The wolf within

Chapter 4

Lacy jumped straight up gasping for air and covered in sweat. She tried to reach for Jane on her left but all she felt was the white cotton sheets. "Jane!" She yelled out while walking out of the bedroom. She was hoping to see Jane in the living room. Lacy saw the bathroom light on. She knocked on the door but no one answered. She opened the door. It was a good-sized bathroom that could hold 3 people. White tiles and two marble sinks. It had a lie in tub with a wolf shower curtain, and it was empty. She splashed some water on her face. The doorbell rang. She ran to the door. "Jane is that you!" She called out, swinging the door open. Her eyes widened and a blood-curdling scream left her mouth. A gray wolf standing there with Jane's head fell from its mouth. The wolf started to howl.

Lacy woke up screaming with the howl still ringing in her ear. Cold sweat all over her body. Jane quickly ran in and hugged her. Lacy was shaking with fear. "Everything is OK. I'm right here." Jane cooed. Kyle burst into the room. "What is wrong?!" He screamed. "It's OK. She just had a nightmare." Jane explained. Lacy was breathing heavily and rocking back and forth. Kyle left the room and came back with a glass of dark liquid. "Here, this will help." He stated. "She needs water not whiskey," Jane said sternly. Lacy grabbed the glass and downed the drink.

It burned her throat as it went down. Heavy silence filled the air. Kyle asked her what she dreamed about. Jane hit his shoulder with a pillow and stared daggers at him. "A wolf with Jane's head in its mouth." Lacy answered. Jane's and Kyle's eyes widen in shock. Kyle placed his hand on her lap. Jane started rubbing her back. The tingling sensation started when Kyle touched her. "I think you need to go see a psychologist," Kyle said in a low voice. "No, I just need some time." Lacy replied. She pulled the covers up and tried to go back to sleep. ""Honey, it's 3pm. Why don't you get something to eat?"" Jane said. Lacy shook her head no. "I'm going to sleep for a week." Lacy said sarcastically. "She needs to go," Kyle said in a stern voice. Jane ignored him and stroked Lacy's hair. Kyle grunts and walks out.

A few days had passed and Lacy barely ate or left the bedroom. All she has been doing is sleeping. She hasn't had any nightmares or any dreams at all. Jane brought her a bowl of soup. She set it next to her on the nightstand. She woke up to Jane's warm smile. Lacy gave her a small smile, then slowly headed towards the bathroom. Jane followed after her. "You need to eat baby." Jane stated. Lacy nodded and undressed. Jane grabbed her wrist before she started the water. "You need to eat now baby." Jane begged. Lacy stared at her then sighed in surrender. She puts on a bath rob and follows Jane to the bedroom. They sit on the bed, Jane hands her the soup, and she slowly eats.

Once Lacy was done, she headed back to the bathroom to take her shower. Jane went to wash the dishes. Kyle had to step out. After a few minutes, Lacy emerged from the bathroom. Jane was sitting on the couch flipping through channels. Lacy was just wearing a white cotton towel. "How are you feeling?" Jane asked. "A lot better now," Lacy replied. She sat down next to her feeling her sorry eyes on her. Jane tried to run her fingers through Lacy's hair, but it was knotted. Lacy chuckled and went to brush her hair. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Jane's reflection showed up behind her. Lacy picked up a blue and black brush, and started to brush her silver and purple hair. Jane wrapped her arms around her waist from behind and buried her head in the crease of her neck. Lacy stopped brushing and smiled. Jane mumbled something, Lacy had to lean away from her to hear what she said. Jane repeated, "I'm glad you're doing better today."

Lacy chuckled and continued to brush her hair. Jane sidestepped and picked up her toothbrush. ""How is work going?"" Lacy asked. ""Alright. I have a meeting I need to attend."" Jane explained. Lacy looked at Jane's reflection in the mirror. She knew that Lacy wanted to explain. "The meeting is about different ways we can restrain people safely and how to properly search for people before going into a bar." She explained. Lacy looked at her arm and noticed a bruise that was the shape of a bite mark. Lacy brushed over the bruise with her fingertips. ""I had to break up a fight with two girls. They were fighting over a prostitute."" Jane explained.

Lacy asks if it still hurts. She shook her head no. They heard the front door open and shut. They saw Kyle walk up to the doorway of the bathroom. His face went red when he saw Lacy with just a towel on. He cleared his throat and said he needed to wash his hands and face. Lacy and Jane laughed and scooted to the right. Jane started to put on makeup and Lacy asked Kyle about what he was building. "You are still in construction, right?" Lacy asked. He nodded yes and talked about the project he was working on.

After Jane gets done with her makeup, she asks Lacy to go with her, so they can get dressed. Lacy told her in a minute, so she could finish talking to Kyle. Jane rolled her eyes and walked out. Kyle chuckled and asked if he could have the bathroom to take a shower. She apologizes for everything that is going on. He waved his hand leeting her know he didn't mind at all. They got done changing. Jane went to get herself a snack. Lacy poured herself a cup of juice. Jane stared at her with a shocking expression. She ignored Jane and grabbed two slices of bread and butter. She was looking around for the toaster.

Kyle came out of the bathroom drying his hair. He noticed her looking around, he asked her what she was looking for. She told him what she was looking for. "Right big cabinet," Kyle instructed. She opened the cabinet and saw a bunch of cooking instruments. She found a toaster that could fit 4 slices of bread. "What time is it?" Jane asked, sipping her drink. "2:20pm." Lacy answered.

Kyle turned on the TV and a loud howl came from the speakers. Lacy was taking a sip from her drink when she jumped and dropped it. Kyle quickly muted the TV and Jane called out to her. Lacy ignored her and started cleaning the spill. She was shaking like a leaf. Jane went over to her. "You are shaking like crazy. Are you OK?" She asked. "Yes, I'm okay. I was just spooked by it." Lacy replied, throwing away the broken glass. Kyle just stood there, he didn't know what to do. "Are you sure baby? You know you can tell us." Jane said, putting her hand on Lacy's shoulder. Lacy slammed her hands on the counter and shouted." Can you quite smothering me! I am okay see!" Lacy stormed into the living room and snatched the remote from Kyle and unmuted the TV. Kyle and Jane looked at each other in shock, then back at Lacy. She had never acted like that before. They don't know what to do.

Lacy stared at the TV, watching the pack of wolves devouring their meal. Kyle looked down at his watch and told Jane they needed to go. Jane was hesitant, but she couldn't be late for the meeting. "Honey, I will be back in an hour or two. Kyle is taking me, so the car will be here if you need it." Jane said, kissing her on the cheek. She tries to take the remote from Lacy, but she moves it away from her. Kyle placed his hand on Jane's shoulder, letting her know to leave her. They both leave her like that. As soon as Lacy heard the door shut, tears streamed down her face. With every growl and howl brought her to the fearful night. She couldn't make herself turn on a different channel or turn off the TV. Her legs felt weak, and she staggered back onto the couch. She began to sob uncontrollably. After about 30 minutes, she finally got herself together. She grabbed her keys and left.