on the window, "Hey, why did you lock me inside?" "Don't worry, young Rudolph. I'll be along momentarily," the doctor said. The boy sighed and sat down on the uncomfortable metal seat, tapping the tip of his boot against the black metal floor. Whatever dangers this job might entail, it would be worth helping Klaus, he told himself. Klaus had promised to be with him forever until those orders came down from German High Command. He suspected those orders had been forged or orchestrated by someone who didn't understand. Nonetheless, Klaus had his duty to perform and so did he. "Excuse me, Herr Doctor?" a young man called out. "Ah, yes Fritz isn't it? You seem to be settling in quite well here. It is good to have an aspiring marine biologist with us. What can I do for you?" "Well, I was just curious about the boy. What are you planning?" "Tell me, what do you know of chromosomes, Fritz." Fritz shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. "Well, chromosomes are believed to carry the physical attributes of a parent to a child. The Theory of Inheritance I believe it's called." "Yes, indeed. If we could manipulate these chromosomes, we could determine the attributes that get passed to a child. We could create a child with any desirable attribute and progressively improve the race." "A noble pursuit to be sure, Herr Doctor," Fritz replied. "Unfortunately, we don't have time for that right now. Have you heard of the term DNA?" Fritz looked down at the ground, his mind processing the reports given to him by the O.S.S before arriving at the assignment. "Ah, you must be referring to the work of Albrecht Kossel of course." The scientist smiled, nodding his head, "Yes, though that was just the beginning. More recently, our Nazi sceintists have discovered that this DNA is transformative. It not only may carry the principle of inheritance, but it may be capable of defining life itself. Imagine for a moment, the ability to create life, matching any specification that we see fit." Fritz's jaw dropped open, but couldn't risk blowing his cover. "That would change the world as we know it! But, what does this have to do with the boy?" Fritz replied, gesturing toward the chamber. "Ah, yes, our dear young Rudolph. Adult specimens seem unable to survive the current iteration of the transformative process I've developed. However, I've had some successes with younger specimens that are still in their developmental stages. You could say their DNA is more easily...transformed." A knot formed in the pit of Fritz's stomach. He didn't like where things were headed, yet he knew that showing any concern or resistance could jeopardize the whole mission. "Well, that certainly makes rational sense." The doctor clapped his hand, "The light of reason dawns upon a young man's head. Go, bring me one of the green vials from the shelf and we'll make history together." Fritz reluctantly saluted the doctor and retrieved the mysterious green fluid from the workbench. "Prepare a syringe of the solution, while I prepare the chamber," the man said. "Rudolph, kindly remove your shirt and place your arm through the opening of the chamber door," the doctor instructed. The boy watched the men preparing something outside the small window. I hope it's not a shot. I hate shots, he thought to himself. Fritz inserted the syringe into the vial, extracting 5 cubic centimeters of foul smelling green elixir, "Doctor, what is in this formula?" "Extracted chromosomes and proteins from amphibious species that will give our young Rudolph an advantage on his mission." Before Fritz could inquire about the mission, Rudolph had extended his arm through a narrow slot in the chamber. "Ah, very good, Rudolph. Now this will pinch a little," the doctor warned. That's what they all say, Rudolph thought to himself. Rudolph couldn't see the contents of the syringe until after the swirling green fluid had already been injected into his blood stream, "What was that, Doctor?" "Oh, just a little inoculation," the Doctor replied. The Doctor approached a console with a series of dials, buttons, and valves. "Would you be so kind as to remove the rest of your clothing, Rudolph. Just push it through the opening." "Uh, yes, sir, the boy replied. Within a moment, a neatly folded black uniform was pressed through the opening. "Why do you need my clothes?" "Well, you're going to take a little shower of heavy water," the man replied, as he spun a valve, dousing the boy with cold water. "It doesn't feel that heavy to me, just cold," Rudolph said, his pale body now goosepimpled and shivering. "Heavy water?" Fritz asked in concern. The Doctor pressed several buttons, producing a soft orange glow at the top of the chamber. "An unexpected byproduct of another project. I was fortunate enough to acquire a small amount of Uranium. See, there is a strange natural byproduct, an energy field that enables the proteins to bond with the host nuclei." "I don't feel very good, Doctor," Rudolph said. He felt a strange heat sweep over him, but it wasn't coming from the glow above him. It seemed to swirl and penetrate his body and caused the fluid injected into his arm to begin glowing. "Doctor, there's something wrong!" The green fluid began traveling down an artery, accelerating towards his heart. Soon, it was transported throughout his body. Even the sweat that began dripping from his smooth flesh was tainted green. He held up both arms and watched with horror as his skin began to change. "Please, Doctor! Something's wrong with me!" The Doctor threw a few switches, causing a Tesla Coil above the chamber to emit blue arcs of energy that leaped from the primary coil to the chamber containing Rudolph. "Now, a shot of electricity to accelerate the transformative process. The final bonding process between..." A piercing, wailing scream came from the chamber. Fritz thought it sounded like Rudolph's voice, but it became twisted, morphing into an ear-piercing, high-pitched wail that made his skin crawl. All at once, the noise ceased as the Doctor deactivated all the dials and levers, leaving the laboratory in silence. The only sound was a heavy, unnatural wheezing coming from the interior of the chamber. What have I done? Fritz thought to himself. "Now, behold my final triumph!" the Doctor said. He spun the iron wheel and opened the door to the chamber holding the boy. Fritz gasped, "My God!" as the door opened, revealing what happened to Rudolph. His flesh was now armored with thick, dark green scales. The boy's feet were now webbed like a frog's, but his hands had transformed into bony claws. Tendrils dangled from around his mouth, oscillating and moving like a squid. However, it was the boy's eyes that he'd never forget. An abyssal darkness that seemed to bore into his very soul. Black eyes that stared at him accusingly. You, you did this! It seemed to scream. "Flesh that will turn away bullets. Gills and lungs that allow extended time underwater or on land. Claws that strip the flesh off any enemy in seconds and enhanced vision that can track prey in almost any condition. This, my dear Fritz, is the new master race! Imagine, a thousand of these creatures emerging from the depths all along the American eastern seaboard. It will be glorious!" "What have you done to me?" wheezed Rudolph. "Why, my dear boy, I've made you invincible," the Doctor replied. Rudolph surveyed his scaly flesh with horror, though the pain was beginning to diminish. As he looked outside the chamber, he perceived Fritz and the Doctor's body heat in distinct hues of red and orange. He could hear every breath that the men took, and even the quietest whisper was readily discernable. "Call down to the submarine pen, notify the captain of U-Boat 313 to prepare for immediate departure," the Doctor called out. "What's the destination, Sir?" "The city the American's call...Boston. Now, come along, Fritz, help me prepare Rudolph for transportation," the Doctor ordered. A large metal cage with air holes was rolled into the laboratory, just large enough to hold Rudolph. "I have to ride in a cage?" Rudolph asked dejectedly. The Doctor opened the cage door, motioning for Rudolph to enter, "This is both for your protection and the crew. It will be a long journey, but a safe one." "But, what am I to do when I get there? What is my mission?" "You're mission is vital, yet simple. Sew discord and chaos on the American coast. Soon, you will have brothers by the hundreds. The Americans will have no choice but to divert their troops from the western front back to their homeland to deal with the new threat." He's insane. This is all insane! Fritz thought to himself as the Doctor locked Rudolph in the cage. He knew he needed to notify O.S.S., but there was nothing he could do for the boy. Oh, God what have I done? Rudolph thought to himself, as he was locked in the cage. Only slender shafts of light through the air holes afforded any visibility and that was until the cage was moved to the cargo hold of U-Boat 313. He would remain in darkness for a little over a week, the length of the journey from the coast of France to the United States. "Up periscope!" the U-Boat Captain called out. He peered through the optics and was greeted by a veil of white. "Damned fog. Navigator, confirm our position." "Sir, we are at forty-two degrees seven minutes longitude, seventy degrees forty-four minutes latitude." "Captain, sonar has detected two objects bearing 355 degrees. Probable American destroyers!" "Well, sorry Doctor. Boston is quite out of the question now. Helmsman, there is a river on the charts east-northeast of our position. All stations, rig for silent running!" the Captain cried out. It would be several tense hours as the U-Boat dodged the coastal patrols and maneuvered into the head of the Merrimack River. "All hands, prepare to surface!" The U-Boat glided to the surface of the river, motoring at just a few knots. "Keep all running lights off. We wouldn't want to attract undue attention from patrols. I think it's time to release the Doctor's little project." Rudolph's cage was transported through the galley hatch and deposited upon the deck of the submarine. His cage was unlocked with a loud metallic clanking sound. He was grateful to breathe in the fresh maritime air rather than the sub's refiltered stale air. The feel of moist air on his dried scales felt good. He could hear the crew discussing the mystery of his existence and heard a couple gasps as he walked to the edge of the submarine. The slosh of water beneath Rudolph's feet was alluring. Perhaps, an instinct of whatever he'd become. Water was his new natural home, he was certain of that. Yet, his adolescent brain already longed for his feet on solid ground. He belonged in the light of day, not the briny depths of the American coastline. As he took that instinctive dive into the cool water, his thoughts turned to Klaus. He heard the U-boat's engines reverse as he splashed around in the water. Gradually, the sound diminished and he was left in complete silence. Rudolph felt more alone than he ever had in his life. The Doctor's plan seemed ludicrous in his mind. He didn't see the point in causing panic back in the States. It would only delay the inevitable. However, he was a soldier and had made a promise. Rudolph swam westward until discovering a patch of cattails in which he could take refuge for the night. As the sun rose overhead, the rumbling of American automobiles awoke him. He peered through the edge of the cattails and spied a gas station on the other side of the river. He climbed the embankment and took refuge in the greenery behind the building. The wafting scent of eggs and bacon tantalized his senses and drew him to a small blue house nearby. He peered through the dining room window and spotted breakfast, the bacon still sizzling on the stovetop. A woman with an apron stepped into the kitchen and tended to the cooking breakfast. She turned to use the kitchen sink when she spotted Rudolph staring at her through the window. She let a piercing scream escape her lips that instantly enraged him. He put his claw through the window, grabbing her by the throat. After a moment of gurgling, the woman fell silent and slumped to the floor in a growing pool of blood. "Hey, what's going on over there?" the gas station attended shouted. "Sarah, what happened? Are you alright?" he heard a man call out from inside the house. Rudolph darted down a narrow alley lined with oak trees, hiding in a ramshackle shed behind another home further down the street. What have I done? He wondered. Before he could answer himself, a man emerged from the house to place a bag of trash into a metallic can. Rudolph took a step back, accidentally knocking over a shovel that clanged loudly against an old tin bucket. "Hey, who's there? I see you in there, come on out." The man looked more annoyed than angry, as he stood there tapping his foot. "Don't make me come in there and get you!" Rudolph took a step into the sunlight, his mouth tendrils oscillating menacingly at the man. The sunlight glistened off the thin veneer of slime that clung to his body. "Oh, God! Oh, Jesus. What the hell are you!" the man shouted as he took several steps back. He looked around him and grabbed a rusted garden hoe that was laying on the ground. "You stay back now!" The black voids that now served as the boy's eyes focused on the man. Rudolph noticed the hues of oranges and reds grew brighter with each step he took. This is what fear looks like, he thought to himself. He felt the urge to lash out at the stranger, and this urge became increasingly irresistible. His human consciousness resisted, but his new animal instincts rose to dominance. He lashed out at the man, who responded by swinging the hoe at him. Rudolph grabbed the instrument with his claws and snapped it in half, showering the man in splinters. The man opted to run back into the house, slamming the back door closed and locking it. Rudolph headed back into the alley to further explore the neighborhood. He heard more screams coming from behind him and the wail of a siren in the distance. A young girl spied him through a white picket fence and cried out in terror. Her mother came running, looking confused until she turned in Rudolph's direction. Her shriek seemed even louder than the girl's. However, this woman picked up a rock and hurled it in his direction. It bounced harmlessly off his arm, but he wheezed and hissed menacingly. The woman grabbed her daughter and fled to the relative safety of the house. Their screams instantly enraged him, but before he could pursue the pair, someone shouted at him. "Hey, you there! What's the big idea?" Rudolph turned to face a rotund man wearing a bowler hat, "Why are you wearing such a ridiculous costume, scaring helpless women like that. It's shameful I say!" The man approached him, his eyes widening as he beheld Rudolph's wretched form. "Is this some kind of publicity stunt? You work for Hollywood?" he wondered aloud. Rudolph hissed with annoyance. The man took a measured step back, his eyes narrowing. He gave off a peculiar odor that Rudolph had never smelled before. It had the whiff of perspiration, but there was something else more potent, almost alluring. Fear has a smell, and it smelled good. He hissed loudly and sent the man scurrying away like a frightened field mouse. The boy returned to the sanctity of the river, feeling he'd caused enough chaos and panic for the morning. He dove into the chilly, muddy waters and vanished in an instant. He effortlessly swam underwater with a simple kick of his webbed feet. Is this really what I'm supposed to be doing? Klaus would never approve. This is wrong. He decided to avoid the temptation of the crowded neighborhood and followed a tributary to a secluded lake with an extensive marsh at the far end. He made an effort to hunt fish and frogs in the lake by night while lurking in the wavering reeds during the day. Rudolph felt that he could resist his animal urges by sequestering himself from the realm of humans. However as the weeks turned into months, he grew lonely and homesick. He wondered if Klaus would still love him, knowing what he had become. Rudolph slipped into hibernation as autumn turned to winter. I don't think the Doctor thought this through, he thought as he drifted off to a long sleep. He awoke that next spring, resuming his routine of hunting for fish, using his claws to spear his prey and guide it to his ravenous maw. The routine furnished some sense of twisted normalcy for the boy, but the loneliness only grew. While he felt alienated by his unit back in Germany, there was still a sense of comradery. He could at least walk among humans, safe in the belief that he was one of them. Even that modicum of cold comfort was no longer his to claim. During that summer, his attention was drawn to one side of the lake where some boys had erected tents not far from the water's edge. Rudolph swam to the edge of the reeds to watch them play at the water's edge, wrestling and playing ball. They really don't seem all that different from German boys, Rudolph thought. He longed to be among them, risking discovery by darting along the shallow waters. He would rustle through the reeds, sometimes attaching prize fish to the boys' fishing line, before tugging on the line and darting off into deeper waters. He relished the cheers of pride and excitement when the boys reeled in the catch. One early evening as the sun was setting, Rudolf heard the distinct sound of sniffling in the distance. He swam to the surface and spied on a boy sitting by the water's edge. His tear stained face stared down at the water, the ripples distorting his image. His slender arms were tucked against his bare chest, as he rocked himself gently back and forth. The other boys were huddled around a campfire, roasting marshmallows on sticks. Rudolph could smell the boy's despair, and couldn't resist approaching for a closer look. He kept his scaly body submerged, raising his head to peer above the water's surface. He had made a little too much noise and drew the boy's attention. "Is someone there?" he asked softly. The sun had fallen below the treeline, steeping Rudolph in shadows. The boy could only make out a vaguely humanoid shape in the water. "Jimmy, is that you out there? You shouldn't be in the water this late," he said. The boy waded knee deep into the water, his eyes squarely fixated on Rudolph, who burrowed into the mud. The kid rubbed his eyes, lowering his head to get a better look. However, Rudolph's camouflage rendered him nearly invisible to the boy. "Huh? It must have been a turtle or something." The boy headed back to the camp for the evening, so Rudolph headed for deeper water to hunt for dinner. The boy returned to the water's edge the next evening, forsaking his comrades at the campfire to watch the sun set behind the trees. While he wasn't crying this time, Rudolph sensed an intense loneliness within the boy. He could see it in the boy's eyes. It's like looking in a mirror. Well, so to speak. "You came back," the boy said. Rudolph was stunned. He held as still as possible, not daring to even draw a breath. His eyes scanned around the boy, but they were alone. He couldn't be addressing anyone else but him. "I see you there, sort of," the boy continued. It had been nearly a year since any human had addressed him. The desire for communication got the better of him. "I saw you here last evening. You were crying," Rudolph said. Although, even at a whisper his voice had an unnatural, guttural sound. "I was not crying!" the boy said, turning away from Rudolph. "I'm sorry, it's alright. I used to cry sometimes, too." The boy looked down at the sand, scooping it up and allowing it to pour between his fingertips like an hour glass. "You did? How come?" he asked after a long pause. "I was lonely and didn't think anyone liked me," Rudolph responded. "Yeah, I know what that feels like. What's your name?" "My name is Rudolph. What's yours?" "My name is Frank, but everyone calls me Frankie." "I like that name. So, why do you think nobody likes you?" Rudolph asked. Frankie shrugged, "I dunno," he said, casting a glance back at the campsite. "Maybe you feel different from the others?" The boy looked up in surprise, "How did you know that?" "I feel the same way, too. Doubly so these days I guess." "Why don't you come up so I can see you?" Frankie asked, straining his eyes to get a better view of Rudolph. "I don't want to scare you." "I'm not scared!" Rudolph could hear the boy's heart rate increase and could see the increase in body heat. At least he suspects I'm not human, so perhaps it wouldn't be a total surprise. Still, though, Rudolph feared that revealing his true nature would cost him his new friend. Some things never change I guess. I've had this problem my whole life. "I'm not a human, and I can't let the others see me." The boy was more perceptive than Rudolph realized. He had ascertained his amphibious nature, but couldn't see all his features. He slowly emerged from the water, not wanting to startle Frankie. Frankie's eyes widened the further he raised his scaly body from the water, but to his credit the boy put on a brave face, not wanting to turn away his new friend. "You're a sea monster!" Frankie gasped. "I'm not a sea monster!" "You're a mermaid!" "Mermaids are girls. I'm no girl!" Frankie looked between Rudolph's legs and gasped. "Wow, you're definitely not a girl!" Rudolph laughed for the first time in what felt like years. "I don't know what I am. I don't think there is any other creature like me. Maybe you can come up with a name." Franke scratched his chin, "How about the Lakeside Bog Monster?" Rudolph didn't like being called a monster, but what better term could possibly describe him. "I like that, Frankie. How about Rudolph, the Lakeside Bog Monster." Frankie giggled, "I'll just call you Rudolph. How did you...I mean when..." "Did I become the Lakeside Bog Monster?" "Yeah, I guess that's what I'm trying to ask." "I was a boy like you, up until about a year ago. How I got this way isn't important." "Were you cursed by a ghost pirate?" "What?" Rudolph asked in surprise. Americans have some weird notions! "Do you miss being a regular boy?" "I'm not sure I was ever really a regular boy," Rudolph said. "Yeah, I understand. Me neither," Frankie replied. There was an awkward period of silence between the two before a couple boys approached the shore. "I better go," Rudolph said. "Please come back," Frankie begged. "Hey, who are you talking to Frankie boy," one of the boys bellowed. Frankie quickly rose to his feet, turning his back to the lake, "No one. I was just talking to myself, Eric." "Yeah, didn't sound like it to us. You got a friend out there?" Eric asked. "No, I was just watching the sun set. That's all," Frankie replied, stepping towards the campsite. Eric stepped in front of Frankie, "Goin' somewhere Frankie boy?" "I'm going to my tent," Frankie replied. "I think you should take a little swim first. What do you think, Jack?" Jack grabs Frankie's left arm while Eric grabbed his right. Frankie struggled furiously against the two larger boys until they grabbed his legs and hoisted his squirming form. They waded into the water and began swinging him back and forth. "Come on guys, I can't swim!" "Stop being a baby, the water isn't that deep!" Jack said. The boys heaved Frankie head first into the lake with a loud splash. Frankie plunged into the water, striking his head on a jagged rock a couple feet under the water's surface. The boy surfaced face down in the water, motionless and silent. "Come on and get up, stop fooling around," Eric said. Jack opened his mouth to speak until he saw the blood spreading away from Frankie's head. He took a few steps back in panic, watching as Frankie's body began floating away into the deeper waters. Before either boy could speak, Rudolph burst forth from the water with a menacing wail. Both older boys screamed at the top of their lungs, enraging Rudolph further. He embedded his claws into Jack's stomach, lifting him into the air before throwing him to the beach. Eric turned to the beach but tripped and fell into the shallow water with a loud splash. Rudolph leaped through the air, blocking the boy's escape. "Get away from me!" Eric screamed. The older boy's screaming was silenced with a quick swipe of Rudolph's claws. He threw Eric's lifeless body aside, swimming to Frankie's body and taking him into his arms and carrying him to shore. By this time all the other boys were rushing to the beach, several of them armed with rifles. Rudolph laid the boy's body on the soft sand, sweeping the boy's brown hair from his eyes. Please don't be dead, Frankie. He could hear a faint heartbeat and shallow breathing. Before he could do anything else, he heard one of the boys yell, "He killed Frankie!" Rudolph looked up in surprise as he was struck with several bullets that impacted his tough scales, sending him reeling backward. He hissed angrily at his attackers, the screams and shouts hurt his sensitive ears. He turned to face the lake, leaping effortlessly into the water and disappearing into the mud. "I got him! I got him!" one of the boys shouted. "Did we kill him?" another asked. The rest of the evening involved rowboats canvassing the lake. Some uniformed soldiers tossed hand grenades into the lake like they were depth charges. However, nobody ever found the body the Lakeside Bog Monster. However, one person never gave up the search. Every year into his old age, Frankie returned to try and find the friend he made that evening. The friend that had saved his young life. So, the Lakeside Bog Monster can be a friend, or he can tear you apart. If you ever run into him, just remember one thing. Never, ever, scream. ... Tommy took a deep breath and leaned back, a smile crossing his face. Jeffy and Sammy stared at him wide-eyed and silent. As if on queue, the lights suddenly came on, startling all the boys who immediately broke out into laughter and applauded. "Alright, that does it for me, boys," Derek said. He stood up and headed for his room. "You can stay up another half-hour, but please put away the food and games when you're done. I'll see you all in the morning." After Derek had disappeared, the boys began cleaning up while helping themselves to the remaining snacks. The rain continued smattering against the cabin's windows, accompanied by an occasional flash of lightning and rumble of thunder in the distance. After a moment of the lights flickering, they were extinguished, plunging the cabin into darkness once again. Jeffy gasped in concern, grabbing the closest flashlight and turning it on. "Nervous?" Alex said, giving Jeffy a playful push. "N-n-no. I'm j-just being p-p-prepared!" "Don't worry. I won't let the werewolf get you." "I'm not afraid of the werewolf!" Jeffy said. "Of course, getting eaten would be the least thing to worry about." "What do you mean?" Jeffy asked, looking around the room. "Werewolves like to play with their food first." Jeffy raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Oh?" "Maybe I should show you and Sammy what happens later." Both boys immediately grinned sheepishly, until they heard the snap of a branch somewhere outside the cabin. Everyone turned towards the direction of the sound. "It's probably just the wind," Tad said. Something scrapped along the window at the far end of the cabin, drawing their attention across the room. "OK, what was that?" Billy asked. "Don't get yourselves all worked up," Alex said. Billy took in a deep breath and grabbed a flashlight. He walked past the pool table and pointed the flashlight's beam at the window. He took a few steps closer and peered outside, "I don't see anything out there. It's raining too hard." "It's probably just tree branches scraping against the cabin." "But, there are no trees right next to the cabin," Sammy said. Something tapped on the glass directly behind the boys, causing all of them to spin around. Even Tad gasped in surprise, but once again there was nothing visible outside. "Should we go get Derek?" Jeffy asked. "Stop being a chicken," Sammy admonished. Another loud snap of a branch caused Sammy to gasp, dropping his flashlight to the wooden floor with a loud clatter. The boys huddled together, listening to the sound of pouring rain and distant thunder. Until Billy looked towards the cabin door. "Oh, shit. I think I saw the door handle move!" "No, you're seeing things dude," Tommy said. "No, I swear!" All the boys stared intently at the door handle, and sure enough, it slowly moved back and forth. Just hard enough to cause a metallic clicking as it shifted back and forth. "Someone is out there!" Tad gasped. "Who the hell would be out in the rain?" Alex asked. The door knob twisted and rattled more noisily. "Uh, Derek. You better get out here," Alex called out. However, there was no response. After a moment, the door knob stopped rattling, and silence settled throughout the cabin. "It stopped..." Sammy whispered. Suddenly something began tapping at both the windows behind the bunks and the window on the far side of the cabin. Billy wheeled around with his flashlight, alternating the beam from one of the windows to the other. "I don't see anything. Someone has to be out there." A thunderous crashing at the door startled all the boys. Every flashlight was now aimed at the door, as the knob once again began rattling. "Derek!" Jeffy cried out in fear. Alex tried to open Derek's door but found it was locked. "He's not answering. Derek, are you in there? Are you alright?" A lump formed in the pit of Billy's stomach, "What are we gonna do?" "Listen, it's a stormy night. Every cabin just had their story time. It's just someone messing with us," Alex said. "Maybe we should just open the door and get it over with," Tad suggested. Billy took a few steps towards the door, his complexion turning white, "Yeah, I'm sure you're right." Tad joined Billy with Jeffy and Sammy following close behind. Armed with a pool stick, Alex joined the group, taking position near the door. Billy held his breath and unlocked the door, "Well, here goes nothing." Billy turned the door knob, a gust of wind blowing the door wide open. Billy turned as white as a sheet, as he screamed along with the other boys. For there, standing at the door, was a tall amphibious creature with dark green scales, bony claws and black eyes that bore into their very souls. It was the Lakeville Bog Monster. "Don't scream, he'll kill us!" Jeffy yelled in panic. Tommy burst into raucous laughter behind the group. His body heaved as he leaned back against the kitchen table, laughing so hard that his eyes welled with tears. It was then that the monster also began laughing in a rather familiar sounding tone. One by one, the other boys looked from Tommy to the bog monster as they laughed together. "I know that voice," Billy said accusingly. The monster grabbed its own head with its claws, removing the mask and revealing Derek. Jeffy looked up and pointed at the man, "What an asshole!" This only served to make both Tommy and Derek laugh all the harder. "How did you get outside?" Tad asked. "I have a door in my room, remember?" "Oh, crap, that's right!" Tad said, slapping his forehead. "Alright, I need to turn the fuse box back on. I'll come in through the other side." Derek disappeared back outside as Billy locked the door behind him. At that point, everyone turned to towards Tommy. "You knew, didn't you!" Sammy said, waggling his finger at the boy. "Of course, we've done this the past couple years." "Well, you got us good," Billy said, his heart still pounding in his chest as he sat down at the table and took a deep drink of soda. The boys jolted when Derek emerged from his own room. "Settle down, boys. It's just your friendly, neighborhood bog monster." "That's one heck of a costume," Alex said. "Yeah, it wasn't cheap. But, it was worth it." "To scare the hell out of us?" Billy quipped. "Will you ever forget this night?" "Well...no." "Well, my work is done then, isn't it?" Billy laughed. He couldn't argue with that logic. "Alright boys, now it's time for me to head to bed. Now you have a half hour before lights out. I promise there won't be any more shenanigans. You can relax." Before Derek disappeared, Tad called out to him, "Hey, Derek. How did you do that trick?" Derek tilted his head, "What trick is that, Tad?" "The one where you tapped on all the windows at once?" "Huh? I'm not sure what you mean. I used the claws to tap at the window on my way to the door. It was probably just the wind," Derek replied with a shrug. After he had disappeared back into his room, all the boys looked at once another. Even Tommy looked surprised. "Nah, he's just messing with us," Alex said. Everyone fell silent for a moment before breaking into nervous laughter. "Alright, we should get ready for bed. We have a big day tomorrow." "You know, you're starting to sound more like Derek every day," Billy observed. Alex smiled, shrugging his shoulders. Time are changing, aren't they? I used to come here to have fun, and now I want to help everyone else have fun. After the boys had cleaned up, they headed off to their bunks for the night. "Alex, you gonna show me what the werewolf would do to me?" Jeffy asked. Alex grinned, "Well if you join me for a quick shower, I'll show you. Sammy, you in?" Both boys nodded their heads, running to their bunks to get their towels, quickly joining the older teen in the shower. "See, Jeffy, werewolves like to have fun, too. And when they're hungry and excited, they really like to have fun." Jeffy shot Alex a dimpled grin, "Oh? They do?" Alex pulled down his shorts, liberating his nearly six in cock that had already inflated. The boys shed their clothing and followed him into the shower room, where he turned on a single shower and waited until the water was spraying out comfortably warm water. The boys joined him under the water. Alex sucked in his stomach and pushed his thighs out, trying to impress the boys with his size. "Now, there is one big difference between a normal guy and a werewolf. A werewolf's cock can grow to 16 inches or more." Jeffy gasps, "That's like the size of my arm!" "That's right. First, the werewolf will push it all the way down your throat and make you suck them." Alex pushed down on Jeffy's bony shoulders, but the boy was already on to the game. He knelt down in front of Alex and opened his mouth, allowing the teen to push his swollen meat into his mouth. "Make him swallow it all, Mister werewolf," Sammy encouraged. Alex pushed into Jeffy throat's until the boy's nose was nestled firmly into the small nest of pubic hair around his crotch. The boy's tongue swirled around Alex's shaft, as he fondled his own smooth cock. Together, the boys moaned as Alex began sliding his cock in and out of Jeffy's throat. "See, the werewolf wants to get it really hard and slippery for what comes next." "What comes next?" Sammy asked, knowing full well what Alex was planning. Jeffy let Alex's cock slip from his mouth as Alex helped him up and turned him towards the wall, pressing him against the cool tiles. "Next, the werewolf puts his huge, dripping cock all the way inside the prey. Making him take every single inch." Alex soaped his cock up and pushed it past Jeffy's quivering sphincter until he was inside the boy balls deep. The teen leans forward and whispers into Jeffy's ear, "And then while fucking him, he begins to eat him." Jeffy moaned loudly as Alex began thrusting into him while nibbling on the boy's shoulder and neck. Alex pressed his fingers to Jeffy's mouth to silence him and give him something to suck as he increased his tempo. The sound of slapping boy flesh echoed around the shower, audible just above the splashing of water on the floor. It was just a few moments before Alex's hot cum spurted deep inside Jeffy. "Your turn, Sammy," Alex said. Sammy took his smooth freckled cock and plunged it inside Jeffy's slippery hole with abandon and took just a few moments of short, hard thrusting to bring himself to a dry orgasm. Alex got down to his knees to take Jeffy into his mouth, as Sammy knelt down and inserted his tongue inside Jeffy's boy cunt and flicked it in and out. It took just a moment to bring Jeffy into shuddering ecstasy. Back at the bunks, Billy was preparing for bed when he noticed Tommy sitting on his bunk, hunched over with his arms over his head. He nudged Tad and motioned over to the boy. "He looks really sick," Tad whispered. Billy rushed over to Tommy's bunk, stopping short when he noticed a pool of greenish water spreading out on the floor in front of the boy. "Tommy, are you alright?" The boy was shivering, despite beads of perspiration rolling down his face and bare chest. "Had too much Lime-Aid..." he whispered. Billy looked down at the puddle on the floor, it looked more like lake water to him. Tommy tried to lean down to clean up the mess on the floor, but Billy placed his hand on the boy's shoulder to stop him. "Tommy, you're ice cold!" "I know, I just ate too much. I'll be fine..." "Let me get Derek." "No! I'll be fine. I swear!" "Let us clean that up for you," Tad said. He went into the kitchen and grabbed a roll of paper towels helped Billy clean up the mess. "Well, just lean back and go to sleep," Billy suggested. "I don't want to sleep right now. Do you guys mind hanging out for a bit? I don't know why, but I don't want to be alone right now," Tommy said. "Hey, what's going on?" Alex asked in concern as Jeffy and Sammy arrived closely behind him. "Tommy isn't feeling well," Billy replied. "Do you need us to get the camp nurse?" Alex asked. "No, I'll be fine. I just need to relax and let my tummy settle I think." All the boys sat around his bunk and watched over him, making small talk as the rain, and occasional thunder continued in the background. Tommy looked out the window at the rain, unable to shake the feeling he's lived this night before, yet his mind denied the feasibility of such a notion. "I'm feeling better guys, you should get to sleep. After all, tomorrow is the big day, and we have some ass to kick." Billy smiled, "That's right. We still got practice tomorrow morning?" Tommy nodded, "Damn right, so be ready." Everyone headed to their bunks except Jeffy who lingered for a moment. "Tommy, can I ask you a question?" "Of course you can, Jeffy. What is it?" "Do you think Rudolph and Klaus will ever get to be together?" Tommy looked up at Jeffy in surprise. "Well, my grandfather believed that there was a special place in the afterlife for all soldiers and for lovers. Rudolph and Klaus were both soldiers and lovers. So, yes, I believe one day they will be together just as they remembered one another. Love is a powerful force that binds people together, and I'd like to think that even death itself cannot break it." "So, the story will have a happy ending?" "Yes, I'd like to think that it does." Jeffy smiled, "Thank you, Tommy." As Jeffy climbed into his bed, Tommy rested his head on the pillow, looking up at the ceiling, allowing the sound of the rain to relax his burdened mind until sleep overtook him. To be Concluded -