Chapter 7
Jessica
Jessica and the twins have been outside playing for a couple of hours. The twins love being outside, especially Michael. It’s getting close to lunchtime. Jessica hasn’t been to the store yet. She doesn’t want to drag the twins out but Michael needs a new car seat and they need a few groceries.
“How about we go to town?” Jessica suggested. “We can grab something to eat while we are there.”
“Yeah!” Michael shouted at the mention of lunch.
“Alright, let’s go in and wash up so we can go.” Jessica opened the glass door.
Michael came rushing in with Madison close behind. Jessica noticed that Madison is running a little faster or maybe Michael isn’t going full speed. She shrugged it off and followed them in. Once everyone was cleaned up Jessica locked up and they headed out. Jessica made a mental checklist of what they need as she drove in the opposite direction of the resort. Hopefully her phone doesn’t lose signal or they may get lost.
To Jessica’s surprise their shopping trip only lasted two hours. She had come across a small shop with children’s stuff in the window. The twins even picked out a few things for themselves, of course. They grabbed some food from a local hamburger joint and headed back to the cabin. The outing had been good, no one screamed nor cried, Madison didn’t get sick, and Michael didn’t shift. When they get back the twins can take a nap, and maybe Jessica can get a little rest too. She’s a little concerned about getting back and taking the groceries in. She doesn’t need Michael running off again. When you have twins they never seem to run in the same direction. Pulling onto the cabin’s driveway Jessica got an idea.
“Can you two help me bring in all this stuff?” She looked back at the twins knowing they wouldn’t be able to resist. “It would help me out a lot.”
“Yeah!” They both shouted with excitement.
They were always looking for ways to help. This way she will know where they are. The twins were jumping with excitement by the time Jessica parked the car and popped the trunk. Luckily, she had a bunch of light bags they will be able to carry, along with all the toys they had picked out. One by one they carried everything in. Madison and Michael did a great job trying not to drop anything. Jessica’s plan worked out great. Neither of the twins strayed from their task. After everything was inside the twins helped get everything out of the bags while Jessica put everything away.
“Alright, go take your shoes off and put them by the door.” She told the twins. It’s time to get them to lay down for a nap. Madison is already rubbing her eyes.
“Okay you two; it’s time for a small nap.” She said when they came back into the kitchen.
“No nap,” Michael said and ran off down the hall.
“Michael, I said its nap time. You will take a nap or you won’t be able to play with your new toys.” Jessica ordered although she knew Michael was about to throw a fit anyway.
“Mommy, I sick.” Madison said not looking too good.
“Dang it, hurry up and go to the bathroom. I’m coming.” Madison took off for the bathroom.
Jessica dried her hands and went down the hall to the bathroom. As she went down the hall she could hear Michael throwing a fit in the room he’s sharing with Madison. Rolling her eyes, she kept going. Walking into the bathroom she seen Madison bent over the toilet. Jessica pulled Madison hair back and put it in a loose ponytail to keep her hair out of the way. Getting a rag wet for Madison, Jessica thought she heard the back door open.
“Madison stay here. I need to go check on your brother.” Jessica left the bathroom and went down the hall.
Glancing in the twin’s room, she noticed Michael isn’t in there. Oh Lord, where did he go? Jessica ran down the hall into the living room. The sliding glass door is open just enough for a small child to get through. Running to the door, Jessica heard the popping of Michael shifting. His wolf is running into the woods.
“Damn it!” Jessica ran to the bathroom and grabbed Madison up.
Running out the back door with Madison on her hip, Jessica called out for Michael. She couldn’t see him anymore; he is too far into the woods. She continued calling but she didn’t hear any response. Jessica is starting to panic. She isn’t as fast carrying Madison but Jessica couldn’t leave her behind this time. After going deeper into the woods, Jessica stopped and called out for Michael again. A howl came from the distance. It’s too loud to be her pup. This didn’t sit well with her. Her son is out there and so is a larger wolf. Jessica is in full panic mode. Tears began falling as she started picturing all that could go wrong. With the worst timing ever, Madison got sick. Oh, this can’t be happening. At least not all of it ended up running down Jessica’s shirt. She didn’t have time for this. They need to find Michael.
“It’s okay.” She told Madison when she started to cry. “Hold on tight, sweetie.” Jessica told Madison as she maneuvered Madison around to a piggy back position.
She will be able to go faster this way, and if Madison gets sick again at least it won’t be under her nose. Jessica frantically called out for Michael, sporadically stopping to listen. She couldn’t lose him, not like this. Suddenly Madison started tapping on Jessica’s shoulder and pointing to the right.
“There,” Madison said pointing.
Jessica knew to trust the twin thing her children had going on, so she turned to the right in the direction that Madison pointed to. Jessica stopped dead in her tracks when she heard another howl. Another sound could be heard but Jessica couldn’t identify the sound, only that it’s Michael.
“Oh no!” Jessica said, she slowly put Madison down.
Madison needs to be on the ground in case Jessica orders her to run. How far off can they be? Jessica walked forward, trying to listen out for any sound. There isn’t any more whining. Everything is quiet, Jessica knows this couldn’t be a good thing. Madison pulled at Jessica’s shirt and pointed once again. This time in front of them off to the right. Jessica started walking slowly in that direction. Nothing could be heard other than a slight breeze coming through the trees. Jessica picked up her speed, as long as, Madison could keep up. Their speed didn’t last long. They came to an abrupt stop when Jessica saw a large brown wolf with a pup in its mouth. Jessica knew that’s Michael being carried by his neck. Her heart jumped into her throat. This wolf before her had her son completely in its mouth. She pulled Madison behind her.
“Oh, dear God, please don’t hurt him.” Jessica started to cry. What is she going to do? Now not only is Michael in danger but all three of them were.
The big brown wolf slowly came forward not letting go of Michael. Jessica held her ground and didn’t step away. Even though she is terrified and tears were falling, she didn’t want to show fear.
“Please put him down.” Jessica begged.
She didn’t know whether this wolf is a real wolf or a shifter. Hell, she didn’t even know if it could understand her. The wolf continued to walk slowly towards her. It didn’t seem to be growling so Jessica stood still. Once the wolf was directly in front of her, it slowly put Michael down on the ground in front of her. The wolf backed up, never breaking eye contact with her. Once the wolf was a few yards away Jessica bent down to pick Michael up. She made sure to keep eye contact. She needs to be able to react in case it tried anything funny. The wolf sat on its hind end and Jessica could easily tell it’s a male.
“Madison, climb on my back. Let’s go for another piggy back ride.” Jessica sounded more confident than she really was.
“Scared,” Madison whispered.
“It’s okay. Mommy won’t let anything happen.” Jessica hopes she isn’t lying.
The wolf laid on the ground and put his head down. Madison climbed up on Jessica’s back shaking like a leaf. Cradling Michael in her arms, she stood up. The wolf didn’t move he just looked at her tilting his head. Jessica didn’t want to assume anything about the wolf and she started backing up. She wishes the wolf would go away but clearly, he isn’t moving. Moving slowly, she backed straight up trying to put some distance between them and the wolf. The wolf let out a bark just as she backed into a tree.
“Mommy,” Madison warned.
“Sorry, sweetie.”
Did the wolf try to warn her? Jessica decided it may be safe for her to pay more attention. She started walking backwards again, this time looking back more often. The wolf still didn’t move. It’s a relief and yet a little nerve wracking. Why won’t he just go away? Once the wolf was no longer in sight she turned around and began walking again.
Five minutes into their walk back Jessica stopped to look around. She knew she turned somewhere, she just couldn’t remember where. Turning around in a complete circle, she took in her surroundings. Everything looked the same to her. She jumped when she heard a bark nearby. Jessica turned and looked behind her. About 20 yards back off to the right stood the brown wolf. She took a couple steps to the left so she had a better view of him.
“What do you want?” She said low enough that the wolf wouldn’t hear her, at least she thinks.
The wolf jerked his head to the side then turned in that direction. After taking a few steps he stopped and looked at her, jerking his head once more. Michael let out a whimper. When Jessica looked at Michael he licked her face.
“Go, mommy,” Madison whispered. “Wolf help.”
“You want me to follow you?” Jessica called out to the wolf.
This is crazy, she thought until the wolf barked in response. Jessica looked over her shoulder and saw Madison nodding.
“Okay, we are going to follow this strange wolf in the middle of the woods.” Jessica said sarcastically.
The wolf whined, turned back around and started walking. Jessica did a little hop to readjust Madison higher up then started walking. She had to stop when Madison got sick again. This time she managed to get it on the ground this time. Jessica tucked Michael under her arm like a football and started walking again with one arm under Madison’s leg.
After walking for a good twenty minutes, Jessica began to get tired of carrying the twins. She had made up some distance between them and the wolf, but she stayed far enough away for some reaction time. Wolves were unpredictable, she knows that much. He had stopped once and whined, but Jessica backed away when he walked towards her. When she had backed away the wolf turned back around and kept walking. He didn’t look back again. Soon the opening to the cabin came into view.
“Oh thank you, thank you, thank you.” Jessica whispered pinching her eyes shut as if her praise would reach further.
When she opened her eyes, she realized the wolf had stopped.
“Thank you for helping us. You can go away now.” Jessica hoped he would leave now.
To her surprise the wolf took off back into the woods. Jessica let out a deep breath in relief. Checking behind her to make sure the wolf is gone, Jessica rushed into the cabin. Locking the door behind her she put Michael and Madison down. Madison ran to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Michael tried to run off but Jessica was able to catch him.
“Oh, no you don’t. Do you realize you could have been hurt?” Jessica quickly realized she is wasting her breath on her pup so she put him down. “We will continue this later.”