The Outsiders

The Outsiders: Chapter Six

Soum Menjivar

Sobbing in my arms, Maddy clung to me as I called out for Matty.

            Mom remained at home, residing in the living room in case they appeared there. Through tearful eyes, I held Maddy dear to my chest. Her cries, her sobs, her whispers and rang in my ears. Never had I seen her break down, so broken and distressed. Not even after a meltdown or an episode, Maddy never clings to me like I was the only stable piece in her life. Not once had she cried in my shoulder, whispering "Matty" with broken cries.

Flashing the grim foliage with a flashlight, Maddy and I walked deeper into the forest. Seeing that Matty only knows three places — our house, the school, and the forest behind our house — they would be here. The only question there was, was why? He wouldn't have wandered the woods without us, especially after the events of the evening. No matter how I thought of it, I wouldn't muster a reason for him leaving but one:

those dammed wolves.

Anger rose from my collarbone as I searched through the greenery with a sneer. No matter how irrevocably humorous the notion was, I knew the only reason Matty wouldn't be home was because of them: with their snarls and their garish growls. By force or by persuasion, I knew those dammed wolves had something to do with it.

"Matty! Matty Menjivar, you better come out of this forest right now!"

Fear wasn't a factor as anger and frustration fueled my search. Maddy gulped back her tears, looking in all directions before trembling in fear. Tensing, I turned towards a pair of beady, glowing eyes. Though entranced with the nightly darkness, the same ash-toned eyes glared at me as they had done before. Scowling, I pushed Maddy behind me.

"Show me where he is."

Glaring at the beast, Maddy pressed herself closer to my arm. Without anything to mask my scent, the wolf sniffed the air next to me. Bewildered, it shifted on its feet. Furrowing my eyebrows, I took a keen step forwards.

"I don't want to hurt you. I just want Matty."

The wolf stared at me before hesitantly walking towards me and Maddy. Lowering itself, I took a breath. I tried to Maddy, looking into her glossy eyes. With determination striking her honey eyes, she nodded and settled herself on top of the furry creature. Once she got comfortable, the wolf remained on its haunches, staring at me.

"I'm not riding you."

With a look, the wolf wagged its tail and tilted its head. I knew the beast was only mocking me, but I hadn't a clue how far Matty was. I knew I could keep up with the wolf, but it would be swifter to ride on the putrid wolf.

"I swear to god."

Setting myself onto the wolf, it picked itself off of the ground. Trying to regain my balance and Maddy her's, we clenched the wolf's fur as it grumbled. Steadying itself with the extra weight, the wolf began to walk before it sprinted down the woodlands. The wind blew through my hair, whizzing past my face as the wolf ran. With speed unknown to me, the wolf ran near two miles before slowing down. Clenching its fur in my palms, Maddy's soft breath caught my attention.

With her eyebrows furrowed, she wiped the last of her tears. The wolf bent down, settling itself on the floor as we slipped off its back. Just as my foot grazed the ground, the wolf sprung on its feet, sending me to the floor. Maddy giggled, loosening her shoulders before she turned towards a large gate.