Chapter Twelve

The following days passed without problem. I was getting used to my surroundings and didn't have to think much about what or where I was going. The news had finally left me alone, but people who recognized me from the channel would always ask me how I was. Kari and Carter had gone on a separate date of their own and from further investigation, I found out that they were clicking significantly. Gedeon and Alastor had changed in the past days as well. They were eating more and would rest more hours than normal. They would sit in the middle of the enclosure and stare at one another as if having a secret conversation. Their personalities became more closed off, but Alastor never stopped the unhidden concern for me and Gedeon didn't stop his odd stretching. I should tell the vet about that next time I bumped into him. On my way to town going down the same road as every other day, something felt off. I wasn't going to work, today was my day off. Eliza and I were going into town to get lunch and probably catch a movie. But I felt an electric charge in the harsh winds today that blew through everyone's hair, shook trees, and stole hats. It stung my skin where it touched me. It made me unconsciously aware of my surroundings. Like the way, the road was surrounded by the eerie dark trees but made it impossible to see anything within its shade. Our how the sun burned the Earth with its brightness today, but it stayed chillingly cold. Also how when we arrived in town, the streets were scarce and underpopulated for a Saturday afternoon. Everything looked abandoned besides the brave pedestrian every once in awhile who dared to challenge the rough winds. I could see that Eliza noticed the weird edge as well. Nonetheless, we went for lunch and had a nice conversation at the table. Eliza was gushing over Cooper so I didn't have to supply much to the conversation beside the "mmm" and "ah" every once in a while where I deemed necessary. Walking back to the car, my stomach dropped to the souls of my feet. Not a second later my phone rang.

"Kari?" I whispered, still in shock for the sudden feeling in my gut. Eliza peered at me in concern while unlocking the car.

"Danny! You have to get here now! Gedeon and Alastor escaped and their running rampage and terrifying everyone!!" My breath caught in my throat and my vision swirled. I felt lightheaded. The two mutant wolves were running loose in the zoo. Immediately I shoved Eliza out of the way of the driver's seat. She climbed in the passenger seat just in time for me to take off. I probably would have left her. I was hightailing it down the highway, people honked in annoyance while I slid in between each car. I bounced anxiously at every stop sign and red light. Eliza was sweating beside me, holding on the dash like a lifeline as I took sharp turns that would throw her around. She never asked what was wrong.

I swerved into the parking lot, people were running aimlessly, fear locked in everyone's face. They ran from the cause of the fear, but I drove towards it. If there was any chance of these wolves stopping, it would be me. But what if they didn't listen to me? What if they were slaughtering people and when I ran in there, would I be next? Would Alastor tear me apart? If he were to, he would have done it the other day when I fell in. Wouldn't he? I threw myself from the car, not taking a backward glance at the door left open or the keys sitting in the running ignition. Eliza followed me in support. I barreled through the front gate and froze, she crashed into me. It was dead silent just like the town this morning, everything looked abandoned. Food shacks were left unemployed, soda cans were dropped suddenly and there was even a backpack laying beside the canopy entrance. But with closer examination, I could see the people hiding in terror. They hid under benches or behind small walls. A family of three hid on the other side of the restrooms, the farther wrapped around the women and the small child who was broken with sobs. I went in further, the eyes that followed me warned me silently. No one dared to stop me though. Eliza followed suite. I peeked around corners and stayed silent, fear of my own building up. I could feel the cold sweat on my neck and my hands shook slightly. I came across Brett, he crouched behind a large sign. His eyes widen when he saw me and he waved for me to rush to him. He grabbed my shoulders and hugged me in relief.

"Danny," he whispered harshly. "The wolves, they escaped. They both scaled the wall and launched out at the crowd. They're over by the Africa enclosure. Kari is near them, hiding in a bunch of bushes. Her talkie won't connect anymore, the static is too loud and we have to stay quiet." He handed me the talkie and I nodded slowly. Even if the wolves didn't pause to listen to me, if they ripped me apart the second they laid eyes on me, I had to give Kari a diversion so she could escape. I squeezed the talkie and with an impulse of adrenaline, I spun toward Eliza.

"Stay here with Brett," She scowled and shook her head defiantly.

"No way. I'm going with you." She retorted.

"No. You stay here. I refuse to let you get harmed. These wolves are my responsibility and you are in my zoo. You stay here." I seethed. I wondered what my face looked like because she didn't argue further. When I was sure she was going to stay put, I took off. I sprinted around the zoo, staying light on my feet and overstepping things people dropped in their sudden haste. I took a back route to the Africa enclosure, but when I came upon it I slowed down. I crouched as I walked closer. I could hear the wolves breathing from here, they panted and growled. I peered around a corner. Gedeon and Alastor were circling each other instead of tearing into one of our giraffes as I'd imagined. They glowered at each other, every once in a while one would shake their head and growl at the other. It looked like they were arguing. I caught sight of Kari on the other side of them, hiding amongst some bushes. I only saw her through the break of their circling, then the fur would block my vision to her again. She saw me too. Her brown eyes were pouring out the fear she felt. Much more than an open book, she was like an audible book and she was reading to me. Screaming to me. She was no longer the Kari I knew at work, the brave leader who always wore a tight bun and stood straight. Right now she was the Kari from the dog park, ridden with anxiety and fear. I was expecting Pongo to bound out of somewhere. Her bun was destroyed and her black hair fell down her face like wavy curtains. She told me to run, her lips pleading before trembling as a fat tear rolled down her cheek. I glared at the wolves again, ignoring her plea. I breathed a ragged breath in and a shaky breath out. My heart thudded in my chest and my stomach was left back at the restaurant where I'd dropped it. My palms were sweaty and I rubbed them on my jeans in a hopeless attempt to dry them. I glanced again, they didn't seem to notice me or Kari. Without a second chance to talk myself out of it, I jumped out into the path.

"Hey!" I yelled. The wolves' heads popped up, both their ears aiming for the sky. I found Kari's eyes and told her to run. She hesitated but took her chance and ran off. They both looked after her before growling back at me. They seemed to release my diversion. Their mouths pulled up over their teeth and both of them snarled at me. Alastor licked his teeth and growled again. Gedeon took a step forward, his ears pressed to the back of his skull. He was crouched, ready to spring at me. Alastor snapped at him, inches from his face. Gedon recoiled from his jaws and pressed his chest to the cement. I slid back a few steps, my hands raised in defense. Alastor's eyes watched me. They were on fire but unlike other times, I couldn't tell what lit these flames. I heard sirens then and all three of us looked in the direction of them before focusing back on each other. Gedeon growled at Alastor. The black wolf seemed to nod and they both started to retreat from me. I stared, astonished. They turned to bolt off, Gedeon ran ahead of Alastor when he paused. He sent me one last burning glance.

"Alastor?" I whispered unthinkingly. I clamped my lips together quickly. His head hung lightly and a heart-wrenching whimper fell from his lips. My insides twisted. Then he took off after Gedeon. My breath whooshed out of me and I fell to my knees. I caught myself on my hands when I limped over. Before I knew it, the cold concrete was pressed against my face. My eyes slid shut and I settled in for a nap.

"Dan? Danny? Danielle!" People called out for me but I couldn't find it in me to answer. Five more minutes I wanted to say. Hands reached for me and pulled me over onto my back. I groaned. Why couldn't they just let me sleep?

"Is she okay?" "She looks pale." "Did they hurt her?" Different voices asked different questions and I could feel a headache forming.

"She seems fine, I think she passed out due to the adrenaline." Someone said. I didn't recognize the voice. Sobbing started up close by. That's when I decided it was time to open my eyes. I found a guys face first, he looked like a professional so I quickly overlooked him. I found Brett then Eliza, both staring at me in concern. Brett smiled and Eliza sighed. I looked past them and found Kari behind everyone, sobbing and curling in on herself. She was hyperventilating. I pulled myself up, the man helped me raise. He steadied me when I wobbled on my feet. I plunged forward and rocked back on my heels when I reach Kari's side. She looked up and accepted the hug I offered. She sobbed into my shoulder. I would never get over the difference between this Kari and work Kari. I hugged her tightly and listen to her thank me for saving her life over and over again. I reassured her each time.

"Where are the wolves?" Brett asked Eliza quietly. She had no answered so I took his question.

"They ran off when they heard sirens. They probably took off for the woods." I spoke nonchalantly but chills rippled through me as I remembered the two beasts as they crouched to spring. The zoo was shut down as professionals searched the premise for the wolves. It was to stay closed for a while until the buzz of "The Two Mutant Wolves Rampage The Zoo," calms down. Once they found out the zoo was beast-wolf-free, they started searching the woods. I didn't like that when I found out. Alastor had spared me my life, and I was grateful. I hoped they wouldn't find the two again and I hoped that they could live the rest of their wolfy lives peacefully. I sighed, flopping back on my bed. Daisy joined me seconds later, crawling toward me and pressing her nose to my cheek. I ruffled her fur. I played with the designs in the bed above me and let my mind run loose. The day didn't turn out the way I planned. It wasn't just a day where Eliza and I went for lunch and goofed around. It was a day where our zoo's two giant wolves escaped. My giant wolf escaped. Part of me missed Alastor. I hadn't known Gedeon long enough but Alastor...I was connected with him. I imagined the huge black canine running through the thick brush, the wind tangling his shaggy fur and a huge smile on his face. I could imagine the electric spark of freedom in his eyes and with that thought in mind, I couldn't be upset that he was free and I was to never see him again. I was glad that he could finally run free of the small circle he's been trapped in for so long. He was free and I was happy for him. To distract myself I launched myself into dinner conversation with too much enthusiasm, afterward I lingered and helped Penny clean up. Scrubbing the dishes too long. Then everyone agreed to play a board game. I couldn't tell if everyone was staying up for my benefit or if none of them wanted to go to sleep either. Eliza screamed her cry of victory when she destroyed us all in the game and greedily took all the play money. But we all ran out of things to distract ourselves with and we all found ourselves in bed. I played with Daisy's fur and matched my breathing to hers to keep myself distracted even further. But I couldn't control my dreams no matter what I did. I was taken back to the zoo from this afternoon, barren and empty. Alastor starred in my dream again. The way he snarled at me in anger, the look of conflict that crossed over his wolfy features, then the painful glance he threw back at me and the vivid whimper that made me sink further into my bed. But after my nightmare, I had nice dreams of him and Gedeon running free. After that, I fell into a blackness I could never explain.