Cora

Chapter 4 (Redone)

This is the redone/ edited (ish) chapter. Hope you guys like cause I took out alot and added alot. 

Chapter 4

                I didn’t even know where my wolf was taking me until I felt something hard brush against the pad of my paw. It was dark, I would have thought it was already night if it wasn’t for the splash of blood red smearing the sky, spilling out from the falling sun over the horizon of the trees.

                I stiffened as the familiar smell hit my nose. It brought back a dark memories I didn’t want crawling out of the deep chasm of my brain that held everything evil and unimaginable that had occurred when I was younger. Before my wolf appeared. It wasn’t the smell that bothered, but the memory. After years of suppressing them all down. They were leaking out, invading every part of my brain.

                It seemed so long now that I looked back. Maybe a few months after the first Summit? How long had it been since I had tried to remember Allie?

                Bright red against white tiles, trailing down Allie’s front porch until it disappeared into the woods. The smell becoming stronger and stronger until I swore I was drowning in it. It was mixed in with something thicker and more metallic. It may sound stupid, but the smell of spaghetti to this day got me on edge.

                I liked the food. Just not fond of the memories that come with it.

                The back door creaked open slowly. Dad stood, his shoulder resting against the frame – his face looked worn out and dark. He smiled when he saw me.

                I probably looked pitiful. I didn’t know for how long I kept running around the territory but it was enough for the sky to darken and everyone to head home. Mud caked my 4 paws and even my stomach. Something sharp poked my ribs, when I shook my fur trying to get rid of all the gunk on me, I heard it clatter a few feet off of me.

                A branch still covered with its leaves and a few of my fur strands knotted with it.

                “Get inside and get cleaned up. I made spaghetti.” Dad’s voice echoed in my head warmly.

               My head dropped in defeat before I felt myself shift back. My wolf disappeared in her own little corner of my head. She was worn out from everything – her emotion, running, and even her yelling at me. She was done for today.

                Dad disappeared inside without another word.

                I stumbled in awkwardly. He had his back to me while he stirred two pots at the same time. “I know you don’t really like spaghetti, so I have alfredo too.” He explained.

                “Thanks.” I muttered before heading up the stairs – a trail of mud followed me up.

                Inside the bathroom a pair of clothes and a towel lay folded and waiting for me on the counter. I rested my hand on the soft fabric before cranking the water to high. In a matter of minutes, the room was filled with enough steam that it clouded my vision.

                Stepping into the showering, the water pelted me. It burned and I hissed from the pain. But I didn’t mind. It felt almost refreshing. I washed my hair thoroughly, pumping my shampoo multiple times to get all the mud and debris off of me. My hair was cleaned quick. My body was something different.

                The putrid stench of heated mud filled the room but I barely noticed. Crouching low, I scrubbed myself over and over until I felt completely raw.