The wolf calmed down upon meeting eyes with Aileen. It lowered its gaze and bared its teeth at her. Yes, I know, Aileen thought, looking helplessly at her. Meanwhile, the guards were confused. They looked at each other, contemplating whether to shoot. A few seconds passed by, and the wolf, noticing the surrounding, transformed into a middle-aged, skinny woman. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, and her eyes purple, still glaring at Aileen. "We're leaving." She hissed and growled, her voice going deep, setting a scare in her.
This was it, Aileen thought. It's where I should stand up to her. Aileen took a few steps towards her mother, while the guards lowered their weapons and watched the drama. "Mom, we need to talk," Aileen said. "There is nothing to talk about, let's go." Her mother said. Her eyes were back to normal, and it broke Aileen's heart to see that they had shed heavy tears. "I can'. t I want to be here, I want to do this." She wished her mother could see her desperation and let her be. She wished she didn't have to do what she planned on doing. Her mother shook her head, a few strands of hair falling on her shoulder.
"I am not losing another child to him." She said, almost spitting, looking at Henry. Aileen turned around to see Henry standing tall and rigid. The woman grabbed her arm and started dragging her out of the place. "Mom, no." Aileen shook away her hand harshly and decided there was no other option. "I, Aileen Cross, hereby impose Protection law on my Mother, let Henry Barham be the witness."
The words came out as she had memorized them from the library. Her chest heaving heavily, sweat beaded on her forehead. Of course, she was exhausted. The power had left her body; the protection was no longer with her. Her mother stood shocked by the door, her eyes wide open, then she screamed. "NO." and ran towards Aileen. "Take it back, take back the words. You don't know what you have done. They will kill you, they will murder you." She kept on hitting her shoulders and crying. Aileen felt weak, tears slipping down her cheeks. She knew what she had done. It was stupid of her, but it was the only way. Her mother gave up and went on her knees, bawling. Aileen didn't want to be here. She placed her hand on her shoulder, "Mom, you should leave." She said in a low whisper.
It was Henry who gently picked up her mother and walked her outside calmly. The guards started whispering about her, pointing at her as they walked away from the scene. She had just given up her protection. By imposing the protection law, she had removed herself from the family tree of the Cross. Now she was a nameless, packless, wolf. She wondered if she could survive what was about to come. She wondered if her mother would be alright after the shock she had given her.
Aileen wiped her tears and turned around, meaning to walk towards the door from which other students had left. She reached the door and found it blocked by someone. Aileen looked up and saw Roy looking back at her. There was something in his eyes she had never seen till now, and she hated it. It was a pity. She looked away, and saying nothing, walked towards a new chapter in her life.