Broken

Chapter Forty

I knew after that night my life would never be the same. There were so many feelings going through me. I was angry at Justin for going out in the woods and risking his life. I was also completely terrified for him, Nora, myself, and everyone else involved in this mess. I was trying hard to stay strong and hopeful that whatever happened would be a happy ending.

I wanted more than anything to go home. Not to the empty house I was calling home, but the home I once had. I wanted to walk through my front door and see Grandma cooking in the kitchen. I wanted to see Grandpa sitting on the couch watching the TV. I wanted them to ask me how my day was at school. I would watch the television with Grandpa until dinner was ready. Then Justin would show up and we would all have dinner together. I would be so happy.

I could never have that again though. I lived it and now it was gone, left only in my mind. I stood next to Justin, wondering what I would do if he didn't walk away from this. He was the only part of that life that I had left. I wasn't clinging to the thought of him to hold on to that part of my life but clinging to him for the hope of my future. I knew he was in it and I could not picture it without him.

I reached over and took Justin's hand. He looked over at me. I hated the look in his eyes. It had been a look I had seen before on him, but not one that suited him. He wore the eyes of a broken boy. I hoped that after all this was over, that look would leave.

"Should we get back in the water?" Nora asked. There was an unsettling tone in her words. The water was the last place she wished to be, but her will to live overcame that.

The wolf was nearing us, cautiously. I watched him, noticing something different about him. His teeth weren't on display like they had been earlier. He almost looked like he was being cautious.

"Justin, that wolf looks different," I pointed out.

He looked up at it, "It isn't Lykos."

We were all about to take our steps back into the cold water. The wolf stopped and made a whining noise. It suddenly laid down on the ground. We all stopped and looked at it. It was several yards away from us. I looked up at Justin and he looked confused.

"I...I think that's your father," I said.

He shook his head, "Gary Lathrop wouldn't give us a chance."

"I meant your real father."

Justin looked down at me. His eyes remained on me for several moments before looking at the wolf again. I felt his hand tighten around mine. The wolf raised his head, looking at us curiously.

"She's right."

Justin's mom came to stand behind the wolf. It hopped to its feet and looked at her. She walked past him, towards us. We walked towards her, leaving our spots on the rocks. Justin let go of my hand as she hugged him.

"What the hell were you thinking?" she asked after she released him. Her eyes looked like daggers on him. Her eyes shifted to Nora and me. "And I told you two to stay at the cabin."

"Lykos had a good plan."

"Where's Lykos?" she asked. None of us spoke, giving her all the answer she needed. She looked down at the wolf behind her. "Find Lykos. Be careful."

The wolf lifted his head up, sniffing the air. Then he took off running past us. I looked over my shoulder as he disappeared into the trees. I was still adjusting to the facts of the supernatural, but it was hitting me hard.

"Mrs. Lathrop?" I asked. "Could you...get Nora out of here?"

"I can get all three of you out of here," she replied. I looked over at Justin. He was already shaking his head.