Take Me Home

Prologue

The evening began like any other. Father had just come back from work carrying a sack of vegetables. Mother was in the kitchen preparing the family's favorite stew. Vixey and her younger brother in the living room, playing his favorite card game.

"Go, fish!" Codi exclaimed with excitement, and she couldn't help but stifle a giggle as she drew another card from the deck. The tranquility of the night enveloped them as the gentle patter of rain against the windows created a serene ambiance. Meanwhile, the kitchen echoed with the melodious laughter of her mother, filling her with warmth and joy. In that moment, it became clear that although they didn't have much, the love within their family was more than enough.

As her father entered the kitchen, her mother asked him about his day at work while he set a sack on the table. "How was work, Derrick?" she inquired. He replied, "It was alright; Bossman had me all over the place today. Though I feel I upset him when I refused a certain request." her mother looked puzzled and asked, "What sort of request, hun?" she started to unpack the vegetables from the sack.

As she began washing them in the sink, her father sighed and said, "It's nothing, Nora. Just another request I was uncomfortable with taking." she could hear her mother sighing as she added the chopped veggies into the pot.

She felt a gentle tap on her shoulder, and when she turned around, she saw Codi standing there with a tired but warm smile. He handed her a worn-out book, letting out a little yawn. She took the book from him and followed as he made his way over to the sofa. They sat down together, just like they did every night before bed. Codi loved it when she read his favorite story to him. "The Scarlet Knight" was an enchanting tale of a courageous young prince who braved perilous dangers to rescue a long-lost princess from the clutches of evil bandits.

As she delved into the pages, an unexplainable sense of unease settled in the room, embracing us with an eerie stillness. The deafening rumble of thunder echoed ominously through the house, sending shivers down her little brother's spine. Instinctively, she pulled him close, enveloping him in a protective embrace, all the while trying to maintain a facade of calm as she continued to read. "Don't worry, Codi. Big sister Vixey is here with you," she whispered, offering a soothing smile. Gradually, his trembling subsided as he nestled against her, seeking comfort in the unsettling atmosphere.

Suddenly, a sharp knock at the front door shattered the fragile peace, causing them both to startle. She stole a quick glance over her shoulder as her father headed towards the door to answer it. "Who could be out in this dreadful weather?" he muttered under his breath. As the door creaked open, her father's eyes widened in disbelief, and she could swear she saw his fur bristle with alarm.

"L-Lance?! Uhh, What brings you here?"

Her eyes widened as her father stumbled over his words. She had never heard him speak so nervously before, and it worried her. Why was this "Lance" guy making him so flustered? Before she could dwell on that, her mother cleared her throat.

"Vixey darling, why not let the adults talk? Take your brother to bed," she said.

She nodded, taking her brother's hand and leading him to his room.

The quiet echo of the mysterious wolf's words, "What an obedient daughter you have, Mr. Allen," lingered in the air as the bedroom door closed. In the dim light, her brother nestled into bed, his gaze searching for reassurance as he asked, "What do you think he wants, big sister?"

She pulled up a chair beside him and replied, "I don't know, Codi. Hopefully, it's just to talk." His worried expression prompted her to offer comfort, placing her hand on his head and gently stroking his hair. "No worries, lil brother, just get some rest, and it'll all be okay," she reassured him. As exhaustion crept over him, she sang his favorite lullaby, a soft melody that filled the room and eased his mind.
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"Down in the valley, valley so low.
Hang your head over and hear the wind blow.
Hear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow.
Hang your head over; hear the wind blow.