Back in the Game

She let the cool breeze play with her dark, messy hair. 

She stopped writing in the logbook for a moment. 

This breeze was just like the one in her dreams, the same playful nature only that in her dreams, it would take her afar off in the woods to see dead wolves, with their bodies marked by claws and teeth. 

She would hear a voice calling out for help. The closer she got, the farther it went, coming from all directions. 

In that confusion, a large wolf hand as cold as death with unusually sharp claws would grab her shoulder from behind. What it looked like or who it was, she didn't know. 

Each time she attempted to turn around, she would find herself awake. Whatever the dream meant was still unclear to her. Just then, a cold sensation filled her shoulder, it was an arm

"Ahh!" Rose let out a frightened scream and fell to the ground. 

She was a dark haired girl with fair skin and an oval face

"Rose? Are you okay?" Tracey, her chubby blonde friend rushed to pick her from the floor

"Yeah.. I guess" she examined her bruised elbow "Why did you scare me like that Tee? I thought it was.."

"The Alpha wolf?" Tracey raised an eyebrow

"Don't give me that look. He's real and I know it'

"They are just dreams, Rose. You probably have them because you're a destined to be a Luna" Tracey suggested

"So why does it keep coming back? Same wind, same woods, same voice, same everything. It can't be just dreams, can't you see? Something's lurking and I have something to do with it. If only I could find a link to all of this" Rose argued

"Come, sit" she directed Rose to the chair so she could dress the bruised spot

 "Why don't you ask your mother? I'm sure she would know a thing or two"

Tracey asked with a raised eyebrow

"Of course she knows a whole lot but asking her would be a total waste of energy, I tell you. I can as well use that energy to sell more goods for Mrs Michaels" Rose said with a cunning face

A wild laughter erupted from Tracey first and then Rose. Rose's cellphone rang almost immediately, interrupting their fun.

"It's Jack" she gave Tracey a confused stare

 "Hey Jack, hope everything is… whoa whoa whoa, calm down alright? I can't understand a single word you've said" she paused attentively

 "Mother? No no no. How come? You know what? I'll be there right away. Just make sure she's in good condition till I come" she brought the phone down and held it to her chest nervously.

"Hey what did he say?" Tracey poked her head, worry written all over her face

"It's about my mother" Rose spoke in a low, frightened tone

"What about her? Is she sick again?"

"It's worse this time Tracey, she passed out earlier" Rose answered

"What? How come? She's still unconscious?" Tracey's eyes widened

"No, Jack says she's awake now but hasn't uttered a word" Rose said almost immediately

"That's really bad girl. What are you going to do?" Tracey inquired

"I need to go to her now, I can't even think straight anymore" Tear filled Rose's eyes

"Hey, look at me. It's going to be fine alright? Go see her at once" she tapped Rose's back. 

Rose took hold of her bag swiftly and made for the door. She halted and turned to her friend

 "What of Mrs Michaels? How do I deal with that?" Rose asked in a squeaky voice

"I'll cover up for you, she won't even suspect a thing" Tracey gave her a smile of assurance.

Without thinking, she ran back to Tracey and gave her a surrounding embrace

 "Thank you Tracey, I don't know what I'd do without you" she sobbed on her shoulder

"It's okay already. You better stop or you're gonna make me cry too. I just need you to look after your mom, okay?" Tracey held her

"Okay" Rose sucked in the tears

"Now run along Luna girl" Tracey said

And off Rose went, running through the streets

"Rose?" A woman who lay feebly called out weakly 

"I'm here mother" Rose advanced closer to where the woman lay. Her mother was a very pretty lady who had emaciated from the constant attack on her health. But despite her pale dead colour, her beauty shone

"Do you feel any better mom?" Jack, Rose's robust brother asked. Jack was a round boy with chubby cheeks and an innocent look

"Yes son, I'm much stronger" their mother kept a gaze at the ceiling until two lines of tears streamed down the sides of her eyes.

"Mom, please don't cry. I can imagine how traumatizing this predicament must be but you'll be fine alright? The doctor says there's a chance of you getting completely healed. I'm willing to work harder, even if I have to take a second job so I can take care of you and Jack" Rose cuddled her mother's hand 

Carol gave a wry smile and placed a hand on her daughter's forehead 

"No my dear, you don't have to. You've got such a good heart and you don't deserve any of this. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you and Jack enough. I'm sorry it had to come to this. It's time now, they'll be here any moment" Carol heaved

Rose and Jack looked at each other, they were obviously lost.

"Who is coming mother?" Jack spoke

Carol didn't answer, she just lay there quietly

"Mother, I don't feel good about this. Is there something you're hiding?" Rose was curious

"Sshh… stay still child. I feel the presence around" Carol hushed the young girl as she strained her ears to hear

"For goodness sake, who are they?" Rose pressed on, getting a bit frustrated

"Ahhh" a cry rang from outside followed by the fearful  growling of a wolf"

Fear gripped Rose tightly. She could hear her own heart beat faster against her chest

"What was that sound?" Jack squeaked

His eyes bulged and his hands shook. Rose was equally scared if not more. She had never felt this much anxiety in fifteen years. 

Her wolf wanted to scream out, and cry for help but no, she couldn't do that especially not when Jack needed her to be strong. 

"Jack, come here" Rose gave him a hand 

"Shh.. quietly" she cautioned. The last thing she could afford was drawing the attention of whatever was out there.

The growl came closer, they could hear how desperately it sniffed