My Secret I Never Knew

Feel the Love cont..

Candice POV

A red stream of blood flowed down Athena’s silky white fur, pooling into a crimson puddle between her and the intruder.

“What are you?” he asked me once more before Athena released his throat, causing him to fall to the ground. A gaping hole where his throat was once connected to his shoulder. Athena then clawed his chest bone final time deep enough to remove his rib cage exposing his heart. Swiftly Athena bit out his heart and fed to the bear Cubs nearby before disappearing into the trees North, back to her Willow Tree.

I stood, trembling and staring down at the intruder’s glazed over eyes and still body. Gently Eric turned me towards him and handed me the keys from his pocket.

“Take my car, drive straight home carefully.”

“What, no, what about you, how are you getting out of here and wha… what about the dead guy?”

“Don’t worry I’ll call the police and take care of everything, this guy looks like he could be a poacher or something and it’s obvious he was killed by an animal.”

“But then they’ll euthanize Athena no, no I can’t let that happen she was just protecting me. I can’t lose her, I just can’t.”  I cried so hard the tears seemed to flow together as if my eyes were a faucet running water.

“Calm down, please. She won’t be harmed. Remember this town is widely known and everyone knows not to trespass into the Sanctuary. We even have visual plus audio notices and warnings all through town plus the borders. This guy intruded with the intent to either capture or cause harm and was killed.”

He was right, our town attracted tourists and was widely known as “THE ANIMAL TOWN” because of the unique way we interact with the animals. Sure the animals lived in the sanctuary but it wasn’t closed or fenced off,  it was open for people and animals to wander in and out. Even the animal habitats were open, just complete nature and the animals would stay in their habitat for the most part. The Sanctuary was created around this beautiful waterfall that formed a beautiful crystal clear lake then split into two streams, one of which eventually ran through part of the town then out to the ocean. The other stream ended in the middle of the Sanctuary allowing the water to collect into a giant pond that many animals drank from and even some lived in. It was beautiful, and although tourists were not allowed deep inside they still wanted to see the animals to witness the interactions between animals. We would do tours like they do on the safari and introduce some of the animals, Athena was very rare and the operator of the Sanctuary would let me show her off. I even let children pet her and some could climb on her back if they behaved and were calm. Some of the animals did go into our town and venture around for whatever reason before returning back to the sanctuary. Tourists really love that, open your bedroom window and see a Lion just chilling on the grass. So the town made sure to inform people of the dangers visiting here, mainly don’t feed or anger the animals and NEVER go into the sanctuary without a guide. 

I nodded my head before taking his keys and walking towards the Willow tree, I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye to Athena. I wasn’t afraid of her even after what I saw. I raised her, I trust her, I love her, I always felt like she was a part of my family, a part of me. As I approached the tree Athena came walking towards me purring and rubbing her fur on my hand, she was clean and a little damp. She must have washed herself in the North West stream. I thanked her and gave her a hug before leaving and heading home.

I arrived home and Nikki was sitting on the porch swing watching the moon lit sky, as I parked in the driveway she walked over to me. I opened the car door and she grabbed me by the hand leading me to the center of the lawn where we proceeded to lay on our backs looking at the sky. We didn’t say anything, we just laid there for almost 30mins before she grabbed my hand again, leading me into the house and up to my room. She took me into my bathroom and I noticed she ran me a bubble bath, and had a pair of clean PJs on the sink for me. I smiled weakly at her before she walked out, closing the door behind her. She's an amazing friend. Eric as well, I’m pretty sure he called her and let her know what happened. After my bath I came into my bedroom and saw she brought up a dinner tray with a plate of food on it. She was in her PJs as well, I’m guessing she used the guest bathroom. We ate in silence then laid head to toe in my Queen sized pillow top bed.

“Your parents are out at an emergency town meeting. Donzell is on a date with Stacy or Tracy, and the Frankenstein triplets are at a sleepover. Neesh isn’t able to make it over because she had to watch her little sisters since her mom had to attend the town hall meeting as well. You don’t have to talk about anything if you don’t want to, just know I’m always here.” Nikki said, gently squeezing my hand.

I knew the emergency meeting had to do with the intruder, and I didn’t want to talk so we laid in silence until I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning I woke up feeling a bit better, strangely my alarm didn’t go off, I checked my phone and I was only 10mins late waking up. Not bad if I skip breakfast and hurry. I'll only be late to the home room. I quickly went to the bathroom to get ready for the day. Walking downstairs I heard talking and arguing.

“She has a right to know, she should be told.” I heard Nikki say 

“Nicole, you know we can’t tell her. We’ve explained this to you sweetie, we can’t put something like this on her.” I heard my mom say, I wondered what was going on 

“She’s strong, like really strong. I can feel it. Everyone treats her like she’s glass, she's not, we have to tell her.” Nikki said

“No and that’s final, her mother and I have discussed it and agreed not to tell her anything my father said

“Such wonderful parental units.” I heard Nikki mutter and just knew she rolled her eyes as she said it

“Nicole we love you as we do our own daughter and we know all too well how losing your parents has pained you, but I will NOT take the disrespect. Understood.” I heard my mom say and knew I needed to get into the kitchen before Nikki got smacked on the head.

“What’s going on?” I asked as I walked into the kitchen. Nikki was sitting on a stool by the island counter while my parents sat at the kitchen table.

“Nothing sweetheart, why are you awake? I turned your alarm off so you could sleep in, no school for you today. A call went out to all parents. A main pipe busted and it’s going to take two days to fix.” My mom said

“Nice” I exclaimed in a whisper, I looked at Nikki and her entire face was frowning as she was looking down at her cereal.

“Everything ok Nikki babe?” I asked her as I walked over to the fridge

“Yes love everything is fine, I was just thinking about us going to meet up with everyone since none of you have school. Maybe we all can talk about the fact that the guy killed inside the A.S. wasn’t working alone.” She said in a calm tone while anger radiated from her body

“NICOLE “ my parents yelled in unison as I just stood looking in shock 

“What you guys agreed on what YOU both were not telling her, I made no agreements or promises to withhold anything.” She said as her anger slowly started to trickle away. Nikki hated secrets, she believed secrets could get you killed or at least hurt. She felt everyone deserves a right to their truth, now that’s not to say she would blab your business to anyone because that she wouldn’t do. What’s your business is your business and she wouldn’t share it with anyone else, she takes it to her grave. 

“Besides, if whoever the guy was working with comes out of the woodwork and is even more dangerous she needs to know so she can be prepared.” Nikki stated as a matter of fact

“What’s she gonna do, cry the guy a river?” Donzell said walking into the kitchen with a smirk “well hello there lil sis, how ya feeling?”

“Go jump into a pit of damn poisonous snakes” Nikki said to him rolling her eyes, my mother walked up behind her and pinch her thigh causing her to hiss in pain then she pulled my brother to the table by his ear

“Young man, no calling your sister a crybaby and Nicole language.” She said 

I couldn’t help myself as tears started to form in my eyes and panic began to shake through my body. What if this guy knew I was responsible for his partner’s death, what if it’s more than one person. What if they kill me, kill everyone.

“SHE’S GONNA BLOW” Donzell yelled and everyone looked towards me, “told you guys to take her to the orphanage but nope, you wanted to keep an unlimited water show." He said with a chuckle and earned himself a punch in the arm from dad.

“Hey Candy Cane, calm down and breathe.” Nikki said walking over and hugging me “don’t panic, you’re safe and we’re going to keep you that what, understood .” She asked and I gently shook my head yes

“I said UNDERSTOOD Candy cane.” She said again but this time with authority in her voice 

“I understand “ I said nodding my head

“Good then fix your face and get ready we’re meeting everyone at The Clubhouse.” Nikki said then she turned to my parents with a grin

“Well would ya look at that, the glass didn’t break.” She said and my parents just stared at her as she left the kitchen. 

Nikki and I got into Eric’s car and began to drive to The Clubhouse, which is basically just an old cabin deep in the A.S. We found it when we were younger, well technically Nikki did when she ran away the first time, and it’s been our clubhouse since no one actually knew about it. It was in the deepest part of the A.S. not even the trained guides came this far in. There was no point, if any animals were sick or needed help they would just come near one the Guide Cabins located about a mile into the A.S. There were 4 Cabins in total and they were pretty spaced out. 

We parked and walked into the A.S. heading towards the cabin. As we walked Athena joined us as if she sensed I was there. We finally made it to the cabin and I opened the door to see all the smiling faces of all my besties. Holly, Eric, Anthony and Neesh as well as a beautiful white owl that sat in the window looking out. Neesh had named her Ophelia after finding her on a beach in Miami that we went to during Christmas break.

“Hi everyone “ I said with a low voice and everyone smiled giving a wave except Anthony who responded, “hey Candy Cane glad to see you’re ok sweetness, what’s up Thicky Nikki.”

“You’re an i***t, you know that” Eric said shaking his head at his brother 

“What, thick thighs save lives and I’m in need of rescuing” he said while wagging his eyebrows at Nikki and earning a punch in the arms from everyone, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You need help, does anyone know how a pipe exploded at y’all school “ Nikki said as we sat on the couch. I took a look around admiring what we did with the place. We had a full living room set, two baby blue couches a red and baby blue loveseat, 2 red puffy chairs, an area rug, a glass coffee table three end tables. Whenever the Guide cabins were getting new furniture we would bring the old furniture here, we did it while no one was around. We also brought twin sized mattresses and box springs from our homes to place in the bedrooms just in case. This place had about seven bedrooms, two on the main floor, two in the basement and three on the second floor. There was also four bathrooms. One in between each bedroom except the master bathroom, it was located inside the master bedroom on the second floor. Whenever Nikki ran away that’s where she slept, so I bought an air bed, pillows and pictures and a few other bedroom and bathroom items here for her. Then once my parents decided to get me a new bed I brought that here as well. We really made this place into a home away from home our secret clubhouse.

“You know we’ve really put a lot of work into this place over the years” I said changing the subject with a smile on my face. Everyone looked around smiling as well. 

“Yea it’s amazing, especially now that we have solar panels and a generator I was getting since of the candles for light.” Neesh said. It was horrible, we used to use candles and flashlights for EVERYTHING here. Except for heat, then we would use the fireplace. That was until we became friends with the twins, the guys got our cabin together. One night we came and noticed lights from inside the cabin and we were shocked especially since this place didn’t come with any electronic lines in it. Turns out the guys installed the electricity themselves and used a generator to power everything, a couple years ago they added the solar panels. 

“Yes it’s soooooooooo much better, you fellas are the best. I don’t know what this place would be like without y’all.” Holly said, “especially the bathrooms, the remodels are amazing.” 

“Hey how about we all stay here tonight, since there’s no school tomorrow.” Neesh said and everyone agreed with nods

“Honestly I hope it takes more than two days to fix, I have a test in AP Calculus on Thursday and I’m pretty sure Ms Walker ain’t gonna cancel it.” Holly said rolling her eyes

“I’m so glad I’m done with high school.” Nikki said while stretching her legs

“WHAT!!.” Everyone exclaimed in unison 

“Oh yea, ha, I’ve been meaning to tell you guys I graduated early. I have actually been taking a few college classes here and there, well that was until I explained to my professors I needed to take a leave due to a family matter so I’m technically off the rest of this semester.” Nikki said with a big proud smile

“That sucks so what are you going to do while we’re in school” I asked her.

“I’ll be here most likely, just cleaning and helping keep watch over the animals” She responded with a coy smile. 

“Fine it’s settled we’ll all go home and gather things to spend the night here “ Anthony said 

“And food” Nikki chimed in

We sat for a few minutes deciding what foods to get and what all we might need for the night and morning to keep ourselves entertained and safe from any intruders. I smiled looking around, here I can feel the love. My friends bring me so much warmth and happiness I can’t wait for tonight, we haven’t slept over in the cabin since Nikki left almost a year ago. I’m glad she’s back, she’s my rock.

We all got up and began to leave the cabin except for Nikki who wanted to stay behind, we told her we would be back in three hours tops. We then headed towards the vehicles, Athena had been waiting outside the Clubhouse and walked alongside me, Ophelia flew out of the Clubhouse onto a nearby branch and watched us leave.

I had a feeling tonight would be interesting