Torn

by Shelli Bowers

  “Well, someone should make sure that the stories are passed down so that something like this never happens again.” Devin said

  “If we would have just stayed as one pack instead of splitting, this wouldn’t have happened.” Dad said. “I have to try a rectify things with Bobby so we can at least prevent things like this from happening. We may never be one pack again, but we don’t have to be enemies.”

  “Maybe not, but we’ve got to get through this first.” I said.

  “One problem at a time, huh son? Okay, why don’t you sleep in the woods close to Alex’s house tonight. That way if you need to get to her, at least you will be close.”

  “I was going to ask you about that. “

  “Ok, but take some shorts at least. If you have to shift to human, you don’t want to have to run into her house butt naked.” Dad said laughing.

  “Good idea.” I said as dad turned to leave. “Hey dad,”

  “What is it son?”

  “Thanks for everything your doing. I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to her. I know I just found her, but I feel like I’ve known her for years. I feel complete now.”

  “Your welcome son, and that’s the way it’s suppose to be between you and your mate. You will always feel this way. I’m just as crazy about your mom now as I was when we first met. I can’t keep my hands off her.”

  “TMI dad, TMI, I interrupted. I don’t want to hear about that.”

  “Alright, alright,” Dad laughed and I’m sure, left to go in search of that beautiful creature that had endured him all these years.

  56

  ALEX

  I was on the beach. The waves were barely lapping on the shore. I could hear the faint tinkle of the shells as the waves played with them. I was wearing a long silk cream colored gown. Devin was there with me. We were walking hand in hand laughing. Devin had on a pair of sleep pants that rode low on his hips, and nothing else. It left his upper body exposed. Those wide, strong shoulders that I love to run my hands on. When he smiled at me his dimples couldn’t help but make an appearance. The breeze from the water caressed the soft curls in his hair. It felt right to be here with him. Devin stopped to draw me into his arms and place a soft kiss on my lips.

  “Well, Well, Well, What do we have here?” Stephen blasted.

  Alex jumped because Stephen appeared out of no where. Devin moved her behind him to shield her from Stephen.

  “Alex, how could you? You were supposed to be mine. The anger was radiating off Stephen. His eyes glowing that eerie yellow that belonged to his wolf.

  “Stephen, how did you get here?” Devin asked

  “Oh, I know you thought that you could stop me with your little trinkets, but you have no idea how powerful I am. You my friend, have underestimated the enemy. I do believe that is a fatal mistake.” Stephen was gloating in the fact that he had gotten past their charms. It took him some time, but he did it.

  “Stephen please, don’t hurt Alex”

  “Are you begging me now,” Stephen mocked. Devin was furious, but he knew here in the dream world that Stephen had the power to manipulate all the circumstance.

  “Yes, Yes I am. I’m begging you. Please don’t hurt her.” Devin said.

  “Stephen accessed Devin with suspicion. “Why the sudden change Devin? Are you not going to try and fight me?”

  “No, I’m not. Not here.”

  “Not here, what’s that suppose to mean?”

  “If you want to fight me, lets do it for real, not in a dream.”

  “Oh, but I have the advantage here,” Stephen said as he circled Devin. “Why would I want to fight you fair? You may have more brawn than me, but I’ve got more brain. I’m not dumb enough to challenge you were I know you can win. Here I can humiliate you in front of Alex. She will see that you’re the weaker one and choose to be with me instead.” Stephen said as he stalked towards them.

  “Never!” I shouted.

  “Shush, don’t provoke him.” Devin whispered to her

  “Alex, you will see things my way soon enough. That is unless you wish to see me do very bad things to Devin. I have gained a lot of power now. Soon I will be able to make the things I do to him here, stick.”

  “No, don’t hurt him.” I pleaded

  “Well, that’s up to you.” Stephen said as he stared at her with a scary longing in his eyes. “Come to me Alex.”

  “NO!” Devin growled. “I won’t let you touch her.”

  “I hardly think you can stop me.” Stephen challenged. With that Devin shifted, and so did Stephen. I backed away, stumbling to the sand with tears clouding my eyes.

  Could Stephen really hurt him here? I asked myself. Always in the dreams, Stephen killed Devin. Panic swelled in my heart. I had to do something.

  57

  Bobby

  I took Eagle Eye and went in search of Stephen. I didn’t know where he might be, but in my wolf form I could track him. Stephen had been clever in his hiding. He had went in circles and back tracked and went through the swamps trying to confuse the scent. I knew I could find him, but would it be in time? This was sure slowing him down. I had a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. At this point I was afraid of loosing my son.

  58

  Devin

  I knew that here in the dream world that Stephen held a power that I did not. In the real world I would have no problem in a battle with Stephen, but I was at risk here. With that thought, Stephen lunged at me, teeth barred. I felt the pain as Stephen’s powerful jaws locked around my shoulder.

  Blood immediately began to pour from the wound. I shook and rolled and finally loosed the hold Stephen had. I turned on him and was about to sink my teeth into Stephen, when time seemed to stand still. Stephen had plenty of time to dodge my attack. I knew I was in trouble. Stephen seemed to have more control here than he’s ever had before. It will never be a fair fight and Stephen will do whatever he can to win.

  Time for a new strategy.

  59

  Bobby

  I finally approached Stephen’s hiding spot. I could smell the incense burning that he had used to invoke the spirits. Eagle Eye and I raced into the small cave where Stephen was. We immediately shifted back to human form so we could get to work.

  “Try to wake him,” Eagle Eye said to me. I tried to wake Stephen but there was no response. I shook him and then slapped him across the face, but nothing.

  ”Look at this Bobby”,Eagle Eye said to me as he handed me the incense sticks. “These are almost burnt out. If the boy has been under this long he’s in grave danger. I told him only short periods of time. 10 minutes! 10 minutes was all he was supposed to stay under.”

  “By the looks of these he’s been under for about 45 minutes” I said. Eagle Eye said, “I’m sorry Bobby. I don’t know what to do.” I couldn’t loose hope, not yet.

  “I’m going to call Arthur and see if I can get Old Man crow out here. Maybe he will know what to do.” I dug my cell phone out of my pocket and stepped outside the cave to make the call. Eagle Eye did the only thing he knew to do, he chanted protection spells around the little cave and hoped Old Man Crow would know what to do.

  60

  DEVIN

  I knew I couldn’t fight Stephen here. Not like this, so I shifted back to human form.

  “Come on Stephen, afraid to fight fair?” I taunted Stephen. Stephen growled deep in his throat and then changed back too.

  “I don’t know why I bother to fight you at all.” Stephen smirked. “It’s like a cat playing with a mouse. You can’t do anything to me here.”

  “You only fight me here because it’s the only place you can. You know I would beat you any other way.” I slid my hand behind my back and made a small motion for Alex to run away. I was hoping I could distract Stephen long enough for her to get away. Stephen wasn’t supposed to stay here that long and he had already been here for a while. He should be leaving soon. At least I hoped that was the case.

  61

 
; ALEX

  I started moving away slowly. I didn’t want to attract Stephen’s attention. I had to find something to fight Stephen with. I listened to them argue back and forth as my eyes scanned the surroundings for any thing I could use as a weapon.

  “Come on and fight me like a man,” Devin egged Stephen on. “Let’s see what you got.”

  “Fine with me,” Stephen said as he connected the first punch to Devin’s jaw.

  At that I jumped up and ran for the limb that I had spotted just at the edge of the sea grass. It had probably been washed up the last storm we had. I grabbed it up and headed for Stephen. He had Devin pinned to the ground and was pounding on his face. I drew back and swung. The limb connected with a loud boom. He came off the ground with a roar. Anger rolled off him. I had never seen this side of him before. He looked at me with such hurt and sadness.

  “Why?” He whispered to me. “Why would you do this to me? I have done all this for you and this is how you repay me. You’re supposed to be with me, not him.” Stephen said. I risked a quick glance at Devin, he was laying in the sand bleeding from his nose and mouth. I wondered if he was ok. His eyes were closed and he wasn’t moving, but I could see the rise and fall of his chest. Stephen was watching me, he must have seen the worry on my face because suddenly the anger was back and Stephen looked different. Not like the young high school boy that he was, but more like a weathered middle aged man. Fear paralyzed me to the beach. I couldn’t move, even with evil staring me in the eyes. I definitely couldn’t leave Devin.

  62

  Bobby & Old Man Crow

  Arthur & Old Man Crow arrived 15 minutes after I called. I guess they knew there was trouble. They both shifted back to human form and slid on the shorts that were in the bag around Old Man Crow’s neck. Also in the bag was a bunch of herbs and spices that Old Man Crow had brought to invoke the spirits

  “How long has he been under?” Old Man Crow asked.

  “At least an hour.” I said with defeat in my voice. “Please help him” I begged Old Man Crow. “If there’s anything you can do, please, please do it. I’m sorry that I didn’t listen before.”

  Old Man Crow placed a hand on my shoulder and said, “I will do everything I can my friend.” This meant a lot to me considering that I have been a very poor friend to his tribe over the years. He could have just as easily left me to figure it out on my own.

  Old Man Crow took the supplies from his pouch and went to work. He shook Stephen to see if he would wake. He didn’t respond. He wound the herbs together into a tight stick. He lit the end and it started to smoke. As the smoke rose Old Man Crow started the incantation He knew the chances now weren’t good. The boy had been under for a long time. As he chanted the blessing and purification songs he drew on more and more of his own spirit. Sweat broke across his brow. This was a very trying task for the old man. His body was weakened with age, but he was putting up a strong fight. After almost 20 minutes of chanting, Old Man Crow started calling Stephen’s spirit back. It was far off and evil was holding on to it. He didn’t quit though. He increased the intensity of the chants.

  63

  Alex

  “ Is this how it’s going to be?” Stephen asked. “Are you going to morn another man, when you are to be mine?”

  “I’m not yours, I never was” I said.

  “You will be mine” Stephen roared. I flinched away from him he yelled so loud.

  “Stephen, something’s wrong with you. This is not the Stephen I know. Let me help you” I said trying anything I could to buy some time. The limb was lying just out of reach. If I could distract him enough, maybe I could get it.

  “Something’s wrong with you. Can’t you see that he’s done something to you to take you away from me?”

  “Why? Why would he try and take me away from you?”

  “Because he’s jealous. He’s jealous of our tribe, and he’s jealous of me. Jealous of me because I’m the stronger Alpha and he can’t handle it.”

  “Well, if you’re the stronger one, then how could he possibly take me away from you if that’s where I’m suppose to be?” I asked with a little to much pleasure in my voice. I had insulted Stephen using his own logic.

  “Shut Up” Stephen yelled. “I can’t think with you making so much noise. Just be quite.” Stephen was pacing around acting real agitated. He was holding his head in his hands like he was in pain. So I used this moment to start in the direction of the limb. I don’t think Stephen saw it laying in the sand. He was getting a little disoriented. I was hoping to use that to my advantage.

  “I will not” Alex snapped. “You listen to me Stephen! Nobody’s going to tell me who to love. It’s my choice. My choice, not yours or anybody else’s. I love Devin, not you. You can’t make me love you.” I ranted, using it as an excuse to move closer and closer to the big stick. “What makes you think that I would want you?”

  “SHUT UP” Stephen roared

  “Make me” I snapped. And with that I bent and picked up the limb and swung. I connected, but only to Stephen’s shoulder. He was quicker and stronger than me. I whirled around again, this time catching Stephen in the head. He went down, but he wasn’t out. I glanced at Devin, he still wasn’t conscious. I looked back at Stephen who was now making some very feral sounds. He was shifting. I hadn’t planned for this. I swung the limb down across Stephens back. That only seemed to make the change happen faster. Stephen’s clothes burst into pieces and where he lay, a huge black wolf now stood.

  His lips were pulled back in a snarl. Spittle dripped from his large teeth. The hair on his back stood straight up.

  “Oh my God,” I whispered. “Devin, get up” I said as tears rolled down my face. “Please… Please Devin. I need you. I’m going to die.”

  A low growl vibrated out of the wolf drawing my attention back to it. I tightened my grip on the limb knowing now all I could do was go out with a fight. If the wolf killed me here in the dream, I knew this time I would be dead for real.

  He sprang, I got him with a few licks with the stick before he clamped down on it with his massive jaws, splintering it into tiny pieces.

  I looked into the eyes of the wolf and could see my own death there. I turned and ran. At first he didn’t come after me. I thought I might get away.

  Then I heard his paws thundering down the beach.

  Suddenly there was nothing but pain. The wolf had sprung onto my back. Biting into my shoulder taking me to the ground. I screamed and my last thought was of Devin.

  64

  OLD MAN CROW

  Old Man Crow was circling and chanting around Stephen’s body. He was calling his spirit back. He could see his spirit trapped in between realms. The evil spirit whispering in his ear. The medicine man saw the wolf spirit run through his mind. He feared now that Stephen was in his wolf form in the dream. It would be more difficult now to call him back. The medicine man summoned his own wolf spirit to chase down Stephen. Hopefully his wolf would be dominant enough to break the connection with the evil one.

  He sent the wolf spirit out, falling to his knees. His strength was failing. Eagle Eye saw Old Man Crow go down. He came to him, careful not to break the old man’s connection with the spirit world. He called his strength up and sent it to Old Man Crow. It was all he knew how to do now. He knew not of the rituals that he was performing. He was never taught. So he sent strength to him. Old Man Crows chants became louder and with more authority. Old Man Crow could see now that Stephen’s wolf had the girl down on the sand. Attacking her. He commanded his wolf to growl and bark to draw his attention. It worked. Stephen turned to face his new opponent with blood dripping down his mouth. He snarled and bolted towards the old man’s wolf. When the old man saw Stephen charging, he turned and ran. Ran as fast as he could back down the tunnel to Old Man Crow. Stephen was nipping at his heels when the wolf spirit leaped back into Old Man Crow, throwing him into the wall of the cave. At the same time Stephen’s wolf returned to him. He bolted upright with a gasp, and then fe
ll back onto the stone floor, slipping into a deep sleep.

  65

  DEVIN

  Devin had settled in for the night just at the edge of Alex’s backyard. He really couldn’t rest well because he was worried about Alex. He was hoping the talisman would work, but the uneasiness wouldn’t go away. He could feel something was wrong. He wanted to talk to his dad to see if they had any news. So he started the change back to his human form. Just as he was slipping his shorts on, he heard Camille screaming for Alex to wake up. He sprinted to the house leapt up on the porch and found the front door locked. Of course the doors were locked; it was the middle of the night. He could bust it open, but that wouldn’t leave a good impression with her dad, so he did the only thing he could. He started ringing the bell and pounding on the door.

  66

  ALEX

  “WAKE UP! WAKE UP!” Camille was screaming at me. “Oh my god, Alex. Wake up please.” Tears were streaming down Camille’s face. Mom & Dad came busting through the door.