Legacy: Wolf Child

Chapter Fourteen

 I was dreaming of wolves. The noble beasts were running through a moss covered woodland. The smells were rich and damp. The morning light streamed through the leaves above, casting speckled shadows against their shimmering coats. They stretched their elegant bodies, their muscles bunching before releasing as they jumped over a babbling brook. I didn't know what they were chasing or if they were merely running for the joy of it. But either way it was beautiful to see and so foreign in Hallenford woods.

But the relaxing image was shaken as a sound vibrated across the landscape. I frowned but it refused to desist. The world around me began to fade and darkness took hold. But still the noise didn't leave. Groaning, I rolled onto my side and my hand slapped at my bedside table, searching for my phone. Pulling it towards me I looked down at the screen.

Twenty-five missed calls. And this one would be twenty-six. All from Luke. I let the phone ring out in my hand, the weight of my reality sinking into me again. I also had over ten text messages from him as well. I'd not dared to open them in case I saw something I didn't like. I wasn't sure what, but this was becoming a joke now.

'1 new voicemail' appeared across the screen then and I grimaced; should I listen to it? Should I give him the time of day? My resolve had been strong earlier into the evening but his persistence was concerning me. With a quick flick, I dialled my voicemail and pressed my phone to my ear; this better be good. I closed my eyes when my brother's message began.

"Lu, don't hang up," he sounded tired. His voice was strained but there was an edge of urgency to it as well. It made my stomach knot. I didn't like hearing him like that. He sounded like he was in trouble. I sat up in bed as I listened further, "I need you to come and talk to me. I know you have reason to be mad with me but I'm still your brother, I still care about you." He sighed, "I'm not going to give up ringing you. I'm round the corner in the park...come see me." His voice clicked out and I looked down at my phone, confused. The words in themselves told me nothing but his voice did. Just what had he gotten himself into?

"Damn it," I cursed under my breath. Part of me said it was his problem. We'd been there for him after mum and dad had died and he'd thrown it back in our faces. I'd had nothing from him over this past year. But another part of me knew that Luke was in trouble and that I couldn't ignore that. Something was going on and I needed to find out what once and for all. He was my brother and I loved him. And I wasn't going to let him fall further into whatever mess he'd caused for himself.

Climbing out of bed, I changed into a pair of jogging trousers and a hoodie, not caring too much for my appearance at one o'clock in the morning. I pushed my feet into my trainers but didn't head for the front door. I'd have to unlock it and Mark could potentially wake up. The best way to sneak out was from my bedroom window and being a bungalow it was easy to slip out undetected. Then hopefully Mark would be none the wiser.

The park was a short walk away. It was where we used to go a lot as kids with our parents. There was a playpark at one end with a big open field at the other where people would go for picnics and to play sports. Hallenford woods surrounded the back which I had explored thoroughly as they offered good runs. But at this time of night the once delightful area now seemed foreboding. There were no children playing, no laughter and no sun to show me where to go. I shivered but pressed forwards, glancing around for any signs of my brother.

I spotted a figure in the distance, sat on one of the benches with a phone in hand. I recognised his fatigued posture even in the dark; it was Luke and he appeared to be alone. It was the first time I'd had him to myself in months and a trill of excitement rolled up my spine. I moved forwards, hands in pockets and a frown on my face. Hearing me coming, he looked up, the light on his phone illuminating his worried features. But seeing me he relaxed and pushed to his feet, "Lucy..." He smiled and ran a hand through his hair. I didn't return the warmth of the greeting however.