Rhydian's P.O.V.
Three years have gone since she left me.
I can still remember it like it was yesterday. Her huge brown eyes boring up into mine, those hot tears burning my red cheeks. I remember that howl goodbye, how I watched until her sleek form slowly vanished into the moors. When I got home that day, I sat on my bed all night without moving. Just staring into the distance, not really seeing anything. By the time morning came, I didn't even know who I was anymore. It felt like everything I'd had, everything I'd loved, had come and gone with her.
The only thing that got me through that first day was the quiet determination running through my mind that I was going to find her, I was going to get her back. And now, AS levels over and with the whole summer ahead of me, the day has finally come.
The bright dawn sunlight shines through my window as I dress and run my fingers through my hair, feeling the warm rays caress my skin. It's the first day of the holidays, and I've already told the Vaughns that I'm leaving to do work experience in France for the whole summer-they've already left two days ago to go camping-so I have three months to find her, three months until I can bring her back here to Stoneybridge, back where she belongs. I've arranged to meet Shannon and Tom at the edge of the forest at 7, so I quickly gulp down some raw bacon from the fridge before grabbing my trainers and rushing out the front door.
I gaze around at the comfy stone cottages of Stoneybridge as I run to the forest. All the houses here look somehow as if they're leaning into each other, built so that they depend on their neighbours to stand upright. I kind of like it, it makes this place really feel like a home. I wonder subconsciously if I will ever return here. Although my plan is to find Maddy and bring her back, who knows if I'll really be able to do that? Maybe I won't find her for years. And if I do, what if she doesn't want to come back? If that's so, then I'll just have to stay in the wild pack with her. I haven't even begun to entertain the thought that she won't want me anymore. If I think like that, then what's the point of even living?
"Rhydian!" I raise my head to see Tom and Shan standing at the edge of the forest, calling my name. I jog up and grin at them.
"You ready, mate?" Tom asks casually.
"Ah, as ready as I'll ever be. Why, you gonna miss me, Tom?"
"Who would miss a dog like you?" he laughs. Then punches my shoulder playfully. "Seriously Rhydian. I want you to find Maddy and bring her back to Stoneybridge, alright? No excuses this time. You promised all of us."
"Yeah Rhydian. You'd better find her, or you'll have to face the wrath of usrimmed glasses.
"Ooh, I'm scared," I laugh. Shannon rolls her eyes.
"Look, take care, alright Rhydian? It's dangerous out there, with Alric and the wilds…"
"Like you would know," I mutter. "I'm the one that nearly gets killed, every time!"
"Stop being so dramatic." She sighs. "If you do find Maddy…can you give her this from me?" She holds out a small notebook, tightly bound in a thick red ribbon. "And don't you dare peek at it."
"Ah, you gone all sentimental, Shan?"
"She's me best friend, I want her to know I'm still thinking of her!" Shannon exclaims. She smiles at me. "Well, I wish you luck on your travels, Rhydian Morris."
"And I wish you luck on your work experience at Science magazine, Shannon Kelly. You too Tom, with…sorry, what were you doing again?"
"Ja-Mai-Ca!" Tom chants. Oh, how could I forget? I've only been reminded every day for the past six months.
"Bye, Rhydian." Shannon hugs me, and Tom gives me a man-hug. "See you after summer."
"See you, pack members." Then we all howl. It's kind of become a thing now, after Maddy left.
And then I set off. A few hundred yards into the deep green forest I turn back and wave, the distant figures of my two best friends silhouetted against the bright morning sun. I'm going to find Maddy.
