The Generation Series: REBIRTH

As the wailing sirens of police vehicles grew nearer, the tension intensified. The sound blared until the cars were parked near the beach, and officers swiftly took charge of the situation. Evacuating civilians from the shoreline, they began the task of investigating the tragic incident that shattered the once cheerful and carefree atmosphere.

The group remained speechless.

"This is unfortunate; I'll need to inform the studio. It seems our planned gathering will have to be postponed. I trust our paths will cross again soon. Farewell for now," Wesley's footsteps left imprints on the sand as he hastened to distance himself from an investigation unrelated to his involvement. His urgency was met with understanding silence from the others, who harbored no resentment toward his swift departure.

Athen took Sakura's hand, gently pulling her away from the water. "We should go before the police involve us in this mess."

In a daze, Sakura watched the body move with the water's rhythm and replied, "Sure."

Athen guided Sakura behind the sturdy pier pillars, providing subtle shelter from prying eyes. Not far away, Michael joined them, seeking refuge beneath the shaded overhang. All three were hoping to evade unwanted attention. Michael expressed his concern, saying, "This doesn't look good, Athen."

Athen nodded in agreement. "I know."

As the sad scene unfolded before them, the twin brothers remained immobilized by shock, their gaze fixed on the lifeless form before them. Words escaped them, leaving an unsettling silence as they stood ankle-deep in the water. Jack left it to break the trance, leading them away from the water's edge and under the pier's shelter.

Sakura and her steadfast companions observed the organized activity of law enforcement, taking note as the intricate dance of police work unfolded. Officers dressed in solemn black attire blocked off the area with yellow tape, creating a barrier to keep the curious and the concerned at bay. Beneath the dignified refuge of a tent, the fallen life was discreetly veiled from sight. The group patiently awaited the medical examiner's arrival, the scene enveloped in a solemn hush.

"What do we do now?" Michael inquired, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

With his arms crossed in a pensive frown, Jack expressed unease, asking, "Why do I have this nagging feeling that this is connected to us?"

Michael directed his gaze toward the crime scene and replied, "No way, accidents always happen."

Alex let out a small whimper, "This is terrible."

Alec said, "I know, right? How could this happen right after we arrived?"

"Jack has a point," Sakura interjected.

Alex questioned in surprise. "You think?"

Athen silenced the twins with a gentle press of his index finger to his lips and cautioned, "Quiet down; the humans are standing only a thousand feet away from us. I can't risk any of us getting caught."

Sakura suggested, "We shouldn't take any chances. Let's investigate, shall we? Jack, go examine the body."

Jack protested with a whine, "Why me?"

Athen countered, "You've got more medical knowledge than the rest of us combined."

Reluctantly, Jack sighed and bobbed his head in agreement, admitting, "Alright, fine. I'm curious too, to be honest."

After transforming into his four-legged form, Jack stealthily crept across the beach, hoping to remain undetected. He observed the police officers, their backs to the water. Swiftly and discreetly, he proceeded to the tent, seeking shelter beneath its protective expanse. There, his keen senses absorbed the lingering scents, intent on determining clues.

Michael anxiously asked, "Did he get inside the tent?"

Sakura sighed, relieved. "If he didn't, we'd be in serious trouble."

Her thoughts raced with the potential consequences if humans discovered their true nature. The worst-case scenario she envisioned involved being confined in a lab, treated like wild animals, and subjected to endless poking and prodding until they met their demise. 

Inside the tent, the unmistakable scent of the sea's saltiness mingled with an unsettling undertone of decay. Upon the sandy floor lay a young human boy, his face a timeless portrait of innocence frozen in youth. Only a decade old, he was wearing simple swim shorts.

Struck by the heart-wrenching sight, Jack stammered, "It's just a kid."

The boy lay sprawled out, his gaze fixed to the left. A gruesome gash marred his back, exposing muscle and bone. He couldn't help but feel a profound empathy, a deep ache for the innocent spirit caught in such a cruel fate.

With the swiftness of a startled hare, Jack made a hasty retreat to the safety of the pier's shelter, narrowly avoiding the imminent arrival of the medical examiner. A man who is proud of his work assisting the dead. He wore a dark blue jumpsuit, pale white rubber gloves, and dark glasses. The examiner tenderly covered the lifeless form in plastic before zipping it into a black body bag.

The diligent hands of the police officers gently dismantled the tent's sturdy fabric as the examiners respectfully transferred the body onto a waiting gurney, ready for transport in a van.

Returning to his human form, Jack's eyes glistened like the vast expanse of the ocean. His brow furrowed, and his lips drooped. Sakura could see the turmoil within him; the sight he had witnessed had left him shaken. Her heart ached for him as she rushed forward, wrapping him in a tender embrace. 

In a voice tinged with vulnerability, Sakura ventured, "What happened? What did ya see?"

The group's collective gaze remained fixed upon Jack as he bravely battled the flood of emotions. His hands pressed firmly against his knees, a desperate attempt to anchor himself against the disruption of feelings raging within.

After composing himself, Jack said, "The victim is a ten-year-old boy."

Sakura gasped in shock, her disbelief evident as she uttered, "No."

Athen sought confirmation, asking, "Are you certain?"

Jack affirmed with conviction in his voice, "Yes, I'm sure."

Michael inquired, "Did he drown?"

Jack shook his head solemnly. "No, he was mauled, and then his neck was snapped to finish him. The claw marks are unmistakably the marks of a werewolf. Someone is coming here, targeting Sakura."

Sakura whimpered, "Why am I not surprised?"

Athen furrowed his brow in contemplation, thinking of Sakura's father's past actions. " We'll have to leave for Paradise Island while Robbie is working."

Sakura voiced her concerns, objecting, "No, we can't sneak away behind his back."

Jack said, "This child couldn't have simply surfaced here. He must have died somewhere along this beach."

Sakura asked, "Are you absolutely certain about this, Jack?"

"Yes," Jack affirmed.

Sakura exchanged a meaningful glance with Athen. "We should listen to him and walk down the beach to see if we can find anythin'."

Athen nodded reluctantly to please his girlfriend despite knowing he believed he knew best out of everyone. Their steps left delicate impressions in the moist sand as they ventured onto the beach. Athen took the lead. His cell phone guided the way while his sharp eyes surveyed the beach for any signifying signs of disturbance. The twins, Alex and Alec, remained beside him, their senses finely attuned to the surroundings.

In his usual cheerful manner, Alex couldn't help but ask Athen, "Remind us which beach is this again?"

Athen consulted his phone and relayed, "Currently, we're at Venice Beach, headed toward Malibu."

Michael followed closely behind, and Jack kept monitoring the crowd for suspicious activity. Any one of them could be a werewolf ready to pounce.

However, Sakura, consumed by guilt and remorse, was preoccupied with her thoughts. She couldn't help but blame herself for the child's tragic fate.

Then, as if by fortune, the iconic Santa Monica Pier appeared. Its vibrant, twinkling lights cast a warm, inviting glow over the water. The twins, captivated by the pier's allure, were drawn to it like moths to a flame.

Alec, his eyes brimming with excitement, tugged on Athen's sleeve. "Look, Athen! The Sea Plane!"

Alex said enthusiastically, "Can we please go for a ride?"

Athen observed the spinning duster-style planes, each filled with happy children and their parents, and shook his head. "No, that ride is meant for little kids."

The twins pouted like sad juniors, longing for lighthearted fun, evident after their ordeal. Yet, not everyone shared their need for fun at that moment. Noticing their disappointment, Jack offered them a warm grin, his silent way of showing he was willing to brighten their spirits. Jack suggested, "How about we try the Pacific Plunge?"

Sakura stubbornly rejected the idea, saying, "No, feck that."

"Why not?" Jack asked.

"I've witnessed children fall from those rides from forty feet in the air and tragically lose their lives. Ya, I'm not takin' that risk," Sakura explained firmly.

Athen interjected, "Jack, you stay here with the twins. We appreciate what you did for us back there."

Jack breathed a sigh of relief, visibly grateful. "Thank you."

Athen flashed a playful grin. "Sure, we're not in a hurry, anyway."

The twins practically skipped toward the Santa Monica Pier, their spirits momentarily lifted from the weight of their mission.

Sakura couldn't help but giggle at their enthusiasm. "Those two can be quite adorable, don't ya think."

Athen, though, groaned in amusement. "Not all the time, I assure you."

Michael and Athen guided Sakura as they continued down the beach, passing the Veterans Memorial with its marble penny-colored pillars honoring each branch of the American military. The flag flew honorably in the merciless ocean breeze. Eventually, they walked by the volleyball courts and what remained of the world's longest pier, making the seemingly endless beach feel like an infinite journey.

After some time, Michael came to a sudden halt, his gaze locked on a specific spot in the sand. Kneeling, he examined the ground. "Guys, I've found dried blood."

The young Alpha mates swiftly joined him near a substantial stone wall. Michael pointed to the dried bloodstains. Sakura carefully gazed around, ensuring no prying eyes or curious onlookers were nearby.

Sakura whispered, "Could this be it?"

Michael nodded solemnly, his expression grim. "I believe so. This is where it all happened."

Sakura, however, noticed something crucial. She pointed to a trail of dry blood concealed in the boulders and pebbles. "But it's not here. There isn't enough blood loss to confirm that he perished right at this exact spot. I can see the trail where the werewolf led him, likely to hide from the humans." 

 Athen's jaw clenched while he frowned at the distant mountains. "So, who from the island followed us, and what do they want?"

 Michael hesitated momentarily before offering a plausible explanation, saying, "The werewolves on our island have no idea how to live in a place like this. It was probably hungry. "

 Athen's growl was immediate. "Don't justify this. You know it's forbidden to prey on humans."

 With a lowered head, Michael said, "I'm sorry, Athen. I just wanted to consider the possibility that the child wasn't killed for no reason."

 Sakura's eyes shimmered as she declared, "We won't rest until we uncover the truth."

 Athen nodded in agreement. "Let's follow the trail and hunt down this shithead."

They continued to track the trail further up the rocky shoreline. Sakura continued to think about the boy—his name, family, and the life he might have lived. She understood they had a duty to unravel the truth, regardless of the sacrifices required.

The trail led them to a cavernous opening within Castle Rock Beach, a large dark cave stretching out.

Athen couldn't help but shudder as he whispered, "I have a bad feeling about this place."

Michael countered, "All the more reason to go inside."

"Easy for you to say," Sakura whispered. 

Sakura's instincts surged, making her approach cautiously while the boys bravely took the lead. The eerie atmosphere did not sit well with her, and she stayed close behind them, her imagination conjuring overdramatic scenarios of limbs reaching out from the walls and heads rolling at her feet.

The air grew damp, filled with the scent of salt and seaweed.

Athen's cell phone flashlight pierced the murkiness, illuminating the walls and revealing Japanese Hiragana etched on the stone. Michael peeked at the ground and spotted a fresh trail of bloodstains leading deeper into the cave.

Michael whispered, "Hey, I think I found something."

Athen nodded. "Let's follow the trail and see where it leads."

The passage narrowed, and the air grew colder. The walls seemed to close around them, intensifying Sakura's growing anxiety. She felt as if she were trapped in the catacombs of Paris, with no way out but to join the ranks of the deceased. She clung tightly to the back of Athen's shirt.

Finally, they encountered a concealed chamber at the cave's farthest reaches. Illuminated by Athen's flashlight, a grim sight came into view—a bloodstained child's hat and a pair of swim shoes, unmistakably belonging to the victim.

Sakura whispered in disbelief, "This is... sickenin'."

Athen's jaw clenched as he examined the scene, his mind racing. "What in the world?"

From the corner of the den, an echoing growl reverberated, followed by the appearance of glowing yellow eyes emerging from the darkness. Sakura yelped, swiftly taking refuge behind the boys.

"Stay back!" Athen commanded. He and Michael transformed into their wolf forms, growling in response. Sakura could not see in the dark, which heightened her fear, but she trusted Athen and Michael to be her eyes at this terrifying moment.

From the shadows emerged a brown wolf, its fur blending with the darkness, revealing a prosthetic metal limb rusted by the relentless sea. The wolf emitted a deep snarl, and as it snapped its jaws, traces of human flesh and blood were grotesquely visible between its teeth.

Sakura vomited in her mouth, unable to bear the gruesome sight, and instinctively sought refuge behind large rocks. Fierce clashes and barks echoed in the darkness as the wolves tore into each other with gnashing teeth and claws. Then, abruptly, silence fell.

"It's safe to open your eyes now," Athen's voice cut through the darkness, his blue eyes glowing.

Sakura released a relieved sigh and cautiously opened her eyes. She watched the boys transform; Sakura embraced them tightly, grateful for their protection.

"Who was that?" Sakura asked.

Athen exchanged a brief, knowing look with Michael before turning his gaze back to Sakura. "We didn't need him to speak to know who he was."

"He was from one of the clans on Ama Island," Michael said.

Sakura peered into the darkness, the corpse's concealed form now the only evidence of their unsettling encounter. She sought answers, asking, "But why is he here?"

Athen sighed as he recounted, "Do you remember the investigation I conducted before our graduation?"

Her voice tinged with confusion, Sakura replied, "Ya."

Athen continued, "Lina informed me she discovered werewolves from various clans were mysteriously disappearing. The dead would wash ashore, their bodies incapacitated as their limbs were replaced with metallic replacements. We still don't know who's behind it, but these werewolves apparently willingly subjected themselves to these human experiments."

Sakura gasped, then asked, "How can you be sure that's true? Who would willingly do that?"

Athen responded, "The humans haven't set foot on the island for eighteen years. Werewolves like me are permitted to embark on missions worldwide to safeguard the balance of the world and the Kami's. It's becoming increasingly clear that we might face a much more powerful issue than we initially thought."

"We need to leave the cave before someone spots us," Michael added, leading toward the cave's exit.

Sakura followed them in somber contemplation, her mind burdened by the consequences of her departure from the island. She said, "We have to return to the island."

Athen consoled her, wrapping his arm around her in a hug. "We will return, but it may take Sam a few days to arrive alone. Please be patient."

Sakura noticed the bruises and minor cuts on their bodies, their clothes torn and soaked in blood. She did not mention them, knowing the boys could be equally stubborn. 

In the distance, the twins enthusiastically shouted and waved at the pack while Jack tried hard to catch up with them on his two legs.

Alex was the first to reach the three of his pack members, spinning his arms around them in joy. He snagged Sakura's hand and said, "Hey, we went on so many cool rides, you wouldn't believe it."

Alec added, "We also got to eat these oversized pretzels, too."

Jack saw the wounds on their bodies and asked, "What happened to the two of you?"

Michael said, "We will tell you all later. I want to go back before Robbie gets mad." 

Athen suggested, "Let's run over the mountain tops. We would be there faster, and we could avoid humans that way."

They transformed, and Athen carried Sakura on his back. The pack howled as they ran through the forest, jumping almost high on the treetops to call for the moon. Sakura had a significant decision ahead of her—where to call home from now on, Los Angeles or Paradise Island. It was a choice she didn't want to take lightly.