Chapter 5

The door was silent, swinging open to reveal the dark staircase. I was careful with every step. Clutching my ribs, I took my time descending the stairs, making sure each step made no sound. As I passed the last step, I let out a small sigh of relief. Now, if I could make it back up to my room, I would be home free.

I went into the kitchen, leaving the light off, and checked the cabinets. We kept a lot of food for Zac here since he was a teenage werewolf. If we didn’t stock up at least twice a week, we would be out of food. The cabinets were beautiful. Full of snacks and any junk food your heart could want. I had to choose carefully what to get and bring with me. I avoided the unopened boxes and bags as they would attract more attention. I eyed the protein and cereal bars on the last shelf. They were open and just enough were gone that they wouldn’t notice if a couple more went missing. Grabbing two of each, I tucked them into my shirt and made my way back upstairs the same way I came.

Closing my bedroom door, I felt giddy inside. I had food. I did it. I tucked away into my corner and opened the protein bar. The slight chocolate flavor and peanuts were heaven on my tongue as I took my time chewing the delicious food. Although I desired to consume the others, I recognized that it would be better to save them for another day. I hid the other bars and finished all too soon. It wasn’t enough to be satisfied, but it helped the angry rumble in my stomach.

With my stomach partially satisfied, I curled back into the corner and closed my eyes. I needed to rest a bit before tomorrow since I would be waking up a half hour earlier to compensate for my time walking to the pack house in the morning.

“Go to the woods” my eyes snapped open, and I glanced around the room. My mind was playing tricks on me. I tried to close my eyes and get some sleep, but I heard it again. A faint whisper. “Go to the woods.” The voice was calm, melodious, and incredibly beautiful. It didn’t scare me, but it should have. I closed my eyes again and this time the voice let me get some much needed sleep.

My alarm echoed at five this morning. My body was tender and stiff from my sleeping position. I attempted to ignore my pain and went about my business like normal. Getting dressed, going to the pack house, and doing my chores. Everything was harder today. Luckily, everyone was so busy they left me alone. The full moon was in a few weeks, and they would be having a party. I usually help cook for this event every other month, but after I was free all night to do whatever I wanted, I would be left alone. At least until I cleaned the mess the next day.

After the final floor of the home was finished, I packed away everything and took some time to go to the garden at the back of the home. It was March, but the layout was incredible, and in the spring, it was one of the most amazing spots in the entire pack. I sat down on the bench and looked over at the small pond that lay in the middle of what would be a daisy field next spring. I thought I was alone with my thoughts, but then I heard the same voice from last night. “Go to the forest.” Still, it whispered just enough to hear.

I shook my head a little, trying to get the voice out of my head. I’m starting to drive myself insane. The isolation I feel must be getting to me. I tossed a small stone into the pond and thought about the voice I kept hearing. As if on cue, the voice came again. “Go to the Forrest Amelia.”

bit my lip and debated quietly to myself. I had a bit of free time before I had to be home. Plus, going would just prove I was crazy. Maybe the voice would stop after I went there. I chewed my lip harder. Something was scary about that thought, though. What if I was wrong or got into trouble again? Screw it. I got up from the bench and made my way closer to the trees. The voice came again, this time louder. “Come to the Forest.” The voice sent shivers down my spine, but I kept walking. The voice grew louder with every step I took. The woman was leading me to the waterfall and my secret spot. “Come to the forest.” The words were loud, ringing in my ears the closer I got.

I knew the path, but this time there was a cold chill across my skin that told me I should be afraid. I paused before the wall, contemplating turning around, but I needed to know what was here. The voice was screaming by now. It was frantic, insinuating I needed to see behind the wall.

I lowered myself and crawled through the opening and into the open field. Taking a breath, I looked around. The voice was silent now. This is where it wanted me, yet everything looked the same. The same waterfall. The same frozen ground and trees. I was officially crazy.

I clutched my aching ribs as I let out a small laugh. Now that I knew my answer, I needed to get back home and prepare dinner tonight. Being late again would end badly since I already missed last night’s meal. If I were gone too long, they would start to notice. I turned back the way I came, and I felt it again. The eyes. I stopped and turned my head, looking across the falls and seeing them. Two bright red glowing eyes in the shadows from the fading sunlight.