The Wolf's Grave

After being given a new assignment by her personal professor, Fleur dedicates all her attention and energy to her project. She spends countless hours locked away in her room, fully engrossed in her work. Finally, feeling the need to stay hydrated, she reluctantly takes a break and ventures downstairs to fetch herself a refreshing glass of water. As she enters the living room, she is not surprised to find it empty, as this has become a daily routine for her. However, her tranquility is abruptly shattered when the dormant telephone in the living room suddenly springs to life, emitting a jarring ring that echoes through the stillness of the house. This unexpected occurrence shocks Fleur to her core, as the telephone is typically reserved solely for emergency purposes. Overwhelmed by curiosity and a sense of urgency, she wastes no time in swiftly moving towards the telephone, determined to answer it promptly. "Hello…? This is the Beaulieu residence, how may I help you?” "Luvy... this is uncle, honey..." Upon hearing her uncle's distressed voice, she felt a twinge of anxiety creeping up inside her. Her intuition told her that something awful must have occurred, and she could sense it deep down in her core. "Uncle..?" "I-it's m-mom..—" he broke down and started crying continuously before finishing his sentence. "Grandma? what happened to grandma!? oh please! uncle answer me! please!" After a considerable amount of time had passed, her uncle finally regained his composure and proceeded to recount what had transpired with meticulous specificity. “Mom and I were at a restaurant, ordering some food before heading back home. However, to our shock, she suddenly experienced a heart attack. I immediately rushed her to the hospital, where she is currently in the ICU... The doctors are still running tests, and I am here anxiously waiting for the results..." Her entire being is overcome with a numbing sensation in response to the unexpected turn of events. As each passing moment elapses, her pulse quickens, leaving her in a state of utmost anxiety. "I'm going to the hospital. No, wait, which hospital is it?" "XQ hospital, call our driver and be careful " he said, then he hung up on the telephone It took Fleur 15 minutes to reach her driver, and during each of those minutes, she had a small realization. She recognized how incompetent she was at handling things on her own and how much she relied on other people without being independent. She felt pathetic. Although the distance to XQ hospital was expected to take 30 minutes by car, the driver was able to navigate the roads skillfully and lawfully due to the urgent circumstances. Consequently, they arrived at the hospital safely and in just 20 minutes. After she arrived at the hospital, Fleur hurriedly entered through the door, searching for her uncle. She instinctively went up to the 3rd floor using the escalator, as she had forgotten to ask her uncle which floor her grandmother was on. When the escalator opened, she quickly stepped out and began searching for her uncle, but he was nowhere to be found. It was only when she noticed a tall middle-aged man sitting in a waiting chair with a pale complexion that she saw him. She experienced a profound empathy towards her uncle, as she observed the immense resilience with which he navigated the situation. However, she finds herself unable to indulge in sympathy towards others, particularly when she herself is grappling with comparable emotions, mirroring her uncle's journey. "Uncle.. " She called him "Luvy... we're supposed to get a results soon.." "yeah..I guess" The intense desire to cry consumes her, but she valiantly fights against it, determined to conceal this overwhelming urge and keep all the emotions bottled up inside her. Deep within her heart, an array of thoughts and sentiments yearn to be released, to be expressed without reservation. However, she is acutely aware that she cannot succumb to this vulnerability, for there must be a stalwart individual who can bravely shoulder the weight of their own burdens, sparing others from the additional emotional strain. Nearly an hour had elapsed while waiting outside the room with her uncle, but the results had at last arrived. In all her years, she had never experienced such a devastating blow as the one she was currently enduring. Despite her best efforts, she could no longer hold back her tears after struggling for two long hours. She was desperate to assign blame for the unexpected tragedy that had befallen her, whether it be on another person, a circumstance, or even herself, as it was something she had never imagined would happen to her. With a sense of urgency, she implored the doctor to grant her the opportunity to catch a glimpse of her grandmother, even if it was only for a fleeting moment. Her heart was filled with a childlike optimism that if she could just lay eyes on her grandmother, she would miraculously awaken from her slumber and embrace her with the familiar warmth of her hugs. The doctor gave a firm negative response, stating that the patient must be promptly transported to the mortuary once the necessary documentation has been completed. Upon recognizing the gravity of the situation, her uncle promptly grasped the circumstances at hand, displaying an immediate comprehension of the predicament. Acting as a pillar of support, he advised her to temporarily retreat to the comforting confines of her home while he valiantly undertook the arduous task of dealing with the cumbersome paperwork. Remarkably, despite his own affliction, he exhibited an unwavering determination to navigate through the bureaucratic maze, exhibiting a level of self-sufficiency and resilience that one would expect from an individual wholly capable of functioning independently. This stood in stark contrast to her own reliance on her uncle and grandmother for the entirety of her existence, rendering her comparatively dependent and reliant on their assistance. As they drove towards their residence, she occupied the seat inside the vehicle, deep in contemplation about the various aspects of her existence and the choices she had made. At the tender age of just 7 months old, she tragically lost both her parents in a devastating car accident. However, throughout her entire 19 years of life, she never once felt as though something was missing, thanks to the unwavering love and support provided by her grandmother and uncle. Recognizing the immense responsibility they had in raising her, they shielded her from the harsh realities of the world, fearing that she may be led astray. Consequently, she spent the entirety of her 19 years being homeschooled, devoid of any companionship from peers. Despite this isolated existence, she found contentment in her circumstances. Throughout her life, she never ventured out alone, as her uncle harbored a deep fear of her being involved in another tragic accident. As she fixated her gaze upon the window, her mind wandered aimlessly, consumed by a sense of purposelessness. The profound realization that her entire existence had become devoid of reason or significance overwhelmed her, leaving her feeling utterly desolate. The pitiful sensation of complete self-reliance, the ability to accomplish anything solely on her own, resurfaced within her, engulfing her entirely like a predator patiently biding its time, ready to pounce and assail her when least expected. Upon their arrival, she immediately retreated to her room and unleashed all the pent-up emotions she had been suppressing. She screamed into her pillows, crying as she expressed her self-loathing, incompetence, and every other negative emotion she had been harboring. Eventually, after coming to terms with the fact that her grandmother was gone for good, she was able to calm down. It is imperative for her to embrace a greater level of maturity and shed the persona of a sheltered girl that has defined her existence thus far. Despite being shielded by her family throughout her life, she has the opportunity to embark on a journey of independence and self-discovery. Drawing inspiration from her grandmother, a remarkable businesswoman who achieved success without relying on any connections, she can tap into the wisdom and guidance imparted to her. Her grandmother serves as the epitome of independence, blazing her own trail and paving the way for her granddaughter to do the same. Fleur feels as though her grandmother is still leading her towards her designated path, just as she did when she was alive. The idea of being completely alone in a city full of unfamiliar faces without the support of her grandmother or uncle is constantly on her mind. She pondered the idea that making changes in one's life can be a challenging task, especially when one fails to take that crucial first step towards initiating those changes. The current concern consuming her thoughts revolves around the challenge of convincing her uncle, who staunchly opposes the idea of her venturing out alone, to change his perspective on the matter. She had made a commitment to her grandmother that she would relentlessly pursue her aspirations once she had identified them. Now that she has finally discovered a dream, she is determined to go to any lengths necessary to make it a reality.