The Mute Wolf

Chapter 24

Ember POV

My fathers story had brought a tear to almost everyone's eyes. I finally understood his past and I wasn't sure I was even glad to know. I couldn't accept that this whole time they kept me in the dark about my own real mother. I didn't know if I would forgive either of them for keeping something this huge from me, but for now, we sat in silence until we finally reached the house. It was then I remembered my dream after the crash. At least it seemed like a dream. The sunflower fields, the river and the windmill... I saw it. The woman I saw, that must have been Cora. My mother. But how? I decided not to tell my father, besides, I didn't want to speak to him just yet anyway. I wanted him to stew for a little bit.

As soon as I got inside my house, I threw that wretched blanket away and jumped straight into a hot bath. I didn't even bother to close the bathroom door inside my bedroom; being locked in that basement gave me a sudden fear of locked doors. I needed to know I could get out if I needed to. It was strange to say even in my head, but to me it made perfect sense.

I could hear my mother, the woman that raised me, shuffling around in the kitchen talking to my father. I couldn't make out what they were saying but whatever it is, I probably didn't want to know. I'd heard enough.
Zak called up the stairs after me and I couldn't think what the needy turd could possibly want now.
"Go away!" I shouted out and I soon heard the front door close. Good, he's gone. That was easy. I spent well over an hour in the bath, nodding off repeatedly before I finally got out. I grabbed my bag my father had retrieved from his beaten up car and filled my room with an aroma of mixed spices. The smell seemed to calm me and if I closed my eyes long enough, I could almost pretend I was still in Tyson and Josie's house. I needed to speak to him.
"Did you keep the number you used to call the house I stayed in with Josie and Tyson?" I asked my father abruptly as he was going through some paperwork for his car.
"I did. In fact I've had some missed calls from them for the past few days. I called back and told him what happened. I said you needed your rest for now." He barely looked up from his papers. He wasn't ready to look me in the eye just yet either.
"But I want to speak to him! Give me the number!" I shouted and this forced him to look me dead in the eyes.
"Lower your voice! I know he and his mother were good to you but it's best not to get too hung up on this boy. It's not practical." He scolded and I stood with my mouth open unable to believe what shit I was hearing from him now. I'd had it.
"Not practical?! You're not practical! I'm tired of the crap that comes out of your mouth! I'm tired of being told what to do! He's my friend and I want to speak with him! Give me the damn number!" I yelled, fists clenched down at my sides.

Suddenly my father stood, banging his hand down hard on the table creating a loud bang which forced me back on instinct. The look on my fathers face changed from anger to surprised as he realised how much he had frightened me. I wasn't the same girl that stood in this kitchen only a short time ago. What the Redwoods has done, what Ares had tried to do...
"Ember, go to your room." My father spoke more calmly. I felt so defeated and weak, not able to win at anything I do. I'd been broken down to this shadow of the person I was and I hated myself for being this way. I hated everyone for letting this happen. I'm related to a bunch of rapists who beat me and mocked me and I wasn't even allowed to make one phone call to the one person that could possibly help me feel better.
"You go to your room." I replied moments later in a defeated tone.
"Please don't talk to your father like that, he's only doing what's best." The woman that raised me butted in, taking his side as always.
"You stay out of it, you're not my mother!" I barked back making my father even more angrier.
"Get to your room and don't you dare come out till you've apologised and calmed down!" He ordered walking towards me to get me moving. When I stood my ground and didn't budge, he grabbed me underneath my armpit and guided me towards the stairs.