Red Sky In The Night

Five.

Barely eight hours later Derek was back where had started; alone.

Leaving his bedroom he glanced towards the television set which, after his attempt at showing her what he had once thought the best invention of the modern world had been disastrous and he knew even for the odd chance he had of getting it to work, it never would again. Her enthusiasm was addictive and while she had been shy and cautious with him for the majority of their week together, last night had started to open them both up to new possibilities.

And he killed them just as quickly.

Getting up he went into the kitchen to grab a glass of water and outside the window the flowers she had made appear in long forgotten and unused pots still sat there brightly. Closing his eyes it wasn't Amerie or her gift with nature that came to him, but the bloody mouth of his wife as he held her dying in his arms.

He didn't want to keep remembering it, but he knew he deserved too and he also came to realize he hadn't had those dreams all week. Well until last night and he wondered if Amerie had been behind that too. It wasn't worth going over, he'd end up truly insane, but his mind or maybe the bear wasn't ready to let him go so easily so instead he continued to beat himself up over the what-ifs that had been haunting him.

What if he had dropped the case? What if he didn't testify? Would Ebony still be alive?

It was his fault and instead he had taken it out on Amerie and the realization had the bear agreeing with him.

What was wrong with him and why would he even listen to an animal’s opinion on things?

Sighing he couldn't deny having Amerie around to tease and talk with had been almost enjoyable, a part of him he ignored had started to come back to life, but now it only left him feeling shame, as if he was cheating on Ebony's memory, but no matter how guilty he felt he couldn't deny his attraction to her.

How could he think about a mythical creature like that anyway, was it even legal? Especially now he was, well, what ever he was.

His mind was in constant contradictions with itself, a form of torture completely of his own making and it had been his main pastime up here. No one had been able to witness it, keeping them all away made it easier until he had let Amerie in. She had wanted to help him; she knew what happened and still wanted to help rather than turn away or against him like so many others had.

He'd even go as far as saying she wanted him, scars and all. But she didn’t know his biggest secret and that was something he was positive would scare her away.

Grabbing the bottle of bourbon he decided that today was as good a day as any to crack it open and as he took his first shot, Derek could almost believe that he did, in fact, miss her. He was about to pour another when the crackled voice interrupted him from the speaker box and sighing, pushed the shot glass away and headed over to microphone.

“Lone Wolf, over.” He coughed releasing the button as the familiar after burn of the alcohol rose up from his stomach and pinching the bridge of his nose, he knew this couldn't be good.

“Lone Wolf, this is Pack Leader. Illegal activity reported in the northeast capture. Immediate investigation required, over.”

“Ah shit,” Derek mumbled, clicking the receiver again. “Copy Pack Leader. Taking mobile zero twenty thirty, report back at…” He looked over to the clock and tried to remember how long it would take him to get out there. He'd need to take the dirt bike, but he also had to pack his bag “Ah thirteen hundred hours, over.”

“Roger that Lone Wolf. Be careful Derek, could be out for the last kill of the season, over.”

“My thoughts exactly, over and out.” Groaning he sat back in the chair and looking at the bottle on the counter gave up, thankful of the distraction. Putting it away he went and got ready to set out.