Dark Valley - Chapter Nine -
Story by Cederwyn Whitefurr on SoFurry
A reporter from Selene's past pays her a visit, with him insinuating that he knows more about the mysterious Enclave than she does. He extends an olive branch, and gives her evidence that completely makes her reevaluate everything she's ever known
Dark Valley
Chapter Nine
© Cederwyn Whitefurr
17th June, 2019
All Rights Reserved.
Selene remained in the hospital for 'observation' – but her heart knew what her mind refused to acknowledge. Whispers and comments were overheard from the Doctors as they consulted outside, checking her medical record and history. Finally, she was released – under protest – and Selene left the hospital and returned home – to an unexpected and unwelcome visitor...
*
“What do you want Gendrie?” Selene snarled, as she climbed out of the taxi and stared down the reporter who sat on her stairs.
“My, such warmth and enthusiasm! I thought you'd welcome me with open arms, after all, we're old friends, you and I!”
“You're not my friend – you never were! You got me into this mess to begin with. Started those rumours about me, blackmailed me and set me up to fall! I've half a mind to tear your head off right now!” Selene growled, as she advanced on him, her fingers curling into fists.
“Now, now,” He smiled, not at all phased by her anger and aggression. “You're just making my case for me Selene. I'm actually not here for you believe it or not, that ship sank when you got demoted and posted to here, such as it is...”
“What do you want then?” Selene sighed, as she leaned against the banister on the staircase.
“I'm onto something so much more interesting - “ He smiled at her, and she shuddered at the look.
“What might that be? Found some new innocent body to suck the blood and life out of like the leech you are?”
“Charming, as always,” He laughed derisively. “No, I'm here as a freelance reporter, seems your sleepy little town has had some rather – gruesome – incidents, hasn't it? Care to tell me about them?”
“Go fuck yourself - “ Selene grunted, as she pushed past him, then he grabbed her with one hand, stopping her, before she turned her head to stare into his eyes with a look of contempt and disgust.
“Get your hands off me, before I do something you'll regret - “ Selene whispered, her voice filled with rising anger.
“Just hear me out, please?” He asked, as he dropped his hand.
“I'll give you five minutes to make your case – be quick, my tolerance for gutter trash like you is limited.”
*
He laid some photographs on the table, then Selene stared down at them, her eyes wide as she picked them up one at a time and stared at them in horror and disbelief.
“How...these can't - “ She gasped.
“Be real? Oh, they are, let me assure you – they were – not easy to get, I promise you, that Enclave lot, they're pretty tight with their security and paranoia, aren't they?”
Selene looked at he photographs again, then shook her head.
“No, they're fake, they have to be – creatures like that don't exist, you're working for some trashy magazine that claim the government is being run by some alien cabal or some rubbish.”
“Look at them Selene - “ He insisted. “Look at them – half human, half marsupial? Some are fully marsupial – kangaroo's to be specific. They thought their little 'together' in the woods was hidden, but I received a tip off that some of them were meeting and – here's the evidence!”
“What evidence?” Selene snorted, as she rose and fetched a drink of water from the tap. “I see photographs that could have been whipped up by a child with photo-shop and access to the internet!”
With a sigh, he put his hand into his satchel, and Selene's body snapped around, a 9mm handgun held ready, her finger on the guard, pointing at him.
"Woah, hey, there's no need for violence - “ He exclaimed nervously. “I got proof in my satchel, please, let me get it for you – please?”
With a quiver, Selene lowered the gun, then set it back on the kitchen bench. “I've been – under a lot of stress lately, I'm...sorry.”
He shuddered and placed a blood specimen vial on the table before her.
"You know what this is?”
“I'm assuming, its what little remains of your conscience and professional courtesy?”
“Funny, truly – no – it's blood taken from one of those – things – I photographed in the woods. I have a, a contact, within the Enclave, she tells me – things - “
Selene's eyebrows raised sceptically. “They're a religious group, who pray to some God or God's – I don't know which, and they just wish to be left alone in peace. They don't harm anyone, and in turn, are generally left to their own devices.”
“Oh, please, you believe that claptrap, that they're some religious nut jobs? Honestly?”
“I've yet to receive information to the contrary – they're not exactly – forthcoming with information about themselves, or their practices.”
“Doesn't this arouse your curiosity? Not in the slightest?”
Selene thought for a moment, then conceded the point with him. “In a way, yes, it does. Now, I'm going to assume, you got this sample legitimately, you're not running some sort of con or scam, are you?”
“Me? Never - “ He smiled, his smile about as trusting as a Politician's promises. “I help you, you help me...”
“With what?” Selene snorted disdainfully.
“You let me break the exclusive story about them – who they are, what they are - “:
“If you're wrong about this – both of us will hang for this, you know that, don't you?”
“What if I'm right? How would you feel, knowing there's this – mob – of predatory, bloodthirsty, carnivorous kangaroo's, waiting to turn the town of Curlew Creek into their own smorgasbord?”
Selene snorted again, but he had made compelling arguments – sure – they sounded like the ranting of a mad man, but what – what if -
“Get the blood tested, go on, you'll be surprised, as I was, when I found out...you won't be disappointed, I promise you, this could be big Selene, huge even...the existence of Therian's, for centuries, rumoured to be just fanciful tales told to frighten little kids....
Selene had no answer for him – just her look of distrust and disgust.
*
Selene dropped into the re-opened veterinary clinic, before she walked in and the memories of that night hit her between the eyes like a bullet. It had been cleaned top to bottom, the desk replaced, new carpets, it was as if it'd never happened – and that she agreed, was for the best.
“I'd like to speak to the vet please, its important.” Selene spoke calmly to the receptionist, who smiled and nodded.
“Of course Constable, if you'll just take a seat, she'll be right with you.”
Selene sat, then idly flicked through a magazine, before the door opened and the vet come out, a young woman, who looked barely old enough to hold her veterinarian degree.
“Doctor - “ Selene began.
“Please,” Smiled the woman. “Call me Amanda, come in, how can I help you today?”
*
Amanda leaned back in her chair, turning it away as she frowned and gestured to the microscope, its slide holding a blood sample.
“This is someone's idea of a joke, isn't it?” Amanda asked.
“In what way?” Selene inquired.
“This blood – its – well, its mammalian, obviously, marsupial...Macropus Giganteus if I'm not mistaken -”
“But...” Selene prodded.
“But- “ Amanda shook her head. “No, it can't be, this has to be a contaminated sample...”
Frustration sets in on Selene's face. “What precisely are you driving at?”
“This blood, it...its not possible, it can't be! It's...got human blood mixed with it, its like – some sort of unnatural hybrid!”
*
Selene sat at home in shock and disbelief. She had sworn Amanda to strictest secrecy regarding this, as her mind whirled in incredulous thoughts. Could it truly be, that this was real? Could Gendrie be telling the truth, was this really a sample from one of the Enclave? How did he – no, it had to be some elaborate joke of his, seeking to discredit and destroy Selene...
What if he's right... Selene's mind whispered to her.
What indeed...
To Be Continued...