The Woods

Agreeing

            We all stared at the door I think I knew who it was, but I was hoping that I would be wrong. As soon as we entered the village, word probably got to Sister Jude. There was no doubt in my mind that she was standing behind that door. I stared back at my father and I could tell by the look on his face that he was trying to decide what to do. He sighed.

            “Go upstairs Calla with the rest of them.” He said. I nodded and we all moved quickly upstairs. I heard another set of knocking. Adam, Diana and the others went into my room. Daniel and I stayed in the hallway so we could hear and find out who was at the door. I watched my father get up and answer the door.

            He opened it revealing the one and only Sister Jude. She looked even more miserable than she had before she exiled me. I really just couldn’t stand her, especially after she turned my entire family and village against me.

            “Hello Cal.” Sister Jude said. It was clear she had distaste for my family. My father was officially out of power unless we got evidence on Sister Jude doing something against the rules. Without my father in power, the elders would never agree to a plan forming into my head on how to keep the village safe.

            “Sister Jude. To what do I owe the pleasure?” My father said in a bored tone. My mother was sitting on the couch knitting as if everything was normal.

            “Apparently your daughter has been seen in the village with her mutts.” She said. I can’t see my father’s face, but I am sure he is trying to look surprised.

            “Calla? Here? Nonsense.” He said. Sister Jude glared. I could tell she didn’t believe him one bit. She looked around him and tried to find any trace of me or my “mutts”.

            “You know she is here Cal. Don’t lie to me!” She fumed. My father just shook his head.

            “I never thought she would ever come back. If you are wondering if she is here, she is not.” My father said. Sister Jude put her hands over her chest.

            “Well you can be sure that if we do see her or her mutts, she will be killed on sight. The entire village is on watch and the soldiers are patrolling the edges of the village.” She said. Sister Jude was saying this because she wanted us to hear it.

            “Very good Sister Jude. Goodnight.”  My father said shutting the door in her face. I smiled. There was one thing we had in common—our hatred for Sister Jude. Daniel and I walked back downstairs. My father looked at the both of us. I couldn’t really pin his expression.

            “So this is boy that corrupted my daughter?” He asked. Before I could say anything, my mother rushed in.

            “Hush Cal.” My mother said. She then gave me a warming hug. I felt so good to hug her again. Jezebel and Cole walked over too. He gave me a hug as well.

            “Missed you sister.” He said. I smiled at him and then they went back to sit on the couch. My father sat back down at the table. Daniel and I sat down with him. A few moments later, the rest of the pack came downstairs.

            “So you want to stop these attacks, how are we going to do it?” My father said crossing his arms over his chest. We spent a lot of the night telling him of our plans. We needed Sister Jude out and my father back in power for him to convince the elders that the pack’s help was needed to stop these attacks and protect the village.

            “Why should I trust that you have the village’s best interest?” My father asked Daniel. Daniel looked at me and I squeezed his hand under the table.