by Kody Boye
And I am shifting of the Light Wolf’s accord—back into my human form.
“What in the—“ I start to say.
The Light Wolf materializes before me. Unlike before, however, everyone can see her, and the golden fiery light that surrounds her.
Oaklynn, she says.
“Light Wolf,” I reply. “What’s going on? What happened?”
I have been given a chance, she says, to redeem you. To help you. To save you.
“What’re you talking about?” I ask. “Was it—“
The Mother Wolf? she replies. Yes. It was.
“But what happens now?” Jackson asks as he returns to his human form. “Is Oaklynn safe? Are you?”
I am fine, Jackson Meadows. And I am pleased to let you know that Oaklynn Smith is safe.
I sigh my relief and turn my head toward the closed barn doors. “What about—“ she says.
“It’s a lever,” Shadow replies. “We’re free to leave.”
“Are you ready?” Jackson asks, reaching out to take hold of my hand.
“I—“ I begin. “I don’t—“
I turn my head to survey everything—from the carnage, to the blood, to the bullet holes and more—and realize now that there is nothing left for us to do.
“Yeah,” I say, and exhale a long, pent-up breath. “I’m ready.”
I take hold of Jackson’s hand.
And together, we walk toward the exit of the dilapidated farm.
Epilogue
Six Months Later
I stand in front of the Meadows family home looking out at the forest beyond what used to be my home. Calm and composed, but at the same time, fearful over what may occur in the near future, I listen to the sound of nature and everything it has to offer while behind me Jackson continues to load the car.
Well, I think, struggling to maintain control of my emotions. This is it.
In less than ten minutes, Jackson and I will be leaving for Beaumont, Texas to begin the next phase of our life.
College.
A sigh escapes me as the wind skirts around my body, prompting me to reach up and brush my hands over my arms. This early in the spring, it is warm. But something about the way the wind disturbs me makes me feel like I’m being watched.
Oaklynn, a familiar voice says.
I lower my gaze to find that the Light Wolf has materialized beside me.
Yes? I ask.
Are you ready to leave Red Wolf behind?
I’m not exactly sure. On one hand, I feel as though I am. But, on another, I don’t really want to leave.
I… I don’t know, I say.
You can always come back if you want, the Light Wolf replies. There’s nothing that says you can’t.
I know, but…
But… what? the Light Wolf asks.
I feel like I’m done here.
After everything you’ve been through?
I nod.
The Light Wolf stirs beside me and brushes up along my side. I find myself reaching down to run my fingers through the fur that exists on her translucent form.
Remember what I told you all those months ago? the Light Wolf asks a short moment later. How I said I would follow you through the dark, and lead you to the other side?
I remember, I reply.
Look ahead.
I lift my eyes. Frown. Wait.
It takes a moment for them to adjust beneath the summer sun, but when finally I do, I see flickers of light appearing from behind the tree line.
“What are—“ I start.
Then I see them: the figures of light, shimmering in the empty lot. Two in total, and standing side by side, they beckon to me with waves of their hands, then hold them steadily above what should be their heads.
Is that… I begin.
Your parents? the Light Wolf replies. Yes. They are.
But… how?
Sometimes the veil is lifted. I brought them here to see you off.
You… you did this for me? I ask, lowering my eyes to face her.
They’ve been watching over you this whole time, Oaklynn Smith.
Tears run down my face as I lift my head to consider the figures once more. “Mom,” I whisper. “Dad.”
After all these months—after all this wondering, hoping, thinking, praying—they’d finally heard my plea.
I don’t know what to say, I reply.
Then say nothing, the Light Wolf offers. Just revel in their presence.
Though they don’t move further from where they stand in the distance, the images of my parents’ spiritual forms—blinding bright and brought from whatever plane of existence lies beyond this one—continue to stand there, watching me.
All I can whisper, as I look toward them, is: “I love you.”
The sound of bells echoes across the sky, entering my ears and inspiring within me a joy I could have never imagined feeling.
Is this what it’s like, I wonder, to know that peace has come?
I once told myself that recovery was a process—and that, like any trauma, it would take time to heal. Standing here, though, and now, I find myself looking up at the copse of trees in the distance—and wondering, deep down, if my time has truly come.
“Oaklynn!” I hear Jackson call behind me. “The car’s packed! We’re ready to leave!”
“I’m coming!” I csay, but keep my gaze focused on where my parents continue to stand. “I… I guess this is goodbye then.”
Not goodbye, the Light Wolf says. You’ll see them again, one day.
One day, I think.
Though a part of me wishes that day could be now, another realizes that this is my time to shine.
So, with that in mind, I turn—
Approach the car. Jackson.
He lifts his eyes to face me as he closes the trunk and asks, “Is everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine,” I reply. And it is, too. Because after everything I’ve been through—after everything we’ve been through—I can’t help but feel as though we have earned everything that has come in our life.
Jackson lifts his head to look at the porch—whereupon Mister Meadows has stood watching us this entire time—and says, “Thank you, Dad.”
“You kids be careful on the way to Beaumont,” Zachairah Meadows says. “And be sure to let me know when you’re there.”
“We will,” I say.
“Goodbye, Mister Meadows,” I say.
“Goodbye, Oaklynn, son.”
As I round the vehicle, and as I slide into the car, I can’t help but feel a sense of loss—and above that: a sense of relief.
For so long I have been afraid of not having a future.
Now, I realize, I will soon be rushing toward it.
When Jackson climbs into the driver’s seat, I reach down, take hold of his hand, and squeeze.
“You ready?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I say. “I am.”
In less than a moment, we are pulling out of the Meadows family drive—
And heading toward our next adventure.
THE END