No Wolves Found

Chapter 2

Kenna

Grey clouds rolled in from over the mountains, I sat on the roof of my house and watched for a while until I was pelted away by the rain drops. I climbed down my ladder and scurried inside to watch from the window as it came down harder. Soon there was thunder and lightning that struck far off.

“No stargazing tonight.” I sighed.

Thunder shook the walls and I jumped away from the window when a flash of lightning hit my sights. I always hated storms; the uncertainties of the next day loomed while I wondered what destructive wreckage lay in the wake of it all. Would it be uprooted trees, turned-over barns, or death?

Jogging upstairs, I wrapped my favorite comfort around me as I sat in the middle of my mattress. I turned on my projector and stared up at the ceiling that was covered with stars. The following slide was the moon itself.

Enya and I were always fascinated by the moon, we’d create stories surrounding it. Just like the werewolves who’d come out on a full moon. Even if they weren’t real, Enya thought so. But myself on the other hand believed in goddesses and magic.

We didn’t care about being labeled as crazy, and that night, that wolf. It didn’t speak but I felt that it could communicate with Enya. Maybe I wasn’t special enough or believed it back then but maybe there are other things in this world.

The next slide faded in slowly, and the moon rotated above me. I smiled and relaxed into the bed as if merging with it. Somehow, I felt tired, though I’d done nothing all day. My eyes closed slowly before I was swallowed whole by my sleep.

× × ×

Kenna stared at a lake, a bright light illuminating the surrounding area even though it was dark beyond the forest trees. She stared down at the lake as the water rippled across. Smiling she walked around the edge and stopped when the movement did.

Hearing a rustle, Kenna froze as she watched a nearby bush move. Her mind went blank as she watches a wolf emerge, a large grey wolf stared back at her. Its eyes shone with a bright red and she stepped back as it approached her.

With every step she took back, the wolf step one paw closer until it was right at her. She couldn’t do anything but stare at it, the eyes were beautiful and terrifying all at the same time. Its nose pushed into her name, sniffing her.

Subtle ease came over her and she slowly settled onto the forest floor. The wolf sat in front of her, just watching and staring. As if trying to figure her out.

Kenna smiled and reached out to the wolf, scratching behind its ear. The wolf laid its head on her lap, and she leaned back against a tree and watched the lake. The calmness of the soundless forest was relaxing.

After a while the grey wolf became restless, tossing about on the ground. Kenna watched anxiously while it stomped around on the forest floor. She watched as it disappeared into a bush soon after.

× × ×

The following morning, I decided to visit the neighboring town to do grocery shopping. I’d be a damn fool to trust anyone in the town my father practically owned. Even the neighboring towns weren’t a hundred percent safe.

Walking through the sliding doors, I noticed a dark presence behind me. If there’s one thing I can count on, it’s that I can be sure that I will always be followed when going anywhere out of town. Is it for my safety? No, it’s the absolute opposite. Every time, there are weird, freaked accidents that surround me.

“Hey, if you’re gonna follow me, at least lend me some extra cash. I’m sure my father will pay you back, I’ll be sure of it.” I said to the large brute walking six feet behind me.

He stared for a moment and turned away ignoring my request. I smiled and returned to pushing my cart as I stopped by an elderly black woman. I held her arm and looked into her eyes.

“Ma’am, do you know where I can find security? This man has been following me from the time I stepped into this market.” I told her.

She looked from me to the man in question before ramming him down with her shopping cart. I silently smiled to myself as she ushered me away from the scene and asked if I was okay. I nodded and thanked her.

Just as I was going to turn away, she gripped my arm tightly. Her sweet smile turned upside-down into a grimaced scowl.

“Are you alright?” I asked.

“You need to get away before it’s too late. You’re next.” She stated in a grave tone.

She released me and continued with her shopping. I watched her go as the sentence she left me with filled me with anxiety. I completed my grocery shopping and wandered out to the parking lot.

As I filled my backseat with my things, the screeching of tires was heard and I looked up to see smoke from the burning rubber. A crowd of screams pulled me in one direction. The same elderly woman as ran down and was dragged by a dark car.

When seeing people get killed, it becomes the weekend normal, it does something to you. Usually, I’m desensitized from it all but it’s another feeling. Did she know something that I don’t?

People gradually started to turn their backs on the scene, just like the town folks back home. They turn a blind eye to everything going on that my father does. Does it surprise me? No. But is it concerning those people that are not in our town are just as much as crazy as they are? Yes, very much so.

I fumbled with the handle of my car door when two burly men approached me, one on each side of me. Tensing up, I could see my father walking up behind me from the reflection of my car window. He looked annoyed but that’s nothing new.

“Hello, McKenna.” He smiled smugly.

“What do you want? I’m trying to get home before the rain starts.” I gritted.

“There’s no forecast for rain today but I’ll escort you home myself. It’s been a while, let’s catch up.” He suggested.

He narrowed his eyes and I turned to face him. The two men on each side stared me down as he reached for my keys, taking them from my hand. One of the two relieved me of my groceries and placed them in the backseat of my father’s car.

I went to open the back door on the opposite side, but my father placed a hand on my shoulder, stopping my actions then and there.

“Why not sit up front with me? Don’t make things harder on yourself.”

Huffing, I walked around and opened the passenger door, and slid into the seat. I put the seat belt around and leaned closer to the window. He smiled and started up the car, as we pulled out of the parking lot, he drove directly by the mutilated body of the elderly woman.

My stomach churned at the sight.

“I hear that you haven’t been taking your medication. How is that faring out? Still hallucinating?” He hummed.

I didn’t respond.

“Hearing voices?” He continued.

“I do not have schizophrenia.” I gritted.

He hummed, containing his eyes to the road. We stopped at a red light, and he looked over at me. I continued staring ahead but I could still feel his eyes on me.

“Legally, you are.” He said shortly.

“You cannot make me into what I am not. These people have no morals if they take orders from you.” I sneered.

We re-entered the town, and I could see my car following closely behind. I didn’t like that, others being inside my car. No telling what type of tracking devices or even bombs they could place inside.

Thick clouds rolled in and darkened.

“I’m just trying to help you. But it’s fine, you’re an adult.” He smirked.

I eyed him from the corners of my eyes.

Anyways, you should visit your mother often. You’re her last daughter, she misses you.” He claimed.

I scoffed, “The only thing she misses is her liquor.” I muttered.

“Would you look at that, it’s raining.” My father muttered.

We rode up the street, I stared off to the side until the car came to a screeching halt. Lifting my head, I looked over to see my ranch completely reduced to ashes. There were still some flames going strong but not a single firetruck on the scene.

“Oh no, this isn’t good. You’ll need somewhere to stay.” He said, visibly excited.

I opened my mouth, “What the f**k did you do?” I gritted.

“I’ve done nothing sweetheart. These things happen but it’s okay. You can stay with your mother and me until you find a new home.” He said, turning around in the street.

The doors immediately lock, and I grabbed ahold of the handle, yanking the door as if I could free myself. I twisted in my seat to see my car going in the opposite direction. My chest became tight as it felt like the walls of the vehicle were closing around me.

My eyes shifted from left to right while I held my chest. My heart was thumping right out of my chest. Holding on to the console, my head became light, and I slumped down further into my seat.

“That’s it, just take a quick nap. We’ll be home soon.” He said.

The revving engine filled my ears just seconds later before I lost all consciousness. I was swallowed whole by darkness; a stillness took hold of me. I almost thought that someone was calling for me.