by Lou Grimes
“Mom, wake up,” Louvette cried as she shook her awake. Her mom’s eyelids flickered, and then painfully cracked open. She blinked at her surroundings for a second and then gasped. Sarah grabbed Louvette’s arm so tightly that she expected blood to drip out from her grip.
“Louvette, where is it?” she whispered as Louvette winced. She said the first thing that came to her mind to appease her mother.
“I hit it in the head with a rock and it ran off. We need to go,” she pressed as she pulled her mother into a sitting position. Louvette didn’t want to linger for fear the body would be discovered. Her mother nodded, too shocked to second guess Louvette, and drew in a ragged breath.
“Where are our shoes?” Sarah asked, searching the general area that they had left them. She was focusing on the wrong thing here.
“I don’t know, but we need to go before it comes back,” Louvette pointed out.
“We can replace shoes. We can’t replace ourselves,” she agreed, leaning into Louvette for support. They began limping back to the trail. Every little noise would cause her mom to cast a worried glance in the direction where they had met the creature. However, Louvette felt the opposite. Each step away brought more and more relief to Louvette.
Once they reached the familiar trail, they didn’t walk long before they came across some other hikers. There were three women and one boy heading toward them.
“Hey, are you okay?” one of the girls questioned as they neared Louvette and her mother.
“Something tried to attack us. Do you mind helping us back to our car?” Louvette’s mother asked before Louvette could.
“Of course, we don’t mind. What attacked you?” The women all flocked to them to help while inquiring about what happened. Concern was on one’s face as she looked around the trail.
“A wolf did. Are you sure you don’t mind? We don’t want to ruin your hike,” Sarah answered. Louvette could barely conceal her shock. She had been positive that her mother had seen the thing, but now she wasn’t so sure. Louvette wasn’t about to correct her. It would put her too close to the truth. Sarah Lynskey was a smart woman and she could connect two and two.
“You’re not! Trust me, if there’s a wolf attacking people out there, then we don’t need to go. We are lucky we ran into you two. Otherwise, we might have run into it ourselves,” the oldest one said.
Louvette almost stumbled as the hikers relieved her body of the burden of her mother’s weight. Her muscles screamed in protest as she moved her tired body more freely.
They were back to the car in no time thanks to the hikers, and her mother’s limp was minimal. The hikers consisted of a mother and two grown daughters and a grandson in tow. They were visiting for the weekend and would be flying back to Tennessee that night.
One was a nurse and swiftly checked her mother for a concussion, but thankfully Sarah didn’t have one. Her scrape could be doctored from the confines of their own home.
Louvette and Sarah thanked their rescuers and parted ways. They were ecstatic and bone tired all wrapped into one when they reached the car.
The drive home was quiet. Both of them were too busy contemplating the events that had taken place that day to converse. It was peaceful for each to be alone with her thoughts. When they got out of the car, Sarah gave her daughter a long hug. Louvette waited for the tears to come as Sarah’s eyes took on a watery appearance.
“I could have lost you. Let’s not do that again,” she mumbled in Louvette’s hair, tears rolling down her face as she squeezed as tight as she could, like she Louvette would be stolen from her arms. She expected to hear a crack from her protesting ribs, but one never came.
“Agreed,” Louvette responded emotionally. She had killed someone like it was nothing, regardless of him trying to kill her first. A part of her was happy when that man died. Louvette had no remorse over that fact that she had killed a person. That lack of guilt was what bothered her.
Her mother popped some pain relievers for sleep and headed to her room. Louvette went to hers inaudibly. Once inside, she lay down on her bed and looked at her phone. She’d received no texts from Arsen. Louvette wanted to call him and break down, but she wondered what the repercussions were for murder. Arsen might not be inclined to hide her from the wolves anymore. She resisted the urge to text Cara instead, hoping for a temporary distraction.
Louvette: Hey, what are you up to?
Cara: Just fending for myself for lunch. We were supposed to have a family dinner, but surprise surprise, Dad got called away.
She frowned at that text. Louvette didn’t want to be self-centered, but she couldn’t help but wonder if Cara’s father had gotten called out because of her. Had they already found the body, she wondered, her anxiety growing.
Louvette: So, does that mean you’re making yourself some ramen noodles?
Cara: Ha Ha, very funny. No, I’m a bit more resilient than that. I made a grilled cheese sandwich.
Louvette smiled at the response.
Louvette: That doesn’t count as cooking. It’s hard to mess up a grilled cheese sandwich. Even the lunch lady knows how to whip one up.
Cara: Are you comparing my culinary expertise to a lunch lady? I’ve surpassed her several times over. Besides, theirs are frozen in the beginning so heating one up in the microwave doesn’t count. I cooked mine in a pan.
Louvette: I bet it’s burnt.
Cara: So cruel.
Louvette took that time to change the subject to a more productive conversation. She hoped it was more productive, anyway. She paused for a minute as she thought about how to phrase her question, then typed.
Louvette: Why is he always called out? What did your dad have to do, anyways?
She questioned Cara in hopes of finding out how much Cara knew about the pack. This conversation could only go far if Cara didn’t have any inkling about the world that surrounded her. Her entire family was either Lupine or came from Lupine. Probably half her friends were Lupine as well.
Cara: Work as usual.
Louvette: What does he do?
Cara: He’s a businessman. He’s always working on his time off.
She was either extremely good at hiding the truth or she had no clue. There would be no information to glean off of Cara other than lies that her parents had told her or lies that she had created herself.
Her responses may not have been real, but her sadness over her father’s absence was. Louvette chose to attempt to cheer her up. It could always be worse.
Louvette: At least, he’s around sometimes. Mine’s been MIA my entire life.
Cara: You’re right. I’m grateful for the time I do have with him. No matter how little it is. Thank you for always being there to put me in my place.
Louvette smiled at her response.
Louvette: It’s my job as your designated fairy godmother. Speaking of my duties, you need to sleep and so do I.
Cara: Good night, Fairy Godmother.
Louvette: Good night, Cinder.
Louvette relaxed into her bed and threw her phone on the nightstand. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of mixed emotions. She doubted sleep would come, but her breathing lulled her eyes closed and before she knew it, she was out.
Chapter 6
Louvette was in a congregation of sorts. There were people all around her. She attempted to get their attention. They stared ahead, ignoring her talking to them.
She reached for the closest person near her to shake. Her hand went straight through him. Louvette gaped as she noticed she was see-through.
She glanced around to figure out where she was. She tried to yell, but she was silent. A person walked through her. Something awful caught her wandering mind. She started moving toward it before she could stop herself.
Someone stood on a wooden platform as a noose swung in the wind. Next in line was a daunting thing to be. The person was waiting for their turn to go. They were unidentifiable due to a bag over their head. It was their turn to meet their Maker for the crimes they had co
mmitted. The rope had swung for less for many others.
The crowd was a sea of blurry faces. The view was similar to being nearsighted. Some faces appeared familiar, but one was more familiar than them all. Arsen stood out in the front row. His face was sad as he watched the person step up to the rope. Louvette shook her hand in his face, screaming for him to see her.
The person was shoved forward until they were directly under the rope. The changes to the rope for height were painfully slow. Louvette slowly turned and watched in horror. She had just killed someone. She didn’t want to witness another one go.
“Any last words?” The hangman’s cruel voiced echoed oddly. He tore off the head covering. The hair was familiar as it all settled. She’d seen that same face for seventeen years. The eyes were wrong.
Louvette was looking back at herself. Her eyes were an intense blue as her wolf was near the surface, ready to kill again. With her arms tied behind her back, she couldn’t retaliate. She seemed as wild as that rogue wolf that had gone after her and her mother.
“For the crime of murder, Louvette Blackwood shall be hanged until dead,” another voice announced. Louvette ran forward to foolishly attempt to save herself. But even if she could do something, the crowd would turn on her in an instant.
The crowd whispered “murderer,” “murderess,” and all manner of filthy things. Torches were lit. Louvette knew once she was dead, they were going to burn her. She was a monster in their eyes.
The murderer chant picked up slowly, gaining volume. The boards creaked as the hangman went to the lever. She tried to put her hands on the lever to stop it, but it did nothing.
The mob was shouting. The lever groaned as he exerted the force. She watched herself drop, feet dangling to stay alive, but it was futile. As Louvette took her last breath, the world went black.
Voices screamed, “Murderer!” over and over again.
***
The word still echoed in her ear as she roused herself. Her ears ached from the phantom shouting. She got up, washed her face, and gazed into the mirror. The nightmare destroyed any shred of beauty sleep that Louvette may have gotten that night. Dark circles lined her eyes. Those same eyes appeared older than they had a few days ago. Her fading scar on her cheek was but a shell of a memory from her fight at Farwell High.
Louvette listened for her mother, but the house was silent as she crept downstairs to grab a bite. It was about nine o’clock in the morning. She threw some toast in the toaster, twisting the timer.
The ticking was horribly symbolic of her nightmare. Louvette perceived that she was running out of time. She wondered when they would come for her and what would happen to her.
Someone knocked on the door while she was pouring orange juice. Louvette’s brow furrowed while she headed to the front door. As she left, she heard her golden toast pop up, but it was soon forgotten. The only person she’d invited over was Arsen and she knew he would call first.
Peeking through the viewer on the door revealed Mr. Hollows, the lawyer. She had forgotten that he had said he’d come back after everything was final. She smiled, knowing if her mother woke up while he was here, he’d be getting his butt chewed. Sarah Lynskey in full rage mode was not something often seen. Louvette could count on one hand how many times her mother had lost her mind on someone. Louvette opened the door.
“Good morning, Mr. Hollows, how are you? Come on in,” she said, propping the door open wider. The groan of the heavy door didn’t wake her mother up. Frowning, she thought that her mother’s late-night job and the events of yesterday were running her ragged.
“Thank you, Louvette. I’d love too. I just came to drop off some keys. The transfer of ownership is still pending. I’ll tell you when it goes through,” he said, bringing her up to speed. His gray suit and green tie were attractive on a man his age. Her mother was going to be charmed once she got over being so angry over the name change. He reached into his pocket and snagged a key ring out. Mr. Hollows held one specific key and handed it to her.
“Is that the key to the fine china cabinet? I’ve been looking for that,” she poked fun at him. He gave her a mocking face. He brandished the key at her like he might stab her instead.
“No. Follow me, kid,” he directed as the two of them went outside, straight for the garage. He opened the side door with the key, and they stepped into complete darkness. A light switch clicked.
For a moment, nothing happened. The lights flickered to life, showing a well-organized shop. At the center of the garage, a car was loosely covered. Louvette walked over to the car and grabbed the cover and leisurely pulled it off.
“No freaking way. I love it,” she said whistling as it revealed a 1972 Gran Torino. The midnight blue paint was in perfect condition. The car was spotless. The light reflected off of all of its beautiful contours and curves.
“The love for good American muscle always ran deep in your father and grandfather,” he explained, tapping the hood of the car softly. Louvette could hear the sadness and pain in his voice. Hollows missed them. She missed them and they were people she had never met before. Her life might have been completely different if they were still here today. They might have built a car together.
“What happened to my father? Where is he?” she asked.
Mr. Hollows tensed up at the change of topic. “Have you talked to your mother about this? I’m not sure I’m the right person to tell you. I don’t believe that I know all the facts to this,” he answered.
“She won’t tell me anything. Every time I ask, she shuts down,” Louvette revealed.
“Your mother is a very intelligent and proud woman. She will tell you when she’s ready and when you are. Be patient,” Mr. Hollows pointed out.
Louvette shook her head. She wasn’t going to look back on what might have been. She and her mother were happy right now. If she’d grown up differently, then she might have been a completely different person. She could easily see her name giving her the Queen B status of Whitefish Academy, but she didn’t want that. She wanted what she had. The people she was blessed with.
“Hey, Mr. Hollows. Where is my grandfather’s phone? I know it’s still on. I thought I could learn more about him from it, maybe get some more family pictures from it,” Louvette asked.
“I’m not really sure. They didn’t find it on him. I doubt there is anything that you’d want on that phone. Wilder used it solely for business. How are you liking Whitefish?” Mr. Hollows said. Louvette frowned at the speed of his subject change. She opened her mouth to continue.
“Good Lord,” expressed a voice from behind them. Her mother had woken up. But her amazement lasted for only a second as she turned on Thomas. Her face was incredulous. She jabbed a finger at him.
“You lied to me. You didn’t mention any stipulations. You changed her last name without my consent.” Her nostrils were flaring. Thomas flinched at her accusations.
“I didn’t lie. You just didn’t read,” he flatly told her. Her mother’s expression hardened. From Thomas’s face, he didn’t want to do what he did, but he was ordered to do it anyway. Louvette knew he had to fulfill the wishes of his client. Louvette awkwardly tried to slip away, sensing this wasn’t going to end well.
“Still you should have given us a choice,” she declared. Her mother’s voice wavered, but the words still hit close to home for Thomas as his face contorted in anger.
“If I had given you a choice, you would have said no without even thinking about it. It was required in the will. I didn’t make that up. Besides, look what having that name has done, she got into the school immediately. She wouldn’t have been able to get into that school let alone any other one with that kind of record,” he said harshly. Louvette threw up her hands at being the one to get dragged under the bus.
“I’m right here,” Louvette shouted. She got in the Torino, praying it would start. She slammed the doors and locked them before her mom or Thomas could stop her. Her mother didn’t even move. She knew it was futile and that Lou
vette wasn’t going to go far.
“Nice, now look what you’ve done,” her mother blamed Thomas as he went for the door but came up too late. Louvette heard her mother’s words even in the cab of the car.
The key turned over and the engine grumbled loudly. The garage doors automatically opened, and she tore out of there. Thomas and her mother stepped back. Louvette didn’t look back and the feeling was amazing. She drove to town and decided to try Amazing Crepes, which was a local crepe and coffee shop. As she parked, she got her phone and called Arsen.
“Hey, what’s up?” he asked, after answering. The wind blew in his phone, making it difficult to understand him. A radio bleeped in the background as someone talked on it. The words were incoherent over the phone.
“Can you come to the coffee shop?” she asked loudly, expecting a no for this last-minute invitation. The pause was excruciating. She had no idea what she would do if he turned her down after she was gifted this new-found freedom. For some reason, she felt like they were seconds from losing connection.
“Yeah, I’m headed there now. It’s going to take me a minute. I’m all the way at Glacier National Park,” he explained. The blood drained from her face and she tried to keep her voice steady. She licked her lips and barely managed an even tone.
“Why are you there?” she questioned to get to the root of the situation fast to ease her current worries. Current worries which were mounting each second. Her breathing stopped as he began to respond. She was remaining silent enough to hear his words.
“Someone killed a rogue Lupine. My buddy and his dad were out hunting and they called it in to us first. They are going to call the local police once we leave,” Arsen said. Her stomach was in knots. She put a hand to her forehead as it began to pound. She seemed to be lightheaded.
“Who did it?” Louvette investigated. The words though simple seemed to be made of lead as they left Louvette’s clumsy tongue. A tongue that had grown three sizes too big for her mouth, like she was having one of the worst allergic reactions in her life. The world began to darken as she neared passing out.