Wolf Blood | ✔

Chapter Two

The drive to the morgue was quiet. Maddie didn't say a word. She simply stared out the window while I drove. We parked outside near the curb and walked the rest of the way towards the morgue.  I pushed open the door and made it to the front desk. Oddly, there were quite a number of people inside so we had to sit and wait.

"How do you know who you're looking for?" Maddie asked. 

"Well, I have the names of the people who operated on my mother from her case file. I'll just ask the person at the front desk to talk to them in private and then I'll ask them the questions I want." Maddie seemed wary.

"What if they don't want to cooperate?" That was a good question since my mom's body wasn't even here anymore. We already had a burial.

"Well that would actually mean that they're hiding something," I said with a raised brow.

"You should have studied criminal justice instead of medicine," she said shaking her head.

"NEXT!" the receptionist yelled. We both got up and walked towards her desk. I wasn't sure about Maddie but I was a little nervous that my plan wouldn't work. I mean, I desperately needed answers. 

"Hi," I said while rubbing my sweaty palms on my jeans. "I'm looking for Carlson and Michael Kaine." They were brothers who practiced pathology together. 

"Sure," she smiled and pointed to the direction down the hall on her left. "It's the last door to your right." I personally found it weird, that she gave me their information without interrogating me. No questions needed... Where they expecting me?

"Thank you," I sighed in relief. Maddie and I walked down the hall and knocked on the door.

"Come in," a voice called. Maddie and I shyly walked into the room that was cooled from the air conditioning units that were mounted on the walls. There were two dark brown desks to the far corners of the room and at each desk was a young man. They both had similar appearances so I concluded they were the doctors we were looking for.

Behind them, the walls were painted a very light blue with a corresponding grey rug to match it. The men were dressed in long white jackets with several pockets on each side. One of them smiled politely at us whilst the other buried his head in his paperwork. Maddie nudged me forward and followed keenly behind my back.

"How may we assist you ma'am?" the dark haired one asked. He had steel eyes that seemed inscrutable. 

"Are you Carlson?" I asked nervously. He seemed to frown at my question and shook his head.

"I'm Michael. That's is Carlson over there," he added, pointing to the other man. "Should I..."

"No, that's fine. I understand that you two are the ones who operated on Saudria Limen?"

"Yes... Why do you want to know?" Michael asked, intrigued, to say the least. At that moment, Carlson had lifted his head from his work and was glaring at us with narrowed eyes.

"Well, I'm her daughter and I'd like to know..."  My voice trailed off as both the brothers stared me down. The hardened grey colour of their eyes didn't help, as made their gaze seem as steely as nails.

Carlson shifted unexpectedly and said, "I have to make a phone call." He gave Michael a brief look before he left the room. As soon as the door had closed behind his back, Michael got up and strode towards us.

"What do you know about your mother exactly?" he asked in a low voice. My brows drew together to form a scowl. Before he had a chance to continue, Carlson returned, his facial features filled with concern.

"You'll have to come with us," he said and yanked my arm from my side, pulling me towards another door that led outside. What?

"Let go of me!" I demanded and struggled against his hold but he was too strong. He paused for a moment.

"Don't you want answers?" I glanced back just in time to see Michael grab a hold of Maddie who was wailing at him to let her go. I looked back to the front to see that we approaching a sleek black SUV. I was freaking out by then, remembering what I saw in movies when girls ended up in a situation like this, they usually ended up dead in the next few days. I hadn't even achieved what I wanted in life yet, a family, some kids; I didn't want to die yet. "This really wasn't necessary but time is of the essence," Carlson explained as he dragged me along.

I started banging my free hand against his shoulder, hoping it would slow him down so I could think of some way to get us out of this mess. Carlson didn't even flinch, he just kept on dragging me with his arms from which I observed had very big muscles. Maybe these guys were on steroids... maybe they were drug dealers.

We reached the car and both Maddie and I were put inside. The two brothers got in front and started the engine. There was really no use screaming since the windows were brought all the way up, and the road didn't have pedestrians anyway. Maddie sobbed in her seat with the look of fear present in her eyes. I tried comforted her since I knew it was the best I could do, also knowing that I was the one that got us in this mess.

After for what seemed like hours, the vehicle drove up a dirt path and soon a huge house came into view. All around was surrounded with dry bush and tall trees. Michael got out and opened the doors for us while Carlson headed straight for the house. 

"What is this?" I asked. The sky was a pale grey with a small flock of birds flying aimlessly in the sky. Trees surrounded the great mansion with leafless branches giving it a mysterious yet calm atmosphere.

"The sooner we get inside, the sooner you'll know," Michael said, beckoning Maddie and me to the house. We went up the stairs and stood in front of the large oak door which Michael pushed open.

I could tell that several people lived there. A large flat screen television was mounted on the wall, in front of a sofa with three men cheering as they watched the sports channel.

"Guys," Michael announced. They all turned towards him. "I have some serious stuff for us to discuss. Get to the study." All of the others got up quietly and humbly walked down a long hall with us following behind them. We approached a large room which was mostly occupied with a wide and long dark brown wooden table with chairs on all sides. We all took a seat; Maddie and I together between Michael and Carlson. The three other guys glanced at us 

The door opened and a rather enthralling man walked in. As he did, everyone got up to acknowledge his presence. The man walked to his seat, which was at the head of the table and motioned for us to sit down. Once everyone had taken their seats, he started to speak.

"What is this news that is so important?" he asked. I stared at him, wondering why his face looked so familiar all of a sudden.

"Damian," Carlson stood up. "This girl claims to be the daughter of Saudria Limen." There was a chorus of gasps as all eyes were on me. Damian stood up and looked at me intently,  slits for eyes.

Damian, I thought. The name from my dreams.  

"But that's impossible," he said softly, almost to himself. "I thought the whole family was dead."

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Taja D'amore