Pack of Addictions

Chapter One

I looked around frantically as my breath caught in my throat. My choice was to dart left and run as fast and as far as I could. My lungs burned as they heaved, struggling to get the oxygen that they needed. I soon found myself standing on a dark beach. I had no idea where I was, but it was obvious that I had made it to a lake.

'Surely, if I get in and swim fast enough, I can escape the thing behind me.' I thought as I stepped bare foot into the water.

A howl echoed in the distance, causing me to freeze in place. We're they already this close? I wasn't fast enough. Panic rose inside me as I began to run into the water and swim for my life. I was a good swimmer, but at this point, my body had already been through so much that it was so tired and struggling to keep me a float.

'I'm not going to make it.' I thought as I struggled to keep my head up over the water. 'This is it.'

My legs were too tired, and my arms were just not strong enough to keep me up by themselves. Not to mention, my lungs were already at their breaking point. I couldn't go on. My eyes closed as bubbles escaped my lips.

Suddenly, I jolted awake from the nightmare that has been haunting me for the past few weeks. Ever since Kadin and I started dating officially. After realizing that I was safe and slowing my breathing, I grabbed a bottle of water from my nightstand. The next thing I noticed was my parents fighting. My heart sank as I pushed myself to get out of bed. Today was the first day back to school, and I was happy to get out of the house while they were in one of those arguments. So I quickly got dressed and ran out the door. As always, Kadin was standing at the road waiting for me. A smile rose across my face, and I rushed over to meet him.

"Good morning!" I exclaimed brightly.

He gave a weak, sad smile. "Good morning. How do you deal with the fighting all of the time? I can hear them from here."

I shrugged and looked at the ground."When it's all you know as you grow up, I guess it becomes the norm, and eventually you're used to all the yelling. Or the unhappy vibe they give off. Honestly, if it wasn't for you, I might never have known happiness."

He put his hand on my shoulder and pulled me close. "I'm sorry that this was the childhood you had."

"Don't be. it's made me who I am, and it allowed me to meet you, and look how close we are." I replied, looking up at him with a smile."Now let's go before we're late."

He nodded, and we began to head to school.

As we approached our favorite bakery, he paused and looked down at me. "Did you eat breakfast?"

I averted my eyes and replied, "Of course I did."

"What did you eat?" he pressed.

"I uhh..ate some toast." I smiled, trying to hide that I was lying.

"You know I've always been able to tell when you lie right." he said, pinching my cheek.

"Ack! Okay! Okay! I missed my alarm and didn't want to deal with my parents fighting, so I just left." I explained, rubbing my cheek.

"Missed your alarm again? That's been happening a lot recently. Was it a dream? Or maybe you should change the tune. When you get used to hearing one, you start to ignore the sound." he said as we entered the bakery.

"It's just deep sleep. I'll try and change my alarm to see if that will help." I told him. I didn't want to worry him over a silly nightmare.

He looked at me for a moment as if trying to read my mind."Alright."

He could probably tell that I wasn't being honest again he could always tell.

"We will have 2 of your ham breakfast rolls. Please." He said as the little old lady approached the counter.

"Oh, of course you will dearies. Can I get you anything else this morning?" Her voice crackled.

Kadin looked at me, and I shrugged. "Maybe a Long John?"

He smiled and pulled out his wallet. "And two of your long john doughnuts, cream filled if you will."

"Oooh, yes. Those are very good choices. You two come in so often and happen to be some of our best customers. We just love seeing the two of you." she replied happily as she grabbed our order with gloved hands. "You two be safe out there. There have been reports coming over the radio about wolves in the area. The forests have been dwindling down so much that the poor dears are running out of places to call home."

The color drained from my face, and a shiver shot all the way down my spine."T-thank you for the heads up, Ma'am. We definitely will be careful." I replied.

Kadin noticed something was wrong but waited to talk about it until we paid and left the bakery.

"So. Do you want to tell me?" he asked as he reached into the bag to get my roll.

I looked down and took the roll as he handed it out. "The reason I keep missing my alarm. I don't really know if it's linked or a coincidence, but I have been having this recurring nightmare where I am being chased by wolves. When I try to escape, I always end up at a lake. I don't really know where this lake is, but I get into the water after running for so long to try and hide my scent. I think swimming is the only way, but my body gives up about halfway. As I start to sink and give up, I wake up."

He looks deep in thought as he bites into his breakfast roll and finally replies."I don't think you need to worry about this pack of wolves." We haven't seen any, and we go out all kinds of places. If they were dangerous, I believe we would have been attacked already. Don't you?"

I thought a moment. He was right about that. We rode through the woods all the time, and we even have a quiet place we go near a creek. Surely, if there were wild wolves around, they would be drawn to the horses.

"I know you're right, but then what is my dream about?" I asked with a furrowed brow.

"Sometimes dreams are just dreams. However, if you think it has more meaning to it , then we can look into it." He smiled calmly.

"No. Perhaps you're right. Maybe it's just the fear of starting in a new school. High school is supposed to be full of wolves, after all." I smiled as I relaxed.

We made it to school right as the doors were being unlocked. On time as always.

Kadin laced his fingers with mine and smiled gently."I'm here for you whenever you need me. We can tame these wolves together."

With his reassurance and a weight liften from my chest, we headed into the crowd hand in hand, prepared for our first day of high school. There was so much awaiting us that there was no way we could have predicted the challenges. Not only to us but ones that would be placed on our relationship. Changes some of which could be explained, and some which could not.