A Wolf

Camille

 The walk back home is long. I struggle through the streets to carry her; she doesn’t weigh much, but when you haven’t eaten for two days, it feels like torture.

When we finally arrive at our little apartment, it’s already half past one in the afternoon.

“Camille?” my landlord shouts behind me, and I close my eyes for a brief moment. Can my day get any worse?

“Hi, Ms. Powell,” I force a smile, turning to her.

“You’re not at work,” she says with a frown on her face. I swallow hard, ‘try to be polite.’ I inwardly tell myself.

“Emergency,” I shift Eloise in my arms.

“It’s always an emergency with you. I want my money by the end of the week, or find somewhere to squat.” She warns and walks away, leaving me standing with Elosie in my arms.

Yes, my day just got worse.

Once we get into our apartment, I help her get into bed. I cover her with the only blanket left of Mom. She looks so pale and small. She has lost so much weight in the last three months.

 She used to be a bubbly and jovial person until that fucking curse came. Now I fear I might be—no. Positive thoughts. I promised to protect her. That’s what I’m doing.

My phone chimes, and I pull it out, checking my text.

It’s from my supervisor.

Shit.

My heart sinks.

No, it can’t be helping.

 I need this job.

I walk out of our bedroom, closing the door behind me. I go to our living which is a tiny place with one couch, a table with two chairs, and a little area we use as a kitchen. I dial his number, and he doesn’t pick up the first time, so I call again.

“Camille,” he says immediately after picking up.

“You can’t fire me,” I say, my voice calm even though I am full-blown panicking.

“Yes, I can, and I just did.”

 “Please. I need this job. I can’t—”

He cuts in with his deep, husky voice. “And I need my workers at work, not running after some emergency every two days.”

“Please, Teddy. I need this job. I just had an emergency. I’ll—”

“Don’t come in. I’ll send your wages.” He cuts the call before I can even respond. I lower my head, rubbing my eyes. How unlucky can one be in a day?

I lean against the kitchen counter, tears threatening to fall.

I can’t break down.

Not today. My sister needs me to be strong. I sigh heavily, splashing some water on my face. We will be fine. I take my time cleaning up our apartment.

Once I’m done, I make soup for her; it’s the little we have left, so she will have to have it all. I head to the bedroom, and she is awake, staring towards the door.

“Hi, baby,” I say, kissing her temple. She doesn’t respond but just growls. It’s the norm for her, so I settle down in front of her.

 “I made soup,” I lift the bowl.

“Where’s yours?”

“I’m not hungry,” I lie.

 She frowns, turning away from me.

 Not this again. I don’t have the energy.

“Come on. Have it before it’s cold.”

 “You haven’t eaten in days,” she says plainly. I sigh heavily, looking at the bowl of mushroom soup. I would devour this, but she needs to eat.

“Well, I had a doughnut on my way to work. Now come on. Eat this,” I lie to her, hoping she might believe me, but she doesn’t move.

“El, come on. I need to head out for a minute. So can you—”

“We should go to St. Charles,” she says, then turns to face me. I smile weakly at her, brushing her hair back. My heart is racing so fast, but I keep a straight face. I would never take her to that place. Even if it’s the last thing I have to do.

“We’re not going back there.”

 “Yes, you have to! Are you not tired of living like this? You could—”

“I’m not!” I snap, getting on the bed. “I’ll never let them take you away from me,” I say, “Never again.”

“But they helped. I stopped getting sick. I was—” She blinks back her tears, but they keep falling.

“It hurts so much, Cami. I can’t do it anymore.”

 “Hey. Hey.” I whisper, pulling her into my arms. I know how hard it must be for her; she doesn’t deserve this.

“We’ll be fine. I promise”

“How? I can’t take the medicine anymore, and you just got fired,” she says. I stiffen. She overheard the conversation. “Cami, please. They can make it stop,” she says between sobs.

“Look at me,” I cup her face. “We have been through this before. We can do it again,” I assure her, and she shakes her head, tears falling from her eyes.

“Now, I’m going to get my pay, get some food. And that hot chocolate you wanted. Okay? You trust me, right?” I ask her, and she nods her head.

“Good. Have your soup. I will be back.” I kiss her temple. She just stares at me as I smile at her, then make my way out of the room.

I grab my bag and phone. I’m going to beg for my job if I have to. I quickly rush out of the apartment.

The walk back to the restaurant is not that long, and I’m there in less than ten minutes. The sun has already set, and without the moon, it’s darker than it should be.

I use the alley, intending to use the back door when I hear grunts and growls. I move closer, but my entire body freezes when a tawny furred creature snaps its head towards me, standing on its two legs. Its brown eyes stare back at me with such intensity.

Werewolf.

Oh god. Not today.

He snarls at me, and I take a step back. I need to get out of here. I turn and break into a run.

I can hear the footsteps gaining up on me, but I run. I shouldn’t have come here. No, this creature shouldn’t be here. It's human territory.

But just as I am about to turn, it lunges onto my back, sending me stumbling in front as I growl.

“No!” I scream. I can’t die tonight. Elosie needs me.