Chapter One~ First Encounter
~Lexy's P.O.V~
The sun was setting and the sky was darkening into a shade of Azure blue. As I walked home from school my biggest concern was getting home in time for dinner, but I heard a rustle in the forest. I knew it wasn't a good idea to take this route home. It was surrounded by the Endless Forest but it was a faster way home and it was getting late. I gripped my bag tighter and walked faster. My heart started beating like a drum. Walking alone so late at night wasn't a good idea, I cursed under my breath. I should've left school when the sun started setting even if it meant I didn't finish clean-up duty and got into trouble the next day.
I heard another rustle behind me. I swung around but saw nothing. That's when I decided I was going to start running home instead. I turned to start running but was met face-to-face with an enormous black wolf. I've heard stories of the things lurking in the Endless Forest but this wolf was massive. Much bigger than the normal wolf. He locked eyes with me and moved his face closer to mine. Growling and baring his teeth. Drool dripping everywhere, I was sure I was dead. I closed my eyes and braced myself when suddenly I heard snapping and growling. I opened my eyes and it darted toward the sounds. There was another wolf. A crimson wolf, barking and snarling at the black wolf. The crimson wolf was much bigger. It had collided with the black wolf to get it away from me from me.
I blinked. Not able to believe what I was seeing. Then another wolf jumped out of the forest. It was an ally of the crimson wolf. They were all circling each other now and snarling and biting at each other. Gasping for breath I realized I needed to get away from here. I waited till their backs were turned and slowly started taking steps back until I felt it was the right moment. I turned tail and ran.
I ran as fast as my feet could carry me. My heart and stomach were doing flips. I didn't dare look back and just ran as fast as I could. I heard the sound of nails scraping against the street. Something was behind me and it was running. This is my end I thought again. It's going to catch up to me. If it's that black wolf that wanted to make me a snack I'd not reach home. One thought crossed my mind in these final moments. Is this what happened to Xander?
A split second later the crimson wolf leaped in front of me and I stopped in my tracks. Almost face planting into its chest. It didn't react the way the black wolf did. It didn't snarl or bare its teeth. It simply stood there. I backed up a step trying to calm my breathing when the crimson wolf sat down and bowed its head, wagging its tail. Like it was asking for a pat on the head. I looked at it with utter confusion written all over my face.
"Are you serious?" I asked it like it could understand me.
He looked back up at me and tilted his head to the side. I scoffed. Not able to fathom what I was seeing. A wolf the size of a Jeep is acting like a puppy. I should probably be thankful it's not eating me. I closed my eyes and shook my head to try and let this new reality set in.
I took a step forward and reached for the spot between his ears but stopped a distance away as he was too enormous for me to reach him. He bowed down once again, letting me touch his head. I smiled at the ridiculousness of this amazing moment.
"I need to go home now," I said to him.
He lifted his head and took a position next to me. I looked at him trying to understand what he was doing but started walking nonetheless and he followed. He was walking me home. I was in utter shock that this beast could understand my words and even more that it protected me.
"Thanks for saving me back there."
He let out a huff. My eyes started welling up with tears. The shock of everything only hit me at that moment. I felt a fluffy nudge against my shoulder and I smiled at the wolf. He could sense I was emotional. I wish I could keep it as a pet, but a wolf this size in my house wouldn't work. I rubbed his side. Nearing my house I started feeling oddly sad. I didn't want to separate from him.
"I wish this wasn't farewell," I said in a broken voice.
He whined. I had a feeling he felt the same. We turned the corner and my house was in sight. I turned to face him.
"This is far enough. They'll see you. I'm safe now." I gave him another scratch and smiled at him.
He turned around and walked away. I watched him as he left. Until he disappeared into the Endless Forest. I reached my front door and put on a brave smile. It's better no one knew what had happened. It's not like they could do anything about the beasts in the forest.
I turned the knob to open the door when a deep sorrowful howl reached my ears. I stood there for n moment before entering. Somehow smiling to myself knowing there is something out there watching over me.
When I entered the house no one was there. It was deadly quiet. Enough to give me the creeps after what had just happened. I quickly walked up to my room and locked my door. Exhausted after everything that had happened, I skipped dinner, slumped into my bed, and drifted off to sleep with thoughts of the crimson wolf.
~*~
I woke up to the familiar scent of bacon in the morning. I walked over to my bay windows. It's dawn. The sun peeking over the horizon made the crimson aurora glimmer over the skyline. It made for a heavenly sight. I opened my window and took in a breath of fresh air. Last night's events still linger in my mind. I push it aside deciding since there's nothing to be done I might as well not obsess over it. It's better to forget the bad things but I'd remember the crimson wolf until the day I die.
I decided to get ready for school. I made my way to my en suite bathroom. I took a shower and brushed my teeth. I walked to my closet and took a pair of black tights, Converse boots, and a loose T-shirt with a wolf printed on it. For some reason, I've always been enchanted by wolves. I can't unravel why, but they are magnificent, majestic beasts and last night's events should've scared me but it somehow made me even more fascinated by them.
I walked downstairs to have breakfast. The old wooden floors creaked under my steps. It was a luxurious house, but old and worn down. We've fixed what we could but never changed a thing about it. This house had too many memories of the person we lost so we never changed a thing about it.
I walked into the dining room and was met with the sound of bacon being fried in a pan. Everyone except Mom was probably still asleep. I took a seat at the dining room table and looked up to see Mom approaching me with a plate. It was filled to the brim with toast, bacon, eggs, and sausage.
"Good morning, Mom." I smiled at her sweetly.
"Good morning, Honey." She smiled back and put the plate on the table in front of me.
"Thanks, Mom, Are we eating lasagne tomorrow?" I asked excitedly with twinkling eyes.
She chuckled mirthfully, then squinted her eyes mockingly at me and said, "Yes, dear. We eat it every week on a Tuesday without fail."
"I'm just asking." I laughed at her playful nature.
"You're asking because you want to learn the recipe, right?" Mom asked analytically.
I giggled. "Yes, but I know better. It's not the time."
She nodded her head in correspondence. "Soon, honey"
My mom's name is Sarah. She is delicate and petite. She has light brown hair streaked with little gray hairs, green eyes, and light creases around her mouth and forehead.
Marcus then joined me at the dinner table, and Mom brought him a plate too.
Marcus is my older brother. He is nineteen and has short dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a medium bronze skin tone and loved by all girls except me.
"Good morning, sis," Marcus said while yawning.
"Good morning, Marcus," Mom said jokingly.
"I was going to greet you, Mom, but I'm still sleepy, and like always, you both are going to team up on me again," Marcus whined.
"Seems like the perfect time to play with you if you ask me," I said deviously.
"Oh, come on, Lexy. You know I don't have any good remarks in the morning. My brain is still slumbering," He said groggily.
"And that's why I love it. It's like punching a teddy bear. You sit and take the beating but don't do anything in return. It's the only time I really have fun teasing you." I said and giggled.
"Don't make me bring Xander into thi-" His eyes widened and stopped mid-sentence.
I know he didn't mean it. He said his brain was still asleep, but I had just lost my appetite. "I suddenly feel lethargic. Pardon me." I got up from the table and made my way up the creaky stairs.
"I'm so sorry, Lexy. I wasn't thinking. I just forgot." Marcus exclaimed after me.
"It's okay. I'm not angry. Just not hungry anymore."
I entered my room. I closed my door tumbled into my pillow, and cried. School starts a little late today because of sports being held early, and luckily I don't do sports. So I thought I'd go back to sleep off this frame of mind. Hopefully, I would have forgotten about it when I woke up.
