#Chapter 65: Safe & Sound
I’m sore and weak, but most of the pain has subsided. “Thank you,” I say to Ryan, who is kneeling over me and bandaging my leg.
“It’s a pretty nasty bite,” he replies, not meeting my eyes, but it’ll heal.”
“I know you said you didn’t know anything about these rogues, but they’re hunting us, Ryan. Especially Alex’s human.”
“What do you know about her?”
“Cynthia?” I’m still a little lightheaded from the loss of blood, so my speech is a little slow. “Not really anything… she’s just normal.”
“I think the company she’s attracting says otherwise.”
Ryan leans back on his heels. “They obviously want her. Maybe Michael, too. I don’t know. I don’t know why unorganized mutts would target your pack.”
“I don’t know…” I really don’t. All I can think of right now is that I have to get back to the pack with Alex and Cynthia soon, or things will get worse.
Chalk it up to my weakened state–I know I do–because I don’t usually ask for help, but Michael needs it. I can’t let him die.
“Did Alex ask about his brother?”
Ryan shakes his head. “I really don’t know anything.”
“No–I mean did he ask you to see if you can help him?”
He looks at me, not registering.
“To treat him?” But that’s all I can manage. I really just want to close my eyes and sleep.
“He didn’t.” Ryan looks away, and I’m afraid he’s going to deny me. But when he turns back to me, I see compassion in his face. “But I will.”
I try to smile, and I think I do…right before sleep take me.
By the time we’re back inside, Rita is fast asleep on the couch, her leg wrapped with only small patches of blood soaking through.
Alex releases my hand and motions for me to sit in the chair near the couch.
“Cynthia said the werewolf that attacked them was still alive when they got away. We should go find it.”
“But how? It’s ssssooo far.”
“I’m an excellent tracker,” Alex states matter–of–factly.
Ryan, who is still kneeling by the couch, stands. I’m amazed at how broad his shoulders are. He’s fit in that works- outside–all–day kinda way. He’s even wearing a flannel. I’ll bet he’s really resourceful.
He scratches his chin through his beard. “We can try.”
Alex nods adamantly. There’s an invisible electric current surrounding him–really since he’s turned 18–but it’s more intense right now, just like it was when we first got there. And his musky scent hasn’t soured. If anything, it’s stronger when he’s more excited.
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#Chapter 65 Safe & Sound
Things I’ve learned about him that I’ll one day have to try and forget…
Ryan disappears down the hall, then comes back with a backpack.
Alex leans down and kisses me on the forehead. “Don’t leave this house,” he warns me.
I agree. Really because I have no other choice. Also, because I don’t want to risk running into another one of those things. They’re terrifying and each encounter gets more harrowing
There’s no television, and Rita is passed out, so I explore the house. It is simple but larger than the neighboring houses. When I peek into the bedrooms, I notice one has a television. Must be Ryan’s because it’s the only room with one. It’s a nice room, with dressers to match the bed. Then I notice the smell of flowers, and I wonder where they’re coming from because I don’t see any.
What I do see is a picture of Ryan with a woman and a small boy. I wonder where they are right now, and when they’ll be home.
Of course, I don’t go all the way into the room. Bedrooms are private, personal, and ‘m a stranger.
Okay, I know that snooping in all its forms is bad, but what do they expect when they practically leave me here alone?
I explore the rest of the one–story house. There are two other bedrooms that are smaller. One is furnished with a small dresser and a double bed, the other with a twin bed, dresser, and desk. There are toys in this room, too. But I don’t smell anything.
Suddenly it occurs to me, when did smell become so prominent a sense for me? It’s puzzling. Perhaps smells are stronger in the werewolf world than in the human world? That’s the only explanation I can come up with.
I find two bathrooms and a laundry room. Nothing extravagant or unexpected. The smell throughout the house is pretty uniform: pine, which must be a male wolf thing, mixed with something acidic, like citrus.
Not knowing what else to do, I go back to the living area and sit in a chair near the couch. Rita is stirring, and I hope she wakes up–because I’m bored and lonely, not because I want to talk to her, exactly.
But before Rita has the chance to wake up, my exhausted body conks out.
I wake up some time after Alex and Ryan have returned. Rita is also awake and sitting up, but no one else is there. No other female, no kid.
“What happened?” I ask, rubbing my eyes, my voice still hoarse from sleep.
Alex, sitting on the couch with Rita, answered. “You were asleep when we got back. We didn’t want to wake you.”
Seeing them together on the couch was not a sight I wanted to wake up to. I try to push away my jealousy.
“I haven’t been sssleeping well,” I explain. “It must have. Caught up.”
“Alex explained your situation to me,” Ryan says. He is looking at me as though I’m some curiosity behind glass at a side show. “I couldn’t imagine being in your shoes.”
I don’t know how to respond. My mind is still groggy from sleep and fighting to retrieve images from a dream I can’t quite recall.
But they’re all looking at me, and I want to curl myself into ball and disappear. Finally, I say, “I understand why you hide your identity from humans. I don’t know who would believe it…”
“Some superstitions are true. Though I promise we’re not the monsters people like to make us out to be.”
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#Chapter 65. Safe & Sound
“Not now, anyway,” Rita adds.
She and Alex are not exactly side by side, but they’re not on opposite ends of the couch, either. Little details I notice that bother me more than the presence of werewolves.
Ryan brings me some water, and I smile in gratitude. So far, he hasn’t been anything but helpful and hospitable, ⚫ but there’s something about him that sets my feelers on edge. I can’t quite put my finger on it…
“Did you find him?” I ask.
Alex exhales. “He was dead by the time we got there.”
Rita shifts her body so she can straighten her leg more. Her flinch suggests the wound id still sore. “That’s the second one.‘
Ryan hovers in the entryway to the kitchen. “I guess that’s one more you won’t have to worry about.” “How are we going to get back before anyone notices we’re gone?” Rita asks, looking down at her leg. “Don’t worry,” Alex says. “I already sent my parents a mind link. I mean, it’s one thing if I’m the only one gone… it may take them a while to miss me–but all four of us? I told them what happened to Rita and that we’ll be back tomorrow. By then, Rita’s leg should be significantly better. As it is now, I wouldn’t risk taking her out there.”
Rita nods her understanding, probably relieved that she’s not expected to hobble through enemy territory. I know I’m relieved: I don’t think I could face another monster right now.
“Listen,” Ryan calls from the doorway, “let me whip us up some grub and we can discuss things over some food. These girls probably haven’t eaten since this morning.”
“Food would be nice,” Rita replies. “I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
They all look at me and I nod. “Me, too.”
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