Chapter Eighteen (Rewritten)

737 30 7
                                        

* * *

With another slash of the branch caught in Sage's storming trail, it had nearly whacked Andy in the face, who was just a few steps behind her.

It hadn't taken too much to convince the store clerk to use the phone, and it was best not to explain that they intended to use this time to make international calls. But Andy had made it worth it, buying a few supplies to benefit and the day trip.

Though, he wish he had left more room in his bag for everything.

"The number you have dialed has been disconnected..."

Sage's first attempt had been her house phone. But there hadn't even been an option to leave a message. Then, she tried the pack house—

"The number you have dialed is unreachable at this time..."

But she still hadn't given up, not when she had made it here.

So her next attempt, Sage tried the Elwood house—But that hadn't even managed to go through. Not her adoptive parent's house or Luke's, nor Eli's or Jack's.

Her final attempt had been Remus' cell phone, before she tried to reach her brother.

"The number you have dialed is not in service, please try again and—" Thus, Sage had managed to find her way out of the store and charge back into the woods. Not caring that the dozens of humans were watching her in worry.

Now, Andy had barely had enough time to make his purchase before hurrying back out to follow her—Though, he wasn't sure if there wasn't anything he could say or do to make things right.

Was silence the best answer or trying to get to the bottom of it all?

With no end in sight, Andy had to strike up the nerve to stop her—But truly, even he was worried about what sort of bite he'd receive.

Especially after this morning's promise and initiation. "S-Sage! Let's talk about—"
"No talk."
"No? I didn't bring you all the way here so that we can sulk all the way home. We have shit to do." She hadn't known there were other things on their to-do list. But then again, Sage didn't bother asking.

Not when she had so much on her mind and put everything into making those calls, relying on them to save her.
In slowing down her pace, she had taken the second to turn, catching just how hard Andy was trying to make his way towards her.  So the comforting hand on her shoulder hadn't been too much of a surprise, but Sage wasn't sure if it was warranted.

"Please, tell me what happened."
"All numbers don't work."
"All of them? You're sure?" He explained that she had to dial a specific number before inputting the correct ten-digit phone number, but she seemed confident enough. Just as he was about to offer that he was open to try, Sage broke into a fit of sobs as she took to sliding down the trunk of the tree. Landing on her behind as she looked up to the sky in defeat.

"My home, my pack, the Beta and Delta...The Elwoods—And then my brother! Nothing!"

"What...What did it say?"
"Not in service." Andy sucked in a breath as he nodded, it could mean a multitude of things. And thus, he kneeled just by her side.

"Not in service. Disconnected. Does not ring—Something's wrong..." That very much could be the truth, and it sparked an unfamiliar feeling to course through Andy's veins.

Seeing Sage curl over to the opposite side to throw up had spoken just how overwhelming her thoughts were getting.
That no response on any side had elected the dreadful theories that maybe, just maybe, everyone was right about Remus.

Lacking Humanity|Half CrescentWhere stories live. Discover now