by Fay Walsh
“Yeah, the sooner the better,” she said.
The phone clicked off, and she sighed, realizing that this wasn’t good. Whoever was trying to attack her definitely wanted to see her dead for some reason. She didn’t know why, or even the reasoning, besides Sven, and it bothered her that it was happening like this.
Chapter 11
Sven went to the library as fast as he could. He found Vicky looking downcast, her body shaking slightly.
“You okay?” he asked.
“No. I’m not,” she said.
“Tell me, please, what happened?” he asked.
“I got… someone came in today to tell me to leave you alone,” she said.
“Who was he? I mean, if it’s someone who is causing trouble or trying to hit on you, you should tell them to stay away.”
“No, it wasn't like that at all. They gave me this,” she told him.
She gave him the rope, and immediately, his eyes widened.
”Wait, is this-”
“Yeah, it’s from when I got attacked, ten years ago. I don't remember what happened to the second half of the rope. Well, not until now that is. They gave me this and told me to stay away. When I tried to call out to them, they were gone. I tried calling the cops but the police are really shitty here, I learned,” she said.
“Yeah, unfortunately, the cops aren’t going to help with any of this. They just don’t care enough. But, this isn’t good. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable here,” he said.
“I don’t either. I’m scared though,” she said.
“Don't worry, I’m going to work on this, to figure it all out,” he said.
“Thank you, Sven. But you don’t have to do this alone,” she said.
He shook his head. “I never said I was. In fact, I’m going to figure out the person behind this shortly. I know that the alpha knows something about this case, and I think he can help me,” he said.
She nodded. “Okay. Thank you, Sven,” she said.
“You’re welcome. Stay safe,” he said.
“Could you walk me home? I’m a little shaken up,” she said.
“Course,” he said.
She smiled at him, and he could tell that, for the first time today, she felt secure. It made him happy knowing that he could help her with this. He had a feeling that this incident was linked to Emilia somehow, and he needed to talk to Travis about this. He got Vicky home, and before he left, he heard Vicky speak to him.
“You’re too good to me,” she said.
“No, I just don’t want to see you suffer,” he said.
“Thank you,” she replied.
“I’ll get to the bottom of this. Even if… even if it kills me,” he said.
She smiled, and he could feel his heart race slightly at the sight of that. He needed to protect her.
Sven made his way back to the den, going straight to Travis’s office. After knocking, the door opened.
“Everything okay?” Travis inquired.
“No, sir. We need to talk,” Sven stated.
“I see. Well, let’s talk then,” he said.
Travis closed the door behind him, and the two sat in the office.
“I found out whoever attacked Vicky ten years ago is harassing her once again,” he said.
“She was attacked before?”
“Yes. She was attacked, and I ended up saving her. That’s probably why we are so close right now. She apparently was harassed by someone who attacked her back then,” he said to Travis.
“That makes sense. But, why do you think he did it?” Travis asked.
“I don’t know, but they have to have a serious grudge against me, and her as well to continue this kind of harassment,” Sven said.
Who could be so mad at both of them that they would continue this jealousy spree? Who would care enough about her? He wondered all of this, but then, Travis spoke.
“I have a feeling I may know who did it, but none of us are going to like it,” he said.
“Who do you think?” Sven asked.
“Remember Emilia? The one that Billy disposed of?” he asked.
“Yeah, I remember that. Billy changed that night, and I know that girl that’s with him did as well.”
“Yeah, well, they killed Emilia that night. And I know for sure that she’s dead. I sense that… she passed from this world a little while ago. But, I can still sense evil afoot. The type of evil that makes my own hair stand on end,” Travis said.
“I’m guessing it has something to do with the bad feeling I had as well,” he said.
“Perhaps. I don't know for sure yet. I know that there are still many things that none of us know, and a lot that we’ll need to figure out with time. But, Sven, if you know what’s good for you, you will take some time and figure out how to keep her safe,” he said.
“I will try to, but I’m not even sure I can do that,” he said.
“Trust me, you can and you’ll want to. I know how it can be. You care about her, and you want to see her be safe. You know that the solution to everything is to keep her safe, so you should do that,” Travis said.
“I’m trying, sir, it’s just hard, because I know that there is something going on here, but I can’t put my finger on it,’ he said.
“Well, you should watch her movements. You should get a feel for what is happening to her. I mean, I don’t know if being all over her is the best idea, but you should be diligent about what’s going on,” Travis said.
“I will try to be,” he said.
“Yeah, and let her know that you are going to spend time with her and that you’ll watch her. I know it seems weird, but it’s the best way to keep her safe,” he said.
“I will Travis. But thank you. For everything,” he said.
“No problem. If it is someone that has to do with Emilia, then we need to be careful,” he said.
“Why is that?”
“Because Emilia was one of the strongest foes yet. And I don’t think her ideals are dead either. I think there are others, and they are trying to start a war with us,” Travis said.
“So you think that she’s in danger, and we all are in danger,” Sven said.
“You're correct. I do think you should tell the others about your visions sooner or later, it can help all of us,” he said.
Sven stiffened, realizing that he might have to.
“I will try to in the future when things aren’t as worrisome, or maybe when the time is right,” he said.
“Alright. Be safe. Keep your eyes peeled,” he said.
Sven nodded, calling Vicky moments later to explain everything.
“So you’ll basically be watching over me?”
“Yeah. I mean, we can make a cover or something. I can help in the library if that works,” he said.
“Sure, I wouldn’t mind that,” she said.
He didn’t want to do that for the rest of his time, but he had to keep himself focused because he knew that, his presence would determine their fate. He knew that if someone was attacking her, or if there was a more powerful adversary there, he would need to be on top of that. He needed to protect her, and he would stop at nothing to keep her safe. This adversary had the gall to confront her in person, but the fact that they weren’t going so far as to physically assault her was quite surprising.
What did they want? What was their end goal? Just to scare her, or was there something more there?
Chapter 12
Vicky didn’t mind spending time with Sven at the library. The next day, he came in with a perfectly doctored resume, saying that he would like to work at the library. Her boss agreed to it, and Sven asked for the same shifts as Vicky, since she was his ride home. It was a total lie, but it worked, and the two of them managed to get the same hours together.
For the next week, Sven enjoyed her presence. He would go in, talk to Vicky a bit, and then get to work. He would file the books while he kept an eye on Vicky since he knew that there was something else lingering in the shadows, wai
ting to strike.
“You don’t always have to get the same hours as me. I should be fine,” she said.
“No, I want to. Because I want to spend time with you,” Sven said.
She appreciated the sentiment, but Vicky felt stifled by the presence a little bit. She expected it to not be so bad, but she felt like he was always hovering about, waiting for something to happen.
While she did appreciate the company and was happy to have him by her side, she wished that he would give her a little more freedom every now and then. Sven was always hanging around her, and while she didn’t mind it at first, it started to get annoying after quite some time. She knew that he meant well, but she didn’t like how he was basically being a helicopter parent when it came to her.
“You don't have to walk me home every day, you know,” she said to him.
“You should know by now that I can’t let you stay here alone. You know how it is,” he said.
“Yeah but, you’re being a little overbearing, babe,” she said.
“Sorry. I’m trying not to be. I just want to make sure you’re safe,” he said.
She nodded, but it was frustrating to hear those words. She knew that Sven wouldn't give this up, period, and she knew that he was definitely adamant about all of this. She didn’t know what the hell was going on, and it pissed her off a little bit. She figured that after a while he would give up, but nearly two weeks later and he was still relentless.
It only soured her mood further. She wanted some freedom, but she realized that it wasn’t going to happen like that. She liked Sven, maybe more than she was letting on, but dammit, it was a little excessive at times.
One night, when she was about to leave, she saw Sven there, waiting for her.
“You can go on ahead. I’ll be okay,” she said.
“You know better than that, babe. I want to stay by your side. I know that it’s not easy, and I get that it’s a little annoying, but I’m here for a reason,” he said.
“Yeah, which I understand, but you’re almost like an overbearing parent,” she said.
“I'm not trying to be that way, I’m just trying to keep you safe and sound,” he said.
“Listen, Sven, you don't have to follow me around to do that. I’ll be fine on my own,” she said.
“But-”
“Listen, Sven, I need some space. This is getting a little excessive, you know,” she said.
“I’m trying to help as best as I can babe. Trust me on this,” he said.
“Yeah, well, your help is becoming too much. I need a break,” she said, moving him out of the way a little bit in order to leave.
“So you’re saying you don't need me to walk you home anymore?” he asked.
“No, I’m saying let me walk home every now and then so that I can be more independent. You’re treating me like a child, and I don’t like that,” she said.
He looked at her, and she felt a little bad for telling him that. She knew that he meant well, and he was just trying to do what's right for both of them, but she was getting sick of being coddled like this.
“I see how it is. Sorry about that,” he said.
“You don’t have to feel bad. Seriously, I just need a little bit of space, and you’re not giving that to me. It’s annoying,” she said.
She then walked off, and Vicky knew that she had probably upset him, but she needed to make some strides on her own. She wondered if he would follow her at all, but he didn’t, and it made her feel relieved, but also a little unhappy. She did wish he would back off a little bit, and it would be better for both of them if they ended up making things right. But for now, she needed to figure out her own personal issues, and get a feel for herself. She needed to have a little bit of freedom.
But, what she didn’t know was that a small price for freedom was the loss of her own free will, which would come sooner than she thought.
Chapter 13
Sven felt terrible for what he had done. He hated that he was being so damn overbearing toward her, but he didn’t want to leave her alone. He walked inside, slumping down on the chair and sighing.
“Everything okay?” Darren said.
“It’s fine, don’t worry about me,” he said.
“If it’s about a girl, you need to learn that, sometimes, you may think what you're doing for them is best, but it’s not,” he said to Sven.
Sven turned his head around, looking at the other shifter.
“What do you mean?”
“I have a feeling it has something to do with Vicky. If you’ve upset her, you need to realize that over time, it will become easier to let her live, and you will want to give her some freedom,” he said.
“It’s somewhat about that. I thought I was doing what’s best for her, but that isn’t the case,” he said.
“True. But, you’re definitely coming on a little bit strong,” Darren said.
“Yeah but I don’t want her to die, you know?” he said.
“I know that, but you’re only going to make others upset if you continue down this path. You’re better than this,” he said.
Sven sighed, listening to him.
“You know, I hate it when you’re right,” he said.
“He is right, Sven. I know for sure that you want the best for her, but she’s probably just put off by the fact that you’re always asking her what she’s doing, and hovering over her when you could just let her live her life, you know,” Travis said.
Sven took their words with a nod.
“Yeah. Maybe I’m being too tough on her. And maybe a tad bit overbearing,” he said.
“You are, Sven. You could be better than this, and you could make it easier for all of us. Remember, she’s a human, and she probably just hates how you’re all over her. It’s probably making things hard for her, and she needs space,” he said.
“I’m trying, I swear,” Sven said.
“I know that you are, but you have to trust her. If she needs help, she’ll let you know,” Travis said.
Sven was trying to learn to let her live, but it was proving to be quite hard. He did care so much about her, and he wanted her to be safe, but sometimes it proved harder to achieve than he thought. He wondered if there was a chance that he could potentially get her to come over, maybe even live with him, but he felt that might be asking for too much, especially since they were still new into the relationship.
He just had to trust her.
Things were a bit tense between Sven and her for a while. It took about a week for the tension to finally fizzle out, but that didn’t mean things were easy for either of them. Sven would catch her giving him a dirty look, and he felt bad. He wondered if there was something else that she wanted to say. Perhaps she was waiting for whatever would happen next.
Their relationship didn’t change all that much, it was just hard for Sven to let her go sometimes. It was probably because he cared so much, but he also didn’t want to see her get hurt. He wondered if he would get a vision eventually.
One night, when Vicky was getting ready to leave, Sven looked at her with an expectant gaze.
“You’ll be fine...right?” he asked.
“Yeah, I will be. What about you though? I can tell that you’re worried sick,” she asked.
“Yeah. I’m worried, but I’ll live,” he said to her.
“I know you're scared. I understand the thought, but you don’t need to worry. I’ll be okay,” she said with a smile.
He wanted to believe her, he really did, but he definitely still wasn’t convinced that everything would be alright. But, he gave her a small smile of reassurance, trying to convince both himself and her that it would all be okay.
“I’ll be fine. It’s been over a week since I started going back on my own. No need to get so worked up,” she said.
“I know, but it still doesn’t sit right with me, you know,” he said.
“Sven, you need to remember I am not some fragile little girl. I’m strong enough to face whatever I need to on
my own,” she snapped.
“I know but-”
“But what? I’ll be fine,” she said.
Sven sighed, watching as she left. He had to trust her. He went back to the den, seeing most of the clan there. Travis was looking at him with a smile on his face.
