Hybrid

Search and Rescue

When Maria had composed herself, she allowed her father to walk her to his side of the field. I watched helplessly as she walked voluntarily into the hunter filled woods. I haven't seen her since. I've been working with the wolves to find her, to search, to even know where to begin looking.

It was an impossible task. The wolves were unable to find the hunter hideout before Maria disappeared, and there's no chance they'll be able to find it now. I was aware of the chance of finding her, but there was absolutely no way I was going to quit on her now.

The frustration was building in the pack, and I was lashing out at every group I sent out that returned with nothing. I put Isaac and Luke in charge of the search groups and focused my energy on the help I could be included in. I knew the wolves had the advantage of speed and smell that I didn't have, so I didn't bother going out to help them. I mostly stayed behind and kept maps updated.

I felt useless staying back, and the majority of my time was spent fidgeting and becoming restless. There was no peace even in unconsciousness, dreams filled with her. It's only been a few days, and it might seem like we're overreacting, but most of us are certain Maria is dead.

I had my hair so tangled that I think I got a few pens stuck inside it. Isaac had come back from a search and was pointing to places on a map that Maria wasn't found, so I was making myself busy nearly tearing through the paper crossing out the spots he pointed at. We were apparently so focused on our task that no one noticed when Maria was standing directly next to us.

"I wasn't there either." Maria pointed at a spot on the map, and because I am an idiot, I started crossing it out before I realized what had happened.

I jumped out of my seat and latched onto her like she was magnetic. Her chuckle was barely heard under my profuse mumbling. I felt her skin under my fingers again and I found myself checking for any bruising or cuts. I knew that if she returned safely there must've been a fight.

"They let me go," Maria said while pushing me back enough to look me in the eye.

"They don't let anyone go," I whispered.

"I'm not just anyone I guess," Maria said, her tone light.

"And you're not harmed?" I asked timidly.

"No. I'm fine, I promise. I just need to talk to the pack," Maria said.

I called everyone together and everyone waited eagerly to hear what Maria had to say.

"There are a lot of faces here I don't recognize." Maria looked at me for guidance.

"Alexander's pack merged with ours after he was murdered," I explained.

"I'm sorry for my absence. I know the transition is difficult and I wish I could've been around to help you all adjust," Maria spoke, addressing the wolves standing before her.

"What happened to you?" A younger wolf from Alexander's pack asked.

"Who are you? Come here for a second." Maria beckoned him closer.

"My name is Noah," The boy announced.

"Noah, it's nice to meet you. I went to speak with the hunters," Maria answered.

A resounding 'what' echoed out of the mouths of wolves.

"My father, who I thought was dead, is their leader. They have a cure," Maria announced.

Silence fell over the group. The cure meant different things to the wolves. For some, it meant not facing being hunted anymore, and for others, the cure was worse than being hunted. Faces held contemplation or anger, but no one was thrilled by the idea of a cure.