Hidden World

Chapter 13: The fine line between lies and secrets

Emma

I was still curious about the girl who had talked to Declan last night. I was trying not to care or wonder about her, but I couldn't help it. To distract myself while I waited for Declan to pick me up, I read the new wolf book I bought. I highlighted information about the normal size of different wolves, where they normally live, their diet, whatever I could find. I still wanted to know more about the wolves living in my back yard. There was something about the wolves I saw that was different then the ones in all the books I have read. I did't know what it was that seemed so different, but there was definitely something. I heard a honk from outside and looked out my window, Declan had just pulled up.

I quickly put the book with my other research, under a loose floor board under my bed. I had made the secret hiding place when I was 13. It was where I put my money and things I didn't want found. If anyone other than Delilah looked into the research on the wolves I had been doing, they would think I was crazy.

I put my coat on, grabbed my bag, and rushed out the door. I kissed Declan and then buckled up, and he sped down the road towards town to school. I watched the tree zip by as we drove down the road. thought I saw the gray wolf standing at the edge of the road when we passed where my mom had crashed her car. When I looked back out of the review mirror, there was nothing there. I sighed and leaned back in my seat.

"Something wrong?" Declan asked looking from me to the road.

"No, just thought I saw an animal that's all," I casually smiled.

We got some breakfast to go on the way to school and showed up two minutes before the bell. Delilah wasn't at school today, which is odd, she didn't tell me she wasn't coming today.

Hey where are you? I didn't know you weren't coming to school today. I text Delilah.

Hey, sorry my dad found out some interesting news I didn't want to wait until later to find out so skipped today, tell you about it later. Delilah quickly answered.

I sighed and walked with Declan to class. Delilah's uncle was a sheriff here, so when something really big happens Delilah likes to snoop around and find out what's going on.

I didn't hear anything at school about any major events happening in town, so what could it be that she's snooping for? Declan dropped me off at home. When we pulled up there was police officer waiting in my drive way. Fear took over my mind and body. I jumped out of the car and ran to the porch where the police officer was.

"I'm sorry to tell you that, we are lead to believe that your mothers death wasn't an accident. That the reason the doctor didn't catch the internal bleeding before is, someone caused it to happen. We found traces of xarelto in her system. It's a blood thinner, and a most common side effect is internal bleeding. We are starting an investigation. We apologize and are going to try keeping this from the media. Once again, We're sorry." He walked back to his car like he hadn't just dropped a nuclear bomb on me.
I stood there unable to move. I tried stepping forward. I heard the car door shut and Declan walking to me. My chest suddenly felt like it was on fire. I opened my mouth to try getting air but that was all it was. An attempt. I tried screaming, but nothing came out. Suddenly my knees buckled under me and I fell. I faintly heard Declan running to me. I relived the feeling of finding out my mother had died. Declan held me in his arms and screamed my name.
Still no air entered my lungs. The officer was gone and the only ones here, were Declan and me. The world started looking fuzzy. Then I felt Declan kissing me. The world melted. Air returned to my lungs and put the fire out in my chest. I realized Declan hadn't been kissing me but he was giving me mouth to mouth. When he pulled back I blinked my eyes and looked at him. He held me close and whispered to me,"don't scare me like that. I thought.... I thought I was going to."
"It was an anxiety attack, I'm sorry. I'm here still, you're not losing me," I breathed out before he could finish his sentence.
I was a little shaky, but I could stand up and my balance returned. Declan walked me inside.
"Declan..."
"Yeah?"
"Will you...will you stay with me tonight?" I stammered a little.
"Of course. Anything I will sleep on the couch."
The next morning Declan trued convincing me to stay home, but I refused. As we drove by trees and snowy fields, I longed to run through them. I mean there is usually always a little part of me that wants to run through them, but its never been this strong. My body screamed at me to get out of the car and run. Run for miles and miles.
At lunch a wicked headache came over me. Declan drove me home early and went back to school. I tried doing some more wolf research, but my head ache got worse. I started sweating. My body felt like it was on fire. I ran into the bathroom and turned the water to cold and jumped in the freezing shower. Still my body felt like it was burning. I hopped out and changed. There was a few feet of snow outside and it was below freezing. I stumbled down the stairs and then it felt like my body was going to shatter from pain and then burst into flames. I threw myself into the snow, in shorts and a tank top. I felt so much pain. I screamed at the top of my lungs. A ghostly mist began to surround me. I breathed heavy. My breathing returned to screaming. Then the screaming changed. Suddenly it wasn't my voice.
It wasn't even a scream.
No. This was my voice. Suddenly the pain was gone. The burning was gone. As well as the head ache. I took a deep breath, I felt different. I stood up and faced my reflection in the glass doors. Only I didn't see what usually stares back at me. I saw a large, beautiful white wolf wearing my eyes. Then I realized the sound that my scream changed into. It wasn't just a noise, it was a howl. I was looking at myself. I looked from my paws and back up to my face. I looked to the woods, and followed my instincts. To run. To run through the trees and snowy fields. Then every feeling of fear and worry left me. The only thing I felt. Was free.