Curses and Car Keys: a case of a contemporary Rougarou

Dusk came to end another foggy day, bringing a mysterious mood to the woods behind my cabin. The birds had all gone to roost, and there was a notable absence of the usual small scurrying creatures. It was eerily silent.

Whoo. Whoo. Awhooo.

Howling broke the silence, and sent sweat racing down my back. I called my dog closer to me and secured her leash. 

Coyotes. 

My first thought went to the lore of the Rougarou. Since moving to St. Malo, I'd been filling my head with stories of the Metis shape shifter. 

People weren't eager to talk. Having moved from the city, seeking peace and quiet, I found both in spades. My new neighbors weren't sure what to make of me. An outsider in both place and language, an English from the City. 

I got plenty of peace and quiet alone with my dog, the two of us in our tiny cabin in the woods. 
I filled my days with work, and my evenings finding what scraps of Rougarou lore I could. In between, I would take Kas for romps in the woods behind our cabin. She enjoyed herself, bounding and exploring the trails. I enjoyed the excuse to get outside and away from my screens. 

Whoo. Whoo. Awhooo.

It was only coyotes.

I stood up straighter, proving to myself there was nothing to fear. Coyotes. Not Rougarou.
All winter I'd ventured down a rabbit hole in pursuit of Rougarou stories. Most of the information I had been able to find online only whet my appetite. The few occasions I had probed for more information in person, had led to sudden changes in conversation or just complete silence and averted eyes. 

I had an academic curiosity about all things Rougarou. I spent far too much of my time thinking Rougarou thoughts. 

To further torture myself, I imagined  how modern day Rougarou could easily be a neighbor. Happily joining in for a card game, and then shape shifting in the woods later in the evening.
I had so many questions about my new cryptozoological obsession. When transforming what do they do with their clothes? Car keys? Cell phones? Modern day were-wolves have so much to think about! The whole cursed by God thing aside, there were logistics to consider here! The whole 9-5, then out all night. Without pockets even! I couldn't do it! 

BAM! BAM! BAM!

My train of thought derailed after the rifle blasts. I was snapped back to reality. 
Normally gunshots quite the howling coyote packs. 

But tonight they became more frantic. I tracked the sounds. Coming from the east. Not too far off. 

The gunshots had driven the coyotes towards us. They were coming this way, but we'd easily make it back to our cabin. I held Kas’ leash a little tighter. 

“Let’s get home for dinner” I told her. 
 
I hoped to kibble, and not us.

We hastened our steps home through the bush.

The howling continued.

The gunshots answered.

Thoughts of Rougarou ran through my head.
I laughed at how concerned I was with where they would keep their personal effects. Rougarou don't have pockets.

As I was distracted, Kas found something to grab her attention and stopped our progress to investigate.

There on the trail was a set of car keys.