The Final Star (Book Four: The Star Series)

Chapter 4

I fade into black. Then I'm blinded by a bright light shining through trees. The meadow. I think to myself and run towards the light. I bust out of the trees and Dex is sitting in the middle of the meadow. I run up to him happy to see him. He looks up as I approach. He gives me a sad smile as I sit across from him. "I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. You never should have to deal with stuff like that." He says and shakes his head. "Are you okay?" He asks.

I smile weakly at him. "I will be." I say. "Dex, I need to get out of there. It has gone too far this time. What if next time it's worse?" I ask him. He looks at me sadly. "What if they catch you?" He asks. I shake my head. "I wont let them. I will die before I let them catch me." I say. "Where will you go?" He asks. "Home." I say. His look seems to change then. He looks confused. "You know where home is?" He asks.

I shake my head. "No. But it wont stop me from finding it. I have too." I say. "Can you tell me how to get home?" I ask. He looks at me and I can tell he's thinking. "The moon goddess won't let me interfere." He says sadly. "Well, I do remember that mom was a witch. So I'll just look for the witch territory. Or do you think it would be easier to go to a pack and try to explain to them who my parents are. My dad is wolf. So somebody may know him." I can go to Charlie. He said he would protect me. He said he would help me. Maybe he knows." I say hopefully.

"Once you get out do you really want to stay that close? What if they come after you?" He asks. "Your right. I need to find a pack farther away." I say. "Can you at least tell me which way I should go?" I ask him. "If I was you, I would head north." He says and gives me a small smile. I lean in and hug him. "Thank you Dex. You'll watch over me, right?" I ask biting my lip. All though I'm determined to leave and I'm willing to do what I have to, it would make me feel better knowing somebody was watching me from above. "Always." He says. I get up and head back to the tree line. It's time for me to get back and get going.

When I wake it is pitch black. I blink my eyes quickly until I can see clear. I have excellent night vision. I suppose that is another wolf trait. I sit up and look towards the mirror hanging o the wall. My eye isn't swollen anymore but I have blood stains all over my shirt and face. My hair is a tangled mess. But I don't care. I stand up and grab my back pack. I dump all my school supplies on my mat. I grab my one nice top, a pair of sweats and a few of my old shirts and stuff them in the bag. I grab the notebook I've been drawing in and a fresh one as well as some pens.

I go to my wall and slowly remove the socket that is loose. I pull out a small velvet bag that I had stashed. I contains every cent I have been able to collect in the past four years. Change that was in my uncles pockets when I would do laundry. The change from the stores when I would return and they were too drunk to ask for the change. In four years I have been able to collect close to six hundred dollars. I know it's not much but it is going to have to do.

I flip open my notebook and hidden in the middle I have a check list. I read it over and start to check items off. Number one, Clothes. Check. Number two, collect as much money as possible. Check. Number three, tell Dex. Check. Number four, get out. Number five, find mom. I nod my head determined. It's time.

I grab my bag and sling it over my shoulder. I slowly walk up the stairs.I go slow to make sure none of the stairs creak. Once I reach the top I press m ear to the door to listen. I have excellent hearing. I can hear snoring farther off and know that Jason and Josh are upstairs sleeping. I hear heavy breathing closer and I know Jared must have passed out on the couch.

I slowly open the door and stop suddenly when it creeks. I hold my breath as I listen. Jared stops breathing heavy and I'm scared that he may have woken. I listen closely and my heart starts to beat faster. Then I hear him roll over and slowly start to snore.

I open the door the rest of the way and take a step into the hall way. I hold my breath as I slowly walk towards the back door. I place my hand on the knob and turn it until I hear the click of the latch leaving the door frame. I stop and listen intently. It sounds like they are still sleeping so I quickly fling the door open and race as fast as I can out the door and down the stairs of the back porch.

I run as fast as I can into the woods behind the little shed in the back yard. I keep running even when I hear the slurring yell of Jared from far behind me. "Who the hell left the back door open?" I keep running. I have to get as far away as possible before he realizes that it was me. So I keep going.

I've been running full pace for over forty five minutes. I don't know where I am or if I'm being followed. But I need to stop and catch my breath. I lean against a tree and take a few deep breaths. I lean over my hands on my knees regaining my strength. I have to keep going.

My eyes are closed and I'm breathing heavy when suddenly I hear a low deep growl coming from he bushes in front of me.