Chapter Five

Parker’s POV

She is in trouble. I know that.

I want to save her. I know that, too.

"Parker," she screams as the wolves advance around her. "Parker, please! Help me!"

I want to help. I need to. But I don't know how.The wolves are too strong. They are too many.

What do I tell her to do? She is standing. She wants to run, but I know that will only make things worse.

I need to save her.

I need a plan.

And just then, it hits me.

I know exactly what to do.

I look to the skies, and I begin to chant.

"Knotty, knotty, knotty," I say, over and over.

The wolves all stop.

       They gather all around us.

       They look to the skies, confused.

"Knotty, knotty, knotty," I continue to chant.

They begin to chant with me. This is not what they want to be doing. But they are unable to stop themselves.

"Knotty, knotty, knotty," they repeat in unison.

I look over to her. She is silent.

       She is confused.

       She is scared.

"Knotty, knotty, knotty," I continue to chant.

And now the wolves are at a loss.

       They do not know what to do.

       But they cannot stop themselves.

"Knotty, knotty, knotty" they reply.

Suddenly, I know what to do.

        "Follow me" I yell to Rachel.

         I run to the left.

         I make a path for her.

She does not move. She does not know what to do.

The wolves stay frozen.

         They are waiting for their leader.

         They are waiting for me.

She looks at me. I nod.

She takes a step towards me.

         She is still scared.

         She is still unsure.

         But she is moving.

I lead her to safety one step at a time.

For a moment, I don't think we'll make it. The wolves are advancing. There are too many, and they are too fast. We can't outrun them.

But just as she seems to be within the wolves' grasp, they stop.

They cannot move forward.

They cannot move back.

They are frozen.

And just like that, we are safe.

I look up to the sky and give thanks to the Great Spirit.

I had not even realized I was doing it. But all at once, I know that We have saved her life.

We have saved our lives.

My eyes squint into the darkness.

I see them. I do not know where they have come from, but they are there.

And we are here. Safe.

For now.

I lead Rachel deeper through the woods. I know we have to hurry. I can't risk them catching up to us again.

I know what they'll do to her if they find us. I know what they'll do to me.

I wonder if they'll tell her first. My secret. I find I don't want her to know.

It's strange, caring about what someone thinks of me. I haven't felt that way in a long time.

I have been alone so long, I've almost forgotten what it feels like to have someone look at me. Much less see me. But she does. And if she finds out my secret, I know that will change. If they tell her, she'll never see me again.

She'll only see what I've done. She'll only see a coward.

"Parker," Rachel says, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Parker, I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this."

"I know."

"I'm so tired," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Come here," I say, and she walks into me.

I wrap my arm around her.

"Lean on me, Rachel," I say. "I'll get you there."

"Where?" she asks. "Where are we going, Parker?"

And in this moment, I realize I don't have an answer.

I look around me. We have to stop. We have to rest. No matter how much danger we're in, I can't expect her to go on like this-- especially when I don't have a plan.

"Parker?" she says.

I look out into the darkness. I don't know what I'm looking for. Maybe it's the wolves. Maybe it's an answer.

Whatever it is I'm searching for, it's not there. There's nothing to see but miles and miles of blackness.

"Parker?" Rachel says again, more insistent this time.

And I reply, "Yes?"

"I'm scared," she says.

My heart breaks. I was supposed to protect her. I want to lie, to tell her everything will be fine, but the truth is, I don't know that.

So, instead, I reply, "Me too."

She is silent.

I am silent.

And we're both still scared.

*

We walk for what seems like hours.

And then, just when I think we're safe, a wolf runs past us.

We are not safe.

We have a few seconds before the others will follow.

I do not need to tell her what to do.

She runs.

And I run.

I cannot hear the howling.

I cannot hear anything at all.

I only hear her footsteps as she runs.

And then, suddenly, I hear her footsteps, slowly fading.

"Rachel," I say, but she does not answer.

"Rachel!" I yell, but still, she does not respond.

I want to stop, to check on her, but I can't. I know if I stop, they will kill me.

I can't allow myself to stop. I cannot change course. I have led her to safety. I have shown her how to survive. I have done what I can do.

I have to keep running. I have to.

But I can't. I can't leave her here. Not with them. She'll die.

My heart pounds in my ears as I feel my feet stop running. I struggle to catch my breath as I turn around to face her.

And then I start to run again. Only, this time, I am not running away.

I am running to her.

I am running to redemption.

I've made the decision. I will save Rachel. Even if it's the last thing I do.