# XII: “We Are Here at His Mercy.” explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Manly Wade Wellman.

## What happens

Talbot Wills and Susan Gird are left alone in a forest clearing by Judge Pursuivant, who claims to be preparing to confront a monster. As they wait by the fire, they begin to suspect that the judge himself may be the werewolf responsible for the recent killings. Their fears are heightened when a mysterious creature approaches the clearing, and Susan falls under its hypnotic influence, beginning to howl and act beast-like. Talbot snaps her out of the trance and comforts her, but the threat remains.

## Themes in this chapter

### Supernatural Evil and Occultism

The creature's hypnotic howl and Susan's trance-like response highlight the occult influence of the werewolf.

### Fear and Control

Talbot and Susan's growing paranoia about Judge Pursuivant and the creature's attempt to control Susan through enchantment.

### Transformation and Duality

Susan's physical and behavioral change under the creature's influence suggests a latent duality or susceptibility to transformation.

## Character check-ins

### Talbot Wills

Narrator and protagonist; grows suspicious of Judge Pursuivant, fights to protect Susan from the creature's influence.

### Susan Gird

Falls under the creature's hypnotic spell, howling and acting beast-like before being brought back by Talbot.

### Keith Pursuivant

Leaves Talbot and Susan alone in the forest; becomes the object of their suspicion as a possible werewolf.

## Key lines

> Susan! Why did the judge bring us here?

Talbot questions the judge's motives for isolating them.

_Reflects the growing distrust toward Judge Pursuivant._

> If what we suspect is true, we are here at his mercy.

Talbot fears they are trapped and vulnerable if the judge is the monster.

_Highlights the theme of fear and control._

> Aoooooooooooooo! Aooooooooooooooooooo!

Susan howls in response to the creature's call.

_Demonstrates the creature's supernatural influence over Susan._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xii-we-are-here-at-his-mercy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters