Features: Earth Angel, Imperfect and Rembrandt.

Loosely based off The Wolfman (1941) staring Lon Chaney Jr.

It had been a rather long train ride from New York City. Young Tyler Lockwood had made his way to the big city from his humble beginnings in a town in the rural South called Mystic Falls. He stepped off the train adjusting his tie and looking out into the group of people here to greet their loved ones who rode in on the train. He found no one to make such greeting for him. He was not surprised really. His father was a remorseless bastard who thought very little of Tyler in all honesty.

He began his walk to hire a carriage to take him to the Lockwood Estate. The word reached him in New York that his Uncle Mason had perished due to some animal attack. It was quite heart wrenching since his uncle had been more of a father to him than his own had been. He was about to step into a carriage when he saw a young woman exit a shop on Main Street. He passed this particular carriage to go speak to the girl. “Excuse me. Could I have a moment of your time?”

When she turned around to make eye contact with him, he felt his heart skip a beat. She was absolutely beautiful. She had eyes the color of the sky and hair that was a rich brown. She was absolutely captivating to him. It was like she was a goddess. “Could I help you Sir?” She asked.

Tyler was captivated by her beauty. “I noticed you came from Mr. Saltzman's store. Are you his newest flower girl?” He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“That I am. My name is Laurel Collins. Could I help you with something?” She asked. It was quite obvious she was quite taken with him as well.

“Yes Miss Collins. I am in town for the funeral of my uncle Mason Lockwood. I’d very much like some flowers for the funeral.” He couldn’t stop smiling even though this was a somber occasion that brought him home.

She realized who he was and her skin turned pale for a moment. “O-Of course Mr. Lockwood. I’ll have it ready for you promptly. I really am very sorry for your loss.” There was something she was holding back from him and he could tell. “Would you like to step inside to make the arrangements?”

“Of course.” He answered with great respect and care. He had noticed a few others on Main Street with a peculiar look in their eyes. Was it something he said?.

Once inside the store, Laurel moved behind the counter to officially write up his order. While she was writing, he started to ask questions. “Do you know what happened to my uncle?” The question was pointed and not really accusatory. He allowed his eyes to wander over the store while occasionally stealing glances at the beautiful woman who seemed deathly afraid of something.

She kept penciling in something on a paper as she spoke. “Nothing more than what is already known. Mr. Lockwood was riding home when he was accosted by vicious animal. Poor man.” She stole fleeting glances at the handsome son of the Mayor of Mystic Falls.

Tyler approached this display finding a gentlemen’s cane that had a very unique carving of a wolf as the head of it. The length of the cane itself was actually white. It was something that stood out for him. He couldn’t leave it there, he needed it. He picked it out of the display of canes and brought it toward her. “I would like to pay for this at same time please. It’s really striking don’t you think?”

She looked as though she’d seen a ghost when she spotted the cane. “Please Mr. Lockwood. Don’t. It’s really not a very good idea.”

“Nonsense. Now how much do I owe you?” He reached into his inside vest pocket and pulled out several golden coins. “This should cover everything including delivery to my father’s home.” He held this cane in his hand and began to walk with it toward the door.

Stepping back outside, Tyler noticed that it was getting dark outside. He decided to forgo the carriage and walk through the woods. It was lovely enough weather for it after all. He passed down Main Street waving to old friends and family before making that turn.

On the edge of the forest was a covered wagon with an intricate design on it. Tyler took a better look at the design. It looked rather ornate. “Stare too long and you might not enjoy the consequences.” The voice that spoke to him was female. She exited the wagon slowly with her auburn locks slipping out of a hood on her head. “I am called Madeleana Morningstar. Beware of what lay a ahead in the woods young Lockwood. Your uncle didn’t head my warning either.”

“What do know about my uncle?” He demanded. The young man was insensed! “Did you kill him?”

“Oh no. It wasn’t me. The beast that inhabits these very same woods ripped your uncle to pieces. It will do the same to you if you let him.” Her grin made his blood run cold. She couldn’t help but look the young man over. “Poor little human boy. Run away while you can!”

Tyler didn’t take too well to idle threats. “If I find out you killed him, I'll be back to kill you myself!” He stormed off into the woods with the witch Madeleana's laughter cackling behind him.

~*~

The woods were far more dark and intimidating that Tyler remembered. As he walked, there was a thumping sound that assaulted his senses. His well kept shoes were pounding into the ground getting covered in mud and muck because of the rains the day before.

His footsteps were being mocked. Another faster and stronger set of footsteps were gaining ground on him. Tyler started to pick up the pace. As each foot hit the ground, his heart beat faster. The sweat raced down his forehead and into his eyes blurring his vision. That was when something came out of nowhere and knocked him to the ground.

The monster stood over the prone form of the young Lockwood. Four furry legs with claws had pinned him to the ground. He managed to catch a glimpse of the monster to gain a better look at it even as it was breathing heavily on the back of his neck. It had the form of a giant wolf with fangs that were dripping with blood and saliva. For a brief moment he was wrapped up with fear. This had to have been the monster that killed his uncle! Tyler still had his fingers wrapped around the cane in his hand. He immediately began swinging at the beast with the cane.

The snarling beast snapped at him as he swung the cane. Tyler and the beast were wrestling in a life or death struggle. The beast sunk it’s jaws into Tyler’s shoulder drawing blood. He cried out in utter agony because of the attack. He managed to take the cane made of a white wood and pushed it into the beast's chest. The beast yelped in terror and took off running.

The pain was overwhelming. Tyler could feel his body throbbing in agony. The edges of his mind were in a fog that was rolling in and stealing his conscience from him. The more that he fought to stay awake, the more he lost his battle. Finally the world went black.

~*~

Finally his eyes opened slowly. He was back home at the Lockwood Estate in his bedroom. Laurel Collins was in the room with him. She was standing next to a basin of water. “You’re awake! Everyone has been so worried about you!”

He tried to sit up but couldn’t. His body ached and his world was spinning. “What happened?” He moaned.

The witch Madeleana’s voice came from behind Laurel. She was standing in the doorway. “The beast you met in the woods was my brother Niklaus. Now the curse has been passed to you Tyler Lockwood! When the moon is full you were crave blood! You are now and forever will be a Wolf Man! This is your cursed fate!”


 

Tyler Lockwood/Cerberus