Falling For Two

Prologue

I smelt the copper, bitter taste of blood before I saw it. I spun around trying to find the source of the smell, my movements making a small crushed circle in the snow. I pulled the collar of my coat tighter around my neck trying to eliminate the bite of the winter cold on my skin. I walked forward making sure I took the time placing my clumsy boot covered feet one in front of the other like a mechanical movement. I stopped when I came to a clearing in the trees, taking a moment to absorb the beauty of the Canadian landscape. I could feel that I was getting closer to my destination so I carried on trudging through the snow. Coming to a sudden Holt, I concentrated on my hearing; I could hear something that sounded like an animal's cry for help. I moved in the direction of the sound, not bothering to be careful with my footing, only wanting to find the source of the sound. I pushed aside a large tree branch and I froze in my tracks. Only meters away from me stood a wolf with stunning thick white and grey hairs, as if it reflected the colours of the Canadian landscape. A sharp, deep snarl escaped its muzzle. The wolf held its head low trying to get the attention of another wolf laid in front of its mighty paws. I mistakenly placed my foot on a brittle twig, sending a sharp snapping sound through the woods. Suddenly the white and grey wolves' incredibly icy snow blue eyes stared straight into mine before turning away and running into the cover of the trees that filled the woods. I looked down at the lifeless wolf in front of me, blood covering its beautiful blue and black torso. I slowly closed my eyes before opening them only moments later, surprised to feel the warmth of salty tears kissing my cheeks. I always knew about the wolves in the woods behind my house but I couldn't help but think that maybe there is something more going on within these woods than I first imagined. "What have I gotten myself into?" I thought aloud.

Chapter One: Freya

I stare out of the old, paint peeling window of the downtown police station. Lost in thought about what I saw this morning. I know it's my duty to report any sightings of the wolves, good or bad. However, this one particular encounter seems to intimate to share with the other cops. It sounds delirious I know but deep down I feel so unsettled about it. "Who is it? Who's on your mind this time, Freya?" I jump out of my skin, twisting around to see Leonardo with a devilish grin spread across his face. Rolling my eyes I reach out and run my fingers through the fur of our police dog, Apollo. I mumble something incoherently and try to change the subject. "So where are you and Apollo going, Leo?" it is very peculiar to receive calls this late at night, especially in Canada. Leonardo runs his fingers through his sandy blond hair, shifting uncomfortably and looking at the floor. I watch his sun kissed nose crinkle, something he only does when he's got a bad feeling about something. "Well um we got a call about something which happened on the edge of the woods" Leonardo's voice shook in fear. I whipped my head up so I was now staring into his exquisite blue eyes. My hands froze in the middle of stroking Apollo, my attention now fully on the topic of conversation. A lump forming in my throat I managed to steady my voice. I grabbed Leonardo's arm my grip maybe a little too tight. "Wait, Leo what did you say about the woods?" He shrugged my hand off his arm and looked at me before saying "The woods behind your house, we got a call from an elderly woman who said she saw a young man walking out of the woods with dried blood and mud covering him. I have to go and check it out with Apollo but something seems creepy to me. This is Canada Freya, things like this do not happen around here" Grabbing my belt of my desk I stood up and started to put on my coat. "I'm coming with you, don't even argue with me. The woods are my area of expertise, I don't want you getting lost now" I gave Leonardo a flirtatious smile, knowing that would win him over. He handed me the report papers and grinned at me, sending my heart into an explosion of fireworks. "Who could resist that smile, hey" he chuckled before opening the door. A gust of biting winter wind entered the warm police station, Leonardo frowned. Looking back he smiled at me "Make sure you wrap up warm I'll go and start the car so it will be warm for you". I watch him leave through the door with Apollo. I throw on some gloves, a scarf and a hat before I open the door and run to the car. I climb into the passenger seat and buckle in my seatbelt.

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With Leonardo entertaining me with awful puns for the whole journey, I was surprised to see that we have already arrived on the outskirts of the woods. I get out of the car and reach into the backseats I catch Apollo's lead before he can escape through the door. Leonardo laughs "That was definitely smooth". I give him a cold stare, "I'm glad you think so" sarcasm slipping into my voice. I hand Apollo over to Leonardo before I start to head towards the woods. "Hold up, Freya!" I hear him call behind me. I keep my pace, far too interested to find out what has happened since I've left this morning, to pay attention to Leonardo. I navigate my way through the woods, far too familiar to make a wrong turn. I look back but there's no sight of Leonardo or Apollo. A few minutes later I arrive at the spot I ventured across this morning. My eyes linger on the blood covering the floor. I swivel my body around trying to locate the blue and black wolf, but I cannot find it anywhere. I can hear Leonardo coming up behind me and my heart starts to flutter. "There you are, I was........." Leonardo's voice trails off as he sees the amount of blood covering the ground. "Oh my god what happened here! Freya, what if someone's hurt?"