Vigilant Shadows

By Savannah Taylor

I lost everything... my parents died... my boyfriend cheated on me... my best friend betrayed me...
Trying to forget the past I fell deeper into a void I never knew existed. A void filled with shape shifting animals; imminent death and a town on the verge of destruction.
If I am not totally messed up after all of this I'll be shocked or who knows maybe life just might turn around after a few dates with my dog.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Center One Books
• Release date: May 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781939985279

Savannah Taylor

Savannah Taylor pens children's fantasy-magical mystery books. The Lost Kingdom is a series of books that takes you on a journey to another world where kids want to explore. Look for the sequel to THE LOST KINGDOM coming soon and collect all her stories. Parents will love them too.

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Vigilant Shadows Book One:

Vigilant Shadows

Savannah Taylor

***~~~***

Vigilant Shadows - Center One Books

Kingsley, Michigan - All rights reserved.

Smashwords Edition - Copyright 2014

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

To the Derpy Family

even though you don't exist...

Technically.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Dedication

Author

Title

Prologue

Is it true about all the stories? Is it why this town is deserted...its haunted? The little boy asked his father.

Your mother knows the stories better than I do. I don't know if it's really haunted or not but this place has never been able to recover, it's a permanent ghost town. The man told his son.

There's a reason no one is here, it's impossible to get water for miles around, if you do find any it's contaminated. Closing the car door the mother walked over and answered the little boy.

I don't understand. Where is all of that water coming from? There aren't any rivers or lakes near this area to create enough to make a waterfall. Where is it coming from? The little boy asked again.

It's her, she's crying. The mother replied.

Who's crying? The little boy shrugged.

The one who keeps us alive, the only one who could save us, unfortunately there's no one to save her. The father replied.

What happened to the rock quarry? We've always been told in school it was bone dry? The little boy seemed confused.

She's flooded it with her tears. His mother informed him.

Have they been stopped at least? The boy questioned.

Not even close, there are too many areas hidden that need to be stopped before they ruin the world or rather infect it. Lily and Daniel won't rest until it's done. The mother answered.

1 — Starting Over

Normally I would have waited for the sun to go down or at least for the outdoors to cool a little before packing up the moving van. It was one hundred and three degrees and I was ready to get out of here. I wanted to leave everything behind me; there wasn't anything left to keep me here. My parents had passed away in a car accident about a year ago while I was off attending college. I had been called out of class to be given the news. I had an entire year to do this but I put it off until the last, I simply wasn't ready emotionally to go through my parents belongings.

The last few months were incredibly depressing going through their personal things deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. My boyfriend at the time kept asking how much I was going to sell the house for when I finally told him to get lost; apparently he actually thought I was going to put money into his band. I might have supported him if I hadn't found he was cheating on me for the last several years. Not just with one girl but several. That's also when I had found out my friends and ex-boyfriend had only been there for the money.

My parents had earned a lot and I had benefited from it. Now that my parents were gone they all assumed I was poor. It's one of those moments of truth when you find out who truly was a friend and who wasn't. I obviously wasn't good at picking friends because I found myself alone. I might not have been poor but then I wasn't going to let them know. I didn't want or need leaches for friends.

I lived in a small suburb not that I ever had any reason to leave here before, except for college, everything I needed was within a mile of home. Even though I was spoiled living here in the city I was happy to leave; I was rarely noticed here so no worries about anyone missing me. It was easy to blend in here with so many people. If you fell out of your social surroundings it was almost impossible to get into another one. It was an easy way of ending up alone. Most only noticed me if they wanted something from me.

For a while I was addicted to the western theme, a friend of mine wore it after I had for a week and earned a nickname for it. True this could be a petty thing to hold a grudge over but it's been this way my entire life. My sixteenth birthday I wasn't even the center of attention, it was my boyfriend. Yes he was good looking but we had just started dating and he was paying more attention to the guests than me. When I think about it I wasn't really sure why I dated him other than the fact that he asked. He was never romantic and none of my friends were the type I could call in a crisis, much less want to. I was pretty sure the only reason I dated him was because it was expected, we had all paired up and I had been picked by him.

My parents hadn't bother me so much about blending in with the others once I started dating him; he was a real charmer and knew how to act to get others to like him. His main flaw had been that he put himself first even when it meant something you cared about. He had put on a great show in front of our friends or my parents except the day of my birthday, he had forgotten to get me a present or even speak to me that day.

Worse yet on Valentine's Day last year he was supposedly sick when I caught him having sex with what was supposed to be my best friend at her house. She was supposedly suffering from the flu and I wanted to bring her something to help her feel better. Apparently it wasn't needed. Needless to say I don't speak to her anymore either.

If I get burned or can't trust someone there's no relationship of any kind after that. I can be pretty forgiving but not when it's been going on for years. I never wanted to be a cheerleader or in the band. I liked staying home reading a book or watching a movie. I was the chic gamer who would rather be role playing through computer games. It was fun but sadly I used it more to avoid others then to actually fill my time. When I had gone to college I was always liked, never met anyone who hadn't liked me; still I kept my distance. I met for the little parties but always left early, joked with others and felt comfortable starting a conversation with pretty much anyone, but that wasn't really a friendship. I was at the point I had issues with trust, I had been burned and used by friends, boyfriends, neighbors so many times that I finally had it when I found out the truth; that even my parents had deceived me.

I was an only child but after going through many of my parents files I found out why. They couldn't have children. Apparently my father was number three hundred and twenty seven while my mother's file number was six hundred forty eight. Recorded in the files had been both of their medical histories and a brief description on how they looked but nothing after that. I was both angry and sad when I found this out. My parents could have told me I wasn't biological instead of finding out this way but then most likely they never intended on me finding out. Either way at least I know my mother did carry me during her pregnancy, that I had seen often enough when I challenged her when I was younger she would show off the scars she inherited from me. I doubted I would ever find out who donated an egg and sperm so my parents would be able to raise me. Besides, how would you go about that? It would be far too awkward!

Closing up the back of the truck I had looked around for the last time. The house had sold rather quickly because of the neighborhood we lived. We had lived in a gated community which I wasn't going to mind leaving behind. There were so many rules I always felt I had to ask permission before I sneezed. We couldn't put things out in our front yard without permission from the community. I was finally going to decorate the next place anyway I wanted. I kept the family summer cabin which I always loved visiting, it's where I planned to start over.

My bedroom walls at the cabin had been painted a dark purple with black trim. I could swim any time I wanted to without a neighbor watching me or throwing a fit over the possibility of making too much noise. After all what was the point of having money if others could tell you how and where to spend it?

It had taken me fourteen hours of driving to reach the cabin, thankfully the county would plow down my road, at least to the two-track that lead to my cabin. This would be the first year I would have a white winter, I couldn't wait till Christmas. Then at the thought of it I felt a bit sad, I knew I would be sitting there alone listening to music and decorating the tree with gifts wrapped; I would know what they were since I would have to buy and wrap them myself. Taking in a deep sigh I kept driving down the dirt road. From here on out my life was going to be different; I just didn't know at the time how different it was going to be.

It was a good sign that I was almost there when I started to see nothing but trees all around me. The road was getting a little narrower as I drove along, not as many people either since this area was rather seasonal. Turning off from the road I had to park on the side while I moved the gates back that blocked my private driveway. It was two miles back from the gates before I would be at the cabin. There were limbs, thick grass and leaves all over. At least I would enjoy what was left of the summer and be able to clean up before winter hit. I had never actually been here for one but I heard they could be harsh. Driving the moving truck as close as I could to the cabin I was excited to finally be here.

Standing outside I was hit with the foulest smell ever. Something had died rotting in the hot sun. I didn't see what it was but it was making me sick. It wasn't until I had pushed the door open that the door itself fell over off the hinges and the smell became much worse. There was blood everywhere. As disgusting as it was I felt sad for the raccoon that figured out how to get in but was stuck and couldn't get back out. It had been over two years since we were last here so I had no idea how long he had been trapped inside. Before I did anything else I opened all of the windows, I hoped they wouldn't break down the way the front door had.

Breaking out the cleaning chemicals I scrubbed down the entire place, it wasn't until late at night that I started to unpack a few pieces from the truck. After bringing in the couch and a few boxes I had locked up the truck and fell asleep on the couch, I was too tired to worry about the fact that there was no front door. If this had happened at a house in the city, I never would have left the front door off. But then if I had left it to get a part, everything in the house would have been stolen. I did regret it in the morning when I felt a light mist of water not only getting me but everything else wet as well. It was raining pretty hard outside and with no door and all the windows open it was letting it all in, figures it would be raining at a slant because of the wind. It had only taken me another hour to finish bringing in everything; I had plenty of time to unpack later.

First thing I wanted to get fixed was the front door. For now I hung a long heavy blanket using two strong nails to hold the top of it in place, the wind could barely blow it. I would have brought the moving truck back now but I was too tired after unloading. Instead I went back to the couch a drifted off to sleep for the night.

~~~~~

Waking early in the morning I started my day off by driving the moving truck into town. I had my mini coup attached to the hitch; sadly I hadn't filled the gas tank yet. I only had enough to make it to the gas station. I did get a piece of advice from the moving company, I needed to buy winter tires before winter hit or risk getting stuck waiting for them to bring a tow truck to pull me out, in snow I could easily step through.

I was used to living in the city where everything was either open twenty four hours or opened up incredibly early. This little town was pretty much empty other than all of the cars parked by the small diner. Walking over to it I went in to get breakfast, at least I could fill in time until the stores opened. The place was packed, maybe everyone else had the same idea except they all seemed to know each other. I almost felt as if I had walked into a private party. The waitress was friendly enough bringing me to my table until a gentleman tapped me on the back as I was passing him. Turning to see what he wanted, he was an older gentleman; I was guessing maybe seventies or eighties.

We haven't had anyone new; I believe you're in the old McCray cabin? If you need any help fixing it up since it's been sitting vacant for the last five years, this young man can help you. Handing me a business card he seemed rather happy to see me.

Thank you, I'll call if I need help. Smiling back I had finished following the waitress to my table. It wasn't that long ago since we were last here, how would he know us since I don't even recognize him?

Sitting down looking at the menu I already knew what I had wanted, nothing had changed, not even the design of the menus. I ordered this every time we had come here, the 'morning sun' order. Three buttermilk pancakes, four pieces of bacon, two sausages, four heart shaped pieces of wheat toast and a small cup of oatmeal with strawberries and blueberries mixed in. This was the only time I had ever eaten this much. I loved the food here. As much as I liked to indulge, since I'll be living here I'll have to be careful not to allow myself to keep going overboard. While I waited for my food to come the waitress brought out my coke and orange juice.

Do you know when the stores open? I hoped they would open soon.

They don't open for another two hours, around here nothing opens until ten a.m. Eat really slow and you might not have to wait too long, time has a way of going quickly. She looked sympathetic when she walked away.

How was I going to spend that much time? Two hours was going to feel like forever, all I needed was a new hinge and some gas and I've never taken that long to eat. The door really didn't look that bad so I doubted I would need to replace it. After I ate I looked over all the pictures on the wall and watched the other customers enjoying their desert, I had only taken up forty five minutes.

Leaving a tip I tried to leave the diner, a few stopped me on the way welcoming me to the town, how did they know I was staying and it wasn't just a vacation? Word seemed to travel fast in the little town. I wasn't used to people who actually paid attention to me and it was already starting to creep me out. I must have really stood out?

I didn't make it very far outside of the door; there was a young man who was giving away puppies. They looked like a mix between a Husky and a Saint Bernard. There was one in particular who was staring directly at me whimpering, it wasn't one of the younger puppies, it didn't look anything like the other puppies, it looked more like a wolf than a husky.

How old are your puppies? Kneeling down I started petting the dog who seemed incredibly friendly.

They are nine weeks old except for that one your petting, he's older, not really sure about his age, we found him sleeping in the garage with the litter and their mom. Dad thinks he's three years old. He's going to be harder to place since he's not a puppy, he's not the father of the other puppies either, and I saw how that happened. He still looks a little like the others, he's been my best friend over the last year but my dad says I talk to him too much and that I need to make human friends. He looked incredibly sad as he watched her pet the older dog.

Is that the only reason your dad is making you get rid of him? He was so young he shouldn't worry about being social at this age? What was wrong with making a friend out of an animal or even an imaginary friend?

My baby sister is allergic to the dogs, we already placed the parents and I kept these until they were old enough to be placed. I don't want to get rid of my friend but I don't have a choice. There had been a tear that dropped from his eye as he tried to be brave.

Tell you what, I'll take your friend and whenever you want to visit him you can. I'll be taking him for walks at the park so if we see you there or anywhere else you can visit, or if your parents feel comfortable maybe you can spend the night sometimes and play with your dog? I hoped it might cheer him up if he knew he could still see his pet.

I think he's too old for slumber parties and he doesn't like being called a dog, his name is Daniel. Picking up his little friend he handed him to me, at least the boy seemed happy as he gave him to me.

I sat with him until the last puppy was placed, it hadn't taken very long. I noticed more cars lined the street while shops started to open up. The boy's father came to pick him up with a relieved look on the man's face as he motioned for him to get in the car. Standing up and saying goodbye to the boy, I walked across the street to the grocery store, picking up a leash for the dog, dog food and the hinges I originally came to get. By the time I had bought everything it was almost lunch time. I had ordered food to go from the diner since I had yet to get the electric up and running back at the cabin.

~~~~~

I had so much to put away, the bed upstairs I had moved out of my room and put it in the study room. I preferred mine because it had a memory foam mattress and was queen sized unlike the little twin sized bed that was in there. I put up new curtains before putting the rest of my personal belongings away. Down in the kitchen I debated using my dishes or the dusty ones that still inhabited the cupboards, in the end mine won out.

There were personal items of my parents throughout the cabin. Using my old boxes I had packed away the items I didn't need. There were a couple things of theirs I kept out for sentimental reasons. Every room I had gone into the puppy followed me, even when I had grabbed my beach blanket to sit on the beach for a while. There were a few trees around the cabin with an overgrown brush trail that led to the beach. Laying on the warm sand he snuggled up against me, it was nice to have him with me even if he was a dog. For the rest of the day I hadn't seen anyone, it felt good laying in the sun resting. I was already making plans for the yard. I could just hear all of the complaints that my old neighbors would have had. I felt like putting the tackiest statue out front not because I wanted it but simply because I could.

Not that anyone would really see it out here in the woods, my closest neighbor was three miles away. I had spent most of my free time lounging on the beach playing with my new dog. Apparently tired enough to nap out here, something I never would have done in the city. At least not without the gate being locked, here anyone could have walked up to me except I knew there wouldn't be. I had always felt safer here; a feeling that apparently hadn't gone away.

I knew I would eventually need a job except I wasn't sure what I would do in a small town, an hour away there was a slightly bigger city, most at the restaurant seemed to talk about their jobs there. The town itself only had a few stores. I still hadn't had the electricity turned on so the only light I had came from outside and that wasn't much with the trees blocking out most of the natural light. Using a candle to find my way to my bedroom I turned in early.

Having the front door back up and the dog with me I felt much more comfortable, I knew I was safe but it's nice to know I can close out the outside world when I wanted to. First thing in the morning I had planned on teaching him some commands. Lying in bed I had been joined by him trying to cuddle up. At least I didn't have to worry about being cold, my dog was radiating heat and he felt like a furnace. I had my arm wrapped around him not that I would notice if he left. I was a pretty sound sleeper when I was out. The only reason I wound up waking early in the morning had been from a loud bang.

Sitting up quickly I had looked around not that I could see very well, it took a while for my eyes to adjust. With it so dark it made it that much harder for my eyes to see anything in the darkness. Pulling the baseball bat from under my bed, I stood looking around hoping it was the dog that had made the noise because he wasn't still in the room with me. After I checked out the upstairs finding nothing. I worked my way down the back steps into the kitchen, they were more secluded then the front steps that went into the living room where it was open to the front door and dining room. Holding the baseball bat in striking position I crept around the corner from the kitchen to the living room and finally found what caused the noise...it wasn't the dog.

It was right there, in the middle of my living room, staring at me holding one of my couch cushions in a lucky position. A full grown man completely naked; he wasn't even wearing shoes. I didn't want to let him out of my eye sight but I also didn't want to be rude and stare, but it was hard. I never have had a man around me naked like this before. He wasn't armed not that he needed something to do damage with, was he stealing? Nothing was in his hands save the cushion, was he here to sleep? Maybe he thought since the cabin had been empty for so many years that it still was. Suddenly the feeling of safety I had felt over the last days was gone.

What are you doing here…and naked? I still looked in his direction; I didn't want to be taken by surprise especially by some way too handsome naked man.

You brought me home; don't you remember I'm Daniel? He seemed genuinely confused.

What did you do to my dog and how did you know his name? Is this a scam? Holding the baseball bat a might tighter I was ready to start hitting him if he tried anything regardless of his naked state.

It's not a scam, he said holding his hands up to protest; this only caused me to blush and look away for the first time since entering the living room. I just prefer to be in human form. My parents ditched me with the human family so certain people couldn't find me. Cody's father was right, as a dog I was three years old, in human years I'm twenty eight. He said this as if it was supposed to make me feel more comfortable.

I'm not sure if they have a psychiatric ward here at the local hospital but if they don't I'm willing to pay an ambulance to drive you to one. Besides aren't dogs seven years to every human? As I spoke I walked slowly over to the phone until I remembered I hadn't contacted the phone company to turn it on. My cell phone was upstairs.

I'm not crazy, I might not have had the most conventional life and most freak out the way you have when they first see me. This is a huge secret that I've had to hide except I feel I can trust you, I'm rarely wrong when I feel this way. Since we are going to be living together I wanted to be honest with you. I don't know what happened to my parents, what's going to happen to me if people find out my secret and I've been taught by an incredibly intelligent eleven year old. We did all his homework together every night and I've taught myself to read using his books. I can prove I'm a wolf not a dog and I don't age the average seven years, that's not exactly accurate anyways. Different breeds age differently mostly depending on the size of breed. I'm only twenty eight; I swear. He said the last so vehemently as if that was the part of his story I was having trouble believing.

The man looked twenty-eight but last time I had checked wolf-men were nothing but fairytales. As I considered what he said trying to keep my gaze appropriate his green eyes started to get smoky looking.

Still not knowing how bad the situation was I took a step back into the kitchen towards the stairs and my cell phone. I watched him as a state of shock over took me and my brain tried to connect what I was seeing