The Moon Will Fall (Moonlight 2)

Chapter 18-As The Sun Rises

I blinked as the beams of sunlight began to stream through the curtain and into my eyes. I rolled over and let out a sleepy yawn as I rubbed my eyes. Through the window, I could see the sun rising just over the hills behind the garden. I looked beside me to where Ashton and Michael were sleeping soundly, neither bothered by the waking sun. I smiled, they needed the rest.

Moving cautiously, I crept out of the room making my way down the stairs and into the kitchen. I walked through the door and onto the back porch, taking a seat on one of the steps. The sky was illuminated with orange and the clouds danced above it. I hadn't woken up early enough to see the sun rise like this in years.

Sitting here, I could forget.

"Hey, Luke is everything okay?" A small voice asked as someone came to sit beside me.

Startled, I turned to find Harry was now sitting right beside me. He didn't say anything for a moment, he flinched his eyes trained out towards the sunrise like he hadn't said anything. I raised an eyebrow at him, I had no clue how I was supposed to answer that. Was I okay?

Harry twirled his fingers nervously for a moment. "Uh...it's just that you and Michael have been sleeping over here a lot, and I haven't seen Calum for ages. I'm worried about Ash to, like he got so scared when Lauren went missing and- "

"It's okay." I half smiled over at him, it was incredible to see how much the young boy cared for his brother. "You don't need to worry about us. We just have a lot going on right now. We can handle it."

Although, I wasn't too sure who I was saying those words for. The possibility of Michael or I being the Shadow Wolf plagued my thoughts, we still hadn't found Calum and with hunters like Mei around I wasn't sure how long she would stay out of things. I sighed, I knew things were bad when even a kid like Harry was picking up on it.

"I'm old enough to see what's happening, you don't need to lie to me, Luke." Harry glanced over at me with wide eyes, "What's going on? I hate seeing you three walking around like this and not knowing what's wrong. I want to help."

I sighed, looking into his wide and desperate eyes. He was much more intuitive than we gave him credit for. I could remember when he'd found out Ashton was a werewolf, he'd been so calm about it and I remembered him saying something like 'I knew something had happened.' Maybe I could tell Harry the truth, well at least some of it.

"Calum left." I finally admitted.

Harry's mouth dropped to the floor, "What you mean Calum's gone? Like he left you guys?"

I nodded.

Harry shook his head, he looked like he was struggling to process it. I knew Calum had met Harry dozens of times, and they had the same kind of friendship as Michael did. "But why?"

"It's a little complicated." I frowned, realising that just telling him Calum was gone wouldn't be enough. "There were problems with a girl and he decided to leave town. We've been trying to track him, but it's been useless."

"Whatever it is, can I help?" Harry spoke, a fierceness in his eyes, "I know I'm not a werewolf like you guys but surely there's something that I can do?"

I sighed, "Look, right now the best thing you can do to help is to be kind to your brother." My heart sunk, as I realised that was the best I could offer him. I knew what it was like to be in a position where you so desperately wanted to help someone but couldn't. It's how I felt about Calum right now.

Harry's face fell, his eyes tinged with disappointment. I wished there was more that I could say.

"Geez, looks like everyone's up early." Michael's voice rang through the kitchen, as he switched on the light. As he walked out towards us. Harry suddenly looked nervous, as the two of us exchanged glances. I couldn't help but wonder whether Michael had heard everything.

"Nice sun rise." He grinned leaning against the doorway. He let out a yawn and stretched his arm, yet he froze mid movement. He looked confused for a moment, and I sensed an odd feeling of surprise through the bond.

"I don't believe this, but I think I've got a scent."

I stared at him for a moment, raising an eyebrow. He was joking right?

"Luke, I have a scent." Michael's eyes lit up, he looked at me enthusiastically as if trying to work out why I wasn't as excited as he was.

Did this mean he was saying what I thought he was?

"Calum?" I questioned slowly.

"I think so, I'm not sure though. But I think it might be him." Michael spoke excitedly. "I have to get Ashton!"

"I'm here. What's up?" A voice yawns, and I turn to find that Ashton has entered the kitchen blinking his eyes sleepily. His face was shallow, and he looked pale with deep rings beneath his eyelids.

Michael's face fell slightly, but still he still raced across the kitchen to tell him. "Ash, I have a scent!"

Ashton glanced at him stunned, his eyes grew wide. "For real?"

Michael nodded, and I stood up, moving to near the kitchen door, Harry stood beside me as he peeked around the corner with me.

"Anyway, you two, let's get going." Michael spoke excitedly, looking between us, his eyes were already glowing with golden. "What are we waiting for?"

Ashton paused, biting his lip. As he looked at his brother, "This is kind of important, are you alright here on your own?"

Of course, Lauren was at a sleepover and Ashton's mum had been working a night shift, so she wouldn't be home for a few more hours. He was barely old-enough to stay home on his own and it was clear Ashton knew that. Harry nodded slowly. "I'll be fine."

Ashton still looked a little nervous; but followed Michael as we went outside. After saying bye to Harry, we made it to the edge of the forest. Once we made it out there, the three of us shifted. We flanked Michael as we raced through the twigs and left. Leaving only dust in our wake. I noticed Ashton was struggling to keep up with us, but he kept trying to match our pace.

Suddenly, Michael came to a slow stop, Ashton and I almost sliding right into him. Michael let out a small howl, and a second later there was the echo of a different one back. The three of us glanced at one another, even if it wasn't Calum there was another wolf out here. I just hoped that they were a friendly one if they weren't.

Michael took off again in the direction of the returned howl, and Ashton and I followed him instantaneously.

Eventually, I started to make out a dark figure up ahead. Yet, it was far too small to be Calum and it was moving slowly, almost zombie like. Michael let out a small howl in warning, and the figure looked up. It was another wolf. The small wolves, eyes widened and picking up speed it raced over to us its tail wagging in a flurry of movement. I couldn't detect any malice in the wolf's actions.

As it reached us, the wolf slid across the ground sending rocks flying as they tumbled forwards landing a few meters from us. Michael dashed over to them and the smaller wolf seemed to be trying to pull itself up. I wondered if it was injured after the fall. As we drew closer I could hear it's ragged breathing as Ashton and I exchanged concerned glances. The wolf seemed to collapse in on itself, letting out a painful sounding groan. I winced, as the wolf curled in on itself before it formed into a small ponytailed girl.

I gasped, I recognised her. It was Pip.

Though what was she doing all the way out here?

I looked over at Ashton and Michael, gauging their reaction. A mixture of concern and confusion was all I could sense. Neither of them seemed to know what to do. My attention turned back to Pip, it quickly occurred to me that there was none of the cheeky and lively girl that we had met a few months ago. I gazed over her torn clothes that were stained with a filthy mixture of dirt and blood. Her hair wasn't much better, it was a mess of twigs and leaves. Even her fingernails were crusted with dirt and grime. She'd come a long way through the forest clearly, some of the trip possibly made as a human. I frowned, shocked by how much dried blood she was covered in. My eyes searched behind her for Emily. Naturally it had seemed that wherever Pip went, Emily wasn't far way. This time though it didn't appear to be the case.

Her chest was rising and falling faintly, her small breaths haggard. Her pale, blotchy skin was another sign that she wasn't doing well. I think she'd used the last of her energy on coming up to us. We had to do something. I looked at Ashton and Michael hoping one of them would have an answer.

"We'll take her back with us." Michael declared as he shifted back and scooped the small girl up into his arms. He didn't seem bothered by the blood that was now staining him and his clothes. "We need to find out who or what did this to her, and where the heck Emily is."

I nodded, it seemed we just had another problem on our hands.

******************

"Oh my gosh, what happened to her?" Harry gasped as we cleared room on Ashton's lounge room floor, Michael placed her gently.

"That's what we're hoping to find out." Michael frowned, he looked between Ashton and Harry. "Does this house have some medical supplies? Anything will do bandages, cloths, disinfectant?"

Harry and Ashton both nodded, Harry taking the hint raced out of the room.

Michael ran his hand through his read hair as he looked over Pip. "Shit, guys what are we going to do? Cal's the one who's good at this kind of stuff."

Michael was visibly shaken, but he did have a point. Calum or his mother were usually the ones who took over in these situations. We could contact Alex, but she probably wouldn't even be awake this early. Perhaps Ashton could try contacting her?

"I guess, stay calm and improvise would be the best thing. Harry's already gone to get the medical supplies, so that's a start." Ashton spoke, he sighed, "It's going to be okay Mikey."

Michael nods, though his expression seemed uncertain. Harry arrived a few seconds later with his arms filled with medical gear. Concerned, Ashton raced over taking a few from him and the two of them laid everything out in front of us.

"Alright where do we start?" I frowned, there was dozens of options.

Neither Ashton or Michael replied they both stared at everything with bemused expressions. This was hopeless, I let out a sigh.

"I have an idea." Harry spoke quietly as he sat cross legged on the floor.

All three of our eyes directly turned to him.

"Well I was thinking if she fainted maybe she's dehydrated so is there anyone we could give her some water. Perhaps that might cool her down to start with. Then if she's like you guys she might start healing on her own."

Following Harry's advice, the three of us got to work. Michael went and got some water, and I wet a towel to place on her head. Whilst Ashton and Harry worked to clean up her injuries. Within a few minutes she seemed to already be healing; the wounds began to heal up on their own. Her breathing became more even.

"Hopefully this means it's working." Michael frowned. I nodded.

She stirred for a moment, her eyes blinking. As soon as her eyes caught on Michael, she gasped. The surprise evident on her face. She sat up in alarm, she yelled, "Calum, I have to see Calum."