Rhythms of the Wild

Chapter 5: It's Protocol

We ran, bags flapping as we went bounding down the corridor to the main entrance. It is a bit of a hectic sight, bags for days looking as if we would topple over from the weight. I seen a look of panic on Erins face and knew she wasnt going to be able to stop. "Ughf" Nick huffed as she barreled into her brother. He raised his eyebrows in disbelief at the sight of us. "It's only been 2 hours, How did you end up with all of this Erin?!" She blushed a bit "I have a problem". "Understatement of a century" I giggled. "Give me these" Nick said as he took her 14 bags. "Let's go find a place to shove all of this that won't end with all of it on the highway". Darren looked at me and extended his hand. I looked at him confused "What?" "Just give me the bags" he huffed. "Im ok, I only have the three and they are light" I said as I started the walk out the doors behind Nick and Erin. Why would I want help with that attitude, and come on I can handle carrying three bags to the truck. "Just let me carry them please" he whispered as he strolled up beside me. "Is it really that big of a deal for you to carry three bags?" I said in a joking tone but to be honest, I really dont understand what is happening. "Yes." he simply said. I held out my hand with the three bags. "If you insist, I guess". He took the bags and leaned down towards my ear keeping in step beside me. "Now was that so hard?" He snickered as he sped up and walked in front of me. "He's just weird" Gage said as he walked up beside me. "Eh, I dont know, but that was a bit weird, Yes" I laughed. I seen Darren's head turn listening in and laughed a bit more. Hey maybe he is as strange as I am. I smiled as I walked to the truck and had to laugh as the boys seemed to do everything in their power to shove each bag in a crack or crevice between and under seats. "Problems" I laughed as I stepped up behind Nick. "There just to many" he huffed. "Let us get in and we can hold the rest. We will be fine, Right Gage?" he bawked at the insinuation before he composed his facial features. "Oh yeah, it will be a dream." I laughed as I took the last 3 bags from Nick and climed up with them. "Honestly these would fit between our feet." Erin climed in and laughed. "As long as they make it back I dont care where they go." She shuffled over and placed the bag i handed her between her legs. She took the last bag and handed it to Gage as he climbed in. "Here you go Princess" she said. He took it but with some hesitation. "Do not tempt me, I will toss it out the window." She turned to face him, your life depends on not doing that. I couldnt see her face but I know from her voice there was challenge there. "Ugh you are just like Aunt Ches. Stop looking at me like that". She sat back in her seat and grined. "Yep" she said popping the P "and dont forget it." "Now if you two are done fighting like children, let's go home." Nick said as he backed the truck out of the spot. "Darren, your up." he said passing his phone back to him. "Cotton Eyed Joe" was played as well as some other more folky type songs I have never heard of. Oh good Goddess I thought he was joking, I think he actually enjoys this stuff. I grinned to myself. Some of this is awful but honestly It's kind of quirky, and I did not expect any quirky from this guy. We pulled back up to the pack house "Oh yes" I sighed as we climbed out and I stretched my legs. "Erin, start passing out the bags" I said arms up and outstretched to her. Before I knew it everyone was carrying something up the stairs. "This is absolutely ridiculous" Oliver said as he rounded the corner from his and Chesneys hall. "Erin, we have talked about this. You have got to donate as much as you just brought in, do you hear me?" "Yes, Dad." she all but whined as she went into her room. "I mean it. I want a bag outside your door before bed time" Poor Erin and her clothes hoarding self looked like she was going to cry."Come on, you can do this. I'll help and be your emotional support" I said as I dropped the bags i was carrying onto her bed. Nick, Gage and Darren followed what I did and then quickly turned to run away. "Cowards" I yelled after them. I turned to grin at Erin. "Ok boss me around and let's make this fun." I went to the bathroom and grabbed a laundry basket and brought it to the middle of the room. "Ok, let's do this" she huffed, pulling open her closet door. She went rack by rack, peice by peice three diffrent times before we were finally done. I turned to look at our mess. There was clothes all over the room. "We are not good at clothes ball." I laughed. We started the adventure of cleaning up the room when an Alarm sounded. I froze a chill running down my spine. I ran for the window and looked out. There were pack warriors dashing off to different places. I pressed the button to drop the silver shutters for the windows and ran back to lock Erins door. "Snap out of it." I turned and yelled at Erin who was still frozen "I need some help" i tried to calm my voice as I started moving furniture in front of the door. She started pushing furniture and before i knew it everything we could grab was lined from the door to the wall across from it. There is absolutely no way anyone can open the door and on the off chance they break it her dresser would block it. I grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the bathroom, unplugging and grabbing her lamp post on the way. I pushed her behind me as I locked the door. I turned to see her looking at me like I was insane for having her lamp but I just nervous laughed as I wrapped the cord around it and folded the end into a loop to make it tight and stay and then took off the lamp shade before holding it up like the world's longest bat. "Weapon" I grinned. "I know I look like a lunatic, but I have no other way to protect us and I dont think a shopping bag would help." I laugh trying to relieve our tension. She smiled and sat on the toilet seat as I leaned against the door listening. "I cant hear anything. Could this be just a false alarm?" As soon as the words left my mouth I heard muffled running and shouting. I pailed as I looked back at Erin, walking over lamp in my bandaged hand to hold her hand with my other. My hand started to throb around the lamp. I looked at it and noticed I had a death grip on it but I couldn't make myself let it go. "I hate this" Erin cried. "I know babe, but everyone will be ok. We just have to follow protocol and keep you safe." I winced at the look on her face. "It's stupid. I have my wolf and they treat me like a child." "Erin, you are their child. Their baby, and Ryan would start a war on top of that and you know it." She smiled as she wiped her tears. "I know he would."