Snow Bunny: Chronicles of a Wererabbit Book Two

Introduction

My name is Snow and I am a wererabbit. I thought my fate was to die in a lab. So did Josh before I helped him escape.

Things got scary when we brought Josh home. If my early years were like a Disney movie, my teenage years could best be described as an original Grimm fairy tale. It started with the nightmares we had to wake Josh up from when he began screaming in the dark.

Prologue

The man was about a half mile ahead of us. Josh and I were running behind as fast as our paws would take us.

The man’s scent led us back into town, down several side roads and into an alley. At the end was a brick wall. It could have been the end of the line except for a fire escape ladder that was hanging down. The man had used it and then pulled it up.

As we got closer, I shifted from rabbit and Josh shifted from wolf, to our human selves. Our bodies exploded into two shimmering balls of molecules snapping back into place mid-stride. Since we were wearing transform-wear, a second unnoticeable layer of fur shifted with us into our light clothes.

Josh paused to lace his fingers together so I could step up and reach the end of the ladder. Without losing momentum we climbed the ladder and raced up the rest of the fire escape to the roof of the three story building.

Once there we shifted again since our animal bodies were faster. Quickly we realized that the man we were after was inhuman himself, capable of greater speed and agility than a normal human.

We ran across and leapt to the next roof, following the man’s scent to an open window in the next building. Shifting again, we entered as humans. Being intruders was not good, but being wild animals was really not good.

We walked with purpose, ignoring the people at their desks and in the hall, making our way to an elevator. Deciding he more likely went down instead of up, I pressed the button. The short ride down allowed us to catch our breath momentarily.

The elevator took us down into the parking garage.

We ran out looking around. His trail dead-ended at a parking space. Then we heard the roar of a motorcycle and watched as it exited the garage one level up onto the street.

I turned to Josh. You go back into the building and call Dad, tell him to pick us up.

What will you do?

I will go up and see what direction he is going in.

Okay, wait for me! He began running towards the elevator.

He took off while I followed the driveway around and up to the street. At the top I saw the back of the man’s cycle as he raced off toward the highway.

Great, I thought. By the time Dad gets here with the car he will be long gone.

I only took a second to make up my mind. Sorry Josh.

I put my fingers into my mouth and let out a loud whistle. The remote on my transformable watch lit up sending a signal to call Thumper, my motorcycle. I suppose I could have had a button, but on the ranch I really envied how Edgar’s horse had always come when he whistled so that’s what I asked Dad for. The display on my watch began a countdown showing how long it was taking Thumper to arrive. It showed she was 1.2 miles away traveling at 120 miles an hour so it would take approximately a minute.

Right on schedule I heard her engine before I saw her. She was running in stealth mode so no one would take notice of a cycle without a driver. She reappeared as she pulled up in front of me. Thumper 3.0 was grey and white, electric, slim and super light, now that Dad had built her with a rare alloy. I took my helmet off the back and got on.

Hello, Captain, I said as I adjusted the strap.

Hello, the deep British voice replied.

I need to catch up with a man on a motorcycle that left here when I called.

Searching… The voice said as I started down the road after him. He is .9 miles away. A holographic display of the area appeared on the side of my helmet with a red dot representing the man. I hit the accelerator and easily closed the gap. Soon I could see him on the road ahead of me.

The man on the motorcycle deliberately cut off a car in the fast lane. The car spun around into the other two lanes. Cars from both lanes smashed into it, causing the traffic to come to a stop. Traffic ahead slowed to get a look at the accident.

The man disappeared from my view. I tried to stay on the side of the fast lane to pass but cars kept pulling out, trying to get around. Inevitably they got stuck which only made it harder to navigate.

I heard the deep British voice in my ear, Perhaps we should wait for the boy.

"His name is Josh. There is not enough time and he is my boyfriend." I had never used the word before but I liked the way it sounded.

That identification does not compute. You are too young to date.

Argh. I am not having this conversation now — with my helmet!

There is no need for insults.

I’m sorry, Captain. Can you please just tell me if there is an opening to this traffic soon?

The red holographic display zoomed in, depicting the road ahead.

Scanning... The traffic is backed up for the next three exits.

I guess we will have to try something else. I yanked up hard on the handlebars and slammed my heels down on my foot pedals causing the bike to rear like a horse and jump on the concrete divider between the lanes. It required some balancing but now I was able to zoom past all of the backed up cars.

The man has left the road and is now heading south.

Where?

Right here...ten feet back... twenty feet back…

A little more warning next time please... I crossed my arms, putting my left hand on the right handlebar and the right on the left. Kicking the bike hard with the side of my right leg and pulling on the left handlebar I whipped the bike underneath me so it was facing the other way. At the same time I did a handstand on the handlebars and spun around so I was facing front. The tires let out a long squeal as they returned to the divider at full speed. Doing a 180 in midair was much easier as a rabbit but Thumper 3.0’s new design worked perfectly. Although my arm muscles throbbed from the twisting.

I followed the man onto the dirt and into the hills. The bike jumped easily from point to point so we began to catch up.

I could see the man ahead of us again. He was crossing a wooden bridge over what must have been a hundred foot cliff. He jumped off his bike when he got to the other side. Taking out a knife he began cutting the ropes holding the bridge up.

As we got closer to the edge the Captain began quoting acceleration, distance and other statistics.

I interrupted, "And?"

We are not going to make it.

We have to.

It is not physically possible. We have to turn around.

No. We can’t let him get away. Keep going and when I say so deploy the parachute and use the ejector seat.

The ejector seat is intended for thieves only. It will not project you high or far enough to cover the distance to the other side.

Trust me, I said, saying a silent prayer. We made it half way across when the man cut the final rope causing the bridge to fall out from beneath me…

* * *

Wait a minute; I’m getting ahead of myself again. Let me back up to the night I rescued Josh, or a bit more, to how he was kidnapped by evil scientists in the first place.

Two things to remember: First, there are things you need to be aware of that occurred outside of my presence. Second, forget everything you think you know about vampires and werewolves…

PART I:

HOME

CHAPTER ONE

The Werewolf Trap

Josh was dreaming…

Remembering…

Toronto

February 6, 2013

Josh was running as hard as he could. The roads were unfamiliar so he had no idea where he was going. He could hear a voice screaming at him in a language he didn’t understand. A quick glance over his shoulder only confirmed what he already knew. The sight of a figure waving something with two long blades made him run harder. His sides were hurting and he could feel the sweat pouring down his back and face.

A hand grabbed his jacket and helped pull him forward. Come on! his older brother Elliot snapped. Move it!

Josh wanted desperately to shift to his wolf form so he could run faster but he was already in enough trouble. Elliot led him around several turns and slowly the screaming voice behind him faded.

Finally, Elliot collapsed against a wooden fence. Josh fell next to him, panting.

I am going to kill you! Elliott hissed.

I’m sorry… Josh’s chest was aching as he tried to breathe normally. He looked around at the plain houses and the street they had stopped on. The pulsating sound of water spraying lawns filled the air. Birds were chirping happily away, not a care in the world. Josh was still trying to get his heart to stop hammering. I’m sorry, he repeated.

What were you thinking? No, wait, obviously you weren’t thinking because otherwise you would have remembered that we aren’t in the woods! This is a human area! You need to go inside and use a bathroom. You can’t just take a piss on any rose bush you like!

I’m sorry! You said it was okay in emergencies and it was an emergency!

"Yes, but you have to make sure that there isn’t a human nearby pruning his bush! It is not cool to be chased down the street by an angry human with garden shears! I have to live in this neighborhood!"

Josh’s face was burning. I didn’t know he was there. The only thing I could smell was those awful roses. He scratched his nose, pinching his nostrils. I think I have an allergy.

Elliot slapped the back of his head. That’s why you have eyes. You need to use them here in the human world.

Josh rubbed the back of his head. I said that I was sorry.

Elliot stood up and put his hands on his hips. That’s it. That is the end of my turn. You are going to stay with one of your other brothers for the rest of your time here.

That is what Evan said when he dumped me with you.

Did you ever think why that is? Why no one wants to watch you?

Now Josh was defensive. Excuse me. The whole reason I am here is to learn about the human world. I bet you didn’t know everything when you first started going out of the den.

I didn’t, but I had common sense. Look, I have a pack of my own now. I have four pups to feed. I do not have time to babysit. Someday you will have a family of your own too and you will understand. Right now it would be better if you stayed with another of our brothers.

* * *

Josh twirled on his stool and tapped the edge of the table with his fingers, playing invisible drums. He followed the beat of the pop song playing on the jukebox behind him. He watched his other older brother, Garret, as he talked to the girl next to him. Josh hoped Garret would be better to stay with than Elliot had been since he was younger. Unfortunately none of his brothers were close to his own age. Garret was twenty-two, eight years older, but that was closer than Elliot who was twelve years older.

The waiter behind the counter asked him, What do you want to drink?

Josh began to say something but Garret jumped in, My little brother will have a glass of milk. He knows he is too young to drink.

Josh blushed. His hands balled into fists under the counter.

He hated the way the waiter asked in a condescending tone, How about chocolate milk?

Garret again answered for him, He will have it plain. He is allergic to chocolate.

So are you, Josh said defensively.

Garret gave a little laugh. Yes, it runs in the family.

The waiter left a glass of milk in front of Josh.

Your whole family is allergic to chocolate? the girl said. That must suck.

Garret smiled and shrugged. It is a burden I have to carry.

She laughed and leaned closer to him.

Josh took a sip of the milk while keeping his eyes on the exchange Garret was having with the girl. He also watched as Garret’s hand moved across the bar until it was touching hers. Soon their fingers were entwined.

The phone in Garret’s pocket vibrated and he pulled his hand away and took it out. He’d gotten a text message.

Excuse me, he said, opening it. He had ignored other calls he had gotten but this was from his sister. He grinned and showed the phone to Josh.

What is it? the girl asked.

Our sister just had quadruplets.

"Quadruplets?"

Yes, she sent a photo. He turned the phone around and showed her a photo of four newborn puppies.

Oh, puppies! She laughed.

Garret chuckled to himself, enjoying the private joke that he shared with Josh. Well, they are family.

Of course, my cat is part of my family too. How many brothers and sisters do you have?

Thirty, Josh answered, trying to join in the conversation.

Garret interrupted, Josh…you are too funny.

Really? she said, raising an eyebrow. And how many of them are canine?

All of them, at least half of the time, Josh thought. Annoyed at Garret, he kept his mouth shut this time. He took a handful of peanuts from a bowl on the bar and let them stay in his cheek as he sucked the salt off of them before chewing and finishing them off. Salt was one of the things he enjoyed most about human food.

So, are you close to your family? Do they live nearby?

Yes, we are close. Some have moved to America and some to Europe. Most of the clan still lives here in Canada though.

Do you live in the city?

I do but Josh still lives at home back in the countryside. I’m just showing him the sights.

You are such a good brother. She twirled her blonde hair between her fingers flirtatiously.

Yeah, right. Josh sighed. He was already bored.

Garret said, Why don’t you go play some video games? He pointed to a corner that had several large machines. The arcade was filled with the sounds of kids playing, the beeping of games and quarters dropping into machines.

Garret dropped some change on the bar. You do know how to play, don’t you?

Yes, Josh said, scooping up the money and getting up.

Josh sat at one of the games that had a seat and large enclosure. He wasn’t familiar with the game but thought, how hard could it be?

A few minutes later he let out a yelp. He jumped outside, getting his leg caught on the seat and having to hop on his other foot in order to free it. Still cursing, he waved his arms and patted his chest and body to make sure that he was intact. What kind of game is that? he yelled at Garret. Everyone was shooting at me! Is that supposed to be fun? He stopped an eight-year-old boy from getting in the game. This game is not for children. Here you go. Run back to your parents.

The boy — who had blonde hair cut in short uneven spikes — pulled away from him. You are crazy!

The owner came out from the back. What is going on here?

Josh was still speaking loudly. What is going on here? I should be asking you the same question. How you can put a game like this in a place that has kids?

The owner raised himself to his full height and pulled on his too tight belt. "Are you kidding?" he said.

Josh remained indignant. No, I have seen my own friends gunned down. It is horrible!

Garret came over. He mumbled to the man, I’m sorry. Grabbing Josh by the arm, he yanked him hard, leading him out.