Wolves (English)

Chapter 11

With my mouth half open, I stare at the unknown girl. Who is she? What is she doing here? How does she get it into her head to just come in here and get involved in our conversation?

Apparently, I'm the only one wondering all that because my parents and Finn look like they just think it's all normal.

Mom even pulls up a chair for her. 'Ah, girl. Of course you can. We've been so worried. Come, sit down. What do you want to drink? Coffee? Tea? A glass of soda?'

'A glass of water would work wonders,' the strange girl replies, gratefully sliding her chair back and sitting next to Finn. He looks at her with a big smile on his face.

I'm starting to get a little suspicious about this strange scene. I thought it couldn't be any crazier with those stories about the Shadows and that mysterious thing about Finn. But now, I also get a strange person sitting across from me. At least, she's strange to me. My parents and brother seem to have known her for some time. Do they sometimes know something I don't know?

Now the girl is looking at me. She blushes and gently extends her right hand to me. It is almost completely brown, as if she has been rooting in the mud.

With a slight doubt I shake the dirty hand, which feels warm and sandy. Yep, I was right.

'Ester,' I say. Short but sweet.

'I know,' the girl replies, smiling. 'You will probably find this very strange, but ...'

'No, girl,' I interrupt her sarcastically. 'Of course I don't find it strange that in the evening I suddenly hear whole stories about so-called Human-Wolves, and suddenly a strange person shows up. Who, incidentally, just pops in here, without knocking, and steals our chair.'

'Ester!' My mother puts a glass of water on the table and glares at me. 'Just be normal with her for a moment. She hasn't done anything wrong.'

'No, no.' The girl waves her hand. 'Please. I understand that she reacts like that. Of course it is not nothing what is happening. Let me first introduce myself.' She looks me straight in the eye. 'Actually, that is no longer necessary because Finn took over that task from me this afternoon.'

For a moment, I don't understand what she's talking about. Finn never introduced me to anyone, and certainly not this girl.

But then, when I think a little longer, it dawns on me. The thought is so bizarre that it almost scares me. 'Are ... are you ...'

'Yes.' She finishes the sentence for me. 'It's me, Dyre. The she-wolf you and Finn freed from that terrible trap this afternoon. Or, well, she-wolf ... actually a Shadow, if you know that term.'

Of course I know that term. After all, I just heard all about it. But I never thought Dyre could be one. Even when Finn talked about Dyre and the dead wolf, I didn't think twice about that possibility. It's all getting too much for my head.

Dyre sees it. 'Relax, Ester. I know exactly what you are going through right now. I had that too when I discovered that people like me did exist. It's really nothing to be ashamed of.'

She doesn't understand. Shame is the last thing I feel right now. All I feel is amazement and confusion. I don't know if my head can handle any more after what I discovered today.

'You know what?' Dyre suggests. 'We give Ester some time to process everything. Tomorrow, when she is calmer, we can tell her the rest.'

That seems like a very good plan to me. Actually, I was hoping to hear everything tonight, but it looks like the rest of the story is even more complicated. That is, if I look at the four faces around me.

My parents look at each other and both nod.

'I think you're right in this case, Dyre,' says Finn. He looks at me with a serious look on his face. 'I'm sorry you have to wait for my story, Ester, but if you also get to hear that now ...'

'I get it,' I interrupt. 'Then it all becomes a bit too much information for one evening. I feel that myself.'

My brother nods.

For a moment, it remains quiet at the table.

Then, Finn looks at our parents one by one. 'You know, it might be a good idea to take Ester to Erik tomorrow. Then he can also tell her some things.'

I see my mother shrugging her shoulders and my father nodding thoughtfully.

Then I suddenly think of something. 'But I have a math test tomorrow. That's really not going to work, Finn.'

'Then I'll just pick you up after that test,' he laughs. 'We pretend we both just happen to have to see the doctor.'

Despite the weird situation I'm in right now, I have to laugh. 'Okay, but only if you tell me the rest in the morning.'

He winks at me. 'Agreed!'

'Well, that is already taken care of,' says Dyre. 'And of course I will also go along. Erik will be wondering where I am by now.'

'I'm sure of that,' my mother laughs. She is holding a roll of biscuits in front of Dyre. 'Anyone else a biscuit?'