Friends Or Foes?

Chapter 9

Wolf speak

  Winter hummed quietly, picking at her nails waiting for Aleo to wake up. He hadn't slept in days so even though she was impatient to check the house, she stayed quiet and let him sleep.

About an hour later Aleo woke up with a yawn. Standing and stretching, he turned to Winter who was humming quietly. "Ready to go Winter?" The girls head shot up and nodded, collecting her few things and following Aleo.

They were about 4 miles from the house and Winter was getting antsy. "Winter you have to stop fidgeting or your going to fall off." Aleo warned. Winter giggled nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. "Sorry Aleo, it's just- we are so close! And I'm nervous to see what waits for us there." Her voice got quieter the more the spoke.

Winter gripped Aleos fur slightly, her whole body going stiff as the worst scenarios flew into her head. Aleo stopped walking and turned his head to look at the girl on his back. She kept zoning out so he just resorted to carrying her half way. "Calm down, your overthinking again. Plus your going to rip the fur from my back!" Aleos tone changed to a more teasing mannor at the end. Winter smiled at him and sighed, deciding to keep her mind off it by watching the birds over head.

Winter nearly fell face first as Aleo jerked to a stop, his whole body tensing. "Aleo? What's wrong?" Winter asked, but her question was answered when she looked up, instantly regretting it.

The roof had multiple holes, the walls were burnt, windows shattered and clear blood stains on nearly everything.  "Oh my god..." Winter slowly slid off Aleos back, cautiously walking towards the house. Aleo stared wide eyed as he followed the girl, who was shaking like a leaf.

The front door was on the ground, the walls around it burnt and broken. "D-dad?" Winter called, hoping for a answer. "Ray?" Aleo called again. The 2 slowly walked through the damaged home, both dreading what they might find in the living room.

Winter continued to call out for her Father, getting more desperate for a response, any response. Even if it came from Quinn. Aleo stayed silent after his few calls, slowly following behind Winter.

The 2 shared a look before walking through the kitchen and to the living room.  Winter instantly regretted looking and Aleo regretted letting her look.

Claw marks, blood and shattered glass lined the walls, the couch torn and burnt. And Ray. Ray was laying on a broken coffee table, pale and lifeless. Winter wanted to move. To check if there was anything she could do. But she was just frozen, tears in her eyes as she stared at Ray.

Aleo said nothing as he glanced at Winter. He took a shakey breath and slowly walked toward the man that grew to be his father. Pressing his snout to Ray's neck, he snapped his eyes shut and lowered his head, tail between his legs. "Hes gone." Aleo whispered, but he knew the girl heard it.

Winter finally found it in herself to move, and was at her fathers side instantly. Winter only stared before breaking down, crying, screaming, and cursing. Aleo looked down and walked down the hall, letting the girl cry.

The wolf carefully pushed open Winters bedroom door. It was trashed. He winced as Winters cries got louder for a minute before dying back down. As he looked around, nothing seemed to be missing or broken, just super messy. 'Quinn must have came in here searching for something.' Aleo thought as he got a closer look around the room.

Winters cries had dyed down to just teary eyes as she gripped Ray's hand. She repeatedly muttered apologies, blaming herself for not helping sooner.

Aleo slowly shook his head, knowing they had to leave. It wasnt safe here anymore. "Winter we have to go. Go back a bag." Aleo said, softly nudging the girl. Winter only nodded and slowly stood, walking down the hall.

Winters hands shook as she stuffed clothes, and other essentials into her backpack. She carefully removed a piece of the floor and pulled out a small box. "WINTER LETS GO!" Aleo called. "Coming!" Winter quickly opened the box and pulled out a necklace with a small emerald attacked to it, along with a matching bracelet. She smiled softly at the objects before putting them both on, and throwing her backpack over her shoudler.

"Ready to go?" Aleo asked. Winter sighed and nodded, stealing one last glance at where they had buried Ray. His favorite spot near the edge of the forest. "Oh Winter, I found this in the kitchen while you were packing." Aleo said, dropping something near her feet.

She carefully picked it up. It was the blade Ray gave her. She smiled and pat Aleos head. "Thank you. Now let's get going."  Aleo nodded and started walking, Winter following. Even though she just lost everything, she knew they would be okay.

At least for now.

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