He felt a surge of power and what was now a familiar violet glow. He blinked and he was sitting up in bed holding his arms in front of him. “Did it just happen again…” he thought.
Slipping out of bed he stepped quickly but quietly down the hall to his parents room and cracked the door. Both his mom and dad were sound asleep. Reclosing the door he headed downstairs to the kitchen, everything was just as it had been left after their game of Rummy. No snacks were out, there wasn’t even milk in the fridge, and certainly no sign of a white wolf. Billy was confused, “What is happening to me?”
Returning to his room the wind had raised some and the rain was still coming down steadily, pinging against his window. He slid back into bed and feeling exhausted he fell immediately to sleep.
He woke naturally, the rain was no longer pinging his window. Checking his alarm clock, it displayed 7:07. Slipping out of bed he looked out his window. The rain had stopped, the wind had died down and the clouds were dissipating.
A knock at his door. Looking up his dad was standing in the open doorway. “Good. You’re up. I thought you and I would take a ride back out to Gregor”s place this morning. You, interested?”
“Yeah. I’m curious what’s going on.”
“Good. After breakfast then.” He started to turn.
“Dad Were you up last night?”
“Well I was aware of the storm. Otherwise slept like a baby. Got up just a little while ago myself. Why?”
“Nothing. Weird dreams I guess. I thought I saw the wolf in the house. Crazy, huh!”
“Considering yesterday, probably not unexpected. I would like some answers though it does seem strange to see a wolf no one I know has mentioned a wolf in the area for over ten years.”
“Indeed. Strange.” Billy thought to himself, “Glad you saw it too. The reat I can chock up to my imagination. At least, there’s something more tangible to that. I need answers. This is as good a place as any to start.”
After breakfast Billy and hid fad bid adieu to his mom. “Don’t wait lunch on us Flo. Billy and I will grab something while we’re out.”
“That works out just fine Estelle invited me to lunch at her house with Barb and Marie. You boys were going to have to gend for yourselves anyway.” She smiled. “Have fun.”
“You too mom.”
Billy”s dad gave her a hug and a kiss, “Love ya Babe. Tell the girls I said hi.” Billy and his dad headed out.
As Billy started backing out his dad spoke, “That worked out well. We have as much time as we need. Let’s swing through Monty’s. We can get some ice coffee and then head out to Gregor”s. Go in the way I showed you yesterday.”
It was about an hour later, Billy was just finishing his drink when they turned off the main drag. There were many small puddles in the road from last night’s thunderstorm but the road was not muddy and no dust was raised as they drove through.
They saw the fieldstone chimney appear as they crested the hill. Parked in front of the cabin was a late model Ford Explorer, Duke’s Renovations emblazoned on the side. Parked next to the cabin where they had seen the trailer yesterday was an older, probably 90’s vintage, Chevy Silverado 4×4 pickup. It was olive drab, bondo and primer around the wheel wells, probably surplus from the Army reserve.
Billy pulled to a stop behind the Ford. As he and his dad got out of the Bronco, they heard the screen door slam shut on its springs behind a tall gangly man in his mid-forties, a sour expression on his face.
A large golden retriever followed him taking a guarded position at the door. He growled at the man.
“And you can just forget it Duke. I can manage this all by myself.” Then surly, “Even if I am a girl.”
The man looked at us, shook his head. Bit off, “Best of luck to ya. Gal is crazy.” He climbed into his truck, slammed the door and tore out of the driveway back down the dirt road.
When they turned back towards the cabin, a young woman was standing on the porch looking at them, shotgun by her side. Angrily she spoke, “And what are you two selling?” The golden maintained his defensive stance at the door and made a low growl.
“Sorry to disturb you miss? We’re not selling anything. I’m an old acquaintance of Ethan’s I heard that someone in the family was taking over the old cabin so thought I’d drop by and give my regards. I’m Ralph Einkhorn, this is my son Bill.”
“Doesn’t he speak?” she spoke sarcastically.
“Yeah, I speak. People call me Billy.”
“How quaint.”
Billy thought to himself, “That could’ve gone better.” Then, “Let me try that again. I’m Billy Einkhorn, finishing up my senior year at Olgilvie’s Art Institute, I rock climb on Old McCrory’s Cliff sometimes. I’m spending a few days with my folks.”
She set the shotgun down by the door. “I’m Mallory Entwistle, Uncle Ethan was my great uncle on my mother’s side.” She reached out and shook their hands, holding Billy’s a little longer, sizing him up as she shook it.
The golden retriever let out a deep woof and settled onto his rear haunches, sniffing the air, he let out another, “Woof”.
“This is Gomer, my protector,” she laughed. I think you just got his approval.
“McCrory’s, I climbed on that a couple times when I was visiting Uncle Ethan.” She paused a moment, looking sad in thought. “Before he passed away. I don’t think it’s safe anymore.”
My dad spoke “Damn straight. Billy was climbing out here the other day when there was a rock slide. Damn lucky he didn’t get killed. Climbing alone is never a good idea.”
She looked at Billy a little sideways, clearly estimating him. “Yeah, you should always have a partner when you climb. Things can turn sideways in a heartbeat. Then I suspect for some that’s a part of the thrill.” She looked at him and smiled, as if to say “Is that what it is for you?”
My dad looked at him a moment, “He looks a lot like Buddy. He has the same coloring and that dark patch across his eye gives him close to the same look as Buddy had.”
“Poor Buddy,” she said. “He and Uncle Ethan went through a lot together. They were inseparable. I’m sure when Buddy passed, Uncle Ethan just couldn’t stand to be without him. There together again now, God rest his soul.” She looked away.
There was a low growl, but it wasn’t coming from Gomer, he was laying at Mallory’s feet, not a care in the world.
I looked over at the corner of the cabin and there poised at the corner was the white wolf. Checking us out, making an assessment of his next move.
Dad said, “Nobody move. He’s back.”
After a moment the white wolf came charging in our direction…
Come back next Monday to find the fate of Billy, his dad, and their new acquaintance.
Episode 7 – 5/24/21
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