The Wolves: Part One: Lost

Chapter 1

I was in a dark forest, probably the town woods, walking slowly feeling the moisture on my skin, the smell of pine that filled the air, making it feel as if I were there right now. The weather was similar to the day of the accident; there was a lingering humidity in the air that was mixed with the cool breeze. The combination brewing the perfect storm, as the air then brought forth the smell of rain with its dark clouds. This time I was not ten, but at my current age in my current body, the area was familiar, the mossy ground, the tall trees filling the air with the smell of pine but also of burnt wood. Continuing my trance-like walk through the wooded area, a permeating silence made its way into my mind, making me more aware of every smell and sound. I was barefoot, wearing a white sleeping gown, my long dark brown hair swaying with the wind. Now standing at the entrance of the clearing that met with the lake where the accident occurred, my body moved on its own like I was searching for someone or something, almost like muscle memory. All of a sudden, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and I knew someone was watching me, that he was here. When I turned around, he was there again, the same man that had been appearing in my dreams every night since I turned 17 a month ago. I felt an attraction to him but also deep fear with every step. I was wary of his actions and movements. Every night the dream started the same way, but today I could see his face more than ever before, and it was gorgeous, almost not human, breathtaking. I continued to get closer, feeling my heartbeat in my ears, with each step trying to make his face clearer, trying to make out every single detail of his face, while getting closer to him. I could feel that sensation like I knew who he was, but it was out of reach in the back of my mind, sealed away.

“ Hello... Hello….” I said, trying to sound confident although barely any sound was actually escaping my body as it began to tremble with each step he took towards me. I felt the hard cold ground below my feet making me shudder. I gripped my dress as I stood still waiting for him to come closer to me. The ground was cold and wet, the air was cool like it was just about to rain. He looked at me up and down. His gaze was different from usual, darker.

I felt my breath quicken as he stood in front of me. I could muster the strength to take a step towards the man, walking towards him feeling a sense of remembrance, and there he was the most beautiful person I had ever seen, a tall, lean, well-built man. He hovered, and I looked up, taking in every detail that I could. His face was sharp and detailed, his shoulders broad, even through his shirt I could tell he was toned. He had olive skin and dark green eyes with hints of golden specks in them, his lips were pink and his breath shallow as he looked at me with a look in his eyes almost lost and empty, but smiling as he continued to stare at my face. His gaze took my breath away. He leaned in as if he was going to kiss me, so I shut my eyes in anticipation while tightly gripping the sides of my gown, holding my breath waiting for the soft lips on mine, his body pressed into mine and I could feel his body against mine. It was warm and familiar. His arms wrapped around my body and I held onto him to feel his warmth closer. We were in an embrace as I felt his breath against my face, his nose against mine, suddenly his lips grazed against mine, and my body felt like it had been struck by something electric, like it was on fire. My entire body longed for his lips against mine. I wanted him to kiss me, but after a moment had passed there was nothing happening. So I slowly opened my eyes again and saw that he was covered with blood and injuries now, and I felt not only fear but worry over this stranger. I gasped when he moved back, his face riddled with fear and concern. I tried to move closer, but his face kept me still. Looking at myself, I realized I was also covered in blood, but I wasn't hurt.

"Are you ok?"

Panic-filled words escaped my mouth as I continued to try and help the obviously injured man, but he stopped me. Instead, he just cupped my face with his hands as the blood continued to escape his wound. His thumb gently grazing my lips and face, as I shut my eyes.

"Who are you? How can I help? Please answer me and let me help you?" my voice trembled as I opened my eyes to see, and I could see him smile, but I could see his look change.

His smile diminished and he looked sad now.

“Who are you?”

"What happened to you?"

He moved his hands trying to trace the features on my face as I shuddered from his cold touch. Making me miss his warmth. He leaned in close and breathed again into my ear near the nape of my neck as I let a moan escape, feeling the goosebumps on my skin. All I could find was confused, why was he suddenly getting closer, was he not injured anymore?

"I am sorry Lena. I guess you don't remember me yet."

I breathed in,

"Lena?"

I felt his grip tighten around me as I tried to push him away. He finally let go and looked at me as he held my hand.

"I am so sorry, I had to kill him."

"Please say you will forgive me."

"I… I don't know what you are talking about. Who did you kill? My voice trembled as his hand gripped mine tight".

"I know you will hate me, but I had to kill him. He was keeping us away. Please forgive me."

"Lea.. Lea" The familiar voice was calling out to me. As I turned my head, there he was on the edge of the lake, his body still laying on the ground.

"Dad!!" I screamed as I tried to make my way to help. The man suddenly wrapped his arms around me, lifting me off the ground, keeping me in place.

"What are you doing?!!. Let me go, I have to help my dad!" I screamed as I continued to fight and struggle to help him.

He was silent but he would not let go. As I struggled to free myself, suddenly there was a growl that filled the air. I stopped momentarily as I saw the beast that had appeared. It was completely black, his eyes glowing red, and it was massive, like a wolf but double the size. He saw my father, and he started to walk towards him. Then I started to struggle harder than before as I screamed for someone to help, for my father to move.

"Dad!!!"

"Let me go!!" I screamed at the man as he held me like a child, never once flinching at my frantic state.

"No."

Then it attacked my father as I screamed and felt the man covering my eyes. Everything went dark and the air now smelled of blood and rain. My body was shaking as the silence filled the air, knowing what had happened. Suddenly, my eyes were uncovered, and I was let go. When I looked at the man, his head was down and his eyes closed.

"NO!!"

I slowly walked over to his body, and it was the same as I remembered that day, covered in blood and lifeless. Tears were burning in my eyes as I saw my father. All of a sudden, I felt a grip on my arm as I gasped. It was father, his eyes filled with horror and fear as he looked at me.

"LEA RUN!!"

Before I could react, the man was coming towards me. His once handsome face was now animal-like, his green eyes glowing. He looked like a wolf. As I screamed in horror, I tried to run, but he was already on me as he held me. I screamed.

"LEA!!" my father screamed.

I tried to move but couldn't. I was stuck in his grip. Then I felt a sharp, almost searing, unbearable pain, as his teeth sunk into my neck. All I could do was scream as I withered in pain. My body on th ground felt like it was on fire, as I felt the blood leave my body. He gently held me now as I looked at him in a daze, tears filled his eyes as he stroked my hair.

"I'm so sorry. I love you, the pain will be over soon."

Lea

I couldn't move anymore, but with the last bit of strength, I looked over at my dad one last time.

"Dad....dad..."

Leeaa.....Leaa honey wake up...Lea stop

LEA!!!...WAKE UP!!..

I shot up from my sweat-soaked sheets, gasping for air as I gripped my sheets. Looking around, still half asleep, I saw my sister and mom looking at me with concern.

"Lea honey are you ok?" my mom said as she looked at me trying to check if I was really ok.

I rubbed my head feeling like I had just been doused with ice-cold water, not really being able to piece up everything that happened in my dreams. As I looked up, I smiled sheepishly to ease their worried expression.

"Yes mom, I just had a nightmare, a bad one, but I am totally fine now, it must just be that time of year."

Feeling better, she hugged me, understanding the cause of my nightmare. I hugged her again, feeling guilty for making her worry, especially today.

"Well, if you are sure you are fine, then hurry and get ready. It is the first day of school and you don't want to be late."

"Oh yeah."

It was the first day of my senior year, it seemed like such a small thing now.

"Told you mom she had forgotten. Well, gloomy, if you don't hurry I am going to eat all the food." My sister Sage yelled as she raced downstairs.

"You better not, Sage, and I didn't forget!!"

I had.

I sat still in my bed rubbing my eyes trying to gather my thoughts, but they were all jumbled now, no use trying to remember that kind of dream first thing in the morning. My sheets were a mess as I gathered them and threw them in the laundry bin. I lazily got out of bed and began to stretch while yawning because I felt like I had slept nothing at all. Taking my tank and shorts off, I turned on the shower, feeling the warm water run down my body. I felt a bit less tense as I washed my body. Stepping out of the shower, I shivered as I reached out for my towel. As I dried my body, I stopped to look at myself. I knew I wasn't unattractive, I was pretty, but I couldn't help but think I was small in comparison to others around me. In a town where I had been raised, I felt different and out of place. My skin was pale, my body was petite, but it had subtle curves. Everything was average, nothing outstanding. My eyes were hazel with specks of gray and my lashes were dark and long. I had always found them strange, since everyone in my family all had blue eyes. My lips and cheeks always had a slight pink hue, which my sister says is the only feature I had to make me seem human. My hair is probably one of my better features. It was long almost to my hips, and it was dark brown, almost black, straight with a slight wave. I always thought of myself as odd, never quite fitting in with anybody in my town, especially in my family. My sister looked like a perfect combination of my mom and dad. My sister, like my mother, had curly wild bright blonde hair and golden sun-kissed skin, like they were always warm and inviting. Her eyes a bright blue like my father's, and she was growing to be tall and athletic just like him. Whenever I saw the few pictures of our family all together, I felt a pull in my heart. I wasn't the only one who felt like an outsider. Everyone in town believed it too. I smiled as I thought of my dad and tried to put all those thoughts away. Looking at the clock, I picked up some clothes and got dressed as fast as I could, so I wouldn't be late. I found a pair of old jeans and a black top. I paired that with your standard basic black converse and a beige oversize sweater, in case it got cold inside. I let my hair down, so it would air dry, and headed downstairs. I didn't feel like trying to look good today of all days, even though it was the first day of school. Maybe I will try tomorrow.

When I reached the kitchen, I grabbed the last pop tart as I snickered at the stumped Sage.

" Wow sis, what's the special occasion?" I smiled at her sarcastic comment, knowing she was talking about my outfit choice.

" What? Don't you like my look? I put a lot into this ensemble." I started modeling as my mom started pulling out her camera to take pictures of us. Sage shrieked as she had not tamed her wild curls, but I held down and continued to pose for pictures.

She started giggling, while she fixed her hair, as did my mom, and I was glad I was able to make them smile. Still feeling guilty from this morning.

I looked over at the clock and saw the time.

"Oh crap mom I am running late. Where are the keys to the car?"

"Lea sweetie, I thought you were catching a ride with Ally. I have your car at the shop for an oil change. I only have the jeep today and I have to go into town before I drop off Sage. I can always give you a ride if you want."

"No, it's ok you guys take the car. I am going to make a run for it. Hopefully, I can catch Ally on my way there."

I grabbed my backpack and headed towards the door. As I looked outside, I decided to grab the umbrella we kept by the door.

"Is it supposed to rain?" My mother asked, looking at the sunny sky.

"Just in case." I smiled and waved bye to the both of them.

" Don't fall!!" Sage shouted as I closed the door.

I placed my ear buds in, and I made my way to school. It was only a thirty-minute walk and I decided against running until the last moment, since I was not the most athletic. Walking, I felt the summer breeze dry my long hair as I listened to Noah and the Whale. Making my way through the town, I felt the same nostalgic isolation mixed with my deep desire to escape. I knew it was strange to feel like this about the place where I was born and raised, but I guess it was something that came with small towns. As I walked past the cemetery, I stopped and looked over, not wanting to go in and be stuck feeling down all day, I stood outside by the gates and thought about him and the accident that took my dad away seven years ago.