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Sanctuary Secrets

Part Two

Chapter Eleven: Unforeseen Consequences

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

15th August, 2024

All Rights Reserved.

The Therian sanctuary, shrouded in grief and sorrow, became a sombre backdrop for the unfolding drama. Dr. Mercer, the once-respected leader, now as grief-stricken as the rest of them, stood before the community, his fur bristling with a mixture of anger and sadness. The promise of justice – therian – justice, hung in the air as he vowed to bring the perpetrators of Ryder's murder to account. Jackson and Dr. Owen had left to retrieve Ryder's body and bring it back, the other Therians and humans being sent to their cabins, leaving Dr Mercer and Misty alone.

The entire refuge, human and Therian alike, mourned the loss of a young life. The atmosphere was heavy, and the collective grief echoed through the once-peaceful community. The death of Ryder, a tragic consequence of human intrusion, cast a dark shadow over their haven.

Amid his sorrow, Dr. Mercer took charge of uncovering the truth of the attack. Regrettably, there was little he could do in the early hours of the morning – but he promised himself he and others would scour the ground for the slightest clues or hints – including going over the recording one of their cameras had filmed.

“Misty?” Dr. Mercer spoke softly. “There is nothing we can do, now, we should try to get some rest. Tomorrow, before dawn, we will start our search.”

Misty looked up at him, then carefully gestured with her paws, her eyes narrowing behind her lids.

“Why would they do this? Who would do this? Are we no longer safe? Was it the ones who hunted - “

Gently, Dr. Mercer embraced Misty, holding her tightly. “No, no my sweet doe, it's not them – I swear. From what little evidence I found, and the video recordings, they were illegally poaching kangaroos – they must have seen us out and about and...”

Misty's frightened grunts and coughs took a few moments for him to decipher.

“I know, but I promise, we'll do everything we can, to find them – and when we're done, they'll never hurt another kangaroo – or one of us – again, I swear.”

Again, Misty's vocalisations filled his ears, and this time, Dr. Mercer realised he had no answer for her – none whatsoever...

*

Oblivious to their dire circumstances, the two humans who'd broken into the sanctuary and killed Ryder, parked their corpse-laden truck and began unloading the bodies into a walk-in freezer.

“Derek – I'm not feeling so good,” Muttered the first, as he hung a kangaroo up on a hook.

His friend, the one who'd been bitten on the thigh, slumped into a camp chair outside the freezer. “Pah, you're being a pussy, Travis. Man up!. That fucking roo bit me on the damn thigh – it's hurting like a bastard! What do you think – dump these off and go see the hospital? We'll say it's a dog bite or something – who'd believe we got our asses beat by a fucking Skippy?”

Derek laughed weakly, then wiped a forearm across his head, flicking away the fine sheen of sweat.

“Yeah, that'll work, you know what? Fuck it – these will keep for a few hours, let's go see that hot nurse at the hospital – I think she's working tonight...” Travis grunted. “She's hot as hell, I reckon I got a chance with her!”

Derek laughed contemptuously, and then he suddenly doubled over, coughing and choking. Travis rushed over to him, then began slapping him on the back, before he gasped and pulled his hand away.

“Jesus Derek, you're burning up...”

“I'm...I'm alright – just a bit nauseous, must have had too much to drink -” Derek grunted, as he pulled himself upright and began hobbling towards his car. “Night in hospital, chat up some sexy nurses – get paid for these Kangaroos, hit the pub by lunchtime...”

Travis laughed softly, then nodded. “Yeah, something like... damn, you sure you're not coming down with something? Is it me, or is it hot tonight? I feel like I'm about to catch fire...”

*

The hospital doors swung open with a resounding thud, admitting Travis into the chaotic emergency room. His ragged breaths echoed in the bustling space as he staggered forward, a trail of blood marking his path. Nurses rushed to his side, their eyes widening at the sight of his distressed state.

“Help... please!” Travis's voice cracked with desperation as he struggled to remain upright. “My friend's hurt bad... he needs help!"

With a weakened cry, Travis collapsed to the linoleum floor, his body trembling with exhaustion and fear. A flurry of activity erupted around him as nurses and orderlies rushed to his aid, their trained instincts kicking into high gear.

“Get a gurney over here, stat!” one nurse shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. “And someone call the trauma team, we've got a critical case!”

Meanwhile, outside, the paramedics swiftly unloaded Derek from the vehicle, his motionless form a stark contrast to the frenetic energy within the hospital walls. They wheeled him inside, following the trail of blood left by Travis, their faces grim with determination.

As the emergency room doors swung open, revealing the bustling scene within, the urgency of the situation became palpable. Time was of the essence, and every second counted as the hospital staff prepared to confront the unfolding crisis.

“Bitten...” Travis gurgled, as he swayed then consciousness swept him away into unrelenting darkness.

*

Misty dropped straight off to sleep, much to Dr. Mercer's surprise and wonderment. He tried to sleep, but the grief, trauma and realisation of what had happened – kept the needed rest further and further from his mind.

As the first rays of morning broke, he gently touched Misty's shoulder, and one more, he was surprised as she went from a deep, restful sleep to wide awake in mere seconds.

“Misty? I need your help – your senses are way more attuned than mine. Come on, we got to go investigate.”

“Is it safe?” Misty gestured with her paws. “Are the bad people gone? Where are they? Will they come back for us? Are we safe?”

Dr. Mercer sighed and hung his head, deep in thought. “Misty? I can't promise what I can't promise. I don't know. We haven't had any more gunfire or anything – have we?”

Misty looked up, then shook her head, before she gestured again. “I'm scared! I don't want to get hurt – or worse – have you get hurt by them...”

Dr. Mercer, touched by Misty's love, gently cupped her chin and kissed her forehead. “That's why I'm taking you, Rachel and Jackson – if he's up for it. Dr. Owen will do the autopsy on Ryder – and before you ask, he'll be wearing full protective equipment. I know Misty, even dead, our blood is still dangerous – so he will take every precaution possible.”

*

As the first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and salmon pink, Dr. Mercer cautiously made his way towards where Ryder's life had been so tragically taken. Misty, living up to her name, vanished in the fog from time to time – her senses at full alert as she kept a safe distance, watching over Dr. Mercer and alert for anything untoward. The stillness of the morning was suddenly shattered by the explosion from the trees, as the birds took wing at the appearance of the two Therians – who were soon joined with Rachel and an exhausted Jackson.

“Touch nothing,” Dr Mercer told them. “We need to gather as much evidence as we can, and our footprints will disturb evidence, I hope, Misty can draw on to help us. Her senses are better than my own – even better than yours, considering her upbringing and where she lived.”

Carefully, they spread out, eyes scanning the ground. Dr. Mercer noted the disturbed earth and broken foliage – staying to the side as he followed it to where the violent encounter had unfolded. Misty cautiously approached, then crouched down low, sniffing and looking at the ground, moving carefully as she acted like a therian bloodhound for the group.

As she saw, then smelt, the residual bloodstains on the ground, Misty's eyes began to fill with tears as she moved away – following the scent of the two humans.

“Misty? Do you have something? Anything will help us – please?” Dr. Mercer begged her.

Misty growled at him, her paws growing numb on the wet grass as she sniffed and followed the scent, before at last, she shook her head, then gestured with her paws.

“Here, here... it was here. Their blood trail ends here. From the smell and lingering scent, they go in the... the...” Frustrated, Misty slammed a foot on the ground. “Thing... took them away here!”

“Their truck?” Jackson offered. “Their truck took them? Oh, they drove out – turned around and drove out! Okay, how about... Misty? Can you track them? See where they got in?”

Misty turned and began hopping, quickly outpacing the other Therians, making her stop and wait until they caught up again before she'd bound off. Instead of a meandering path, it seemed they had turned around and moved in an almost straight line to the edge of the fence, where they found it'd not been cut – but just flattened and driven over.

“Unbelievable - “ Jackson growled quietly. “I thought they'd at least cut the chain link...not just drive over it...”

“We will get it fixed. Right now, our first priority is to head back and see if Dr Owen has determined what exactly killed Ryder. Let's head back now. There's little more we can do here - they're gone.” Dr. Mercer sighed quietly.

“Do we get the police involved?” Jackson asked, looking worried. “We don't know if we can trust them – can we trust anyone anymore?”

“I... don't know – our paws are tied and...” Dr. Mercer instantly regretted his choice of words, as Misty growled something unspeakable. “Misty, I'm sorry, I misspoke...”

Angry and frustrated, the therians turned and headed back to their hall, Dr. Mercer troubled by dark thoughts on what the autopsy on Ryder would reveal...

*

Derek's prone figure lay amidst the clinical sterility of the hospital room, monitors humming softly in the background. Despite the outward appearance of tranquillity, an ominous tension lingered in the air. Travis occupied a neighbouring bed, his pallid complexion a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the medical team attending to him.

“Stay with me, what happened?” Asked a concerned doctor, as Travis's clothes were cut away, then the doctor removed the blood-soaked bandage from his thigh. “Deep puncture wound, laceration – looks like a... did a dog attack you?”

“Dog... big dog...” Travis mumbled, struggling to stay conscious. “Friend...”

Quickly, he was administered morphine for the pain, then a tetanus injection as a follow-up. His wound was irrigated and quickly checked, before being bandaged properly.

“He's alright – unconscious, and we don't know why – now, others are working on him. What can you...”

Suddenly, Travis's body began to convulse with a violent intensity, sending shockwaves through the otherwise serene atmosphere. Alarms blared as monitors registered a sudden massive spike in his heart rate, prompting frantic attempts to stabilise him.

“Get a crash cart in here – now!” Shouted the doctor, trying to hold Travis's convulsing body.

*

Back at the sanctuary, Dr. Mercer, Jackson, and Rachel stared at the video playback. They paused the video, staring intently at the two humans who were captured in the camera's frame.

“Clear as day,” Jackson growled quietly, his anger rising within him. “We could forward this to the Police...”

“Trespass isn't a serious crime,” Dr. Mercer sighed. “Wilful damage and... probably illegal use of firearms and illegal hunting – nothing we can truly get them put away for.”

“Murder - “ Rachel sniffled. “Then again, we can't prove anything... how would humans react if we came out? Those that do hunt us, would be on our door in a day – at most! No, we can't go to the police – we don't even know if one of them isn't working with the Hunters, do we? We can't trust anyone and...”

All three of them were startled, as a white-faced Dr. Owen burst in, trembling and looking like he'd had years frightened out of him.

“No time... explain – please!” Dr. Owen spoke, his protective suit covered with blood. “Important -”

Quickly, Dr. Mercer followed him, holding up a paw and stopping Rachel and Jackson from following. “No, please – stay here – you'll know the moment I do, I promise.”

Rachel looked at Jackson, who crouched down and sighed quietly, before he nodded his head, then left the surveillance room, Rachel reluctantly following him.

Dr. Mercer kept his distance, the scent of Therian blood awakening his darker passenger. Dr. Owen backed into the swinging doors, holding his bloodied gloves up, then held them open as Dr. Mercer entered the sterile operating theatre.

“It's Ryder - “ Dr. Owen shuddered. “We got a big problem.”

Dr. Mercer shuddered, looking down at the dissected corpse, trying to suppress his own emotions and guilt. “Other than the fact the bastards used soft-nosed bullets – gods, look at the damage to his lungs his ribs – I'm surprised he wasn't instantly killed in the first shot!”

Carefully, Dr. Owen covered the body with a sheet, then pointed at the dead Therian's muzzle.

“Blood spatter, not surprised – he would have been drowning in his blood, being lung shot - “ Dr. Mercer admitted. “What am I missing? Wait...”

Dr. Owen turned even whiter than the sheet as Dr. Mercer turned his head to stare at him, realisation spreading across his red kangaroo face, his ears flattening in sickened horror.

“He attacked them – I found human blood – he's bitten them...” Dr Owen shuddered. “We've got two Therians – wild – Therians, with no one to watch over them – or help them through their first transformation.”

“No...” Dr. Mercer's weak moan escaped his lips. “This... no, please, please tell me you're wrong!”

Dr Owen covered Ryder's corpse, then walked over to the counter, where he gestured at the microscope.

“The evidence is there – I checked four times, it is confirmed. Ryder, somehow – managed to attack them, despite his mortal injuries. There's two Therian's, loose and uncontrolled – out there, Dr. Mercer – we both know the danger in this...”

*

As the medical team laboured to stabilise Travis, a sudden and ominous transformation overcame him. His body convulsed with increasing and traumatising intensity, resembling an epileptic seizure – but nothing like the doctors or nurses had ever experienced. Guttural sounds escaped his throat, mingling with desperate gasps for air as his body began to twist and contort grotesquely, defying the laws of nature and science.

The medical team that'd worked to stabilise him – suddenly recoiled in horror and disbelief. Travis's features distorted, his body undergoing a traumatic and violent change as bones snapped and muscles reformed. Fur sprouted across his sweat-slick body and in seconds – gone was the human – in its place lay the shaking and convulsing body of a young male eastern grey kangaroo.

“What the - “ One of the doctors gagged, his eyes wide.

Without warning, the newly turned Therian's eyes snapped open – revealing the black, soulless eyes of one consumed by its inner darkness. Its snarl tore from its throat, as its fingers on the right paw contracted – then slashed out. With a gurgling moan, the doctor clutched at his throat from which blood spurted as it was torn open by the sharp, black claws.

It twisted off the bed, then as the staff screamed and tried to run – the Therian pounced and grabbed a young nurse by the collar and slammed her into the floor. There was a muffled scream – then a crimson spray of arterial blood that splashed the curtains as the enraged Therian tore her jugular out.

“Emergency, code black! Code black!” Someone shouted before they shattered the emergency button and a warbling siren began to shriek throughout the hospital.

Savage, wild and blood-thirsty, the Therian's bloodied head swept the room – something within it sensed the other one of its kind – as it stared from behind black, soulless eyes, at the unconscious shape in the other bed.

Without warning, it lunged at the nearest human – grabbing them by the shoulders and with one powerful downward swipe of its hind talons – it dropped the woman, who sprawled on the ground, clutching her intestines that slithered over her fingers like sausages – her blood pooling around her body.

Fuelled by primal fear, the Therian began leaving a trail of death and destruction in its frantic efforts to escape this strange, alien place. Any human that didn't lock themselves away was brutally butchered in increasingly horrific and violent ways. Some were disembowelled and others had their throats brutally torn open.

Panic spread like wildfire, as staff tried to lock themselves and those patients they could, into more secure rooms. Those who survived quickly snatched up cellular or fixed-line phones and placed frantic calls to the police.

As the sirens wailed and frantic people ran – and died – the Therian's blood-lust and rage grew exponentially. It kept shaking its head, the warbling siren like a white-hot knife to its sensitive hearing. Unhinged and unrestrained, the dark Therian rampaged through the hospital, leaving chaos and fear in its wake as it continued to seek its escape. The corridors were littered with blood splatter and corpses as its panic grew and grew as it doubled back and then searched frantically. At last, it slammed through the emergency doors of the emergency department and without thought or fear – it bounded through the plate glass of the doors.

As two police cruisers squealed and skidded, one of them struck the therian, sending it tumbling head over tail, before it leapt back to its feet and fled – leaving the shocked and startled officers pale-faced and bewildered even before they got out of their cruisers.

*

Left in the aftermath, there was nobody to notice, as Derek's heart monitor began to scream as his own heart rate spiked for several minutes, the monitor suddenly going from a strident warbling as he writhed and contorted on the bed – before – mercifully, his weak heart gave out and ceased. The monitor went from alarms to a long, steady singular tone – the patient it was monitoring breathed no more...

*

As the two police dealt with the aftermath, they soon realised what they were dealing with was way above their meagre ability to manage. Quickly, backup was called for and forensics as well. In the aftermath, the hospital was in chaos. Overwhelmed, the Police did their best, trying to get the irrational, fearful patients and staff coherent as more sirens were heard approaching.

“It was...” One nurse wept, hysterical and irrational. “It was a kangaroo – well, first it was a human then it... it changed... it slaughtered people and...”

Confused, the Police officer did his best, alternatively comforting the nurse and trying to question her, before he realised he hadn't been imagining, what he thought he'd seen – that had been a kangaroo he'd clipped with his cruiser, but a human turning into a kangaroo? His mind couldn't believe what she told him. As they fought to coral the terrified people, additional backup was requested over their radios and when it arrived, the first responders proceeded into the hospital.

Their gazes took in the slaughter – for there was no other name for it or belief it could happen here and now. What had had once been a quiet, rural little township, now resembled the setting for a big-budget Hollywood horror film. Corpses lined the hallways and rooms – blood splattered everywhere and the sickened and horrified police were left with panicked, and frightened people.

One of them got on his radio to the dispatcher, and a warning was issued about a wild and very dangerous kangaroo loose somewhere in the township – people were encouraged not to approach it, as animal control management was mobilised to try and hunt it down.

*

As was the way of things, it wasn't long before the mainstream media received word. Due to the rural nature of the town, their response was much slower than the first emergency responders, as they began making their way towards the town – that'd soon be the centre of a media frenzy...

*

Posts spread across social media like wildfire, and the police were soon overwhelmed with both real and fake reports – everything from a Bigfoot to a bloodied and wild-looking kangaroo bounding through backyards and soon – more reports of attacks and bloodshed filtered through, further intensifying the fear and chaos...

*

It didn't take long for the other group, who had secretly tapped into the emergency responder's communications – to get the reports and begin to put together a plan. Quickly, two teams were assembled and dispatched, with orders to be discrete, but hunt down this Therian at all costs – and preferably – capture it alive for interrogation.

“We have unconfirmed reports," Come the call over their encrypted radios. "Of a Mike Kilo Tango. All caution is to be taken to capture said Mike Kilo alive, at all costs. Human lives are expendable, but only if necessary. Mike Kilo Tango has slaughtered hospital staff and is at large. Exact position unknown. Further updates as we receive them. Repeat, Mike Kilo Tango is to be taken alive. Romeo Kilo remains our number one priority. OUT.”

TO BE CONTINUED...