Little Red Wolf

Chapter Five~

  

                                                                               Chapter Five~

Rebecca couldn't bring herself to walk away from the blanket covering Grandmother's body, not even when Archer came up and slipped his arm around her shoulders. She merely turned her head and let out tiny, quiet sobs into his neck.

After several minutes, the mayor came up to the two. "See here, Miss Holloway," He began, thrusting a finger towards the ground for emphasis, "This is a matter for grown-ups. You need to get out of here so we can get your Grandmother prepared for a proper burial."

Rebecca raised her head and blinked to clear her vision from the tears. "As the only family member present, I need to be the one to decide what happens." Her sobs transitioned into coughs that left her shaking even more.

The mayor sighed. "Red, don't be silly," He said. "This isn't a matter for children. We'll let you know when we decide to have the funeral so that you may prepare a speech." He looked down at her patronizingly.

Rebecca coughed louder and Archer tightened his arm around her shoulders. "No funeral," Rebecca gasped out between her coughs. Her face was both red and white at the same time, her eyes wide as she continued to cough.

"Are you alright?" Archer murmured. He pulled Rebecca away from the mayor and the corpse, forcing her to breathe slowly and deeply.

"Oh I'm dandy," Rebecca drawled, a laugh scratching her throat. She looked back over her shoulder at the mayor and nearly snarled, her teeth appearing elongated and strangely sharp. "Why would I be anything except for great?" She growled the last word.

Archer seemed as shaken as Rebecca, pushing her to arms-length away so he could study her. "The fact that you still have a biting wit says you'll be alright," he told her, squeezing her hand gently. "And I'm here for you," He added.

Rebecca felt like a stranger in her body. She was there, occupying the space, but someone else was in control of her hands, her arms, her legs, and her voice. She could see Archer, and she could feel the warmth of his palm on hers, but she felt disconnected. Separated from reality.

An ache was growing in Rebecca's belly, an ache that had started when she'd first gazed up her Grandmother. Her dream came back to her in pieces and she noticed a new detail.

"I need to speak to whoever found the body." Rebecca gasped the words out, clutching at Archer's hands and then his shirt and shoulders when he didn't respond quickly enough to satisfy her. "Who found Grandmother?" The sense of detachment was fading away as Archer seemed more solid, more real beneath Rebecca.

"I don't know who found her," Archer said soothingly, gently prying her hands off his shoulders. He rolled them backwards and forwards slowly. "That's some grip you've got, Red," He teased.

Rebecca levelled him with a look and carefully grasped his wrist. "Find out who found Grandmother," She growled, and Archer noticed again the size of her teeth beneath her red lips. Rebecca narrowed her eyes at Archer who pulled away from her and moved towards the men who were standing around trying to look like they weren't watching the scenes in front of them unfold.

Rebecca watched Archer walk away and took a deep breath. Her gaze latched onto the ground beneath Archer's feet, watching and waiting for each footfall to hit the ground in time to the unconscious rhythm he moved to. Rebecca took another deep breath and her heartbeat fluttered, starting up again in time with Archer's movement.