The Wolf's Den

Path 2: Ryland, Epilogue

One Year Later

        Ryland shifted and carefully moved herself away from Tom's warm embrace, rubbing at her eyes in exhaustion. She needed a shower, she needed to make sure Red and Levi were ready for school, she had to make sure Tom listened to his alarm clock. And she had to get back to school. Thankfully, no time passed in the time they'd entered The Wolf's Den, and while her sisters' lives vanished completely, she was glad to have saved them. They were better off non-existent than in that place, and Mr. Wolfe was still with Lady, that much she knew.

        The Wolf's Lodge no longer existed, Tom had gotten the place bulldozed down, and all it was, was a corn maze of walls and a center room, not furnished nor inhabited. They'd been crushed to hear, that, yes, but there were glad. Levi's brothers never made it, they'd died when they left with how embedded they were to The Wolf's Den. They held a funeral for them, and for Ryland's own sisters, three weeks later in the backyard of their new house, burying what they could of Levi's brothers and placing rocks where they intended to place a resting place for Adrieve and Tilli.

        Today was Red's ninth birthday, and Ryland herself turned 22-years-old next month. Tom had a birthday the month prior, and his friends from work joined them at the nicest Italian restaurant they could find. Tom loved the snow globe from Red, the gifts from his work friends, Levi's hand-made birthday card, and her own gift: sunflowers and a card. They'd had the best time they could have, celebrating getting older, but for Red's party, it was friends from hers and Levi's school, Levi who was turning eight in two weeks.

        Tom stirred when she came out from the shower, sitting up and rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Hey."

        "Hey. Sleep well? You slept like a rock last night."

        "Yeah, the nightmares are gone... I dreamed of Pops instead last night, he was with Ma and they were asking all about you. I know it was a dream, but it helped, ya know?"

        "I'm glad you're finally sleeping well." Sitting on the bed, she kissed his cheek, standing again. "Hey, gonna go get Red and Levi up, alright? They were awake too late again and they've got school."

        "Alright. You do that. I'll make your morning coffee for you, two sugars like you like it, and breakfast for the four of us. Make sure Levi showers today, Red, too, when he's finished."

        Ryland smiled warmly to Tom and opened their bedroom door, fully dressed for the day. "Tom."

        "Yeah."

        "Be ready for Red's party at six tonight, okay? Make sure you're home for dinner at five. And remember: I love you."

        "I love you, too, Ryland. Now get goin', I got work in an hour." Tom winked, an 'eye-eye' reaction and a salute, getting up to make the bed as Ryland woke the children in the household.