Chapter 8: The Compound
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Location : Yukon Territories, Skinner Base Camp
Ian's POV
The compound wasn't really a compound. It was in reality an old abandoned dog kennel sitting right smack dab in the middle of nowhere. It was so deep in the forest that it wasn't a rare thing to see a bear or two I wondered sometimes, Who was the idiot that built this place ? They were really limited on space, since there were only fifteen cages. So they were stuck with two wolves a cage. The cages are completely disgusting. I'm surprised that most of them did not die of disease. They have collars made of very thin twine that acts like a saw that cuts into their necks. Very slowly and Very painfully. So almost all of them have in-grown collars. The department of animal cruelty would shit their collective pants if they saw this cesspool of murder. And, to make matters even worse, The place used to be a veterinary clinic, so it had an operating room, which my dad and his pals have seamlessly converted into a room of death and dismemberment. The place is horrible. I personally did not and do not want to go into the "Family Business"; I'm only here because I have nowhere else to go. The rest of my family is dead except my Dad and Mom but, No one knows where she is. So I'm stuck with daddy dearest for a while. And, considering I'm seventeen...I can't live on my own. So, as soon as my trust fund money kicks in I'm out of here. I hate what my dad and his friends do to the wolves they capture.
"Ian, Boy that is the third time you've zoned out on me. What's wrong with you ?" "Sorry Dad. Just thinking." "About what ?" He asked. At that point the truck hit another bump in the road and I heard a loud yelp. I turned my head to look back into the truck bed, and the white one was looking at me. Almost immediately he started snarling. I looked away for him and back to dad. "Well, answer me." Dad said losing his patience. "Dad, Why do you do this ?" He gave me a weird look then said; "Do what ?" I tried to resist the urge to smack his across the face and yell, You who damn good and well what ! Why do you kill these poor animals ! Huh, ANSWER ME !!. But, I didn't. I simply said, "Why do you hunt wolves ?" From the look on his face he clearly was not in any way expecting this question. "Because they are savage creatures that should be extinguished by the might of man. They all deserve to die." He answered as if he had written the answer down. "Why, Why do they deserve to die ? Why should they not choose for themselves ?" I responded starting to get angry. "Ian, do not test me. This conversation is over. And, this is the last I want to hear on the subject !" Dad yelled. We rode in silence the rest of the way. Little did he know that he had started a fire in me, and that fire was growing.
Once I could see the home of death and evil, I knew something was wrong. There was smoke rising from the incinerator. The incinerator wasn't really an incinerator, it was a hole that Dad made me dig last summer. All one had to do to use it was throw the thing they wished to burn in add some gasoline and a match, and poof, no more Wolf remains. They used it to get rid of whatever they did no wish to sell. They only use it after they've killed at least twenty wolves. I got out of the truck and stood in a daze for a moment or two, then looked at my father who turned his head at the same time and met my look of confusion with a look of happiness. "Twenty less wolves for the world to worry about." Then my gaze changed, it went from confusion to rage. I was clenching my fists so tight I could feel my fingernails piercing my skin. I got even angrier when he looked at me with a smile on his face....a smile! Now I know why mom left him; he's completely lost his sense of right and wrong. Then on top of all that it started to snow. Great...just what I need.
Bolt's POV
"C'mon boy, Help me get theses beasts into compound." The one they called Ian sighed before he replied in a saddened tone, "Okay Dad." The father went around to the back of the truck and opened the tailgate, allowing the sun access into the bed of the truck. I winced upon seeing the bright ball in the sky, for I had not seen the sun since yesterday. He then grabbed my crate and pulled it with great force out of the truck. I would have landed on the ground had it no been for the boy. He caught my cage and set me down gently on the ground. This did not make his dad happy, however. He unleashed a string of swears and curses that would have made a sailor blush. The boy amazed me when he did not fight back. He simply continued unloading us from the truck without saying a word. His father seemed to get even more unhappy when his yells and curses had no effect on the boy. I saw the father's hand move to his holster. My eyes widened in realization of what he was going to do. I began to whimper to try and warn the boy, hoping that he'd pay attention to me.
Ian's POV
Ignoring dad, I continued to unload the truck until I heard whimpering, I turned my head to see dad going for his holster. At first I though nothing of it until I saw what resided there. At some point Dad had switched his harmless Colt Cobra for the hand cannon known as the Desert Eagle. My eyes grew to the size of dinner plates, praying that he would calm down. Thankfully God was on my side that day, for not a second later he let his hand drop telling me, "You'd be a waste of ammo. Since you've ruined my fun, you'll take all of them inside." I groaned. He once again smiled. So I again went about he business that I'd been assigned, taking the white wolf first. The moment I picked up his cage the other ones began to wake. I picked up his cage and proceeded to take him inside. I brought him to the first empty cell I came across. Attaching the door of the crate to the cell,I unshackled him. Then I let him out. Once he was in the cell I went back for the others following the same process each time. I, being the nice person I am, placed them with their mates, I could tell by the way some of them looked at each other, except for one... he was alone, so I had to place him by himself. As soon as he was out of the cage he began whimpering. He padded over to a corner and sat down. He didn't move for the rest of the day. "Poor little guy." I moaned. I wish I could get them out of here....But how ? I sat on the couch in what once was a lobby. I laid back to get some sleep before dark, because tonight's a full moon.
"What the hell ?!" I heard yanking me from sleep. I got up off the couch and ran outside, just in time to see dad let a few rounds fly, from the barrel of his Desert Eagle the most powerful hand gun in the world. BANG! BANG! BANG! Three quick shots. Upon seeing the animal fall, he put on that same grin and holstered his gun. I ran out to see what had been shot the sight shocked and horrified me. A pregnant female wolf lie bleeding in the snow, shot in the stomach. Writhing in pure absolute agony. Seeing that made me snap. The small fire that had been burning within me since that afternoon had just grown to an inferno. My eyes blazing with rage, I stormed over and punched my dad in the face screaming; "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU ?! HAVE YOU GONE COMPLETELY INSANE !? You just killed at least three unborn wolf pups!" He smiled, spiting some blood before responding. "Three less wolves for the world to worry about." "You....BASTARD !!!" I yelled furiously. I then gave him a swift kick in the groin causing him to double over in pain. I turned away from him and to the injured wolf. When I got close she whimpered and looked at me in a way that says, Help me. I tried to turn her over to see if the shots had gone through. They had and she was losing a lot of blood. I picked her up and brought her inside to bandage the wounds.
I began to search frantically for anything I could use to stop the bleeding. I set her down on the couch I had been sleeping on not two minutes before. I ran to the back to the old kennel's storage room . Okay, think Ian think. What stops bleeding ? I pulled out my penlight and began to scan the selves for anything of use. I saw some an old first aid kit, upon opening it I saw to my dismay only a small roll of gauze and some aspirin. I took that and stuffed it in my pocket. Continuing my search I found a bag of limestone. Limestone! Perfect it slows bleeding. "Good thing I paid attention in health class." I said to no one. I picked up the small bag and brought it with me back to the lobby. Once there I opened the aspirin bottle and put some at her lip. When she would not open her mouth I resorted to pressing on the wound, when she yelped I threw the pills in here mouth which she reluctantly swallowed. I with that done I moved on to treating her wounds. First I had to apply the limestone, I tore open the bag and poured some onto the wounds and using some of the gauze I pressed down to help slow the bleeding. After I did, she let out a loud yelp of pain, apparently the aspirin had yet to kick in. "Sorry girl." I said apologetically knowing full well she could not understand. Grabbing the gauze I moved my hands and proceed to wrap it around her torso and stomach area. Satisfied, I picked her up and carried her to the back. I sighed when I saw no empty cages. Noticing that one of them was alone I put her in that cell. Opening the door and closing it behind me I walked in. The rust colored wolf almost started snarling, but when he saw what I had in my arms his ears flattened against his head. I placed her in the corner hoping she would get some rest. When I turned to leave the other was looking at me with a look that said, is she gonna be okay? I leaned down and patted him on the head saying, "Leave her be for a few days let her get some rest." With that being said I stood and exited the cell.
Kodie's POV
She's kinda cute. Said the shoulder Devil. What ? She's pregnant. That means she has a mate. The shoulder Angel replied. "Hey it's you two, I haven't seen you since I found Bolt." That's because you haven't had to make any life changing decisions since then. TheAngel said. "Wait a minute, You're here because I have to make a life changing decision ?" Well congratulations, captain obvious. Shoulder Devil answered. "What decision ?" At that the shoulder Devil sighed jumped on top of my head and grabbed my ear to drop down in front of my eyes. What's right in front of you ? "At the moment you." I groaned in pain and annoyance because he was pulling on my ear. Not me you numb skull, her. He gestured with his hand to the wolf occupying the corner. The decision you have to make is about her. I looked at her, "She is very beautiful."I said dreamily. Wow, I didn't believe in love at first sight....But, you and that Bolt have me a believer out of me. Angel added chuckling.I caught myself staring at her and blushed deeply. "Yeah, but it doesn't matter how I feel. She has a mate." I moaned downheartedly. You never know kid. Devil said. You'll just have to ask her when she wakes up. Angel added. "Why can't you two tell me ?" We are a figment of your imagination, we don't know any more than you. Angel said in a you-should-know-this-already tone. "Aw, forget you two. I may as well get some sleep. I'll talk to her tomorrow." Do that, kid. You never know, she may like you back. Devil said in a smart ass tone. "I never said I liked.... oh forget it, you can read my thoughts." Ignoring them, I laid my head in my paws closed my eyes and tried to get some sleep. But, not a minute later I heard someone whimpering. My eyes shot open as I sat up. I searched for the source of the sound. And, I soon found it, my gaze locked upon the only other living being in that cage. "Beautiful...." She began to stir, rolling around a little before opening her eyes. Which were a incredible mix of green and blue, the most breath taking sight I had ever seen. As she slowly became more aware of her surroundings she noticed my scrutiny and said; "Do I know you ?"