Spirit Of The Wolf Collection

Chapter 3-2

“What happened?” Meg leaned across the table, interest visible in her pretty features.

Nicole took a breath and started talking, spewing out a stream of words. “I stumbled across Steagel trying to get rid of some toxins by the lake, so I took some photos, but I got caught. I got the scrapes when I was running away from Steagel and his cronies, because they’d heard my camera rewinding the film. I tripped over a tree root and fell and one guy caught up with me and he had a gun. Just when I was about to get shot, a wolf jumped out of the woods and knocked over the guy with the gun. I got lost again, and the wolf helped me find my way home. But that’s all over now. I gave the film to John, and he’s going to take care of things from here.”

Meg leaned back in the seat and whistled. “Wow! No wonder you’re drinking coffee.”

With a brief grin, Nicole leaned in, tapping her fingers against the side of her coffee cup. “I’ve been thinking about that black wolf. Don’t you think it’s weird; I’m about to become a statistic, when he just shows up out of nowhere?” She shook her head.

“Are you sure it was a wolf?” Meg asked and Nicole shot her a frustrated look. “Never mind, you’re the wolf expert.” She sighed and thought for a second. “Someone was definitely looking out for you. Hey, maybe the wolf was your spirit guide or something! You’ve always been obsessed with all things wolf related. It would make sense that a spirit guide would take a form that has meaning for you.”

“I did get a strange feeling when I looked in his eyes. It seemed as if I could completely trust him, like I knew him. And then he led me home, away from the other men who were chasing me. Do you really think he could be a spirit guide?”

Meg shrugged. “Anything’s possible. I mean, whatever way you want to look at it, you were being protected. I don’t know if it’s a spirit guide or even an angel, but someone was definitely watching over you.”

Nicole shuddered when a thought occurred to her. “If someone or something, supernatural or not, is looking out for me, I hope they keep doing it. If that guy got a good look at me…”

Meg reached across the table and took Nicole’s hands in her own, careful not to touch her scrapes. “Look, whether he did or not, you’ll end up on your feet. I’ve always said you have nine lives, and you’re nowhere near using them all up.”

“Meg,” she groaned, “you know I don’t like that cat analogy. It’s not even accurate.”

“Sure it is. You’re the luckiest person I know.”

“I don’t know if lucky is how I’d characterize it.”

“Nicole, remember the time a wrong number woke you up, just in time to make you aware of that gas leak you and Billy were sleeping through? And what about the time we accidentally got locked in that freezer when you wanted to go exploring?”

“Hey, it wasn’t just me,” Nicole replied defensively.

“True,” Meg conceded, “but we were in there for what had to be an hour when the door suddenly opened, with no sign of anyone releasing the catch. Now, you’re getting shot at and saved by a wolf. Sounds like par for the course to me. Anyway, let’s eat, I’m starved.”

Nicole laughed. Deep down, she was still worried about everything, but there was nothing she could do to change the situation, so she decided to concentrate on other things for now.

They ate lunch without broaching any serious subjects and Meg kept her entertained with a running commentary regarding students on campus. Nicole always found herself amazed by how much gossip Meg knew. How did she hear so much? No matter what the source, she always felt better after talking to Meg. She was a reminder that Nicole had a friend who would listen to her ramblings, and not judge her for trusting a strange wolf, and be concerned about her well being but respectful enough of Nicole not to be overbearing with well-meaning advice.

Nicole chuckled when Meg finished a story about the psych major who’d shown up to her drama class wearing fishnet stockings, diving flippers and goggles along with a feathered boa. No reason. Just because he wanted to. “Tell me you got pictures.”

“No,” Meg shook her head regretfully. “But someone else in class took pics with her phone, and she said she’d download the pictures and send them to everyone.”

“That’s great. They’ll make the perfect addition to your wall of shame.” Both girls grinned in agreement. Meg’s wall of shame had started out simply enough as just a few pictures taped to the wall beside her bed. It had since evolved into almost an entire wall full of pictures of them and their friends – and a few strangers – caught in a range of funny and memorable poses. Everything worth photographing which had happened in the last five years, since Nicole first got her camera, had been added to Meg’s wall. Nicole was responsible for about two thirds of the pictures on the wall, but once word spread to their friends and acquaintances, several pictures had been donated to the wall. There was even one picture of some guy neither of them had met, wearing nothing but a roll of yellow police tape. Pretty soon, Meg was going to have to move on to another wall… or buy a scrap book.

They lapsed into a comfortable silence while they waited for their bills, Nicole absentmindedly tapping her fork on the side of her plate and Meg glancing at her ‘to do’ list in her planner. Nicole was halfway through tapping out the latest car insurance jingle before she realized the song was stuck in her head again. Great. Just when she got the song out of her head, now she would be singing it all day. She rolled her eyes and forced herself to stop tapping. Just then, she noticed Meg tapping out the same beat with her fingers. “How long have you been thinking that jingle?” Nicole asked, suspiciously.

Meg looked up, momentarily confused until she realized what Nicole was referring to. “Oh, I don’t know. Pretty much all day, I guess. It got stuck in my head this morning, and I haven’t been able to get rid of it.” Nicole groaned. “Can’t you think of any better songs? Now you’ve got it stuck in my head, too.” Meg put her hands up defensively, but the gesture was belied by the teasing grin. “Hey, can I help it if you always seem to tap into my brain when I’m thinking of annoying songs? You should tune in when I get musicals going through my mind.”

Nicole gave her the, ‘and you’re telling me this because?’ look. “Okay, I’ll think of another song.” Meg was quiet for a moment, her teeth nibbling on her bottom lip. Then, a big grin broke out on her face. Instantly, Nicole could hear the chorus of “I need a Hero” going through her head. She sighed and rested heavily on her bent arms on the table. “What? I thought it would be appropriate,” Meg said with an innocent look on her face. Looking very proud of herself, Meg proceeded to tap out the new tune on the table.

In spite of herself, Nicole was humming along by the time the waitress walked up with their checks. The waitress picked up the rest of their dishes and left behind their bills. “I’ve got it,” Nicole said, picking up both bills.

“What? No, I’ve got mine covered,” Meg argued, digging around in her bag for her purse. “Besides, I know with all the expenses you’ve had lately, you can’t afford to keep doing things like this.”

Nicole sobered at the reminder of the funeral and the other expenses which the life insurance hadn’t quite covered. “I can afford what I want to afford. Besides this is my treat for you listening to all my crap. And I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

“If you insist.” Meg’s lips curved in a mischievous grin. “But I just remembered I still owe you for the movie we went to last week, so here you go,” she said, passing Nicole a ten-dollar bill. Nicole rolled her eyes and gave an exaggerated sigh, but took the money.

They both stood to leave and headed for the exit. “So,” Meg slapped a hand down on Nicole’s shoulder. “These guys who are after you; you want I should beat any of them up for you?” she asked with a wicked grin and a twinkle in her eyes.

Nicole smiled back. “Sure, but only if I can help.”

Meg’s grin broke into a full-blown smile. “Oh, I do love it when you get all violent.” Her eyes sparkled brightly as she put emphasis on the last word.

“Just paying homage to the master,” Nicole said, indicating Meg with the gesture of her hand. Meg simply gave a little half bow and opened the door for them both.

With a higher spring in her step than before, Nicole headed home.