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Chapter Two
I was yanked around by a giant, or so he appeared to be. He was at least 6’5” with dark blond hair slicked back. His pale skin blended into his hair and stood out against his stark black trench coat and slacks.
I swallowed hard feeling my heart in my throat. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, like my lungs couldn’t expand properly. I tried pulling my arm away to no avail. Panic stabbed my chest like a cold, hard ice shard shredding tender flesh; I knew I was in trouble. I started looking around for anyone who could possibly help me. Alas, the streets were empty at this time of night.
I then caught movement a couple yards away. Another man stepped under the streetlight. He looked and was dressed like a miniature version of the giant squeezing my arm, yet, had it not been for the light, his brown eyes would have appeared black. Regardless, they pierced me with their contrast against him. At seeing his attire and demeanor, I instantly knew that I had no chance. They were definitely together.
“You’ve been dreaming of us, haven’t you?” the smaller of the two riddled.
I just stood there, unable to respond. I couldn’t think, let alone speak. I was in survival mode, only seeking a way to escape.
When I didn’t respond, he continued.
“The wolves. You’ve been dreaming of us,” he stated again.
I was struggling to swallow the lump in my throat. Despite the freezing temperature, I began to sweat. I couldn’t control my body’s reaction to the fear. It was consuming me in a physical way.
“Let her go, Urik!”
My head snapped towards the commanding voice. I was shocked to see Marco making his way towards us with Kuha and another male I didn’t recognize.
“So it seems you’ve come to claim her already, have you?” the male below the streetlight mused, tapping his fingers across his other palm.
“You know we cannot claim her. She must decide on her own, Ryan.” His expression was dark, brooding almost. He clearly did not like this stranger.
“Ve cannot claim, but ve can lure.” Urik smirked, giving my arm a rough tug as he dragged me closer. I tried pulling back again, but he had an iron grip.
I felt like I was in the twilight zone. It was too much. I didn’t know what they were talking about or how it involved me, but I wanted no part of it. I just wanted to go inside my tiny apartment, take a hot shower and crawl under a load of blankets and pretend this night never happened.
“You cannot interfere. She must choose of her own accord. She will be drawn to whomever she is to belong,” Marco stated.
Before Ryan could respond, Kuha and the other male freed me from Urik’s hold. I stumbled backwards on the steps, my bags sliding off my arms and out of reach as I fell in my haste to get away. Kuha extended his hands to help me up. I ignored his offer, not trusting anyone at this point. I grabbed my purse, abandoning the bag of food Wilma had given me. I just wanted to return to safety.
I faltered several times in my rush to pass Kuha, but didn’t allow it to slow me down. I yanked open the front door and ran upstairs to my apartment. My hands shook violently as I pulled my key out of my pocket and tried to fit it into the lock. I kept looking over my shoulder expecting them to beat down the front door any minute and race towards me.
After finally calming myself enough to open my door, I slammed it shut, locked it again and collapsed to the floor. I pulled my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. Rocking back and forth, I broke down. I couldn’t control the heaves. The sobs hurt my chest, and my throat only seemed to close tighter than before. I was gasping for air trying to get a grip on myself. I was too shaken though. It felt like I was in the orphanage all over again, left to fend for myself against anyone and everyone, even my fellow orphans.
I had built somewhat of a security blanket in my routine the last two years. It was ripped away from me tonight. I didn’t feel safe anymore. Worse, I didn’t know if I could keep my job knowing I might have to endure that at any time on my way to or from work.
Why did they pick me? And…how did he know about my dream? Wait, what did he mean us? He asked if I’d been dreaming about them, but then clarified it to be the wolves. The tears began to slow as my mind began to work again. I wasn’t in such a panicked frenzy anymore, yet felt just as confused and foggy about the situation. It didn’t make any sense to me.
Unable to process any of the information properly, I surrendered for the night. Dropping everything wherever it happened to fall, I collapsed on the second-hand sofa, curled into a ball and wrapped myself in several blankets praying for sleep. I didn’t want to think anymore. I wanted to escape the present into a dreamland of possibility, even if it was about wolves.
I had the dream again that night and I awoke at the same spot, yet I was soaked in sweat and my heart nearly jumped out of my chest as I gasped for air. I instantly threw off the covers and took in my surroundings. I sat there for a couple seconds just gathering my bearings. I remembered last night. I knew I’d safely locked myself within the apartment, yet I was almost expecting to see someone there with me.
For the first time, my apartment felt claustrophobic. The white walls seemed to be closing in on me as I looked around. I needed to get out. I needed fresh air to walk off my anxiety. I checked the clock hanging at the end of the short galley kitchen: 6:54 a.m. It was early, but not too early to venture out. I went to my room and pulled out a fresh pair of well-worn jeans and a long sleeved, black turtleneck before slipping into the bathroom to take a quick shower and get ready.
Twenty minutes later I slid on my black non-slip work shoes, still splattered by the door, and my jacket that was strewn by the sofa. I double-checked to ensure I had everything I needed. I’d never had a cell phone, there was never anyone for me to call, but after last night, I felt the urge to get one, just so I could call the police if I needed to. It wasn’t the best of circumstances that caused me to cave, but I was alone and needed to take precautions. With that as my focus for the day, I opened the apartment door to head out.
I stopped short at seeing the bag of food Wilma had given me—the one I’d abandoned on the steps outside—sitting in front of my door. A chill ran through me as I peered down the hall, down the stairs and around the corners. How did they know which apartment was mine? No one had followed me inside that I knew of. I shivered involuntarily. This confirmed my need for a phone.
I locked my apartment, double checking to ensure it was secure, before picking up the bag and carrying it to the community trash site around the side of the building. Perhaps my imagination was getting the best of me, but I didn’t know if they tampered with the food or not and didn’t want to chance it.
Turning towards the sidewalk, I inhaled deep, enjoying the way the frigid air stung my lungs. It was the release I needed. Somehow the pain of the expansion was reassuring. It lifted a bit of the fear from me, distracting me with its sharpness.
I began walking, merely observing nature’s white flurry that lay dormant on the ground and barren trees all around me. It sparkled on the rooftops and layered beneath my shoes. Fall was my favorite season, but winter was a close second. It signified an end to one cycle of life and the opportunity of a new beginning in spring.
I was lost in the snow-washed palette of peace surrounding me when I suddenly stopped. I’d been walking and walking and hadn’t paid attention to where I was going. Somehow I had walked in the opposite direction of the shops. I’d ventured towards an older, somewhat abandoned and empty area of town several miles from my apartment. I’d only been out here once prior with the head mistress of the orphanage. We didn’t stop though, only drove through on our way to interview with a set of potential foster parents who later refused me.
I looked up at the building closest to me, a five-story building that looked to have been empty for years. The smaller ones surrounding it seemed just as desolate. Though no windows were broken, though no signs were displayed saying for rent or for sale, I also didn’t see any sig
n of life within them. No drapes or blinds blocked out the emptiness of the first floors. I looked down the road a bit. The closest business was four buildings down and happened to be a real estate office. Across the street from it was a credit union with a few people filing in and out. The opposite direction showed the road winding down, but it disappeared over a hill into the woodland area between town and the more rural neighborhoods and homes.
I studied the building I stood before. I couldn’t explain it, but despite the obvious abandonment, I felt like I’d been drawn to it. I’d never wandered aimlessly through town in the wrong direction, let alone for miles. How did I not catch myself sooner? How did I get here when I’d never been here before? I suddenly began to panic. I didn’t remember walking here. How was I going to get back? I checked my watch: 9:03am. How far had I really traveled?
I turned to walk away, but couldn’t. Curiosity got the best of me. Something within pulled me towards the building. What am I doing? I didn’t know what I was doing. It was as if the building held some sort of allure within it. I felt compelled to look around, to try to discover what exactly had drawn me here of all places. Maybe I came here as an infant and just can’t remember, I mused.
I cautiously checked my surroundings again, ensuring no one was lurking nearby before I went in search of an unlocked door. To my surprise, the first door was open. I walked inside, amazed to find the space was still being heated. Perhaps not that floor, but the one above for sure since it was much warmer inside than out.
Cobwebs hung in the corners amongst a few old desks and chairs about the open space. The wooden floors were scuffed and old having seen better days. Dust held a solid layer over every square inch. I couldn’t stop the sneeze that ensued. It echoed in the desolate space off the exposed rafters. I checked around again to make sure no one heard. I made my way towards a side door with a sign that read ‘Stairs.’ I was just about to open the door when I heard voices heading my way, carrying down from a floor or two up within the stairwell.
My heart sprinted into overdrive as adrenaline coursed through me. I ran around fumbling for a hiding spot, but unable to find one quick enough, I chanced making a break for the front door. I rushed through the door and began running towards the bank across the street. I didn’t stop until I got there. The moment I reached their doors I slowed to a walk. I tried to slow my breathing as the smoky warmth floated in the air with every breath I exhaled. I peeked over my shoulder directly at the building in time to see two males in business suits walking out. I waited, holding my breath to see if they checked for me. When they kept talking, without regard to their surroundings, I breathed a sigh of relief knowing I’d made it out undetected.
What was wrong with me? I never trespassed. I wasn’t nosy, nor did I snoop in other people’s houses, buildings or belongings. I took one last hard look at the building that had temporarily stolen my sanity before I continued on my way, praying I could find my way back home.
It took me over two hours to find my way home. I had to circle around a block or two before heading in the right direction. Thank God Glacier was a small town. Our downtown was the entire town, with homes and shops mixed together, yet it spanned several miles in either direction. One side led towards the large ski resorts and cabin retreats surrounded by mountains and slopes while the other would take you towards the original homes developed in this area in the early 1800s. Most of them had been passed down from generation to generation and were maintained and cherished despite being on the outskirts of everything dotted amongst the forests.
Since it took me so long to get home, I had to forgo the cell phone for today in order to make it to work on time. I barely had time to change, and, as it was, I was rushing in the door at one after.
“I know, I’m late. I’m so sorry. I’ll make it up later,” I announced on my way to clock in and put my stuff away in the back.
“Late? Honey, one minute is on time in my book. Especially when you take Mr. I-Gotta-Hot-Thing over here into account, walking in twenty-five minutes late this morning,” Wilma scolded him as she grabbed a couple plates to deliver.
“I take it you met up with her.” I smiled at Ed as I tied my apron over my red shirt.
“You bet,” he grinned. “Oh, she was a gorgeous hunk of a babe. We grabbed a few drinks at the Snow Leaf’s resort bar. That loosened her up because next thing I know, the doll was all over me. I mean, she couldn’t keep her hands off of all this sexiness.” I tried my best not to snicker because Ed was a slightly pot-bellied, middle-aged Italian mama’s boy with a receding hairline. If you hung around him long enough, you quickly realized he was a lot more talk than action and he tended to embellish what he talked about, including himself. Regardless, I nodded along as he continued. “My momma raised me to give a woman what she wants, so we got a room and I gave her what she wanted, if you catch my drift.” He wagged his brows suggestively.
“Okay. And that’s my cue to get to work,” I chuckled.
“You’ll find a man who’ll give you what you want someday soon, Em. Just wait and see.”
“Thanks.” I pushed through the kitchen door to the dining area.
“One of your tables was just sat, Em,” Brandy said on her way to grab a few more plates.
It was busy for a Wednesday lunch, but the annual ski competition at the Blue Bear Lodge & Resort started today and would run through Sunday. Everyone was just arriving and obviously had arrived with an appetite. That was a good thing for Brandy though. She was a single mother of three young kids. She received child support every once in a while, but the majority of it fell on her shoulders, which was sad considering she was only three years older than me.
“Thanks.” I started to make my way towards the table, but froze dead in my tracks when I saw who was seated there: Ryan and Urik. What on earth could they want?
My heart took off again as a steady sweat broke over me. My breathing became irregular as I searched the other booths and tables. It looked like they were alone, but I didn’t even know if I had it in me to face them again after last night. They’d bombarded me,g; leaving me shaken and confused. My curiosity was peeked though by Ryan’s mention of the wolves. How did he know?
“You okay, hun?” Wilma asked, stopping right in front of me and studying me closely.
“Uh, yeah.” I shook my head, refocusing. “Yeah, I’m good. Thanks.”
“You feeling okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Really.” I offered her a small smile trying to placate her. I couldn’t go home. February rent was due in five days and I didn’t have it. I was relying on this weekend to make up the difference and then some now that I needed a cell phone too.
“I don’t buy it, but we’re busy so I’ll go with it. I’ll be watching you though, missy.”
I nodded and took a deep breath. I knew this was the safest place to confront Ryan and Urik. They couldn’t do anything to me in public with a crowd of this size, not to mention with Wilma and Ed around. Later was a different story, but at least for now I could safely take their orders.
I closed the gap between us, approaching their table. I tried to hold my head up, but couldn’t shake my nerves.
“Hey,” I breathed timidly.
“You couldn’t get away fast enough last night,” Ryan stated, looking directly at me.
“What do you want?”
“Loyalty. We want you in our pack.”
I shook my head in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
He narrowed his eyes, cocking his head sideways a bit, as if that helped him read me better. “You don’t know?” His tone softened.
“No, I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He openly scrutinized me some more causing me to fidget under his gaze. I really had no idea what the man was talking about. Maybe he had me confused with someone else, but then again, he did know about my dream.
“How…how did you know about my dream?” I looked between the two, still in the same attire from the
night before, waiting for an answer.
“Shit! You really don’t know. Where the hell are your parents?” he demanded, his brows furrowed in anger.
I took a step back, not trusting his control. “I…I don’t know,” I stumbled. What do they have to do with anything? I swallowed the lump building in my throat as I looked around, hoping no one heard his outburst. It didn’t look like any of the other patrons were disturbed, probably because the conversation level was already escalated with the number of customers in the confined space.
Ryan let out a deep sigh. He and Urik seemed to communicate with each other silently as I stood there unsure of what to do next. I should have walked away given Ryan’s tone; he talked as if I owed him something, yet I was even more interested now that he’d mentioned my parents.
He finally turned back towards me. “What time does your shift end?”
I was taken aback. “I don’t think I should tell you that.”
“Look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. The easy way is you tell me and we can meet somewhere amicably; the hard way is we stalk you and, like last night, you won’t know when we’re going to pounce. The choice is yours, sweet cakes.” He leveled a hard stare in my direction to let me know he wasn’t joking.
“I don’t know. I work a double, so until closing. But what time I leave depends on when the last customer leaves.”
“Fine. We’ll be waiting on the steps outside your apartment again. Don’t think about flaking either. This is important.”
“Can’t this wait until tomorrow? I can meet you somewhere during the day, in public preferably.”
“No. How many days until your birthday?”
“How—”
He cut me off. “I just know. Now what day is your birthday?”
“This Friday, the twenty-ninth.” I scrunched my forehead. I was confused. I didn’t know anything about these men, yet they seemed to know plenty about me. I felt exposed. I prided myself on my privacy, yet with them it was as if I had none. It reminded me of the orphanage.
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