The Wolf Pond

Prologue

"That's it, breath in." The doctor says as he checks my breathing. I inhale a deep breath. "And breath out." He says. I exhale slowly. "Very good Aela. Go ahead and step down." He says after taking his stethoscope out of his ears. "How is she Doctor Moris?" Mom asks placing her hands on my shoulders. The doctor sighs and rubs his eyes. "I still can't pinpoint what kind of asthma it is. I know that it is Asthma though. All I can do is give you a stronger puffer." He says. "No." I say. "Aela!" Mom scolds. "No mom, you know as well as I do that the puffer makes me cough even more. No matter how high the dosage, in fact, the higher the dosage, the worse the coughing is. I'm not using a puffer again." I say. "Why didn't you tell me Aela? I'm sure we can find ano--" I cut him off. "I did. Besides, I know you'll try to give me something else to help but I'll react the same way to those alternative procedures. I know I will and I won't do it. I'm just going to have to suck it up and deal on my own." I say. "What you are describing, sounds familiar, I'm going to arrange for you to meet with a specialist. He's dealt with similar cases like yours. Unfortunately, you'll have to go to him, He won't travel." The doctor says. "I'll do whatever it takes, just give me directions." Mom says. "Very well, hold on while I write it them down." He says and starts scribbling on a piece of paper. He tears it away soon after and hands it to mom. "Those are the directions, it's a town not far from here. I'll call the specialist right away, so that he'll expect you. You are dismissed." The doctor says and accompanies us out of the room. I follow silently behind my mom and the doctor as he explains about the town we're going to be heading to. It's a small little town called Ambrosia. The specialist's name is Doctor Virn Kovaks. Before long, we're packed, and on the road. A few hours in, I fall asleep in the passenger side seat. The all to familiar scenery and sounds of the dream I've been having welcomes me, along with the voice which is always there. "There is a Legend, one that speaks of an Elder Tree, surrounded by water, in the middle of an old forest." The voice begins. "This tree does not slumber or die like other trees, nor is it affected by the weather." The voice continues. "I know this already, you tell me every time. Why do you always repeat this Legend?" I ask. "Every month, the Elder Tree sheds 3 leaves. Once they are shed, they cascade down, into the water. As they touch the water, the leaves begin to dissolve, until there's nothing left of them. Instead, on the edge of the water, three..." I cut off the voice. "Three wolves stand in their stead. Yes I know this, again you've said this many tines before. Honestly can you say anything but the Legend?" I ask rolling my eyes. "Aela." A new voice says, one I've never heard before. My eyes widen. "Aela..." the new voice repeats. How does the voice know my name? Who is it? That's creepy, I've never heard this voice and yet it knows my name and is in my dream...that's it, my dream. The voice in my head is just part of the dream, my mind made this dream up, there's nothing to worry about..right? "Aela! Wake up...you need to wake up!" The voice says, before the entire dream place starts to shake. What's happening?! My breathing starts to be labored, my chest feels heavy and it burned. "Aela!" The unfamiliar voice suddenly turns to mom's as the world in my dream crumbles away and I jolt awake by my asthma attack. Sweat covered my body as I fight to regain my normal breaths. "Breath deeply honey, I know it hurts but do it anyways alright? Deep breath in," mom says soothingly. I take a painful deep breath in. "Deep breath out." She finishes. I exhale and my breathing starts to come back to normal. Once it's under control, mom breaths a sigh of relief. "Thank God, you scared me!" She scolds. "I'm sorry...mom." I say after taking another breath in between. She sighs. "Its fine but, don't do it again alright?" She says placing a hand over her face. I nod in understanding. "Ok, I'll try not to..." I say and glance around. "Why're we stopped, where are we?" I ask noticing buildings here and there. "Ambrosia." Is all she says before a smile forms on her lips. It was clear she was eager to be here. I look out my window and watch as people walk by casually, some exchanging familiar conversation with other passerbyes on the sidewalks. Ambrosia huh? It better have been worth the trip.