THE WOLF INFESTATION

Chapter One

The day before they came, it had been raining, like it did everyday in Red Creek and that's why no one expected it.

The rain came down in sheets and a low fog had settled over the road as far I could see. The yard was waterlogged and my truck looked clean. A frog hopped out of the pond. Willow was tinkering a spoon in a teacup as we both looked out at the dreary weather.

"I hate this shit town." She turned away and went to her room.

"See you later." I told Willow and slammed the screen door behind me.

My boots squelched in the mud and once I was by the truck I closed the umbrella and threw it in the back. The fog didn't bother me so much, because I knew the road like I knew a donkey from a horse and avoided the potholes that might have been expensive. I parked the truck and switched my boots for flats. Braving the rain - because I didn't know how long it would hold up for - I sought shelter in the diner. The only diner in Red Creek.

"Willow coming in for her shift right?" Quinn asked as soon as I had seated myself.

The diner was old and had the same decor it had since I was five. Red leather upholstery in the booths and on the stools, framed magazine pages of 80s stars, tiles that were once white but were now a dingy grey and a sturdy rustic counter that separated the kitchen from the dining area. Despite the grunge, it held its regular customers. That included Frank, the town grouch, who stared at me from my seat at the counter. I turned away as usual.

"Yeah. Why?" I asked and muttered a 'thank you' to her when she put a steaming cup of coffee in front of me.

She went off to refill some of her other customers' cups before she answered. "She threw a fit again." Then Quinn mocked Willow. "If I spend one more day in this boring, waterlogged town-"

"Where nothing ever happens, I just might lose a screw." I finished.

I rolled my eyes and laughed.

Then in a serious tone, I added, "That's why we moved here in the first place. It'll do her good to remember that."

Quinn went around the counter, putting on more coffee to brew. She taped some orders to the little window that peered into the kitchen.

"Give her some slack." Quinn said, taking the plate of pancakes
and eggs from the window and placing it in front of me.

"Remember what happened the last time I did?"

Quinn grabbed my fork and shoveled some eggs into her mouth. "Can't hold her down forever Adora." She spoke between a mouthful.

I dug in, I had to be at work in twenty. "What are you sayin'?"

She peered up at me from beneath her sooty lashes. Out of the three of us, Quinn pitied Willow the most. I was just angry. "Maybe she should start seeing other people?"

I swallowed a large gulp of coffee. "You think Will would date someone from here?" I snorted. "As if."

Quinn wiped down the counter to keep her hands busy and avoid my glare. She lifted my plate and wiped under it. "I think Jake likes her."