Element

Element XXII

“We need to find her. Why are we just standing around?” Frustrated, I paced back and forth in Zayne’s office with my arms crossed.

After Helen ran away last night, we were hoping she would come back on her own. However, she has been gone for a total of 21 hours and we still can’t find her.

“Alora, I know you are concerned but we are doing the best we can. We have search parties out there looking for her and as soon as they catch a lead, we will know.”

I knew Zayne was just trying to calm me down but it didn’t work. Helen is only a human and cannot possibly survive a night in the woods alone. I can’t help but to think that she is scared and hungry and I’m afraid to think what could happen to her if we do not find her soon.

As I continued to pace back and forth, my hand found its way to my mouth and I began biting my nails. It was a nervous habit I developed years ago and I normally only did it when really stressed. 

As I started on my third nail, Zayne suddenly stood up and made me freeze.

“Derek says they found something.” As Zayne rounded the desk, I threw open the door and ran head long down the stairs. Running through the kitchen and out the back door, I sprinted for the wood s and changed in mid stride. As I made it to the tree line, I lifted my nose and sniffed. I quickly found Derek’s trail and followed it at full speed. As I made my way through the trees and over fallen logs I couldn’t help but to feel nervous. What if it was blood they found or a body limb? What if it’s her body? I don’t know if I am ready for this.

As I came to the end of Derek’s trail, Zayne caught up rather quickly and he was brushing against my side as we ran. It was obvious that he was trying to offer me support but I was too nervous to allow his touch to calm me down.

As we slowed to a trot, I could make out Derek’s dark brown wolf through the trees and picked up my pace slightly. As I broke into the very small clearing, I saw wolves surrounding the area with their nose to the ground sniffing. Walking towards Derek, he shifted his gaze towards something on the ground and looked back up at me. Walking towards what he was motioning towards, at my feet lay a white dress shredded and a pair of high heels. It was the clothing Helen was wearing at the part.

Sniffing the dress, I couldn’t smell any other wolf or human besides Helen.  Tilting my head, I just didn’t understand where Helen could be. She couldn’t have been that upset that she tore her clothes off and decided to run around the forest naked.

As I continued to wrack my brain as to why Helen would be naked. I saw Zayne walk up and sniff the dress. His wolf let out a small whimper as his white fur seemed to stand on its end. Not understanding his reaction, I decided to mind him and see what he thought.

“What do you think happened here? Why would she not be wearing her dress? Could she have been taken?”

Glancing at Zayne, it was clear he was thinking the same thing.

“Not possible, I smell no other wolf or human. I just don’t understand what could have happened…”

Turning away from Zayne, I watched the other wolves attempt to pick up her trail. There was a slight breeze last night and any chance we had to find her all but disappeared. Turning away from it all, I started a slow walk back towards the pack house.

“My dear Alora, do not be discouraged, we will find her and she will be safe.” My wolf, Davina attempted to cheer me up but it just wasn’t working.

“I don’t know if that’s true though. I should have followed her last night. Better yet, I shouldn’t have made her come. I pushed her into coming and it was stupid of me to bring a human to a party full of werewolves.”