The Town of Anton

Chapter Twenty

Alex found us shortly after the kiss, so I never got to know Bones' real name. That was the one thing I truly wanted to know. It had to just be a nickname, right?

"Do you need help with the firewood?"

"Sure, little guy, follow me."

I loved how great they were getting along, especially during times like this. I followed them further into the woods. Not that we weren't far away from camp already. There was a pile of already chopped wood ready to be taken back to camp that Bones pointed at.

"Grab as much as you can carry. But don't overdo it."

"I won't," said my little brother who picked up the tiniest pieces he could find. Some of them were as tall as him while others were only sticks.

I thought I could pitch in. "Can I help with anything?"

Bones looked at me. "I think Alex and I got it. But if you could lead us back, that would be helpful."

The way he said it sounded a little rude. It sounded like he didn't think I could handle the weight of carrying wood.

But I did what he asked and guided them. I walked alongside Bones, pestering him about his real name. I thought if I could bother him long enough, he'll surrender and tell me what it is.

"Is it Steven? Gary? Mark?"

"No, no, and no."

"Is it Callum or Quentin?"

"You're never going to guess it."

Thanks for getting my hopes up. "Why? Is it a weird name?"

"No, because I'm not going to tell you. I want to keep my name private. My pack doesn't even know my name, except for Zach, but he's..."

"Oh, I understand."

Just when I thought he was opening up to me, I'm proven wrong yet again. Trust was still an issue for us and I don't know the first thing about changing that.

As soon as we reached camp, Andrea with her blonde haired buzz cut, ran up to Bones, alerting him. "There's been trouble!"

"Where?" He dropped his wood, allowing it to heavily hit the ground, and raced towards the diner hall. He approached the nearby bench with blood splattered all over it.

There was a note underneath the clots of blood. He went to reach it, his hands covered in red as he opens it up and reads aloud: "Bring us the werewitch or suffer the consequences! If we don't receive her at midnight in front of her mansion, we will come for all of you."

Guilt settled in, creating distress that could last a millennium. I didn't want anyone to suffer on my account. I didn't want them risking their lives, their families lives...for me. They barely knew me enough to protect me.

"I'm so sorry." An apology was all that surfaced. I didn't know what else to say or do. Everybody was gathered round, listening in. They all looked over at me like a burden, like a criminal of some sort. And who could blame them? I was practically putting them all in danger with my presence.

Andrea was the first to speak. "Why don't we just give them what they want?"

I knew there was something off about her. She was giving me the same look she gave me when I arrived this morning. She could care less what they did to me, just as long as her life was spared.

"We aren't going to do anything," said Bones. "We need more information."

"We don't have time for that. They want her and we have her. Sorry, but I don't want to risk my life for someone who can't even abide the pack rules."