THE WOLF INFESTATION

Chapter Three

The day after, I found myself at home with Willow and Quinn.

“I hate this house.” Willow complained, making herself some tea in the kitchen.

The house was old. With thin walls and a wooden flooring that groaned in certain spots. There were two small bedrooms and a study — but was now the third bedroom since we moved in — and one main area that was the kitchen, dining room and living room. All the furniture protested whenever it was used, just like it did all those years ago. Apart from that, it beat living in a cramped one bedroom apartment.

However, I wasn't thinking about any of that, my eyes were glued to the newspaper in front of me.

'Local Red Creek Man Missing'

Joseph Gonzalez, a 62 year old Red Creek local, was reported missing yesterday by his granddaughter to County Police. Reports said that the seventy year old went out to investigate strange sounds in the backyard of his residence around 9:30 that night. After he discovered that it was coming from the woods, he got his shot gun and left his home. Gonzalez's neighbours said that they heard several gun shots. Half an hour later, they went out to look for Gonzales. They found blood that they presumed to be his and his gun. Joseph Gonzalez's body has not yet been recovered.

Investigations are continuing.” Quinn read out the last line behind me.

“What?” Willow asked, her curiosity piqued. “Someone's missing?”

Quinn grabbed the paper from my hand and sat next to me at the kitchen table. Her eyes skimmed over the words. “This is crazy. Nothing like this ever happens around here.”

Willow grabbed the paper from Quinn, she squinted at the paper. “Is this the man who owns the hardware store?”

“Yeah.” Quinn dragged out. “The one downtown.”

“This is Thursday's paper.” Willow observed.

“Let me see that.” I snatched it from her. “It is. That means Mr. Gonzalez has been missing since Monday.”

“Think someone killed him?” Willow asked excitedly.

I glared at her.

“Could be.” Quinn shrugged. “Probably Eli caught up with him.”

Willow walked over to the nearby window and sat there. “You think Eli's still holding that grudge? After all those years?”

Quinn shrugged. “He took his wife. Eli never forgave him.”

“Or could be an animal attack.” Willow suggested.

“Deer gonna do that? All that rain probably chased those cats back up the mountain this time of year.” Quinn shook her head.