I looked to Mr. Reeves, who looked like he had plenty of questions. My phone rang abruptly and I pulled it from my pocket. I answered and Gwen told me that Alex was awake. Mr. Reeves seemed to know that his questions would have to wait for a later time. We quickly made our way back to the room and Alex reached out for me once he saw me in the doorway. I came to the side of the bed before sitting close to him. Mr. Reeves looked my direction with a soft smile before saying he needed to run to his apartment and check on things. Gwen said she'd escort him out and be back later. I gave them both an understanding nod and stroked Alex's head as they left.
"Abby, it hurts."
I hugged him and kissed the top of his head. A small sigh of relief escaped me. Having heard his voice again brought such an ease to my heart.
When the nurses came with his dinner for the night, Alex had much more of an appetite. He managed to eat most of his food and we spent a good few hours watching the television. There wasn't much that interested him, but we found a few things. Eventually, he dozed off and I was able to get out of the bed. I looked out the window and up into the vast night sky. The stars were hidden by the clouds for the most part, but I still felt so much comfort from looking at them.
I left the room and went out to the patio at the end of the hall for some fresh air. I leaned against the railing and watched my breath as it met the cold air. I stood there in the darkness. There were small lights around the edge of the patio, but they did little in means of illumination. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. The noise of the city seemed to fade away and the songs of the woods I longed for began to echo in my ears.
I opened my eyes to the lush green woods. The sun fell upon it like a blanket of golden light. I was running in what felt like slow motion. It felt like my paws weren't even touching the ground. All the familiar scents washed over me. he scent of my pack. The wind rushed into my face, carrying the scent of my pack; his scent. My heart beat wildly in my chest like a caged bird trying to break free.
I ran past an old cottage, now covered in overgrowth and weed. I felt like I recognized it, but it still felt so strange to me. I shook off the feeling and continued across the stream and over the hill. I came to the top of the hill and saw the mouth of the cave. I didn't even try to hide my excitement. I couldn't wait to see the ones I had missed so much.
I raced down the hill and into the cave. The whole pack looked just like I had left it. Pups were playing and terrorizing the Den Mother. The hunting party had just brought back their prize and everyone seemed happy. I felt my heart race even more and I knew I was home. I looked to Leader Benry's slab and he was standing with Kala. They both gave me a welcoming smile and I heard the melodious howls erupt from the pack. I wanted to go search for Devon, but he was already coming up to me. Corbin raced up to me and we tumbled over.
Devon joined in the fray and the three of us just rolled and rolled. I had missed them both so much. My happy whines were all I could hear. They seemed to drown out all the other noises, echoing off the walls. I somehow managed to rise to my feet and tried to calm my excitement. Suddenly, I realized there was no other noise. My own breathing sounded far too loud.
I looked around the cave and froze in fear. Where my lively pack had been, now there were mangled bodies and blood. I couldn't breathe. My lungs felt like they were on fire. I tried to look up for Benry, Kala, and the Elders, but they were slain the same. The only sound I heard was the pounding of my heart and my arrhythmic breaths.
"D-Devon… What-"
I turned quickly to look at him. His body looked sunken in. You could clearly see the bones lying beneath the skin, like that was all there was. His head was hung and I could not see his face. I looked at his feet and there was Corbin. The young wolf was ripped to pieces and laid in a pool of blood. I backed up and stepped in a puddle. Startled, I turned around and saw my reflection. Blood lay matted in the fur on my muzzle and I was soaked up to my knees in it.
"No… This can't be re-"
"You did this."
My eyes slowly turned back to Devon. His voice had come out weak and dry, but it was harsh. His head slowly lifted to look at me and I jumped. His once blue eyes were now merely empty sockets. His body collapsed before me as he let out a weak breath. I watched as he and the other wolves of the pack slowly faded into nothing.
"No! NO!"
My scream echoed off the walls as they began to crumble around me. I spun to run for the mouth of the cave, but pitchblack wings were flapping in my face. The crow was pecking at me and I felt each stab rip open my skin. I heard her cackling cries and just remember trying to fight her off.
"Abigail! Abigail!"
"Leave me alone!"
My body was forced to turn around and my eyes shot open. Mr. Reeves had his hands on either of my shoulders and some nurses were watching with concern from the doorway. I looked around frantically and then back at him. I thought I would have a heart attack. I felt his grip tighten and looked up to meet his worried gaze.
"Abby, what's the matter?"
"… I-I had a vision…," I managed to choke out between gasps for air.
As if everything hit me all at once, my tears would not stop flowing. I all but collapsed into his arms. I half expected him to recoil from me, but instead he held onto me. For some reason, that only made me break more.
"M-my pack… They were all d-dead… All around m-me! It was horrible! I-I killed them! It's my fault!"
"That can't be. You'd never do that. Besides you've been here. How could you?"
I just couldn't stop crying. Everything had seemed so real. Mr. Reeves escorted me back to Alex's room and told the nurses I was okay. They gave him concerned looks but seemed to accept what he said. We sat back on the window seat and he got me some water. He didn't make me talk or ask any questions. He just sat there with me, even letting me lean against him as I worked through the lingering panic.
I hadn't remembered falling asleep. Everytime I closed my eyes, I saw bits and pieces of the vision I had. I remember I had dazed off, but was jerked back to reality when Mr. Reeves started to cough. My head was against his shoulder and when I moved to sit up, he stirred a bit, but remained asleep. The moon was still high in the sky and I rubbed at my forehead to try to soothe the throbbing headache that was forming. I made my way into the bathroom and began washing my face in the mirror. The cold water felt good against my skin.
I turned off the faucet and looked into my reflection. What I had seen felt so real. If it really was a vision, something terrible was happening or going to happen to my pack. I couldn't let that happen. I stepped out of the bathroom and looked at both Alex and Mr. Reeves, still asleep. I went to the nurse's station and asked for some paper and a pen. They gave me some and I went back out to the patio. I looked up at the moon and took a deep sigh as I began writing.
The sun had begun rising when I finally finished. I folded the pages together and gave them to the nurse that was attending Alex's room. I explained to her that I had to leave for an important errand and asked that she give this note to the man in the room when he woke up. She agreed in a puzzled sense and I went back to gather my things. I packed up what little things I had there and stopped at Alex's bedside. I didn't want to wake him. I gave a light kiss to his forehead and left before I could convince myself to stay…
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I woke up with the sun glowing down on me. I stretched awkwardly on the window seat and blinked my eyes to adjust. I looked around the room, but Abigail was gone. After the vision or daydream, whatever you would call it, I had never seen her like that. She always appeared so strong, I often forgot she must have fears as well. I noticed her brother was still asleep, so I quietly checked the restroom before stepping out into the hall.
The nurse that was taking care of the room looked up and saw me. She held up a finger to get my attention and then came over with some papers in her hand.
"Excuse me," she started a little flustered, handing me the papers, "the woman you were with, she, uhm, left this for you."
I tried to ask her more about it, but she said she had some other patients to tend to. So, she rushed away before I could. I stepped back into the room and rubbed the back of my neck. I unfolded the papers and read the small note at the top of the first page.
"Curtis,
This is the final part of my story. I wish I could be there to tell it to you myself, but I feel that something terrible really is going to happen. I don't wish to turn my back on either of my families, but the pack needs me more, now. I'm truly sorry."
I think that was the first time she ever addressed me by my first name. I sat back down at the window seat and looked outside. It was almost like I was looking for her, but I had a feeling she was long gone. I flipped through the pages, curiously, before starting on the first page.
Devon told Kala about what had happened with Adam and the old female paced back and forth before us. She didn't speak and we waited for her wisdom. My mind drifted back to what Adam had said about secrets and, before I knew it, Devon looked at me. I hadn't realized I'd been staring at him. I quickly looked back to Kala as she spoke.
"The Crow must have preyed on Adam's weak heart," she started, "After his accident, he was shunned by many of the wolves. They feared him for his injuries. A darkness must have grown from that and the Crow used it to deceive him…"
"How long do you think he was lying to all of us?"
Kala shook her head and looked back to Devon and I.
"I do not know, young ones. But Leader Benry and the other hunters have yet to return. If the Crow is truly working things in these woods…"
Her voice trailed off and died in a hushed whine.
"We'll find them, Kala."
Devon rose to his feet and stepped up to the old wolf. He rubbed his head against hers and he looked back at me. I nodded in agreement and met Kala's eyes. She gave a wistful smile and Devon and I headed back out into the woods. We started heading the direction Benry and his party had taken, following the faint trail of his scent. The fog had begun to grow deeper and darker.
We walked on in silence. In fact, Devon hadn't really said a word to me since we confronted Adam. I followed just behind him and found myself watching him again. Would he really hide something from me? I was sure he was the first one I'd trust…
Suddenly, he stopped. I perked up my ears and began looking and listening for what had caused him to stop. He let out a deep sigh and turned to look at me with his icy blue eyes.
"... It's about what Adam said isn't it?"
His voice was just above a whisper. I held his gaze for a moment before he looked off to the side. I stood silent for a moment and then stepped up to him.
"You've been avoiding me since then… And no one has really told me about what happened to her…" He looked back to me slowly with a painful expression. "What aren't you telling me?"
He didn't respond at first. He looked around us and took in what the senses provided.
"The scent is faint, but we should keep going."
I didn't get a chance to dispute him. Devon turned and started ahead of me again. I couldn't just stay behind or I would lose him in the fog. We went back into the same pace as before, me trailing just behind him. I was almost consumed in my thoughts when he spoke up again.
"Eva was my mate."
I almost stopped in my tracks, a look of shock on my face, but I continued onward. I managed to step up further to walk by his side, now. I saw the pained look in his eyes. When I didn't speak, he continued.
"We grew up together. I knew her like the back of my hand… She was very precious to me." He let out a shaky breath. "It was our first real fight with the Northern wolves. I had been forced to the edge of the cliffs and surrounded by three of them. Eva came out of nowhere. She threw herself into one of them and the two knocked into another, giving me a chance to fight back. We fought them together, knowing how the other would move. I had finished off one and managed to subdue one of the others. Everything was going well. We were winning. Until we weren't…"
He let out a whine and I knew how much this was hurting him. I tried to tell him he could stop, but he shook his head.
"She was fighting him on the edge… The rocks started to give way. They both tried to run, but he slipped and rolled over the edge. I saw that she was going to fall and reached for her. Everything started to move in slow-motion. Eva looked down as the rocks started breaking under her feet. I kept thinking if I could just grab her and throw her inland, it didn't matter if I fell. When she looked back up at me, she- She was smiling. She knew I wasn't going to make it. I called out for her, but someone grabbed me and pulled me back. The next thing I knew, she was gone…"
"... Why didn't you tell me?"
Devon looked over at me and then stopped.
"Leader Benry spoke to me, later that day when the Elders had decided to let you stay. He thought it would be better if you didn't know. I thought it would be better."
I just watched him for a moment. I tried to speak, but he cut me off.
"You know… The day we found you, I was planning to leave the pack with Corbin. I blamed myself for Eva's death. If I had been stronger, better, Eva wouldn't have been there… When she fell off that cliff, Leader Benry was the one who pulled me back. I felt like I had failed my pack, my leader, and my mate. But, then, Corbin took off. When I made it to that overlook, and saw you down there, I really thought you were her. That maybe she survived the fall and was coming back home…"
"Devon…"
"And things just got more complicated from there. The more time I spent with you, the more I got to know you. It was becoming harder and harder for me to separate my feelings for Eva from my feelings for you. But, when you came and tried to save me in that fight, I heard you call for me. Something in my brain snapped and I realized you weren't Eva. You had never been Eva. And when that wolf pinned you down and I thought I was going to lose someone else I cared for, I snapped. I wasn't going to let that happen again."
Devon looked up and we looked deeply into each other's eyes. I would say I was shocked by all this, but it was like a part of me already knew. Despite everything I had been through, just being near Devon and Corbin had comforted me. It explained how deep that trust and reliance on the two of them had been, Devon especially. It wasn't until Eva's spirit had seemed to disappear within me that I began to question him. Yet, even now that I couldn't feel her, those feelings remained. Were they mine or were they hers?
I had almost managed to get my words together when something alerted us both. The smell of blood was being carried our way through the wind. It was so strong, masking all the other scents in its wake. Devon's eyes flashed with fear and I knew it was evident in mine as well. We took off, following the wind, and the fog grew thicker. It was becoming so dense that you could barely see in front of you. Still, we pushed onward. Benry's scent, meshed with the scent of other wolves, began mixing in and we both knew what that meant.
We came to the edge of the cliffs and both skidded to a stop. Snarls and yelps echoed up from the thick fog from down below. There were whips of air moving all around, evident of the fight that was raging beneath it. I looked at Devon, almost for guidance, but, when our eyes met, I already knew what we had to do. and caught his eyes on mine.
In a matter of seconds, I had leapt from the edge. I landed in the middle of the carnage. Somehow, the fog was clearer here. I thought to look for Devon, but teeth snapping at my face caught my attention first. I pulled back from the maw of a golden colored wolf and then tackled him to the ground. He managed to turn from under me and tossed me off with his hind legs. The next thing I knew, he was on top of me. His teeth sank into my chest area and I let out a yelp of pain.
I struggled beneath him and I began wishing I could feel Eva. Another bite landed around my shoulder. I had barely managed to prevent him from getting to my neck. I cried out, but a voice echoed in my mind; the same voice that had always been within me. "FIGHT." I felt a sudden rush of energy and managed to force the wolf off of me. He came back for me just as quick and the voice commanded me again. I leapt up onto him and bit into his neck as hard as I could, burying my teeth in his skin. He yelped and tried to throw me, but I only bit into him harder.
The taste of blood flooded my mouth and I felt my stomach turn, but I fought through it. I felt his claws rake across my skin many times as he tried to fight me off. I ignored them and held on. I knew the second I let him go, I'd have to fight him all over again. This wasn't just a fight, this was kill or be killed. And I wasn't going to give the tables a chance to turn.
I took a deep breath and bit down with all my might. The snapping sound and the painful yelp he made echoed in my ears. His body heaved a few times until he went limp beneath me. As I released him, I realized something was off. My body wasn't reeling from Eva's presence like it had been in the previous fights I'd taken part in. In fact, I didn't feel Eva at all. What I had done, the fight I had won, I did it on my own.
The snarls from a fight nearby jerked me from my thoughts. I'd have time to think about all that later. All I knew now, was I could do this. I threw myself in a nearby fight to help one of my pack brothers and it was on again.
At some point, I had been thrown to the ground by a Northerner I was fighting. He went to come for me, but was taken down a few feet from me by one of our pack. My pack brother finished him off and gave me a swift nod before carrying on to the next fight. I made it to my feet and felt pain shoot through my whole body. I was bleeding, but I couldn't even tell what blood was mine and what blood belonged to my adversaries. I looked ahead and saw a clearing in the wood, just outside the fighting. I used what strength I could muster and forced myself there.
My body felt like it would collapse from under me and I was thinking of letting it. I had never felt so tired. Just when I was going to give into the darkness that was creeping upon me, I heard a dark and sinister cackling. I looked for her and saw the Crow perched in the trees across the battlefield. She was looking down at the onslaught intently. I made out the glint of pleasure in her eyes.
I followed her line of sight to see Benry locked in battle with the Northern wolves leader. Benry and the other wolf kept launching themselves at each other. They would lock into a flash of teeth and snarls, then one would be thrown aside. Before they could recover, they were at each other all over again. Watching the beating Benry was taking caused a rage to surge within me. I felt Eva's spirit faintly and my eyes fell back on the Crow.
I didn't have to wait for her strength. A newfound energy seemed to pulse through me. I threw myself back into the fray. As I made my way through the fighting, I felt teeth snap at me and claws tear into my sides. I winced at the pain, but I forced myself onward. My eyes remained fixated on the Crow. Everything in me was determined to get to her. Suddenly, I felt something strike my head.
I fell to the ground, my vision beginning to blur in my left eye. It throbbed with pain and I tried to come back to my feet. A pack brother suddenly landed on me and pain rushed through my body with a loud crack. I let out a cry of pain. The wolf jumped back to his feet and went for the Northerner that had thrown him. I forced my feet under me and looked to where the Crow had been.
She was still on her perch, looking over the violent landscape until she settled back on watching Benry and the Northern Leader. A growl tour through me and Eva's strength surged through me again, pushing me to fight on. I was more than happy to oblige. I growled out in pain with nearly every step. My body seemed to be begging me to stop, but my will would not give up so easily.
I had managed to force my way through to the other side and slipped into the woods without her notice. I got a few paces behind her and waited for the perfect moment. As I stalked closer, the world seemed to move in slow motion. Corbin's smiling face flashed through my mind.
Eva's spirit pulsed again and, then, I had some sort of flashback. It wasn't mine. It was Eva's. I saw the ground beneath our feet begin to break apart. I looked up and Devon and Benry were staring at us in terror. I had this feeling of sadness rush through me, but we managed to smile softly. "You'll be okay." Just as I felt the ground give way beneath my feet, I looked up into the trees behind Devon and Benry. My body pulsed with rage as I saw the beady black eyes looking down at us.
Reality came crashing back in that instance and I lunged myself forward. Her head turned behind her and our eyes met, but she was too late. The Crow flapped her wings in terror; her final attempt to flee from my barred teeth. My teeth sank into her neck as we flew off the ledge. I heard her shrill cry as we began to fall to the ground. I heard the snap of her neck echo in my ears as I hit the ground. Everything went black, but that sound brought me relief.
I blinked my eyes open slowly and was laying in the middle of a pool of water, completely alone in a world of darkness. I sat up on my knees and looked down at my reflection beneath me. I was me, again; human. Was I dead? I touched my face and wondered if this was real. I saw something coming towards me and looked up. It was a brown wolf. It's feet didn't even make the water ripple. It stepped up to me and stopped about a foot or so away. I looked deep into its eyes and gasped softly.
"E-Eva?"
"It's nice to properly meet you."
Her voice was soft and all too familiar to me. She saw the look of shock on my face and let out a gentle chuckle as she sat before me.
"Abby…," she started, "Thank you."
"You're thanking me?"
"Of course. You risked your life for my- our pack. The Crow is no more."
I looked down at my reflection and then looked at hers. But she didn't have one. I looked back up to her and then around into the darkness.
"Are we… Am I dead?"
Eva let out a soft sigh and then shook her head. I looked back into her glowing yellow eyes.
"Our body was severely injured from the fighting… Abby, you're going to go back, but I won't be with you anymore. My reason for coming back has been fulfilled. Only after my death did I realize the Crow's doing. I needed a way back and I- I used you to help me end her."
"But the Crow was the one who allowed me to become a wolf? Why would she-"
"She wanted to use you as a pawn for her goals, but she overestimated her power. Your spirit was too strong for her to crush. I was able to hide myself from her, convincing her that I was asleep within our body. She didn't expect us to be a threat." Eva paused and looked down at the pool beneath us. "But when you and Devon encountered Adam… I had no idea he had been taken by the Crow. My emotions overcame me and I alerted her to my presence. She sealed me away here."
Eva looked around the darkness now with a forlorn look.
"I feared that you would not be able to fight on your own, but you proved me wrong. When you fought, I felt your feelings. Your loyalty and drive to fight for our pack reached me. I used what little strength I had left to help you push forward and end the Crow, once and for all. Now, there is nothing tethering me here…"
"But Devon-"
My voice came out a tad panicked. Eva looked at me with a soft smile as the words died in my throat. I felt my body sink back where I sat and tried to gather my words.
"It's okay," Eva said softly, causing me to look up at her. Her eyes were soft and understanding. "He'll be okay."
I suddenly heard Devon's voice calling out for me faintly. I looked around in the darkness and the pool beneath me started to shake and ripple around me. I reached for Eva and hugged her neck, closing my eyes tightly.
"You have so much left to live for. I can't wait to see how you grow."
Her voice grew distant and I whispered a "thank you" into her fur. The shaking grew more and more intense until I opened my eyes to see a bright life engulfing me.
"Abby, please."
Devon whined repeatedly, nuzzling my neck. I blinked my eyes open a few times and he pulled back in a sharp breath of relief. He was hurt, but not much worse than I. He nuzzled against my neck rougher, now, causing me to yelp out in pain. But I licked his muzzle when he jumped in fear. I was hurting everywhere, but knowing he was okay gave me some relief. He helped me stumble up to my feet and let me lean against him.
I realized the sounds of fighting had stopped and looked around. All the wolves, Northern and Southern alike were standing around where Devon and I were. They looked between each other with confusion, like they didn't know where they were or what was happening. I looked down at my feet and saw the lifeless, broken body of the Crow. I felt Benry's gaze and turned to look at him.
"Leader Benry," I started weakly, "The Crow…"
I began to tell Benry about what had happened with Adam. I explained how Kala sent us to find him and the other wolves and that I had found the Crow and killed her. He watched me while I spoke, but never said a word. Benry turned slowly to the Northern wolf leader and he nodded, before turning towards me.
"The prey of our land became plagued by a disease that came out of nowhere. Our Spirit Leader could not explain it. One day, the Crow came to our den. We did not know of her evil ways. She told us where we could find healthy prey and guided us to new grounds. We did not know that the lands belonged to another pack. However, I could also not let my pack starve. I came to meet with your Leader Benry and we agreed to divide the territory. We lived in peace. The Crow returned and told us that Benry was revoking our agreement and was going to attack. We refused to believe her. And when we refused to fight you Southern wolves, she cast her magic upon us. We have been under her power for many years…"
The Northern leader's eyes shifted to Devon briefly before returning to me.
"We would never launch an attack against the young of the pack. This wolf, Adam, was not acting on behalf of our pack. I am very sorry for your losses."
"Adam was the one who told me the Northern wolves were attacking," Benry growled, drawing Devon's and mine attention to him. "He raced up to me in a panic and said the Northern wolves were coming for the cave. I found what wolves I could and we came here to fight back. He was with us when the fight started. He must have slinked off when you two found him. I should have known he was a traitor!"
All fell silent as Benry's growl echoed around us. I stepped up weakly to Benry and I felt everyone's eyes fall on me.
"I-it was the Old Crow who brought this pain upon us all. B-but the Crow is dead…"
I looked to my leader and met his soft gaze.
"W-while I was unconscious, I-I spoke with Eva." His eyes widened, but I continued. "S-She knew that the Crow was behind this. T-That's why she needed my help. T-To come back and end this darkness."
Benry stared at me for a moment before giving a soft nod and turning to the other Alpha.
"Alec. Many have died for this war. I hold no blame for you or your wolves. We were all deceived." Alec gave a nod of agreement and Benry continued. "Let us go back to the way things once were. For the sake and survival of both of our packs."
Alec voiced his agreement and then called his wolves to follow him back to their den. I remembered watching as they left. Then, my body felt so heavy… I passed out again and remembered hearing Devon and Benry both calling my name.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The papers slipped through my hands and fell into my lap. A sense of urgency flooded me. I rushed for my coat and grabbed my phone, setting the papers on the bedside table. I dialed Abby's number and it rang and rang, but no answer. The voice-mail answered and I snapped the phone shut in irritation.
"I know you haven't had it very long, but you know how to answer it, Abby."
Alex stirred in the bed and I quieted myself. How could she have just left? She didn't even know if she could get back? I couldn't fathom what she could be thinking. Worry ate away at me and I didn't know why. The sudden creaking of the door pulled me from my thoughts. Gwen stepped in and sat her bags down by the bed.
"Morning, Mr. Reeves," she smiled, before looking around the room. "Where's Ms. Abby?"
"She ran off without telling me. I need to go find her Gwen."
I rushed for the door without another explanation.
"What's this?"
I pulled my coat on at the doorway and saw the papers in her hands.
"It's the ending to Abby's story. She wrote it down for me before she left."
"Hm… That isn't like her…," Gwen muttered softly, "She never writes on the back of her pages…"
"The back… Of the pages?"
Gwen held up the pages for me to see and handed them to me. Her writing was sloppy like she was rushing to get the last bit out. I thanked Gwen and told her I was going to take it with me. I called for a cab on my way down to the hospital exit and they arrived promptly. I gave him the address to the Moon Manor, hoping I could catch her there.
***** A/N: Sorry this chapter was so long! As always, if you like what you've read or are enjoying things so far, lemme know! I appreciate any feedback anybody wants to give! Thanks! *****