Young Jeremiah
“I can’t take it anymore!” My father bellowed with his ferocious roar following his statement.
“It wasn’t supposed to be this way! I can’t lose her!” he roared. It shook the room, including the door that I was hiding behind to listen in. Sounds of crashing and smashing followed shortly after as my father destroyed the inside of his study. Once the smashing had fallen silent, I shimmied away from the door, fearing the worst would happen to me if he found out I was listening to him. I rushed upstairs towards my room when I heard my mother choking from her bedroom.
“Lay down Luna, you need rest.” My mother's maid cooed gently to her from her bedside. I crouched down, hiding behind the wall so that I could listen to her.
“Jeremiah? Is that you?” She called. Her voice was much weaker these days and I could never hide from her. She could smell me from a mile away even though she was human. That’s why she got so sick, if only she was a wolf. She would never be sick in the first place! I thought.
“Darling, come here,” she called. I crept from my hiding spot and walked slowly towards her room. She lay in her bed, weakened by the sickness that was taking her. I was only young but I knew that she was getting worse.
“There you are,” she croaked as I walked towards her bedside, taking a seat next to her on the bed.
“Mummy, are you getting worserer?” I asked. She gave me a soft smile and raised her arm to run her fingers through her hair. I could tell by her tremouring fingers that she was struggling to bear the weight of her own arm.
“Now, now, my darling. I want you to promise me something, okay?” She asked softly. I nodded to her, awaiting her request. I would be a good boy and do anything she says.
“No matter what happens to me, I want you to stay strong. Be the strongest Alpha and lead the pack when you become of age.” She asked softly. I nodded again, giving her a tight hug and never wanting to let her go.
“It’s time for you to get some sleep, ma’am” my mother's maid suggested swiftly, pulling me from her grip.
“Now you go play and let mummy get some rest, okay?” My mother asked sweetly as I was reluctantly pulled away from her. I ran from the room to do as I was told, rushing back down the stairs to the front door, when I noticed the door to my father's study was open. I knew I shouldn’t look inside, but curiosity built within me and I quickly found myself pondering down the hall towards it. As I approached the doorway, I began to feel my goosebumps prickling up all over my skin. Thankfully though, it became obvious that he wasn't in the room.
I gulped at the sight of the room. He had upturned the desk. Smashed the chair and destroyed most of his treasured ornaments. Dad would have my neck if I broke one in the past and here I am gazing upon them in pieces around the room.
“Jeremiah? What’re you doing?” My father's voice shot from behind me, startling me out of my skin.
“I- I- I was just-“ I stuttered in fear.
“Go and play son, don’t look at this mess!” He gave a low growl in warning. I nodded my head vigorously as I shook with fear.
“Go Jeremiah!” He growled. I jumped, forcing my legs to move as I raced to the front door away from him as fast as they could take me.
I knew from the moment that he used my name that I should not push his buttons. I would only be getting myself in big trouble otherwise. I ran out of the manor and stumbled, falling onto the grass in a heap and scraping my hands. I began to weep and sob, staring at them all red and muddy. They stung a little but that was not the true cause of my pain. I just wanted my mummy.
I was only little, but I wasn't stupid. She wasn't like most of us here. She didn't have a wolf. I didn't either yet, but she said that I would one day. She said that I would be big and strong and powerful, but I didn't want any of that if she wasn't there to see me. Dad is always so angry all the time. Ever since mum got sick he has been losing his mind. He is meaner than ever now and he takes it all out on me!
"Jeremiah do this. Jeremiah do that!" I whispered, mocking him slightly. It's all I ever get these days. He doesn't want to play anymore, or take me out. He used to be so fun and now, he just isn't the same. I would have ran away if it wasn't for my mummy. I knew that it would hurt her feelings and I didn't want her thinking that I was running away from her because I wouldn't be. I would be running away from him.
I sighed, snuffling and sniveling in a mess on the floor when, suddenly, the sound of a woman singing softly carried through the wind from the tree line of the pack grounds. It sounded so beautiful. Slight doubt entered my mind. Mummy said that I shouldn’t talk to strangers but I felt compelled to follow the voice.
I stood at my feet and used my sleeve to wipe the snot that streamed from my nose. Snuffling as I dusted the mud from my knees and hands in an attempt to clean myself up before I took off running towards the sound of the beautiful humming.
I felt a little nervous as I approached the trees but I sucked in a deep breath and pushed out my chest like the brave boy my daddy always said I should be. I took a step forward, looking back at the pack house to see if anyone had noticed me. When I realised the coast was clear, I stepped into the woods to follow the beautiful sound.
As I stepped through the into the forest, the faint whispering sound of a woman's voice called to me. "Jeremiah." It whispered so softly. I froze still for a moment, a little fearful that whoever it was, knew my name. I grasped the sleeves of my jumper and fiddled with the material for a little bit, stuck in two minds on what to do. Mummy would be so mad, but what if the lady knew me? She knows my name, after all.
"This way, Jeremiah." It whispered softly once again. I bit my lip, nibbling on it slightly. I wanted to follow it but I got a little scared. I turned back around when I heard some branches c***k in the direction of the woman's voice. I turned to see a little white bunny rabbit that had just bounced out of the bushes.
"Hello little bunny." I said, smiling at it. It was so cute, I stepped towards it slightly, hoping that it wouldn't run away from me. To my delight, it stood perfectly still as I approached it. I crouched down to pet its soft fur. It was pure white, all over with bright red eyes.
"Do you want to be my friend?" I asked as it sat there perfectly still, letting me pet its soft fur.
"Is that a yes?" I asked, taking its calmness as an answer in itself.
"What's your name?" I asked it, but as I did, it turned and hopped deeper into the woods.
"Hey, come back!" I demanded, but it ignored me. I sighed in defeat, watching as it left me.
When it hopped a few feet away, it turned to look at me. Once again, it stayed perfectly still. I eyed the rabbit carefully before walking over to it again. It let me pet it again, which made me so happy. Eventually, it hopped off again.
"Do you want me to follow you?" I asked. It didn't say anything but I took it's staring at me as a yes. When I walked towards it this time, it began to hop. Whenever I stopped, feeling uncertain of the fact that it may just be running away from me. It would also stop and wait for me. After a while, I hadn't even realized that I had been following it so deeply into the woods. Mummy would be so angry at me for being out here alone.
"I am sorry Mr. Rabbit." I muttered to the rabbit, which stopped and watched me.
"I have to get back home to my mummy. She would be so angry if she knew I was out here." I explained. I turned to walk away from the bunny and go back home after saying goodbye, when the sound of the lady signing came from behind me. It was much louder than before.
"Hello, Jeremiah."
