🐺Wolf Creek:Volume One🐺

Chapter Nine: Little Red

            I leapt down the stairs two at a time for fear that I had left Gran defenseless. As I neared the bottom I began to turn to see where Gran was in the living room, but was interrupted by the window next to me being jarred and cracked by a massive gray blur of teeth. I screamed again and lost my balance, falling to the side but having enough control not to let the gun hit the ground in time. The wolf's snarl was loud enough to be a roar now. I scrambled to my feet and swung the gun in front of my chest. I wasn't entirely sure how to shoot a gun, but I was too afraid to think about that.

Instead I grabbed the handle and trigger with one hand, the middle of the barrel with the other hand, aimed at the snapping jaws trying to reach me, and squeezed the trigger as hard as I could. My eyes squinted shut as the deafening blast sounded and the bullet busted through what was left of the window. If the wolf couldn't get in before it definitely could now. My ears were ringing but I forced my eyes open to see the damage I'd done. A single hold had been punched through the window, and everything surrounding it had been completely shattered. Bits and pieces hung from the frame while others plinked to the floor and ground outside.

I listened as hard as I could, but could hear no more growling. I rubbed my ears with the palms of my hands before listening again. There was still nothing but the leftover echoes of gunfire fading into the surrounding forest. Suddenly Gran was standing over me, pulling me back as far away from the window as she could drag me with her small frame. I thought she was going to chastise me, but I think she was too afraid to even speak. There were police sirens beginning to mix with the echoed gunshot. I stood quickly and held tightly onto the gun as I carefully made my way back towards the window, leaning against the wall next to it and sliding along until I was right next to it.

As I peered out into the darkness I saw the wolf splayed out on the ground. It wasn't moving, but a dark puddle near its eye socket sure was. Despite my closed eyes I had somehow managed to shoot the wolf in the head. Before I knew it I was letting myself slide to the ground as relief washed over me. Gran knelt down to hug me and I leaned against her to hug her back. We stayed that way as we listened to the sound of the police sirens coming up the drive.

Half an hour later, the two of us sat on the porch in silence as policemen hauled the dead wolf away. The animal would be tested for rabies, and then the source would be searched for. It seemed like half of the town's law enforcement was at our house, not to mention the reserve director, two animal control officers, and the sheriff with his deputy.

"You know, I used to hate living in a town where word travels fast. Now I'm glad that nobody can mind their business." Gran quietly joked to me. I let a partial smile twitch at the corners of my lips before resting my chin in my hands and closing my eyes. The shock of the night was wearing off, and now I was beginning to get very tired. I could hear the animal control getting to leave-no wolf to trap, no need for them to be there. Then I heard the footsteps of someone getting closer. I opened my eyes and looked up to see the deputy making his way over to us. We had already been questioned, so I assumed there was something they had missed.

"That was one heck of a shot." The deputy addressed me directly.

"It was pure luck that I even made it." I muttered.

"Pure luck and a bullet." Sheriff Douglas, as I had heard, piped up as he walked up to the porch as well. He was a wide and tall man with a blonde buzz cut and a knack for glaring despite his level tone. "You might not have known it, but I'd have been willing to bet that you had a good chance at hitting your mark." I quirked an eyebrow in confusion and looked at Gran. She was nodding her head when I met her gaze with a curious expression. Her face was thoughtful in an almost wistful way.

"You used to go hunting with your grandfather every year before he passed. You may not remember how to shoot a gun, but those years of practice certainly don't. One way or another you were going to hit that monster of an animal." Gran explained. Everyone nodded in agreement. I knit my eyebrows in even more confusion. It certainly hadn't felt like my years of practice had remembered when I had been trying to figure out how to even hold the gun.

"No doubt in my mind you would have killed the beast." The sheriff sighed angrily.

"Monster? Beast?!" The head of the reserve cried, "Stop calling it these terrible things! Something was clearly wrong with it, and here you are acting as if she's a hero plucked straight out of a fairy tale. Well I've got news for you Little Red; that wolf was from the rehabilitation and release center for injured and endangered animals; especially wolves. You've just killed a member of an endangered species! Again!!!" Gran put a protective arm around my shoulders and sent the stout man a withering glare. Clearly he was nothing like his joyful wife.

"Is this really the time fo-" Gran began, but was interrupted.

"Yes! The second time, as a matter of fact!" He sneered.

"The wolf nearly killed them. I think we can call it whatever we please. Or do you value a rabid wolf more than a teenage girl and kind elderly lady?" The sheriff's deputy snapped at him, bringing attention to himself. Everyone paused in anticipation for the reaction of the librarian's husband. Instead he simply went quiet before giving me one last angry look and walking away.

"Second time?" I quietly inquired. "What does he mean Gra-?"

"Kelsey!" I heard someone yell. I turned just as James slammed his car door and jogged over to us. My cheeks burned as everyone's attention was drawn to the two of us. James slowed to a stop in front of me, and hesitated before taking my hands to look over my arms and face for injuries. I wasn't in the mood, and gently pulled away to face Gran. She was watching me carefully.

"How did you know something happened? You live too far away to hear gun shots, and you couldn't have known where the sirens were going." I whispered to James. He walked off to the side rather than pulling me, sensing my discomfort. As I followed him I noticed the head of the reserve got in his car and drove away quickly down our driveway. Finally James stopped at the edge of the yard. I looked up at him with an impatient curiosity.

"I've had a police scanner in my room for years. It was a gift from an old friend of mine. You'll meet him sometime. I knew it was you because of the address." James explained. That might have explained why he was here, but it certainly didn't explain what the head of the reserve had been shouting about. I crossed my arms as I looked up at him.

"What did that man mean when he said 'the second time'?" I asked. There was no answer from him. I narrowed my eyes. "James Acuna, we were just getting on the right foot. Do not mess it up. Tell me. Now." He tried to avoid my determined glare, but I stared him down. He glanced towards Gran as if to ask for approval.

"What did he mean by the second time?!" I asked Gran in an accusing tone as I spun around. It was clear by the head of the reserve's angry rant that she was keeping something from me. She seemed taken aback by my sudden outburst, but I couldn't hide the anger in my eyes. James tried to put a calming hand on my shoulder before I shrugged him off. Gran fidgeted for a few moments as I watched her expectantly.

"Kelsey, please, I don't want you to be angry with me." Gran pleaded.

"Then tell me the truth. In fact, I'll make you a deal. Tell me the truth now, and I won't let myself be angry." I murmured. Gran gave me a knowing look. We both knew that wasn't how emotions worked, but I didn't care. I had to know what happened. If I was still mad after then I would just have to keep myself from showing it. James continued to stand to the side as he watched. Gran sighed and nodded.

"Before your wreck there was another incident. There was a different wolf in the shelter then. You stopped by one evening to visit it, but it wasn't in its cage. It was still in the building with you, and you had to hide in the office until the police came. It nearly got you then too..." Gran explained. I stayed silent long enough for the new information to sink in. James stepped a bit closer, but I ignored him.

"You certainly have a knack for avoiding death." Said a serious, almost annoyed voice.