The Wolf's Den

Path 2: Ryland, Chapter 8: Part 2

        Mousina was a petite woman with light brown hair in a ponytail and a modest dress with sunflowers all over the fabric. Her face, however, was most prominent, as it was ashen white, huge ears barely covered in the strands of hair all but covering her face. It appeared she'd been crying, and had only just stopped when they'd knocked. "Yes? What is it?"

        "Mousina, it's Red and Tom. We've brought some new friends. The boy is Levi and the woman next to Tom is Ryland. Ryland's trying to save her sisters and Levi's brothers are helping us to locate them."

        "I don't think now is a good time, Red... Mr. Catly's... Erm."

        "He's what?" Tom said.

        "Dead. Mr. Catly died while was I was out getting groceries. I don't know what happened, but he's dead, and... And I don't know what to do."

        "Maybe we can help, Mousina. I'll try to move the body," Tom said.

        Stepping aside, Mousina let them enter, the body of Mr. Catly dead beside the kitchen chair. Tom stepped forward, noticing that he had a knife stuck into his side, frowning deeply. "This is much too soon. It's not even this part of the story yet," Tom murmured, shaking his head gently and looking around him for help. "How do we move him? He's gotta move, but whrere? Maybe call the Wolfe?"

        "The Wolfe? Why? That doesn't seem like a good idea, he'll blame me, he'll---"'

        "Relax, it's not as bad as you think. We have a problem on our hands and we need to solve it."

        "I'll go get him, he'll answer to me," Red said.

         When she left, Tom turned to Mousina and Ryland. "Ryland, there's a bedroom to the right. Go let Mousina rest for now, alright? I think she needs it. When you're finished, come back out and help me move the body, okay?"

        It took some time to get Mr. Wolfe, but when they did, and once Mousina was resting in bed, Ryland shut the door gently, listening to Red explain what happened and watching Mr. Wolfe frown deeply. As it was, he appeared angry.

        "Mr. Wolfe, what do you think we should do?" Tom said.

       "Tom, help me move the body. Levi, Red, and Ryland, don't let Mousina wake up. We can't fix this by resetting it, and that's where this problem lies. Ryland, on second thought, you come with us. I need to talk to you and Tom."

       "Uh, sure, Mr. Wolfe."

        "Thank you, Ryland." Upon the body being put into the incinerator, Mr. Wolfe led them to a room that looked like a meeting room. "Your sister in another timeline has killed Mr. Catly, Ryland. The reason Red and Levi didn't come here is because this does not concern them. Normally, I would be threatening you, but something tells me this is the wrong course of action."

         "Then what is?"

          "You need to end your story soon before worse happens. I give you permission to find your sisters, but you need to find them however you see fit. I will not stop you, but nor will I let you break the balance. It is a rule that killing is not allowed, and you must follow that. However, it is unofficially a rule not to free anyone. That breaks the balance. If I let you go now, will you find them and leave? I'll allow Tom and Red to leave with you should it be incentive for you."

        "Sir, with all respect, we don't wish to free nor kill anyone. That's not what we do, we're just trying to help Ryland," Tom said.

        "Good, now go. Leave my sight, you've been here long enough."

        "Thank you, Mr. Wolfe. I won't let you down."

        With a curtsy, Ryland stood, offering Tom her hand to hold, which he took as they left the room and went back to check on Mousina.