Silent Crackle
1226 Words
Alina's POV
I was woken up by Samia's nudge. Since meeting Alfa, this was the only time I'd actually been able to get some rest. My mind is racing and my body seems to be at its limit. Through the car's rearview mirror, I can see the deep circles under my eyes and my reddened eyes. I'm a wreck, almost vegetating.
- Aren't you coming? - says Sâmia.
I just nod, trying to get out of the car seat. I'm really exhausted.
- Are you hungry? - Sâmia asks.
- No, I'm not. - I answer straight away.
- You need to eat a bit, you look pale. Have you lost weight?
I don't know. I honestly can't remember the last time I ate. But in the state I'm in, I won't be able to eat anything. - I blurt out, feeling my eyes water.
She walks over to me and hugs me.
- Come on, Lina.
- Hold on. - I say suddenly. - What about the body?
My moon goddess... it's a lot to process.
- Here's what we're going to do - Samia runs her hands over her head, thoughtfully. - I'm sure that somewhere in the warehouse there must be some metal garbage cans.
- So... we're going to put the body in a garbage can? - I ask, my eyes widening.
- No!” She shakes her head. - We're going to burn it. If we bury it, someone might find out at some point. The best way is to set it on fire. Let's take advantage of the fact that we're all alone, because my brother will probably want to send someone to check on us.
- Then we have to be quick. - Samia pulls me by the arm.
- Hold on! But if we set fire to this place, they'll notice. They'll smell it.
- So let's improvise. Do you like barbecue? - She smiles sideways.
I just stare at her, not understanding.
- Are you suggesting we eat it? - Bile automatically rises in my throat.
- No, Alina! You really don't have a mind here. I just realized. - She sighs. - We're going to burn the body on the barbecue and roast meat at the same time.
- Wouldn't it be better to put the body in the trash can, pour some lime on it and leave it there? - I suggest, still uncertain.
- Are you crazy? I can't leave a body on my family's property! They're werewolves! There's no lime in the world that will mask the smell of a corpse. The smell of blood.
- What if we threw some lime on it as it burned? It might help to disguise it... - I add, hesitantly.
- That could work. - Samia claps her hands. - Come on, help me. I think there's a bag of cement around here.
My stomach churns as we rummage through the warehouse in search of the lime. Every move makes me want to vomit. And the flashes from last night keep coming back. Fragmented. Connecting and falling apart before I can fully understand.
I remember a boy. Handsome, tall, brown-eyed, blond. Then I remember the two of us running. Then the taste of blood in my mouth. His screams. And then the blackout.
I woke up to the rain. For the first time, I thanked the Georgian rain. It had refreshed me. I dragged myself home and started cleaning everything on automatic. I scrubbed so hard that I hurt my fingers.
- Hey! - Sâmia's voice breaks me out of my trance.
Blinking, I look at her in confusion.
- Aren't you going to help me push?
- Push what?
- The body on the grill! Hello? Terra calling Lina!
- Ah... Of course. - I approach and help push the remains into the grill.
Carefully, we place the body at the bottom of the grill and throw the gloves in with it. Then we burn the bags. We burned everything. And now we're here, roasting meat on top of a dead man.
I think I've reached my limit. The world around me goes dark.
- Lina! Lina, wake up!
Samia's voice pulls me back. With an effort, I force my eyes open.
- For God's sake! You were out for about thirty minutes. I didn't know what else to do! You need to eat something. This is surreal. - She says, worried.
- I'm sorry... - I mumble, weakly.
- Lina, you don't have to apologize. But you need to take care of yourself.
My throat goes dry. The thought escapes me before I can control it.
- I think I've killed someone else... - I whisper.
- You must be confused. You must be confused. Just relax. - She tries to calm me down.
Sâmia approaches me and removes a bandage from my head.
- You've hit your head... let me see if it's still bleeding.
She pauses for a second, frowning.
- Wow... I didn't know you had this healing ability.
- What was that?
- Your wound... It's gone. Your skin is smooth.
- I really don't know... - I whisper, lost.
- Come on. - She pulls me gently. - I'll put you to bed and make you a sandwich and a glass of juice. We'll make ourselves comfortable at least until tomorrow. I've told my brother that we don't need anyone disturbing us.
She leaves the room.
I get up and go to the bathroom. I need a hot shower.
I lean against the sink and look at myself in the mirror. I only believe I hurt myself because Samia told me. There are still dried traces of blood. I look miserable. I barely recognize myself.
“You should stop being so dramatic. Self-pity doesn't suit you.”
I jump, startled.
- Who's there?
Silence.
“You.”
My breathing falters.
- Sâmia?
“No... I'm inside you. In your consciousness. To be more specific.”
- What do you mean?
“I'm your she-wolf.”
My stomach contracts.
- My she-wolf? But I'm a hybrid. We don't have that. I would definitely know.
“Don't be naive. You also have your wolf part. Wake up.”
My mind spins. I try to process it.
- So... I have a wolf?
“No. You have a wolf, my dear.”
I swallow.
- What's her name?
“Alid.”
She pauses and then adds:
“Listen, this is our secret, should you wish to keep it that way. I will help you on this journey, we can do amazing things together, your wolf side is very strong.”
Something bothers me about this information.
- Wolf side?
“Yes”
She nods.
- And the other side? Do you know what it is? Tell me.
I say in an almost desperate tone.
“Let's find out”
She says.
“It's okay, you can trust me. I'm here for whatever you need.”
Her tone is gentle, almost comforting.
“You're not alone. We are one. Don't be afraid to share with me.”
But something inside me won't let me trust her completely.
If she's my wolf... why do I feel like I'm being watched by a shadow lurking in the darkness?
What about this weight I feel inside?
- Writer
