Jason Abbott by Bassam Imam - HTML preview

MY BELOVED FRIEND BASSAM

I noticed that people's gazes were fixed on me. The last thing I wanted was undue attention. I walked away without saying a word. I wanted to be forgotten by the crowd. I strolled through the park for an hour until I could not help but notice a middle-aged bearded man sitting on a bench getting ready to feed the pigeons and squirrels. I hastened my approach until I was a foot away from the bench. The man was so focused on his task if a pink elephant had stood beside him he would not have noticed.

Nevertheless, I was adamant in making him notice my presence. My cat instincts were sending me messages about this fellow, all of which were positive. I did not get that too often regarding humans. I leaped onto the bench and then grabbed hold of the bag full of mixed nuts. The other bag was full of bird seeds and bread crumbs. I wanted to feed the squirrels.

"Sir, how are you?"

"Umm I'm fine thank you. In addition, may I ask why you took hold of one of my bags? Are you hungry? If so, I'll get you some food, better food, tasty and wholesome cat food."

"No sir, I just want to feed the squirrels, if you don't mind."

"Kitty, actually I'm so flattered, a beautiful, stream-lined cat like you taking the time to sit beside me and join in an animal feeding, wow! By the way, let me formally introduce myself. My name is Bassam Imam and I absolutely adore cats, and that includes you. I live a few blocks away. I come to this park often in order to relax and to perform good deeds for the animal world."

"Umm, my name is Jason Abbott." I had to lie. I needed to think of a cover-up story. "I'm from here, I mean this very park. I was born right here. My father left my mother while I was still inside her. My mother was too overwhelmed to care for my siblings and me. As soon as I was able to fend for myself she disappeared, where to, I do not know. I would not know her even if I saw her, vice versa. Anyway, I visit this park every-so-often.

“Jason, if we’re going to become good friends, honesty must be one of the golden rules. I know that you were not born in this park or any other park in the metropolitan area. You were born in the U.S. I know because I lived there for many years. Do not worry, the average John, Dick, or Harry will not be able to realize this important fact. I figure you are from the Midwest. You do not sound like a redneck. Do not try to fool me I will catch you red-handed. Let me tell you, I have been searching for a roommate for some time now. I would prefer a cat like you. You are small and do not eat as much as a human. Just be honest with me. If you’re hiding something that can’t be revealed please turn around and walk away and don’t come back, ever.”

I paused for a moment to look at all of my options. Then I asked Bassam a question, “Well, how much rent money do you want every month?” Bassam made a zero sign with his right hand using his thumb and index finger. “What about food and all other expenses?” Bassam repeated the gesture.

Honestly, I was sick of being on the run, forced to lie, and not opening up to anyone. I wanted a steady home. Therefore, I wholeheartedly opened up to my newfound friend, barely leaving out a few details. It took me about an hour to convey my story to him. When I finished he gave me a thumbs-up. I was relieved but still a bit cautious. Perhaps he wanted a reward for my capture.

“Jason, let’s go home, our home. I want you to see my big, beautiful, fully furnished apartment. You look like a HD television kitty. Do not worry I have a couple of 70 inch HD televisions at home. As of this moment, one's for the other and me is for you. Now, aren't you delighted to have met me?"

"Yes I am, but what about the poor pigeons and squirrels. Bassam, look, we are surrounded by dozens of them. They're waiting for us to feed them." We emptied out the food contents of the bag and then walked away. "Bassam, do you think they heard me telling you about my story? If so I'm in big trouble."

"Jason I don’t think so. Do not worry, I did not forget about them. In fact, I always had an eye on them. As I said, I come to this park often and to other parks too. I have learned a thing or two about park animals. They are nice, but at the same time, they are hungry. Sure, some of them backbite and gossip, but it is all about trivial stuff. Come on, let's go home."

“Jason, can I buy you an ice-cream cone, vanilla okay?” I nodded no. “Okay, I guess you’re probably really tired, what about a rain-check on that?” I nodded yes. “I think you’re going to love my apartment, it’s a four, and a half. In Canada, they refer to the sizes of apartments by different terms. My apartment has two bedrooms and two restrooms. The living room is beautiful, adored with a creamy-coloured carpet, expensive furniture, two chandeliers, a giant aquarium, a television, a Sharp-240W 5-Disc Compact Stereo/2-Way Speaker System, and beautiful walled scenic paintings.”

“What kind of fish do you have in the aquarium?” Bassam waved his index finger indicating none. “Oh, it’s for the appearance and the soothing sound, correct?” Bassam nodded yes.

“I can’t wait to go home. Understand that I am not trying to snub you. Show me where my bedroom is so I can crash out. I’ve had a very long, stressful trip and now it’s time to sleep in a cozy bed in a safe environment.”

As soon as we were across the street from the Oliver T. Hudson Apartments, I was bedazzled by the facade. It was an incredibly beautiful, upscale apartment building. I was Lucky indeed. “Jason, after we enter the building you must follow me to the apartment manager’s office. Therein, your paw prints will be registered into the system. This will allow you to enter the building or our apartment with a simple scan of one of your paws. I know you have done this before but just to make sure let me explain to you what ensues. All you have to do is place any one of your four paws on the scanner. Your scanned paw must not be wet. More so, if your paws are greasy then you mustn’t tough the scanner, as this will have an adverse effect on the scanning process.”

We entered the building, and as told, I followed Bassam to the apartment manager’s office. A plaque on the door read JENNY HUDSON, APARTMENT BUILDING MANAGER. Bassam knocked on the door five times then waited attentively for someone to answer. A tall, young and slim, red-head woman opened the door. “Hi Bassam, whose your newfound cutie-pie friend?”

“Jenny this beautiful cat is my beloved friend, and nephew Jason Abbott. I want him to be cleared for building and apartment entry. He is a nice cat. I think he’ll be a good tenant.”

Jenny waved us in with her hand and then said, “Guys please come into my office. This will only take a moment. I assume you’ve done this before.” I nodded yes. “Okay, please leap onto the chair and wait until I bring out the special scanning device.”

I did as told and then waited attentively. Jenny left the room through a side door that led to a large closet. A moment later, she came out with a device the size of a mobile.

“Okay, Jason, gently run your right forepaw against the scanner. Good job, now, gently run your left forepaw against the scanner. Good. Now, gently run your right hind-paw against the scanner. Good. Lastly, gently run your left hind-paw against the scanner.” Instantaneously we heard three beeping sounds from the device.

“Honey, it worked. Jason, do you have any I.D.?” Bassam answered before I had a chance to respond. “Yes, we have legitimate I.D. and birth certificate. Since the lease is in my name I will be responsible for paying the monthly rent and all due expenses. Jenny, you know me quite well. I have been living in the same apartment for many years now. No tenant has ever complained about my behaviour or attitude. Furthermore, I’ve always paid my rent on time.”

"Don't worry Bassam I know that you've always been a good tenant. However, I have to go through the motions. You know very well that my parents own this building and others like it in the metropolitan area." Jenny smiled and then waved goodbye. We left her office in good spirits. I was set for life; money, food, water, shelter, companionship, and fun, what else could I have asked for?

I followed Bassam through the hall to the elevators. He pressed the UP button then took a couple of steps back. We waited for roughly twenty seconds before the doors for elevator number three opened. "Bassam, what apartment number do we live?"

"We live in apartment number 308. As soon as we enter it you're going to receive your first surprise."

Upon entering the apartment, the first thing that struck me was the beautiful scent in the air. The orange fragrance was not too sharp or weak, it was just right. Instantly, I felt a rush of relief and relaxation. Now, I had to go to bed.

"Exactly, where is my room and what kind of bed am I going to be sleeping in?" Bassam scratched his head, appearing to be dumb-founded by my question. Earlier, he told me that I would be sleeping in my own bed. Now, he seems to have backtracked. I was not sure if he wanted me to sleep on the carpet or in the tub. "Bassam, come on, I told you earlier that I was very tired. I need to go to bed. Where is my room and what kind of a bed will I sleep in?"

"Umm, Jason, I'm very sorry. I forgot about the bed. When I moved into this apartment there were two beds, one in each bedroom. I received permission from the management to sell the bed in the other room. It was not being used and I assumed that I would live in this apartment alone indefinitely. Listen, you sleep on one side of the bed I will sleep on the other. The bed is quite large.

"Umm, okay, but I demand that you buy me my own bed within a week. At home, I had my own room and bed. I'm not used to sharing any part of my room with anyone else." Bassam gently jabbed his finger into his chest indicating agreement. "Okay, let's go to the bedroom."

I followed Bassam into the bedroom. It was beautiful and spacious. The bed was gargantuan. I leaped onto it and then stood on my hind legs indicating that I wanted to sleep on the right side of the bed. Bassam nodded yes. I closed my eyes for a few seconds and then opened them. This was a hint, a hint as to my sleepiness. The message was received 'loud and clear'. Bassam grinned at me and then he pointed to my pillow.

Everything went fine until the fourth night. That is when Bassam and I got into our first skirmish. "Bassam, come on! You are hogging the bedcovers! You are taking ninety percent of the covers. I'm trying to cover myself and you keep tugging the covers towards you."

"Wait a minute, Jason! Of course, I am using ninety percent of the covers. I am a lot bigger than you are, in case you have not noticed. In addition, more so, I am not a hog. I'm a very good person."

There was no talk thereafter. We reluctantly closed our eyes, but it took me over an hour to fall asleep, and Bassam was tossing and turning for at least that long. My adrenaline level was far too high to allow me to instantly fall asleep. The following day was engulfed in the silent treatment. It took several days for us to start talking to each other. It happened in the living room during which time we were seated on opposite sides. We kept glancing at each other waiting for the other person to speak.

Then, Bassam picked up his mobile and ordered a pizza, extra cheese and extra sauce, with thick crust. He looked up at the ceiling for a moment. As soon as he lowered his head, he ordered a couple large pops and a completely French apple pie. As soon as he turned off his mobile, I spoke. “How did you know that was my favourite kind of pizza? I never told you or anyone else except for my parents.”

“Jason, I know more about you than you think. Last night you talked during your dream stage. I followed your order to the letter. Anyway, your official birth certificate, Medicare and Social Security cards, two credit cards, and bank account information will be arriving in the mail within a few days. By the way, our money is at the Big Bank of Canada a couple of blocks west of here. Your paw prints will be used to withdraw money from your soon-to-be bank account.”

“Huh, Bassam, how did you manage to pull this one off? Are you some kind of a Wise-guy or covert mobster? Even the mayor of this city couldn’t pull something like that off.” Bassam grinned at me, and then gave a double thumbs-up. “Come on, aren`t you going to tell me your secret? We are best friends in the whole world now, and we are roommates. You told me that you wanted honesty and openness. Your action is of great interest to me. Now, tell me everything.”

“Jason, please listen to me. You have opened up to me quite well, and vice versa. However, there are certain aspects of a person’s life that must remain a secret. By telling you what you want to know I will certainly be placing both of our lives in imminent danger. Please do not make me tell you. I told you everything that you need to know. More so, look underneath your pillow. I placed a gift therein for you. I’m certain that you’ll like it.”

We enjoyed our meal very much. In fact, everything appeared to be going quite well; I got a new bed, and I received everything that was needed by mail. I was a legal Canadian Citizen with papers and attestation of my Canadian birth from my roommate. Everything went just fine for the following year until a dreaded early Sunday morning while walking at the intersection of Sainte Catherine and Guy Street.

I had been walking all night. I guess you could say I had a serious case of insomnia. Bassam was sound asleep, so it would not have been polite of me to awaken him just to say that I could not sleep and was planning to take a long walk. Just before I was going to cross the street heading west a congregation of roughly a dozen local university students were walking east on the same street. As soon as we were standing side-by-side, someone threw a beer bottle at me. Thank goodness, he was drunk, rendering his aim useless. Nevertheless, he only missed my head by a few inches. Another person made a profane hand gesture at me.

The worst person amongst the group was no doubt a football player, roughly six feet six inches tall and weighed about 300 lbs. The red jersey he wore indicated that he was a member of the Master Studs Fraternity. "Hey, kitty, come here for a second. My friends and I want to talk to you. Do not worry we are not going to hurt you. We're not the fraternity that's suspected of hanging cats during our initiation ceremonies." I glared at him, indicating that I knew that he was lying, and that I was not foolish enough to approach him. "Hey kitty, I told you to come here. Don't you dare, disobey me." Expectedly, his friends pointed their fingers at me in unison then they began to laugh. I now understood exactly who they were; all of them were members of the Master Studs Fraternity. They could not find a girl for the night, so the best thing thereafter is a lone, innocent-looking cat.

Well, I was not going to be a lynch pin for a fraternity initiation ceremony. If they wanted to lynch someone, lynch yourselves. That is my logic. I was not going to have any more of it. I looked away in disgust then focused on the traffic light at the opposite side of the street. As soon as the walk signal came on, I took my first step towards the other side of the street. Unfortunately, the congregation ran to the crosswalk virtually blocking my path.

"Guys, listen up. I do not want any trouble with you or anyone else, okay. Now, just get out of my way so I can go home. I need to get back home before my roommate wakes up, he won't like it if I'm not home." My words had no effect on them. Worse yet, my arch nemesis ordered the congregation to the other side of the street. Meanwhile, traffic stopped. It seemed like everyone therein wanted to see the incredible fight about to ensue.

"All right kitty, I'm going to rip you apart in front of all these people. You hear me, boy! I am a six foot six inch 300 lbs. lineman for the McGill University Redmen. Kitty, I am a grizzly bear and you are a cougar. Guess who's going to win?" This mega giant of a man looked to his left, glared and then waved everyone back. Then, he looked to his right, repeating the process until the entire crowd was a safe distance away.

We were right smack in the middle of the downtown core near Guy Metro Station. Although it was late into the night there were still people walking around. For them, this fight was more entertaining than the Stanley Cup finals. It is rare to see a football player fight a cat. My nemesis pushed out his chest and then flexed his biceps. It looked like everyone was amazed, including your truly.

I prepared myself for a horrendous fight, and rightfully so. My nemesis lowered his arms, stared me down, and then charged. Something inside me snapped. I guess it was a hidden instinct; it was my secret Sabre-tooth cat, a primitive, ferocious feline from prehistoric times. The beast within me took over, virtually directing my every fighting move.

I took a couple of steps toward my nemesis and then leaped onto his chest. The sheer force of the contact catapulted him onto the ground. He was now lying on his back defenceless. No, I was not going to let him off that easily. I threw a barrage of punches making sure that my claws were fully extended. Then, I bit my nemesis' right hand as hard as I could. Biting him on the neck would be construed as attempted murder or excessive force. The fight was over. My nemesis appeared glassy-eyed. He could not stand up without the aid of his friends. Suddenly, the onlookers became cheering fans. They looked like a bunch of Ancient Romans in an Amphitheatre.

An old man walking on a cane approached me, slowly bent over and then shook my paw. "Son, you're a real champ. I think you could have destroyed the boxing champions of old, men like Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali. What's more, I think you can beat many of the professional wrestlers of today. Wow kitty, but just remember one thing, do not seriously wound anyone and by golly you had better not kill anyone. A cat that does so will be shoved into a gas canister and then executed. See you later. In addition, if you ever want to fight anyone again please call me at (555) 988-5466. My name is Edward Parcel. I live at 1500 Blueberry Boulevard in Montreal West.

More people started to converge upon me, I am glad to say that they were fans, showing strong support for my actions. I kept hearing the same thing he got exactly what he deserved. My retractors were staring blankly at me. Suddenly, a dozen police officers converged upon the scene. Then the police cars arrived, and so did foot patrol.

An obese police officer ran to the scene waving his hands in a ‘dispersal gesture’. Although some of the crowd, left outright most backed away, wanting to see more. Two police officers approached and comforted the now dizzied linebacker. Meanwhile, the obese police officer approached me. The other police officers showed a unified intent to disperse the crowd. Thankfully, that is what happened shortly thereafter.

“All right kitty, we know exactly what happened. That is a police station. We have cameras inside the building and on the peripheral. John Sabre has a reputation for picking fights with people, especially when he’s drunk, as is the case, I can smell the booze on his stinky breath from here.” The police officer used his hand to motion me to follow him to a more secluded area. We walked to the police station and then turned south for a full block. “Kitty, honestly, many people on the force who work this area are delighted that you beat Sabre senseless. However, it was a fight and public fighting is against the law. You were in the right, so what I recommend is that you forget this ever happened. In addition, remember, you have the option of filing a criminal complaint.

The problem is that the case will almost certainly drag along. Furthermore, by law, I must notify your legal guardian of what happened, it is very late in the night and you were involved in a fight. That is not the worst of it. Kitty, Sabre is a big hero on campus and to a lesser extent in the whole country. I advise you to stay away from the downtown core for a few weeks, if not more.”

The police officer pulled out a mobile from his pocket and then asked me for my guardian's phone number. At first, I paused, but then the officer waved his index finger at me in a condescending manner. After I gave him the phone number, he called Bassam, almost certainly awakening him from a deep sleep. Following a short conversation, the police officer turned off his mobile redirecting his attention at me.

“Kitty, do you want a ride home?” I nodded no. “Okay, that’s fine, but as an officer of the law I must insist that you go home immediately. You’re lucky that sunrise is just around the corner, otherwise, we’d have to take you to the station until your legal guardian arrived to take you home.” I grinned and then walked away staying clear of heavy traffic. It took me about forty minutes to get home. I took my time because I wanted to conjure up a good story to tell Bassam.

As soon as I reached the peripheral of Westmount Park, I noticed a man sitting in a nearby gazebo. He was all alone and judging from his body language, depressed. His head was bowed down and the palms of his hands were covering his face. Instantly, I sensed something striking about this fellow. I detected a familiar scent, then my heart began to pound and I felt a bit light-headed. It was apparent that I knew him. As soon as I entered the gazebo, the man pulled away his hand from his face, stood up, and then directed his gaze unto me.

Oh gosh, it was Bassam! He caught me off guard. I continued my approach until I was a foot from the gazebo. "Well, come on in." I entered the gazebo and then sat down. Bassam sat beside me and then spoke. "Jason, I awakened to go to the bathroom and on my way back to my room I decided to check up on you, to make sure that you were okay. I guess you forgot to fix your covers to make it look like you were underneath them. I was so terrified. Jason, I thought someone kidnapped you. I was on the verge of calling the police, but then I received a phone call from a police officer who was at the scene of a fight. I am here because I did not want to throw up at home. I walked around, dry-heaved, and then puked my brains out on my way here. That is how much I was worried about you.

Jason, you are still a little cat, you are too young to walk around in the middle of the night all by your lonesome. You do not know how lucky we are. I will tell you something else, and do not tell anyone in the whole world. The police officer called me a second time after you left the scene of the fight. He did not follow procedure. Being a minor, he was supposed to take you back to the police station and then call social services, wherein that would've created a lot of big problems. They would dig into our past, and they would probably end up taking you away from me. That is not all. I would likely be charged with something. I am your guardian it is my responsibility to take care of you.

Jason, tell me the truth, okay? You're making new friends behind my back, right?" I nodded no. "And I'm probably not your best friend in the world, right?" I stood on my hind legs and then gave double-paws up signifying that Bassam was still my best friend in the whole world. "Jason, please don't do this again. In the worst case scenario, if you cannot sleep or for some reason find, yourself craving for a long late night walk tell me, and I’ll get out of bed; I’ll walk with you, really, okay? I nodded yes. "That's not all, you broke my heart. You shot an arrow into my heart, no, you threw a spear into my heart, you shattered my heart, you crushed my heart, you burned it, you decimated it, you mortified it, you killed it.

Jason, you know that there are people out there who would love to get their hands on you. They would like to use you as animal bait for a fighting dog, or perhaps lynch or burn you, or use your genes for profit. Any way you put it, it can be a very dangerous world. Ask any stray cat, almost all of them flinch and/or flee whenever they see a human. I do not blame them they have likely seen tons upon tons of bad humans, dangerous humans. I care about you very much, and that's not a hyperbole or exaggeration of any sort."

"Bassam, all right, next time I'll either walk in our apartment, the hallway on our floor, or I'll do something that'll preoccupy my time. I do not want to wake you up in the middle of the night just because I am suffering from a case of insomnia, that is my problem and I can deal with it in my own way. However, if by chance you happen to be awake I'll bring up the topic of a long walk.”

We stayed in the gazebo until 10:00 A.M. and then we went home and hit the sack. I never snuck out of our apartment after midnight again. However, I did take some long evening walks alone, and at other times, I used the Metro (subway) or bus service to visit different parts of the city and suburbs. Cats and puppies ride free throughout the metropolitan area. I literally had a free hand as to where I felt like going. Thanks to the STM Montreal.

From the moment we awakened until the following week, we gave each other the silent treatment, unable and unwilling to say anything to the other person. We spoke on Friday after eating dinner and relaxing. We could not stay like that forever, not talking to each other. How could we survive in an apartment together in that state?

“Jason, its Friday and still early, 7:00 P.M. We can take the number twenty four bus to downtown Montreal. We will stop at Guy Street. Thereafter, we will head south until we reach Sainte Catherine Street and we will walk due east until we reach the Eaton Center. Thereafter, we can decide what to do.” I nodded no. Bassam expressed confusion.

“Don’t you remember what the policeman told me in person and you, by phone?” Bassam was still confused. “Remember what I did to Sabre the McGill University linebacker?” Bassam nodded yes. “Okay, instead of going downtown we can take a long stroll through Westmount. We can walk up the hill where it is quiet. No one will bother us. Besides, I want to move to another province.”

“Huh, wait a minute. What do you mean move? Do you not like the City of Montreal? And you are happy being with me, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am, but I want to go out west. After I moved to Montreal I got to thinking; I want to see a gargantuan body of water, I want to see some kind of a shoreline. In addition, I want milder weather. At least in British Columbia I can see some green just about the whole year-round. In addition, I love trees, lots of them. We can walk through beautiful forests, I mean, but we have to stay clear of bears.”

“Okay Jason, listen, we can move but I still have six months left on my lease. The owner will send me a lease renewal contract a month before my present one expires. I will not renew my lease. However, we cannot just blindly go to British Columbia, or wherever else, without doing serious, thorough research, and preparing well in advance.

Jason, I just want to make certain about something. Do you feel uncomfortable about the multicultural nature of this city?” I nodded no. “Are you sure?” I nodded yes.

“Bassam, I wasn’t born yesterday. I know that Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver are the most multicultural cities in Canada. Besides, you remember what I told you about my parents. They were the biggest racists of them all, and I hated just about everything they stood for. I ran away from racism, I would be damned if I ever run to it. Now, let’s take our long walk, okay?” Bassam nodded in approval.

Thank goodness, everything went quite well for the following three months. Bassam and I got along quite well. So much so, we started taking long walks together on a daily basis irrespective of the weather. Sometimes we would walk through the incredible maze of indoor malls, walkways, and tunnels in the downtown area of Montreal. Weathering the storm together was a good sign of our bonding.

However, on one particular Sunday night Bassam and I decided to change our walking route taking the Metro to Jean Drapeau Park. It was 10:30 P.M. and we were walking all alone deep in a forested area. We felt very relaxed and confident. The violent crime rate in the forested areas of the park is close to non-existent. We walked in and out, through, and around, enjoying ourselves until something quite shocking happened.

Suddenly, I scented death, a horrifying death. Unable to prevent myself from investigating the matter I pulled onto Bassam’s pant-leg with incredible force, thereby pulling him toward the origin of the scent. As soon as I let go Bassam raised his hands, palms-up, to his chest. He was confused.

“Bassam, please come with me. I smell death, not an ordinary death but a horrific one, indeed. Do not be afraid. The perpetrator of this heinous crime left the scene at least an hour ago.” I craned my neck just in case I was mistaken. Pointing straight ahead I said, “We need to go to that tree over there.” Therein, I convinced Bassam to help me disperse an artificially made mound of forest debris. I was quite certain that the cadaver of a young man lay underneath the mound.

We shovelled away the forest debris until we felt flesh. Thereafter we were careful not to harm the structure of the cadaver. Shockingly, the poor person had been seriously mutilated. I told Bassam to take a dozen steps away from the cadaver. It was my duty to find out what had ensued to produce such horrific results. It did not take long for me to discover what happened. “Bassam, I’m absolutely certain that the culprit of this attack was a werewolf. My olfactory sense attests to this.”

“Wait a minute, what is this, some kind of a joke, a game, or scare tactic? It is not Halloween, April Fools, or Friday the 13th, and as you can surely see, there is not a full moon. So, what is the gig? Or maybe you’re bored and need some excitement scaring the daylights out of your roommate?”

“Listen to me, Bassam. I am not playing around. This is a werewolf attack. The teeth marks, claws, scent, and modus operandi, and umm ... I mean nothing else.”

“Wait a minute! Jason, I demand to know what the nothing else is, right now!” I was overcome and bewildered by Bassam’s quick thinking.

“Okay, Bassam, just don’t get mad, okay? Werewolves do exist and I have seen other victims, right here in Montreal. I did not want to scare you. This is the main reason that I want to move to Vancouver. This is the fifth victim that I have seen in the greater metropolitan area. In addition, that is not the worst of it. Each victim was attacked by a different werewolf. Oh, one more thing; werewolves do not only come out when the moon is ful