Wolf's Bane

Chapter 5 Pt. 1

Knowing that Gage was entertained, Sam just helped her through the routine. Moving clothes from the washer to the dryer and putting all the clean clothes in an empty bag. It wasn't long before the clothing was clean, and Sam sat next to the resting Luna. "Would she care if I kissed her?" His blue eyes moved to the nine-year-old before he looked at the sleeping Luna again.

Gage was now entertained on a rolling chair she had found a few minutes ago. She slowly rolled around before stopping at his question. The child began making sickly faces at the word "kiss." "Kissing is gross. Going to give my sister cooties." She giggled a little bit before rolling around in her chair. It wasn't long before she got bored of it and sighed. "I want ice cream!"

Sam leaned forward and gave Luna a light peck on the cheek. His voice was soft as he whispered into her ear. "Luna, it's time to wake up."

Luna placed a hand on her cheek before opening her eyes, a bit surprised. Her face turned red, making it pretty apparent that she was completely unaware that it would happen. She wasn't sure what to say, but Gage broke the silence.

"Eewww, my sister has cooties now." Gage stuck her tongue out before giggling.

"Gage shut up," Luna said before shaking her head and standing. Her pale skin was now a tomato, and she knew it. "L-let's just go."

Standing now, Sam took a bag of clothing and began to walk toward the back door. The fact that this establishment even had those flowering plants in the front was a sure sign that the humans of Darby knew the legends. Either that, or they just never cleaned the flowerbeds. "So what are we doing after we get back?" His blue eyes went to Luna as he began to walk backward.

Luna shrugged as she took the other bag and began to follow him. His walking backwards was goofy to her, so it caused her to laugh a little. Gage began to jump up and down. "Ice cream. You promised!" She looked at her sister, who looked back at her. Luna nodded before smiling.

"Alright, alright." Luna began to run her fingers through her hair. She looked back at Sam before quickly looking away again. She hated being a pale-skinned redhead. It makes her face so much more noticeable. "After that, we can work on the house if it's not too late." She knew Sam probably had a family to return to soon. She didn't want to keep him out for too long.

Gage looked at her sister before grabbing her hand. She liked to hold her sister's hand when they walked. Gage began to wind down a bit. Her morning energy was starting to fade.

"After ice cream, I think it's time for your nap," Luna said as she smirked at her sister, who only shook her head in refusal.

"You know, Gage, naps are good for you," Sam spoke as they stepped onto the main road. "They keep you growing big and strong. You want to be strong like your sister one day, right?" He looked toward the kid with a raised eyebrow. He was sure her answer would be a yes, but he stayed silent while waiting.

"My sister doesn't nap. So I don't nap." Gage let go of Luna so she could put her hands on her hips. She was trying to look strong.

"I took a nap today," Luna said while pointing back at the laundromat. Luna made a face at her for a second. "You don't nap a lot. Why do I have to nap?"

"Because you like to nap," Luna said and watched her sister lower her arms in defeat. Gage did love to nap.

Sam chuckled and shook his head. If this was how the two were all the time, he could get used to this. The walk was short-lived as the group reached the dainty green home. "How about you two go and get ice cream? I'll stay and clean up a bit while y'all are gone." Sam spoke mainly toward Luna as he stood at the front door. He wasn't going to enter the home without her approval, but he did want her to have a good time with her sister.

Luna sighed. She was starting to give in to his request to clean while she was gone. She tried her hardest but nodded anyway. "Since you keep insisting. However, please don't go into the back bedroom. I don't want to touch that one today." She smiled a bit before putting her bag down and picking up Gage. Gage giggled as she was put onto her sister's shoulders.

Sam's lips curved into a goofy smile before his voice came out in a sarcastic tone. "What? Am I going to find a body in there or something?" He picked up the bag she had put down and opened the front door. There was a lot of work for him to do, and he seemed eager to get it done. Sticking his tongue out, he chuckled softly. "You two go have fun."

Luna looked down slightly at his comment about the body, but his goofiness caused her to smile anyway. Gage began to wave at Sam before smiling wildly. "I will bring you some, too," Gage said as she placed her head on her sister's head. Their hair was also the exact same color, besides Gage's being slightly darker.

"Don't break anything. Well, be back." She smiled at him before holding on to Gage and walking away. She hoped the run wouldn't take too long so she could help him.

sam--

"Butter Pecan!" Sam called out as they began to walk away. Once they were out of sight, he entered and closed the door. Looking around the living room, Sam took a deep breath and began the work. First off was the laundry. Though clean and in bags, he placed them on the couch and cleaned the coffee table. Dust and debris from the surroundings caused him to cough lightly. "Rags." He spoke to himself before he traveled to the kitchen. Pulling the drawers open, he put the clean dishes away and found the rags. Pulling one out, he ran it under hot water and rang it out until it was just damp enough to wipe down surfaces.

After turning off the water, he moved back to the living room and began to wipe down the coffee table. Using his own breath, he dried the table and tossed the rag toward the kitchen table. That would be the next surface he wiped down, but only after folding the laundry. Sam placed their laundry into four separate piles as the sisters were physically different. This was so the clothing did not fall to the floor and become ruined.

With that done, he moved to the kitchen and began to wipe down appliances and walls. Any surface he saw was wiped with a damp rag. He then spotted the photos and the dried spot of crimson on the wall. This must have been why Luna was distressed before leaving the house earlier. "Hmmm." Chipping off a piece of the crimson, he took it to his nose and sniffed it. Even though it was old, the faint scent of copper lifted his nasal sensors.

The sorrow he felt for her was now known to him. "She died." He muttered to himself as he looked at the photos. This was why Luna took care of Gage. This is why she was constantly exhausted and working after school. Her mother was dead, and without a father figure, Luna had to take the spot of a caregiver. Sam began to growl now. The stain had to be removed. It had to be cleaned. He would not let her den be a memory of pain any longer.

Using his blood to help him, Sam began to power clean the house. Scrubbing dust, sweeping floors, throwing out things that were not necessary any longer. All this was done at inhuman speeds. With the main rooms done, Sam moved to the back rooms. Gage's room was simple, picking up toys, sweeping, and making her bed. Sam looked around the room for any sign of photography of the mother. Seeing none, he wondered just how long it had been. The blood on the kitchen wall was old, but just how old?

Smiling at the progress, Sam moved to the bathroom and cleaned it. The walls were removed from smugs and soap scum. The toilet was cleaned to an almost sparkle, and after cleaning around the tub, he was able to scrub it clean. Sam could clean quickly enough, but there was still one room to do. Don't do it, Sam. She'll get mad. She'll distance herself from us.

"I have to. I need to remove the negativity from this place." The wolf fought with him, but Sam won the battle and opened the door to the room.

Inside, Sam could barely see anything. The light in the room was off, and the curtains were drawn closed. Finding the light switch, he was instantly taken aback by the decency of the room. The bed was entirely made, though bed clothing held a small layer of dust. Around the corners of the walls, spiders have made their webs known. Sighing, he understood why Luna did not want him to clean this room. "It was hers."

A sudden rush of regret struck him, and Sam slowed down. The dark-haired boy knew he still had time, but as Samuel cleaned, he began to feel like he was being watched. "Alright, I understand." He spoke aloud to the ceiling. Turning to the door, he walked out of the room, flicking the light switch and shutting the door behind him. Whatever their mother was, her presence was still strong in the home. Walking to the living room, he took the two piles of Gage's clothing and carried them to her room. His pace was that of an average human as his brain tried to wrap around all the information. Putting them away was easy. He gently laid each article of clothing into her drawers before closing them.

With Gage's clothing done, he returned to the living room and sat on the couch. Taking his phone out of his pocket, he scrolled through his contacts. Reaching his mother's number, he sent her a short text. "Won't be home tonight."