Escaping from the wolf
17

Hours later, Thomas was discharged from the hospital. Apolo had apparently left without saying goodbye because he was nowhere to be found. Carolina and Kayler wanted to drive us home, but Thomas refused, saying he would go on his own. However, he still wasn't completely well enough to go alone, so I offered to accompany him, but he declined... To be honest, I didn't know where he lived. Where could he possibly live?

"Come on, Thomas, don't be stubborn; you're not fit to go alone," I insisted.

We were on the road waiting for a taxi. Thomas scratched the back of his neck and didn't look at me, only kept his gaze on the road. It was as if he was sensing something... I don't know, he looked very anxious.

"Little Anne, I'm fine..." he moved a bit closer. "Though I do like the idea of you taking care of me..." he smiled sideways. "You could make me some soup and feed me like a baby..." he joked. I looked at him with boredom. "Don't you want me to change your clothes too?"

He raised the corner of his lips into a flirtatious smile.

"That's not a bad idea."

Oh God.

"You never change, do you?" I crossed my arms. I heard a chuckle from him.

"I like seeing you blush."

I rolled my eyes and didn't respond. In the distance, I saw a taxi coming, so I stretched my hand and hailed it. The taxi slowed down and stopped. I looked at Thomas.

"Are you coming?" I asked, seeing that he wasn't moving.

"Actually, no. I have some things to do, and you need to go home." He placed his hands on my shoulders and tried to guide me into the taxi.

I looked at him, frowning.

"I thought we were leaving together."

He pressed his lips into a straight line.

"I'll come find you at your house later, okay? I just have some matters to attend to."

I didn't say more. Thomas was mysterious and didn't like to talk much about his things, so I just nodded and got into the taxi. I closed the door while giving the address to the driver, and we drove off, leaving Thomas behind. What could be so important that he had to do? Or maybe he just said that because he doesn't want me to know where he lives. But why wouldn't he want me to know? Does he live in a rough neighborhood or something?

Half an hour later, I was at the front door of my house. I remembered that Dad wanted me urgently. My brother's car was insured, so I didn't have to worry about it, but he would be furious... And now I was without a car; I would have to get my bike out again.

"Dad?" I called while placing my coat on the couch. I heard footsteps coming from the second floor and then saw him coming down the stairs. He didn't look happy. Prepare yourself, Anne.

"Where the hell have you been?" he snapped.

Breathe, don't let him treat you badly. You need to be strong and not let him trample on you. I told myself. I know it's your dad, but he hasn't earned your respect. "At the hospital."

His brow furrowed.

"What happened?" he asked, and I was surprised that he didn't yell or simply tell me that he didn't care.

"Oh, when you sent me the message, I left school in a hurry, and a car crashed into me," I answered softly.

"You need to be more careful," he said. I frowned even more. Who is this man, and what has he done with my dad?

"Are you... okay?" I dared to ask.

"I'm sober, which is different."

I raised my eyebrows because it was true.

But then I remembered Mom.

"Where is Mom? What happened to her?"

He sighed.

"She arrived a few hours ago, devastated. Her new boyfriend scammed her," he answered with some annoyance.

Of course, that's why she came back.

"I thought it was something more serious," I whispered to myself.

"She's lying down; you can talk to her later."

I nodded.

"I'm going to my room," I announced, pretending to go up the stairs, but he interrupted me.

"Actually, your mom is sleeping in your bed."

Great.

Now what do I do? Where do I go? Maybe to Carolina's house.

"Then I'm going to Carolina's house." I grabbed my coat again and opened the door. "I'll be back tonight."

He didn't say anything. I put on my coat as I headed to the garage to get my pink bike. I've always had it; the good thing is that it wasn't raining, and the snow had stopped. I opened the door and took it out, closing it behind me. I mounted it and started pedaling down the road.

A cold breeze gently hit my face. I passed by restaurants, some bars, until I reached the school... There were some guys outside, but I didn't know any of them, so I kept going. The smell of the forest reached me; I had entered the wolf territory. The green, tall pines were amazing, and the snow on them, covering every inch of land, was magical. I've always liked the snow, storms, and cold.

The forest looked peaceful; not a leaf was moving. I continued pedaling until I crossed the turnoff towards Kayler's house, and minutes later, I was in front of Carolina's house. Her mom's car was there, but Kayler's wasn't, so I assumed he wasn't home. What caught my attention was the people skating on the frozen lake.

I stopped.

So they're starting to come.

There were several people; others were on the shore, where Clark had kidnapped me, and I ran away. That would be the entrance and where they would look for the skates. I left the bike and hurried to the door. I knocked twice.

Seconds later, Carolina's mom opened the door.

"Anne, it's been so long since I've seen you, dear!" she hugged me. I returned the hug.

She was always so cheerful.

"Come in, I'll call Carolina."

I stepped in, and she closed the door behind me..

"Carolina, Anne is here!" she shouted up to the second floor.

A "coming" was heard from her.

"And how have you been?" I asked; I couldn't be rude.

She went to the TV and turned it on.

"Very well, Ani, you know: working. The good thing is that they gave me the day off today." She sat on the couch. "Come, sit."

I followed her.

Carolina appeared.

"Anne, I thought you'd be with Thomas," she said, sitting with us.

I shrugged.

"Thomas?" Carolina's mom questioned. "Thomas White?"

I looked at her.

"Do you know him?"

She nodded.

"Yes, his mom was a friend of mine back then; then they moved to Canada, and I never saw them again." She shook her head as if lamenting. "I only knew that she and her husband died at the hands of an animal." I swallowed hard upon hearing that last part.

I looked at Carolina in horror, and she gave me the same look.

"An animal?" I asked.

"Unfortunately, yes." She took a deep breath. "She was one of my best friends, just like you are. I met my Arnulfo with her in a bar, and she also met her husband there. They were both friends."

"How old was Thomas when they left?" I asked.

She frowned, trying to remember.

"About five or six, I don't remember well."

"Did I used to play with Thomas?" Carolina asked.

"No, dear, Thomas never left his house. I never understood why."

Two knocks on the door interrupted the important conversation. Carolina's mom got up to open it.

I turned to Carolina.

"How coincidental, isn't it?" she commented. "It's funny how related people end up being."

I nodded.

"Kayler, it's nice to see you." Mrs. Lane's voice made it clear that Kayler had come. Carolina rolled her eyes when she heard her mom call him that. "Apolo, it's been a while; come in, Carolina and Anne are here."

My skin prickled at hearing that Apolo had come.

"Apolo? No way." I muttered to myself.

Suddenly, the two appeared in our line of sight. Kayler, as always, in black, and Apolo... also in black. No wonder they're friends.

"Um, well... Kayler and I have things to... talk about," she said as she stood up and took her boyfriend's hand.

Ugh. She left me alone with Apolo.

Stay strong, Anne.

He sat down and started watching TV.

"How is your friend?" he broke the tense silence.

"Fine," I replied tersely.

Seconds of silence.

"You couldn't tell me the truth before because Thomas had woken up. You can talk now."

He didn't answer.

"I don't think this is the time."

"It wasn't the time in the hospital, and yet you were going to tell me."

I looked at him; his jaw was clenched.

"Speak, Apolo. Get this over with."

He didn't say anything.

"Speak," I raised my voice.

Nothing.

"Apolo, speak."

He rubbed his face in exasperation.

"Apolo..."

"Don't continue, Anne."

"Tell me."

"Anne,

"For God's sake, tell me the truth!" I exploded, standing up.

He stood up immediately, and, tired of my demands, exclaimed: "We're siblings, damn it!"