Reflection

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Traveling back home with Nicole I felt slight indentions under my feet. The ground being un-level was normal, it was the pattern of imprints that captured my attention. I thought for a moment about the direction we originally came in order to end up by the cliff. We were nowhere near that path. I glanced down at them; paw prints. They were bigger than mine. Although it was likely they were the size of Jack’s it wasn’t his scent that filled the air. It was a scent all too familiar and all too impossible. Realizing I was falling behind Nicole stopped to check on me.

“What’s going on Lorraine?” Nicole’s voice was a bit staggered. She knows something. I bent down and rubbed my hand along the tracks. They were headed the opposite direction of home. It wasn’t Jack at all. Crumbling the dirt in my hand I smelled it industriously. A fragrance only I knew better than anyone. “I hate to trample on your parade, but I know that look.” Nicole folded her arms. “I can’t go and investigate anything tonight. My parents are passing through town. I’d like to wake up early enough to say hello.” I was now curled along a set of paw prints that held on to a piece of fur from the wolf they belonged to. “Lorraine? Are you listening to me?” Nicole seemed irritated, but I knew it was nerves more than anything. The hair I picked up was dark, possibly black. If I could find just a hint of light I could see it.

“Whatever you’re still hiding from me now would be a good time to tell me.” I stated. A cloud of hot air escaped Nicole’s lips. She huffed and puffed, still refusing to give in. Turning away from me Nicole scoured her forehead. I could sense her anxiety. A bit agitated I decided to figure it out on my own. “Just go home, I’ll be there later.” Without question we went our separate ways.

Closer to town a lampstand was planted by the sidewalk. Rushing my way to it, I held up the single strand of hair. It was black. I tossed the flimsy item aside; my heart pounding at the thought. There is no possible way. Only one Sairen wolf in this entire region had black fur; seven years ago. At that moment I knew where to go. My feet collected their way, racing towards the lake.

            I ceased at the core of a memory; my body moved subconscious. There he was, standing with his feet buried in the sand and his hands resting in his pockets. A few years ago I tried searching for Dad and Joey, but Jack informed me they were dead. Had I not recognized the same wave in his hair that matched mine I would not believe it was him. Yet here in the very same spot they were taken, my brother was waiting for me. My mouth opened, but the words were trapped deep in my lungs. Not even air was escaping. For seven years I missed him, and for four I thought he was dead.

            “Did you miss me?” Joey smirked a little. He opened his arms. He knew my patience was erupting. I ran to him; giving my long lost brother a hug. Joey reeked of Avro’s blood and a hint of pomegranate; his favorite fruit. Backing away I realized he now had scruff around his face and a small scar on his left cheek. “Lorraine,” Joey went from content to dismay. “We have a lot to catch up on, don’t we?” A bit reassured I sighed; nodding my head in agreement.

            Before I could confront Joey about the incident, his head jerked away from me. I too smelled it; Evan. As he began to approach my brother a certain instinct kicked in. Without hesitation and with much fury I leaped in front of Joey, guarding him from the blood thirsty creature. I was now in my wolf form, growling with rage at Evan. A part of me had no clue as to why I reacted with such hatred. Only yesterday the same monster was a guest in Old Brian’s home, but still I did not trust him. Somehow I was beginning to feel a repeating of that day; that day Joey and Dad were taken. A bit startled Evan kept a distance. His apprehensiveness did not convince me, I kept barking at him uncontrollably.

            “Calm down sweetheart, he’s not a bad guy.” A voice I did not recognize spoke to me with a firm tone. I felt my heart slow down a little, but when the stranger grew silent I snapped once more at Evan.