After giving Sheila the blood Max collected of Creed from the place in the woods, she performed a locator spell and we found out that the bastard lived in New York.
Questions were swarming in my head but no one to answer them.
It was almost midnight when I left Sheila's. The thing I liked about this city was that it was always awake. People celebrating every night. So even at late hours it made you feel safe walking alone in the streets, because for one thing, you weren't completely alone.
I pushed through the doors of the familiar bar, the sweet sound of the wind chime barely audible over the loud music being played by the local band. I found Max sitting on his 'stool' which he had scraped his name on. Reaching over to him I placed my hand on his shoulder giving it a gentle squeeze.
"What are you doing here?" As he was about to answer, I interjected, "I really don't care, just wanted to tell you, I am going to bed and if you wish, you can crash at my place." I patted his back and turned to leave.
"Wait" He rushed out. I stopped in my tracks waiting for him to continue. "Have a drink." He offered pulling the stool beside his.
I accepted the seat, sitting with my arms crossed over the counter. "A drink?" I arched an eyebrow.
He let out a humorless laugh. "I am hurting here. I am not sober, you shouldn't be either. Let's be miserable together." He said with a wobbly smile.
"You are drunk." I stated the obvious. I leaned over the counter and grabbed a bottle kept in the cabinet underneath. "Come on." I said showing him the bottle and gesturing towards the door with my head.
The cold wind pierced my skin as I stood outside the bar. I took a sip from the bottle as I decided to go home.
I had this feeling that I didn't know everything. The pack members didn't even look into the matter as to why Creed killed my brother and Max's mother. What did he gain? If he wanted the pack, why did he leave? And why didn't anybody knew of him?
I started the walk to my house on the corner of the street, it wasn't anything grand but it was enough for our small family. Which well, didn't exist anymore.
I glanced back at Max walking sluggishly in his drunken state. Hastily, I unlocked the doors of the Carter residence.
"You liar" Max slurred in accusation with his eyes half open. He still desired the contents of the bottle clutched in my hand.
Why are you friends with him again? Questioned Amara.
I chose to ignore her and dragged him inside. He collapsed on the couch as soon as we entered. I draped a blanket over his body and went to change in some sweatpants. After stashing the bottle in a kitchen cabinet for crisis, I, for some reason went into my parent's bedroom. It was like the room was calling for me, since they died I didn't dare enter it once. It was locked shut by Jack for the sake of our mental health.
The door squeaked as I pushed it open. I stood at the threshold and looked at the outline of the objects in the darkness. The only light from the moon entered the room from the window beside the bed. I passed the untouched bed strutting to the shelf containing all of my dad's journals.
My father was a very nostalgic man. He liked to have record of everything. I am sure I would have even found mom and his love story if I tried. But that I just didn't want to know.
My hand moved in front of the rusty journals, not even sure what I was trying to find. Nothing peeked my interest enough to continue reading. I took out another journal, it was dated 2004. I read what my father did and felt after his actions when I was merely one year old. This one was no different than the others, it contained the ups and downs of my father's life which included, his family, how he felt upon seeing our faces after a tough day at work, work life etc. But that was the good part.
He was the alpha of our pack and sometimes he had to take extreme measures in order to prevent the extinction of our kind. Alfred Carter was a man to be feared. The things he did although made me sad, I understood why he had to do them. They were necessary. And if I were in his shoes I would've done the same. My father was the villain in stories of many but I am not ashamed to admit that I take after him and would do the same to protect my own.
I continued reading till I reached a page which had the account of another bloodshed initiated by my father.
'I came home through the back door today so as to avoid an encounter with Ella and the kids. I watched the sink turning crimson from the dried blood that was washed from my hands under the cold water from the squeaky tap. I have to get the tap fixed too. I am scared how I don't feel an ounce of guilt for the misery I have caused.
Today there was an attack at the border from the Alma Oscura Pack. The most powerful pack out there, so powerful that they have become blind. Their Alpha, Lucas Creed is at it again, with trying to destroy our pack.
The attack was initiated by both the Alpha and Luna of the pack. I think it was meant to be, maybe it was the cruel game of fate that I killed my most powerful enemy and rid the world of him. Yet I felt no relief. All I am left with, is a question for myself, did I become a monster my self while trying to kill another?'
Lucas Creed, my finger hovered over the name. A piece to the puzzle that Edan Creed was. I shut the rusty journal in my hand ignoring the urge to continue reading clawing at my insides.
I reminisced about the times spent with my dear father. Deciding to pen down my thoughts before leaving this house he built for us tomorrow to fly to New York.
Dear Dad,
Forgive me for not spending enough time with you
when you were around,
You never forced society's stereotypes on me,
Thank you for never making me feel bound
I remember,
You tried to help me with Math one day
I remember being overjoyed
Because now I had something to talk to you about
Excited and overconfident I answered wrong
You stood up and left
My hopes shattered and face fell down
"He is the Alpha
He doesn't talk much
He doesn't have time"
Is what I heard people growing up
Among all this
Somewhere I, forgot that I was your daughter
The efforts lessened from my side
Or maybe you became busier
But something changed
I accepted that you and I were never going to get along
My own father started looking unapproachable to me
It was like you and I didn't belong
Now that I have learned that what people say is bull
Its too late
But I know,
Maybe not now
Someday we'll meet again,
Till that time,
Reserve a place for me in heaven
After the flight to Big Apple which lasted forever, I was eager to get out and put my feet on the land. My happiness of getting off the metallic bird after hours of being crumpled in the seat was short-lived though.
Upon exiting the airport, Max rushed out to fetch a cab. Sheila and I walked out leisurely with our minimal luggage. The unfamiliar roads were filled with traffic. No one was concerned about the other's business.
I carelessly tried to cross the road and that's where it went downhill.
There was a high pitched ringing in my ears as I felt thousands of bees buzzing above my head. A sharp pain accompanied by the constant throbbing on my head. I tried moving but in vain, dark spots clouded my vision before I succumbed to tenebrous oblivion.