How are you holding up? Mark asks as I blankly stare out the window of the car. John and Angie appeared at the front gate of the Holts manor early that morning ready to pack and leave. My mother was to be buried beside my father in an exclusive cemetery that they had settled on their will. Along with me being sent to the Burke's if anything were to happen to them. I didn't realize how much my parents had put into thought of a future were they wouldn't be in it. I guess all that paranoia my father suffered ended up killing him than whatever he was running from.
I don't know where they are buried and I wasn't about to ask.
Just a little tired. Are you guys coming along? I reply as my heart skips a beat. I hadn't asked if they would follow, I guess a part of me thought they would while the other felt that it was finally time to part ways.
Of course! We're not leaving you, not now, not ever. You're a part of this family, never forget that. Mark eases me as he gently reminds me how much he loves me.
Our relationship has grown and bonded more and more throughout the years. He's come to know me as well as I come to know him. When I thought maybe our friendship would become more, it scared me to be honest, it never did. It was like we both came to terms we were going to be in each other's life but not as something more than family.
As much as it hurt, the thought he would never love me like that, it sort of came as a relief as well since I didn't want that kind of relationship in my life at the moment. I mean it nearly broke my mother, no scratch that, it broke her and left her an empty shell of her former self. Something I'd never want to experience.
Exiting the highway leaving behind the latest city we delved in, Chicago, the Burke's continue traveling north. I didn't really ask them where exactly was their home but then again all I've been is numb. I know Mark keeps checking on me and on our link because he's worried since I haven't shed a single tear. I mean Angie seems to have cried for the both of us. She's even now sniffling back tears as I sit here looking tired and drained.
When Tristan assured me that there was nothing to worry about I didn't have the energy to question him. I trusted him and his word just as much as I trusted Mark and his judgments.
"Where exactly are we heading?" I finally ask breaking the silence in the car. I mean not even the radio was on. I wasn't even coherent enough to bring headphones. The phone the Holts gave full of apps and music just sat there in my pocket as dead weight. I didn't really have anyone to contact it with. Which was one of the reasons I said trying to deny such luxury. But alas they won that argument and they all got phones so I can have someone to contact. Which is still idiotic in my opinion as I can just talk to Mark telepathically and he can rely any message to them the same way.
Just thinking of it makes me smile. They really do care for me as much as to go out of their way to get me tribal things like a phone or a computer.
"Creekwood, a small town bordering Canada and Montana." John answers me as Angie continues to grieve. He glances at the rear view mirror to see me but looks quickly away when he catches my eye, he keeps his eyes on the road afterwards.
I'm not sure what to think of them just yet but Mark assured me that they don't give creepy vibes. He tried to reassure me by reminding me his great sense of judgment. Which I still haven't forgotten about Daniel. So I let it slide.
I mean he trusted that I wouldn't be a threat to his family when we first collided in Boston. He told them I just needed guidance that I was scared of them than they should of me. If it weren't for him and his kindness I'd be dead.
He also warned me away from people I'd meet in my new schools telling me that they weren't worth associating with. Once I made the mistake of not listening to him. I really thought a boy in my class genuinely liked me. He was sweet and caring. When he managed to convince me to meet up in a secluded area he tried to force himself on me. I managed to kick him in the groin and shove him off me only to stop a few feet away as an angry Mark dashed right by me.
Although he didn't deserve my mercy I was able to convince Mark to let him be, that the hits I managed to give were enough. Mark was livid, couldn't see reason, it took so much for me to snap him out of his trance. The nameless kid got to live another day.
The memory darken my mood as I couldn't control the anger inside of me. It was begging to come out. The little energy I had I was able to tame it, for now.
It's been months since I last shifted and I know that's not good because anything and everything is starting to irritate me which I take as signs of my wolf being agitated for not being free. It was caged inside me just as much as I was inside my mind. But I couldn't bring myself to shift. It only made me wonder why my parents kept this from me, why didn't they warn me, why didn't they guide me.
I can't ask Angie or John as they reek of human, I can only rely on them on stories about their human life and that of my parents.
Anything to help me shine a light on who they were and what made them take rational decisions as to moving away from the one place they called home.