Summary: Hoss suspects that a mysterious houseguest might actually be a werewolf.

Rating: PG 

Word Count: 4,358

Chapter One

It was late in the evening when Professor Thaddeus Blackwell drove his buggy down the dirt road on his way to Carson City to give a lecture. Thaddeus wanted to stop and make camp for the night, but decided to ride on through to Carson since he was already behind schedule.

Thaddeus lifted his gaze at the full moon shining through the scattered dark clouds. He heard the sound of a wolf howling in the distance when he shifted his attention back to the road ahead of him and saw the dark figure of an animal scurrying past the buggy. The horse reared and kicked its legs up in the air. 

“Whoa girl. Easy now.”

The horse took off down the dirt road and Thaddeus pulled tightly on the reins to stop. He hit a bump and the buggy toppled over. The horse slowed down to a trot and shook her head. Thaddeus slowly lifted himself up off the ground and rubbed his head. He examined the buggy and saw the wheel was busted. He sighed and looked out into the blackness of the night. 

He was at least a few miles from Virginia City and there was no way he could make it there on foot. He went over to his horse and gave her a gentle pat. He grabbed hold of the reins when he heard rustling in the bushes. 

He whipped his head to the left of him. “Is anyone there?” 

He took a few steps towards the bushes when he heard a low growl. Two bright yellow eyes appeared as well as a pair of razor sharp teeth. Next thing Thaddeus knew, the black figure leapt out of the bushes right at him. Thaddeus let out a blood curdling scream and a wolf’s howl echoed through the trees.

*****

Meanwhile, it was a quiet and peaceful night for the Cartwrights at the Ponderosa. Ben sat at his desk doing some bookkeeping while Adam sat in a chair reading a book. Joe and Hoss played a game of checkers near the fireplace.

Ben wrote down some figures on a piece of paper and lifted his head with scrunched eyebrows. 

“Adam, don’t forget about that auction tomorrow.”

Adam sighed, not looking up from his book. “Yeah, I won’t, Pa. I still think you’re wasting your breath on that horse.”

“Just make sure you don’t bid more than what it’s worth.”

Adam, knowing how stubborn his pa could be, adjusted in his seat and muttered with a slight grimace, “All right.” 

Hoss held his gaze on the checkerboard, contemplating his next move while Joe waited impatiently.

“Come on, will ya make your move already?”

Hoss furrowed his eyebrows. He looked down at the board and began tapping his fingers against the table.

Ben looked over at him, his face showing annoyance. “Hoss, would you stop that tapping?” he grumbled.

“Sorry, Pa.”

Hoss made his move, feeling very confident that he finally pulled one over on his little brother. Joe looked up at his older brother and gave a devilish smile. He moved his red checker piece swiftly across the board over Hoss’s black ones, winning the game.

Hoss slapped his hand down on the table in irritation. “Ah, dad-burn it,” he said under his breath. 

There was a knock at the door. Ben looked over and saw that neither Adam, Hoss nor Joe had moved. He shook his head and then got up from his desk.

“Well, don’t everybody get up at once,” Ben remarked as he headed to the door.

Ben answered the door and lightning flashed. Adam, Hoss, and Joe’s heads snapped up at once.

Thaddeus Blackwell stepped up to the doorway. Ben asked in puzzlement, “Can I help you?”

“Yes, I’m awfully sorry to disturb you, but I had an unfortunate accident a few miles north of here. A wolf spooked my horse and I wrecked my buggy. I was wondering if you might take shelter in your barn for the night.”

Ben took notice of his frazzled appearance. “Oh, I’m terribly sorry to hear that. Well, you’re welcome to stay in the barn, but it looks like a storm is coming, so you might be more comfortable in the house.”

“Oh, I don’t want to impose,” Thaddeus said.

“No, it’s no trouble at all. Come in.”

Thaddeus thanked Ben as he stepped into the house. Adam, Joe, and Hoss all got up from their seats and walked over to him with a curious look on their faces. Ben held his hand out towards them and introduced Thaddeus to them.

“These are my sons, Adam, Hoss and Joe.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, gentlemen. I’m a literary professor from New Hampshire. I was on my way to Carson City to give a lecture.” 

Ben said, “Oh. Well, if you would just wait right here for a moment. I’ll inform Hop Sing we have a guest.”

Ben walked into the kitchen. Thaddeus looked around the living room in awe. “My, you have a very lovely home. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”

Adam thanked him. Thaddeus started walking towards the fireplace when a book slipped out of his coat and onto the floor. Adam picked it up and glanced at the cover. It was a book on myths and legends.

“Very interesting selection,” Adam remarked before handing the book over to Thaddeus.

Thaddeus said with a chuckle, “Oh, yes. I find it very fascinating. Especially the part about werewolves.”

Hoss chortled. “Ha. Werewolves. Ain’t that the silliest thing I ever heard.”

Joe glanced over at him with raised eyebrows and retorted, “Says the guy who believed in leprechauns.”

Hoss furrowed his brows at Joe. “That’s because I seen’em with my own eyes. I ain’t never seen no werewolf before.”

Thaddeus commented, “Well, just because you haven’t seen one, doesn’t mean they don’t exist.”

Ben returned with Hop Sing and introduced him to Thaddeus. He then had Hop Sing show him to the guest room. The Cartwrights watched Hop Sing and Thaddeus ascend the stairs, perplexed by their new houseguest.

*****

In the middle of the night, Hoss was awakened by a crash near his window. He snorted—his eyes fluttering open. He got up from his bed and walked over to the window. He saw Thaddeus over by the water trough, splashing water onto his face before hurrying into the bushes and vanishing into the night.

Hoss moved away from the window, puzzled. He wondered if he should wake up his pa and tell him what he saw, but decided to wait until morning. 

Chapter Two

The next morning, the Cartwrights were gathered around the table having breakfast as Hoss explained what he saw outside his window that night.

“It just don’t make no sense. Why would he just take off and leave like that in the middle of the night?”

“Hoss, are you sure it was Mr. Blackwell you saw?” Ben asked.

“Sure it was! I’m positive. We just met the man yesterday. I’d never forget a face that quick.”

Joe remarked as he piled his plate with pancakes, “I’m surprised you heard anything with all that snoring.”

Hoss shot a stern look at Joe and gave a mock chuckle. Ben told Hoss to not worry too much about it when Hop Sing walked in with a pot of coffee in his hand and poured Ben another cup. He mentioned that he checked on Thaddeus early that morning.

“You mean he’s still in his room?” Ben asked with scrunched eyebrows. 

“Yes. He still sleeping. I go take him his breakfast before it gets cold.”

“That’s a good idea,” Ben said.

Hoss sat there, befuddled when they heard a creak of the floorboards. They all looked up and saw Thaddeus descending the stairs.

“Well, you’re just in time. Won’t you join us?”

Ben motioned towards the dining table. Thaddeus thanked him as he took a seat across from Ben. Hoss stared at him, puzzled, realizing he may have been mistaken.

As they ate their breakfast, Adam chatted with Thaddeus about literature to the annoyance of Joe who gave various eye rolls while Hoss studied Thaddeus questionably.

As Thaddeus reached for his cup of coffee, Ben noticed a bite mark on his wrist.

“What happened to your hand?”

Thaddeus looked down at his wrist. “Oh. The wolf that spooked my horse attacked me.” 

Ben exclaimed, “Good heavens, that’s awful.”

“Yes. It seems I’ve run into a bit of bad luck lately.”

“Well, thank goodness you made it out of there in one piece,” Ben mentioned. 

Joe wondered, “You know I bet it was that same wolf that’s been killing our cattle.”

Adam added, “And the Johnsons’ as well as the Barnes’.”

“You may be right.” Ben turned to Thaddeus and offered, “Mr. Blackwell, if you want, I can have Doc Martin come out and take a look at that bite for you.”

Thaddeus declined. “Oh, there’s no need to go through all of that trouble.” 

“It’s no trouble at all. Adam, would you ride into town and get Doc Martin, please?”

Adam got up from the table and headed to the door. Ben and Joe finished their breakfast and started their work for the day leaving Hoss with Thaddeus.

Hoss was sure he had seen something the night before and he was determined to find out what it was.

Doc Martin came by the Ponderosa later that afternoon to examine Thaddeus’ wolf bite. He wrapped his wrist in a bandage and told him to keep an eye on it for infection.

*****

Ben had allowed Thaddeus to stay at the Ponderosa for a few days to allow himself to heal and time to figure out what he wanted to do. Hoss on the other hand couldn’t stop thinking about the mysterious figure he’d seen in the middle of the night. He decided to stay up the next night and find out if he would see this mysterious figure again. 

It was nearly midnight as Hoss tried with all his might to stay awake. He sat in front of the window with his arm resting on top of the windowsill and his hand underneath his chin waiting for something to happen. As he stared out the window, his eyes grew heavy and he found himself drifting off into dreamland. He started snoring when he was awakened by a crash. He snorted as his hand slipped from his chin, opening his eyes wide. He looked out the window and saw that same mysterious figure running off into the night. 

“Dad burned if I’m gonna let him get away,” Hoss muttered under his breath. 

Hoss snuck down the stairs as quietly as he possibly could. After Hoss made his way outside, he looked to where the figure had run off and headed in that direction. 

It was eerily quiet with only the sound of crickets chirping as Hoss searched the woods for the mysterious figure. He looked down at his feet and saw a piece of torn cloth. He picked it up off the ground and examined it. He recognized the pattern. It was from the shirt that Mr. Blackwell wore. The question was how it got there. Hoss’s thoughts were interrupted by the howling of a wolf. He lifted his gaze towards the sky and then hightailed it out of there fast back to the Ponderosa. 

*****

The next morning, Hoss, still disturbed by the piece of Mr. Blackwell’s clothing, was in the barn with a pitchfork in hand, cleaning the stalls. 

“Hoss, would you mind going…” 

Hoss jumped out of his skin. He turned around and saw his pa standing there looking at him puzzled. 

“What’s the matter with you?” Ben asked. 

Hoss stammered, “Nothing, Pa. What did you want to see me about?” 

“Yes, I was wondering if you’d mind making a run into town to pick up some supplies.” 

“Oh. Sure, Pa. I got nothin’ better to do anyhow.” 

“That’s fine. I’d like Mr. Blackwell to ride along with you if you don’t mind.” 

Hoss’s head jerked up. “You mean he’s…?” 

“He’s what?” 

Hoss realized he couldn’t tell his pa about what he saw and he certainly couldn’t tell Adam or Little Joe. They would think he was crazy.

Hoss slumped his shoulders. “Nevermind.” 

Ben shook his head. “You know sometimes I can’t figure out what goes on in your head.” 

“Neither can I, Pa.” 

Ben left the barn. Hoss stuck the pitchfork into the hay. 

Hoss was relieved at knowing that Mr. Blackwell was alright. He thought for sure it was another wolf attack. Maybe finding a piece of his clothing was just his imagination running wild—or maybe it was a coincidence. Hoss sighed and hitched up the wagon. 

Hoss drove the wagon into town with Thaddeus seated next to him. They rode down the road in silence. Hoss didn’t know whether to question Thaddeus or let the matter go. Hoss always trusted his gut instinct but with this situation he wasn’t certain. 

While in town, Hoss picked up the supplies inside a mercantile while Thaddeus waited outside. Thaddeus took a few steps along the boardwalk watching the crowd moving about in the street. 

Meanwhile, a man came out of the mercantile carrying a box. He walked into the street not paying attention to where he was going when he was nearly hit by a buggy. The man dropped the box in his hands and it toppled over onto the ground. 

The box contained a tea set made of sterling silver. A tiny spoon from that tea set landed right at Thaddeus’ feet. Thaddeus looked down at the spoon. The sunlight reflected off of the spoon and right into Thaddeus’ eyes nearly blinding him. He flung his arm up over his eyes, shielding them as he growled. 

Hoss came out of the mercantile carrying a sack of grain over his shoulder. He loaded it onto the back of the wagon when he looked over to his right and saw Mr. Blackwell had become filled with rage. Thaddeus picked up a crate and hurled it over towards the street, startling the man with the tea set and the bystanders that came to help gather the various plates and silverware that spilled out of the box. 

Hoss hurried over to him and grabbed hold of him. Thaddeus thrashed around violently in Hoss’s arms. Hoss tried with all his might to calm him down when Thaddeus locked eyes with Hoss and his aggression faded instantly as if Hoss had flipped a switch. Hoss let go of him. 

“Are you all right, professor?”

Thaddeus snapped out of it. “Oh, yes. I’m terribly sorry you had to witness that little outburst.” 

“Is there anything I can do for ya? Do you want me to get the doc?” 

Thaddeus took a handkerchief from out of his jacket pocket and wiped the sweat from his brow. 

“Oh, no, that’s alright. It’s just this dreadful heat. I’m not used to it I suppose.” 

“Well, I never heard of a little heat makin’ a fella act like that before.” 

“Oh, well, I can assure you I’m perfectly fine, thank you. I’ll just wait in the wagon.” 

Thaddeus strolled over to the wagon leaving Hoss standing there scratching his head at Thaddeus’ behavior. He looked down and saw the tiny silver spoon when one of the bystanders who witnessed Thaddeus’ outburst came up to Hoss. 

“He’s crazy, I tell you. A man like that ought to be locked up in a cage like an animal.” 

Hoss ignored the man. He knew how the people of Virginia City could be to newcomers. Especially those that exhibit strange behavior. Hoss loaded up the rest of the supplies and then headed back home with Thaddeus. 

Chapter Three

After the incident in town, Thaddeus continued to show more strange and sometimes aggressive behavior to the concern of Hoss. His pa, Adam and Little Joe on the other hand seemed to be oblivious to it. 

One afternoon, Joe came to Hoss and told him of an incident that happened with Thaddeus and a new mare. 

“She just started going nuts. When Pa first brought her to the ranch, she was as gentle as a lamb and now all of a sudden…” 

Hoss asked, “What about Mr. Blackwell? What was he doin’?” 

“Nothing! He just walked into the barn and she got spooked for no reason at all. It doesn’t make any sense.” 

Adam came out of the barn having just put Sport inside. “What doesn’t?” he asked. 

“Oh, that new mare got spooked by Mr. Blackwell,” Joe answered. 

“Well, did he do anything to spook her?” 

“No, he just walked right into the barn. He didn’t say or do anything.” 

Adam tilted his head slightly. “Well, it’s strange, but certainly not unusual.” 

Hoss crinkled his brows. “That Mr. Blackwell sure is a strange sort of fella, ain’t he? I can’t seem to figure him out.” 

“Well, you just don’t understand someone of that intellectual caliber,” Adam joked. 

Joe rolled his eyes at him when Adam gave some news. 

“I was in town today and I heard from Hal Johnson that there was another wolf attack near Wishing Creek.” 

Hoss perked up in surprise. “Another one?” 

Adam crossed his arms. “That’s five attacks now in the last five days—all of them around midnight. And it’s a full moon, which could only mean one thing.” 

“What’s that?” Joe asked. 

Adam looked them dead in the eye and lowered his voice. “We’re dealing with a werewolf.” 

Joe scoffed. “Very funny.” 

Adam flashed a grin. “You better not mention that to Mr. Blackwell since he’s so fascinated with them.” 

Hoss chuckled. “Yeah.” 

Hoss’ expression turned serious as he tilted his head to the right, wondering if Adam might actually be onto something. 

Adam and Joe went inside the house while Hoss stood there, his mind plagued with everything that had happened since the moment Mr. Blackwell arrived. Could he be an actual werewolf? The thought screamed lunacy but Hoss couldn’t help but wonder if it really was a possibility. 

Hoss began researching everything he could on werewolves. He read the book that Mr. Blackwell had brought along with him. He looked over the signs. The mood changes, the aggressiveness towards anything silver or resembling it. His disappearing in the middle of the night and very conveniently during a full moon. Hoss thought back to the incident in town and one of the townspeople saying how Thaddeus ought to be locked up in a cage like an animal. And most alarming of all was the wolf bite he sustained during an attack. All of the pieces added up. The only problem was proving the theory. 

*****

Hoss decided to test it a few nights later. He snuck downstairs in the middle of the night, wearing his nightshirt and slippers and headed out the door. 

Hoss took a few steps towards the bunkhouse. He scanned the bushes for Thaddeus. 

“Hey, Hoss, what are you…?” 

Hoss yanked Joe and clamped his hand over his mouth. Joe squirmed, trying to break away from Hoss’s firm grasp. Hoss let go. 

Joe composed himself and barked, “What did you do that for? What’s the matter with you?” 

“Shh, quiet, Joe, quiet.” 

“Well, what are you doing out here?” Joe asked, exasperated. 

Hoss explained to Joe that he was waiting for Mr. Blackwell. Joe scrunched his eyebrows at him in confusion and asked why. 

“Well, this is gonna sound crazy, but…” 

Hoss hesitated knowing how his little brother could be. Joe was persistent. 

“What?” 

Hoss pointed at Joe and warned in a stern tone, “Now you better not tell anybody about this, you hear? Not Pa, not Adam—not nobody.” 

Joe rolled his eyes. “Just tell me what it is, will ya?” 

Hoss took a breath. “All right. I have a suspicion that Mr. Blackwell is a…werewolf.” 

Joe raised his eyebrows. “Hoss, have you been drinking?” 

“No, I ain’t been drinkin’!” 

“Did you hit your head or something?” 

Joe inspected the top of Hoss’s head for any bumps, but Hoss swatted his hand away. 

“Joseph, would you cut that out and listen to me? I’m tellin’ you that Mr. Blackwell is a werewolf!” 

“Oh, come on, Hoss, you expect me to believe that?” 

“Well, think about it, Joe. He’s been acting funny ever since he got here.” 

Joe shrugged his shoulders. “So what?” 

“So, what about that wolf bite he got, huh? I’ve been readin’ that book all about werewolves, that’s the first sign of them.” 

Joe rolled his eyes, losing his patience. “That means nothing. Look, Adam was just fooling around, he wasn’t serious about it.” 

“Well, I’m gonna prove it to you. Right around midnight, Mr. Blackwell comes out and disappears right there in those bushes.” 

Joe joked, “Then he gets down on all fours and howls at the moon.” 

Hoss furrowed his eyebrows at him. “Joseph…”

 Joe giggled. 

“Well, it don’t matter to me what you think. I say Mr. Blackwell is a werewolf and I’m aiming to prove it.” 

“Well, this I gotta see,” Joe stated. 

Hoss stomped over to the bushes. Joe smirked and shook his head before following after him. 

Hoss searched the woods for Mr. Blackwell when he heard a branch break and a wolf’s howl. His eyes widened, his heart pounded in his chest. The howl turned into a whimper. Hoss tilted his head in puzzlement. He turned around and saw Joe standing there whimpering like a puppy dog. Hoss became infuriated. Joe’s high-pitched giggle rang out through the woods. Hoss pulled him by the collar. 

“Joe, I’m gonna smash…” 

Joe stopped giggling and his demeanor changed in an instant at the sound of rustling in the bushes. “Hoss, did you hear that?” 

Hoss hurried Joe into the bushes to hide. Hoss carefully pulled back the branches and took a peek. 

“Do you see anything?” Joe whispered. 

Hoss scanned the woods and saw Mr. Blackwell staggering, his hands up to his temples, groaning in agony. Hoss and Joe watched him disappear behind an oak tree when all of a sudden, they heard a low growl. Hoss and Joe’s eyes widened in horror as they watched a werewolf emerge from the other side of the tree. With a turn of its head, its yellow eyes darted directly at Hoss and Joe, its mouth salivating. It snapped and snarled. Hoss and Joe trembled with fear. It was every man for himself. 

Hoss and Joe backed up fast, stumbling over each other. They sprinted back to the Ponderosa. 

Joe burst through the door with Hoss trailing behind. They called out to their pa in a panic. Ben and Adam, both half-asleep, came down the stairs in their robes asking what the commotion was about. 

Hoss and Joe both started talking at once to the irritation of Ben who could barely understand a word they were saying. 

“One at a time, please. Now, what is it?” 

“We saw a werewolf, Pa,” Joe said. 

Ben raised his eyebrows, wondering if he heard Joe correctly. “You saw a what?” 

“A werewolf, Pa,” Hoss answered. “It was a great big one too. It was mean, vicious…” 

Ben stared at them, dumbfounded. “Wait a minute. You’re saying that you saw a werewolf?” 

Adam quipped, “You heard them, Pa. I’ll go load our guns with silver bullets. Maybe we’ll run into the Headless Horseman or Frankenstein’s monster on the way.” 

Hoss and Joe looked at Adam with annoyed expressions on their faces. Hoss grumbled, “Adam, I’m gonna…” 

Ben interrupted. “Wait a minute. This is nonsense. There’s no such thing as werewolves. It’s a myth, a legend.” 

Hoss told him, “It ain’t no myth, Pa.” 

“He’s right, it’s real. I saw it,” Joe squeaked. 

Ben shook his head and tried to reason with them. “I don’t know what you saw, but it couldn’t have been a werewolf.” 

“Well, you believed me about the leprechauns,” Hoss reminded him. 

Ben explained, “That’s different. They weren’t leprechauns, they were real people. Werewolves are mythical creatures. What you saw was probably just a regular wolf, but it couldn’t have been the wolf we’ve been after because it’s already been caught.” 

Hoss creased his brows. “It has?” 

“Yes, it was caught just this afternoon,” Adam told him. 

Joe trembled, “Yeah, but that’s not all. You see, that Mr. Blackwell, he…” 

The Cartwrights heard the creaking of floorboards. They looked up and saw Mr. Blackwell descending the stairs. Hoss and Joe couldn’t believe their eyes. They both exchanged confused glances at one another. Ben walked over to Thaddeus. 

“Oh, Mr. Blackwell. I hope my sons didn’t disturb you.” 

“Oh, not at all. In fact I think it’s about time I get going.” 

“Now? It’s the middle of the night. Look, if it’s what my sons said…” 

“Oh, no. You’ve all been very kind to me. I just don’t want to trouble you any further.” 

“No. You’ve been no trouble at all. If you’d like I can have Adam take you to the stage in the morning.” 

“No, that’s all right. Thank you, but I much prefer walking—especially this time of night. I’ll be on my way.” 

Ben, Adam, Hoss, and Joe exchanged puzzled glances while Thaddeus headed to the door. He stopped and looked out the window above Ben’s desk. 

“It’s a full moon tonight you know.” 

Thaddeus grabbed his coat and hat before walking out the door. 

Adam spoke first. “Strange, isn’t it?” 

“Very,” Ben responded. 

Joe stammered, “I’m tellin’ you, he’s a werewolf, Pa.” 

Hoss nodded in agreement. Ben became agitated. “Joseph, would you stop with all of this foolishness? There is no such thing as werewolves!” 

All of a sudden they heard the sound of a wolf howling from outside. Hoss, Joe, and Adam lifted their gazes towards the ceiling. Ben cleared his throat. “Ahem. I think I’ll go back to bed now.” 

The Cartwrights headed up the stairs and went back to bed. They never saw Thaddeus Blackwell again after that night, but it was a night that they would never forget. 

The End 

This story was written as part of a Halloween challenge on Bonanza Boomers in 2025.