We Walk As Wolves

Chapter 36

Cass

The trail the three boys had made on their way to the ocean left the island stained with splatters of blood.

"We're almost there," Poe said for the sixth time.

"Just a little further," Cass said for the tenth.

The toes of Dells's boots dragged behind them as they stumbled through the forest, snagging on old roots and twisted vines. Twice, they'd stumbled and fallen. Twice, Cass had to beg Dells to get back on his feet.

"I have to stop him," Dells mumbled, words slurred, his eyes half-lidded. "I have to stop him before he hurts anyone."

Poe shrugged him up higher on his shoulder. "Just hang tight, Dells. We're almost there."

Cass's head spun. He couldn't remember where they were going. All he knew was the feeling of Dells's blood seeping through his shirt and the pleading of his own voice.

No, not again. Please, not again.

His feet had sunk into thick sand. Poe hurried his pace, dragging Dells down to the shore, Cass stumbling along behind. The ocean roared as they lowered Dells onto the sand, sharp gusts of wind spitting at them beneath an angry black sky.

Poe splashed into the crashing water, withdrawing the blade Dells had given him and slicing it across his wrist. His blood dribbled out, clipping the water and fading beneath the waves.

"Cass," Dells wheezed, hands prying frantically at his slick shirt. "Somethin's wrong." Cass sunk to his knees beside Dells, tugging him in closer as he coughed up blood. He shook his head, and a small sob leaked through his teeth. "Something doesn't feel right."

"Hold on," Cass murmured, holding him tighter to shield him from the oncoming storm. "Just hold on."

Poe stood silently in the raging ocean, slice after slice of the blade against his frail skin. Red, clouded water circled around his ankles.

"Why isn't it working?" Cass asked, heart racing. "Poe, why aren't they coming?"

"My blood's no good," Poe said with a low curse, but he slit another part of his wrist anyway. "I'm not supposed to bleed. The island doesn't recognize it." He whirled and darted up the shore toward Cass. "Give me your wrist. Hurry."

Cass pulled his arm out from underneath Dells's head and extended it to Poe. He barely felt the blade's sharp kiss. Barely felt the blood drooling down his skin. With two fingers, Poe smeared the blood along the knife's blade and plunged it into the ocean.

They waited. Dells's chest hitched. The ocean ignored them.

Come on! Cass wanted to scream. You wanted me before. Why not now?

"Do it again," he called to Poe. "Keep trying."

Another slash on his skin. Another plunge of cold steel into the ocean.

"Again."

Six more cuts. He couldn't see his wrist any longer. Dells had fallen unconscious in his lap.

"Keep going."

"Cass, this is -"

A coldness washed through Cass's head, drowning out the last of Poe's words. His breath caught in his throat at the sound of her voice, like hearing a ghost call his name from deep within the boards of a creaking house.

Hello, Cass.

He turned his head, following the wind's silent gesture. Then he found her smile. Her smile. The last time he'd seen it was in the large house. She'd been sitting on the sofa, watching the lilac dress twirl.