THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

**Dominic’s story**

I’ve barely been able to sleep since my conversation with Declan. Zack was up to something and now he had accomplices. What was worse, those accomplices were from Declan’s circle. I was still wondering what Barnett was doing in the clinic?
What was more important was that Rebecca was under no circumstances to find out.
We only had time to sip our coffee, and we were off to the airport. I so wanted to see Declan today to try to unwind Zack’s visit.
“Are you sure you’re okay, love?” suddenly asked Rebecca as she found her seat on the plane. I could hardly mask my concern, and she seemed to realize that something was wrong. Lucky for me, I could blame our quick departure.
“I’m fine, I guess. I’m just sorry we had to leave Bali like that. But I promise we’ll make time to come back.”
“I’d like that too. I’m sorry we had to leave like this. But we’ll have to get back to our business”
“There’s a big event coming up soon, my love, and I wouldn’t dream of you not joining me.” It was the launch of my new film, the romantic drama. It’s going to be the event of the year.
Rebecca’s face turned from melancholic to curious.
“What event are you referring to?”
“The release of my new film,” I replied proudly as yet another project came out of my hands.
“Oh wow, I forgot. Sorry, love! Yeah, I’ll come with you. How could I not? Again, sorry, it slipped my mind. Seems like something important is coming from my line of work, too. Fashion week is coming up in New York and I’ll have to find a location and take care of all the details. I’m going to be so busy. But not too busy that I won’t be joining you at the premiere of your film.”
“Then it means we’re even. I had forgotten too. If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.”
“At the moment, I can’t think of anything, but if I run into difficulties along the way, I’ll look you up. I’d like to get Eve involved. What do you say? She must be so lonely.” Bringing Eve into the discussion reminded me of Zack and the fact that he was closer to us than ever. I still didn’t know his plans, and it was driving me crazy. But maybe it was good that Eve stayed around Rebecca more and, by definition, around me. That way, I could protect her better. Zack hadn’t found out who she was yet, but when he did, he’d want revenge.
“I think it’s a great idea. Two minds like yours could help you with the event you have.”
The flight to New York was uneventful and as soon as we arrived on American soil, I realized how many problems were waiting for me. First of all, I had to find an excuse to miss a few hours to talk to Declan.
We went to my place and had some more coffee. It was almost noon.
“Oh God, how I’ve missed this coffee of ours,” Rebecca marveled, sipping hungrily from her cup.
“You can say that again. Listen, I’ll be away for a few hours. Declan asked me to accompany him to get some medical supplies. Think you can manage without me in the meantime?” The look on Rebecca’s face was priceless. She even flashed a broad smile.
“I’m not a helpless child, Dominic. Go help your friend, I’ll be fine. I’ll even find some time to look for Eve. Unfortunately, I don’t have her phone number.” Suddenly, her shoulders slumped in disappointment.
“I think I can help you with that. I’ll use my telepathy and find her. As soon as I figure it out, I’ll let you know.” And her smile returned.
“Great, thank you. Now go, don’t let your friend waiting”
I hated the fact I had to lie to her about the real reason for my meeting with Declan. But it was better than her worrying about it. I almost didn’t know how time passed and I ended up in Declan’s office, only I no longer considered the clinic a safe place.
“Hey man, we should go to the pub nearby. I don’t trust this clinic. Someone can always eavesdrop us on.”
“I was thinking exactly the same thing” And adding nothing else, we walked out of the clinic straight into the underground car park. Both he and I took the cars and drove to the pub entrance. Only we didn’t opt for the one next to the hospital but for another one a few streets away. It was hard to find a place where you could be sure no one was spying on you.
“It’s my first time here, so we don’t know anyone and no one knows us. I bet you don’t frequent places like this either.” The location was a bit sloppy, very secluded and very little populated.
“It’s for the best, because what I heard those two talking about worried me, honestly,” Declan started, but paused for a few seconds while the waiter took our order. They served us two coffees and scrambled eggs with vegetables. I had eaten nothing so far, and I was starving.
I urged him with my stare to continue. “I honestly don’t know what Zack could possibly have to do with Dr. Swan, but I’m pretty sure the cardiologist isn’t human anymore. And that’s probably because Zack needs him”
If that was indeed the case, then we had bigger problems than I would have imagined. If Zack started turning people into werewolves just to make them obey him, then his plan was more serious than I thought.
“That’s not good, Declan. It would be very dangerous if this was Zack’s game. To simply turn people into his servants. And we still don’t know for what purpose.”
“And that’s not all, Dominic. I approached without them hearing me...” Declan continued and I could already feel the hair on my back stand up. This man had taken a tremendous risk.
“You know he could have smelled you and you could have ended up in a not so pleasant way,” I interrupted him abruptly, visibly horrified at his audacity.
“I know Dominic, but I found it very odd that Dr. Swan had a patient in his personal office. He is the only doctor in the clinic who has two rooms in which he does his work, the private study where he consults and the personal office where only he enters. Now, do you understand my concern?” Looking at it from that perspective, besides the foolish risk he took, Declan acted exemplarily. “Before you argue with me, you should know that Zack has some suspicions about his ex-wife, Eve. I mean, from what I gather from their conversation, he suspects she didn’t die as he planned in the past and that’s the reason, he corrupted Dr. Swan.” I swallowed hard after hearing that. In fact, I hit the table pretty hard without being able to control myself. “Dominic, calm down! Zack doesn’t realize we have the advantage of knowing.”
“You’re right here. What worries me is that he will now strike at everything I hold dear. It won’t just be Eve. Zack has a pride that’s hard to contain. He hates me because even now he lives with the idea that I’m the reason Jane, his daughter, died. Although on the one hand, he’s kind of right...”
“Stop blaming yourself, Dominic. You were just two kids in love. There were always risks. Neither you nor Jane were safe from them. Think that if it was Tom who attacked you, the same Tom that Zack hired to kill Eve, didn’t he know Jane was his boss’s daughter?”
“I’ve been asking myself this question for decades and have yet to find an answer that satisfies me. However, Tom is no longer alive to solve the mystery. I could have made him talk using my methods. Now we have to focus on what we have. Specifically, Rebecca and Eve. We can’t let that idiot Zack hurt them.”
“Don’t you think there are too few of us to fight against one who, from what I can see, is building an army?”

Declan’s question was pertinent, but unfortunately, another one I didn’t have an answer to. Rather, it wasn’t one, because if Zack continued like this, we wouldn’t stand a chance against him.
“There is a problem, indeed. We have little choice. It’s not like we’re going to start turning people into wolves.”
“I do it with great pleasure, my friend!” said Declan suddenly in a breath as he lifted his chest.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s not as easy as you think. And besides, I wouldn’t condemn you to such a life. Never. I will not be the one who leaves you no choice.”
“It is not about choice, Dominic. It’s about what you have to do, what decision you will have to make in the end so that everything doesn’t turn against you. What if psycho Zack gets to Rebecca? Have you thought about that? Without being able to defend her she’s a sitting duck” Just the thought of that asshole hurting her clouded my judgment and more and more I agreed with Declan. “Look, you, see? Just knowing that there would be such a possibility and you’re out of your freaking mind, Dominic. Calm down, your eyes are getting red and you’ll attract attention.”
“If Zack so much as touches a strand of Rebecca’s hair, I swear to you he will die in the most horrible torment a beast can die in.”