Environmental Ethical Issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Environmental Ethical Issues - Essay Example â€Å"Environmental ethics is a new sub-discipline of philosophy that deals with the ethical problems surrounding environmental protection.† (Yang, 2006). Environmental ethics calls for attempts on the part of humans to ensure the provision of safe and healthy environment not only for their own generations but also for all the animals and plants on Earth. Environmental issues have not been adequately addressed in the past, given the lack of general awareness and a curiosity to achieve more. We have largely relied on fossil fuels as the fundamental source of energy to fulfill our domestic and industrial needs and have unintentionally caused irreparable damage to the environment through the emission of toxic gases into the air as a result of burning of the fossil fuels causing phenomenon like global warming. Birth of events like Earth Day in 1971 served to increase general awareness about global environmental pollution in masses all over the world which overtly expressed their concerns on the issue and their concerns were addressed in the form of first United Nations Environmental Conference which took place in Stockholm the following year. (Yang, 2006). This conference paved way for further measures that included but were not limited to the development of laws to ensure environmental safety on both national and international level in the years to follow. People began to realize the importance of environmental ethics particularly when philosophers published papers to address this issue. Three papers namely â€Å"Is there a need for a new, an environmental ethic?, Animal liberation and The shallow and the deep, long-range ecology movement† were published by â€Å"Richard Routley, Peter Singer and Arne Naess† respectively in 1973. These authors belonged to different countries and cultural backgrounds and their joint concern over the matter depicted the whole world’s curiosity to

Slavery and Sex Trafficking Essay -- Ethical Issues, HIV/AIDS

When we hear the word slavery our mind paints a picture of colonial America down in the South with big plantation houses harvesting wheat, with workers being unpaid and unfairly treated. At this time in our county we were struggling with the idea of equality for all. America has come a long way from those days but not with out a fight. Abraham Lincoln, the Civil Rights moment and free and public education has been addressed. Today, we face a new conflicts and a different type of slavery. Slavery and sex trafficking is occurring not just abroad but at home as well. In 2004, â€Å"800,000 to 9000,000 men women and children are trafficked across international borders every year, including 18,000 to 20,000 in the US. Worldwide slavery is in the millions† But the issue doesn’t stop at just slavery but at also includes sex trafficking and prostitution. (p. 506) In Kate Butchers article she discusses the difference between prostitution and sex trafficking and that solution to this problem is to address and promote human rights and working with laws that are already in place to address health issues such as HIV/AIDS and the human rights of people in the sex industry. In John R. Millers article he believes that sex trafficking should be put under strict regulations and do to so we must support and ask for action to be done at home and aboard and the government must have willingness to impose economic penalties on counties that give antislavery laws meaning. In 2003 the Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003 was passed. Its said, â€Å"No funds made available to carry out this Act†¦may be used to provide assistance to any group to organization that does not have a policy explicitly opposing prostitution and sex traffickin... ...e face corrupy and complit police and trying to fight diseases such as HIV/AIDS it’s a challenge. (p.506) Miller poses that here at home and abroad we need to support action taken against antislavery and have a willingness to impose economic penalties. I do agree that something needs to be done but I believe that Miller is over looking the economic effects his plan has on normal everyday children, women and men in those counties that benefit from exports and imports. If the government is corrupted they won’t care about the workers or the poor man. They want to make money in any possible way. To solve the problem of prostitution, sex trafficking, human trafficking, the speed of HIV/AIDS and slavery something has to be done. However, we should keep in mind the people we will be affecting and all the ripples are laws will create in every aspect of their life’s.

Lethal Injection: A study of influenza vaccines

Every fall season we hear the question; did you get your flu shot yet? It is supposed to protect you from that nasty flu virus that circulates our communities during the fall and winter months. But, did you know that in 2011 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Adverse Event Reporting Systems Website (AERS) reported 51 deaths caused by the flu vaccine in the United States (U. S. ) (CDC,2012).According to National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), as of July 2012 there have been more than 84,000 reports of adverse reactions, 1000 vaccine related deaths and over 1600 cases of Guillain- Barre syndrome, a acute form of paralysis, triggered by the vaccine (NVIC. ORG). A problem exists in the fact that according to the ( NVIC) fewer than 1% of all adverse vaccine reactions are ever reported, this fact is substantiated by the problem of â€Å"underreporting† vaccine injuries according to the joint operated site by the CDC and Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) (VAERS, 2011).Resear ch claims that receiving the flu vaccine exposes people to a number of dangerous chemicals that have been known to cause multiple side effects, disease conditions, and deaths. The U. S. Government’s public health agency, the CDC, pledges â€Å"to base all public health decisions on the highest quality scientific data openly and objectively derived† (Doshi, 2013, Marketing vaccines, Para 1). Peter Doshi, a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of medicine, argues that in the case of influenza vaccines and their marketing this is not the case.He believes that the vaccine might be less beneficial and less safe than has been claimed and the threat of influenza appears overstated. Doshi goes on to further question the CDC’s recommendation that the influenza vaccine can only do good, pointing to serious reactions to influenza vaccines in Australia, Finland and Sweden. (British Medical Journal, 2013) Every year scientists travel to Asia and have to gue ss which specific viruses are active and circulating that season and have to chose 3 strains of flu out of the 300+ known documented strains of influenza (flu) viruses.These 3 viruses are then attenuated or weakened and added to the mix of a number of other ingredients, which we will review, to make a flu vaccine. The ingredients listed in influenza vaccines are available in the inserts provided by the vaccine manufacturers and also posted on the CDC’s vaccine Pinkbook website. A few of the ingredients include Thimerosol, 2 Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum, Beta Propiolactone, Ammonium Sulfate, Formaldehyde, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Gentamycin Sulfate, Polymixin B and more. The ingredient Thimerosol is used as a preservative in the vaccine.It is 49. 6% mercury by weight and is a powerful neurotoxin. It has been implicated in many heath conditions such as cardiovascular collapse, autism, seizures, mental retardation, hyperactivity, dyslexia and many other central nervous system (CN S) disorders. ( CDC, Pinkbook). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says it best: â€Å"Mercury in all of its forms is toxic to the fetus and children and efforts should be made to reduce exposure to the extent possible to pregnant women and children as well as the general population† (AAP.Pediatrics- para 8, 2001).2 Phenoxyethanol is an anti bacterial agent being used as a replacement for the preservative Thimerosal. This industrial ingredient is used in perfumes, insect repellents, antiseptics, germicides and dyes. According to the Material safety data sheet( MSDS) 2 Phenoxyethanol is harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed thru the skin. It may cause reproductive defects. EPA data sheets show chromosomal changes and genetic mutation effects in testing (Dunkin, 2008). Aluminum is added to vaccines in many forms.It works as an adjuvant to stimulate your immune system’s response to the virus in the vaccine. Aluminum has been found to be a dangerous neurotoxin th at has the ability to slip past the blood brain barrier (BBB) causing brain damage, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), convulsions and coma. Human and animal studies have shown that Aluminum can cause nerve death (Mercola, 2011) Beta Propiolactone is an ingredient to assist with sterilizing the vaccine. It ranks high as a hazardous chemical on at least 5 federal regulatory lists.It has caused lymphomas and hepatomas after being injected into lab mice but its true effects on humans is not known. Due to animal study results the international Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified beta-Propiolactone as a possible carcinogen. MSDS sheet states toxic to liver and kidneys (Spectrum Laboratory Products). Ammonium Sulfate is a substance added to pesticides. It is unknown at this time as a carcinogen but it’s been suspected in gastrointestinal, liver, central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory system toxi city.On its MSDS sheet all hazards identification on carcinogen, mutatagenic (cellular mutations), teratogenic (fetal development) and developmental toxicity are listed as â€Å"not available†. (ScienceLab, MSDS) Formaldehyde is used as a preservative to stabilize the vaccine. It is used as a chemical to embalm dead bodies and preserve laboratory specimens. It has been classified as a known human carcinogen (cancer causing substance) and has been ranked as one of the most hazardous compounds on at least 8 federal regulatory lists.Formaldehyde is suspected of weakening the immune system and causing neurological system damage, genetic damage, metabolic acidosis, circulatory shock, respiratory failure, and acute renal failure (ARF) (Kendon, MSDS. 2004). Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is used in vaccines as a stabilizer to prevent the vaccine from breaking down. MSG is also found in processed foods. MSG has been linked to mental retardation, autistic disorders, learning disorders, be havioral disorders, reproductive disorders, retinal damage and lesions on the brains of lab animals (Hoernlein,2012).Gentamycin Sulfate is an antibiotic added to protect the vaccine from bacteria during storage. Gentamycin sulfate has been linked to deafness, nervous system disorders, and kidney damage (Sciencelab. MSDS). Polymixin B, an antibiotic that is added to protect the vaccine from gram negative bacteria during storage, has side effects that include: targeting the central nervous system (neurotoxic) and causing kidney failure from acute tubular necrosis (Luther,2013). Any one of the above ingredients can have negative effects on the human body especially the very young , very old, pregnant, and the immunocompromised population.But the effects of all of these ingredients in one vaccine, that’s certainly toxic and at times can be lethal. A normal response to an influenza vaccine is localized redness, soreness, fatigue, mild fever, malaise for 1-3 days following a flu sh ot. Consider these adverse reactions listed by MClawers, a vaccine injury law firm The numbers of injuries resulting from the these vaccines were so undeniable that in October, 1988 Congress created the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, creating the National Vaccine Compensation Program(VICP).The VICP is a no fault alternative to the traditional tort system for resolving vaccine injury claims and provides compensation to people found to be injured by certain vaccines (all Influenza vaccines are covered). Every vaccine is taxed and the monies go into a compensation fund that is managed by US Court of Federal Claim, complete with vaccine courts, vaccine judges and attorneys who specialize in vaccine cases only. Monies are awarded to patients/families who have suffered from vaccine related injuries or deaths. In 2011, 200 million dollars were paid out in compensation for vaccine injuries.In 2012, there was 300 billion dollars available in the vaccine injury compensation trust fund . Overwhelming evidence of the numbers of people hurt by the toxic ingredients in the influenza vaccines and the incidence of adverse reactions, permanent injuries and deaths due to the toxic ingredients in the influenza vaccines continue to climb. Research has well documented these injuries and exposed the cause and effect of hazardous chemicals on our human population. A little knowledge can be frightening, meanwhile a lack of knowledge can be lethal. Be informed.

Rape And The Justice System - 1692 Words

Alexandra Grishaw Social Problems Ellis 4 April. 2016 Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town Rape is one of the most violent crime known to man. It is also one of the most challenging to bring to court. Considering that rape and consensual sex can hold the exact same evidence aka DNA evidence. The book Missoula: Rape and the Justice system in a college town by John Krakauer, goes so far in depth about the rapes that some women endured while attending the University of Montana. The way the sexual assaults are described make you feel as if you lived them yourself. Other crimes such as murder are far more talked than rape. This is because it is typically a crime the targets women. Men can be raped too. But it doesn t happen near as often. Therefor, there is less media coverage. All over the globe people have different views on rape. From people stating that women who dress provocatively deserve rape. To this quote by Jessica Valenti; Now, should we treat women as independent agents, responsible for themselves? Of course. But being responsible has nothing to do with being raped. Women don t get raped because they were drinking or took drugs. Women do not get raped because they weren t careful enough. Women get raped because someone raped them† (p.1). The target of this book is about the rapes committed by the UM football team and/or UM students and how the justice system failed to prosecuteShow MoreRelatedThe Rape Myth Embedded Within Society Preventing Women From Gaining Justice Within The Legal System Essay1679 Words   |  7 Pagesinequality. One major factor that keeps women from achieving gender equality is the many rape myths that are associated with sexual assaults. The rape myths that are deeply embedded within the Canadian legal system and society continues to have a detrimental effect on women. Using the R. v. Ewanchuck case I argue that the rape myths embedded within society prevent women from gaining justice within the legal system. R. v. Ewanchuck is a case about a 17-year-old woman who was sexually assaulted by SteveRead MoreWhite Defendants When The Victim Was White914 Words   |  4 Pagesvictim was white. In the midst of it all, the rape of Black women by white men throughout slavery and until this very day and age goes on hardly ever talked about, and justifies this manner as an additional technique used as an essential weapon to maintain white male supremacy, and dehumanize Black persons culture. This piece will examine how gender and race interconnects with the perception of what is considered criminal intent and the justice system. Gender acts on as an important task in recognizingRead MoreRape Essay995 Words   |  4 Pages Rape affects the mind, body, and soul of a person deeper than one can imagine, and must be taken more seriously. Many victims feel afraid to report rape because they are terrified of being judged by people, labeled by society, or even harmed by their rapists. Also, the media dist orts the idea of rape. Many of the jokes people make and the slang society uses across social media reflect rape and rape culture. Although, not only do the people disregard rape, the justice system does not take it seriouslyRead MoreAs I Was Scrolling Through My Facebook Feed, Ignoring Political1126 Words   |  5 Pagesabout the 1 in 5 chance that they would be raped in college, and how their university would do nothing about it (Facts about Sexual Violence). This did not put a smile on my face, because it brought my attention to a grueling issue of rape on college campuses. Rape on college campuses needs to be taken seriously because of injustice to rapists, and lack of media coverage/awareness. To begin, injustice is one of the biggest issues of college violence because it means that rapists are not gettingRead MoreThe Increasing Need to Reform Rape Laws771 Words   |  3 Pages Rape is one of the most widespread and ubiquitous violent crimes facing America, making laws regarding rape and the judicial processing of rape increasingly important. The judicial process itself deters both rape reports and rape convictions. Not only does the judicial processing or rape cases itself deter reports and convictions, but it also has a negative impact on the moral and mental well being of the victims who decide to pursue their cases. According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest NationalRead MoreThe Effects Of Rape Culture On American Universities1214 Words   |  5 Pages(Zielinski). This attitude is one shared by many on the subject of rape culture in American universities. This blunt and rather cold attitude prompts many observers to wonder whether a rape culture is present in America. Does our society have a lenient attitude on intoxicated sex? Does the nuanced subject of intoxicated intercourse dismiss responsibility between both parties when the consent is later questioned? There is a problem with rape culture in American universities due to white privilege, drinkingRead MoreThe Criminal Justice System Has An Important Function942 Words   |  4 PagesEach actor in the criminal justice system has an important function. However, their perceptions and actions toward victims can often shape how the victims feel about themselves and about the level of help they will receive. The first level interaction the victim will often have with the criminal justice system is with the police. Often how a police officer views certain crimes ultimately influences how they are going to treat the victim. In the case of sexual assault, a very traumatic crime, theRead MoreLack Of Rape Kits On College Campuses Essay1598 Words   |  7 Pages Lack of Rape Kits on College Campuses A Senior Project Research Paper Presented to the Faculty of Waiakea High School In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Senior Project Shania M. Rapoza Public Services Academy Capstone Mr. Joel Wagner-Wright August 23, 2016 Shania Rapoza Joel Wagner-Wright PSA Capstone 23 August 2016 Words: 1273 Lack of Rape Kits on College Campuses â€Å"What is the point of having a national DNA database, if the rapist s DNA is never entered into it?† (â€Å"PatternRead MoreWomen As Victims And Defendants888 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction This discussion about women as victims and defendants was insightful. There is a lot I did not know when it came to women in the criminal justice system. As a male myself I could not see it from a women’s point of view. It is funny how a man actually was up there explaining to us what women go through while in the criminal justice system. I think it is really significant when someone advocates for someone, or a group who is not affected by their injustice. Dr. Joseph P. Conti presentationRead MoreMarital Rape And Spousal Rape1552 Words   |  7 PagesChilds Professor Sherene Jensen Sociology 100 16 November 2014 Marital Rape Marital rape, or spousal rape, had been an exceedingly controversial and touchy subject in the United States since the first feminist movement in the 1960s. In this paper, marital rape and spousal rape will be used interchangeably. One of the many challenges in addressing the topic of marital rape, is defining what behaviors should be considered rape. Rape is defined as the unlawful compelling of a person through physical

How to Change Your Habits and Improve Your Grades

Its disappointing to receive low scores on a big test or a homework assignment, but you dont need to let small setbacks get you down. There is always time to make things better. Steps to Take If It Isnt Over Yet If youve received a few low grades on assignments throughout the year and youre facing a big final, then you still have time to bring up your final grade.   Sometimes, a good grade on the final project or exam can increase your final grade dramatically. Especially if the teacher knows youre really trying. Gather all your work assignments to determine exactly how and why you earned the low grades. Identify your weak points. Did your grades suffer because of careless grammar or poor writing habits? If so, be more mindful of grammar and structure during the final.Visit the teacher and ask her to go over your assignments with you. Ask her what you could have done differently.Ask what can you do for extra credit. By trying to take charge of your destiny, you are showing responsibility. Teachers will appreciate this.Ask for advice from the teacher. Teachers can direct you to resources that are topic-specific.Put all your energy into the final test or project. Find a tutor to help you. Ask the teacher to explain the format of the test. Will it be an essay exam or a multiple choice test? Target your study accordingly.Join a study group. Discuss the final exam with other students. They may have notes that you missed or they may have better insight into the teachers preferences when it comes to test questions and answers.Improve memory skills. There are many techniques to improve your memory. Find one that is best for you and the material youre studying.Get serious. Dont be late to class. Get some sleep. Turn off the TV. Talk to your Parents If you know a bad grade is imminent, then it might be wise to talk to your parents first. Let them know that you are trying to make a change and improve your performance. Get them involved. You may want to discuss creating a homework contract with your parents. The contract should address time commitments, homework help, supplies, and other issues that affect grades. Looking Toward the Future If you have just received your end-of-year grades and youre looking forward to improving your performance next year, there are plenty of things you can do. Get organized. Keep a journal of assignments to identify strengths and weaknesses. Organize your supplies and establish a good study space.Try to use color-coded supplies to stay organized.Identify your personal learning style. This is critical to improving your study habits. Dont waste valuable study time using ineffective study methods.Talk to your counselor about your schedule or your diploma program. You may be enrolled in a program that isnt right for you. Are you taking courses that are too difficult because your diploma program requires it?Review your schedule. Cut out extracurricular activities that dont help you reach your true goals. If youre involved with that team or club just for fun—then you may need to make some tough decisions.Improve your writing skills. Students sometimes complain because they are penalized for poor writing in courses other than English. Teachers dont have much patience for this complaint! Good writing skills are critical for every class.Join a study group. Be Realistic If you are stressing out about a possible B grade, you should know that perfect grades arent everything, and expecting them isnt very realistic, either. While it is true that some colleges place a lot of value in grades, it is also true that they are interested in recruiting humans, not machines.If you are hoping to get into a specific, highly competitive college and you are worried about getting a B, then you are smart enough to make yourself stand out in another way. For instance, you could use your creativity to craft an essay that stands out.Give yourself credit if youre doing your best. If you have tried everything, but you just cant become the perfect student you want to be, perhaps you should give yourself a break. Identify your own strong points and make the best of them.Dont give yourself a bad reputation. If you arent happy with a grade or a report card, you can discuss this with a teacher. However, if you make a habit out of visiting your teacher to complain, then you may be making a pest of yourself.

CRITICALLY EXAMINING THE IMPACT OCORRUPTION ON THE AFRICAN...

CRITICALLY EXAMINING THE IMPACT OCORRUPTION ON THE AFRICAN ECONOMIES: PUBLIC COICE THEORY INTRODUCTION Africa is perceived as the `Eden garden` because of its abundant wealth in copper, aluminium, gold, diamond, crude oil, but it is one of the most underdeveloped regions world-wide due to corruption, which is a major constraint to wealth creation and African economic growth. Public choice is all about applying the methods of economics to the study of politics. Corruption can be resolved by incorporating insights from the theory of public choice into the design and execution of the new anti-corruption programs. The insights include the introduction of relevant rules, reforming existing laws and institutions, providing more effective and†¦show more content†¦The other one states that corruption enhances economic and political development, and according to the other, corruption is a significant constraint to development and modernization. Corruption has the ability to `grease` the wheels of bureaucracy making it more responsive to the private sector, thus increasing the abilit y of entrepreneurs to take part in wealth creating activities. Paying bribes to the right officials can provide deprived groups access to political markets hence improving their ability to participate in governance. As argued by Leff (1964:8) and the other scholars (e.g. Byley: 1966), corruption can be utilized to enhance the potential of entrepreneurs to gain access to government regulators and participate fully and effectively in public policy formulation and implementation. While corruption has made a few civil servants politicians and entrepreneurs rich, overall, it has started the creation of wealth and severely limited the government’s ability to deal effectively with poverty and deprivation. Corruption has failed to improve access to governance to many people in Africa, more especially to women, rural dwellers and those living an urban periphery. Its major accomplishment has been to provide resources to elites, enhancing their ability to monopolize political spaces and allocation of resources. APPROACHES TO CORRUPTION CONTROL: LESSON FROM PUBLIC CHOICE THEORY

Night Creature Dark Moon Chapter Six Free Essays

I couldn’t tell Nic. He didn’t believe in magic. He’d take me to the nearest hospital, lock me up and throw away the key. We will write a custom essay sample on Night Creature: Dark Moon Chapter Six or any similar topic only for you Order Now Then we’d have real trouble, since my medication had blown up with the compound. Me, locked inside, with the full moon less than a week away. Yeah, trouble. However, that was the least of my worries at the moment. We reached the shed; Nic inspected the place with typical FBI precision. No one was inside. No one had tampered with the ATV. â€Å"I’ll drive,† 1 said. â€Å"I don’t think so.† â€Å"You don’t get to think. I know where we’re going.† â€Å"I could figure it out,† he grumbled, but he climbed on behind me. I could tell by the tenseness of Nic’s thighs against mine, and the tiny starts he was unable to stop every time the ATV tipped a little too far to one side, that he wasn’t used to riding them, and he didn’t care for anyone else to be in control. We reached the highway, a loose terra for any paved road in the vicinity, and I took off at the fastest clip the ATV would allow – about thirty miles per hour. Driving at top speed without a helmet wasn’t my idea of fun, even though I had nothing to fear from a head injury. Nic, however, did. â€Å"It’s going to take us two hours or more to get to town,† he shouted. â€Å"Got a better idea?† His silence was answer enough. We traveled at a pace slower than the average wolf, which could run forty miles per hour on a bad day. Super-wolves, in other words, lycanthropes, could top that speed with ease. As I drove I considered the icon in my pocket. Was the totem a clue? A threat? An accident? I needed to show the talisman to Will Cadotte, our expert on Native American mysticism. Conveniently, he had gone to Wisconsin with Edward. Had the thing truly growled? I would have said no, except Nic had heard it, too. I’d never observed any supernatural behavior from the black totem, but that didn’t mean there hadn’t been any. Jessie McQuade, a J-S agent and former police officer, swore she’d seen the totem move on its own. Who was I to say she was nuts? We continued in silence for close to an hour. Talking was pointless with the roar of the motor and the thunder of the wind. But I didn’t need words to hear Nic loud and clear. The press of his thighs wasn’t the only thing I felt. He’d missed me, in more ways than one. His palms rode my waist; his thumbs slid under my suit coat and toyed with the skin just above my panty hose. His breath teased the hair that had fallen loose from my customary French twist. I had to be honest with him. What had been between us once could never be again, despite the treacherous response of my body to his. I had too many secrets I couldn’t share. Too much work that had to be done. Too many monsters that wanted me dead. I tensed, half-expecting him to cup my breasts, then latch his mouth onto my neck and suckle. Legs wide as I straddled the seat, the wind shot up my skirt, stirring me where I needed no help being stirred. His fingertips grazed the swell of my rear. â€Å"Nic,† I said. Protest, plea – I wasn’t sure. Didn’t matter. The wind flung the word into the night. Snow began to fall – thick, fluffy flakes that would soon obscure the road. I had to concentrate. We needed to reach a town before the storm hit, or worse. I was already half-frozen and I was certain Nic was, too. But it was impossible to think as Nic’s hand slid across my skin, palm warm, hard, flat against my belly. I glanced down. My skirt was hiked to my hips, and the sight of my stocking-clad legs, my white cotton briefs, his sun-browned hand and callused fingers, excited me so much that 1 did nothing when his middle finger slid lower and stroked me just once. Lucky no one was on the highway except us. Or so I thought. I lifted my gaze, then swerved to avoid the huge black wolf in the middle of the road. The right wheel slipped off the pavement, and we were airborne. Providence was on our side, and we were thrown clear. Most ATV injuries are the result of the machine falling on top of the riders. As it was, I landed on my shoulder and something crunched. Ignoring the pain, I scrambled to my feet, searching frantically for Nic. I found him at the edge of the tree line. He wasn’t moving. The wolf swung his head toward me. Light gray, human eyes shone in a feral face. â€Å"Billy,† I murmured. I should have known he hadn’t died. Guys like him never did. It would take something worse than a firebomb to put an end to Billy Bailey. But where had he been? Had it taken him some time to heal his injuries, then dig his way out of the rubble? What about the others? Had they survived, as well? I strained my ears but heard only the wind, sniffed the air and caught nothing but the scent of snow and crazy Billy. Either the rest of my basement wolves had found freedom, then scattered, or they were ashes and Billy was a lot more powerful than I’d thought. And wasn’t that just special? Billy’s head cocked; his tongue lolled, almost as if he were laughing. Hell, he probably was. I fingered the gun in my pocket. I could put every bullet into Billy, and it wouldn’t slow him down. If I stayed in this form, he’d kill me – if I was lucky – then move on to Nic. I was going to have to shift. However, such things took time, and at mid-shift I’d be defenseless. Billy had no scruples. He’d wait until the worst possible moment, then attack. Nevertheless, I had to take the risk, hope my changing at all would confuse him long enough for me to assume another form. I managed to kick off my shoes – I hated it when my paws burst through them – but I didn’t have the chance to remove anything else. Not that I’d strip in front of Billy even if I had a week. As I lifted my face, snowflakes brushed my cheeks, stuck to my eyelashes, prickled my nose. I pushed aside the sensory distractions and thought of the moon. If it had been full I wouldn’t have had to try. Without the round silver disc that pulled like the ebb and flow of the tide, the transformation was a bit harder, especially for those with stunted imaginations. I bet Billy had had one helluva time getting furry tonight. He growled, low in his throat. I was up to something, but he didn’t know what. Pretty soon he’d get sick of wondering, come over here and kick my ass. With me still a woman, and him already a beast, he’d have no trouble at all. Staring at the black velvet sky, I envisioned the cool metallic white of the moon spilling across my face. I smelled the wind, the trees, the earth. Night. The totem in my pocket shimmied, and my favorite suit split at the seams. The shifting of bones, the curving of spine, usually produced agony. Going from bipedal to quadrapedal wasn’t supposed to feel good. My skin would bum when the fur came. My fingers and toes always ached as they sprouted claws. My face hurt as my nose and my mouth melded into a snout. I loathed getting furry – always had, maybe I always would if I never discovered a cure – but pain was the least of it. I hated being covered with hair, sprouting a tail. The drooling, the panting, the howling, and I never could get the dirt out from under my fingernails. Becoming a werewolf was hell on a manicure. But tonight, the transformation was painless. Tonight I thought about being a wolf, and suddenly I was. Billy yelped. I was the fastest changer in the West. A damned werewolf savant. Something peculiar was going on, but I didn’t have time to figure out what. Werewolves not only have human eyes, they possess human intelligence. I knew what I had to do and why, so without giving Billy time to think, I charged. This wasn’t fun and games but a fight to the death. Billy would come after me, and he’d keep on coming until he had what he wanted. Me. I’d rather be dead than Billy Bailey’s sex slave. That knowledge gave me an edge. I hit him hard, and he tumbled onto his back. Either confusion had slowed his reactions, or I’d suddenly become faster than the average werewolf. Maybe both. My teeth grazed Billy’s throat before he sent me flying. I landed on the same shoulder that had hit the ground when I’d flown off the ATV, and I whimpered. Without human blood, I wouldn’t heal completely tonight, though just becoming a wolf would improve any injury faster than it was possible to explain. Billy struck me broadside before I could roll onto all fours. I slammed into the dirt hard enough to make my ears ring. My head ached, and I had a difficult time focusing. He could have killed me then, if he hadn’t been an insane sadomasochist. Instead of going for my jugular, he drew blood from my belly, and then licked it away. Disgust flowed through me, followed closely by anger. Using my legs, my claws, I threw him free, then I did what he hadn’t. Jumping on top, I latched onto Billy’s throat and pulled. Though I tried to get out of the way, blood sprayed my face and chest. I scuttled backward, not even waiting to see Billy’s human eyes go wolf as he died. I shifted into a woman more quickly than I ever had before. My clothes a torn tangle, I still managed to cover myself adequately. Scooping a handful of snow, I let it melt in my palm so I could scrub away some of the blood and the dirt. Remembering the slash to my stomach, I lifted my suit. Nothing. Frowning, I rolled my shoulder. Not a twinge. Had the talisman granted fast healing powers along with swift changing ability? Seemed so. I could get used to this. I hurried to Nic, kneeling next to him as his eyes opened, crossed, then focused on my face. â€Å"I saw a wolf.† â€Å"I know. I almost hit him.† â€Å"No.† He reached up and tugged my hair, loose now and swirling around my shoulders. â€Å"With fur like this and†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He frowned. â€Å"Your eyes.† I kept my face neutral, even as my heart threatened to choke me. Nevertheless, when I spoke, my voice was as cool as the breeze. â€Å"You must have bumped your head a lot harder than I thought.† How to cite Night Creature: Dark Moon Chapter Six, Essay examples