The next morning, I was just in pain. My wrists and ankles hurt, like they were just twisted and bent in multiple directions that they shouldn't me. I still had thorns, pricks, and splinters in my hand. Not to mention the multitude of cuts on my body in general.
I didn't remember making it to my room last night, so I was relieved when I woke up. My back and neck were sore, since my mat and pillow were still in the living room, and I just thought sleeping naked on the carpet would be nice. I just felt like shit.
"The pain is temporary, the pain is temporary." I grumbled to myself as I pulled on some boyshorts and a little yellow day dress. I opened my door and moseyed out of my room. My father and brother were up, so it had to be at least mid-morning.
"There's the sleepyhead." My father grinned, before seeing all the scratches, "What happened to you?" He asked concerned.
I didn't know if I could tell him the truth or not. He may get worried and move us again. Or want to try to deal with it himself. I wouldn't mind the moving, but I have a feeling they'd only follow us like a horrible virus.
"I accidentally fell into a thorn bush." I lied, rubbing the inner corner of my eye.
"Ouch." My brother chuckled. This morning they were having themselves a bit of ham my father picked up at the butcher shop the night before.
"Oh yea," my father started, wiping his lips with his arm, "Lucy is coming by today. I ran into her at the little record store at the Boardwalk. We're going out to pick out furniture, and her sons may be stopping by."
"Cool." Blake said simply.
"I'll probably just stay in my room." I shrugged it off, and immediately Blake and my father gave me odd looks.
"You don't ever really stay in your room." My father pointed out.
"You don't even have a bed." Blake chuckled, "Is everything okay?"
"Yea, I'm fine." I defended, "Just tired after last night's run and . . fall."
"Alright." My father agreed, "I'm sure Lucy will miss you. She had such nice things to say yesterday, calling you sweet."
I shrugged, "I'm sure I'll see her later." I groaned, rubbing my eyes, "I need to wake up." I muttered to myself before heading to the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face. Maybe that'd also reduce the redness and itchiness from these damn scratches.
I needed to take a shower. I may not have been able to wash the bruises and horrid memories, but I could at least wash off the blood stains and dirt.
But I just sat down on the shower floors. I didn't bother scrubbing, just letting the dirt roll off me.
I had to tell them. I just had to. I can't keep something like this a secret. My father and Blake can prepare. Maybe get into contact with their old pack. Do something. Maybe they'll find out on their own. These guys aren't exactly subtle. But then they'd know I kept it a secret. I need to tell them.
Finally I began to scrub at them, taking a rag and soap and rubbing my arms, legs, and torso.
"These could have been worse." I reminded myself.
These should be worse.
Coyotes are older, stronger, and faster than me. They should have been able to catch me like no problem.
"You should be running."
I banged my fist on the wall, "Damn it!" I cried out.
It was a trick. They wanted me to run. They wanted me to reveal my father and Blake. They wanted me to reveal whoever our new pack could have been.
And I lead them straight into the slayers.
Little boys who might not even have any experience. It could all just be a twisted game they're playing. I have to know they're prepared. They can't die because of me.
I shut off the water, and put on the same clothes I had on before the shower.
"Hey father," I started, "I need to talk to you about something . . ."
I looked out into the living room, and it was Lucy, her oldest son and his girlfriend, and Sam.
"Oh, hi Red!" Lucy chimed.
I waved and smiled, "Good morning, Lucy."
"What is it, Red?" My father asked with a grin.
I couldn't tell him now. I couldn't make Sam suspicious.
"Um . ." I had to think quickly, "Can I have a king sized bed?"
My father and Lucy just kind of laughed.
"We'll see what we can do, Red."
"Thanks." I faked a small smile and nodded.
"Oh, dear," Lucy noticed the scratches on my body, "what happened to you? Looks like you got into a fight with the local cacti!"
I looked down at my arms, and realized I should have worn a sweater. My dad gave me a bit of a glare too. Sam cocked his head at me suspiciously.
"I went for a jog yesterday." I half lied, "And I kind of fell. So that cacti theory may not be wrong." I chuckled.
"What time?" Sam asked, and Lucy hissed at him.
"Um. ." I stalled, "A reasonable time. I don't know, I don't have a watch, and I don't like to take my phone on jogs." I mean, this was the truth, of the half lie.
"See any strange things out there?"
"Sam!" Lucy hissed, before smiling towards us, "I'm so sorry. My son has a wild imagination. He loves to read comic books."
"Mom, you know I don't." Sam defended, and staring straight into her eyes, as if telling her something.
Lucy just sighed, "Anyway, well we should get going and get you guys that furniture as soon as possible."
"Alright, well, Blake, Red, I'll be back later." My father grinned as he left.
"So that's your bike out there?" Blake smiled as he asked Michael.
Michael let out a little smirk, "Yeah, that's mine."
"Sweet, can I check it out?"
"Sure."
Blake, Michael and Star went outside to examine the motorbike.
So that just left Sam and me.
"So you weren't out last night? Let's say around the time the Boardwalk closes?" Sam inquired.
"No." I answered plainly, "Were you?" I smiled, "Because that seems a bit odd."
"I know what you are." Sam said quietly.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I shrugged, before turning to leave.
"We can go to the Frog brothers." Sam said, seeming to drop the intimidation act. "They'll know what to do."
"I said, I don't know what you're talking about." I insisted.
"You were that wolf from last night. I know it." Sam fought.
"You don't know anything!" I snapped. "But if you knew what was best for you, you and your two friends would stay out of it."
"Well it seems like we're already in it now, whether you like it or not!" Sam shouted, "You're the one who knocked on their door anyway. This is their job anyway, they would have found their way into it either way."
I sighed. They had to know the truth. It was the only way. "Fine, let's go to the Boardwalk." I submitted before adding on, "But I'm only telling you guys what's going on, so you know how to defend yourself. Not go on the offense."
"The Frog brothers won't like that." Sam shrugged.
"Well I don't like dragging others into it, but we can't like everyday of our lives."