Awoken By Passion

Chapter 5

  Bite

  Pressing my palm to the trunk and the familiar knot, I breathed deep. Mulling over Ethan, Caleb and with this new found possibility of my missing voice, it stirred an unease inside of me. I was left with the same questions I’d always had, though with a few more added.

  What happened that day?

  How did Melody die and I survive?

  Who would steal a voice?

  Now, faced with the possible truth that my voice wasn’t coming back, ever—the puzzle just kept getting bigger. Medicine wasn’t about to cure it. Was my voice really missing? Sure … missing might explain—absolutely nothing. Was it possible? But how could a voice get stolen with no medical answer. Was it magic? That was stupid. Magic and stolen voices live for the cartoons. I wasn’t some mermaid on a mission to find prince charming. And I doubt Melody was either. Magicians made illusions and those who could define gravity, a secret trick that they could do, but steal a voice—that wasn’t something I heard about. And here in Kenneth, there was nothing magical about anything. I’d doubt I’d leave this place. The thought of my insufferable life lingered on the edge of running away, but where would I go? Who could I meet? I couldn’t talk, I couldn’t live a normal life, and I didn’t know what to do. Most of those that lived here would move on; marry and have children. I’d never kissed a guy regardless of my crush on Tyler Johnston, three months ago. And I doubt I’d marry anytime soon.

  Maybe I’ll grow old and have lots of cats. Seems that’s what happens to old people here anyway. I sighed heavy. A tug on my thoughts brought me to here. It resembled the feeling of this morning. Something was watching me. I scanned the brush with narrowed eyes.

  Finally. I thought. Come to finish me off and take my body away. I mused to the shadow in the clearing.

  The Wolf stepped forward, keeping its head low.

  Well, hurry up. I pushed my books to the side and opened my arms wide. What are you waiting for? I said, in thought.

  It didn’t make a peep. Stupid creature. I hissed.

  Its ears twitched and a whine was there—really a whine?

  It’d be easy if you kill me, I said annoyed it hadn’t attacked.

  Its head tilted as if to ask—why?

  Strange it would think such a word and worse, because I answered it.

  It’s easy if I die. Don’t have to be here and put up with not knowing.

  The Wolf inched closer—out of curiosity. Its head tilted with why labelled across its features.

  Because when I die, all my answers will come. If you end it quickly, then I can find out what happened to Melody and why I’m stuck here with no voice. I stared at the wolf, it paused in its movement, and it wasn’t attack, lunge, or howl.

  It sat.

  A good four yards from me, hidden in the shadow, light dappled across its grey fur.

  I smirked wryly at the beast. Big bad wolf lurking in the words. Tugh. It wasn’t so scary.

  So you’re not going to kill me? I questioned. Bewildered I was talking to it, since it couldn’t hear me. Nothing could. Or at least I thought that was possible.

  The wolf shook its head.

  Damn. I was so hoping it be this simple. I avoid the Dims Creek Bridge for the rickety bridge I’d fall in. But with you, a predator of the land and not even tempted by my skin, blood or bones. I held my hand out.

  The wolf didn’t move, its eyes held on me … in thought. That was impossible. Wolves don’t think, or in the sense, they’re just an animal.

  Guess if you’re going to sit there, you might as well plan your attack, I mused.

  Maybe that’s how wolves hunted all along. Waited, watched and leaped. I couldn’t even form the idea of fear. I had given up on fear on Wednesday when it startled me. I’d also given into Ethan taking Melody’s seat next to me in every class for the past five days, and I accepted he was handsome—okay, definitely irresistible. It been five days since he showed up and all I could think about was him. I hated that I couldn’t tell her about him. In my strange image, she’d of giggled and blushed endlessly.

  “He’s way cuter then Tyler and he’s got that look of a man … older and dangerous. That’s it. Danger that calls to us. You do like the shy ones. He’s got it all. You have to spend time with him, talk to him and listen. Guys love it when a girl listens.” She’d have made sure I tell her all about it, ten times or more and to the point, I would have to act it out with fits of laughter and possibly chocolate cake to linger on the dreamy parts of the conversation.

  I miss her so much, I said to the wolf.

  Its ears flickered, but it stayed where it was.

  I wish I knew what happened? Guess you can’t tell me. No one can. Worse, I can’t tell anyone anything, not because I’m cursed with no voice; or as Caleb tells it. Stolen. It isn’t fair. I lowered my gaze to my hands; a tear escaped my lids. I hated being sad and it was how I was all the time. If you could kill me it be easier, I said lifting my eyes to the wolf.

  The wolf flattened it ears at my thoughts.

  You’re only picking up on my mood, that’s all. I pulled my bag to me, stuffed my books inside, and stood.

  The wolf did also. It stared, keeping its head low.

  So, will you do it? I edged closer; perhaps I could make it attack me.

  The wolf held its ground.

  Maybe it was debating.

  Please. No one will notice and I can’t scream, see. I opened my mouth to prove no voice came forth.

  The wolf’s tale twitched—wagged.

  No. It couldn’t possibly be finding this amusing.

  Great. Guess I can’t even get a wild animal to harm me. What good am I?

  Glancing to the sky, I shouldered my bag the sun had set and my fog was out of reach. I was more aware I’d been pleading for this creature to kill me, and staring at it—it was a giant dog wagging its tail.

  Damn it. I hissed. If you’re not going to kill me, then what? I growled.

  At five feet, it was half a foot shorter than me. It kept its head low, submissive. It made a gruff—was that ‘see you later’. It backed into the bush and disappeared through the clearing.

  Hmmm … is that cue to give chase. I called after it.

  Mocking the idea, it was going to barrel me over and tear me to pieces. I shivered at the thought. I didn’t want to be eaten alive, did I? And with that thought, I headed home. At the rickety bridge, I paused. A howl caught my attention. Scanning the tree line, I was disappointed. With hope, it would lunge on the open meadow. It would make it quick, and it would make it my final day.

  It didn’t happen.