The Long Call Home

by Harley McCoy

Maddy now lives in Canada. In a town much like Stonybridge. While she makes every effort to lay low, destiny intervenes and the young Wolfblood finds herself on a new adventure. Encountering new Wolfbloods . . . and old ones, Maddy will stumble upon a plan so sinister that it will truly take a pack to save humanity for both species. Human and Wolfblood. This is set after Series 2.

6. Chapter 5

4/8/16

Chapter 5

Maddy stared into her hands. Her palms still burned from running through the mountain side. 'How could it go so bad so fast?' she asked herself. Less than five hours ago, she had been on a team building retreat with the Tall Skies Women's Lacrosse team. She had been bestowed the honor of team captain and was finally starting to fit in. And now . . . now she was on the verge of losing it all. Maddy could feel the turn of the earth as it began its transformation from day to night. It was often something she was excited about, but she knew that everything would change come the following morning. She tucked a piece of loose dark brown hair behind her left ear. She was exhausted; yet, she couldn't succumb to sleep.

The room was surprisingly cozy for a hospital. Mr. Abernathy had directed the staff to place Maddy in the best private room available. The linens were soft; the color of mint green with brown accents. A floral painting hung across the room next to a swivel, flat screen TV. Maddy fell back into the layers of down pillows that rested against the headboard. Soft oranges permeated through the slats of the vertical cream color blinds. Sleeping below the large bay window that overlooked the manmade pond was her father. Dan had taken advantage of the couch that rested in front of the windows. He was napping, having worked overtime to earn some extra money.

Maddy looked around for her mother, but Emma was missing. The small round table that functioned as a dining area was abandoned; once hot coffee congealed into a cold, dirty liquid.

"Mum?" the word sounded foreign as her throat felt overworked trying to say it .

"I'm here," Emma answered, quietly closing the door behind her. Her husband grumbled in his sleep, but continued to slumber.

"The tests. They took blood samples." Maddy tried to recall more of her trip to the hospital, but her memory was a tumultuous whirlpool. Moments between the chase, to meeting Mr. Abernathy, Robert visiting, to the transport to the hospital mixed and smeared like a kaleidoscope. People's voices and actions were shadowy images dancing in the dim firelight of her consciousness.

"Maddy . . . I'm not sure what we can do. The area they perform the testing is locked." Emma eased herself onto the edge of the hospital bed. She flattened some of the ruffled bedspread, and then looked at her daughter. "The most important thing is to make sure you're okay. We'll deal with whatever comes next together. That's all we can do, cub." Emma kissed Maddy's forehead gently, and patted her hand.

Maddy could hear the acceptance in her mother's voice, like cattle to the slaughter, slowly moving down the corridor, knowing what is to come."We can leave?" she proposed. Maddy pushed on her left elbow to sit up, carefully clutching her bruised ribs.

"It's not as easy this time," Dan replied, yawning as he did so. "Dr. Whitewood was a self-contained event. This . . . too many people are involved. Not to mention, to pick up twice, it will be very difficult and may not be possible without leaving clues. Segolia is miles away, they may not be able to move us as quickly."

"Plus, where would be go?" Emma asked, looking over her shoulder at Dan as she said it.

There was a lull as the trio thought about where they could migrate. "The states," Maddy offered as if it was obvious. It would be simple enough to move south. It would only be a few day's travel by foot or paw. The greatest challenge would be border patrol.

"There has got to be another solution, Maddy." Dan rubbed his face, trying to wake from the deep sleep he had been having moments ago. Dan had arrived straight from the mechanic's shop, his grease stained clothes evidence of that. "There are too many strings, even in this short time, that we could trip over."

Maddy sighed and closed her eyes. One person came to mind, but it would mean breaking the cardinal rule. Someone would have to be let in on their biggest secret.

-Wolfblood-

Ling continued to play with the lace fringe on her sweater. It was just the girls in the hospital room. Her parents were having dinner in the hospital cafeteria. The night was growing stronger, the stars glimmering in the violet sky. The Wolfblood was surprised that Ling was willing to visit the hospital so late with little-to-no details.

"I . . . I can't, Maddy."

"Please, this is really important." Maddy gingerly pushed herself into a sitting position. "I need you to get those blood tests. You can use your parents' keycard and be in and out real quick." Maddy pointed to the lanyard poking out of Ling's sweater pocket that she suspected was clipped to Mr. or Mrs. Kim's ID badge.

"Maddy, I shouldn't have even taken my parents' access card to begin with, but . . ."

"But?" Maddy pressed, she was completely entrusting this girl to help her save her family from being experimented on in some government facility. Maddy reached instinctively to move her hair out of her face, and winced as she grazed the cut on the side of her face. "I need you to do this for me . . . If you don't . . ." Maddy trailed off, looking at the window. "If you don't, it could mean big trouble for me."

"Why?!" Ling quickly looked around to check if anyone had heard her. "I need to know more." Even though it sounded as if Maddy was losing, Ling pulled her arms from her coat's sleeves and draped it respectfully on the arm of the sitting chair next to the hospital bed. Ling cupped her hands over her eyes, like horse blinders, to limit any distractions as she tried to process things. She stepped to one side then turned and step in another small circle. When she finished, she looked back at Maddy. "If I get caught, I will be in far greater trouble than a simple grounding."

"I swear it is for a good reason. I just need to you swap or steal . . or change the blood results."

"Why? Those tests are critical for determining if you need further antibiotics. Rabies is serious. Infections can be fatal if not properly treated. What could be so important?" Ling started to wipe her hands on her pants. The Asian girl hadn't even done anything and she was breaking into a sweat. Maddy's confidence dropped, watching the girl work herself into tizzy.

"Listen, I will . . ." Maddy was once again digging herself into a bigger hole, but she didn't see another option. "I will tell you why, but time is running out. Visiting hours are almost over and they are going to look at the results early tomorrow. I need you to do this first and I will explain why later." Maddy gestured to the wall clock that reflected 8:05pm.

Ling surveyed the door, then leaned in and whispered. "Is this about drugs? Are you afraid what your parents will say?"

"No!" Maddy snapped, slamming her right hand down on the sheets. She quickly clasped her hand over her mouth, moaning at the pain that shot through her bandaged shoulder. "I'm not on drugs, Ling."

"Are you in a gang? Legal trouble?" Ling spurted out like a lawn sprinkler. She rattled off theory after theory, trying to make sense of Maddy's request.

Eventually, seeing a few minutes had passed and Ling was still rambling, Maddy cut her off. "Ling, it is almost too late to do anything. You are my best friend and I need your help. Please."

Before Ling could respond, the nurse lightly knocked on the door and informed them that visiting hours were over. Maddy asked for five more minutes, but was politely turned down. The nurse gathered Ling's coat and guided her out of the room.

Maddy watched through the glass wall that divided her room from the main corridor and could see Ling and the nurse walking toward the elevators. Maddy dropped into the pillows, not caring that her hip came to life in a form of painful muscle spasms. Ling was her only hope. With her parents' being surgeons, it would have been easy enough to use their keycards to access the blood results and change them. She had heard from Ling that her parents often invited her to observe some of their day to day duties as they expected Ling to follow in their footsteps. No one would have batted an eye at seeing Ling mingle around restricted areas.

The window of opportunity was closed and Maddy was trapped inside and scared.

-Wolfblood-

Maddy sat up with her hands folded. She tried to focus on the attending physician's words, but all she could hear was her heart racing. It wasn't until he had called her name for the third time, that Maddy came around. Her parents looked very happy, the grip that Emma had on her arm lessened and Dan had his fists in the air like when his favorite football (soccer) team scored a goal.

"What?" Maddy mumbled, completely confused.

"I said: you are very fortunate to not have any trace of rabies or other threatening infections." The doctor, named Mr. Vink, smiled at her. His hair was bleached to the point it almost appeared white. His light hair only emphasized his deep caramel tan skin that breathed undertones of orange that only a spray tan could achieve.

"So . . . that's all?" Maddy questioned. She wasn't feeling the same confidence her parents apparently displayed regarding the doctor's news.

"Yes, Miss Smith. Now, we'll want to keep you over night, but then I see no reason for you not to return home where you'll be more comfortable." He tapped his clipboard against his chest in boredom. "If everyone is okay . . . then I'll be on my way."

Maddy's mother waved him good-bye and shared her gratitude again before running back to her daughter's bedside. "This is fantastic!" It was alarming to see her mother this excited. "We were able to dodge a bullet without needing to expose our secret." Maddy had never disclosed to her parents that she had tried to recruit Ling into covering up their secret. She didn't want to burst their bubble, but something didn't seem right.

-Wolfblood-

Maddy was released the next day from the hospital, and stayed home for the entire week. The following Monday, her parents decided she needed to return to school. She didn't tell Robert she was starting school again so as she could walk to school by herself. She needed the time to think of how to smooth things over with Ling. Even though she had never had the opportunity to swap the blood tests, Maddy needed to somehow think of an excuse – a believable one – for her odd behavior.

Maddy opened the double doors and nearly jumped out of her skin. Red and white balloons floated to the ceiling and underneath the shroud of decorations confetti poppers were fired off. Standing in the main entrance was the girls' lacrosse team. Miranda was the first to emerge and hug the returning Wolfblood. The twins followed behind her, the rest of the team surrounding her. From the wall of athletes, Mercy stepped forward and patted Maddy's "good" shoulder. "You're insane, you know that, chica?" Mercy winked at Maddy. "I got you back . . . captain," she followed up in a whisper. She stepped away allowing the returning lacrosse player to be adorned by her fans. The celebrations were broken up by the principal who walked Maddy to her first class. Their conversation was mostly made up of small talk. Mr. Larson opened the door to Mr. Jared's class, jokingly instructing Mr. Jared to go easy on her. Of course, this led to Mr. Jared overly agreeing to treat her like the hero she was. Maddy hadn't thought of herself as a hero . . . at all.

Maddy sat quietly, listening to Mr. Jared lecture on the importance of showing all their work. Most of the students had begun to space out as this was a daily occurrence; yet, Maddy was reveling in the normalcy of it all. Since the retreat, all she could do was think about her encounter with Mahkah. His words gave her chills and an uneasy feeling that sank like lead in the pit of her stomach.

Maddy looked out the window, watching a hawk swoop in small circles in hopes of locating an early meal. Just as she was becoming entranced in the hawk's aerial dance, her cell phone vibrated and startled her. She jumped, instantly grabbing her hip to settle the pain from the sudden movement. She turned her cell phone over and saw an alert that she had received a text message.

Robert: hey, what are you doing back?

Maddy: My parents didn't want me to fall behind. I was cleared by the doctor to come back to school.

Robert: Why didn't you tell me? I could have given you a lift?

Maddy: I needed to think . . .

Robert: . . . oh . . .

Maddy looked at the last message and knew immediately that he thought her distancing herself from their normal routine was a reflection of him doing something wrong. She wanted to let him know their relationship was fine, but it seemed appropriate to do face-to-face than over a text message. Maddy hadn't talked to anyone while she was home recovering. She spent most of that time recounting the trip and sleeping. Sitting in math class, Maddy felt out of place, like her skin didn't fit and she was inside a completely unfamiliar person.

Mr. Jared was more than accommodating when it came to her injuries. With her right arm in a sling, she couldn't write, so as others took their quizzes, Maddy sat and waited, reading a book of her choosing. She was to return during her study hall and have another student write the answers as she dictated to them. Easing into the words of a good book, a small paper triangle landed on her desk. Maddy looked around, trying to see if anyone would come forward. Amazingly, everyone was scribbling away on the papers in front of them. Maddy observed Robert scrawling in his classic, curvy cursive, one word joining together. Was the note from him? She opened it up and flattened it out.

It was a short note. Written as if the author had just been introduced to the idea of writing.

hey,

Herd wut went down. Hope your doing ok?

I'm glad your alive and stuff. It sounded reel bad.

The note had no signature and the writing left a lot in the way of proper grammar and spelling. Maddy leaned back into her chair to ponder the note, when something moved the wrong way which resulted in her jumping and hissing in pain. This brought everyone's attention to her, but unlike her first day, the eyes watching her were of sympathy.

"Maddy, perhaps you want to see the nurse?" Mr. Jared was speed walking his way through the desks to her. He smiled warmly as if approaching a stray puppy in need of rescuing. "Maybe rest for a little. Did they give you any pain meds?"

"Yeah, they did. I didn't take any because I skipped breakfast, though." Maddy was about to go back to reading her book when Mr. Jared began rifling through his pockets.

Pulling a few rolled up single bills from his pocket, he carefully turned her hand over and passed off the money. "Here, get yourself something from the vending machine on your way to the nurse. Then you'll have something in your stomach so you can take your pain medication." Maddy wanted to decline, she felt awkward accepting the money, but then she felt like it would be rude not to accept. She smiled and made her way out into the hall and toward the nurse's office.

Maddy had only taken a few step down the hall when heavy footsteps could be heard chasing behind her. Maddy whirled around, regretting the quick motion, but disregarded the stinging sensation in her ribs and neck as she spotted the individual running after her. It was Doogan.

The burly hockey player slowed to a stop. "I was finished. So, I told Mr. Jared I would make sure you'd get there safe, you know?" He was breathing heavy, unzipping his sweater jacket and flapping his t-shirt to calm himself down.

It was the first time that Doogan actually had more to say to her than a cheesy pick up line. Maddy spotted the vending machine Mr. Jared referred to. "Hey," she said, tilting her head in the direction of the machine. "Mr. Jared gave me three dollars. Want a snack?"

"You know the Dooga-nator can always eat. I'm a beast, babe!" He flexed his muscles, then quickly stopped when he saw the disgusted look on her face. They walked to the vending machine, Doogan whistling the opening theme song to a popular TV show. He immediately selected a bag of Fritos and Maddy picked up some BBQ chips. As the pigtail wire spun, the chip bag corner wrapped on the wrung and hung precariously. Maddy huffed as she considered inserting another bill. Before she could come to terms with a solution, Doogan hugged the machine and rocked it from side to side. The bag of chips fell as well as some candy bars. "Sweet!" he proclaimed with enthusiasm, pumping his fist in the air the same way he would if he just slammed an opposing hockey player into the glass.

He quickly collected his rewards, handing Maddy her snack. He followed Maddy as they plodded down the hall to the nurse's office. "You guessed on half that test, didn't you?" The Wolfblood just couldn't fathom Doogan answering all the questions first and correctly.

Doongan tipped the Frito bag upside down to get all the crumbs, swallowed, and then answered, "No, I didn't guess on half the test. I guessed on the whole thing." He had a big grin as if it was an answer worth bragging about.

As Maddy turned the door handle to the nurse's office, she looked back to Doogan and thanked him. Doogan crumpled the chip bag and tried to toss it in the hallway trash bin. He missed and looked at Maddy expectantly. He sighed and picked up the discarded trash. Like a pro basketball player, he exaggerated a world class slam dunk. Maddy crossed her arms and look as unimpressed as possible. Pulling down the sleeves of her black hoodie so only the tips of her fingers were seen, she realized this is where they parted ways.

Maddy waved good bye to him as she opened the door. Before she entered the office completely, Doogan caught her attention. "I'm happy you're okay, you know? You read my note?" His question hit her like a train. Doogan had left the note. Maddy was caught off guard by the revelation, and nearly tripped as she stepped on her own shoe laces. Before she could respond, the nurse called her in. Understanding the nurse was waiting and she was not the same type of patient hospitable nurse as back at Elk Ridge Resort, Maddy nodded and closed the door. 'What the hell is going on?' she thought as the elderly, white-hair nurse roughly moved her to a bed to lay down.

-Wolfblood-

It felt surreal to be allowed to nap at school. In fact, this was her third time since returning to school that week, she had excused herself to leave for the nurse's office. As she slowly stretched her left leg and flexed her fingers, she looked over at the wall clock. Two and half hours had passed, it was rounding out to be close to 6th period, Ms. Dupree's class. They were finishing up their physical education for that quarter; next they would have health. The badminton championships were going on that day.

"How you feeling Baywolfe?" Nurse Hammon asked. She was about two days older than dirt, and should have retired many years ago. She was dressed in a nursing outfit resembling a candy stripper from the 50s. She had stiff, curled hair that with the tones of grey woven in gave her hair almost a purple tint. She had the lightest blue eyes and skin that looked weathered from a very hard life. Maddy was certain that Nurse Hammon had never read Baywolfe to understand it didn't have anything to do with hunting wolves. She'd let it slide as the woman's shuffle-limp walk pulled at her heart strings. What could make a woman in her condition and age need to work? The woman was typically mean and lacked basic conversational skills.' Maddy moved into a sitting position. She was tempted to continue napping, since she couldn't participate in gym class, but then a part of her knew that Coach would want her there anyway.

Maddy sighed, like a teen does when they realize that they need to get moving and can't sleep any longer. She yawned long and then slowly transitioned into a standing position. "I'm fine. I should get going before Ms. Dupree thinks I'm trying to skip her class." The nurse grunted in agreement and then shakily passed her a note.

"You'll need this." Maddy accepted the folded piece of paper, stuffing the note into the pouch of her red hoodie that had been all torn up by the lamp. Everyone perceived it was from the wolves, and Maddy let me. It gave for a better story. She sauntered out of her office and toward the gymnasium.

-Wolfblood-

Maddy gently pushed the double doors to the gymnasium open. The students were lined in long rows, listening for their name to be called for attendance. "Late, Smith," Ms. Dupree said, not slowing down in her traditional militant way of conducting class. Everyone's name had finished being called and they were ordered to run the normal six laps around the gym. Maddy plopped her rucksack on the first row of benches, sat down, and pulled a sandwich from her bag. She may have missed lunch, but she still needed to eat. As she waited for Ms. Dupree to meet her, she turned side to side, trying to stretch her lower back. "How do you feel, Captain?" Ms. Dupree asked, blowing her whistle at the class to hustle.

"Like I was hit by train and then placed in a blender on setting frappe." Maddy tried to look as somber as possible. If she gave the slightest inkling that she was feeling better, she was doomed. Maddy had researched that first night home the normal recovery time for the type of injuries she sustained. It would take weeks for her to appear even close to normal. What students couldn't see is that under the bandages that covered her body were scabs. Scabs that were in the stages of itching and crusting because the skin below was on the verge of full recovery. Even her parents were impressed with their daughter's dramatic turn around. Maddy wanted to believe it was luck or youth. She need to believe that was the reason.

Maddy spotted Ling pulling up the rear of the routine class run. Ling's gym clothes were ill fitting: her shorts down passed her knees, and her long sleeved shirt covered by a large t-shirt that was two sizes too big. Maddy couldn't make any spectacular gesture to get Ling's attention without bringing some her way, so she just hoped that focusing on her would somehow give Ling that uncomfortable feeling and thus, her attention.

Maddy had been staring at Ling for nearly the entire class with no success. Well, not entirely. She grabbed the attention of Miranda, the twins, Veronica – interestingly enough – Mercy, Robert, and Doogan. Doogan even risked a win to pause and talk to her. This brought a different type of attention as people began whispering. High school was a breeding ground for gossip and fictional stories. With all that, Ling never stopped or looked at her. They hadn't had an opportunity to talk since her return to school and Maddy was worried she had ruined their friendship.

"Hey again," Doogan ran up, sweat turned his cloud grey sweater a dark stormy grey. He had cut the sleeves off to show off "his guns." He nonchalantly pulled up his sweater to wipe the sweat cascading down his face. His stomach glistened from perspiration, but there was nothing to polish. Doogan didn't have a six pack, he barely had any definition at all. Maddy wanted to laugh, but suppressed it at the last moment. "So, did you see me slam that bird-thingy into Jeremiah."

"Yeah, I'm sure he didn't need his glasses to see . . . for anything," she retorted, watching the scrawny, young man trying to pop one of the lens back into its frame. Maddy stood up, tired of sitting and pretending to be injured. She made it convincing; slowly standing, holding her left side and wincing at the right moments.

"Those glasses looked dorky." Doogan went to reach out and help her, but she shrugged off his offer. "You're pretty banged up. Your face and everything got it." Maddy narrowed her eyes and her brows furrowed as she tossed his words back and forth, determining if he was stating a fact or insulting her. Or both.

For the teams that were knocked out of the tournament and forever labeled losers in Ms. Dupree's black grade book, they could pass time playing wall ball on the other side of the gym where nets were not set up. This was a simple game that involved two teams with an undefined amount of players. The idea was to throw a tennis ball against a wall. The key was to allow the ball to bounce once and the receiving team would return it and vice versa. If a player failed or fumbled the return they needed to run to the wall before an opposing player was able to toss the ball there. If the player was beaten to the wall they were out. Sometimes, when a vindictive soul saw an opportunity to exile another player from the game they threw the ball beyond what was needed to travel the small distance to the wall. This was the beginning and the end of Maddy's ruse.

As one of her classmates identified their chance to eliminate a player they chucked the light green tennis ball at the wall with all their might, as if it was a bomb ready to detonate. The tennis ball pinged off the wall and shot passed the crowd of awaiting players. It may have been the quick squeaks of high tops rubbing against a newly waxed floor, nonetheless as the ball made its route to Doogan's head, Maddy reached up without the slightest hesitation, maneuvering Doogan to the side and caught the ball. In hindsight, Maddy should have let the ball torpedo into Doogan's head. It wouldn't have killed him.

The games that were still playing stopped and everyone's attention was on Doogan who was cursing and swearing as to how he was going to make the culprit pay. Truthfully, no one cared if Doogan had the satisfaction of getting revenge, they only cared that a supposedly mauled teen just darted in front of a high speed ball and caught it without an ounce of reciprocation from her wounded body. 'Damn,' Maddy thought. Her eyes scanning the room, she saw Ling looking on in what seemed like a mix of amazement and fear?

"Smith!" Ms. Dupree's voice was always bold and commanding, but this wasn't a common order, this was anger. Her low voiced bounced off the walls as if the devil had just arrived.

"I'm dead," Maddy blurted out. She looked at Doogan, who was now quiet and still, completely enamored with the tennis ball clutched in her raised right hand. The same shoulder that had been savagely torn in an encounter with wolves. Maddy lowered her arm with care and turned the tennis ball nervously in her hand. The sling that once cradled her injured arm, swung loosely. "Doogan?"

The boy stammered some type of gibberish, but was cut off as Ms. Dupree dismissed everyone to change. Maddy checked the clock, they still had fifteen minutes left of class. This was unlike Coach to close up class so early. She barely gave the students time to reach the locker rooms, let alone change into their normal clothes.

Maddy wanted to sneak away, but she knew better than to turn her back on someone she didn't quite trust. Ms. Dupree moved toward Maddy so quickly that she bordered on running. As Maddy checked her bandages, trying to focus on all the injuries she had sustained. 'Right part of face, lips, left hip, right shoulder, bruised ribs,' she recounted in her head. She needed to make this real. She needed to be convincing. She needed not to throw up. How was it that she continuously placed herself in these predicaments?

"You're not injured." It sounded like she was asking the youngest Smith a question, but Maddy understood that was not the case. She made an effort to correct her, but was cut off. "You're not as injured as you led me to believe." Ms. Dupree stepped closer, and uncrumpled the note Maddy handed to her earlier. "These notes speak of a girl who is terribly injured and unable to do any physical activity. Are you trying to sabotage this team – me?! You think this will get you out of playing? What's going on here exactly?" Maddy stepped back and fell into the cove of the bleachers. She made to wince, but managed to stop herself at the last second; even though her ribs screamed in pain as they collided with the bleacher behind her, she knew this was not the time nor the place. "Explain yourself Smith."

Maddy nodded. "I . . ." She felt like a turtle on its back, squeezed in between the bleacher rows.

"We are coming up on championships. Winning each game by the skin of our teeth and here you are sitting there faking." Ms. Dupree's face was turning pink from yelling.

"No!" Maddy shook her head violently. "That's not it!"

"It's not?" Ms. Dupree lent Maddy her hand and carefully pulled her to her feet. She carefully inserted Maddy's right arm back into its sling. "I want an answer. Now." Her attempt to be coarse and cold fell short as the tail of her words hitched just the slightest.

Maddy realized this was about more than her lying, but her betraying this dysfunctional coach-player relationship. Her coach perceived her faking as a turning her back on the team, her, and her title as captain. And in some demented way that bothered Maddy. "I only felt stronger the beginning of this week. I really am still recovering and I don't want to stupidly go out there and cost the team a win. And, my parents would kill me if I missed more school re-injuring myself. I still want to be captain and your number 1, Coach. I mean it."

Ms. Dupree swayed from one foot to the other, contemplating her student's words. "You obviously can play, which is remarkable, but I'll take it. I'm not stupid enough to look a gift horse in the mouth. But we can't do anything until you're released. I call the doctor the school uses. She doesn't normally make house calls, but I'm sure I can convince her to make an exception. You'll be playing by the end of the week." She winked, which never happened, and left for her office to get ready for the next class. "Bring bandages!" she called over her shoulder. "I don't want you bleeding all over my floors."

Maddy gave the 'ok' with her fingers and listened for the doors to click close. She dropped back onto the bench and rested her head into her hands. 'Between Doogan and Ms. Dupree . . . and Robert, I just want to go home. Can nothing else weird or bad happen? How do I explain this to mum and dad?' As Maddy finished her thought, the sound of the door opening again caught her attention. Still, she didn't lift her head. It was probably Robert coming to check on her. "Maddy, I did what you asked. Now tell me why?"

Maddy quickly looked up. It was Ling. 'You've got to be kidding me.'

-Wolfblood-

Maddy paced in a small circle as she waited outside of the local diner, "Grizzly's House". The diner used to be an old inn. It was small and the building on the outside was falling apart. The mustard yellow and worn-red brick paint was chipping. One of the steps was supported by broken pieces of firewood. It was unbelievable that not one building inspector considered condemning the place. There had to be some back alley kick back. Maddy was sure of it. The sun was beginning to set as she waited for Ling. Maddy was able to buy herself time, having explained to Ling that her reason was so detailed and important she couldn't share it at school where others would hear it. So, how a diner was better, she wasn't sure, but it worked. Maddy had feverishly sculpted what she believed would excuse her behavior and save her friendship. Maddy smelled Ling approaching and forced herself to act more casual.

Ling turned the corner and waved. Maddy half-heartedly waved back and smiled. The Wolfblood pulled at her denim jacket that protected the hoodie underneath. She had adorned her ears with the earrings she stopped wearing and even put back the nose ring. She looked very closely as she had when she first arrived in Tall Skies. Something about putting on the guise of bad girl gave the Wolfblood more confidence. The two girls entered the bustling diner and ordered their food. Maddy was purposely eating at the pace of snail, forcing small talk on Ling as much as possible. Eventually, she ran out of topics, and Ling began growing impatient. With only five fries left, Maddy had procrastinated as much as she could. Longer than she had thought she would have gotten away with.

"Ling, the reason I needed your help was because I am . . ." Maddy leaned in, "part of the Witness Protection Program." When Ling's eyes shot wide open, Maddy felt reassured and continued. "If they had linked or identified me with my past, myself and my family could be in unparalleled danger." Maddy leaned back and stuffed the remaining fries in her mouth. Ling grabbed her soda and sipped her drink, a pensive look on her face. Maddy nervously tapped the dark, mahogany wood table. The table was old and could have used some TLC. Etched all over the wood surface were different initials and messages from people long ago.

Ling mindlessly rubbed her fingers together, cleaning any remaining crumbs from her sandwich off her fingers. The petite Asian girl then removed the paper napkin from her lap and balled it up. She threw it on the table and removed some cash from her wallet. She placed it down and stood up.

"Wait, where are you going?" Maddy lightly grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving.

"This obviously is just some joke to you. You're a jerk. I really risked getting in deep trouble with the hospital, the police, and worse, my parents." Ling shook Maddy's hand free, and walked toward the exit.

She could see Ling bring her gloved hand to her face and wipe away a fast moving tear. Maddy scrambled to find some money to cover her half and raced after Ling. She didn't want to lose her only true friend. Maddy soon caught up with Ling about a block away, crossing the street toward the park. Ling's house was in a gated community that shared the same street as Robert. To reach the community by foot, you either crossed a small bridge or cut through the park. Ling was headed toward the well-lit bridge, the parent-approved method of getting home.

"Hey," Maddy placed her hand on Ling's shoulder, causing her to spin in fear to see who had grabbed her. "Relax. I'm sorry."

"Forget it. I'm going home." Ling continued toward the bridge. It was already dark, each street lamp lighting up in a domino effect. Both girls were expected home soon.

"Please. I'll . . . I'll tell you the truth, but not here. Inside the park." Maddy took a few steps in that direction. "It's safe, Ling. There's a cop posted there all night, and we'll be there together."

Ling looked back down the bridge and at the toll house the community guard was stationed in. Ling's curiosity must have taken control because she crossed the street and followed the Wolfblood inside the park. Maddy could feel her gloves grow cool inside from her hands sweating so much. Maddy looked about the area. She didn't hear or smell anyone coming. The fumes from the cop car was all she picked up. "Before I tell you, you have to swear not to tell a single soul . . . ever."

Ling tightened her grip on her small clutch purse and nodded. She pulled her deep midnight blue car coat tighter around her. Maddy breathed and then with much trepidation, finally spoke. "I couldn't have the doctors at the hospital see my blood results because they would show that I'm . . . I'm . . . I'm not like you."

"What? What do you mean?" Ling stepped closer to see Maddy better. The Wolfblood had positioned them to her benefit; away from the street lamps that lit the paths around the park and the main paths.

"I'm part of a race of humans that can turn into wolves and carry special talents that normal humans don't. We're called Wolfbloods." Maddy held her breath. This was it. The moment of truth.

Ling made a sound of disgust. "You're a bigger jerk than I thought. You said the truth. A fictional creature, really Maddy?" Ling made an effort to leave, but Maddy scurried past her and blocked the path.

"I'll prove it." Maddy knew to pull this off, she would need to focus. She closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. She only thought of the moon and it's commanding presence; its watchful omnipotence. As she opened her eyes, she saw Ling's horrified face. Maddy immediately stepped back in fear. It looked like Ling was trying to scream, but was petrified into almost a statuesque-like stance. Maddy tried to reassure her, but forgot she was no longer in human form and was barking at her. This proved a bad decision as Ling bolted down the main walking path. Maddy remembered there was a secondary guarded entrance to the development that branched off from the park. Ling was headed home. She was going to tell her parents. Maddy needed to get to Ling first.

Maddy moved to chase her when two gasps caught her attention. Two late night joggers cried out, "wolf". They saw Ling run and believed Maddy was attacking her. The man soon threw a stone at Maddy, missing her only by a few inches. The woman accompanying him also apparently knew police sat at the park and informed the man they needed to warn the police.

As the man threw another stone and hit Maddy in the ribs, a small cry echoed in the nearly vacant park. The coupled left, allowing Maddy to escape. Maddy could smell the exhaust fumes from the police car traveling toward the entrance of the park. Maddy cut into the wooded area and ducked under some fallen trees and dead brush. She could hear the police officer exit his patrol car and call for back up. The uniformed man shined a white light over the area quickly. Maddy considered making a run for it as she needed to beat Ling home before she could say anything. Unfortunately, the policeman approached more closely, forcing her further into the brush. She needed to remain as still as possible, fighting the instinct to attack.

After a few minutes, the trio: the officer, the man, and the woman, backed away and onto the main path. Soon a few more officers showed and encouraged the joggers to stay behind as they would handle the situation. 'Do these guys have nothing better to do than hunt down a wolf?' Maddy knew she was losing precious time. Finding an opportunity to cross the path, she ran as fast as she could, but was caught at the last second in the blinding spotlight of one of their flashlights. Hollering and whooping was heard and a chase ensued. Maddy was creating distance and knew she would be coming across the narrow walking bridge to the development when a 'ping' cut through the air. It was a bullet.

Maddy cried out, and skidded to a halt. Another ping and then another. One ingenious patrolman had the idea to move further up the path hoping to cut Maddy off. Maddy evaded the last shot, but the sound as it hit the curb told of a person who meant business. This officer wasn't taking prisoners. It became alarming clear that he was not giving up either and would eventually hit his target. Panicking, she ducked under the nearby park bench, scraping her backside she came out the other side. She deftly ducked behind a tree and continued running deeper into the woods. She could hear the voices of the policemen and two pedestrians growing fainter and fainter. Maddy slowed to a stop, more than a mile away. Looking around, she realized that she had no idea where she was. The park was vast with several different walking paths, which melded into the base of a small mountain. This was the very beginning of Grizzly Mountain.

Maddy transformed back into a human and carefully placed her hand beneath her shirt and felt around her mid to lower back. As she pulled her hand away, she could see blood prickle her finger tips. "Damn," she cursed.

Maddy sat down the cold, muddied ground and tried to calm herself. She placed her fingers to the ground and exhaled, releasing some of the tension. While she vowed never to use Eolas again, it was her last resort for finding Ling right away. Maddy was out of practice. Her first few attempts failed. Getting on all fours, she concentrated on the ground, the trees, the sky, and the moon. She could hear the water that ran through the park and led out into the bay, the long tree branches above sway in the mild breeze, the careful movements of the nocturnal critters waking up. She could also sense another person not far away hyperventilating.

-Wolfblood-

To her amazement, Ling had run farther into the woods and not home, like Maddy had forecasted. Maddy came upon Ling about fifteen minutes later hugging herself and rocking back and forth against a boulder with a mile marker painted on it. Ling spotted Maddy and quickly pushed herself into a standing position.

"Please, wait, don't run. I don't think I could find you twice." Maddy furrowed her eyebrows and scrunched up her face as her bleeding back began to permeate through her shirt into her hoodie. The blood was beginning to trickle into the waist band of her jeans. It felt grotesque and uncomfortable, but she couldn't turn back. "You asked to be told the truth. You're my best friend, so I told you the truth."

"Wha-what you are . . . It's not real. It's . . . fiction. You're something a child would make up for a story at a campfire gathering. I'm – I'm obviously having some type of psychotic break." Ling shakily gestured Maddy as she spoke. As the Wolfblood inched toward Ling, she discovered a tear stained face . . . she also smelled like someone who had thrown up recently.

"I know it sounds crazy, but it's true." There was silence that entered the conversation as both girls stared at each other. "Can I ask . . . why not run home and tell your parents or the police?"

Ling laughed and then looked up at the dark night sky. She let her hands drop by her side and placed her purse on the boulder. She then looked back at Maddy who stood uncomfortably in front of her. "Who would believe me?" Her breathing hitched as she tried with all her might not to cry and fall apart. "I'm not sure I believe it, and I just witnessed it. I just watched the new girl turn into a wolf." Ling took an unsteady breath. "Everything I've ever read in medical journals is telling me that I've gone crazy. No one can do what you just did!" Ling yelled, coughing at the end of it. Maddy wanted to correct her, inform her that there were others like her, but now was not the right time. Ling leaned against the large rock, and stared down at her navy flats with the glittering bow on top. Maddy cautiously moved to sit next her. Her wet shirt pulled up, rubbing against the open wound. Maddy pressed her lips close as to not make any noise. She didn't want to scare off Ling again. In the lull of their conversation, Ling sighed, "My parents would have me committed. They would believe I snapped and have me admitted to the hospital psyche ward . . . after they hid the fact I was their daughter. . ." Ling turned to look at Maddy, her eyes red, and her face puffy. "I have no one to tell. No one would take me seriously. So, you don't have to worry about me telling your secret. I mean, that's why you're here, right?"

Maddy nodded. It didn't make her feel any better, or more importantly, safer that Ling's only motivating reason for not tattling was because no one would believe her. Of course, if Ling captured evidence, would that still hold true? Shannon's video cameras and laptop came to mind and how close she came to being discovered then. The youngest Smith shook the thought away, and peered from the corner of her eye at the girl sitting next to her. This girl whose world was just turned completely upside down. At first, Maddy was apprehensive to touch Ling's hand, but the girl needed someone to comfort her. They were friends, right? Maddy's fingers shook as she gently placed her hand on Ling's. "I'm sorry." Ling didn't move, just carefully watched the Wolfblood. "I also came here to make sure you were okay. . . I still think of you as my best friend."

Ling half laughed-half signed. "Friend out of convenience?"

"No . . . this is anything but convenient." Maddy put her hand in her lap, feeling uncertain whether Ling still wanted to be friends, or felt forced into some weird partnership. Ling raised her right hand and saw the discoloration of her white gloves. Small smudges of red stained the snow colored gloves. Ling looked at Maddy suspiciously.

"I had a run in with the police and . . ." Maddy turned and showed her the large scrape on her lower back.

"Those were gun shots? I though some idiot was setting off fireworks. Maddy," Ling put her hand on Maddy's shoulder and moved her in manner to better see the wound. "You need to be treated." Maddy shot a knowing look. "I know, you can't be traditionally seen." Ling paused and was reviewing their options. "My house isn't far."

-Wolfblood-

Maddy carefully balanced herself as she straddled Ling's window sill. She landed swiftly into the girl's room. Maddy had to climb into her room as Ling was not permitted visitors on week days unless for school and it was beyond allowable visiting hours. Inside Ling's room neatly hung several framed certificates; trophies crowded the top shelf of her desk. Ling's bedroom was sparsely furnished with a twin bed, night stand, desk, dresser draw, and two filled bookshelves.

Maddy swung her legs around the desk chair, so she was sitting backwards. Ling soon appeared with some medicinal supplies. Ling gently lifted the back of Maddy's shirt and dabbed the soaked cloth to the wound. Maddy hissed, biting her knuckles to stop the scream she wanted to let loose. Ling tried to encourage Maddy to stay still, assuring her it would be over soon enough. As always, Ling was correct. Maddy adjusted her shirt and continued to examine the bedroom. No pop culture posters or framed photos with friends and relatives could be found. Only framed certificates for different science achievements and a few spelling bees decorated her walls.

"Wow," Maddy breathed. "How many competitions have you been in?"

"Two hundred and four. My parents enrolled me in every academic competition and seminar within a 100 mile radius . . . and if important enough, out of the country." Maddy saw the saddened expression on Ling's face as she recounted all her accomplishments. Maddy had an inkling that Ling's genius didn't hold as much value for her as it did for her parents. Understanding this new part of her best friend's life, she dropped it.

"I need to get going. My parents are going to kill me."

"It seems to be a growing trend around here for you," Ling retorted, throwing the used gauze and bandage wrappings into a separate trash bag and tying it. She handed it to Maddy. "Throw it out when you leave, if you don't mind." Maddy nodded. "I don't want my parent's getting suspicious." Maddy smirked as Ling chuckled. "I'm guessing this is an exclusive club."

Maddy chuckled. "I don't think it's really a club. But, yeah." Before she could ask, Maddy cut Ling off, "I'll be okay, Ling. I'll walk home as just me – Maddy Smith." Maddy still felt anxious, but she was exhausted and needed to rest. They both had school the next day.

-Wolfblood-

Maddy slowly drew the window closed, checking to see if anyone had woken up from its perpetual squeaking. Maddy exhaled as the house remained silent. Kicking off her boots, and peeling off her jacket. She tossed her ruined shirt into the trash and replaced it with another shirt. Snuggling into her bed and pulling the the blanket up to her chin, Maddy's slumber was brought to a screeching and blinding halt as the lights were switched to life. Blinking a few times, she quickly found the source. "Hey mum and dad. Did I wake you?"

"Nope, the window closing was the culprit." Dan had his arms crossed. Emma stood next to him; her hair disheveled from being woken up from sleep.

"Do anything special tonight?" Dan raised an eyebrow, knowingly.

"I hung out with Ling. She and I had dinner like I told you, and then we went to her place." Maddy shifted, conscious that the large scrape on her back was still fresh and sensitive.

"Maddy, when I stopped by to pay Mr. Garrett our rent, he told us that a wolf was spotted in the park." Emma locked eyes with her daughter in the infamous dominance battle they had entangled themselves in before.

Maddy was tempted to place blame on the wild Wolfbloods, but wasn't sure how her parents would perceive that lie. Would they be afraid and try to move? Maybe reason with them? Would they take it as disrespect and failure to keep out of their territory? Maddy turned over her response a few more times before answering. "I was just stretching my legs. I've been house bound for so long, I was going crazy. I just thought a little run in the woods wouldn't hurt and when I passed the wooded park on my way home . . . I didn't mean to get caught."

Maddy watched her parents have an entire discussion just by trading a few glances. "Maddy, we completely understand the want to run free and I'm sure you're feeling a lot of pent up energy, but I can't stress this enough to you . . . we need to be very careful. We dodged a bullet at the hospital, but we can't outrun them all." Dan dragged his hands down his unshaven face, trying to think coherently this early in the morning. Emma patted his arms in sympathy. "Maybe we can start thinking about you getting back into lacrosse. If that pent up feeling is truly that strong, we need to find a more constructive outlet for you."

"I could work with that," Maddy replied, smiling from cheek to cheek.

"Ah, I don't know. You are still healing, to reopen a wound or if you go overboard, you may arouse suspicion. It was tough enough to convince the town that you were lucky, we won't get that same opening as last time." Emma grabbed the belt ends of her cotton candy pink bath robe and tied them tight.

"Mum, please . . ." Maddy struck the bed her left hand to emphasize the importance of playing.

Emma sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Okay, cub, but please promise you won't overdue it. And no more park runs. Got it?"

"Yes. Promise." Maddy smiled again. She just killed two birds with one stone. She avoided getting into trouble and was given permission to play lacrosse again. Dan turned off Maddy's room light and was guided by Emma back to their own bedroom. 'Life is good . . .sort of,' thought Maddy as she readjusted herself in to a more comfortable sleeping position.

-Wolfblood-

Maddy left the nurse's office and meandered into the hallway. She walked with no purpose through the empty halls. A few students waved or greeted Maddy as they made their way to a class or the bathroom. Maddy merely grunted and continued to stare at the physical fitness form in her hands. Maddy pushed opened the gym doors and narrowly dodged a rubber kickball. Today was a shortened class day due to some type of faculty workshop, so Ms. Dupree was refrained from holding a full gym class . . . not that she hadn't tried on numerous occasions. There seemed to be some type of energy in the air as people high fived the Wolfblood, excited to hear she would be playing in the championship game.

Maddy stood beside Ms. Dupree and handed her the forms. "See, I told you. You would be approved to play." Maddy nodded. Even if she wasn't ready to play again, she was sure the doctor would have acquiesced and said she was okay no matter what. Ms. Dupree could very well be the first human that could pass for a Wolfblood. "Take a seat, I don't want you exhausting or hurting yourself before the big game."Maddy sighed and rested on the bleachers as she was told.

-Wolfblood-

Ling exited the girls' locker room and found Maddy standing next the water fountain that no one seemed interested in repairing. "So, you're playing in the championship game?"

"Yup. Didn't think Ms. Dupree was going to let me not play, did you?" Maddy pushed of the wall she had been leaning on, and followed Ling toward to their next class.

They started for library where they had Study Hall. Ling broke the silence as they entered the library. Maddy could tell that something was on her mind the entire walk through the halls. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I know you mentioned you heal faster because . . . you know, but still." Maddy appreciated how discreet Ling was trying to be of her being a Wolfblood.

"I'll be fine. I'll stretch my legs a little and make a few assists. Ms. Dupree is happy that I'm playing, and I'm happy not to have to keep sitting around. It's a win-win." Maddy followed Ling down one of the vacant aisles. "It's just a game, what could go wrong?"

"Wasn't that the same attitude you had at the resort?" Ling questioned, piling books into the crook of her arm. Maddy watched as it started to make a small tower. Seeing Ling try to finagle the books for better support, the Wolfblood picked a few from the top to help her see as she continued down the next aisle.

"No, I knew I was taking a risk when I left for the resort. There is no risk here. I've played a bunch of times with no issues." Ling peered over the books and gave Maddy a warning look. "I'll be fine. Seriously. Plus, I have practice the next couple of days, so I can feel it out. I got this." Maddy had it all planned out. It was just a game for a sport she hadn't even wanted to play. She had control over the situation. She had this.

-End Chapter

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