Chapter 12
The team followed slowly on their motorcycles as Wolf led the way, keeping his nose lifted in the air, trying to catch a stray scent in the afternoon light. Twitchy darted ahead, doing the same.
"Honestly how much longer?" Jack complained from behind Granny.
"Shut up Blondie. As if you could do any better," Wolf growled. He crouched suddenly on the ground, inhaling the scent of the dirt. Looking up, he yelled to Twitchy, "Hey, Twitch, you get something too?"
"YeahbossIthinkshewentthisway," he answered in a rush, tail flicking around in excitement.
Wolf gave a triumphant growl, leaping ahead. He slung his newly made bow over his shoulder along with the quiver of handmade arrows. Red revved up the motor, taking off after him, giving a whoop of excitement.
The bounding human burst through the trees, screeching to a stop.
A group of dogs faced him, snarling, growling at him fiercely.
Twitchy screamed, darting to the human's shoulder.
Red came in through the trees with her motorbike, staring at the foaming dogs. She jumped off her motorbike, starting to run to Wolf, but he snarled at her, "No Red! Don't get closer!"
The pack of dogs growled, getting closer to Wolf, who snarled back at them, showing his fangs. Red felt a chill bolt down her spine when she heard the feral sound come out of her friend. She'd heard him growl at Jack before, but never like this.
So, wild.
Jack came into the open. He stared in shock at the growling dogs, the snarling human. Jumping from Granny's bike he ran forward. "Down!" he ordered, voice hard with authority.
Upon hearing his command, all the dogs quieted, instantly getting onto their stomachs. Wolf continued to growl at them, shoulders bunched together as he backed away from them, eyes flickering, watching for any signs of attack. Red came up to him, touching his shoulder, "Settle, Wolf."
He relaxed, but only slightly.
Jack came up to them, kneeling down to pet the dogs. They wagged their tails at him as he crooned, calming them.
"Are those your dogs?" Wolf asks suspiciously.
Jack looks up to him, "Obviously. They're from my village. It must be nearby."
Red looked at them in confusion as Granny came up to her. "I don't get it. Why were they so mean?"
Jack shrugs, "Well I have a hunch, but," he glances at Wolf, who groans, explaining.
"Dogs trust their instincts. They can tell I smell like a wolf rather than a human. It's not really their fault the mutts can't think instead of acting."
Wolf scratched the back of his neck, "In a way though, they're smarter than humans are. Any human would think I'm one of them, but the dumb animals can tell I'm not what I really am."
"A wolf in human's clothing," Jack laughed in the irony.
"Haha think of that yourself?" Wolf said, lack of humor in his voice.
"Okay calm down kids. Jack, do you think we can stay in your village for a day to get some good rest?"
He smiled, glad to offer something for the team, but Wolf cut him through it, "I don't think so Grams. The witch might be watching that area. She'll see Jack in an instant."
"Not if we go to protect him," Red added.
"And risk the entire team's safety?" he countered.
"You sleep here then. I want a bed," Jack sneered.
Red risked a glance to her granny, catching her want for a soft bed as well. She was getting old; her back probably wasn't as good as it used to be. "You want to go with Jack, Granny?"
"I don't need protection I'll have my entire village and the dogs to protect me!" he snapped.
"Yes, you do need protection!" Red said firmly.
"Well count me out," Wolf said, backing up. "It's just stupid. She'll get you the moment you step out there."
"Okay Wolf, you can stay here," Jack suggested. "The rest of us will stay in a nice warm room with pillows and mattresses and real heating."
"See if I care, brat. I don't need human things for my pathetic needs."
"Says the one who is human," he returned.
Wolf gave a warning growl. Granny chose to interject, "Okay, okay lets all calm down. Wolfie, you can sleep outside if you want to-"
"Like all the other dogs," Jack muttered, receiving a snarl from the wolf.
"-and you can keep the perimeter secure. Sound good?" Granny went on, not paying heed to Jack's taunt.
"Fine," he growled.
Granny nodded. "Will you be okay out here by yourself?"
"Yeah I've got Twitchy-"
"SorrybossI'msleepinginabedtonight," the squirrel jumped down to Granny.
"Traitor," he muttered. Then to Granny, "Yeah I'll be fine."
"I'll check on you at nightfall," Red added, giving a small smile.
Wolf nodded to her quietly, recalling her promise to help his fighting. He distantly hoped she wouldn't forget.
The team left.
(**)
Red walked with the others into the village, the dogs at their side, the bikes left with Wolf. Twitchy now rode upon Red's shoulder, who walked with shifty eyes, making sure no danger approached them. A part of her wished Wolf was there. Even as a human he could smell a little better than Twitchy. Hearing too.
"You think Wolf will be okay?" she asked.
"He'll be fine," Jack said easily, walking forward confidently now that he knew where he was.
Red followed more uncertainly, trying to keep alert while Granny chatted on with the boys.
At last they entered the village. Red looked around at the little houses lining the streets. A huge town center lay at the end of it.
There could only be around 30 families living here.
A few people in their yards looked up. Red brushed off their stares, walking a little closer to Jack, the local. When the people saw him, smiles gleamed right up their faces. "Jack!" they called. "We've missed you! Where you been? We've been looking for you! Your father is mighty worried."
"Thanks guys," he said, walking towards the town hall."
"Who your friends?" One young woman asked, dusting off her hands from working in the garden.
"This is Twitchy, Red and her Granny."
The woman wiggled her eyebrows at Red, "Red huh? Nice to meet you. Hope you get to know our Jack a little more."
The man standing a little ways from the woman called out, "Hey where's your sis?"
Jack brushed off the question with an easy smile, "She's around."
Red stuck close to him as they headed to the town center. She nudged him, "So why are you and your sister so popular here?"
"Oh, our family has been the leaders of the village for generations. When my father dies I'm going to take his place, so Jill and I are kind of like the prince and princess here."
Red smirked when she thought of what Wolf would say to that, "Well Jack, it must be nice to always have a knight and shining armor with you; your sister sounds pretty cool."
At least he's not here to fan the flames, she thought with a smirk. The competition between them tired her out pretty easily. Honesty why did boys need to be so. . . aggressive towards each other?
She noticed Jack looking at her, hoping his comment of 'royalty' impressed her. The girl gave him a small smile, "A prince? That's pretty cool Jack."
He smiled, guiding them on to the middle of the village. When they reached the steps, a rush of guards came to meet them. "Prince Jack! The King is looking for you!"
They even call him Prince? Wow.
Jack nodded, "Of course. Take me to him."
The security guided the four up the flight of stairs. Taking a large elevator they rocketed up to the top floor. Red looked around the exquisite room. Fancy red maroon carpeting, famous paintings, vases of plants and photos of the family tree. Humans in well dressed clothes passed, hardly giving any of them the time of day.
Red felt small here.
They entered the office. Red stared at the large room, an endless window making up the wall on one end. She walked forward with the others, her small form behind Jack, who kept her close. "Father. I've returned home."
The homely man looked up from his desk. He looked around thirty five, a thick beard growing on his face, short hair curling around his head like a halo. Red concluded Jack must get the blonde hair from his mother.
"Son! You-You're back!" he ran forward, embracing the boy. "What happened to you? Where's your sister? Where did you go?"
"It, it was a witch, Father. She tried to kidnap us. We started running but Jill got caught. I went to the HEAAr help. We've been tracking down Jill for about a week now."
His father's face fell, "Oh, your sister. Jill. . . We need to find her. I'll send out my men-"
"Father! No! We can't! The witch is too powerful. We'll find her."
He looked at them uncertainly, but nodded, "Okay." After another moment's hesitation he asked, "Are you sure she didn't fall in another hole or something?"
"Dad."
"Okay, okay. Just checking. You know how she is," the man cleared his throat. "Are these the agents?"
Red nodded, stepping forward, "Yes sir."
Now adjusting his gaze to the newcomers he offered, "Would you like to stay here for the night before you continue your search? I know its what Regina would want."
Jack nodded. "You guys can stay here with me. The royal family lives in the town center here. We have plenty of rooms you guys can choose from."
"That can wait for later. Would you like to join me for dinner?"
"We would be honored," Red said with a kind smile.
(**)
The group sat at a table. Jack introduced everyone to his father. He took Granny and Red's hands, kissing them, causing Red to know where Jack got his charms from.
"What happened to your mother?" Red asked Jack during dinner. The adults talked to themselves.
"She died when Jill and I were little," he said with a quiet shrug. "I never really knew her."
"Oh." Red realized why Jack wondered earlier that week how her own parents died. That's why he warmed up to me so fast, because we both had something to connect with.
"How'd she die?"
Jack didn't answer, leaving Red to silence. After a breath he spoke, "It was-"
"So, Red, how old are you?"
"Nineteen," she said, beginning to eat the food on her plate. She scooped the carrots smothered with gravy into her mouth.
"Only a year older than Jackie. Where were you born?" The three snickered quietly at 'Jackie'.
"I was raised in the forest with an animal village." To Red it felt strange being around so many humans. She wasn't used to seeing the flat faces than the long, furry snouts of her beloved animal neighbors.
"Oh, interesting. What's it like there?"
The girl gave a shrug, "Not much different than here. We all live and work together. Everyone helps each other and we're all decent to one another."
"That's nice." With a sly grin he asked, "Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Dad!" Jack stressed.
Red felt a little irritated. Why was everyone so interested in her availability? "Actually, sir, I don't. Why do you ask?"
"Just curious," he smiled to her. "You are quite a remarkable young lady. I can tell there's a fire in you."
Red shifted glancing at Twitchy who mouthed at her, "Awkwaaarrd".
"Dad that isn't very polite," Jack scolded.
"Sorry son, I'm just trying to help you out." He clicked his tongue, winking at his son.
Jack's eyes bugged out, "Dad!"
The father chuckled, the rest of them echoing his laugh.
Red didn't say a word.
After dinner, Red excused herself to check up on Wolf. "One of our team members is out making sure the perimeter is secure. May I be excused?"
"Of course. Go ahead. Would you like an escort?" Jack's father asked helpfully.
"No thank you."
"I'll accompany you to the door," Jack said. Before she could protest, the young prince stood to his feet, walking with her.
The exit into the hallway. Red glanced at him almost nervously, biting her lip quietly as they walked with stilled silence. Jack cleared his throat at one point, "My mother was walking in the forest for some air, and she was killed."
Red caught the hint, "By what?"
"Wolves." They stopped at the huge doors, leading to the outside. Red looked to him sympathetically, holding his shoulder with her small hand. She gave it a soft squeeze.
"I'm sorry Jack."
"It's all right," he shrugged. "I never really got the chance to know her, you know?"
Red nodded. He went on, "So now you know why I don't really like Wolf's company. He kind of, brought memories I didn't want to think of."
Again, she nodded, giving what little understanding she could. "Yeah, it's okay."
A few awkward moments made its way past them, slipping through their minds, sliding under the crack in the door. Red cleared her throat, about to grab the door handle when Jack flashed his arm out, hand enclosing around her elbow. The girl flickered her eyes to him, widening with expectation.
"Red, I think you should know something. I was the one who found my mother dead."
Red failed to realize what he was trying to do. Get her to sympathize with him so she would like him? As if! "Jack I really don't know-"
"And when I found her, nearby was a wolf. It was covered in blood all over its paws and mouth," Jack swallowed, "and it looked just like Wolf."
Instantly outraged, she pulled her arm from his grasp. "Jack! How could you even suggest that? Wolf has been my partner for years why would you even think something like that?"
"Red I swear it looked just like Wolf!"
She looked over him in disgust, eyes flaring with fury. "I can't believe you would sink this low."
The girl whipped around, but he grabbed her, turning her again. She met his eyes with spite as he pleaded to her, "Just be careful around him, okay?"
"Wolf would never hurt me," she growled, jerking away from him, storming into the dark forest.
(**)
I had a watergun fight with my brother today because its so hot out. Its like 80 degrees and I HATE the sun -_-" so we had a watergun fight to cool down xD