Fifteen years later –
(Heavy breathing:) "Run Henrik! Run! We're almost there!"
"I'm trying!" (Wolf howls:)
"They're catching up to us!" "Hold on!" (Suddenly the boy felt himself lifted off the ground with his feet dangling before being shoved into the base of a tree)
"Start climbing!" the other person ordered giving him a boost then beginning the climb as well. "Reach Henrik! Reach! Take my hand!" encouraged his companion, now ahead of him.
Interrupted by the echoing howls and growls as the pack finally caught up, closing in, as they circled the tree, scraping their nails against the bark as they lunged and snapped at the heels of their victims. "Reach!"
"My fingers are cold, and I can't hold on anymore!"
"Try!"
"Y-Yes Nik!"
The boy obeyed raising a trembling hand from the shaking branch as one of the larger wolves now lunged against the tree, causing a large crack to spread up and throughout. "Henrik!" Nik shouted trying to reach him, but it was too late as the branch gave way!
"AHH! He screamed as he fell taking him to the ground as the wolves pounced! Followed by whimpering and licking?
...
Henry Forbes' eyes shot open, gasping as a fury paw continued to be pawing at his chest.
"Thanks boy," he breathed petting the dog's head before rolling over and looking at the clock, groaning. "4:30 in the blank morning and I have to wake up to that happening again!"
Oh well, at least it was this one and not the Other one. Maybe a hot shower under the steam will clear my head or maybe it should be cold? I have to get up in a half hour anyway if I am to catch the bus at 6:00. Still, I would have liked to sleep in that extra 30 minutes. Is that too much to ask? Please let the rest of the day go better.
He silently prayed as he started to move, and the dog got down. Then made his bed, before making sure the alarm was off on his phone. He wouldn't need it now for that anyway.
"You want some breakfast?" he offered to which the animal barked, his tail wagging and preceding to follow him.
A half hour later Sheriff Liz Forbes came into the kitchen have heard the coffee pot start brewing.
"Morning Mom," said Henry smiling as he turned around from his position at the counter and handed her a cup of coffee.
"Thank you, Henry" she sighed as she took a long drink before focusing her keen eyes on her son. "What are you doing up so early? Even your perfectionist sister isn't up at this time even if it is the first day of school?" she teased but also wanted to know.
"Today is also my first day at Charleston Academy. Don't you remember, I got my scholarship and acceptance package 3 weeks ago in the mail?"
"Oh yes, forgive me. I've got a lot on my mind this morning – work stuff. Now, are you sure you want to go to school that is an hour away from here?"
"Mom, we've been over this, besides it's a great opportunity. I'll have Chief with me" The German shepherd's ears perked up from his spot under the table. "And… less then fifteen minutes away from Uncle Jimmy's Ranch" he persuaded in a sing along tone.
Uncle Jimmy was Liz' elder brother and former mentor at various different points of her life while their father had been busy dealing with the family business and taking cows to market. Turns out that the good Sheriff had come from a family of Cattle Ranchers which Jimmy had inherited six years ago with the passing of their grandparents, much to his mixture of sorrow and delight. For Jimmy had never been one for small town suburban life, having barely tolerated the move when their parents decided to give them fresh start at new life in Mystic Falls the summer before high school. Liz on the other hand, had adapted quickly becoming a bit of a social butterfly, taking part in a few town functions.
Is it any wonder where Caroline got it from? Of course, that was also where Liz had met Bill Forbes. What a mistake that was!
But Liz couldn't bring herself to totally regret it. She had ended up with two wonderful kids. One by blood and one by heart. The couple never regretted adopting Henry, and Bill at the time was thrilled to have a son.
Something had happened though between those two, a couple of years after Bill finally came out and left when Henry was an early teen. Neither talked about it, but the consequences had all but destroyed their relationship. Now it was strictly cards and the rarest of phone calls. Henry also spent less and less time around boys with the exception of Matt Donovan and more time with his sister's group of Bonnie and Elena.
Liz had been truly worried about her son for a while and thankfully that's when her big brother came back into their lives as a more prominent fixture and began saving her son like he saved her, giving a "safe" place to go and learn. The thought of Jimmy nearby eased her concern.
"Alright, all right. But be sure to have your timer watch on at all times and do what it says when says it. I won't be close enough to bring your rescue EpiPen. I should order another spare for you to have to keep at the Ranch. Your Aunt Beth won't mind. I-!"
"Mom! Calm down, I'll be okay. I promise" he said, gently tugging her stiff form into hug. Letting her feel him and know that he was right here and safe before pulling back. "I'll still be home at night, and we can still have the growing tradition of coffee in the early mornings."
Liz raised an amused eyebrow at her son. "Oh, so this is going to be a tradition now, is it?"
"You bet, no matter how old I get we're still going to need our mother and son time"
He assured giving her a quick kiss on the forehead, making her pause then turning his attention to Chief. "Come here boy…Sit!" he commanded before putting the dog's vest on and giving him a treat before leaving the room to finish getting ready for the day. Once more leaving the sheriff staring at her son and canine's retreating forms in wonder
: "There are times when he says the strangest things and acts so weird. Like he knows something I'm not aware of…"
...
Henry's POV:
'Walking down the street when it's still this dark at night is enough to give anybody the willies.' I thought to myself as my flashlight dimly tried to light the way to the bus stop.
Granted, we are in a suburban neighborhood but still. I'm sure glad Chief is with me, and the Academy made an exception for him. Of course, being a Service dog had something to do with it. The only hiccup is that he's not allowed in the classroom, he has to wait outside. I can cope with that, just pay attention to him. He spots an attack before I do-'
Suddenly Chief stops as his ears flattened back against his skull and instantly starts barking while trying to lean against my body protectively as a gust of wind blew passed us as if out of nowhere. My dog's bark now turning into a growl, as he bares his teeth, snapping as a man's voice came from behind.
"Alright, Alright! I'm going! You damn Mutt! You spoiled the surprise" the intruder grumbled.
I whirled around, trying to find his face but he was gone. "Good Riddance. Thank you, Buddy" I sighed in relief, running my fingers through the fur on his back as the bus pulls up.
"Okay, let it go. New day, new adventure" I told myself, gripping Chief's leash and boarding. Finally relaxing as we started moving and the scenery grew more beautiful as I watched the sun rise over the fields that passed by the window…
...
3rd Person POV
The day as it turned out was a mixture of interesting yet slow for Henry as he and Chief finally boarded the afternoon bus. At first, he wanted to stop off at Uncle Jimmy's, but something kept telling him to head home. Having learned to never ignore the gut feeling he had, the boy listened.
Something was definitely up!
He briefly wondered if it had anything to do with the stranger from this morning. He hoped not. He was going to do was make sure Mom and his sister were safe. Trying to distract himself, Henry thought over school and what had happened. Being stared at with Chief when he walked into a new place was hardly news to him.
Still, he was mostly grateful that his fellow peers hadn't crowded him too much as they eventually went about their day. Peers? Listen to him, his thoughts were starting to sound like an old-time novel. Thanks for suggesting Book Club Caroline!
But the truth was, he didn't mind and in fact missed his peppy sister and her friends. Especially at lunch when he was by himself, and it was only the first day. He had plenty of time to make new friends and establish his grade average, getting into Vet school before the last two years were up…
It was after 5 when the bus pulled into town.
"What do you think boy, time for a steak?" Henry asked as they got off, and the dog barked before whining. "Don't worry, I know you can't have one since you're on duty" (but that's what doggie bags are for.) Thinking he could chop it up into his dog food later. After a day like today, he deserves it. Henry thought as they made their way down towards the Mystic Grill.
Upon entering, the boy saw a familiar face behind the counter.
"Hey Matt! What are you doing here? It isn't your shift yet; don't you have football practice?"
The blond walked over and smiled at him. "Hey Henry, Football doesn't start until a couple days from now and one of the guys called in a family emergency, so I'm filling in."
Oh," he responded before Matt continued, "We missed you at school today. Did you get sick or something? I know how worried your mom gets" he asked concerned.
"I'm sorry Man, I didn't mean to upset you. I'm fine, just got into the new school is all."
Donovan's eyes widened in recognition. "That's right, you told us you were applying this summer. I'm glad to see you got in. So, what was it like?"
"It's fine, one high school is almost just like any other, just a change in dress code. Hence the uniform" gesturing to the clothes under his coat. "But one thing I am grateful to be doing entirely since coming home is getting rid of this" immediately removing the tie and stuffing it in his pocket.
"That's better," he breathed in relief, "I hate being trussed up like a turkey but it's necessary."
"I hear that," Matt agreed, not quite fond of dressing up for the town's many historical functions but understanding it. "Can I get you your usual?"
"Sure, and maybe a 2-4 oz steak to go when it's time?" ask Henry, giving a small sideways look to his four-legged companion.
Matt lightly chuckled, shaking his head. "You spoil that dog. Soon he's going to think he's human" Chief barked, raising his paw at him which Matt caught and shook before releasing. "It's good to see you too."
Henry raised an eyebrow enjoying the exchange. "And what's wrong with a little spoiling once in a while? I'm loyal to those who are loyal to me. Be they man or beast. So, how was your school day?"
Donovan shrugged, "It was okay, I guess but there's this new guy, and Elena-" he trailed off grimacing.
Henry reached his hand across the counter, giving Matt's arm a light squeeze before letting go. "It will get better, eventually. Just takes time"
"Time? That's all I hear and "space."
"Things don't always turn out the way you think it will. Don't lose hope. It was hope and love kept my relationship with Caroline and Mom when it was found out that I was adopted. My life could have been very different had my birth mother not abandoned me"
Matt stiffened, "You're lucky in that regard"
"And so will you, I have faith. Just need to have some in yourself" All was quiet for a moment until another familiar voice rang out. "Why didn't he go for me?" Caroline...