#Chapter 49: Going Into Hiding
+25 Bonus
When it feels like I can’t hold on any longer, the tree line breaks revealing a valley nestled between two mountains. Beyond them, on top of a hill obscured by their view, arises
smoke.
We must be close.
When we clear the valley, a world beyond my wildest imagination opens up before me.
Upon first glance, it looks like any rural town in deep Appalachia.
Only werewolves live here, not people. Crazy.
There are a lot of people outside mingling in the open, and at first, I can’t tell if that’s normal or if it’s because we’re approaching.
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Alex slows down as we approach the entrance and stops, allowing me to dismount. I slide off his back and gaze around at my new surroundings. How has this place never been discovered by humans?
When I turn back to find Rita, she has already shifted and is walking up, fully dressed. I
have to ask how they do that…
I feel Alex take my hand and pull me forward. I feel awkward because the people … or wolves … around us are staring, and I know it is because of me.
An older couple approaches. They’re…how to put it? Stately? I can tell they are important.
The man’s face is stern, but there is such peace and love of the woman’s face that I immediately feel comforted.
Until Alex lets go of my hand, and I realize her gaze remains focused on me.
“Alex,” the man growls. “We have talked about this.”
“Father,” Alex replies respectfully as he approaches them. “I know you think I need to
separate myself from the situation, but we need to know more about the attacks and how they’re related.”
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#Chapter 49: Going Into Hiding
“We can deal with those on our own,” his father says, his tone deepening, for effect.
“Except we’ve seen them,” Alex says nodding his head back toward Rita and 1, “and no one here has.”
“My dear,” Alex’s mother purrs, interrupting the standoff between father and son.
Her eyes are warm as she approaches me. “What is your friend’s name?” Even though the question is directed toward Alex, she is still looking straight at me.
Through me.
A bead of sweat starts forming on my forehead. I’ve been getting a lot of attention at schooll lately, but not like this–and while she’s the opposite of scary, there is something intense in her eyes.
“Mother, this is Cynthia,” I hear Alex say, though I don’t dare break eye contact with…
Wait…his mother?
“It’s…n–nice…to meet you…Mrsss….”
I realize I don’t know her name. I can feel the blood rush to my face.
“Just call me Tala. After all, you are a friend of my son’s,” she says, saving me further embarrassment.
“Thatsss…a beautiful name.”
My face still feels hot, and my stutter is only making my anxiety worse, which in turn makes my stutter worse.
Wolves smell fear, right?
Only her face is still soft, still smiling “Thank you. It derives from a Souix word for the stalking wolf.”
“Ssso your N–native…American?”
#Chapter 49. Going Into Hiding
+25 Bonus
She nods. “Precisely.” She again speaks to Alex while looking at me. “My pack is native to this land. Alex, you didn’t tell me your human is so enlightened.”
“She is…very intelligent, Mother.”
His voice sounds so far away, and her eyes are so close, so deep …
When Tala finally turns away, breaking our eye contact, I break out of her trance and look
around.
Alex is right behind me. He instinctively places his hand on the small of my back.
“I need to see Michael,” Alex says. “Has there been any change?” 3
“I’m afraid not, my son.”
Alex stalks past me, grabbing my hand.
I can barely keep up with him as he walks. Like, when he runs, his pace is so fast and he is so much taller than me, my little legs have a difficult time keeping up.
“Alex,” I call out.
He looks back at me, his eyes flooded with pain.
“I–I’m sssorrry…but I c–can’t keep up.”
He is careful to keep pace with me the rest of the way.
I can tell he is in pain, but I don’t know what to do for him. To be honest, I’m feeling a little
uncomfortable here. Out of place.
Not that anyone has done anything to make me feel that way, but I’m sure I’m the only
human.
Not to mention I apparently have a supernatural target on my back.
We reach a small, modest house painted dark grey on the outside, with sections of wood that match the door. It’s simple. Nice. With a tidy yard.
$5.4/5
Chapter 49 Going Into Hiding
+25 Bonus
I follow Alex inside. Rita is already there, by the bed on which Alex’s mangled brother lies.
I’m shocked by his appearance. He looks terrible…covered with patches of caked, dried
blood, with three claw rips across his cheek.
Now I understand why Alex is so torn up. I also realize the gravity of my situation. If that
had been me, I would be dead.
Only, this doesn’t make sense to me. Why would werewolves want me dead? I’m a nobody,
a human that even most other humans don’t care about.
Rita steps aside to make room for Alex. He walks up to Michael and kneels down, grabbing
his hand.
Meanwhile, Rita takes a seat in the corner of the room–and I realize that I’m the third
wheel here.
I rock on my heels, inching my way backward when I hear the door open again.
Alex’s parents walk in, stopping my retreat.
At least his mother is no longer watching me. For now.
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