Spirit Of The Wolf Collection

Chapter 7-1

Nicole finished the last of the week’s assigned readings for class and put away her school things, finally getting an opportunity to look at her library books. Skimming over the stories of Bigfoot and Nessie from the books she checked out the week before, she began reading about Stonehenge. It was one subject she didn’t know much about. The book drew her in quickly, and she put it down with an aggravated sigh when she heard a knock at the door.

Confusion briefly replaced frustration. Who would be knocking on her door at this time of night, anyway? Hardly anyone ever stopped by much past early evening. She briefly considered pretending to be asleep but thought better of it. She should see who it was, it might be important.

Nicole opened the door and discovered David standing in the hallway. He was half turned away from the door, as if he intended to leave. “What are you doing here? It’s pretty late.” She cringed. That was her reaction to his visit? Smooth – real smooth. Now he was going to think he wasn’t welcome. She focused on his shirt, unable to meet his eyes. Irrational fear gripped her at the prospect of him feeling unwelcome, but for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why it bothered her so much.

Nicole forced her eyes up to his face, knowing she owed him that much, even if she didn’t know why.

David was fidgeting, and looked a little uncertain. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even think about the time. I’ll just go.” He turned and stepped away.

“Wait.” She reached out and touched his arm, sending shock waves rippling up her own. How could that simple touch create such a reaction? “Don’t worry about the time, I was only reading. I usually stay up late. What brought you by?”

David shifted his weight and cleared his throat. He couldn’t decide if he wanted her to move her hand or not. It would make thinking a little easier, but then, he would probably miss her touch. Why couldn’t he decide what he wanted? “Actually, I was taking a walk and I thought I might come check on you, make sure you didn’t have any more trouble tonight.” Good, that sounds plausible. I mean, it is plausible. I mean that’s why I came here… sort of.

Good, that sounds plausible. I mean, it is plausible. I mean that’s why I came here… sort of.She narrowed her eyes and grinned broadly. “Are you a stalker?” she asked with mock seriousness.

He grinned back. “Nope.” I’m just a guy trying to keep a promise to your long-dead father by keeping you safe. Oh, and I have the hots for you, too, by the way. “I just don’t know many people here. And you seem like you could use the company, too. I can go if I’m bothering you.”

I’m just a guy trying to keep a promise to your long-dead father by keeping you safe. Oh, and I have the hots for you, too, by the way. “No, It’s not you. I’m kind of difficult to everyone right now. I’m just not much fun lately. I guess it’s hard to believe anyone would want to be around me.”

“You’re the only one I want to be around.”

Nicole smiled slightly uncomfortably and lowered her gaze.

“But then,” he added, grinning, “as I said before, I don’t know too many people around here…” His voice trailed off and he lifted his eyes towards the ceiling.

She laughed. “That’s very kind of you,” she said, the words dripping with sarcasm. “Why don’t you come in?”

She closed the door behind him and hastily smoothed out her hair while his back was turned. “Can I get you anything?” She was already wishing for another excuse to touch him.

“Nah, I’m fine.” He looked around the room, hoping something to say would pop into his head. He really should have thought this plan through a little better. “Uh, have you heard anything about the guys who attacked you?”

“No, but I’m not expecting to hear anything. I know they were probably sent by Rodney Steagel.”

“Steagel?” David’s ears perked up on hearing the name of the man who could be behind the attacks on Nicole. He wished he could get the guy alone for ten minutes. David was surprised when he realized his hands were clenched into fists. He deliberately forced himself to relax, careful not to let Nicole notice that little betrayal of how strong his feelings toward her were becoming.

“Yeah, I took some pictures which could tie Rodney Steagel of Steagel & Co. to some illegal activities. I’m pretty sure he sent those guys to get rid of me.” She finished with a half-smile, proud that she’d managed to say all that without letting her voice crack.

He shook his head. How could someone so young get involved in so much trouble? Then again… "How did you get involved in something like that?”

Nicole plopped down on the couch with a sigh. “If you really want to know…” He nodded for her to continue. “It was basically because of my parents.” She took a moment to swallow down the lump in her throat and continued. “They started a group to fight environmental injustices, specifically from this one company, run by Steagel. He’s been polluting the river, so I was taking pictures of the damage when I stumbled across him and his men dumping toxic waste. He probably didn’t figure anyone would be near the river at this time of year,” she mused. “I just can’t understand how anyone could so willfully destroy the environment like that. We should be taking care of the world, not polluting it. Everyone just keeps destroying the world, and then they’re surprised when it starts to show. They wonder why people get sick, why it’s harder to breath nowadays and why the water isn’t safe to drink. No one takes responsibility for their own actions.

And most so-called environmentalists aren"t much better. They’re only worried about the world at the exclusion of the people in it. They use environmentalism to control and manipulate people, instead of trying to make food safe to eat. They claim to cherish nature while ignoring the cycle of life and death that exists in it. Change happens. Destruction happens. It’s unavoidable. Life moves on. But there’s no reason we should haphazardly poison ourselves in the meantime. Everyone is all or nothing, one way or the other, without applying any logic to their arguments. I"m as worried about the birds and fish as the next person, but call me crazy, I"m a little more worried about the people."

“You seem to feel pretty strongly about that the issue,” David said, sitting down beside her on the couch. He was impressed by her passion, and wanted to hear more, much more. He never wanted her to stop talking. She was intriguing, and so passionate. He hadn’t heard anyone else talk like this in a very long time. He hadn’t even known it was possible for someone to feel so strongly about anything anymore.

She was a little stunned. All those years of listening to her parents saying things like that, she’d never realized how passionately she believed in what they’d been doing. It was comforting to realize that maybe she’d been closer to them, to their dreams, than she’d thought. It was almost like having them back with her again. She smiled. “I do,” she said with complete honesty. “I’d like to do something to make a difference. But then, who wouldn’t?”

“A lot of people. To care so deeply is a very special trait. You’re a special person.”

Nicole shrugged uncomfortably beneath the unexpected praise. The comforting feeling remained for a second or two, before it was replaced by guilt. Her parents – they were the special ones, not her. She should have realized how she felt sooner, should have reached out to her parents, helped them with their work. She looked around the room, her critical eye noticing all the picture frames which were turned away or lying flat and had been since her parents’ death. She reached over to the picture frame lying face down on the end table and stood it up. Slowly blinking away tears, she stared at a snapshot Meg had taken of Nicole and her parents last summer. She smiled wistfully. They’d finished moving Nicole’s stuff into her apartment when the photo was taken. Tired, covered in dirt and sweat, the three of them posed in front of a stack of boxes. Blinking harder, Nicole carefully stood the frame upright on the end table and put on a brave smile, only to find David staring at the picture, understanding in his expression. It was the understanding which undid her. She squeezed her eyes closed and clapped her hand over her mouth to keep from crying aloud. Several deep breaths later, she was able to remove her hand. “I’m sorry,” she said, eyes still closed.

“You never have to apologize for how you feel.”

She smiled gratefully. “Thank you.” She opened her eyes, staring down at her clasped hands. “I… my parents died in a car accident recently. Things are getting easier, but sometimes… I still have trouble looking at photographs of them.” She gestured to the overturned picture frames scattered throughout the room.

David noticed the picture frames for the first time. They blended in so well with their surroundings. Several had ornaments, or other picture frames standing in front of them. Looking back at Nicole, he was pleased to see she’d almost regained her composure. She fell right in when he changed the subject to a more mundane topic.

David listened to her talking, contributing to the conversation from time to time, for what seemed like hours. The chiming of a clock marked the passing of an hour and David reluctantly admitted to himself it was too late to continue their conversation, as much as he loved the sound of Nicole’s voice. It would be selfishness on his part to keep her up any later. “I should be going. I should let you get some sleep.” He stood up and walked to the door.

“Um, okay. I appreciate you coming by.” Quickly, she followed him to the door, subduing the urge to touch him. Her breath caught in her throat. If only she didn’t have to let him go. Just having him near was such a comfort. “Good night.”

David smiled and took her hand, kissing her fingers. “Good night.” He had to admit to some satisfaction when she sucked in a breath as his lips touched her fingers. He’d have to remember to thank Mark for teaching him that little move. It was one of his only charming traits, and women loved it. Most importantly, this woman loved it.

thisNicole watched as he disappeared down the hall, before closing and locking her door. One little late-night visit from her neighborhood rescuer, and she was putty. How did he make her react so strongly in so short a time? Unable to come up with any real answers to the question, she made her way back to the couch and plopped down on the cushions with a sigh. Whatever this was, it was definitely exciting.

Nicole stayed up a little longer, reading the books from the library, a couple of magazines, and anything else she could find, anything to put off going to sleep. She even allowed herself to think about David some more, but she still couldn’t come to any conclusions about him. Eventually, despite her efforts, sleep found her.