When Paths Collide

Jaxson

I was here once again, but instead of a forest, it was a seemingly abandoned house.

The walls and floor were cracked, weeds growing in between them.

The roof was a different matter. Chunks of it were in a pile of rubble on the floor, allowing for the pale, silver gleam of moonlight to stream in.

There was a grunt behind me, so I turned and met Vlad's light blue eyes. Shifting on his haunches I raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to keep taking me to ruined, haunted-looking places?" I asked. "Can you take me somewhere nice for once? Or at least keep the place intact?"

The wolf rolled his eyes, and I scoffed in response. "Are you sassing me?"

Vlad made direct eye contact with me, amusement flickering in his blue orbs.

"Oh god, I sound insane."

Vlad huffed, and I assumed it was some form of laughter.

"Glad you're enjoying it." Sarcasm dripped from my time. "So, what are you showing me this time?"

Vlad wasted no time after I spoke, leading me through the living room and down the hallway. Crooked picture frames of shadowed people hung on the walls, vines covering some.

Vlad stopped, nudging open a cracked door and stepped aside.

I held his gaze before walking forward.

And I stopped as soon as I saw what was in the room.

There, hanging from a noose, was the silhouette of a man. He seemed oddly familiar, but I couldn't see his features.

No.

I pushed the thought aside.

You could know this person. Pull yourself together and find out who it is so you can prevent it from happening.

But I couldn't. My feet seemed like they were rooted to the ground.

As the world faded to black, everything seemed to grow cold.

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I shot up in a mild daze, wondering where I even was.

It took a moment, but I realized I had fallen asleep in my office.

And that someone knocking on the office door woke me up.

"Come in."

"Vio," It was Lily. When was the last time she called me 'Vio'? It seemed like a lifetime ago. She seemed to realize it as well. "I'm sorry, Violet."

"There are no apologies necessary," I said. "Drink?"

"I think you've had enough." She sounded as though she was teasing me, though I couldn't be certain. What I was certain about was that she was probably right. An empty wine glass and wine bottle could make that very clear. "And I try to avoid alcohol nowadays." She shook her head. "I think we have a problem."

"Go on."

"Jaxson was supposed to watch the kids tomorrow, so I was calling to tell him he didn't have to as I hired a babysitter. He didn't answer."

Lily and I have known Jaxson the longest, and we both knew he was a light sleeper. If either of us were to call he would've picked up immediately, no matter how low he was feeling.

"I was wondering if you would like to go to his house with me. To, you know, check up on him. Make sure he was okay."

"You'll have to drive," I said. "I need you three to stay here." I directed the comment towards the three wolves. "Let's go."

"You can't drive?" Lily asked once we exited the bar and headed towards her car.

"As a Wolfe, I have many talents. Driving is not one of them."

"Driver's license?"

"Never got one."

"Failed?"

"That would be putting it mildly." I opened the passenger door, got in, and shut it. Lily followed in suite. "Let's just say it's safer for everyone if I don't go behind the wheel."

Lily began driving towards what I assumed to be Jaxson's house.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" I was confused.

"Everything, I guess. You were right about Andrew and I didn't even think about listening to you."

Oh, she was referring to high school.

"It's fine. That was then and this is now."

"It's not fine, Vio. That was years of friendship just thrown out the window." Lily said. "I can't help but believe that it was our fault you were so..."

"Cold? Heartless? Emotionless? Ruthless?" I chuckled. "I've heard them all, and I don't blame you. Any of you. Actually, I'm glad that part of me took place when you weren't around. Less of a chance of acting that way towards the people closest to me."

Lily hummed in understanding, the rest of the drive in a calming silence.

"We're here," Lily informed, parking in the driveway.

Getting out of the car, we made our way over to his door, finding that it was locked.

"Something's wrong." Lily frowned, attempting to open the locked door.

"Oh god..."

"What?"

"The dream. I didn't see who it was."

"What happened."

"Someone hung himself." Lily's eyes widened in realization, understanding what I was trying to say.

"I'll call Leo." Lily dialed his number and held a short, twenty-second conversation with him before hanging up. "He lives on the next street and he's on his way."

After a minute, another car pulled up and Leo exited, running over to us.

"Violet believes Jaxson may have hurt himself." Even Lily couldn't truly say it. "We can't open the door."

Leo gave a nod, motioning for us to stand back before kicking the door just above the doorknob. A splintering sound could be heard, and once he did it again the door swung open.

"Hallway, last door on the left," I told them.

Following my directions, they pushed open the door and froze.

"No..." Leo choked out. "No, no, no..."

Lily was unable to say anything, tears silently trickling down her cheeks.

Jaxson had hung himself.

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A/N: This chapter is better than the last one.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed!