"Here.." Anna led him across the living room to a closed door, "This is my father's room, but you can sleep here."
Wolverine had followed her, peering into the room as the door was pushed open. He stepped inside, eyes surveying the mild darkness. This room was decorated much like the rest of the house; only it had stuff animal statues in corners and shotgun displayed on the walls. There was a double bed against the far wall, covered in a thick knitted quilt. He turned slowly, looking down at her, "Won't he mind?"
Anna quickly looked up at him before she spread a hollow smile at the misinterpretation, "He's dead."
He frowned, eyes looking away from her in annoyance with himself, "I'm sorry, I didn't – "
"It's alright," explained Anna softly, "It was my fault. This was my father's room."
"So.. you lived here all your life?" asked Wolverine quietly as he walked into the bedroom, eyes roaming an old Canadian map on the wall that was framed.
Anna slowly followed him in, her eyes sadly searching the room, "Yes. I lived here with my mother and father.. but my mother died when I was a young in a car accident. My father, well.. he's been missing for several years now. I've given up hope that he is alive." Anna slowly lowered herself to sit on the large bed, eyes staring at the dresser opposite her. "I think he must've been killed when he was out fishing.. but he couldn't have got lost, he never got lost. My only assumption is that an animal of some kind got him. But I doubt that.." she slowly turned her head, looking back round at Wolverine who was watching her intently.
"Why?"
"Well, he was a strong man, he even fought off a wolf once! With his bare hands!" a fleeting smile passed Anna's lips as memories were recalled. Eventually she lowered her head, running a hand through the long curls of her brown hair, "I went back to the Alkali Lake to see if I could find anything.. but there's been nothing, never has. It's just deserted."
Wolverine's gaze had been wandering, but he stiffened, eyes snapping upon her, "Alkali Lake?"
"Yes.." Anna turned slowly, "The abandoned dam."
Wolverine turned from her, eyes quickly flitting about the room, "Why does that place sound familiar?"
"There's nothing there.." Anna explained quietly, "My father only went because of the lake."
Wolverine just shook his head slowly, "Perhaps I have just heard of it in passing in the past.."
The clock in the living began to chime the twelfth hour, signalling Anna to rise to her feet, "I'll let you sleep," she said softly, making her way to the door, "If you need me, I'm only upstairs, alright?"
"Alright.." The door was closed quietly, and Wolverine was left with the silent room. He quietly walked towards the window, peering out into the darkness of the landscape. The ghostly moon spread an unearthly glow down upon the snow filled hills, causing the distance to glitter strangely amongst the tall soldiers of fir trees. He sighed quietly to himself, turning to glance around the room. He began to make his way to the bed, unfastening the thick woollen shirt Anna had given him. However, a picture on the wall above the bed caught his attention. It was framed and covered with glass. Leaning over to inspect it, he noticed that it was a wedding photograph with the married couple looking absolutely joyful in each other's arms. Below the photo was a small strip; 'Logan and Helen Thompson. Married 1981." Wolverine scrutinised the photograph, coming to the conclusion that these must be Anna's parents.
He stepped back slowly, mind wandering over the possibility if he had left any family behind in his forgotten past. He shook his head to himself defeatedly as he dropped the shirt upon a nearby chair. Slumping down upon the bed, he was quick to settle under the warm covers. He relished the feeling of pure comfort, something he could not recall in his short memory so far. And quicker than he expected, he drifted into sleep.
A silent house greeted the morning light. Anna had already been awake for a short while and was currently in her bathroom, brushing through recently washed hair. A white towel was closely wrapped around her torso whilst she pulled her wet, straightened curls back from her face. The peaceful silence of the early morning was coldly broken as a terrified yell sounded from the floor below. Her hairbrush clattered to the floor as Anna spun out of the bathroom, running down the staircase as fast as she possibly could and leaping to avoid the last few steps.
She burst through the bedroom door of Wolverine's room, seeing him sat up in bed with a horrified expression on his face. His eyes were locked upon the corner of the room. Anna hurried towards him, looking around the room as she did so, trying to discover what was startling him so, "Wolverine?"
"It's him, he's there!"
"What?"
"He did it to me. HIM!" With a strangled yell he raised his fists, claws accidentally ripping free from his forearms in his fright.
Anna span her head round, seeing nothing but the wardrobe. "Wolverine, there's no one there.. please, calm down!"
"I can see him!"
Anna pushed herself in front of him, her hands fighting to control the man's panicked motions. "Wolverine!" Her hands quickly moved to his face, holding his head still and staring at his eyes intently, softly speaking, "There's no one there.."
Wolverine panted desperately for air, his fearful eyes watching Anna as he gasped quietly. His arms lowered, claws disappearing into shaking fists. He sat there looking suddenly worried and lost. "I could see him.. he looked so real."
"Who?"
"I – I don't know.. I can't remember his name." Wolverine slowly raised his eyes upon her face, realising just how close she was. He cleared his throat quietly, averting his eyes. "I'm alright.."
Anna sat back slowly, releasing her hands from the man's face. "You sure? You sounded so.. scared."
"Trust me, I'm fine now.." he nodded his head, preferring to not be seen as unstable. It was only a nightmare that had got out of hand, that's all it was. "I'm sorry for.. er.. distracting you." He indicated at her towelled form, eyes politely averting.
"I was just getting' dried," explained Anna as she stood up, hands folding across her chest to hold the towel firmly in place, "And you didn't distract me.. you were suddenly vulnerable, and I promised to help you.. and this comes under it." She smiled slowly in reassurance, "You can go back to sleep it you want, whenever you're ready to get up I'll prepare you some breakfast."
"Y'know.. you don't have to do all this," said Wolverine quietly. Whilst he appreciated her help, he could take care of himself. Of course he could. That's what he told himself.
Anna paused at the doorway, turning her head slowly and watching him for a moment between straightened strands of wet hair, "I know.." she smiled shyly for a moment, quickly turning and exiting the room, closing the door behind her.
As he was left in silence, Wolverine leant back slowly on the headboard, sighing in a grieved manner. His eyes fell shut, a hand taking his head almost painfully. It had been more than a nightmare. He knew that, he was kidding himself denying that. It was his escape, brutally replayed. He could still hear screams, both his victims and his own. "No.." he muttered quietly, pushing back the thoughts. He had to stop thinking about them. He needed to move on, away from that. All he cared about was what was happening now, and what he left behind before the incident with his claws and the laboratory.
It's shorter than the others, but I hope you enjoyed it for there was a bit of revelation there!