waterfall

Once again, my heart leaped into my throat. I slowly set my book down on the bench seat, my gaze locking onto the piercing eyes of the wolf. Panic crept up my spine as my heartbeat quickened. With shaking hands, I rose and drew the thin lace curtains closed—though I knew it was a futile attempt at protection. Curiously, I lifted the fabric slightly, peeking through the delicate folds, hoping it had been my imagination. But reality proved me wrong. The wolf had moved, now sitting directly beneath my window, its glowing yellow eyes fixed on me. A strangled gasp escaped my lips, and I stumbled back, pressing myself against the wall. I glanced at the clock. 6:23. The sun would be up soon. Maybe it will leave. I sat there, knees drawn to my chest, until exhaustion overtook me. My heavy eyelids shut, and I drifted into a restless sleep. Sunlight pierced through my window, creating a path that reached me against the wall, rousing me. I blinked, groggy, suddenly remembering last night, I shivered at the thought. Summoning my courage, I crept to the window and dared to peek outside. Gone. Finally. With a relieved sigh, I sat at my desk and dabbed concealer onto my chin, covering up the evidence of last night's events. I throw on a sweater and sweatpants to cover any evidence of last night and slip my feet into my slippers heading downstairs. The house was silent. So silent that I heard the quiet groan as it settled into its foundation. In the kitchen while looking for food, I found a note left by my father and brother:

Audra, we went to the mall to get some more furniture for the house. We'll be back later. -Love, Dad & Kai.

It made sense. Our house was empty of furniture and of my mom. Her boisterous laughter once filled our home, and it was now eerily silent. We could have at least had our furniture shipped here, but it was too expensive. I made an Italian sandwich, eating absentmindedly as I stared out the back door. The weight of last night still lingered, pressing against my mind. Maybe a walk will clear my head. Lacing up my sneakers, I stepped outside. Our small subdivision, with only a few houses each on a quarter acre of land became distant. I set off toward town, not knowing how far I'd actually make it, the crisp morning air offering a welcome distraction. The walk into town stretched for miles, but my thoughts remained blissfully blank. I had walked maybe a third of the way before heading back home. On my way back, I strolled down the street, surprisingly unfazed by the forest's presence beside me. The peaceful rhythm of my steps soothed me. For a moment, everything felt… normal. By the time I reached home, sweat beaded on my forehead as I had jogged the last mile, my pulse thrumming in my ears. I collapsed onto the couch, flipping mindlessly through the TV channels. But no matter how hard I tried to focus, my gaze kept drifting to the window facing the forest. Something was pulling me back. Some unknown force beckoning me, calling me, and I listened. Despite the fear from last night, an undeniable force urged me forward. As if moving in a trance, I slid my feet into my clean boots, opened the back door, and stepped onto the deck. I walked quickly, my mind numbing with each step toward the trees. It was as if I were watching myself from outside my body—like I wasn't in control. My feet carried me off the beaten path, leading me deeper into the unknown. And then, I saw it. A breathtaking waterfall cascaded into a pristine lake, untouched by human life. The water shimmered in an ethereal shade of blue. Across the lake, a small group of deer grazed, while birds flitted overhead, their songs weaving into the serenity. I stepped closer, drawn in by the beauty of the place. Perching on a smooth rock, I slipped off my boots and dipped my toes into the water. A shiver traveled from my feet to my spine, sending a rush of awareness through me. For the first time since last night, I allowed my mind to wander. Then—movement. My breath hitched. From the shadows emerged the same dusty brown wolf. Panic surged through me, but before I could react, something inside me shifted. Like a switch flipping, all my fear drained away, replaced by a numbing emptiness. My body loosened, becoming weightless. What's happening? Why can't I move? I simply sat there, motionless, as the wolf approached, his large paws leaving behind shallow dents in the earth. Its sharp gaze studied me, its nose twitching as it took in my scent. My body, betraying me further, lost all strength. My limbs gave out, and I collapsed onto the soft grass, my cheek pressed into the earth. The wolf moved closer, its warm breath fanning across my skin. Then, to my utter disbelief, it began licking the dirt from my face. What on earth? Had I fainted while still conscious? Was that even possible? The wolf whined softly, nudging me with its nose, urging me to move. I willed my body to respond, but I remained paralyzed, trapped in my own skin. It licked my face again, insistent, desperate. My eyelids grew impossibly heavy. Darkness reached for me, and this time, I didn't resist. I let it take me.