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5

Mika, Theo, and Devion had left the village about three days ago and they now stood on the Old Mississippi river. The boat they'd obtained was one from before the Fall. It was an older riverboat; at some point someone had converted the engine to steam which made going against the current easier than them rowing. The humming of the engine and the paddles splashing in the water created a song that comforted the men as they rode along. They were outside of the packs territory and who knew what was waiting for them. each man kept a watch gaze in a direction, one to the right, one to the left and one to the front and rear. So far, they had not come across anyone, but they would need to replenish their stock soon so finding a settlement would be more benefited to them.

At daybreak of the fifth day Theo spotted smoke on the horizon. The plum was not large but several small strands others surrounding it. "Settlement."

"Alright boys lets refresh. No mention got it?" Theo and Davion nodded. It was known from the few pack members that go out into the other lands that humans were very cautious around wolves, or around anyone that was not like them. They needed to be scared of the big bad wolf they were weak. But Mika didn't want attention drawn to his group. Around the bend where the Old Mississippi met the Mother Red set a fishing village.

Several men were working on fishing nets on the shores, and boats of various sizes were tied toa makeshift dock. Devion stirred the boat to the dock as Theo and Mika tied it off. A short round man came up to the group. " How long you are staying?"

"Not long. Just passing through." Mika replied. The chubby man nodded, “Two coin and a name." Mika handed the man two silver coins," Keleon." He'd given his father's name not wanting his own to be given out. If there were any wolves out, they'd know the name. but humans were less likely to know of it. "Stores are down their sirs." The man turned writing the name on a piece of paper. The men went into the fishing village. They could smell the different kinds of "flavors" each person was. Humans outnumbered the freak folk, but the type that was there the humans in strength were outnumbered. Mika smelt at least two witches and could see them buying various herbs from one of the market stalls. they were beautiful creatures at first glance- long blond hair. Bright green eyes, and smooth skin. He watched them for a moment- ever so often in the span of a heartbeat there appeared a haze over them distorting their image for the briefest of moments. Yep, dark witches. he concluded. They were of little threat as they were wrapped up in their shopping. Mika made sure to let his brothers know of their presence but to not engage. Another smell drifted in on the wind that would mean more trouble. The smell was rancid, like moldy bread and chicken broth, mixed with fungus.Trolls Theo and Devion began to look around, but Mika knew better. Trolls didn't come out in the day, and they certainly didn't do dealings with humans. The scent was too far off their presence wasn't there yet. Devion stepped up next to Mika and whispered low enough only for the three of them, “Do you think they will attack later tonight?" Mika looked around to see if any guardsmen maybe out looking, " I don’t know but if they are this place is off guard for sure." Devion kept looking toward the woods half expecting to see some walking into town. "Devion why don't you take a walk and see what you can find,man?" Mika hinted that he remains in his human form. Devion nodded and began laundering over to one of the roads leaving town and into the woods.

"Theo you and I will see who else is here in town with us." Theo's low grow of approval was his only response.

Mika and Theo moved through the village not finding many more freaks on land. The waves Mika noticed began to have faces as they gently crashed along shore. the men of the village began to move inward away from eh waves preparing for a storm they said was moving in. Theo continued to check the village while Mika watched the growing agitated water. A faint smell with earthy and herbaceous tones drifted off the water. Mika could see a teal-colored hand gliding up the boats hull- his boats hull. "Fucking mermaids!" Mika growled as he raced toward the boat dock. the older fishermen were leaving their boats and supplies and trying to get away from the water as quickly as possible. The figure of a woman topless broke the surface, her teal skin having flecks of metallic as if there were tiny scales adorning her. Her long dark green hair cascaded around her, framing her large eyes and plump lips. Mika knew not to get to close to those lips, beneath them sat three rows of razor-sharp teeth. A sing song began as the mermaids called on the fishermen to come join them for a swim. their breast showing openly for all to see. Their song had little effect on other freaks but if a human was not careful, they were drawn in. A young man in his early 20s began walking toward the shoreline into the arms of a waiting mermaid. as soon as his feet hit the water the girls converged on his body. Villagers had all closed their homes when the mermaids appeared, no one wanted to be whiteness to his death. Angry that more were not coming to their song the horrid creatures began tearing apart the boats and dock. Mika had raced down the dock shifting his right claw so that as he moved, he ran his claws down striking any fleshy piece he could. A few good slashes got several to leave the dock and find easier prey, but one had been mindful to hang around their boat. She waited till Mika was almost there before opening his gapping mouth and biting a large hole in the boat hulls. Mika growled his frustration, "Damn witch!" he hissed. she laughed as she drew her claws along the rest of the hull opening it like a can opener. The boat went down fast now that it had been severed from itself. "I have better meat for you pretty girl why doesn’t you come get it." Mika took his long sharp claw and sliced a good deep gash in his left arm allowing the blood to drip onto the wooden planks. He knew they loved the scent of blood and would find this all to be irresistible. He waited. they were gathering their courage. the waters went still, and Mika knew then they were about to launch. From his right one flung herself from the water as another on his left mirrored her actions. Mika grabbed the one to his right with his clawed hand and flung her into her airborne sister. Smashing their heads together causing a sickening spat sound. The third sister, the one who destroyed the boat roared with anger as she came up in front of Mika breaking the wooden panels as she did. She was larger than the rest, the mother of the two it appeared. Her bottom half looked as though she had many wiggling serpents, as if she was part octopus. Her daughters had only one or two ends, but she had at least 8. She spat and green spit flew at Mika, “You will pay wolf!"

"Hardly sea whore." he lunged so fast she barely had time to blink, her bleeding hand had shaped to his other claw, and he had driven it into her unguarded chest. Her dug deeper as she thrashed about trying to escape her death. He finally reached his prize-the whither heart. She clawed as his arm trying to get him to release, screeching and wailing all the while but Mika stood firm. He grabbed his prize and snatched. A wet pop was heard followed by the thud of her body as it hit the wood. Mika crushed the heart till it turned to powder in his hands before lazily kicking her body into the water. Theo and Devion came running up to the shore looking of the floating bodies of the three mermaids, and their human victim.

"Well damn where's the boat?" Devion asked.

"Looks like we are walking boys." Mika said as he passed the men headed toward the little town center.

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