Red {Wolf Rebellion I}

Chapter 2~Perils Past~

Look back, and smile on perils past.

-Walter Scott

Chapter 2~Perils Past~

The nightmare came in flashes.

The sound of wolves, sending chills down my twelve year old body. Something was terribly wrong.

Mom, shoving me into the small closet at the back of their room. Telling me to stay quiet, that everything would be fine.

The terrifying sound of deep laughter and guttural growls from downstairs.

Then, after what seemed like forever, the sound of feet on the stairs. A taunting voice,

"Where are you little red? I know you're here."

My body shaking as the steps drew closer. "Don't worry little red. We don't bite, much."

That horrified gasp that escapes my lips, the silence that followed, when my heart almost bursts out of my chest.

Suddenly, the door was being yanked open. Two black eyes meeting mine.

"Hello, little red."

I jerked awake with a startled gasp, my heart beating a rhythm in my chest, trying to free itself from the cage that was my body. For a moment, I couldn't remember where I was, or what had happened.

"You're awake."

My eyes darted to the left, seeing Adam propped with a hip against the bleach white wall. I watched the emotions flit across his face, relief, worry, and...fear?

I returned my attention to my surroundings. I was in one of the lower-level clinic rooms, the stark whiteness burning my eyes. My dress had been replaced by a plain white t-shirt and pair of pants, though my left foot was wrapped tightly in white bandages.

I noticed the translucent blue brace over it, the white ameliorating beads darting around inside. They concentrated over my toes, turning a dark purple as they worked to repair the damage. When I flexed my leg muscles, pain tightened around my foot and the beads vibrated in annoyance.

Yeah, definitely broken.

My attention turned back to Adam. "What happened?"

His expression changed to worry. "You don't remember?" He took a few steps forward, looking torn.

"Oh no, I remember." I reiterated. "How did I get here?" I remember my epic screw-up, and the wolf. The wolf. I had never messed up a Hunt so badly, I could only imagine what Claret was going to say.

Adam looked at me for a moment. "We brought you here after we got back. The wolf is dead." He looked away for a moment. "Claret will want to talk to you."

"Dammit." I muttered, my eyes closing. I was better than this. I had never failed a Hunt. I had prided myself on being a great agent. From the time I'd joined Red, I'd always been ahead of the other agents, in training and in my studies. How had this happened?

Adam's voice floated to my ears. "Are you okay?" I could here the protectiveness in his tone, and I could only imagine what he was thinking. After seeing the disaster last night, I knew he must think that it was somehow his fault.

I opened my eyes. "I'm fine, Adam. Really." I didn't need him worrying, the only thing that had been seriously injured was my ego. "I'll talk to Claret and meet you at Scen." I told him.

He visibly winced. "Why don't you take the day off and relax?" He suggested with a light voice. "You could use the rest."

I was immediately suspicious. "Why? You know the Scenarios aren't real, they're all in your head. Why would I need to rest?"