['Ginnis]

Dylan put the Land Rover in park in front of their A-frame home. At five o’clock in the evening, the sun lingered above the peaks of the pinewood forest, near ready to disappear behind the evergreen peaks. He looked over at Kara. She stared straight ahead, her face empty, tired, and above all, lost.

“Hey,” he reached to stroke her cheek endearingly. She recoiled at the smallest hint of his touch and quickly undid her seatbelt then hopped out of the car. As the door slammed shut she stormed up the walkway and entered the house.

Dylan rested his head on the steering wheel for a long moment. She just needs her space, he told himself. An entire continent’s worth.

When he finally managed to drag himself out of the car and into their home, he found the oven on, a frozen pizza waiting to go inside sitting atop a clay baking tray. The shower in their bedroom ran. She wasn’t singing like she normally did in the shower. Nothing about their home felt normal.

The stove beeped as the pre-heat finished and Vorcla’s skin crawled. He popped the pizza inside then walked out on to their second story deck. He stared out into the woods for a long moment. The water in the shower still ran. She would be in there a while.

He carefully stripped down, tossing his clothes into a heap atop the glass table outside, then, stark naked, went down the stairs to the ground level. He broke into a free run, and gracefully transformed into a large natural wolf. No longer a monstrous eight foot beast, he was sleek and majestic, a noble creature. His four gigantic paws pushed off the forest floor with ease, his sandy blonde coat rippling in the night air.

Dylan rarely transformed into a pure wolf, the state simply felt strange. He was a large creature, not at all awkward or clumsy, but he didn’t know how to appreciate the natural beauty of it. Running came naturally as a wolf; the transformation was easy compared to that of a full werewolf. Bones didn’t shatter, muscles didn’t tear. Everything moved gently and smoothly.

The forest flew by in Vorcla’s keen peripheral vision as he leapt over fallen timbers. The last hints of twilight dissolved from between the tree trunks, replaced by the soft blanket of evening darkness. Reluctantly, Vorcla turned back toward the house when he caught the glimmer of the waxing moon in the corner of his eye. It was not the unrest at home that harbored his desire to remain amongst the wild, but rather the natural feel of his sprinting. He cursed himself for neglecting this state of being so much. It was amazingly beautiful in its own respect.

The house loomed above him and he could see Kara sitting atop their marble counter, spooning out large chunks of ice cream from the carton and putting them directly into her mouth. He pulled on his boxers outside and stepped inside, beads of sweat still glimmering on his forehead.

He almost opened his mouth to laugh at her choice of attire. She’d changed into nothing but a feminine tee shirt and a pair of cotton briefs. He stopped himself from commenting; her distant look of discomfort offered no room for humor. He wasn’t sure what was wrong, only that it was best to neglect her mood until she opened up to talk about it.

He joined her on top of the counter, eating a slightly burnt piece of pizza. They ate in silence for the longest time until Kara tossed the empty carton of ice cream into the sink and the spoon as well.

“When we were at Quimby’s,” she started hesitantly, holding her arms over her chest insecurely, “you spoke to him about a council.”

“You heard that, did you?” Vorcla put down the charred crust and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“You weren’t exactly quiet.”

“No,” he shook his head and closed his eyes. He opened them and stared straight forward, nodding. “No, I suppose we weren’t.”

“You,” she started slowly, scared by what she was about to bring up. “You also mentioned that there was someone—someone you wished to –take care of– yourself.”

He was quiet for a long time, his face stoic and quiet. Finally he nodded and looked back to her. “It’s nothing you need to worry about.” He reached forward and stroked her cheek. He brought her head closer and gave her a long kiss. When he pulled away he pressed his head to hers and added, “I promise.”

As they lay in bed that night, only the white noise of the ceiling fan and water and heating pipes filled the room. Vorcla listened as Kara’s breaths grew deeper and deeper and she finally wandered off into sleep. It was only after he was sure that she was out cold that he allowed his own eyelids to droop. He had come to abhor sleep. The nightmare would return to his dreams as it did every night, and just like every morning he would awake to find her lying beside him, her head on the pillow, safe and warm within arm’s reach.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Four o'clock came quicker than Vorcla had expected. He reached through the darkness and slammed down on the snooze button. Today he planned to sleep until he was actually awake. Work and the rest of the world would have to wait.

He rolled over and faced Kara’s side of the bed. Reaching for her warm body, he sighed. The dream had not come to him that night. It was the first time in months the demons of his past had not haunted his present. He kept reaching but did not find her. He forced his eyes open. The door to the bathroom was shut, the light on.

Satisfied by her whereabouts, he closed his eyes again and, with a yawn, drifted back into slumber.

Late morning sunshine streamed across the room and on to his face. Begrudgingly, he pried open his eyes. It was evident that no matter how much he wanted to, the world conspired against his sleeping the day away. To confirm his theory, the phone on the night stand beside him began to ring.

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he reached out and answered it.

“Hello?” he yawned.

“Hey, Dylan,” Chris sounded nearly as tired as he did. “Wake you up?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Vorcla looked around the room. Kara wasn’t asleep beside him. The door to the bathroom was still shut, the light still on. Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed and placing his feet on the cold hardwood floor, he stretched and asked, “How are you guys?”

“Fine,” Chris replied. “Bri’s still asleep. Look, I think I left my wallet in your car after you dropped us off last night. Mind if we stop by later today and pick it up?”

He knocked on the bathroom door. “Hey?” he pushed it open. It was unlocked, the room was empty. Puzzled, Vorcla stepped out of the bedroom and crossed through the kitchen. “Kara?”

The glass door to the deck was closed, the curtains drawn. She hadn’t gone running, not through the back anyway. The fluttering pink post-it note on the refrigerator caught his attention. He shuffled across the kitchen and pulled it off the stainless steel door, squinting at the quick, hurried scrawl.

“Vorc? Something wrong?”

The cordless receiver fell to the floor. Vorcla read the note three times before the words made any sense at all, and when they did he needed the counter for support. He stumbled across the room and nearly tripped as he rushed down the stairs to the first floor.

Her riding jacket didn’t hang beside his on the mahogany coat rack. He ripped open the door to the garage and stared dumbly into the concrete room. Her bike failed to appear beside his silver Aston Martin. The door to the garage hung wide open.

Vorcla choked in shock. He dragged himself up the stairs, attempting to remember how to breathe as he did so.

He picked the post-it up off the ground where he had left it and re-read its words repeatedly. The sound of an empty dial tone echoed through the quiet house, rivaled not even by the twittering of morning songbirds. Vorcla pulled out a barstool and attempted to sit down at the counter, shaking as he did so.

He swallowed heavily before reading the note once more. He could almost hear the words rolling off her pink lips, see the tip of her tongue touching the back of her front teeth then brushing the roof of her mouth. Dylan stuttered as he read the note aloud, then cringed as his own voice echoed her words. He stopped speaking and stared at the note. Even when he closed his eyes he could see her handwriting emblazoned on the hot pink office supply.

She had left it for him, plain and simple. What else was there to say? Vorcla forced open his shell shocked eyes then wished he hadn’t. He read the note once more before breaking down.

Just gone.

[Vorcla]

"Just gone."

Just incredible.

Gaaaahhhh! Kara, this entire series has been wonderful. I've have been immensely enjoying watching you bloom into the best prose writer on this site. I can't say enough about that. Your descriptions are so detailed and rich. Your style, your characterizations, especially your wonderful dialogue, have all grown at geometric proportions lately. My hat's off to you.

This segment is heart-wrenching. Poor Kara is beside herself, trying to get Dylan to open up. Finally she feels she has to run. I can really identify with Dylan; I had a similar experience not too long ago, only it was a cell phone message instead of a post it note. Just as devastating. Fortunately, we worked it out.

Let me tell you - you nailed Vorcla's reaction perfectly. I knew what was coming and I still choked up. When you can get that kind of emotion from your readers, you are doing a "damned fine" job.

I have no nit pickys to report; hard to see them when your eyes are misted up anyway. What a wonderful achievement. Just sorry it's over. This has been a special treat. I'm so happy with the way you took my characters and ran with them. You've added a lot to the Vorcla mythos, and this was incredibly special.

And I'm out of superlatives.

Now...about "Vorcla's Quest 3"...

['Ginnis]

Ha, coming eventually dear. Thanks for the help and support.

[Vorcla]

Anytime - because I also learned a lot while giving that help and support.

[Vorcla]

Originally Posted by 'Ginnis;

He carefully stripped down, tossing his clothes into a heap atop the glass table outside, then, stark naked, went down the stairs to the ground level. He broke into a free run, and gracefully transformed into a large natural wolf. No longer a monstrous eight foot beast, he was sleek and majestic, a noble creature. His four gigantic paws pushed off the forest floor with ease, his sandy blonde coat rippling in the night air.

God.

I have a clearer head today; I'm not as numbed by Kara and Dylan's apparent breakup.

And this particular passage just struck me as being truly wonderful and particularly effective. So fluid. And something else I was discussing with you last night that I've been wanting to say since you started this series: your writing style is very cinematic. I can SEE everything as clearly as if I'm watching a movie.

I can even see particular actors in certain roles. A young Jessica Alba with brunette hair would make a great Kara (very similar to the girl in the "Wolf" JPEG you sent). Baby-faced; Kara stopped aging at 20, pretty much. Very nice. I'm kind of stuck on Scott Speedman with blonde hair as Vorcla - I'm typecasting him as a Wolf/Vamp hybrid from the "Underworld" movies - but he would be more Wolf when he Changed than he was in "Underworld." Rose McGowan as Bri. Mmmm! Dane Cook as Chris. Anthony Hopkins as Quimby; Quentin Tarantino as Colwyn - who better as a maniac? Olivia Thirlby as Lindsay. Andrew Simpson as Robbie. And of course, a cameo by Ben Barnes as Nilos LaGory, the baddest vampire of them all (sorry, Drac!).

Just for fun...

Again, thanks for the incredible read, Kara. Now I have to get chooglin' and finish "Dylan Vorcla: First Moon" so you can move on with Vorcla's Quest 3.

['Ginnis]

We need a Karli! And a nerdy guy behind the counter at the coffee shop.

[Vorcla]

You're right!

How about the one kid from "Superbad?" Last name's Cera, I think. His face screams "Nerd!"

Karli - I like your choice of Amber Tamblyn for her.

[Jimbalaya]

Very tense finale, Kara! I'd point out my favorite parts but I'd just end up quoting the whole damn thing. Excellent work on this! I think I mentioned to Rick a while back that I thought this read like watching a movie, it's fun to see a cast form!

I think Edward Norton, or Jamie Bell would make a good Chris. For Kara, I would pick either Liv Tyler, Jessica Alba, or Jessica Beil I think any one of them would do a great job with her character.

I know that LaGory appears as a young man, but I can't help but think that Jack Nicholson would be a perfect match for him. For Bri? I think Rachel Bilson, most definately.

For Dylan I'm seeing Seann William Scott, Johnny Knoxville (for real), and I like Rick's choice of Scott Speedman.

I could do this all night with the characters involved in this story so I'll just quit while I'm ahead. I loved this series. You've done an exctptional job and should be very proud of it. Hell, I'm proud of it for you. Awesome! Can't wait to see what else you have in store!

[Nupur]

Wow. There's nothing more I can say. This was incredible, the perfect end to a perfect series. I enjoyed the journey very much and am totally in love with your writing. Your characterization, dialogues, description, plot... everything is brilliant. You are a fantastic writer and I can't wait to read more from you.

I know I haven't been commenting regularly on this one (sorry about that), but I've been reading it completely and enjoying every bit. Thanks for the amazing story. Love it so much.

['Ginnis]

Thank you all for your thoughts and support. I'm really glad you enjoyed it. I had fun writing it as well.

[Venomous Vixen]

With an ending like that I am glad to know it is not over - yet, even if this particular part has concluded. What a way to end it, leaving everything hanging... the emotion, the coldness, all of the unanswered questions.

Like Rick mentioned, there is a cinematic quality to your work, things can be seen in the mind clearly, from each tiny brick to colors and even sound. Your writing comes alive and that alone holds me. Truly a talent that most would kill for and it is natural for you, and I am thankful I get to read it all ^.~

['Ginnis]

Ha, thanks Bri. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Now...about the monkey who leaked information about the sequel....

[dearest]

So glad that's not the ending. Don't think I could stand it. Again, as has already been said, there's a very visual, cinematic quality to your work that I love.

Only saw two nitpicks:

The glass door to the deck was closed, the curtains drawn. She hadn’t gone running, not through the back anyway. The fluttering pink post-it note on the refrigerator caught his attention.

If the curtains were drawn and the door was closed, why is the post-it fluttering? I don't think I'd really change it, because I love the image, but just thought you might want to know about the phantom wind. ^_^

Her bike failed to appear beside to his silver Aston Martin.

Think you meant to say either 'beside' or 'next to' and ended up saying both. ^_^

And that's all there is to pick at. Truly beautiful, a pleasure to read, and definitely a great ending to VQ2. Eagerly awaiting VQ3. ^_^ ^_^ ^_^

['Ginnis]

Ha! That's exactly what happened. And as for the fluttering note...I'm fairly certain I'm just looking for an excuse to use the word 'flutter'...or maybe they have central heat and ac? Who knows. Not worried about it.

Thanks for that Tricia. Glad you enjoyed.

[Vorcla]

I was reading through this to do a little research and this caught my eye:

Originally Posted by 'Ginnis;

He swallowed heavily before reading the note once more. He could almost hear the words rolling off her pink lips, see the tip of her tongue touching the back of her front teeth then brushing the roof of her mouth. Dylan stuttered as he read the note aloud, then cringed as his own voice echoed her words. He stopped speaking and stared at the note. Even when he closed his eyes he could see her handwriting emblazoned on the hot pink office supply.

She had left it for him, plain and simple. What else was there to say? Vorcla forced open his shell shocked eyes then wished he hadn’t. He read the note once more before breaking down.

Just gone.

I meant to comment on this a while back, during my initial replies, just to say how absolutely marvelous this description is - and how this is an absolutely perfect example of how to wind up a story.

Incredible...