The Missing Pack

Thea's POV

The crisp wind of the approaching winter rushes through the tops of the pine trees; closing my eyes, I imagine that cool burst of wind tickling my cheeks. Instead, my cheeks are heated by the steady fire burning in the fireplace in front of my dad's favorite leather armchair. I let a daydream of a simpler time and a younger Thea running through those trees take over my thoughts. The romance novel I was trying to distract myself with early slips from my fingers. The relaxation that the daydream brings nearly lulls me into sleep.

"I know you cheated, Troy! It was my turn, not yours!"

And there goes my moment of peace, the moment where I almost forgot myself and found the happiness that fills my childhood memories of this place. My family's cabin has always been a sanctuary, but since I started my first semester at Baylor, the world feels different somehow.

"Aaron, do you really have to yell about it?" I ask my younger brother while trying to keep the edge out of my voice. The two boys have been trying to find a way to entertain themselves all afternoon and apparently hadn't found a board game as good as their tablets yet.

The constant noise of my two younger brothers has been grating on my nerves, probably because I am used to the quiet of living on my own, in a city where I don't know anyone.

"Why don't you two go play something outside. That is what I always did when Mom and my dad brought me here as a kid."

"It is too cold outside, and there is nothing to do out there anyway," Troy, the younger of the two, complained.

"That is why you have to use your imagination."

Aaron snorts at my comment and takes off down the hallway, likely to go find the tablet that Mom hid from him hours ago. I don't understand their lack of curiosity about the woods. When I was their age, that was my favorite thing about this place; the mystery of the woods. My imagination was filled with the magical creatures that lived out there, the ones that I swore I would find one day.

I'm mourning those easier days filled with dragons, fairies, and werewolves, and I feel bad for my younger brothers, who are missing out on those secret worlds. But, I guess that is what happens when you are nearly ten years older; your childhood is completely different from your siblings.

Sighing, I pick up the book I let slip onto the floor and place it on the fireplace's mantle. I'll try to get into the story again later, maybe when there is a little less noise.

Following the smell of baking rolls, I make my way into the kitchen, where my mom is working on tonight's dinner.

"Hey, sweet girl," my mom says while stirring something on the stovetop. "I feel like I haven't seen you much today with how busy I have been helping Steve winterize the cabin.

Steve is my mom's husband and the boys' dad. He is a sweet man that my mom was fortunate to find. The thing I like most about him is that he never tries to act like my dad; he is supportive without overstepping. That must be really hard as a step-parent.

"I noticed that you two were really busy. I can't believe it is our last trip to the cabin this year."

"Oh, I know, this year has gone by so fast. It seems so different with you off at school. Speaking of school, how are classes going? My first year of nursing school was such an exciting time in my life, and I love that you are getting that experience for yourself."

Shoving an entire chocolate chip cookie in my mouth gave me the extra second I needed to figure out how to answer my mom. I knew school would come up, and it was the one subject I wanted to avoid.

"It has really opened my eyes to what you do every day."

Seeing the pride in my mom's eyes made the fact that I hated everything about nursing school sting even more. The day I got my acceptance letter, my mom cried and called every relative that would pick up their phone to tell them the good news. Her daughter was following in her footsteps.

"I am so glad to hear that," she says with a sweet smile on her face. "If you ever have any questions or need any help with your classes, you know you can always call me. I know you are busy, but I have missed hearing from you so much."

"Thanks, Mom. I have missed talking to you too. I will definitely try to call more."

How am I supposed to tell her that the reason I don't call is because I don't know how to tell her that I hate my classes, I hate the school, and I am failing nearly all of my classes?

"Have you decided what kind of nursing you want to go into? Just because I chose labor and delivery doesn't mean that is the right path for you too. You can pick any kind of nursing you want, and I will support you."

"Um, I don't really know yet … I am going to take Tank for a walk."

"Thea, it is getting cold out there, and Tank is too fat to walk far anyway."

Laughing, I look down at the Labrador Retriever fast asleep on the pile of shoes at the front door. He has definitely put on a few pounds since I left for school.

"That is because the boys are constantly feeding him off of their plates, and no one walks him when I am not home."

Sighing, my mom nods and adds, "Fine, but be careful. It is starting to get cold, and the sun goes down in just a few hours."

"Mom, I was basically raised here. I know my way around; you don't have to worry. I will be back before you even finish dinner."

As soon as I have the leash in my hand, Tank's tail is thumping against the wall. I throw on a men's oversized coat and slip on my hiking boots. After living in Texas for the past six months, all of the layers feel foreign to me now. During the school year, I rarely have to pull out the winter wear that is required in Montana.

However, as soon as I walk the familiar path through the pine trees, I feel more like myself again.

"I don't know what I am going to do, Tankie boy. How am I supposed to tell Mom that I am on the verge of losing my scholarship? But, honestly, I think I would be happier if I did lose it, then I would be able to come back home and find a new dream."

Tank sniffed a pinecone and started walking forward again, with a little more waddle in his gait than before.

"Of course, if I come home, the first thing I am going to do is put you on a diet." Tank gave me a bit of side-eye but continued his way forward. I let him pull us forward; since this is his first walk in who knows how long, it is only fair that I let him lead.

Mindlessly walking, I look up at the trees more than I watch where we're going. Tank's sudden bark pulls me back to reality.

"Sh*t Tank! You scared me."

Trying to figure out what Tank barked at, I realize that I have no clue where we are.