All That Remains

Day 2: Evening and Night

"Sorry I'm late. I promise, I can explain," my breathless reply comes as I run up to our usual spot. Ellie only looks at me with surprise.

"What do you mean? You said 6:30, right?" Ellie responds.

"Yeah, I did. But wait, isn't it 6:45 right now?" I ask as I look at my watch. That's when I see what she meant. My watch only reads 6:23. "Oh. Never mind. Read my watch wrong. My bad."

"Heh, it's okay Chase. I understand. You're always out of it for a few days after seeing Philly," she says, giggling a little.

"What? No I'm not. I'm always in tip-top shape after seeing Philly," I say, sounding hurt.

"Not! I swear, you wear yourself out in less than an hour with Philly than you do in a whole day of advanced Calculus and Physics," she shoots back, completely ignoring my shocked and hurt face.

"Maybe you're right. Maybe I should just let the shrink win for once..."

"Don't you dare. Keep annoying him, please."

"Wow. Come to the dark side have we? Well then, welcome. Meetings are on Thursdays and every fourth Saturday."

"Haha. Very funny."

"Laugh all you want; this is serious business," I say.

"Sure it is. Anything else, mister?" she asks sarcastically.

"Nope. Nothing. But wait, why had you wanted to meet me in the first place? You said that it was important. REALLY important."

"Oh! Right! I almost forgot. So, you know how the spring dance is coming up..." she begins. I sigh internally, knowing where this is going.

"Yes, I do. And I already told you, I am not going with any of your friends, no matter how many times you try to set us up," I interrupt, crossing my arms in the process.

"I know, I know. But, I was wondering, if maybe you might like ... well, possibly you could... on the off chance that you would consider..." she says, seeming to be indecisive about how to word her question.

"Ellie, just spit it out. What is it?" I finally interrupt.

"Will you go to the dance with me?" she blurts out, looking both relieved and worried at the same time. I am stunned when I hear this. Of all the people in the city, Ellie would have been one of the last ones I thought would ask someone like me to the dance. I look over her, seeing her brilliant green eyes framed with chestnut brown hair that always gets in her face. She really is beautiful, but still... No, I shouldn't think like that. We have been best friends for as long as I can remember, even before Mom's death. I think it over, and realize that if I would go to the dance with anyone, it would be her.

"I mean, you don't have to if you don't want. I understand if you think the whole thing is just stupid..."

"No no no," I begin.

She cuts me off, "You won't go with me?" I can hear the pain in her voice. I desperately try to think of what to say to fix all of this.

"It's not that. I was trying to say that the whole thing wasn't stupid. I was just... You see... I... I'll gladly go with you, Ellie."

"Really? You will?! Oh my gods, thank you, Chase." With that she throws her arms around me, pulling me close to her. I wrap my arms around her as well, relishing in the embrace.

After what feels like only a minute, we break away. I smile, or try to, as I look deep into her eyes. "Ellie, there's something I need to tell..." I start to say before a nagging pain starts in the back of my head. "Ah!"

"What's wrong? Are you okay Chase?" Ellie asks, concern in her words.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just a little... Arghh!" I cry out in pain, grabbing my head with my hands.

"Oh gods! Chase, what's wrong? Can you hear me? Chase?!" she cries. I drop to my knees as another wave of agonizing pain hits. I can vaguely hear that Ellie is trying to tell me something, but I can't understand her words. I try to speak, but my words get jammed in my throat. I mentally push against the pain, but to little avail. It keeps rising, growing in strength. I can't see anymore, the pain is so intense. Then, everything grows calm. I look up and see that I am now in a forest. Trees circle me, tall and imposing. I hear a rustle in the grass and quickly turn toward the sound. Despite my best efforts, I can't help but gasp at the sight in front of me. A giant wolf, jet black in color, stares at me with red eyes. It stands about twenty yards from me, but doesn't seem inclined to move anytime soon.

I start to step back when I hear a voice saying, "Come to the forest. Find your destiny. Unlock your true self. Come, Chase. Come..." I look around for the source of the voice but only see the wolf. I breath out, passing it off as my imagination when the wolf moves.

I feel as though I am stuck to my spot as the creature slowly makes its way towards me. I hold my breath as it gets within five yards, where it stays. It cocks its head to the left slightly, seemingly looking me over. Then, within seconds, it pounces, pushing me down and causing me to hit my head on the ground. Blackness swallows me, bringing me into it cold embrace. Just before all the light is gone, I hear another voice saying, "NO! Gods, hang in there Chase, just hang in there. Help is coming, just please don't leave me. Please... I love you Chase. Don't die..."