7. Just a little further
I finally showered and changed into my dark green uniform. When I look into the bathroom mirror, I can see dark circles forming under my eyes. I desperately need a good night's sleep, but I don't think I'll sleep well anytime soon, especially if I'm spending tomorrow night in wolf territory.
My mind is racing, and there are important things I should be thinking about. Like how we can establish a justice system that both humans and wolves trust. How we can, as a first step, confront our past and move on. Or the most basic question, what happens next?
But instead, all I can think is, do I need a toothbrush?
Do I need a toothbrush?
I mean, do I need one because I'm actually going to live until tomorrow?
I look at my phone and consider calling my aunt, but I know there's nothing I could say that would change the situation. And saying "Hey, I might put myself in mortal danger tonight, love you, bye" over the phone feels like the worst possible way to do it.
I pick up the phone anyway, planning to at least send a quick message saying I got to town safely. Lying feels like my only option here.
But just as I'm about to type, a sudden knock on the door startles me so badly I freeze—and drop the phone straight into the bathroom sink, drowning it in water.
Lovely. Just lovely.
"Hey, open up!" Shit, I forgot John is waiting.
After the "incident," he told me I had half an hour to get ready before he'd drive me up the mountain to meet with the wolves.
At first, I felt he was genuinely concerned about my well being and survival.
But after some thought, I think he decided this is actually a great idea.
He believes I can hold off the wolves—possibly paying with my life—while he gets more time to bring in the specialized forces to deal with the wolves afterward.
Still, I might as well try to actually do my job, even if no one, not even the wolves, seems to believe in it.
"OPEN UP! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" he shouts through the door.
"Coming!" I try to say as loudly as I can while deciding that I might as well be hopeful and optimistic. I pack my toothbrush in my backpack, hoping I'll get the chance to use it later. My phone shows no signs of having survived its water bath, so I just leave it on the table.
When I move to open the door, John nearly falls inside, his hand still raised mid-knock.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE—"
"Sorry."
"—you doing?"
"I'm ready now."
"Good, we have no time left. We've decided to evacuate some townspeople from the west road. All the cars are in use, so you'll have to go in yours." He's already turning away as he continues, "Why aren't you moving yet?"
Closing the door behind me, I follow him, confused. "My car actually isn't really—"
"Alara," he interrupts, grabbing my arm tightly and pulling me toward the exit.
His fingers dig into my skin as he drags me outside.
"I have absolutely no time. What do you want to hear?
'Thank you for sacrificing yourself'? Fine—thank you, Alara.
But we all have jobs to do, so you might as well stop talking and just..
." He makes a dismissive wave with his arm. "Go. Right now."
Before I can tell him that my car probably won't make it up the hill again, he's already gone, running to his vehicle while shoving scared townspeople out of his way.
This absolute and complete asshole.
But I have no time to dwell on it. Without thinking further, I sprint to my car and slide behind the wheel. I turn the key, and the engine coughs to life reluctantly. As I pull away from the street, the car shudders beneath me, but I press on, steering it toward the mountain road.
The further I drive up the winding path, the more ominous noises come from under the hood. About halfway up the hill, there's a final, desperate sputter, followed by an alarming mechanical groan.
"Come on, please," I mutter, patting the dashboard desperately. "Just a little further."
The car responds with one last shudder before the engine dies completely.