Wolf Blood

Chapter Three: Some Things are a Pain in the Neck

“She lost some blood, but she will be perfectly fine. We believe the pain is what knocked her out. She is good to go home when she comes to,” a soft voice spoke.

Blinking, I saw my parents talking to the doctor. The doctor had soft features and wrinkles by her eyes. Her blonde hair was pulled back and the nose was quite pointed. The doctor glanced over and smiled.

“She’s awake,” she said.

My parents turned and walked over to my side. “You were attacked by a dog,” mum said sliding her hand in mine. “The doctor said you’ll be fine and they’re discharging you soon.” Her eyes were red, and she half smiled at me. Her soft brown eyes were glossy, and her wrinkles seemed more pronounced than normal. Did I do that to her?

I took a deep breath. My neck pain was a dull throb, thank goodness for pain meds.

“I want to go home,” I said, my voice raw. It looked like a dog attack, but it didn’t feel like a dog. I could a sworn I felt hands on me.

“Do you remember what happened?” Dad asked. His blue eyes watching me. His mouth was in a straight line and brow were slightly furrowed as he looked at me. Dad was always harder to read than mum.

“I thought I heard Everette in the woods. He wanted to show me something, but I never saw him. Then. Then the thing attacked me,” I said clearing my throat.

“The dog,” dad said, and I nodded.

It wasn’t long before I was on my feet. My left arm dangled at my side – it felt numb. I took my mother’s hand and she led me to the car. My dress was hard and crusty where the blood landed on it and dried. When I reached the lobby Zander, Everette, and Kinsley were waiting.

“She’s worn out. Take it slow,” dad said as they leapt to their feet.

Zander walked to my side. Everette’s shirt had dried blood marks and Kinsley was in jeans and a t-shirt, which seemed odd. Yawning I slid my hand in Zander’s. I didn’t care right now. When we arrived at the car, I heard Kinsley and Everette talking to me, but I didn’t know what they were saying. I nodded and closed the door. Home awaited and so did my bed.

Light streamed in my room vanquishing the darkness. Pain shot through my arm causing me to groan. That hurt. I rolled to my right side and stood, hoping the doctor sent me home with some pain meds. Reaching for the handle, I pulled the door to see mum standing in front of me.

“I was coming to see how you were,” she said.

I groaned again. “It hurts mum,” I said closing my eyes.

“I’ll make you some breakfast and prep the pain meds.” Sometimes doctors are the best.

I nodded before walking across the hall and into the bathroom. The reflection in the mirror was ghostly. Under my eyes were dark, I was pale, and the white bandage peaked out from under my shirt. I leaned against the counter and pain shot through my arm. Jumping back, I grunted, thinking of all the bad words I could, as if that would ease my pain.

A knock sounded on the bathroom door. “How you doing, Selene?” Zander asked.

“Like I got attacked by a dog,” I said opening the bathroom door. He frowned at me.

“Take it easy today. No wild parties.” He smiled.

“No promises.” I smiled back, gritting my teeth a bit. “I need mum. I need those drugs,” I said walking toward the steps. Zander laughed before I heard the door close.

“Perfect timing. I just finished an egg sandwich for you,” mum said.

I walked to the kitchen and sat at the bar before she placed the sandwich in front of me. Her brown hair was down, framing her round face. She never lets her hair down anymore.

“What’s the occasion?” I asked pointing to her hair.

“Just felt like something different,” she said placing a small pill in front of me. “That will help.” The doorbell rang and mum scurried off to answer it.

Kinsley strode in and smiled when she saw me.

“You look awful,” she said taking a seat beside me.

“Oh, Kinsley.” Mum chuckled. “Do you want anything?”

“No, thanks, Mama West,” she said before pulling down the left side of my collar. “Must have been some dog. The bandage is huge.”

“Yep. Some dog. Luckily, it wasn’t rabid,” I said before swallowing the pill.

“True.” I lifted the sandwich and a piece of egg fell on the plate. Kinsley’s hand shot forward. She scooped it up and tossed it into her mouth. “You up for doing stuff today?”

“What kind of stuff?” I ask.

“A movie with the guys? Everette’s worried about you.”

I nodded. “A movie sounds good.”

Zander, Kinsley, and I piled out of her BMW and headed toward the theatre. When we stepped inside, I saw Everette smile at me. He raised two tickets as he walked over to me.

“Since it’s my fault, I bought your ticket,” he said running his hands through his hair.

“You didn’t bite me, so I don’t see how it’s your fault,” I said.

He looked down. “I know.” He handed the ticket to me. “I’m glad you’re okay.” His eyes lingered on the bandage on my neck. My hand reached up and covered it.

“Ev. It’s fine.”

Zander and Kinsley walked over to us with tickets in hand. The four of us headed into the threatre. When we took out seats, I was beside Everette, who was on my right, and Kinsley, on the left. Everette pushed up the arm rest and reached over to take my right hand. Without looking down I crossed my arms and took a breath, pretending not to notice his attempt. It wasn’t him in the woods. It wasn’t him in the woods.

After the movie we went straight to the diner and I got a milkshake. I sat in the booth next to Kinsley, with Everette across from me. The sadness in his eyes hurt, my heart ached to ease his mind.

“I scored a date with Reyleigh,” Zander said grinning. “We’re going out tomorrow night.”

“You’re welcome, Z,” Kinsley said. “She isn’t wise enough to see past the face.”

“Right. Cause it was only my face that kept you for 8 months,” Zander said leaning closer to her from across the table.

“You were a pretty good kisser. Not the best though.” She shrugged taking a sip of her milkshake. When they got together it was shocking and when they broke up, equally shocking. I didn’t want them together, but as much as it disgusts me to say, they actually worked well together. Barf. Part of me was relieved when they broke up and I don’t miss them being together because I still get both of them.

“Barf guys,” I said my eyes meeting Everette’s. His cheeks reddened before he looked away.

“Let’s not relive that terrible decision,” Everette said, laughing.

How was I so blind to his feelings for me? I thought guys were the oblivious ones. Everette dated girls our entire friendship, but how did I not notice the past few years girls came around less and he vied for my attention more? I wished this lightbulb never went off. I preferred joking with him, but I don’t want to hurt him. Especially because I don’t know how I feel about him.

Taking a deep breath, I leaned back in my seat. Full of the milkshake. Frowning, I sniffed. What was that funny smell? I scowled, probably one of the boys. Men are disgusting.

“I’m getting tired guys,” I said yawning. The three of them looked at me.

“Okay. Let’s head out,” Zander said sliding out of the booth. The rest of us followed.