The Red Wolf

Sam Elliot

I’ve been walking home for about twenty minutes. There are no cabs or drivers of any kind all the way out here. The town itself was quite small having a population of probably less than two thousand. Anyway, twenty minutes. I could still hear his footsteps behind me. The guy that sat next to me on the bus, still had his earbuds in and was casually following along behind me as if it wasn’t creepy. Maybe he thought I was creepy? No, no he’s following me; he is the creepy one.

Over the tops of the gold and amber leaves I could see the familiar tin roof of Stella’s house. I debated stopping in to say hi but if creepy guy kept following me, I wouldn’t want him to stalk her house. Lost in my thoughts as I pushed forward I was suddenly aware of just how close he was to me. I could feel it in my gut, his footsteps were louder, a little bit faster paced than before, and somewhat to the right instead of directly behind. Once I reach the spot in the road where it split in opposite directions I quickly turned left towards Stella’s, noticing out of the corner of my eye he turned right. That was weird.

I made my way up the small set of stairs and pressed my finger against the Ring button. Stella must have finally convinced her mother to get one. I happened to notice my shoes were untied and crouched to fix them. I heard the weather seal give way and the door creak open. I looked up seeing one of the people that usually occupied Stella’s, “oh hello, I came for-“

“I know, I remember you.” His voice was deep and his beard was scruffy. He reminded me of a beefier Sam Elliot. He pushed the screen door open allowing me easier access inside, “thank you.” I glanced around to check out if I recognized anybody but the house was empty. The older man spoke up, “everyone who is staying here is at your grandmother’s right now. Stella is getting dressed and we will be heading over.”

I nodded and turned back with a smile, “well cool i’ll walk over with you. I stopped by because some guy was following me and I didn’t know what his intentions were. But he turned down another road last minute so I don’t really know what that was.”

“Probably just another lost soul like the rest of us..” he spoke. I need his name otherwise i’ll feel like an i***t when I will need to know it. But I cant just ask him can I? Damnit. I already feel like an i***t. He knows who I am why don’t I know him? I set my bag down on the ground by the couch, “I’ll go check on her..” he nodded and turned towards the kitchen. I made my way down the hallway, passing her mother’s rooms, all 5 of the guest rooms, to finally reach her door at the very end. I lifted my hand to knock when the door swung open so fast the force sucked my hair towards the opening. I pulled some strands from sticking to my chapped lips and smiled. Before I could saying anything her arms were already around my neck, choking me out, “aaaaaah!! Mayaaaaaa!!” I hugged her tight squealing with her, “Maya I missed you so so so so so much the boys have been terrible!! There’s too much testosterone in this god forsaken place!” She moved back to look at me, “I know, I know boys are garbo. It’s honestly great to be back, I missed you guys so much!” I gave her another hug and then let go, “who’s the guy out front?”

Stella smirked and turned into her room, “you never remember anyone’s names… his name is Derek. He’s the leader of the-… group. Like he helps people come here..” I heard her clear her throat and then swallow. Or… did I? You can’t just hear people swallowing. Must have just heard something else. Stella snapped me from my train of thought saying, “well I was ready to go just gotta..” she reached for her phone, charging on the table, “yeah ok I’m ready! Lets gooo!” I followed her out of her room and down the hall. I noticed now that one of the guest rooms was cracked open. Cracked open enough that I saw a glimpse of a dog inside. All I saw were it’s paws but it was obviously a dog, “Stellaaa when did you get a dog??” She froze and turned around quickly, “oh that’s probably one of their dogs sometimes they bring them! Come on we’re late!” She looped her arm through mine, locking our elbows and pulled me away from the door with more force than she normally would. I have always been stronger than her so stopping would be easy. She seemed eager to leave so I scooped up my bag as we walked by and let her drag me outside. Sam Elliot- I mean Derek, following behind.

I do not need to make that a thing. I would so accidentally call him that out-loud and then really feel like an i***t.