The Long Lost Daughter

4 The Letter

Despite my every protest, the nurse who was in charge of discharging me would not let me walk out of the hospital. I had to be wheeled out, which was not only embarrassing but completely unnecessary as I was already healed. I looked around for Aunt Rae's Mercedes but it was no where to be found. However I did notice a familiar looking Corolla which is when Ashley pops out of the drivers side and begins frantically waving at me. She walks around to the passenger side and opens the door for me. 

“Hey girly! How are you feeling?” She asked as both her and the nurse try to help me to stand up. I push both of their arms off, which earns me an eye roll from Ashley. Ashley knows my stubborn way however the nurse seems deeply offended as she backs away.

“I feel perfectly fine” I tell her sitting in the car completely on my own. I try to hide the disappointment that it is not Rae who is picking me up. I was hoping to finally have some answers, but it looks like I am going to have to sit in this confusion for a while longer. 

“Have a nice day,” the nurse says as she turns to leave with clear irritation lacing her voice. 

We drive a short while in the direction of my house before Ashley breaks the silence, “Your Aunt asked me to pick you up, I guess she had something to do. I hope that’s okay. Happy Birthday by the way!" 

"Thank you Ashley" I say with a giggle. Through her rambling she still remembered to wish me a happy birthday. As much as I hate to admit it, I am really going to miss this girl when I move. 

"At least you can say it was a memorable birthday!” Ashley says while laughing. 

She always knows how to find the positive in everything. It sure has been memorable. Since I have not gotten down to the bottom of what is actually happening I have a feeling it is just going to get even more memorable. I am hoping that Aunt Rae is at least home so she can give me some answers. 

Thankfully we live in a pretty suburban town where there are stores and a hospital nearby, so it only takes us about ten minuets until we are pulling up to my house. As soon as Ashley puts the car in park I am already taking off my seatbelt and am ready to bolt inside. 

Once I open the car door I lean in and tell Ashley, “Thank you for the ride home I appreciate it. Even though last night was crazy I really did enjoy the fun time we had.”

She just gives me a smile and a nod before I close the door. She backs out of the driveway with a smile still plastered on her face. I think this is the first time Ashley has heard me say something genuine about spending time with her. Ashley knows I care about her and that she is my only friend. I should have been doing a better job of telling her just how much she means to me. After all she is all I got. 

Once I get inside I am surprised to not see Aunt Rae in the living room. I call out for her a couple of times and get no response. I check the few rooms that we have in this house and she is not there. 

As I walk back into the kitchen I spot something on the dinning room table that separates the living room and the kitchen. Once I get closer I notice that there is an envelope. The envelope is addressed to me in a handwriting I don’t recognize. Next to the envelope is a note written on a piece of paper, except this time I know the writing is my aunts. I read my aunt's note first.

Penelope, 

I am sorry I am not home right now. I wanted to give you some space to process the information you are about to read. I will be home later to talk to you. I hope once you find out the truth that you will not hate me. I hope that you remember what I said yesterday, I am always going to be here for you, no matter what. I am sorry that I did not properly prepare you for the news you are about to receive. I am sorry that I kept this from you for so long. I did the best I could. I have always loved you my little Penny, as if you were my own. Nothing will ever change that. Be brave honey. 

Love, 

Aunty Rae 

Nervous tears begin to run down my face. I am not ready for whatever news this is. I wish that Rae was here, I wish I did not have to do this myself. Yes I have always been independent but something tells me that this is going to be very hard to take.

Then I finally hear it once more. The same voice of last night. The sound of a lovely woman’s voice, except this time it is a lot softer and for some reason it does not scare me, only comforts me.  

You are not along darling. I am right here. You will never be alone again. 

Despite knowing that this voice is most likely coming from my head I make one last effort to look around me and hope that I am not crazy. However there is no one there and I am hit with the realization that this voice is indeed coming from inside my head. 

You will find out soon just who I am. Just relax and read the letter in front of you. I am sure it will explain a lot for you. Penny you are strong and brave. You will get through this. 

I choose to ignore the fact that this voice just called me Penny and not Penelope. I have no idea what is happening to me and I truthfully don’t want to spiral into another panic attack. I take deep breaths and begin opening the note that is addressed to me. 

I skip right to the end and see that this letter is indeed from my Dad. 

My Dearest Penelope, 

If you are reading this, that means that it is your 18th Birthday. I wish that I could be there myself to give you a hug and celebrate the day with you. Happy Birthday Penny! 

There are many things that I am going to explain to you in this letter. Some may be difficult to hear and understand. What you need to know is that there is much about this world that you do not understand. I tried to raise you right, to raise you in the way that your mother would have. I tried the make the best decisions for our family, even if that meant leaving you. 

You my dear, are a werewolf. 

I am a werewolf. 

Your mother was a werewolf. 

You grew up a part in a human world. I chose this for you due to many reasons, but the main reason being protection. Providing you with protection is the reason I had to leave you. It was all that I felt I could do. I am still alive my dear. I just can no longer be around you. This world you live in has threats that you do not understand. You are special and I made the decision to leave for you, not because I wanted to but to ensure your safety. If I could be there with you celebrating you birthday I would be. 

I chose Rae to be your guardian because I know that she would do anything for you. Rae is not a werewolf and was always the one that I could count on when we were young. She is my closest friend and the only person I could count on to keep you safe. 

My dear, I want you to know that I unfortunately will never be apart of your life. I will never be able to walk you down the isle, or meet my first grandchild. These are sacrifices I am making for you and your safety. I know that when the time comes where you will be an an adult, I will not be the same man. I am protecting you from the dangers of this unknown world, and myself. I understand that you will come to hate and resent me, but I hope one day you will understand I did it for your best intentions. 

I am going to try to explain what it is like to be a werewolf but the wolf that is inside of you will also help you through that. She is going to be there for you when I can not be. Your wolf is apart of you. She can see anything you do, think of it as two minds in one body. In human form, the wolf takes a backseat in your mind and if you ever get the pleasure of shifting into your wolf, you will take a backseat in her mind. A wolf has many urges and one of the many things you will have to work through is controlling her. 

A werewolf's wolf only makes its appearance once they turn 18 which is why you never could communicate with her before. Your wolf has been there in hibernation through your whole life though. She knows everything you have endured and the life you have lived. Let your wolf guide you. 

It is important to know that the human world must never know about the existence of our kind. I know that this new identity of yours is going to be difficult, but keeping it all a secret it imperative. I am leaving this responsibility to you knowing that you are more than capable of keeping this secret. It is important that you do because there are repercussions otherwise. 

As a wolf you will have incredible strength and power. You will be able to heal quickly. You will have heightened senses. It is important that you act like another human amongst all the people you come across. I want you to be able to live out whatever life you have planned for yourself. Please don't let being a werewolf get in the way. You will learn to control your abilities and knowledge. 

Penelope, you are strong and brave and I know you have the resilience to take on this challenge. Live your life my Pup. Don’t let who you are stand in the way of what you can become. 

Love, 

Your Father Charles

I read the letter about 5 times over when it becomes harder to read through my tears which are now staining the paper. Despite all that I read, what hurts the most is knowing that I will never get to see my father again. He is alive but I don't get to have him in my life. It would almost be easier if he was dead. It hurts more knowing that I am going to have to live my life knowing he is alive and well but he has to live apart from me. 

But he is doing it for my safety? How is it a good thing that I am left to figure this out all on my own?

You are not alone my dear. 

I am a wolf, the voice telling me I am not alone is my wolf. I can not even begin to comprehend all of this new knowledge. I sit at the table just staring off into space not knowing how to understand all of this  new information. 

My entire life just got flipped upside down. If I did not know any better I would say this is some sick joke. Deep down I know this is real. The world is no where near what I knew. 

Deciding that I can not digest this information any longer, I head upstairs. Once I change into my comfy leggings and hoodie I curl up in my bed. For the first time in a long time sleep comes easily and darkness consumes me. My dreams appear filled with times where my life was simpler. When I had my Dad and where I had no worries in the world.