Carrie asked me to post this here a little while ago but life has sort of spun out of control, sorry it took so long I will try to post more when I can.
In this chapter thoughts will appear like this
Thought
The Wolf Within
Part One
Elizabeth loved the lodge…Since she was a small child she had visited every summer and would never tire of it. Her Grandpa Logan and Grandma Anne were the best people, they knew during the year life was hard for her so they did everything they could to make sure the time she spent with them was special.
Days were spent swimming in the lake, or hiking in the woods and were always the right mix of education and fun. By the time she was thirteen Elizabeth knew the forest as well as she knew herself, and would spend hours on end out there. One day she had been playing like any carefree child her age, and had gotten pretty far into the woods when she saw a man sitting under a tree.
Knowing that she shouldn’t talk to strangers she turned to leave, when the man sprung on her. She struggled and fought to get away biting him on the arm. When he let her go she began to run through the woods, getting lost in the panic she ended up in a small clearing.
Sensing the man was coming closer she tried to hide, and ended up tripping over a rock wrenching her ankle and causing her to cry out in pain. She fell to the ground just as the man reached her, and with a lascivious look in his eye crouched over her cowering form.
Mine…Afraid…Needs Help…
The man tore at Elizabeth’s shirt causing her to scream and kick at him to get away. She curled into a ball when he lifted his hand ready to strike then suddenly a huge ball of black fur came out of no where. Elizabeth opened her eyes to see a large animal wrestling with the man, who screamed in pain as the animal’s sharp fangs shredded his flesh.
While they were rolling on the ground Elizabeth could see the man bleeding from the claws, and teeth digging into him, and couldn’t believe her eyes. The animal was vicious tearing off his skin in chunks and then going back for more. Finally battered and bloodied the man panicked pushing the animal away and running deeper into forest.
Once his pained whimpering was far enough away Elizabeth opened her eyes to find the animal staring at her. Afraid she would be next she tried to get up only to have her ankle protest and she fell back to the ground. Crying she began backing away from the large animal. Not knowing what to do Elizabeth began to cry hoping that she would die quickly, when a voice sounded in the back of her mind causing the tears to stop.
Safe
Looking up Elizabeth found herself staring into the magnificent blue eyes of a large black wolf. Whimpering slightly as he moved closer Elizabeth cringed until she felt his rough tongue connect with her cheek, wiping away her tears. When her face was dry the wolf lay down at her side and unconsciously Elizabeth began stroking her hand through his soft fur.
Feeling that he really would not harm her Elizabeth let herself relax, and when the animal rested its muzzle on her leg she started to scratch behind his ears and whisper softly.
Elizabeth “Thank you for saving me, that was a very brave thing you did…I hope you didn’t hurt yourself…”
Looking down she realized that he was staring right at her.
Elizabeth “Yes I am talking to you…Papa Logan is probably looking for me by now”
The wolf began to lick her hand and Elizabeth realized that she had stopped petting him, she softly stroked his fur for a long while. Suddenly feeling very tired Elizabeth curled her body up next to the large animal that curled his body around hers. She fell into a deep sleep and woke when she no longer felt the warmth of the wolf beside her. Opening her eyes she saw that it was night out and there were some lights shining in the distance.
She heard her Grandpa Logan calling her name and quickly sat up.
Logan “ELIZABETH!”
Elizabeth “OVER HERE PAPA LOGAN!”
Hearing other shouts she watched as the lights got closer and closer to where she was. Looking around she couldn’t find her wolf anywhere and secretly wondered if it had all been a dream. Reaching her side Logan swept her into his arms and cradled her to his chest hugging her tightly.
Logan “Little Mia you scared me”
Elizabeth “I’m sorry Papa”
Logan “Come your Nana is worried sick about you”
As her grandfather carried her back to the house Elizabeth told him about the man who had attacked her and the wolf that saved her. The second she stepped in the door her grandmother had rushed her upstairs, into a bath and then straight into bed.
Her Grandfather came in a few minutes later and sat at her bedside.
Logan “They caught the man who hurt you so you don’t need to worry about him ok?”
Elizabeth “Ok Papa”
Logan “Tell me about this wolf that saved you”
Elizabeth “He was very pretty Papa all black with blue eyes, and really soft fur”
Logan “And he stayed with you?”
Elizabeth “Yes I got really tired and he stayed with me but then when I woke up he was gone”
Logan “You sleep now little Mia, it has been a long day”
Elizabeth “Ok Papa goodnight”
Elizabeth fell into a deep sleep dreaming about her beautiful black wolf. She woke in the middle of the night to the sound of howling coming from outside. Getting out of bed carefully she hobbled over to the window and looked out into the night. Even if she couldn’t see him she knew it was the wolf that had saved her.
Slowly she made her way back to bed and drifted off to sleep listening to the lone wolf howling in the distance. When she woke it was late in the morning and hearing hushed voices coming from downstairs Elizabeth got dressed and hobbled down to see what was going on.
She entered the living room and found her grandparents sitting with another gentleman and a boy.
Logan “Little Mia, you are awake come and say hello”
Limping further into the room Elizabeth sat on the sofa next to her grandfather and looked at the two strangers.
Logan “Elizabeth I would like you to meet some very dear friends this is Mr. Corinthos and his son Jason”
Upon hearing his name Jason looked up and his eyes locked with Elizabeth. Jason had long black hair, which was tied in a ponytail, and brilliant blue eyes, which seemed to stare straight into Elizabeth’s soul. Smiling weakly she whispered hello and began worrying on her bottom lip, a nervous habit she had since she was very young.
Sonny “It is very nice to meet you Elizabeth your grandparents speak very highly of you”
Elizabeth “Thank you”
Sonny “I understand you had a run in with one of our wolves yesterday”
Elizabeth “Yes sir”
Sonny “Weren’t you afraid?”
Elizabeth “I was at first mostly because of what he did to that man, but then I don’t know I just wasn’t scared anymore”
Sonny “Well I am glad to hear that you are safe. My son Jason has been wanting to meet you we moved to town just last year and there are not many children here”
Elizabeth “No there really aren’t”
Sonny “There are some things that I would like to discuss with your grandparents would you mind keeping Jason company while we talk?”
Logan “Why don’t you go out on the porch, I don’t want you going any further until your ankle is better”
Elizabeth “Ok Papa”
Elizabeth got off the sofa and began walking towards the back porch when she tripped and started to fall. Fast as lightning Jason caught her before she hit her head on the end table.
Jason “Are you ok?”
Elizabeth “I think so”
Letting her back on her feet Jason kept his hand at the small of her back to steady her as they made their way outside. Helping her into the porch swing he sat beside her and set the small swing in motion.
Jason “How old are you?”
Elizabeth “I’m 13 how old are you?”
Jason “15”
Elizabeth “I guess things get pretty boring around here in the winter huh?”
Jason “You’ve never been here in the winter?”
Elizabeth “I wish I could live here...I live with my parents in Colorado. ”
Jason “Colorado must be nice”
Elizabeth “It isn’t I would rather be here with Papa and Nana”
Jason “I heard him call you little Mia what does that mean?”
Elizabeth “It is Italian it means little mine”
Jason “Mia I like it can I call you that?”
Elizabeth “I guess”
Jason “Well Mia what do you like to do?”
Elizabeth “I love to draw, and swim, and hike…
After that Elizabeth and Jason became fast friends and were nearly inseparable. As the summer drew to a close it came time for Elizabeth to return to her parents. She was sitting on the porch when Jason came to see her.
Jason “Guess you are leaving tomorrow huh?”
Elizabeth “Yeah I wish I didn’t have to go I love it here”
Jason “I’m gonna miss you”
Elizabeth “I’ll miss you too Jason, but I’ll see you next year”
Jason “Can I write to you?”
Elizabeth “Sure”
Jason “Good, here I got this for you”
Jason handed Elizabeth a fine silver chain, there was a small pendant at the end and on it there was a wolf. Elizabeth smiled as she looked at Jason.
Elizabeth “I love it thank you Jason”
Jason “Will you promise to wear it all the time so you don’t forget me?”
Elizabeth “I could never forget you, will you help me put it on?”
Jason “Sure”
Elizabeth turned and Jason placed the necklace around her neck the metal feeling cool against her skin.
Elizabeth “I promise I will wear it all the time”
Elizabeth turned and gave Jason a huge hug before pulling back and kissing him on the cheek. Jason ran his hand down her face looking her deeply in the eye.
Jason “Be safe Mia”
Elizabeth “You too Jason, don’t forget me ok?”
Jason “Never little Mia, never”
After pulling her into a tight embrace Jason reluctantly let her go, and headed home leaving Elizabeth to stare after him. That night after crying herself to sleep which normally happened when she had to leave Elizabeth listened for the howling of her wolf.
He had been howling every night since he had saved her and this night he sounded closer than usual. Getting out of bed, she went to the window and saw him standing in the yard at the corner of the forest. They locked eyes for a brief moment before he raised his head to the sky and began howling a sorrowful cry at the moon.