Red the Wolf Tracker

by Pauline Creeden

  Standing in the hallway is the short, brown-skinned man from India with a perfect, white smile. He works directly with the Guardians at Wonderland Academy. “Oh, Dr. Smith! One second.”

  I press the door closed and then pull off the chain before widening it and step out of the way for the doctor to enter. “Sorry about that! I wasn’t expecting you on a Saturday.”

  He nods. “I’ve been on vacation, so wanted to catch up on house calls while I had a chance. I talked to your Grandmother yesterday on the phone to let her know I would stop in.”

  Red frowned. “She’s been sleeping so much she must have forgotten to tell me.”

  It was the doctor’s turn to frown. “I’m sorry to say that is an effect of the medication she is on. It’s to be expected.”

  I nod and close the door behind the doctor, feeling self-conscious as I turn the three locks and replace the chain.

  He eyes me when I turn back toward him. “Red, how are you holding up? I know it has to be rough on you.”

  “Yeah, it is rough, but she took care of me for years, so now it is my turn. I couldn’t imagine letting someone else do it.” I lead him through the apartment and knock on Grandma’s door before letting him in. “She doesn’t eat much either, but I’ve been trying to make sure she at least takes a few bites.”

  “That is normal too. I’m sure you’re doing a great job with her. Let me do my check up, and we can talk a bit more after.” The doctor turns towards Grandma saying, “Honored Wolf Tracker, I need to check your vitals and see how you are doing.”

  Grandma does not respond. She just continues to lie there, asleep. The doctor checks her vitals and whatever else he does and then waves me to leave the room ahead of him. “Red, I’m sorry, but she is worse. She doesn’t have much time. We should get her admitted soon to help her through the last few days.” He looks pityingly at me as he continues, “This will allow us to take care of her while you get to just spend time with her.”

  “Are you sure, Doc? There isn’t anything we can do? Magically even?” Tears well in my eyes, and my voice cracks. I swipe at my face, trying to get composure.

  “I’m sorry, Red. There isn’t. We can just make her more comfortable for the last few days. That is about all.”

  “Days?” I sob.

  The doctor nods and sets a hand on my shoulder.

  After a couple deep breaths, I swallow, and in order to get my mind off the inevitable, begin to make a list of things I need to do. “If you’re sure that is best, I’ll get a bag packed of things for her and me. I’ll stay with her there until she’s gone. Will you contact the Headmaster at Wonderland Guardian Academy and let her know I won’t be in for several days?”

  “Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it, when I finish with my other house calls I’ll get the arrangements made and give you a call, okay?”

  I nod. “Thanks.”

  He starts toward the door. “If you need anything at all, do not hesitate to call me. This is what I am here for.”

  “Thanks, Doc. I will. Thank you for everything,” I lean over and hug him. He has almost become like a family member through the short time we’ve had to deal with this.

  He hugs me back before turning and opening the door. “I’ll call later tonight.”

  “Bye, Doc.” I close the door behind before turning around and collapsing on the couch and sobbing. My phone chirps. And when I look, sure enough, it is Peter—like he can sense I need him.

  Are you ok? I’m sorry about not telling you. I feel like something is wrong and am worried. I know you are mad but please answer me with more than a K.

  I am so frustrated with him I start to send a Yeah. Then I shake my head, wipe the tears and add: I really need to see you. Can you come over? Something has happened.

  The answer comes through rather quickly. I won’t come over there, but I can meet you.

  Ok, meet me in 10 by the lake.

  I go and change into pants and a sweatshirt, then throw on sneakers. Well, at least he doesn’t think I’ll hurt him with the knowledge of what he is now. I grab my keys and phone, shoving them in my pockets as I rush out the door and down the steps. I barrel out the front door and head towards the lake, running as fast as I can to get there, working out some anxieties as I go.

  PETER

  Red needs me, and I can’t say no to her.

  I grab my hoodie and head towards the door but think better of it. I can hear everyone else mingling downstairs. I shake my head. I don’t want to deal with anyone right now. I peer out the window and see a tree that reaches out toward the attic window. Perfect. I hop out the window and shimmy down the tree. After I reach the bottom, I take off at a jog towards the lake, making sure to check if anyone follows me.

  I make it to the lake just before Red. She sprints towards the lake as if she doesn’t see me. I pick up my pace, dash forward, and grab her before she runs right into the lake. “Red! What’s wrong? You almost ran into the lake!”

  I hold her and find tear tracks down her face. Her eyes are swollen and wet.

  “Red, did Grandma pass?” My chest tightens.

  She shakes her head “No, not yet. But she has to go to the hospital to spend her last days there. Doc said it is just a matter of days now. What am I going to do? She can’t leave me. I know nothing. She is too important to everyone—I’m nothing.” She is clinging to me as she sobs.

  I lead her over to a bench, thankful there aren’t many people out wandering around. “I’m so sorry, Red.” I hold her and stroke her hair while she cries.

  The March breeze blows through the trees overhead. In the distance, some kids are flying kites. Grandma was the one who taught me and Red how to fly kites. They had taken me in and treated me like family—even though I didn’t even know who my father was, and when my mom wasn’t working, she was drinking. And now half of the only family I’d ever really known would be gone. And I’d become something that Red shouldn’t even be around. My heart aches in my chest, and tears sting the backs of my eyes.

  Eventually Red calms and pulls away. I wipe the tears from her face and leave my hand on her cheek. “I’m sorry. I should have been there for you, but I was trying to protect you both by staying away.”

  She glares at me. “I read that in your letter. Why didn’t you just tell me? We could have figured something out together.”

  I just stare at her and swallow.

  She grabs my sweatshirt in her fists like she won’t ever let me go. “You need to come see Grandma. She would want to say goodbye to you.”

  I peel her hands off my sweatshirt and hold them in mine. “Red, I shouldn’t. I don’t want them to use me to get to you both. I think Viktor turned me because he knew I was connected to you and Grandma. They are planning something—I just don’t know what … or when. I’m trying to figure it out, so I can stop it. That is part of why I moved in with them, that, and to protect you… and Grandma.”

  She blinks a few times then looks down at our hands. “That guy was following me again last night. When I got back home I smelled a different werewolf than him at the apartment. I don’t know who it was though. They were gone before I got there.”

  Red is sitting so close to me, almost on my lap, and I continue to hold her tight. “That might have been Viktor. I heard him and Scott, the guy that followed us the other day, talking last night. It sounds like they want to attack you before your Grandma passes, so when she passes, the Wolf Tracker line will perish with her.”

  Red’s eyes widen, and she shakes her head. Her voice goes up in pitch. “What do I do? I’m not ready to be without her and I can’t fight off a werewolf. I’m not strong enough.”

  “Hey, calm down. You’ll be at the hospital, so you’ll be safe, right? When you leave there, you’ll have your Wolf Tracker powers, and they won’t be able to challenge you. I’ll keep them away as long as I can.”

  Her brow furrows as she looks in my eyes. Tears well at the bottom of her lids and her voice cracks. “I’ve
missed you so much. You don’t know how hard it has been to not see you or have you right there with me.”

  She leans into me, and I wrap me arms around her. Somehow, tonight every nerve ending feels raw, and I feel how much I’ve missed everything about her. I missed her scent. I missed the way her hair tickles my face when we hug. I missed feeling the warmth of her body in my arms. I take a deep breath and push her back, so I can look into her molasses-colored eyes.

  “I am so sorry. I’ve been staying away to protect you. It killed me do it.” I gently wipe her tears away and kiss her cheek. “I just don’t know how we can be friends when I’m one of them.”

  She shakes her head, her eyes widen. “You are my friend first and always, werewolf second. Never forget that. When we get things back to normal, you need to come home. I can’t do any of this without you. Besides, who better to spar with than a werewolf?”

  I laugh. “I suppose that’s true.”

  We continue to sit there with our arms wrapped around each other until Red finally breaks the silence. “I better get back to Grandma. I still have to pack a bag for each of us. I don’t know if we are going to the hospital tonight, but will you come visit us tomorrow?”

  “Yes, I think it should be safe enough there for me to do that. Text me when you know where you’ll be, and I’ll come see you.” I stand and pull off the hoodie I’m wearing and put it in her arms. “Let this comfort you when I can’t be there with you. I know it’s your favorite one.”

  After taking her hand, I pull her to her feet. Wrapping my arms around her, I squeeze her in a tight hug before releasing her. “Now go on home and get ready. I’ll come see you tomorrow sometime.” I push her to get her to start walking.

  “Okay. I’m glad you came.”

  “I will always come when you need me.”

  She offers me a sad smile before she walks slowly away. Once she’s past the next park bench, she turns one last time to wave and then jogs away from me while I collapse back on the bench. I sit there for a while, thinking. My phone pings for a text, and I glance at the screen. Scott. I debate whether to ignore or answer. I shove the phone in my pocket. I’m just not ready to face the pack again.

  Red

  I slow my jog down once I hit the end of my street and slowly walk home. It was so good to finally see the Peter I’ve always known. I still don’t know why he didn’t tell me sooner. Like I would care about him being a werewolf. As I reach the front door to my apartment building, my phone starts ringing so I stop and pull it out of my pocket. “Hello?”

  “Red, this is Dr. Smith. I managed to get a private room set up for your Grandma, but it won’t be ready until tomorrow. Will you be okay by yourself tonight, or do you want me to send a nurse?”

  “I’ll be fine one more day. What time will you be here to get her tomorrow?”

  “The room won’t be ready until the afternoon, so I’ll be there about one p.m. Does that work for you?”

  “Yes, that works. Thank you again.”

  “You’re welcome Red. If we can come earlier, I’ll just come, if that’s okay?”

  “Yes, that would be fine. We’re not going anywhere until you get here.”

  “Okay. I’ll do what I can. See you tomorrow.”

  “Bye.”

  I hang up and head inside, sniffing as I go. No new scents, that’s good. I reach my door and test it before unlocking it to find it still locked. Another good sign. With a breath of relief, I pull out my keys.

  Once inside, I check on Grandma and find her still asleep. My heart aches in my chest, but my eyes feel dry, sore, and swollen. Not sure if I have any tears left. I need a drink of water, before I’m completely dehydrated. After a drink in the kitchen, I head to my bedroom. My duffle bag is deep in the back of my closet, and it’s such a mess it takes me a short while to locate it. Then I sit on the bed and fold my clothes and pack what I need into the duffle. I grab my backpack and make sure my books are in it for school, so I can stay caught up. I then walk out and stick my bags by the front door, grabbing my extra phone charger and laptop charger.

  Packed and ready. Now on to Grandma’s bag. What do I pack her? She’ll be in a hospital gown, so no clothing. My heart clenches in my chest as I realize again that she won’t be coming back. Tears sting the backs of my eyes while I collapse into a nearby chair. For a moment, I just press my palms against my eyelids because the pressure is comforting. Then I take a deep breath and soldier on.

  I find a small duffle for Grandma’s stuff and pack the pictures she keeps by the bedside, the jewelry she usually wears but can’t right now, and then I decide to look under her bed for a photo album. Maybe if she wakes she’ll want to see some photos of family. I’m looking through a tote when I find an old, frail-looking journal I pick it up gingerly and open the front cover. This journal belongs to Ruby is scrawled on the first page. Grandma’s. I decide to pack it in case she wants to read it, or have me read it to her, or maybe I’ll just read it. I pack her toiletries, take her duffle, and put it by the front door, too.

  I’m not sure if I should let her sleep or attempt to wake her to eat. I go in the kitchen and look for anything that might go bad in a few days and pull it out. I pile a plate full and put it in the microwave to warm it. When the timer beeps, I grab it and sit at the table to eat, pulling my laptop over again to continue where I left off this morning. I know either way I need to find a new place to live when this is over with, or else they will attack before I am ready for them.

  Since it’s too late to text anyone about a place, I get up and grab a notebook to take notes and get with them tomorrow. I write about five phone numbers down with info about the rental, but circle one to check with first. It seems the best, an actual house, so no close neighbors I have to worry about. Close to school. I begin to wonder if I can talk Peter into moving in with me after the threat is over. I’ll be stronger after Grandma passes, and if he thinks it will make it easier to protect me, he will probably do it.

  I glance at the clock. Midnight. I blink and shake my head. Time flies when I’m busy. The plate of food I’d made for myself is mostly untouched. After grabbing a couple bites, I throw the rest out, making a mental note to take out the trash in the morning. Then I remember I need to text Peter.

  Doc will pick us up at 1 tomorrow. Come see me tomorrow evening? With food? There that will make him stay for a while too.

  I wait for a bit, but no answer comes through. I wash my plate, grab my phone, and go check on Grandma. She’s still asleep so I say goodnight and kiss her cheek before walking to my room and plugging my phone in on yet another charger cord—can never have too many of them. I brush my teeth and hair before changing into shorts and a tank top. I’m just about asleep when a message beeps on my phone. I blink at it trying to focus to read.

  I’ll be there about 4. Chinese?

  Yes! In bed. TTYL. loves

  Night, loves too

  PETER

  “Where are you? When Viktor or I text or call you, answer immediately. No excuses!” Scott yells when I finally answer my phone. The night air has grown chilly, but werewolves run hot enough that I’d been fine sitting on the park bench while the temperature dropped. I just hadn’t felt like moving until I got the text from Red.

  “Sorry Scott. I fell asleep and didn’t hear my phone. I’m in the park—just needed to be alone. What’s up?” I sigh and stand, stretching through my back.

  “Get to The Den now. We have a pack meeting, and everyone is required to be here. You’re already late.” His tone is growling, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end in response.

  I clench my teeth to keep from growling back. “I’m headed there now.”

  I push END on the phone and slide it into my pocket. Jogging to The Den, I’m still amazed at how much faster I am now as a werewolf, and how I don’t tire from the sprint at the end. The lights inside The Den aren’t dimmed like they normally are, and the pack gathered there is quiet. It’s a totally different vibe than
usual. Everyone turns to look at me as I come in.

  I rub the back of my neck, then drop to one knee as Viktor turns toward me. “Forgive me, Alpha. I dozed off and never heard my phone.”

  Victor stood with his arms crossed and his lips pursed, as he glares at me. “Tardiness is only tolerated when you are very young. It would behoove you to learn and not repeat mistakes. Now, have a seat. We have important business to discuss.”

  I stand, find an empty chair, and sit beside Evan. Evan sets a hand on my shoulder, his dark eyes meeting mine. His solemn expression is entirely different than the cheery one he usually has. He nods and my stomach sinks. I can’t shake the feeling of apprehension building inside me.

  Viktor stands at the front of the crowd and howls. A few of the others in the back howl in return, and the doors to The Den slam shut. Viktor rubs his hands together. “I have some wonderful news that will make our lives easier from now on, but I need your help to get this done.”

  Viktor glances at Scott who moves to stand beside me. The knot in my stomach tightens. Why would Viktor send Scott over to me? Do they want to see how I react to the news he’s about to give? I clench my jaw and then relax. I need to cultivate a poker face. Only by schooling my expression and my reaction will I pass this test. I know that’s what he’s doing. My heart is racing, but outwardly, I slouch in my chair.

  “We have an opportunity to take out the whole Wolf Tracker line, but we need to act now. When I was young, my whole pack, except for me, was taken out by a single Wolf Tracker. You’ve heard the rumors. She is judge, jury, and executioner of our kind. We cannot sit idly by and let this opportunity pass. It will take the whole pack working together to make this happen.”

  Murmurs break out from the crowd. An older man with a beard and biker t-shirt interrupts Viktor. “But sir, won’t a lot of us get killed? What has changed to make it possible now?”