A Werewolf's Lost Howl, A Zombie's Lost Heart

Chapter 18: *18

Esmeralda walked through the grocery store, checking items off her list that she already had in her shopping cart. "Okay, got meat and peanut butter for the wolves; cauliflower and vanilla ice cream for Zed; strawberry shortcake swirl for Zaria, and Rocky Road cookies for Victor." She read her list, making sure to double-check that she got everything. "It seems to me that I have everything checked off." Esmeralda grinned, putting her list in her purse and headed towards the checkout.

Once she made it, Esmeralda unloaded her items onto the conveyor belt and waited patiently for her turn. As the cashier scanned each item, Esmeralda calculated the total cost in her head, making sure she had enough money to pay for everything.

As the cashier finished scanning the last item, Esmeralda pulled out her wallet and handed over her credit card. She signed the receipt and gathered her bags, ready to head home.

As she walked out of the store, she noticed the sky had turned dark and a storm was brewing. Esmeralda quickened her pace and made it to her car just in time before the rain started pouring down. She loaded her groceries into the trunk and climbed into the driver's seat, grateful for the shelter of her car.

Just as she was about to turn her car on, her phone rang in her purse. Esmeralda quickly fished her phone out of her purse and saw that it was her son, Vincent, calling. She hasn't heard from him for almost two years.

Esmeralda knew he was still grieving from the loss of his sister Valencia, and father and that needed a break from everyone, especially his two children who were staying with her.

Esmeralda took a deep breath and answered the phone. "Vincent, is that you?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly.

"Mom, it's me," Vincent said, his voice sounding tired and strained. "I'm sorry I haven't called in so long. I just needed some time to myself."

Esmeralda felt a wave of relief wash over her. "It's okay, Vincent. I understand. How are you doing?"

Vincent sighed. "I'm doing... okay, I guess. It's been hard, you know? Losing Valencia and Dad."

"I know, sweetheart," Esmeralda said softly. "But you don't have to go through this alone. I'm here for you, and so are your children. They miss you, Vincent."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and Esmeralda held her breath, waiting for Vincent to respond.

Finally, he spoke. "I miss them too, Mom. And I miss you. Can I come see you?"

Esmeralda's heart swelled with love and hope. "Of course, Vincent. You're always welcome here. We'll be waiting for you."

She heard a pause before Vincent spoke, "I'll be there in a few days, if that's okay?"

"That's perfectly fine, sweetheart," Esmeralda assured.

"Alright, I'll see you in a few days. Bye, Mom, I love you."

Esmeralda smiled, "I love you, too. Goodbye, Vincent." She hung up and leaned back into her seat.

She was glad that her son was coming home. Victor and Zaria will be so happy!

~~~~~~~~~~

"When did Addison start to hurt you and why didn't you say anything about it?" Willa asked Zed, her concern evident in her voice.

Zed sighed, his gaze shifting to the ceiling as memories of the painful past flooded his mind. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. "It started a few months before we came to college," he began, his voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and frustration. "Addison and I had been together for a while, and things seemed great at first. But as time went on, she became increasingly jealous and possessive."