No Wolves Found

Chapter 1

Kenna

While the night grew darker, the moon shined brighter. For some reason, I’m always drawn out of my home on nights like these. Looking up at the bright pearl in the sky brought great peace to me.

Well, peace and restlessness.

The longer I stare up at it, the more dazed I become. A certain haze fills my mind and I feel as if I’m having an out-of-body experience if that makes any kind of sense.

A howl echoed around me; I couldn’t move as I watch my surroundings fade away. The next thing I know that I’m in a misty forest in a clearing surrounded by tall pine trees.

The next howl is louder, closer than the one before and I look around in all directions. Still, I am alone. The anxiety of being in an unfamiliar place takes over me and I’m fighting against the feeling that’s trying to take hold.

The howls merged into one, making it stronger as vibrations were sent throughout my body and I gasped for air. I’m thrust back into my backyard, on my trampoline. My head swiveled side to side as I panted.

That was certainly one hell of a daydream if I can call it that.

“That’s enough moonlight for me.” I chuckled to myself.

Climbing off the trampoline, my feet touched the dewy grass and I walked across the yard onto my patio. A shiver shuttered down my spine and I rubbed my arms. There was a feeling that I just couldn’t shake.

The thought of going to bed early passed through my mind and I stood up to slip on my slides. I closed the patio door and locked it, pulling the curtains before I headed upstairs.

Once my head hit my pillow, my eyes were heavy all of a sudden. I didn’t realize how tired I’d be. Usually, it takes a minute before I’m dreaming.

× × ×

As the sun was beginning to set, I was staring at the bleak, grey walls of my therapist’s office, merged with the black window panes. I stared at the clock watching the little hand ticked on by. There were still five minutes left and I was praying for any type of interruption.

“So, how have your nightmares been lately?”

I roll my eyes and lean back into the dark, tweed couch. It wasn’t the most comfortable couch but it was all that was in the room. That and a large desk that was behind my therapist.

In the end, he took my silence for what it was. He soon sighed and leaned forward, perching his elbows onto his knees. We stared at one another for a minute, I glanced up at the clock, and only just a minute had passed.

“Okay, then. Is there anything you’d like to talk about freely?” He inquired.

“You do know that I am a whole ass adult? My father can’t just force me to come here.” I spat.

It’s been ten years.

Ten years since I lost my sister, my twin, and my other half.

“Yes, I am aware of your age. Please, don’t use vulgar language.” He sighed.

“Then please explain to me why you’re taking money under the table to force me to continue these sessions?” I scoffed, propping one leg over the other.

“Because your family is worried about you? You haven’t opened up about the death of your sister. You refuse to talk to anyone and most of our sessions are you raging on and on about mystical creatures.” He shook his head with pity.

“And you wonder why? Well, I’m gonna let you in on a little secret about your so-called Mayor. He ain’t s**t and he’s a drug addict. His wife ain’t s**t but a drunk and they’re the reason why my sister is dead. You want to know what else? I’m next, that’s why I try to keep as far away as possible from them.” I informed him.

There was a tick of silence between us and with a heavy sigh, he asked. “Have you been taking your medication as prescribed?”

I nodded, without skipping a beat. “Of course I have.”

“You’re lying, you had a refill last month.” He claimed.

It was true.

Do I look like a damn fool to take anything from anyone that’s paid by my father’s crooked ass? No.

“Oh, will you look at that? Our times up and I don’t have to say another word.” I smiled, standing from the couch.

Leaving the building, I checked my surroundings and checked my car before getting inside. Call me paranoid but I didn’t trust my parents as far as I can throw them. Parents like them, they deserve to rot.

On the way home, the sun began to set and hide behind the large mountains. The sunset was my second favorite thing because as it comes and goes, my favorite thing comes up next. The moon.

By the time I reached my little ranch, I sat out for a while watching as stars emerged from the dark sky. Making my way to the backyard, I toed off my shoes and climbed onto the trampoline. The moon wasn’t out just yet, but it will be soon and it was the first thing I wanted to see when I opened my eyes.

I stuffed my purse behind my head and stared up at the moonless sky. The stars twinkled brightly as smaller ones just shone beside them. I closed my eyes and seemingly ease into sleep.

“Kenna, come on. I swear that I’m not crazy.” Enya laughed, tugging her sister along the rocky trail.

Kenna stumbled over her own feet a couple of times, “I don’t know, a talking wolf sounds pretty damn crazy to me.” She snickered.

Enya brought her to the end of the trail, stepping over the bush there was a lake. A lake that had a light shone down on it even if it was the dead of night. Kenna clung to her sister as they edge closer to the lake.

The rattling of the bushes and leaves had Kenna on edge, the closer they got to the lake, she looked up to see the moon. A coolness washed over her and her racing heart was at peace. Enya laughed as she pulled away and walked around the edge of the lake.

Hearing a branch snap, Kenna turned around to see a large black wolf.

“Don’t worry, she’s harmless,” Enya assured her.

“She?”

“Mhmm, she goes by Phoenix,” Enya claimed.

Enya walked up to the beast and petted her gently, Kenna stood behind her sister and scratched behind the wolf’s ear. Oddly enough she felt safe around the wild animal.

In the distance, a shotgun sounded off. Kenna tensed. She looked over her shoulder before looking back at her twin.

“We need to get back.” She urged her.

“It’s just daddy doing a lil’ hunting.” She shrugged.

Another round of shots echoed and the wolf backed away. Enya sighed sadly and hugged her one last time. She pulled away and shooed her back through the bushes.

“Come on, let’s go this way.” Enya pulled Kenna in another direction.

They ran over fallen branches and through bushes, Enya kept a tight grip on her sister’s wrist as they ran. Soon there was another pair of feet behind them. Kenna didn’t dare turn around, as gunshots ringed out, she and Enya moved faster.

Soon they found themselves surrounded by trees and darkness, it seemed that they were further than where they started. Enya leaned against a tree and Kenna turned to her. Blood was pouring out from a wound on her abdomen.

I opened my eyes to the chiffon rock in the sky, tears streamed down my face as I recalled the nightmare. It was often that I relive that moment, even often after a session with an evil therapist. I could never forget that night.

A calmness covered me while I lay there.

“I hope you’re looking over me, Enya.” I sighed, “Cause I sure do need ya.”