Moonlight

By Sean Ford

Daniel Harris has a good life, loving girlfriend, good friends, and a good job. But when his girlfriend Hannah is kidnapped by a high school stalker, Daniel learns that his home town of Moonlight is not all that it seems. the resulting rescue causes Daniel and Hannah both to confront the beast within, and realize that life in Moonlight is wilder than they ever expected.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sean Ford
• Release date: Sep 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301306572

Sean Ford

They say all good stories have a beginning, middle, and end. I guess I'll start at the most logical place, the middle. I currently am a pharmacy student at Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy and have received both Associates and Bachelors degrees in biologic science from Ferris State University.My writing is influenced by science fiction and fantasy works such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, and Doctor Who. I also draw from comics as well as some video game story lines

Book preview

Moonlight

Sean Ford

Published by Sean Ford at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Sean Ford

For Mom, Dad, and everyone else who has their own story to tell.

Table Of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Epilogue

From The Author

Prologue

Are you ready my son?

Yes father, it shall begin tomorrow as planned.

And Hannah?

She shall be ours, the Bloodclaws will win this war.

Good, see that we do. You shall lead, Adam. You will be the face of this.

I am honored father.

Take your finest tomorrow, and make a statement.

As you wish.

For honor.

For blood.

For the clan.

Chapter 1: Unraveling

Daniel sat at his computer in his cubicle praying for something exciting. He had been working on reports for hours, which is what he had been doing for the past couple of weeks. Last night with Hannah had been the first time he had gotten out of the office in a long time. Most nights he was too drained from the monotony of work to do anything.

The two of them had gone out to dinner and a movie, Daniel picking the restaurant and Hannah choosing the movie. He chose a Chinese place that the two of them loved, and she wanted to go see the newest installment of the Tale of Two Dimensions movies. The story was centered on a group of twenty-somethings that were drawn from all sorts of mythical races present in fantasy stories along with a human. The group had to stop a demon from invading the parallel Earths and destroying all life within them. Hannah had him read the books a few months ago and he had to admit they weren't bad. There was plenty of action in them to keep him entertained, but there was plenty of romance for her as well. After the movie, the two of them took a stroll around town and just talked for a while before he took her home.

As he crunched some more numbers, he got a message from his boss, mister Franklund. Daniel opened it and read it over. He needed to talk with him about sales projections and profit margins, again. Franklund was a brilliant man, but he always second guessed himself about any business decision. It never made any sense to Daniel why is boss was always worried. Franklund Enterprises was a successful company. They manufactured a diverse array of goods for consumers and for other businesses. There was no one product that gave them a claim to fame, but it was the vast amount of products offered that was their greatest strength. In the couple of years Daniel had been there since graduating accounting school, the company had grown steadily and was doing quite well. Daniel saved his work, then made his way to Franklund's corner office.

He was sitting in his chair, obviously stressed out of his mind as he fidgeted with a pen, taking it apart and reassembling it. It was unusual for him to be this worried however, especially considering sales had been steadily rising past estimates. Something was eating at him, but it was impossible to tell what. Thanks for coming Daniel, I read your report on the sales forecast. I was just about ready to commit resources to build another production facility, but I wanted to hear your take on it all.

Daniel was shocked. Franklund never let him in on decisions this big. It was usually on matters involving improving productivity or cutting minor costs, but this could make or break the company. Um, I don't know. Based on the numbers I have, we can support another facility. As long as sales don't drop twenty percent, we can run it and still make an additional three percent above overhead. Daniel knew that sales weren't going to drop twenty percent anytime soon, but he was sure to give Franklund all the pros and cons.

He sat there, continuing to take his pen apart and putting it back together for the longest time. Okay he finally said. I'll get the construction company on the phone today, see if we can't get something rolling by the end of the week.

Daniel was relieved. Franklund knew the company needed to expand, but he was hesitant to commit to any long term plan.

You know what Dan, you've been busting your butt with all these calculations. How about you take the rest of the week off.

No, mister Franklund, I need to be-

He held up his hand. Nonsense, a man like you needs some time to himself. Especially if he has such a loving girl waiting for him. You take the week off, full pay, and I'll see you bright and early Monday morning.

Dan rose from his seat and grabbed his coat. Then I guess I'll see you Monday. Franklund shook his hand, then Daniel made his way out the door. As soon as he made it outside, he fished his smartphone from his pocket. He dialed Hannah then started walking to his car which was parked down the block. The Franklund Enterprises building was in the downtown district of the nearest big city, Grand Rapids, but the production plants were spread out across the state of Michigan. The walk was a little long, taking him up Iona and across Division to a parking lot just in front of the community college building and Van Andel institute, but that gave him plenty of time to talk to his girl.

She answered quickly, knowing a call from him at this time of day meant something big. Hey, what's up? she asked.

How would you like to fall off the grid for a couple of days?

What are you talking about?

Franklund gave me the rest of the week off, paid vacation. It was in thanks for crunching some numbers.

Since when does crunching numbers get you a week’s paid vacation?

When those numbers convinced the boss we need to expand operations. He replied a little triumphantly.

An amused little giggle came from the other end. Seems you haven't let it go to your head. Remind me to look for you a new fedora a size bigger when we shopping at the mall.

You know I don't like to wear hats. he continued as he rounded the corner to Division, it put him at about the half way mark from the car.

But I like that fedora on you, it makes you look like a mobster.

You were always partial to the styles of the roaring twenties, remind me where I put that thing, I just might wear it today.

I placed it in your closet, top shelf, I think next to your fireproof box.

Daniel mustered up his best Casablanca impression, well, here’s looking at you kid.

Another giggle came through. You do know how to please the women mister Harris.

Nope, just know how to please one, and that’s the only one I care about. he said as he made it to his car. He unlocked the doors on his brand new Ford Fusion and got in. Once the engine started, the wireless system turned on. Hold on, I'm switching over to the hands free. he said as the phone connected. Once everything was linked together, he could still hear Hannah on the other end. There, now where were we? he asked.

You were on your way to come pick me up. All I need to do is let Carol know to take a set of notes for me tomorrow. The last paper I have for a while was due last week and I have the rest of the week off, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Fantastic, I'll be there soon. I love you babe.

He could hear her pucker her lips and blow him a kiss. Love you too. she said as she hung up the phone.

Daniel then pulled out onto the street and went for his apartment. He lived between downtown and his hometown of Moonlight. First thing he did as he left the lot was turn his radio on. A familiar guitar lick floated into the air. Daniel knew the song by heart, partly because it was a good song, and the other part was that it was Hannah’s favorite.

"Hey there little red riding hood, you sure are looking good, won’t you come to grandma’s house with me. Don’t be afraid of my wolfish smile, sit on down and stay a while, got a feeling girl you’re just what I need."

He cut onto the ramp putting him on US 131 going north. Traffic today was heavier than usual, most likely because the highway was getting resurfaced again.

Hey there little red riding hood, looking sweeter than a young girl should, won't you come to grandma's house with me. There's a fire burning in your eyes, only happens with a full moon rise. You got passion darling let me set it free.

The slow traffic was a good thing, it made him appreciate the weather. It was a clear, bright day in the middle of June. Slight breeze in the air, barely a cloud in the sky, it was in the upper seventies and the weather was supposed to hold out for the rest of the week.

Hey there little red riding hood, blazing hotter than I thought you could, won't you come to grandma's house with me. I'm enchanted by your cherry lips, passion dripping from your fingertips, set those hips girl to sway in time with me.

A couple minutes later his phone rang, the caller ID said it was Alex. He answered with the push of a button. Hey man, what's going on? he asked.

Dan, Hannah called me, said you two were going out of town for a couple of days.

That’s the plan, you want to come with? Bring Sara along?

Alex laughed on the other end. Sounds good, let me make a call and I'll get back with you. he said.

Okay, see you in a few then.

See ya.

Daniel pressed another button to hang up. The radio kicked back on time to finish the song.

Hey there little red riding hood, now a wolfish woman in this enchanted wood, we'll stalk this Forrest together, you and me. Another lick was strummed out, then Daniel howled with the radio at the end of the song. As he continued to listen, another song started up. I see a bad moon rising, I see trouble on the way. Daniel continued to sing along until he made it to the Alpine exit and got off the freeway. He then turned north and snaked his way behind the Target store to his apartment complex.

It was a collection of three story buildings of brick construction. It wasn't an amazing place to live, but it was worth it to be able to divert some of his pay checks into a savings account for a down payment on a house. He slid into his normal parking spot and got out. As he walked up the steps in the font of the complex, Daniel’s phone rang again. The number was blocked. He answered, curious.

Hello Daniel, it's Adam. came the voice from the other end. You going out of town for a few days? His voice was thick with murderous intent. Adam Garzono, son of Tony Garzono. The guy was the quintessential jock in high school and never grew out of it. He always was after Hannah, but she knew better than to get involved with the creep, her words. Daniel's version included a more colorful vocabulary.

What do you want Adam? Daniel replied.

Oh, nothing from you, but Hannah however- he let his voice trail off.

I wasn't kidding when I said would kill you if you got near her again.

Adam laughed. Please, you couldn't touch me. And besides, Hannah's mine.

Daniel remembered all the stupid things this guy tried to do over the years, different things he claimed marked her as his. He put these weird wood carvings on her front lawn, took any chance he could get to brush up against her, even went so far as to smear some of his own blood on her front door one time. Daniel went to his closet and grabbed a fire proof box from the top shelf, opened it, and retrieved the nine millimeter pistol and the full magazine from within. You know Adam, you can talk all you like, but I'm still going to shoot you if I see you anywhere near her.

Adam laughed again. We’ll see, and be sure to bring Alex along too, we have some unfinished business. he hung up after that.

Daniel dialed Alex and put his pistol inside his coat pocket.

Alex answered quickly. I was just about to call you actually. he said.

Alex, get over to Hannah's right now. Adam just called me, I think he's going to do something to her.

I'm on it, I’ll call to tell her I'm on my way.

Alex, Adam's expecting you, said something about finishing some business.

Alex was silent for a moment, I'll deal with Adam, just make sure he doesn't get to her.

Daniel hung up and jumped right back into his car. He lived about