A dull November morning; grey black clouds skid and scuttle past a white sky. Others find it strange I should want to live in such a dull place. It's a jungle here ,but it's where I want to be and there is always something to do.
This place found me,or to be more accurate Dawn found me.
With my short-lived powers it was dangerous to fall in love because we mate for life and I will stay in love forever,probably for another ten years or so.
I'm a paramedic ,one of those guys with the big ambulance parked outside his front door. With the limited time available to me I had to choose my cover well. My powers are strong but time is a leash around my neck.
The papers and media have taken to calling me Psychic Wolf, I knew they would!
It is hard to describe how I detect trouble in this urban jungle, its just a gut reaction; I just know when something bad is going to happen.
A shiver irritates the back of my neck,where my muscles harden,my nose senses a source and direction,my body trembles with anticipation.
What do I do if I'm walking around a supermarket or having a romantic dinner with Dawn? I stimulate a charge and the pager goes off. Friends are used to it by now. Quick excuses and its into the ambulance and I'm away - which is what I am doing right now!
I pull the van over and climb through to the back ; even before I press the six buttons needed for the electro charge I am tensed and ready.
What happens now takes maybe two seconds.
The van fills with vivid silver,green and blue light which shivers violently;electro magnetic pulses thunder through my body .The first sensation I feel is the roof of my mouth hardening which forcibly moulds my head from within. The muscles in my shoulders and arms bulge with power,my legs thicken with strength. My teeth yellow and form daggers .Finally my skin sheds and I am covered in a beautiful thick coat of jet black fur. I AM MAGNIFICENT.
Within seconds I am pounding the streets at great speed towards the sound of the alarm bell. As I run old ladies point in awe,young children clap,teenagers cheer encouragement ,I catch the name “Psychic Wolf” skidding through the air.
As I reach the doors of the bank two robbers are making their exit; bad people - sawn off shotguns – loaded bags. A Range Rover waits with engine running. Why do bad people so upset me? My hackles sharpen.
My leap is majestic(I never said I was modest),my right front paw smashes number one in the face and removes his left eye with immediate retribution,the other robber freezes as I leap at his shivering throat and he falls under me, the pavement is harder than his skull ,he is immediately unconscious and available for collection.
The driver has turned his engine off ,thrown the keys to the floor and sits with his hands in the air.
Oh so wondrous! I raise my head to the heavens and pierce the clouds with an endless howl; all around me the populace applaud and cheer. I have done well.
As I leave the scene I know the movement of my body has a symmetry and grace,I feel magnificent as I swagger back to the ambulance ,my head swivels from side to side,my tongue lashes my nose with pride. Down a side street the ambulance doors open automatically and I lope inside.
When I get home Dawn has made me my favourite meal,Shepherd's pie with a litre of clear spring water to wash it down.
We sit down on the sofa and she looks at me with those teasing naughty eyes and whispers.”How tired are you?Do you fancy coming upstairs,and help me to unmake the bed?”
What can I say ?The perfect way to end the day. I really am an animal.
Copyright © 2008 Rob Richardson. All Rights Reserved.