Numbers That Follows

chapter 8

 I crossed through to the outside world and the smell was overwhelming at this point. I turned to my left and saw Armin and a man with his back to me.

"Caster?" Aarah yelled excitedly.

The man turned and looked toward Aarah. Then directly at me. His eyes though I had seen them in the portrait looked deeper, more deep, almost enchanting. I stood just staring at him, like I knew him. I couldn't breathe. The ability was now foreign.

"Oh shit," Sarah's voice rang from beside me.

I turned to Aarah. I knew my face screamed confused. What did she know? Caster stepped toward me, I instinctively stepped back. Armin stepped toward me. I looked at him saying nothing but my face was screaming for answers. I instinctively put my hand on my forehead trying to figure out what was happening.

I couldn't breath so I turned Around and started to walk away. I reached the corner of the building and turned and pushed my back against the side of the building. I took deep breaths and tried to calm down. I had no idea why I was panicking.

I could hear muffled talking but couldn't make out any words. My head was foggy and light. I slid to the ground. Getting my breaths under control I heard someone coming. Armin turned the corner and grabbed my hands.

"Shhh" Armin softly spoke, helping me calm down more, "It's okay."

"What's happening, I.. I can't..." I tried explaining.

"I know, I know." Armin said "It's normal, I promise. We asked Flint to let us know when you got here to avoid this."

I looked up at him trying to find out what he ment. His face was empathetic.

"Wolves are special in a lot of ways. One way is we all have mates. They are like the person we are destined to be with. Wolves can sense them. When a wolf finds their mate they become the center of the world. They share a cosmic connection. " His eyes looked at me, "and you were never informed or taught what that meant and that caused this whole thing."

I was trying to follow along with his words. I heard another set of footsteps. I looked up and Caster was kneeling down next to me.

"I'm sorry," was all he said.

Right now I am confused, shocked and drained. I put my head in my knees. I felt Armin let go and get up. Peaking I saw Armin pat Caster on the shoulder and leave. His footsteps, getting quieter. Caster moved to be in front of me still sitting.

"We can talk if you want." Caster asked, in a hushed low voice.

I sat up and pushed my back against the wall. I had so many questions and the only one I could ask was who they were all about.

"How did you know?" I asked, finally calm.

"When you were captured, I came out from the tree line running without thinking I ran into you. Flint hit you in the head while you were distracted. The realization hit me when I saw you laying on the ground." He confessed.

The realization hit me that he was the reason I froze.

"I was shocked and still in Shock as I carried you here. I noticed the Scars on your back. I figured that would be why you attacked us, that you were trying to protect yourself." He looked at the ground, "I was so mad at myself I left, I told Armin. Flint knew because he was there."

"I'm sorry" I breathed out.

"Why? You did nothing wrong." he looked at me.

"I didn't attack because I was scared. I wanted to be left alone." I admitted.