The Rejection (NEW VERSION)

04 | Within the Flames

IDER — Pulse

four

In a panic, I ditched work and grabbed my purse. I left without a word or glance at my manager, because I didn't care. My pack was more important than everything, my pack was my family and I was going to stand by them. Michael, Lana, Heath, Malachi, even the others who I rarely spoke to–they were my world. I would die before I let something happen to my family.

I don't know how much longer we can hold them back, Michael said through the link. His voice was shaken and distraught. If anyone cares more about everyone than I did, it was him.

I had ran all the way from the inside of the mall to the back side of the parking lot to hop into my car. Shoving the keys into the ignition, I put the gear in drive and slammed on the accelerator. Tears were burning my eyes. Is everyone there? Is everyone okay? I asked worriedly.

There was a pause.

Just get here, he said before cutting the link.

I was running red lights and illegally overcoming other driver's, but I didn't care. I needed to get home and this was faster than running. Tears began to slip down my cheeks.

Lana! I called out, but there was nothing. Heath! Malachi! Ricky! Carmen! What's going on?!

There was no reply.

Surprisingly, I wasn't pulled over or being chased down for reckless driving, though the town did have a reputation for the poor police department. I finally made it out of the city and was driving along back roads through the thick forestry, eventually hitting gravel which caused me to continuously fishtail around the curves. But, again, I didn't care.

I turned sharply around the last bend before I reached our houses, slightly losing control of the vehicle, but quickly regaining it. I screamed out and spun the car to a stop when a large, dirty brown wolf had jumped from the bushes. My reaction to hit the brakes caused the car to spin which then hit the wolf. The animal gave out a sharp yelp and howl before running back the way it had came from, except with a limp. My heart pounded in my chest as adrenaline pumped through my veins. I cried a little more, but I was determined–I accelerated and the back tires spun through the gravel for a second before gaining traction again. I was so close.

Hope, is that you coming down the road? said the frightened voice of Heath. He sounded frantic.

The forest line finally ended on the left side of the road, which enabled me to have a clear view of the two large houses that were built approximately half a mile into a field. They both engulfed in fire. In the pitch black night, the flames seemed to create a new sun, making the whole area come alight. I could vaguely see wolves roaming around–the rogues. My hand went up to cover my mouth; I was shocked. I turned onto the long gravel driveway. I'm almost there, hold on! I told Heath.

No! he screamed. Stop right now and turn around!

I thought he had to be completely mental. I didn't stop and I didn't turn around. I continued down the drive until I was about halfway, but a large wolf was running straight for my vehicle. I slammed on the brakes. The humongous dark grey wolf jumped onto the hood of my car, denting the metal. It's foamy mouth with dripping with drool, and its eyes were pitch black, a key indicator of a rogue. It snarled and snapped at the windshield, showing its teeth threateningly.

I hopped out of the car and immediately shifted into my light grey colored wolf. Whipping around to face the wolf on the car, I leaned down and put myself in the stance that Malachi had taught me years ago. "Always be prepared. Don't turn your back on the enemy. Kill them before they even know it's happening. It's either them or you," Malachi's words rang in my memories.