The Woods

Grandma's House

            “Father! Father!” I yell as soon as we are near the house. I was helping Roland walk and all of his weight was on me. I was exhausted and I wanted to cry, but I was more angry than scared at the moment. I should have left the bastard to die for what he did to me. My guilty conscience got the best of me though. My father came out quickly and Lot followed after. They were horrified by what they saw.

            “Calla.” He shouts and I stop at the porch because I just couldn’t support him anymore. Roland slides to the ground. Lot races over to his son who looked as if he was going to pass out at any moment. He lost so much blood. Cole and Alec stepped out of the house and were looking around. I was surprised that nobody had come out yet from all the commotion. They help Lot pull Roland up and into the house. Jezebel and my mother put a hand on either side of me and guide me inside. We went straight into the bathroom. I stood their numbly as they took my gown off and turned on the shower. There was so much blood all over me.

            I didn’t say a word as Jezebel combed my hair out. My mother paced the room muttering things and looking as worried as ever. I had never seen her this scared and anxious before. Jezebel has tears running down her cheeks because she did not know the fate of her brother. Would he live or would he die? I wasn’t sure because I couldn’t even determine the spot where he was bleeding.

            When I had my night clothes on, my mother leaves and Jezebel lays down with me on my bed. I did like Jezebel and I enjoyed her company whenever they came to visit. When we were younger, we would play hide and go seek while Roland cried because we wouldn’t let him play with us. We always told him he was an icky boy and had to play with Cole and Alec. I would not mind if Jezebel married Cole or Alec. She always said how she had a crush on Alec, but that recently changed and she’s been all over Cole lately.

            “Do you think he is going to live?” She whispers and I can feel her small breath on the back of my neck. I turn over to my other side so I can face her. I honestly didn’t know if Roland would survive or not. The kid was being a total jerk to me tonight and I was angry that he forced himself on me, but I didn’t want him to die. I was still completely baffled by how that wolf came out of nowhere. Was he trying to steal me or Roland away? According to legend, we couldn’t be taken because we weren’t the oldest in our families.

            “I don’t know Jezebel.” I say back. I truly did not know. I sigh and hold Jezebel’s hand. Whether I want to admit it or not, Roland was actually a good brother. He cared a lot for his sister and I know they were close.

            “What happened?” She asked. That was the question I was waiting for. Nobody had asked me what happened. I think they could guess though. I mean what else would attack us and create so much damage.

            “It was—a wolf.” I say quietly and Jezebel whimpers. It wasn’t long before she falls asleep and I finally let go of her hand. I get up carefully and head downstairs. Alec was sitting in the armchair, reading and Cole was sharpening his knife. Lot was biting at his nails and my father and mother were comforting each other. It was hard for Lot sometimes because his wife died about three years ago. He has never really ever been the same since.  It was especially hard on Jezebel and now this happens to her. I felt bad.

            “Calla, what happened?” My father says as soon as he sees me enter the room. Lot looks up and his face has so many worry lines that I didn’t notice before.

            “Harry!” My mother scolds. She pulls me into her chest as if I should cry on her shoulder or something. I was not all that upset about this whole thing. As far as I was concerned, the wolf saved me from Roland. I was still scared that the creature would come back for me though. The way the wolf looked at me was just—it was an experience. I had never seen a wolf except in paintings and books.