Remember

Chapter 3

The wedding was two days away and the final preparations were all coming together. My mom, Casey, and I decided to treat ourselves to a much needed pedi and mimosa. I sat back in my seat and allowed the massage chair to kneed out the knots that were in my shoulders. I was going through the book of colors to try and decide which one I should get. Casey wanted a pearl white with sparkles and my mom chose a royal purple. I was trying to match the brides maid dresses so it wouldn't look off incase someone were to see my feet.

"Pick whatever color you want Emma. The dress is long." Said Casey

"I know I just want to look uniformed."

"Then stick with something neutral to play it safe." Suggested my mom

I picked a nude color and showed the nail tech. I return to my state of comfort and relaxation while checking out the latest gossip on my phone and sipping my mimosa.

"Oh my God!" Squealed Casey

My first thought was the dress but her expression was elated.

"Jenna is in town. Holy crap she is actually coming to the wedding. This is so exciting."

"Jenna? Jenna Reiner?" Asked my mom, she had a good memory of people. Better than anyone I knew.

"Yeah we've been talking a lot on social media after she friend requested me and I told her she could come to the wedding. I sent her an invitation and she said she would love to come. I didn't really expect her too, but she said she is in town would love to meet up."

"Thats great honey. Why don't you invite her to the rehearsal dinner tomorrow."

"Ok. I am so excited. Aren't you excited Emma? Our best friend from our younger days is coming."

"She was your best friend we were acquaintances at best."

"She liked you a lot. She even told me over messenger that she really envied you because you were always so brave."

"How so?"

"Don't you remember that big water slide? No one wanted to go on it except for Ares, but he was a an older teenager so of course it was nothing to him, but to us girls that slide was a monster."

"I don't remember."

"Well I do. You went on it and everyone watched you in aw because you handled it like a pro."

"Do you know where she is staying at?" Asked my mom

"At the Carlton-isn't that place like really expensive?"

"Its got character." I chimed in, "so yes it's expensive."

"Dang I wonder what she does for a living?" Casey looked back her phone and began to text her.

"Ok she is coming to the reheseal dinner. Perfect way for her to catch up with you Em and to meet Kam."

"Didn't you have a crush on her brother Emma?" Asked my mom, I immediately turned bright red.

"Mom!"

"Wait you did? How come I didn't know that?" Asked Casey

"Because I didn't want you to tell Jenna and you both to tease me about it."

"It was so all innocent. I still have the diary."

"It was a silly crush mom. Lots of girls go through those."

"I know." She smiled

"He is probably married or maybe he is fat and bald like most cute guys in their youth." Laugh Casey

"Maybe and please don't ask Jenna about him either. Promise me!" I demanded

"I promise." Said Casey as she made an x over her heart.

I was trying to remember these small details of my past regarding Ares, but it was all a blur to me. I hated it because everyone remembered so much and I remembered little to nothing. I had memory issues pretty much my whole junior year of high school to the point where I had to be homeschooled up until my senior year. I had gotten really sick and ended up in the hospital with a horrible infection and a high fever that caused really bad seizures. After The following summer when I felt confident to leave my house without people worrying about me I decided to go to Jenna's big going away party that was half at the waterpark and half at their house-I guess because they were planning to move to some weird foreign country. Casey was devastated and I was upset for her, but I was going through my own issues and Casey had been a crutch which allowed us to bond as sisters and friends. Jenna was just a thorn at my side, but for Casey's sake she tried to make amends and be my friend too. I thought Ares was cute, but he was just like every other teenag boy and after they moved away I forgot all about him up until the dream I had recently.

We finished up with our toes and I felt rejuvenated. I was looking forward to this wedding being done and over with. As much as I loved Casey, just having to constantly be busy with wedding stuff was starting to affect me. I wasn't one to do well under pressure unless it was work related, but this stuff was way out of my comfort zone. After the pedicure I went home and decided I need to get some fresh air before it got too dark out. There were lots of little trails that surrounded my housing community. I put Chloes harness and leash on and we began our walk down the street. A few other dog owners were doing the same, they waved and smiled. Some even commented on how cute Chloe was. She knew where to lead me and we walked down the steps to the simple path that lead us around back to our house. I put my AirPods in and we walked for some distance through the path. It was starting to turn fall, so there was a mild chill in the air which had been a nice change from the high temperatures of the summer.

I was lost in the sound of music and the scenery of the area when Chloe stopped dead in her tracks and began to growl. Which was rare for her because she was so sweet and loving. I took out my headphones and looked at her and toward the direction she was facing.

"Whats wrong girl?"

She continued to growl and she started to bark. I didn't see anything there.

"Chloe you're crazy there is nothing there."

She was determined to prove me wrong. I tried to pull her on ward, but she fought back.

While I was messing with her trying to reassure her that nothing was there I saw it creep up out of nowhere. A mountain lion-sometimes they'd come off the mountain to look for food and here I was with a small size dog a perfect meal for it.

I grabbed Chloe and held her tight. I was terrified at this point. I grabbed my phone and began to dial 911.

"911 what's your emergency?"

"Hi I am on a walk with my dog near Falls Creek on a trail and there is a mountain lion."

"Ok ma'am keep calm. Do not run-stand your ground-we will have a deputy out there as quickly as possible."

"Ok-"

"I'll stay on the line with you."

Tears began to run down my checks and I wanted to run away, but like she said I shouldn't. The mountain lion creeped up to us and growled. I held Chloe tight with the phone in my hand. The growl was so loud and aggressive. My heart was beating and I wanted to go home.

"The deputy is coming." She reassured me, I suppose she heard the big cat scream.

I then heard another growl behind me. Something deeper and scarier.

"I think there is another one behind me." I told her

I slowly turned around and saw a giant of a black dog or what I thought looked like a dog standing behind me. It was large in stature and had green eyes and a fierce growl. I began to shake more.

"Its a giant wolf looking dog."

"Uh...ok." Said the dispatcher

The dog barked and growled.

"What kind of dog do you have?" She asked

"A Frenchie."

"What does the dog look like?"

"Huge-idk like the size of a mastiff, but furry, with a wolf looking face."

The mountain lion growled back and the dog began to charge chasing the mountain lion away from me. I took that as a sign to run and I did run holding Chloe in my arms. I made my way to the main road where I saw red and blue lights. I waved them down and they pulled over. My adrenaline had been depleted and I was shaking and crying.

"Some crazy ass hybrid dog chased it away." I said

"We will have fish and game go check it out ma'am. Are you hurt?"

"No- just very scared."

"Understandable."

The deputy used himself to support me as my legs were like jello took me over by his car and got in his radio to dispatch that I was ok and didn't need EMS and to report to fish and game that there could be a possible wolf in the area. I was trying my best to compose myself.

"Is there anyone I can call for you?"

"No...I mean...I live just around the corner."

"Want me to take you home?"

I nodded my head yes and he opened the door to his cruiser. Chloe and I got in. This was my first ride ever in a cop car.

The deputy got my statement and took down my information.

"Have a good night ma'am."

I thanked him and closed the door. I have never been so scared in all my life in a very long time. I gave Chloe her dinner and an extra treat, but she just sat on her bed. I think she too was also scared and just wanted to rest. I grabbed a tall can of Modelo out of the fridge and made my way to my bedroom and into my bathroom where I drew myself a hot bath and lit some candles. I poured in some relaxing bubble bath and a black bath bomb and crawled in. It was hot and soothing-very much needed. I almost texted Casey to tell her what had happened, but I didn't want to stress her out. She had a few in-laws coming to stay with her and I had offered my home because I had the room so I too would be having guest stay with me the following night up until the day after the wedding so I needed to enjoy the peace and quiet before mayhem erupted.

I sucked on my drink and closed my eyes trying to wash away what had happened. I wondered if the dog was ok or if the fish and game tracked down the mountain lion. Either way I was grateful that Chloe was ok and not some wild animals dinner. I tried to reimagine the dog with his green eyes and black fur. It had to be some sort of wolf or something and it obviously was brave enough to go up against a mountain lion.

I was watching Ares go down the slide first. He gave me a little smirk and I sucked in a breath. The other girls behind me watched him. I followed behind him as the lifeguard motioned for me to come over. I too was very scared, but at the same time I wasn't. Casey came up to me.

"You don't have to do it Emma."

"I'm not afraid." I said and I slid down

The speed of the slide and the water went fast and I was almost regretting this decision. It seemed to go on forever and finally I landed in a pool of water. I swam against the current but it was too strong, but someone grabbed me and hauled me up.

I looked in Ares eyes.

"You're brave." He said

"No just stupid."

He smiled at me.

"Brave."

He walked away and I stood unsure of the feeling he left me with.

The scenery changed and I was back on the path of where the mountain lion was. I felt a presence behind me and turned around. There he was standing before me was, the black wolf with the green eyes. I wasn't afraid though. He took a couple steps forward and dropped the head of the mountain lion.

I woke up in the bathtub and looked around. Another dream or maybe this time it wasn't. I got out of the bathtub and dried off.

Cozy in my pajamas, a tv show going, and Chloe sound asleep on my bed I brought out my laptop and began to do some research.

I wasn't sure what to start with so I began with the obvious and typed in different types of giant fluffy dogs and I didn't come up with much. A wolf was probably the closest thing to what I saw, but I knew this area didn't have them. I began to search about dreams and memories. I was going down a rabbit whole of miss information and I was starting to get a migraine from the stress. I texted my mom and asked if I could stop by tomorrow to grab the box of memorabilia and she responded with a simple yes and a heart emoji.

I had slept in past my usual time which was rare for me especially when I made a list of things to do today. Thankfully I had already put in a drop off order for food for my incoming guest so the fridge wouldn't look so empty and they'd feel more comfortable. I also wanted to do some cleaning and prepare the guest bedrooms. I enjoyed cleaning sometimes it was very refreshing. The rehearsal was at 5 and the dinner was at 6 so I had a lot of time to kill and get everything prepared and swing by my parents.

I stopped by Mr. P's deli and grabbed a few sandwiches and went to my parents. They lived not far, but far enough to where we both were able to live our lives and not be in each others business 24/7. They lived in the same house Casey and I grew up in. It was an older home with dated features, but a beautiful front lawn thanks to Jake who I did call dad because after I graduated high school and mine stopped having to pay child support I never heard from him again and that was fine with me. He wasn't the one who taught me how to ride a bike or grab a pint of my favorite ice cream when I started my period and when I got sick Jake would get off of working long shifts and sit next to the hospital bed.

"Hi honey." Said my mom greeting me with a kiss. I was taller than her by a good few inches so I bent down a little.

"I brought food." I said holding up the bag

"That was thoughtful of you."

We all sat at the table and my phone rang.

"Hello," I answered

"This is Ranger Davis I just wanted to follow up with you to see how you are doing."

"I'm fine. Did you find the mountain lion?"

My parents gave each other a look.

"We did except the report said you mentioned a black wolf."

"I did."

"Well we found the mountain lion, except the head was missing."

I'm pretty sure the color drained from my face.

"Ma'am?"

"Sorry ..um..wow do you think it was...the wolf." I swallowed hard and tried to keep calm for my parents sake.

"We aren't sure, we tried to track it, but it went missing. We are going to ask people to either carry pepper spray or just keep off the path especially with little dogs. We haven't had wolves over in these parts in a long time."

"I understand-thanks for calling."

"Have a good day ma'am."

I swiped to end the call and return my phone to my purse. My parents both staring at me.

"Mountain lion?" Asked Jake

"It was nothing I mean...Chloe and I went on a walk and there was a mountain lion."

"Oh my god!" My mom put her hands to her mouth

"She is ok and I'm ok. That was the Ranger and they found the lion with his head off. So strange I actually had a dream that I saw the head. It was in the wolfs mouth the one that ran it off."

"A wolf?" They both asked

"There was this strange hybrid wolf looking thing that chased it off for real and then I had a dream that it gave me the head of the mountain lion."

My parents both gave me a concerned look.

"Look I didn't call you guys or Casey who." I pointed at both of them, "Doesn't know so don't tell her until I do. She is under enough stress as it is with this wedding."

"I think the one who is under the stress is you Em. You've been working non stop and Casey mentioned the other day you haven't been sleeping well." Said my mom

"She talks too much." I protested taking a bite out of my sandwich

"Just take care of yourself Emma ok." Said Jake

I nodded.

After lunch my mom lead me to a big closet that was in the main hallway where she stored stuff, mostly craft supplies or other sentimental items. She looked around and found a box.

"I kept a lot of this stuff because after you got sick you forgot a lot of things that had happened within the last year and I figured this would help you remember some."

"What do you remember of Ares?" I asked her

"He was a quiet young man who watched you like a hawk."

"But...we barely spoke."

My mom looked at me with sadness in her eyes.

"He was a big part of your life Emma."

"So what happened? Why did we lose touch?"

"We had no idea they were moving. Jake thought they were running from something that's why they didn't mention anything."

I grabbed the box and sat down on the floor of the closet.

"I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."

"Thanks mom."

On the box it had written Emma 16-17yrs

I opened it and began to dig through it. I found a few Nicknacks and creative memorabilia. As I dug deeper I found a diary and taped to it was some sort of amulet of purple and black and when I brushed over it with my thumb I felt something and in my mind, a snippet of a memory came to me.

Two girls laughing and giggling while playing a field of wildflowers.