We sat at a table by the window in the hospital cafeteria. It had just started getting dark and the fog made tiny droplets on the window. We ate our meal with little conversation, my mind still preoccupied with worry.
When we finished eating, Mr. Reeves went and got coffee for the two of us. I stared off aimlessly outside while he was gone. The world seemed to distort like we were in a whole other reality. Mr. Reeves cleared his voice suddenly, returning to his seat, and it jerked me back to reality.
"It's quiet, isn't it?"
I looked around the cafeteria as he sat the cup on the table before me. We were the only two left. The memory of our first meeting flashed through my mind and brought a light smile to my face, but it was short-lived.
"Most hospitals are that way aren't they?"
I never liked hospitals, not since I was younger with my mother. I still couldn't get over the smells. And, with the things I went through, the scent of death, pain, and despair were even more heightened. There was the faint scent of hope here, too, though. It was always there, but it was drowned out by the others. I then realized I'd been zoned out again as Mr. Reeves touched my hand.
"Alex will be okay…," he said softly, trying to comfort me.
"I know," I smiled, half-heartedly, "He's a strong one."
Mr. Reeves gave me a reassuring smile and took a sip off his coffee. I looked back to the cup between my hands and ran my thumb along the lid, feeling it's soft heat. The aroma filled my nose and made me curl my nose briefly before I took a small sip. I felt the warmth run through me as I drank it and, normally, that should have comforted me. But, honestly, there was something creeping around in the back of my mind. Since I had finished telling the story to Alex, the shadow of what came next was plaguing me. And all the pain I had felt back then mixed with the worry that I held now.
"There's more to the story, you know..."
The words came out in a whisper and I wasn't sure Mr. Reeves had even heard me. I looked up to see him studying me with his eyes. Before I could say anything else, he gave me another soft smile.
"I had a feeling there was, but we don't have to do this now… You've got a lot on your plate…"
"Honestly, Mr. Reeves," I sighed, taking another sip on my coffee, "Talking to you about it all, relaxes me." I paused and waited for his reluctant nod before continuing. "Besides…," my voice came out shakily, "His story needs to be told…"
Many moons had passed since the battle with the Northern wolves. Devon and the other injured wolves had made a speedy recovery and the pack was strong once more. The morning sun had broken through the darkness and with it came a day of tradition.
Corbin had left with the other pups on the first hunt of adulthood. This was the first hunt in which all the pups went out on their own. It was the final step of their training, their chance to prove themselves to Benry, Kala, the Council, and the entire pack that they were ready to join in the responsibilities of the pack.
A leader of the hunting party was always sent out shortly after their leaving to ensure their overall safety. The appointed wolf would not intervene and keep a suitable distance to allow the pups their freedom however. For this hunt, Benry had appointed Adam, a black wolf with grey markings, for this role. Before he left, Adam's eyes caught mine and an unnerving feeling rushed over me. He had always stirred these kinds of feelings within me for some reason.
Adam was around the same age as Devon and I, but he was severely wounded as a pup. He was stolen from the cave as a pup by the Northern wolves during a hunt long ago. The Northern wolves were caught and a fight had ensued between the packs. Somehow, Adam had been perceived dead and left on the battlefield when all was done. By some miracle, however, Ezekiel, the previous pack leader, had found him while he and some of the hunting party surveyed the casualties. Adam was unharmed aside from his right eye that had been turned blind after he was attacked by a crow.
The sun was high now and Devon was pacing by the mouth of the cave. Corbin had rarely left his side and he was wrought with worry. I continued to try and comfort him, but nothing seemed to help.
"Devon," I said softly, stepping up into his path. He stopped abruptly and I caught the flash of his teeth briefly before he hushed a growl. "Corbin's going to be okay. He's strong and he's ready to prove himself. You know that."
"That's what worries me," he sighed roughly, "He's reckless and bullheaded. You know how he is. What if he gets hurt out there? What if he gets the other pups hurt? He's like the leader of their little group."
I let out a defeated sigh before stepping up and nuzzling against his neck. I heard him let out a shaky sigh, trying to calm himself. He slowly returned the gesture and I pulled back to look in his eyes. The look of worry was still there, but I knew he would be alright. I stepped back to the edge of the cave mouth and laid down to be closer to him as he began his pacing again.
The sun had begun to set now and the pack was engulfed in a state of unease. After convening with the Elders, Benry agreed to let Devon and I out and search for them.
The woods were quiet and the wind sounded like hushed screams as it sang through the trees. It was a stark contrast to its usual melodies. I felt as if we were in the beginnings of some horror movie. I tried to shake the lingering feeling, but it seeped into the back of my mind.
"Something isn't right…"
Devon's voice was nothing more than a whisper. We slowed our pace as we heard running steps approaching. Devon instinctively moved in front of me and took a readied stance. Fear and hope danced in a crazy frenzy in my eyes until a black shape leapt from the bushes, stumbling to a halt in front of us. It was Adam. He panted frantically, trying to catch his breath. I was about to speak until I noticed that Devon was frozen where he stood. Fear radiated from him and I realized what had him so afraid. My blood seemed to freeze within my veins as I saw the red stains faintly in Adam's black coat. The scent of blood washed over me and my heart felt like it stopped beating.
"The pups- Northerners-"
That was all that Adam managed to wheeze out before his body gave way beneath him. Devon didn't react. I looked onward from where Adam had come and my body carried me onward without my really realizing. My eyes and ears were searching for any signs of life. Where life would usually be thriving, there was nothing. Even the wind herself had fallen silent now. Something compelled me to search nonetheless. Whether it was faith that I would see Corbin standing proudly with his kill or the fear that boiled in my belly, I cannot say.
I followed the scent of blood that grew stronger and stronger. I froze when a familiar scent began to blend in. It was Corbin's. Up ahead was the bank of one of our common springs and I raced up to it. Corbin's smiling face and laughter ringing in my ears as I fought through the low tree limbs. When my feet touched the bank, my heart sank in my chest and my eyes widened. For now, I saw the horror that had silenced the woods.
Mangled bodies were strewn through the stream. Blood flowed in with the currant until the stream itself seemed to run red. I felt my face run pale. I couldn't look away. Every face I tried to look for looked back at me with glassy eyes. My body grew weak and I heard a branch snap behind me. I quickly turned to see Devon and rushed to step in front of him. But, before I could stop him, his eyes widened in horror. I couldn't even think straight. I was trying to figure out what to say, what to do.
All of a sudden, Devon and I turned to the stream. The sound of ragged breathing and a weak whine seemed to echo through my ears and Devon had heard it, too. We raced down the bank and began searching wildly for the source. While searching the opposite direction, I heard Devon let out a painful whine and I turned to see him hovering over a pup that was breathing heavily. A deep pain radiated in my chest when I came to Devon's side.
"D-De-von…"
"It's alright, Corbin… I'm here…," he whined, "You're gonna be okay. We're going to get you home and-"
"I… Tried t-to save t-them…"
"Stop talking, Corbin," he growled lightly.
"I-I've fail-ed them, D-Devon! All of t-them," he choked out.
Devon shook his head and continued to comfort him, repeating that everything was going to be okay. I tried my best, too. Suddenly, Corbin took in a sharp breath. His eyes flitted back and forth between Devon and I.
"I… I'm s-sorry..."
In that next moment Corbin fell limp and lifeless. His body fell as he let out one last breath and his eyes glazed over like the others. I stood there in shock, something in me waiting for Corbin to jump up like one of his usual pranks; nothing came. Devon's body collapsed from under him and he wept for his younger brother. He nudged Corbin's body many times, begging him to say something, to move, to do anything. The tears rolled from my eyes like an unyielding force. I dropped to Devon's side and tried my best to console him. I didn't say a word. There was nothing I could say. There was nothing I could do.
I heard weak steps come up behind us and looked to see Adam. Suddenly, Devon's body shook with rage. Before I could process, Devon had thrown himself on the other wolf and pinned Adam beneath him.
"Devon!"
"You were supposed to be watching over them," Devon's rage seeped out through his barred teeth and his voice echoed through the air, "Where were you? How did this happen?"
Adam squirmed desperately under him until Devon bit down into the other wolf's neck. Adam let out a mixture of a whine and snarl, trying to fight back. I jumped to my feet and grabbed Devon by his nape, throwing him off, and moving between the two of them.
"Move. Abby."
I had never heard Devon's voice call my name so viciously. His lips were curled in warning and his fur stood on end. A frenzied look filled his swollen eyes. He wanted Adam, I knew that. My body stiffened and readied for anything. The look on his face was like that of when he killed the wolf in my first fight. Remembering what he had done for the sake of protecting me, this look was much more terrifying. He let out a deep growl and began to yell at me again.
"He needs to pay! This is his fault! They're all dead; Corb-"
"And killing him isn't going to change that!"
My snarl cut him off and the initial shock quickly disappeared from his face. His eyes shifted down to Adam and I snapped my teeth at him to regain his attention.
"I lost him, too, Devon," I started, a pain hidden in my voice, "He was your brother, I know that. I know it's not the same. But killing Adam won't bring Corbin back. You know that!"
"So, you just want him to get away with this!"
Devon moved like he would lunge at me and I braced myself for it. The feeling of fear was lingering, but my determination was drowning it out. If Devon wanted to, needed to, attack me in order to get to Adam, I would be ready.
"We need to take him before Benry. It is not our place to determine his fate," I paused to motion towards Corbin's body, "And they deserve to be with their pack."
Devon's eyes looked back towards his brother's body before falling on me again. He fell silent, eyes still burning with anger and pain. He let out one final growl and turned away, going and sitting at Corbin's side. I let my body relax and took in several breaths, trying to regain myself. I watched as Devon let himself calm as well, his head sinking between his shoulders. I began to go to him when I heard Adam finally speak.
"Thank you. I was sure he was-"
"I didn't do it for you," I snapped, looking over my shoulder at him with a glare, "You deserve whatever punishment Benry gives you."
He looked at me with a look of shock before his head lowered. He didn't dare meet my eyes because he knew they held no sympathy for him. I made my way cautiously to Devon's side and I couldn't fight the flinch when he let out a shaky breath. When I was sure he had fully calmed down, I brought my head under his and he roughly accepted me.
"Let's take him home, Devon," I spoke softly, "Let's take them all home…"
At first Devon didn't respond, but I felt him press against me harder. He released me and I watched as he carefully forced Corbin's body onto his back. I turned back to look for Adam to help, but he was gone. I thought about telling Corbin and going after him, but the pups were more important. Devon picked up another of the pups by the nape, doing his best not to drag them along. I did the same, one pup across my back and one by the nape, and we began heading back to the cave. We couldn't take them all at once, but they would all make it home.
We made it to the cave and had to break the heartbreaking news to the pack. Families grieved and Kala and the Elders did their best to console them all. Benry and other members of the hunting party went with us to retrieve the others. Once all the pups were safely home, Benry pulled me aside. I told him what Adam had told us had happened and that Adam had disappeared. I avoided mentioning the parts that weren't crucial, like Devon's reaction.
Benry remained quiet, taking in my account, before telling me that he would send out a hunting party to find him. He assured me that Adam would pay for his negligence. My eyes looked out amongst the painful expressions the pack wore until they fell upon Devon. My heart hurt for him. Benry pulled back my attention as he addressed the cave.
"This is a dark day for our pack," he started, heads slowly looking up to their leader, "We have work to do. These pups will be sent home as warriors of our pack. For they are far more than deserving of that."
The pack let out a muted chorus of agreement as they began preparing for what was to come.
The next few days were spent cleaning the pups the best we could. Tears were abundant and sadness hung around the cave like a dark cloud. Kala then said the time had come for the ceremony. The pack gathered together to carry the pups up the mountain side to the top of the falls. It didn't matter what family the pups belonged to, the pack as a whole worked as one. We were all one family.
I carefully pulled Corbin's body onto Devon's back and helped Devon to his feet. Devon gave me a sad look before he rubbed his head against mine. I gave a small lick to his face before walking along his side up the mountain.
At the top of the mountain, the sun was readying to set. A large flat rock, called "Heaven's Gate", stood in the middle of the river that ran to the falls. The pack carefully moved each of the pups into the center, lying them there side by side. We all sat on either side of the river in silence as the moon krept high into the sky. When it was at its highest, the moon took on a golden glow just as it did the fateful night I discovered this world.
A bright white beam of light fell onto the pups. I watched amazed as their bodies seemed to fade away, leaving behind the mist-like forms of their spirits. Each pup had roughly the same reaction, they ran for their mothers or to the den mother. Looks of confusion and fear ran across their faces and the mothers soothed them. I watched as Corbin's spirit came bounding over to us just like he always had. He still had that impish smile that made my heart hurt with happiness and pain.
Devon stood and Corbin immediately shoved his face into Devon's chest. Devon let out soft whines as he tried to lick Corbin's face and head and Corbin echoed them back. Corbin's eyes caught mine and I noticed that they held a sense of wisdom to them. One far beyond that of a pup's. He gave me a soft smile before pulling back from Devon and looking back to the beam.
My eyes followed his and I watched as some of the other pups had started up into the light. Then, I noticed a wolf seemed to step forward from the light as if she was a part of it. She stood just within the light's glow and smiled fondly at Corbin. Devon looked up and saw her and she gave him a motherly smile.
Corbin gave Devon one more look to his face before bounding over to the she-wolf. The she-wolf gave him the same minstrations as Devon had and I realized that Devon had never told me about his mother, or his father for that matter. Before I could linger on the thought, the she-wolf began heading back up the beam. Corbin moved to follow her before pausing and looking over his shoulder at us with a smile.
"Take care of him for me, Abby! He needs you."
Before I could even respond, Corbin laughed and bounded happily after the she-wolf. When the last of the pups had disappeared up the beam, the pack broke out in a melodious howl. Our song held a deep pain, but also carried a sense of relief. It seemed like the world around us was singing with us as we remembered the innocent lives that were taken too soon.
The pack waited for quite some time, even after the moon had returned to its usual white glow. Once we had returned to the cave, Benry stepped up to the edge of his mound, the Elders standing around him. All eyes fell on their leader.
"Our young ones, the future of our pack, have been taken from us," Benry called out, the power of the alpha surging, "The Northern Wolves will pay for this vile act. Prepare for the oncoming war. It will be soon and it will be our last."
The cave was flooded with an encore of howls from the pack. They rang with agreement and their own war cries. The pack had been hurt in the worst way possible and there was no question that we all wanted justice for the pups. In the midst of the noise, Devon nudged my shoulder. I looked at him and he drew my attention to Benry. He motioned for Devon and I to join him by the entrance.
We stepped up and sat aside from him. For a moment, there was only silence. Then, Benry spoke. He spoke softly as to not alarm the others.
"The hunting party was unable to find Adam… His scent crossed into the Northern territory…"
"Why would he be in the Northern territory unless...," Devon growled out softly, more in frustration than at his leader.
I began thinking back to that dreadful day. I pictured Adam when he broke from the bushes. Desperately, going through my memories. My body locked up, suddenly, and Devon's concerned voice sounded far away.
"Adam… He didn't have any injuries…"
"What?"
My head quickly popped up to Devon and then to Benry. I felt the rush of anger flooding my eyes and they knew it, too. My fur started bristling as I spoke.
"Adam didn't have any injuries. The blood wasn't his. It was the pup's."
The three of us sat in silence until I couldn't stand it anymore. I stood up and raced out into the woods with a snarl on my lips. Adam had slaughtered the pups and I- I defended him. A mixture of rage and guilt swirled in my stomach. I kept running, not worried about where I was going. A flash of white raced in front of me, forcing me to a stop, and I immediately knew it was Devon.
"Abby, stop. You ca-"
"I defended that monster," I snarled out, "I protected him after what he did to Corbin!"
Now that I was still, my whole body shook and felt like it would give way. Before it could, I felt Devon's warmth against me. Tears had begun running down my face without my knowing and pitiful wines tore through me.
"Abby, you didn't know."
Devon tried to comfort me and I continued crying against him, burying my face in his chest. My broken whines seemed to echo around me. I regained enough of myself to pull back and look Devon in the eyes. I could see the reflection of my own, boiling with the same rage he had earlier.
"I should have let you kill him." Devon tried to dismiss me before I snarled out one last time, silencing myself in his fur. "Because if I find him, he'll wish I had."
"Abby…"
I knew the look on Mr. Reeves's face without even looking at him. We fell back into silence until I heard the buzzing of the overhead speaker. I couldn't quite make out the words, but then heard running footsteps. A group of nurses ran down the hall across from the cafeteria.
"It's room 622. He's crashing."
That was Alex's room. I jumped up from the table and raced after them. My heart was pounding against my chest and panic flooded all my senses. I made it to his room and tried to rush in, but was stopped by one of the nurses. She told me I couldn't be there, but I kept fighting to get in. I watched in terror as they started performing CPR. I kept fighting, begging and crying until I felt two strong arms pull me back and turn me into a hard chest. I had assumed it was Claude or even Mr. Reeves, until the familiar odor of cologne filled me.
Father held me as I wept, holding me tightly against him. Had I been thinking about anything other that Alex's well-being, I'd have pushed him aside, shunned him away. But Alex had consumed my thoughts and I surrendered to my father's hold.
***** A/N: If you like what you've read or are enjoying things so far, lemme know! I appreciate any feedback anybody wants to give! Thanks! *****