by Neo Edmund
“Tree gnomes are nocturnal creatures that viciously attack anybody who dares to enter their territory.” Ash went on to recount a rather unsavory tale of a time he came across a pair of them mating in the woods. He couldn’t decide which scars were worse, those spanning the length of his back, or those from the horrific images that had forever stained his memory.
“Fine, we’ll set up camp,” Red said. “But as soon as dawn breaks, we’re moving on.” She had a moment of panic when she tried to turn back into her human form. Without anybody to guide her, she feared being stuck as a werewolf for the rest of her life.
Ash’s and Dote’s attempts to coach her through a visualization exercise only made the situation more frustrating.
“Imagine looking at yourself in a mirror, and you’re in human form,” Dote said.
“Tell yourself over and over that’s the way you’re supposed to be,” Ash said.
It wasn’t that Red didn’t appreciate their help, but it only caused more frustration when it didn’t work. The change finally came when she got a moment of silence to calm her mind. Like a child realizing she could stand and walk, it required an instinctual understanding that could never be put into words.
Gazing into the star-sprinkled sky, Red tried to imagine what her future would be like. She couldn’t deny that the idea of rising up as a werewolf-powered hero was really cool. Venturing out into the woods at night to fight monsters, protecting the helpless, and building a clan of loyal followers. It was all so surreal that she kept expecting to wake up in her bed back in the orphanage.
If it was all just a crazy dream conjured up by her imagination, Red would rather just stay asleep forever.
“We should put that fire out,” Ash said.
Dote was sleeping soundly in a big pile of sweet grass. Red felt a bit envious because Dote slept like she didn’t have a care or concern in the world. She certainly didn’t look like a witch who could conjure energy vortexes from her hands.
Watching Dote got Red to wondering what she looked like while asleep. It was safe to guess that it wasn’t a sight of blissful slumber. From what the other kids in the orphanages told her, she tended to toss and turn and talk about strange things in the night.
“Did you hear what I said about the fire?” Ash asked.
Red wondered how Ash would fit into her clan. He was as loyal as a cocker spaniel, and his oddly in-depth knowledge of Ice’s palace might also one day come in handy. It was just hard to get past the memory of him cowering in fear at the hands of Mia and her cronies. He was crying like a baby, even knowing they weren’t going to kill him. There’s no telling what he would do in the heat of a dangerous battle.
“I’m telling you, we need to put out that fire,” Ash said.
The real problem Red had is that she’d just reunited with Ash and Dote after being away for so long. In such a short while, she had grown quite attached to both of them. If something bad were to happen, there was just no telling how she would deal with it.
“If we don’t put out that fire right now, somebody is going to find us out here,” Ash insisted.
“Then put it out if you want to. I’m not even cold,” Dote said without opening her eyes.
“You don’t see me stopping you,” Red said.
Ash dashed over and doused their tiny campfire with clumps of dirt until it went dark. “Now we can only hope nobody saw it.”
“Easy, boy. I don’t think there’s anybody around here for miles,” Red said.
“Excuse me for not agreeing with your Alphaness,” Ash said. “I know these woods as well as anybody. I can say for sure that there’s always somebody or something hanging around. A campfire at night is like ringing a dinner bell for a pack of hungry dogs.”
“Why didn’t you say so before?” Red asked.
“I did say so before. Nobody was listening,” Ash said.
“Next time you have something important to say, speak up just a little louder,” Dote said.
“I would have if not for the fact that speaking up might attract things that are out looking for dinner right about now,” Ash said.
While Ash and Dote continued a rather spirited discussion on the subject, Red reflected on the events of the night. Of all the things that went through her mind, there was one troubling thought that she could not shake. “I sure hope Wolfgang got out okay,” she said.
“What is your hang-up over that guy?” Ash asked.
“I don’t have a hang-up over him,” Red said. “He helped save our lives tonight.”
“He totally risked his life so that we could escape,” Dote said.
“I admit he was somewhat helpful getting us out,” Ash said. “I’m saying that he did it because he’s after something.”
“How do you know that?” Red asked.
“I just do. Trust me on this one,” Ash said.
“Maybe Wolfgang has a hang-up over Red,” Dote said.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Ash blurted out.
Red gave Ash a glare. “Why is that ridiculous? I may not be a beauty queen, but I don’t think I’m so hard on the eyes either. Am I?”
“You’re major hotness,” Dote said. “I’m so envious.”
“See? Dote thinks I’m worthy of a boy getting hung up over me,” Red said.
Ash was starting to look frazzled. “I didn’t say you weren’t worthy of some major ogling.”
“Oh. So you think Red is ogling hot?” Dote said.
“Ash, do you think I’m hot?” Red asked.
Ash flailed his arms in frustration. “Hey, I didn’t say I think you’re hot.”
“Then you don’t think she’s hot?” Dote asked.
“What do you think of me, Ash?” Red asked.
“Yeah, Dorkus Ashley. Do tell,” Dote said.
Ash leaped up and paced around in a frantic fit. “I think you’re my best friend. I am not supposed to think of you that way. Just drop it already, so we can all get on with our lives.”
“I thought I was your best friend,” Dote said.
“You’re both my best friends, so don’t even get started on the who do I like better thing you girls always pull on me,” Ash shouted.
“Sorry.” Red and Dote said in unison.
Ash flopped down and took a deep breath to calm himself. It wasn’t long before he cracked a smile. “If Red had never left Wayward, this is how every day would have been.”
“That’s for sure,” Dote said.
“Totally,” Red said.
Ash frowned. “We missed out on a lot of fun times.”
Red slid over and put a comforting arm around Ash. “Hey, don’t go getting all Mr. Gloomypants now.”
Ash laughed a little. “I used to hate it when you called me that.”
Red smiled. “I remember. It’s all starting to come back to me now. I can’t believe I could have ever forgotten about you two.”
“It makes sense with you living so far away,” Dote said.
“How was it out there?” Ash asked. “I’ve never been beyond the borders of Wayward.”
“I’m not even sure I know where the borders are,” Dote said.
“It’s completely different from here,” Red said. “As far as I know, there’s no magical witches or werewolves. There are creatures that act like goblins, but none of them have giant mouths that can swallow you whole.”
“Sounds boring,” Dote said.
“No place I ever want to go,” Ash said.
“Some people were happy there. I sure wasn’t one of them, though,” Red said.
Dote crawled over and squeezed between Red and Ash. “Well, now you’re back with your best two friends in the world, and we’re all about to set out on an amazing adventure together.”
“With us by your side, it’s going to be pure awesomeness from this day on,” Ash said.
“And if you kids don’t keep your voices down, you won’t live long enough to go on that little adventure,” a male voice called out from the darkness.
&n
bsp; Ash and Dote yelped out.
Without making the slightest sound, Red jumped to her feet and dashed away into the shadows. She could hear the crackling sound of footsteps nearby. In a single breath, she was able to catch the scent of every living thing around her. It was startling when she realized how many creatures were lurking so near their campsite.
Among all of them, one stood out from of the rest.
“Wolfgang,” Red said.
Wolfgang leaped out of a tree and landed right in front of Ash and Dote. “Boo!”
“Ahhhhhh.” Ash and Dote wailed.
“What happened to Red?” Wolfgang asked.
“Right behind you, Wolf Boy.”
Red soared out of the bushes and kicked Wolfgang to the ground. He rolled to his feet and charged at her. They broke into a rapid exchange of punches and kicks.
“I can’t tell if they’re fighting or flirting,” Dote said.
Red got a grip on Wolfgang’s wrist and flipped him onto his back. His attempt to break her grip was futile as she pinned him to the ground.
“You’re finished.” Red said.
Ash raised his arms in victory. “You go, girl. Knock the daylights out of him.”
Wolfgang struggled to get up. “Get off me, Alpha girl.”
Red pressed her forearm against his throat. “Why don’t you make me, Wolf Boy?”
“Maybe I’ll just lie here and enjoy the view.”
“Maybe you’re just saying that because you can’t get up.”
“Maybe I’m okay with that.”
“Maybe I am, too.”
Dote shyly covered her eyes. “Maybe we should leave you two alone to work it out.”
“Maybe you two should cut it out,” Ash said. “This little moment you two are having is going to make me hurl.”
Red glared into Wolfgang’s eyes. “One wrong move and you’ll be walking with a limp for the rest of your miserable life.”
“Promises, promises,” Wolfgang said.
Red stepped back and offered Wolfgang a hand up. When he took it, she pulled him to his feet and locked a hand around his throat. “Friend or foe, werewolf?”
“We’re on the same side of the line, Alpha Huntress.”
“Guess I’ll have to accept that for now.”
Red released Wolfgang and shoved him onto the ground. He did his best to look cool as he got to his feet.
“So why were you stalking us, Wolf Boy?” Ash asked.
Wolfgang gave Ash a hard stare down. “I know you. Dorkus Ashley, right?”
“Ash will do just fine.”
“Well listen up, Ashley. I don’t answer to little girls. And I won’t bother to say what’s going to happen if you call me ‘Wolf Boy’ even one more time.”
Ash wailed in frustration. “Red, we need to ditch this guy, like yesterday.”
“As much noise as you were all making, you couldn’t ditch a deaf cave sloth,” Wolfgang said.
Ash looked to Dote. “You know the deal with this guy. Tell Red what you really think of him.”
Dote gave a nervous shrug. “I guess he has a seedy history.”
Wolfgang grinned. “Don’t sell me short, Dote. I’m a well-known delinquent. An antisocial misfit. A big, bad wolf.”
Ash pointed an accusing finger at Wolfgang. “You see? He doesn’t even try to deny it. If you let him hang around, he’s going to turn on us.”
“You’ll be first on my list, girly boy,” Wolfgang said.
Red knew that telling Wolfgang to get lost was the sensible choice. If trouble could have a smell, he was reeking of it. She told herself that her decision should have nothing to do with the way he made her blood boil, nor should it have anything to do with his rugged good looks, long hair, and rock-hard abs.
“Letting this guy hang around us comes with major risk,” Ash said.
Ash’s words reminded Red of the night she arrived in Wayward. The spirits of the forest had told her that only one brave enough to risk everything will gain anything in this world. Her decision to believe in that got her through the great tree. She now felt that she had to believe in that idea once again.
Before Red could do that, there was one question that demanded an answer. “How did you get away from Ice’s palace?”
“She let me go,” Wolfgang said, with a casual shrug.
“You see? He is on the side of the enemy,” Ash said.
“Why would Ice do that?” Red asked.
“Ice and I have a complicated history,” Wolfgang said. “A couple of years ago, we had a thing going, but I had to drop her because it turns out she’s flipping insane.”
“I won’t argue with that,” Ash said.
“The truth is she’s whacked-out obsessed with me,” Wolfgang said. “I’m not making that up either. It’s total love-to-hate craziness with her.”
Red skeptically eyed Wolfgang. “So that’s why she just let you go? Even after you helped me get away?”
“She let me walk right out the front door even though she totally wanted to kill me. Ice just can’t bring herself to do it. Not yet, at least,” Wolfgang said.
Ash gave Wolfgang a hard glare. “I find this story to be highly suspicious.”
“I’ll buy it,” Dote said. “Girls can do crazy things when it comes to boys. Especially pretty ones.”
“Why, thank you, Dote,” Wolfgang gave her a flirtatious smile.
Dote giggled like a giddy little girl. “Oh, you cut that out right now, mister.”
Ash raised his arms in defeat. “And with that, I’m out. This guy is a top-notch troublemaker. I know he’s going to turn on us when we least expect it, and when that happens, I’ll be able to say I told you so, but it won’t matter because it will be way past too late to say it.” He stomped away and sat on a log at the far end of their campsite.
Wolfgang grinned. “The little girly boy’s got spunk. I’ll give her that.”
“Enough trash-talking my friend,” Red said. “Any more and you’ll answer to my fist in your face.”
“As you command, your Alpha highness,” Wolfgang said.
Red carefully considered the situation and came to the only decision she could live with. “Okay, this is the deal, Wolf Boy. We’re camping here tonight. You’re free to stay if you want to. Tomorrow I’ll figure out if you can travel with us. If I decide you need to go away, then you take a hike, no questions asked. Agreed?”
“You’re the one in charge here,” Wolfgang said.
“Then it’s settled. You all get some sleep. I’ll take first watch,” Red said.
“I’ll sleep with one eye open,” Ash said.
“Ash, that’s enough,” Red said.
“Whatever.” Ash flopped back and continued to pout.
Dote laid down in her pile of sweet grass. “Wolfgang, can I ask one more question?”
Wolfgang leaned back against a fallen log. “Ask away, Doteness.”
“What happened to the prince who helped us escape?”
“If you mean the guy who hacked Mia’s paw off, I have no idea. If Ice got her claws on him, I can tell you it’s not good.” Wolfgang turned on his side and closed his eyes.
“That’s too bad. He was brave. And so pretty. I do hope he’s okay.” Dote then fell right to sleep.
Red sat on a tree stump and watched Wolfgang as he dozed off. As much as it annoyed her, it was impossible to deny that she had strong feelings for him. She knew things between them were about to get complicated, an idea that she loved and feared. “I guess bad boys really do make a girl’s heart beat faster,” she muttered under her breath. “I am so doomed.”
Chapter 17
“I couldn’t have been asleep more than a minute or two.” The instant Red’s eyes snapped open, there was no doubt they were in serious trouble. The foul stench of something dangerous was lurking in the air. Just from its odor, she could tell that it was huge and headed in their direction.
Red knew it would have been smart to wake Ash or Dote to take second wat
ch, but they were both sleeping so soundly, and dawn was only a couple of hours away. Making things worse, Wolfgang was no longer in the spot where he had been sleeping only minutes ago.
Sniffing the air, she couldn’t find any sign of his scent. She knew Ash would say he’d ditched them at the first hint of trouble. That was unlikely considering how Wolfgang had saved them at Ice’s palace. Of course, Ash would then argue that Wolfgang knew by his own admission that Ice wouldn’t harm him, so technically the situation didn’t hold any legitimate risk on his part.
“Ash. Dote. Wake up,” Red whispered.
They were both only a few feet away, deep in sleep. Waking them should have been easy enough, if not for Red’s fear that the slightest sound could reveal their presence to the beast headed their way and getting closer by the second. Something had to be done soon or they were going to end up in a battle she was unsure they could survive.
“Will you two wake up?” Red spoke a little louder than before.
Both remained in blissful slumber without a care in the world. Left with no choice, Red gathered up a few pebbles from the dirt. One by one, she began to fling them at Ash. The first few hit him in the chest and stomach. After this failed to get the slightest reaction, Red decided to stop playing nice and aimed right at his head. On the third or fourth attempt, she scored a shot right between his eyes.
“Dorkus Ashley, you wake up this instant.”
Ash opened his eyes with a grunt of irritation. “Red, stop messing around. I’m trying to get a little sleepy time here.”
“Keep quiet,” Red whispered. “Something’s coming.”
“Define something.”
“I’m not sure. It’s smells big and hairy and dripping with sweat, and its breath smells like dead stuff.”
Ash leaped up to his feet. “It’s a bridge troll. We’re totally doomed.”
“A bridge troll?” Red felt ridiculous just saying it.
“You know, they live under bridges and lure unsuspecting travelers to their untimely demise.”
Red rolled her eyes. “I should have known that’s what you meant.”
“It’s been wandering aimlessly since Rowling’s bridge got trashed by a couple of crazy old wizards that were wand dueling on it.”
