Summary:\u00a0 Joe becomes concerned that his brother may be something other than human after reading a book about the behaviorisms of non-human beings. When Adam gets wind of Joe’s beliefs, he decides to have a little fun with younger brother.<\/p>\n
Rating: K+ \u00a0WC \u00a05300<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Howling at the Moon<\/strong><\/p>\n Ben Cartwright entered his youngest son\u2019s bedroom. He found him thoroughly engaged in his studies, reading his history book… or so he thought.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe it\u2019s time for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n There was no response. Ben smiled as he made his way closer to his son\u2019s desk. The boy was sitting on the edge of his seat with his eyes intensely shifting from left to right as they devoured every word on the page.<\/p>\n This action alone made Ben suspicious. He glanced down and soon realized that his son was holding the presumed history book upside down.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe immediately closed his book at the sound of his father\u2019s voice. He looked up at Ben and nervously responded, \u201cOh… sorry pa. I didn\u2019t hear you come in…\u201d The eight year old tried to conceal the book under his arm, which only made his father furrow his brow even more.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, how\u2019s the STUDYING going?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh, fine… just fine…\u201d Joe glanced once more up at his father before averting his eyes. He knew he had been caught. There was a long silence before Joe felt Ben step up alongside of him and remove the book from under his arm.<\/p>\n Ben found a very thin, well worn book wedged within the pages of his son\u2019s history text. He pulled it out from its hiding spot and snapped the history book closed. The sound made Joe jump.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, what do you have to say for yourself, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI…I… have been studying, Pa. I just decided to take a break is all. I\u2019ll go back to the history stuff after dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll go back to the history \u2018stuff\u2019 right now,\u201d Ben bellowed. \u201cI told you to study for an hour before dinner and my guess is that you still need that hour.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe remained with his eyes down. His stomach was growling but he knew he hadn\u2019t a choice. \u201cYes, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood. I\u2019ll tell Hop Sing to put your food in the warming oven then.\u201d Ben turned towards the door.<\/p>\n \u201cPa… When can I have the book back? I… I… borrowed it from Mitch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will give it to you tomorrow morning on your way to school, Joseph.\u201d Ben did not wait for any response from his son. He just closed the bedroom door and started down the hallway. When he appeared at the top of the stairs, his eyes were perusing the reading material that so enticed his son\u2019s interest.<\/p>\n It was a manual of some sort in regards to non-human beings. Ben just shook his head as he made his way towards the table. Adam and Hoss were waiting.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d Hoss questioned as his father sat down to join them.<\/p>\n \u201cHe still has an hour of studying to do,\u201d Ben answered curtly as he set the small book down on the corner of the table and scooted \u00a0in his chair. Adam knew right away what had happened.<\/p>\n \u201cThe old book inside the school book trick, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben just smirked as he placed his napkin on his lap.<\/p>\n \u201cMay I see it?\u201d Adam asked. It wasn\u2019t often Joe found books of pleasure to read and he was curious as to what may have sparked his interest.<\/p>\n The book was passed down to Adam who laughed out loud when his eyes fell on the title.<\/p>\n \u201cHow to Identify Non-Human Beings! Where did he get a hold of this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMitch,\u201d Ben muttered.<\/p>\n There was a long pause as Adam flipped through the pages, thoroughly amused.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, listen to this. \u2018Characteristics of a Werewolf: Werewolves can appear like normal every day humans but there are certain things that give away their true identities. Werewolves roam at night, so they are often tired during the day and will sleep at odd hours. They also sleep with their jaws open and relaxed so that they are ready to attack at any moment.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough Adam.\u201d Ben sounded a warning that he was not interested in hearing anymore.<\/p>\n His son did not take heed. \u201cWerewolves are hairy. They have dark hair all over their bodies. However, they will shave their faces and palms of their hands to appear humanlike.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam!\u201d Another warning, slightly higher in decibel but once again ignored.<\/p>\n \u201cTheir index and middle fingers are the same length… they have curved yellowish nails and like raw or undercooked meat…\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss snickered and Adam sensed an audience. He took in a deep breath and waved his hand around dramatically as he added, \u201cOh, and they have distinctive eyes that draw you in.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss burst out laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s ENOUGH!\u201d This time Ben added more emphasis by pounding his palm on the table.<\/p>\n Adam instantly looked up at his father. As their eyes met, he stifled a laugh.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t help but think that the distinctive glare he had just received qualified his father as a potential werewolf.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, sorry pa,\u201d he sheepishly announced, as he cleared his throat and set the book down.<\/p>\n Ben shot the same look over towards his middle son which meant the topic of werewolves were now closed.<\/p>\n Hoss swallowed hard and decided to abruptly change the subject.<\/p>\n \u201cCan…can… \u00a0you pass me the taters, pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben reached over and handed Hoss the requested bowl. Dinner continued on without further interruption.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next morning Ben gave Joe back his book with the direct orders to return it to Mitch promptly. \u201cI don\u2019t want to see such foolishness brought home again, understood?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Pa,\u201d Joe automatically responded as he jumped down from the wagon in front of the school yard. His brother Hoss had already made his way over to a group of his friends.<\/p>\n Good luck with your history test,\u201d Ben stated as he snapped the reins and drove off.<\/p>\n Mitch walked up to greet his friend. \u201cHey, Joe. Your pa seems a little upset this morning. What did ya do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I was caught reading YOUR book instead of studying for that stupid history test we have today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did ya think of it?\u201d Mitch prodded.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I didn\u2019t get much into it before Pa caught me and took it away.\u201d<\/p>\n “Why don\u2019t you keep it then?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked out towards the road and bit his lip slightly. The eight year old knew that if his father caught him with that book he might as well forget about sitting properly for a week.<\/p>\n “Oh I don\u2019t know. You better keep it,\u201d Joe responded.<\/p>\n \u201cNah, you take it. Yah got to read it so that we can talk about it you know. C\u2019mon. Let\u2019s go tease the girls before we have to go inside. There\u2019s a huge frog over by that log.\u201d<\/p>\n Mitch turned and started that direction. Joe paused a moment with the book in hand before shoving it in with his schoolbooks and following after his friend.<\/p>\n That afternoon Joe found a spot in the barn he felt was safe and opened the book once more. He was so captured by the words on the page he didn\u2019t hear Adam lead his horse into the barn and walk over to him.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe! Didn\u2019t you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe jumped clean out of his skin.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, it\u2019s only you. I thought you were Pa.\u201d \u201cYou are supposed to be doing your chores.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, uh…I\u2019ll get right to them, Adam.\u201d Joe jumped to his feet and shoved the book inside his coat pocket. As he stepped around Adam, Adam reached out and grabbed a hold of his arm. Something told him he had caught his brother with something more.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes Pa know you\u2019re reading that book?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked instantly down. \u201cDoes he?\u201d Adam persisted.<\/p>\n Joe shook his head then raised his eyes and looked at his brother pleadingly. \u201cPlease don\u2019t tell Pa, Adam. I\u2019ll… I\u2019ll return it tomorrow. I promise. I just wanted to finish reading it is all.\u201d Joe put on the best puppy dog eye look he could muster before going in for kill.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know how it is when you find yourself wrapped up in a good book.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smirked at his brother\u2019s comment but let him feel the victor. \u201cYou make sure that book goes away by tomorrow so I won\u2019t have to tell Pa, understood?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe smiled in relief and answered with a simple, \u201cThanks, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam watched his younger brother head off towards the chicken coop before turning his attention back to his awaiting horse.<\/p>\n Joe tried to do as his brother requested, but Mitch wouldn\u2019t take the book back until Joe finished it. Joe didn\u2019t argue with his friend because he, too, wanted to become an expert in identifying non-human beings. So Joe found a secret spot to hide the book out in the barn and every night after dinner he asked to be excused to brush down his horse before he started his homework.<\/p>\n At first, there was nothing thought of it. Joe had received a new horse for his birthday and everyone felt he was trying to show them that he could be a responsible horse owner. Then one morning, Adam entered the barn to find Joe brushing his horse like he was supposed to have done the night before. He eyed his brother as he walked over to grab some firewood, but said nothing.<\/p>\n \u201cI…I… must have missed some spots last night. Cochise doesn\u2019t like it when I do that so I thought I best brush him down again.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe stopped brushing the horse and set the brush down. \u201cHere let me help you carry some of that into the house. He grabbed a few logs from out of his brother\u2019s hand and scurried out the barn door. Now Adam knew there was something definitely up. He turned back to the wood pile and began loading his arms up once more. Hoss entered and squatted down next to him.<\/p>\n \u201cPa wants me to fill Hop Sings box, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Just as Hoss reached down to pick up his first block of wood Adam noticed something wedged between the layers. He set his armload down and reached in to grab what his eyes had seen. There was the book.<\/p>\n \u201cThat little…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that, Adam?\u201d Hoss questioned as he continued to go about his business.<\/p>\n \u201cThat book Pa took away from Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYa mean the one about the werewolf?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, pa told him he didn\u2019t want it in the house anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss laughed. \u201cWell, in a way, it ain\u2019t in the house, Adam.\u201d \u201cNo, that\u2019s true, but Joe knew what Pa meant.\u201d Adam pondered for a moment. He knew if he walked in with that book right now that his Pa would have Joe over his knee in an instant.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but I do think our brother needs to learn a lesson from this.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s face took on an evil grin as he cocked an eyebrow. \u201cCare to have some fun, brother?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFun? What sort of fun, Adam?\u201d Hoss answered willingly.<\/p>\n \u201cWell…\u201d Adam began.<\/p>\n That evening Joe found his book in the same spot he had left it. He made the same excuse to tend to his horse and scurried out to the barn for his few pages of reading. He was surprised to find Adam in there before him setting up a bath.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Joe. I won\u2019t be long. I\u2019m going into town tonight on a date so I want to take a quick bath.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe said nothing and walked over towards his horse. Now he\u2019d have to brush the horse down with an audience. He picked up the brush and began the task.<\/p>\n Adam was whistling happily as he brought in the last bucket of hot water and dumped it into the tub. Joe heard the wrestling of clothes being removed and then the splash of a body sinking into the water.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Joe,\u201d Adam suddenly announced. \u201cI forgot to grab the soap. Can you hand it to me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure,\u201d Joe responded as he set the brush down and walked over to barrel where the bar of soap had been left. When he turned towards his brother, Joe\u2019s eyes jumped out of his head. There was Adam sitting with his back facing him. His whole upper body was covered in black hair. Joe dropped the bar of soap out of shock.<\/p>\n Adam turned and looked over his shoulder at him. \u201cHurry up, Joe. I don\u2019t want to be late for my date.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe said nothing as he picked up the soap and walked slowly over towards Adam. He handed the bar of soap to his brother and stood there with his mouth agape.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, are you okay? You look a little white?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe swallowed hard. \u201cI\u2019m… I\u2019m… fine… I… I… best get back to brushing my horse.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe then immediately made his way back over towards the animal. Joe\u2019s mind was filled with panic. Was he imagining things? He once again heard Adam whistling a happy tune as if nothing was wrong. Joe took one more look before squatting down next to the wood pile and grabbing the book from its hiding spot. He shoved it down the front of his shirt and made a quick exit.<\/p>\n Joe burst into the house at full speed in a hurry to get to his room.<\/p>\n \u201cJust a minute, young man,\u201d Ben bellowed as his youngest tried to speed by him. Joe froze by the steps.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is not how we enter this household.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe turned back towards the door with a simple, \u201cSorry, pa.\u201d He stepped briefly outside before making his entrance again. This time he walked quietly by his father and started up the stairs. \u201cI\u2019m going to do my homework now,\u201d he added as he disappeared around the top of the staircase.<\/p>\n Joe met Hoss in the hallway.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Joe. What was pa yelling about?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI…I… ran into the house again is all. I…I… need to do my homework now,\u201d he simply stated and started into his room. Hoss followed.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you want some help?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u00a0 I can do it myself. Thanks, though.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss turned to leave and Joe abruptly asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Hoss, have you ever seen Adam with his shirt off lately?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss turned back towards his brother with a confused look on his face. \u201cNo, I reckon I haven\u2019t but what sort of question is that to ask anyhow?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI… I… don\u2019t know. Just thought I\u2019d ask is all. I best get started on my homework.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe sat at his desk and opened up his math book. Hoss exited. The minute the door closed, Joe whipped the black book out from under his shirt. He flipped through the pages until he came to the chapter on werewolves. His eyes feverously scoured the pages until they found the segment of text he was looking for: \u201cWerewolves are hairy. They have dark hair all over their bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe swallowed hard. \u201cDo you think Adam\u2019s a….\u201d he thought. \u201cNah, I\u2019m just letting this book get to me.\u201d Joe slammed the cover closed and found a spot in his drawer to hide the unwanted book for the time being. He laughed at himself for a moment and then beginning doing his homework.<\/p>\n When Hoss left Joe\u2019s room he immediately made his way out to the barn to report to Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cBoy, you should have seen him, Adam. He asked me if I had ever seen ya with your shirt off,\u201d Hoss cackled as the words spewed from his lips.<\/p>\n Adam had put his pants and shoes back on and was sitting on a stool picking off long strands of hair on his arms.<\/p>\n He was laughing, too. \u201cNow help me get this stuff off, will ya?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss walked over to his brother and started working on the other arm. \u201cBoy, you were right about using the horse\u2019s tail hair, Adam. It mixes perfectly with your own.\u201d<\/p>\n “Ouch! Careful, Hoss. Don\u2019t take the real stuff along with it.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss chuckled. \u201cSorry, Adam. I\u2019ll be more careful.\u201d<\/p>\n The two brothers continued their task, sharing a good laugh.<\/p>\n The next morning, Hoss and Adam put part two of their plan in motion. While Joe was getting ready for school, there was a sudden rap at his door.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Joe. It\u2019s Hoss. Can I come in?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss entered and went right to work. Adam asked me to get ya. He wants to ask you something.<\/p>\n \u201cAsk what?\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n \u201cNow if I knew that, I wouldn\u2019t have been told by Adam to come and get ya. He says it\u2019s important.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe followed his brother out into the hallway and over to Adam\u2019s room. As Joe opened the door, Adam was standing at the mirror shaving.<\/p>\n \u201cMorning, brother,\u201d he greeted as he continued to shave. \u201cI wanted to ask you if you\u2019d do me a favor this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure,\u201d Joe responded as he watched his brother shaving intently.<\/p>\n Adam wiped the excess of shaving cream from his face and admired his work.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019m going out this evening again and I was wondering if you would brush down my horse when you get home this afternoon. I want Sport to look sharp for my… uh new girl.\u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly Adam spread some shaving cream on his left palm and used his razor to scrape it off. Then he did the same on the other palm.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes bulged! \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d he couldn\u2019t help but question.<\/p>\n Adam wiped the excess off his hands with a towel before turning towards his younger brother.<\/p>\n \u201cConsider yourself lucky, Joe to still be a child. You don\u2019t have to deal with all this hair.\u201d Adam tipped the wash bowl up to show his brother and amongst shaving cream residue and water were tons of strands of hair.<\/p>\n Adam laughed. \u201cPa told me my body would change as I got older and he wasn\u2019t kidding.\u201d Then he abruptly changed the subject. \u201cSo, you\u2019ll do that for me? I\u2019ll pay ya dime for your troubles.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe couldn\u2019t find any words so he just nodded and backed out of the room. He immediately went to his trusty book, flipping the pages rapidly until his eyes found what he was looking for: \u201cThey will shave their faces and palms of their hands to appear humanlike.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe slammed down the book. \u201cNo! I won\u2019t believe it. This is make-believe. It has to be.\u201d<\/p>\n Once again Joe dismissed his concern and continued on with his day.<\/p>\n That afternoon Joe went to the barn to brush down Adam\u2019s horse. He was surprised to find Adam there sitting on a bale of hay. He was sound asleep with his mouth wide open. Soft breathing exuded from his lips.<\/p>\n \u201cWerewolves sleep with their jaws open and relaxed so that they are ready to attack at any moment,\u201d Joe thought. Joe scanned his brother from head to toe. He looked like Adam. He looked like a sleeping Adam, but Adam never slept in the middle of the day. Then again, he had been going out the past two nights. \u201cWerewolves like to roam at night,\u201d Joe again thought.<\/p>\n Suddenly, Joe\u2019s eyes stopped at Adam\u2019s hands. Something was different about them. The tips of each finger seemed to be a pale yellow. The fingernails themselves had dirt prevalent under them. Each hand was resting on a knee. All fingers relaxed. That\u2019s when Joe noticed it. The middle and index fingers were the same length.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no!\u201d Joe stated aloud. \u201cIt can\u2019t be. It just can\u2019t be.\u201d He nervously approached his brother to take a closer look. As he leaned his head down to inspect, Adam abruptly woke up. His hands shot up off his knees right in front of Joe\u2019s face and Joe jumped back letting out a scream.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, hi Joe,\u201d Adam said calmly. \u201cI didn\u2019t meant to scare you.\u201d Then he stood up and stretched tall. \u201cI must have fallen asleep. What time is it anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe just stood staring at Adam and did not answer. Adam just gave his brother a long steady stare. Joe\u2019s eyes were locked on his brothers as he felt them \u201cdistinctively drawing him in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs there something wrong, Joe?\u201d Adam asked simply.<\/p>\n His words snapped Joe out of his trance. \u201cUh… uh… No. I got to go, Adam. You\u2019ll have to brush your own horse.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe immediately spun around and flew out of the barn towards the house.<\/p>\n A moment later, a loud cackle came from the loft. It was Hoss. He continued to laugh as he made his way down the ladder and towards his older brother.<\/p>\n \u201cWe got him good, Adam. Did you see his face?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled a satisfied smile. \u201cYes, I\u2019d say we taught our brother a well deserved lesson.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam reached down and pulled at his left index finger. An extended tip made out of clay popped off. He laughed at the thought. Then he felt a slight pang of guilt.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to startle him, but I was afraid he was going to touch our \u2018handy\u2019 work.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss laughed. \u201cSo, when are we going to tell him that it was all a joke?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam walked over towards the barn door and leaned against the frame.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose we\u2019ll have to tell him sooner or later, but personally brother I\u2019d rather wait until later if you don\u2019t mind. I have one more little trick up my sleeve.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss sort of frowned. \u201cI… I don\u2019t know, Adam. Don\u2019t you think we\u2019ve gone far enough? I mean… he\u2019s gonna be mad at us as it is and if pa found out he\u2019d have all our hides.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked down for a moment pondering his brother\u2019s words. He knew Hoss was right, but it wasn\u2019t often an opportunity like this came along.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, I have one more idea… just one more, okay. No harm will come of it. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss couldn\u2019t help but laugh. \u201cDid you see his face?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam took his brother\u2019s response as his means of agreeing.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, here\u2019s what we\u2019ll do next…\u201d<\/p>\n The next day, Joe needed help. He was convinced his brother was turning into a werewolf. He pulled Mitch over into the corner of the school yard and explained everything to him. Mitch at first laughed and laughed. He figured Joe was just fooling him. Then he realized his friend was being serious.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m telling ya, Mitch. It\u2019s true. All that I told you it true and I don\u2019t know what to do about.\u201d Joe felt his eyes brimming with tears. \u201cHe\u2019s my brother, Mitch. I have to do something.\u201d<\/p>\n Mitch eyed his friend for a long moment before putting his arm around his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Joe. I\u2019ll help ya. We just need to follow what it tells us to do in the book.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe book?\u201d Joe looked up shocked. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHaven\u2019t you read the last chapter? It\u2019s all about what to do to turn someone back into their normal selves. All we have to do is follow what it tells us to do for werewolves.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe smiled. \u201cYou\u2019re a great friend, Mitch. Tomorrow is Saturday. Why don\u2019t you come over to my house and we\u2019ll tell everyone we\u2019re going fishing. Then we\u2019ll have time to look at the book and get our plan in place.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be there first thing in the morning, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n With that, the two boys went about their day.<\/p>\n That evening after dinner, Adam sat out on the porch playing his guitar. Joe was up in his room doing his homework. He could hear his brother humming softly as he played a few warm up tunes. Soon Adam was singing the lyrics to his favorite songs as his baritone voice cascaded in through Joe\u2019s open window. Usually this was annoying to Joe, but tonight it seemed soothing. Perhaps he had jumped to conclusions about his brother.<\/p>\n Suddenly, Adam\u2019s voice held onto a long note, \u201c…How could you use a poor maiden soooooooooooo!\u201d His voice changed on that last note into what sounded like a howl. Joe stopped what he was doing and moved over to the window. There in the sky was the moon; A full moon!<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s voice reached his ears again. \u201cThus sang the pretty maiden in the valley belooooooow!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe instantly slammed his window shut. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get that stuff mixed up first thing tomorrow. I hope we can find all that we need… poor Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe awoke early and told his pa that Mitch was coming over to go fishing. After going through the usually inquiries, \u201cDid you finish your chores? Do you have any work not done for school?\u201d Ben consented and Joe waited for his friend out in the yard.<\/p>\n When Mitch arrived Joe snagged him by the arm and started pulling him towards the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cListen, it\u2019s getting worse. He was howling at the moon last night!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was?\u201d Mitch was shocked. \u201cWe\u2019ll need at least four buckets then.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know… I know. I read the chapter last night. We just have to find all that we need to make that anti-werewolf venom… and fast.\u201d<\/p>\n The boy\u2019s each grabbed two buckets and headed down to the lake. They spent the whole day gathering and mixing and stirring up the concoction. Towards evening they carried the buckets carefully back and positioned them accordingly over the entranceway of the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think it will work?\u201d Mitch asked, looking upward at their makeshift invention.<\/p>\n \u201cIt just has to work,\u201d Joe answered, \u201cMy brother\u2019s normal life is at stake here.\u201d<\/p>\n The boys exited the barn through the hayloft window and shimmed down the rope.<\/p>\n \u201cYou just better make sure it\u2019s Adam that goes in there first, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not worried about it. Pa went into town and said he\u2019d be home late. Hoss is hanging out with Adam but I can handle him. Thanks for all the help, Mitch. I couldn\u2019t have done it without you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, what are friends for anyway,\u201d Mitch stated before heading off towards home. \u201cI\u2019ll be anxious to hear how it worked.\u201d<\/p>\n No sooner had Mitch left that Adam and Hoss returned home. They tied their horses to the hitching post and walked over to greet Joe standing in the yard.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Joe. Hoss and I need to talk to you,\u201d Adam said, tugging slightly at his left ear out of nervousness.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you want to put your horse in the barn, first?\u201d Joe eagerly encouraged.<\/p>\n \u201cThat can wait, Joe. We have something to tell you that is very important.\u201d<\/p>\n Just then Ben came around on his horse and dismounted outside by the barn.<\/p>\n Hoss sent out a greeting. \u201cHey, Pa. What are you doing home?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe spun around in shock. His father was leading his horse to the door of the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cThe meeting let out early and I decided to just come home,\u201d Ben answered as he swung open the door and walked inside.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, NO!\u201d Joe shouted, but it was too late. There was a loud series of crashes as Ben\u2019s horse skirted backwards from the noise and took off like lightening. Joe covered his entire face with his hands. \u201cI\u2019m dead… I\u2019m so dead,\u201d he uttered over and over again.<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss started to make their way towards the noise when their father appeared in the doorway. He was covered in what looked like brownish green goop from head to toe.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, are you okay?\u201d Adam announced as they reached him. You couldn\u2019t even see his face through all the muck… and the stench was horrible!<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, go grab a couple of towels from the house. Hurry!\u201d \u00a0Adam ordered.<\/p>\n Hoss sped off like lightening. Ben removed his hat and slammed it to the ground. He wiped the goop from around his eyes and mouth before a loud, \u201cWhat is the meaning of this!\u201d exuded forth from his lips. By then Hoss had returned.<\/p>\n \u201cHere… here are some towels, pa. Let me help…\u201d Ben ripped the towels from his son\u2019s hand and began wiping the muck away so that he could see clearly. His piercing eyes scanned his two older boys and fatherly instinct told him that they hadn\u2019t a clue as to what had happened.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe walked sheepishly up towards his father and brothers. \u201cI\u2019m… I\u2019m… sorry pa. It wasn\u2019t supposed to be you. I was trying to save Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSave him! It\u2019s you that needs saving right now! You get up to your room this instant and wait for me. I can guarantee we will be having a very lengthy discussion just as soon as I clean up! Now march!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben raised his right arm and pointed towards the entry of the house.<\/p>\n Joe bowed his head and slowly followed the guided path.<\/p>\n \u201cPa,\u201d Adam started.<\/p>\n \u201cThat boy, he\u2019s not going to be able to sit down for a week when I\u2019m through with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, we need to talk first,\u201d Adam tried again.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at me! I\u2019m covered in horse crap and God knows what else.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa!\u201d Adam snapped to get his father\u2019s attention. \u201cI\u2019m to blame not Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked up at his oldest son rather shocked. \u201cYou mean to tell me you put those buckets of muck above the door?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Pa, but I know why Joe did and I\u2019m to blame.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe too, Pa. I\u2019m just as guilty as Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben eyed his two boys and sucked in a deep breath.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a feeling that there is a story to tell behind all this that\u2019s going to take a long time; A very long time. Therefore, I am going into the barn to take a bath. Adam, you will bring me a clean pair of clothes then you and Hoss will take my dirty clothes and WASH THEM!\u201d<\/p>\n Both boys flinched slightly at the power of their father\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n \u201cYou will also find my horse and take care of his needs while I am calming down to a point where we can even DISCUSS THIS INCIDENT!\u201d<\/p>\n Again Adam and Hoss flinched.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, please don\u2019t deal with Joe until you hear what we have to say. He\u2019s not innocent, but, well…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRIGHT NOW I COULDN\u2019T DEAL WITH ANY OF YOU IN THE RIGHT MIND!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben spun around and started sloshing back towards the barn, muttering under his breath. Hoss and Adam watched him until he disappeared into the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never seen pa so angry, Adam. We\u2019re really in for it ain\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rubbed his forehead as he felt an instant headache starting.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Hoss. I\u2019ve never seen him that angry either. But in all fairness, he has a right to be. Come on, we best start heating water for that bath.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam wrapped his arm around his brother as they turned towards the house. They took a few steps before Adam raised his head and let out a blood curdling howl.<\/p>\n Hoss jumped and stopped in his tracks. He didn\u2019t say anything, but looked over at his brother in puzzlement.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I figure our little brother ain\u2019t going to be the only one howling at the moon before the night is through.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam finished his statement with another loud howl. Hoss knew what Adam meant. They were two old for a licking, but their father had other unpleasant means of getting his point across.<\/p>\n Hoss smiled at his brother and lifted his head to the sky with a howl. The two continued howling all the way into the house. There wasn\u2019t anything that could be done. What was to come would come.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nAdam eyed his little brother wisely.<\/p>\n
\nAdam chuckled.<\/p>\n
\nHoss\u2019 face instantly showed concern. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to tell on him are you?\u201d<\/p>\n