A Werewolf's Sacrifice

Episode 6

Three years later…

“I was accepted to study under Elder Atim, Mom!” I announced proudly as I entered our home, reading our latest mail.

I had spent the latter part of the year asking my best teachers for references and asking my most connected ones for introductions to people who knew people who were friends with an elder.

She came into the main room from the kitchen, a towel wiping off her hands. She smiled proudly at me and reached for the envelope. “Let me see, Odelle! How exciting! All your hard work has paid off.” As her eyes scanned the page, her lips curved down at the edges and concern colored her eyes.

“What is it?” I asked. “What’s wrong?”

She sighed and folded the papers back up, handing them to me. “There is no way we can afford to send you.”

I was expecting her reaction. She was a lone woman raising a child without help.

“Don’t worry, I applied for some aid. I plan to get out of this town, study our ancient texts, become an elder, and make you proud. Don’t you think I would do everything possible to ensure my success? I am no longer a child, you know.”

“No doubt. Just be prepared in case things don’t work out.” She advised over her shoulder as she returned to making dinner. She was always very clear about our position in life, which is why I had made school my job and worked relentlessly and tirelessly to achieve my goals. I wanted to achieve more than this small town would allow of me. I wanted more out of life. Not for the first time, I understood Varick’s need to leave everything and everyone here behind to chase the horizon.

“You and Lottie are such naysayers.” I grumbled under my breath as I dropped myself in a chair at our small wooden table and slouched into one of the rolling chairs.

“I am prepared. I don’t plan to fail.” I dared her to contradict me with a defiant tilt of my chin.

“Any word from Varick?” She asked, catching me off guard, as she stirred the pot she was working on, motioning to the pile of letters on the table.

“Of course not.” I snapped. “Why would today be any different than all the other days over the past few years?”

She casually shrugged and turned her eyes from my face as she checked on the bread in the oven. “According to the gossips, he has turned into quite the man. He’s rumored to be a great warrior who has killed countless numbers of wolves in our lands- some even with his bare hands. Apparently, he is really excelling.”

“I wish his parents were alive to constantly remind him of my successes.” I said testily.

She chuckled as she delivered her homemade spaghetti to the table. She deftly turned the topic to less sensitive subjects as we ate her delicious cooking.