WOLF BOY

Did a boy do this?

With a heavy heart, Callaghan lowered his red-rimmed eyes. He could feel the tears welling up in his eyes, threatening to spill over. Greta, too, turned away with sadness. They sat there, silent, for what felt like an eternity.

Greta's voice was choked with emotion, and she struggled to find the words to express what was in her heart. She knew that her time on Earth had come to an end, and she wanted Callaghan to know how much she loved him.

"I know that you're going to face some tough times ahead," Greta said, her voice shaking. "But I want you to know that you're not alone. If you find someone willing to face the storms of life with you, hold onto them and cherish them. And if they love you, make sure you love them back. You're the captain of your ship, and you have to steer it in the direction that you want to go."

Greta's eyes filled with tears as she spoke. She would never be able to provide the love and support that Callaghan needed. Her heart ached at the thought of leaving him behind, but she knew that it was time for her to go.

"I'm sorry that I won't be here to love and care for you anymore," Greta said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I want you to know that I believe in you. You're the hero of your own story, and you have to keep moving forward. Don't let my leaving be the end of your tale. Keep turning the pages, and keep exploring the world around you. And most importantly, stay alive. That's all I ask of you."

"Goodbye, my son," she whispered. "I'll be watching over you always.“

“Goodbye!" Callaghan exclaimed, his eyes widening and his lips forming a perfect 'O'. Sorrow sliced through his frail heart like shards of glass, and he struggled to gulp in air through his gritted teeth.

Suddenly his mother began to crumble, and the sight of her crumbling form filled him with a sense of dread. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her, not again. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close in a tight embrace.

"I once lost you, Mama," he murmured, his voice trembling with emotion.

"But I'll never let you go again."

He felt her body give way, as she crumbled into dust in his grasp. Panic surged through him, and he cried out in despair. He had failed to protect her, and now she had slipped away from him once more.

Confusion washed over him as he scanned around, searching for any sign of her. Had it all been a dream? He tentatively ran his hand over his clothing, half-expecting to feel her crumpled form still clinging to him, but there was nothing. No evidence that she had ever been there. No flesh or bone.

Just as he was about to call out for her, the wind picked up, whispering in his ear. It was a voice he knew all too well - his mother's. But how could that be? She was nowhere in sight.

"I'm sorry, my son," the voice murmured. "This is the road we have to take. But I promise you, I'll tell God to locate you a new and better family. Farewell, my beloved son."

Callaghan was left alone, surrounded by nothing but the sound of the wind as it swept through the front porch. He couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead for him, now that he was without a family. But something about the way the wind had spoken to him, the way his mother's voice had carried through it, gave him hope. Hope that there was something more out there waiting for him.

As his mind struggled to leave the black void of unconsciousness, Callahan's eyelids fluttered. His eyes darted back and forth beneath his closed lids until he let out a sharp scream. As he took in his surroundings, he jolted up, his heart pounding against his chest. His thoughts raced as he attempted to piece together what had occurred. He was lying on the muddy grave, surrounded by death's silence. His heart sank; it had all been a dream. His mother never arrived.

He wished himself to sleep again, hoping to awaken in a different reality, one where he was safe and warm in his mother's arms.

He heard a murmur of voices in the distance as he lay there, his senses heightened. His pupils dilated as he observed movement and rustling in the shadows. His heart beat faster as the darkness brightened and every noise became louder.

Five perambulating figures emerged from the shadows, each with a familiar pair of gleaming eyes. He resisted the urge to scream in terror and flee for his life.

The shadowy figures took their time walking over the macabre remains of wolf heads, bones, and flesh. As they moved through the gruesome scene, the stench of death hung heavy in the air. They came to a halt in front of a dead humanoid wolf. Aside from that, there was its severed skull.

One of the figures crouched low and studied the fresh claw marks on the sides of the enormous skull. The figure's bright blue eyes scanned the markings for any hints as to what had caused them.

"There is no other possible explanation," Smucker stated solemnly.

"This is an Alpha's body. Its paws and eyes are as large as a Red- eyed's... but I can't imagine an omega's claws leaving such deep scars."

"Gross! I can't believe this head is genuinely Grandalf's," one of Smucker's men muttered under his breath.

Smucker turned to Hopkins, his voice trembling with disbelief.

"You mean to tell me a kid did all of this?" he asked, surprised.

Hopkins nodded solemnly.

"Yes. It's hard to believe, but it's true."

The group fell silent, taking in the horror before them. Jayda, the girl who had spied on Hopkins willy, abruptly spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper.

"The boy must be more powerful than a deity," she said, her gaze drawn to Grandalf's severed head.

She shuddered, a shiver running down her spine.

"I'm scared," she added.

"The expression on Grandalf's face... it was as if he knew he was going to die."

The group fell into a hushed silence, their voices low and fearful.

"How can we be sure the boy will not do the same to us?" Jayda inquired quietly.

"We can't just invite him to Grendel's meeting without knowing for certain."

Hopkins shook his head.

"We can only hope he doesn't. But first, we must locate him."

Smucker nodded with determination.

"Agreed. Let's look through this place from top to bottom. We'll track him down and make sure he doesn't hurt anyone else. Let us first inspect the cottage "Smucker spoke in a low, urgent tone.