Chapter 5

Rocky's POV

The last bell had finally rung and I was more than happy to leave AP Government. I always dreaded my history classes. It wasn't like I didn't like history or anything, the teachers that always taught them were just plain BORING! And the professor I had for this class had to be the top most boring history teacher I have ever encountered in my school years. I prefer reading out of the books rather than listen to that monotone voice of his.

As I passed through the doors, I couldn't help but smile slightly as I remembered the fishing trip my dad had planned for us this weekend. Luckily for me, the job he currently had wasn't one that needed him practically 24/7. With this one, he was actually able to take the weekends off and spend some quality time with me.

I passed by many cars with teenagers lounging about, talking about the party for tonight. What was so great about it? I know he is the talk of the school but do they really need to make such a big deal about it? They were acting extremely idiotic if you asked me. It's just a party that most likely will happen again and again throughout the year. Seniors were known to party until they were partied out, especially because of all the alcohol and drugs that were sooner or later snuck in; hence the reason why I never go to any of them. That, and I never seemed to get invited. Pity.

I made my way through the parking lot, ignoring the constant chatter that went on around me and exited the school's grounds. I turned right and began my usual walk home. Having a car would be ideal now, but seeing that there was barely any space to park inside the school, I preferred walking. And besides, it provided a great source of exercise that I was in dire need of. I wasn't getting chunky or anything, but I liked to stay active whenever I could. Active in the sense of simply walking long distances, not doing a sport that would eventually kill me due to the lack of agility I have. Hey, I am only human!

After about 20-30 minutes, I finally reached my home which seemed isolated from the others. That was the good thing about this neighborhood.

I entered my house, surprised to find my dad sitting on his favorite couch watching TV. At the sound of the door opening, he turned around and gave me his heartwarming smile. I smiled in return and walked towards him, planting a kiss on his cheek before a puzzled look took over my features.

"What are you doing here this early?"

He laughed quietly as he sat up straighter, giving me his undivided attention, which was a surprise to me. He always seemed to have something to do so he rarely paid any attention to me unless it was needed.

"Well, this job doesn't require a lot of work and the boss decided to let everyone go home early today. There's supposedly this party that's happening later on tonight and the whole neighborhood is invited. He even went to say that if you and I wanted to go, that we would be welcomed." He paused, tilting his head in question. "Do you know about this party? Has there been other kids talking about it?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I remembered the constant chatter that never seemed to end whatsoever today. I slumped down on the couch opposite of him, letting my backpack slide onto the floor in front of me. "Yeah. They wouldn't shut up about it today. I don't see why it's such a big deal anyway." I crossed my arms and looked at the TV, not even bothering to pay any attention to what I was seeing.

Silence erupted in the room, my dad's eyes still on me as I continued to stare at the TV. It wasn't long until his voice echoed around the room. "Do you want to go, Rochelle?"

Whenever he used my full name, I knew he was being serious. "Of course not, dad. We had this fishing trip planned ever since you got that offer to work here. I rather spend time with you than go to that party." It was the honest truth.

He raised an eyebrow at me, not buying what I was saying. Ugh, I hated how he didn't believe me sometimes. This man was a handful.

With a heavy sigh, I turned my head to look at him dead in the eyes as I said slowly, "I don't want to go dad. I prefer fishing."

"Says the vegetarian," he muttered playfully as he resumed his previous position on the couch. I glared at him mockingly before I stood up and grabbed my bag.

"I'm going to pack. At what time are we leaving?"

He raised his arm as he looked at the silver watch on his left wrist. "About an hour. We want to be able to make it before sundown."

"Are we coming back by Sunday afternoon?"

He simply nodded his head, letting me know it was the end of the conversation. Some people would think that it was quite rude, but I had already grown accustomed to it. My dad has never been the same after my mom's death, and it was perfectly understandable. They were soul mates, and losing her had to be one of the greatest unfortunate events my dad ever had to encounter. His first was losing his father after he had come back from serving at war, but that wasn't as great as this one. My mom and dad had been going out since his senior year and her junior year in high school. They never once broke it off and even during his time where he had to leave the country, she was completely faithful to him as he was to her. Their love story was truly special and I always wished that I could find a love like that one day after my dad had told me their story when I was 13.

I made my way up the stairs and closed the door behind me once I entered the room. It was going to be easy to pack since I knew exactly what to bring. Since we were heading South, I was pretty sure that the weather was going to be a lot warmer than it was here. It wasn't like it was freezing where I am now, but you can tell that winter was on its way by the chill in the air.

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We finally reached our destination. It had been a few hours since we had eaten and I was quietly reading a novel I had brought along with me in the back porch that overlooked the forest. I had changed my clothes to one of my long sleeved shirts and shorts, despite the chilly air that was now starting to give me goose bumps throughout my entire body.

I shivered slightly, ignoring the sensation as I continued to read. I could hear my dad lightly snoring in the living room, the TV still audible to my ears. For some reason, he always seemed to sleep a whole lot better with the TV on. I don't know for how long I had been sitting here reading, and I didn't realize it until I looked down at my watch. It was already 1:17 in the morning. Holy crap!

I hated how I would get so caught up in a story that I would lose track of time and that would make me lose some sleep every now and then. I'm surprised I'm not sleep deprived yet.

Just when I was about to stand up and head inside, I heard something shuffling against the bushes, causing my body to jump on high alert. Placing the book on the railing beside me, I searched the trees with wary eyes. My heart was beating at a fast pace, pounding loudly in my ears.

Jumping off of the wooden railing, I stepped around the small column that connected with the roof of the porch and onto the soft grass below. I don't know why I was even doing this, but my feet didn't hesitate to go towards the source of the sound.

I continued to walk until I reached the bushes. I jumped as high as I could, trying to get a better view of anything behind it, but my eyes only met darkness. I let out a frustrated sigh as I pushed the bushes aside, stepping over them and onto the dark forest. I know, stupid me, but I couldn't help it.

I didn't want to wander off too much in the woods, so I kept myself at a safe distance from the cabin. I'm pretty sure my dad was still sleeping soundly on the couch, so he wouldn't have even noticed my brief disappearance. I didn't plan on staying out here too long, the forest was starting to give me the creeps anyway. I looked around, trying hard to not make a sound as I cautiously made my way through the deep undergrowth of the forest grounds.

I don't know for how long I walked, but I suddenly felt heavy eyes bore onto my back. I turned around leisurely, gasping as I met bright yellow eyes. It didn't seem as if that were their natural color, but since it was dark, I could only assume that's how they seemed to be. Odd right?

I took a step back the second I noticed the large creature emerge through the trees. It was huge! It was pitch black and the only thing visible were its eyes. They seemed to darken in color as the creature approached; and that's when I caught sight of what it was.

My mouth gaped open as recognition dawned on me. It was the same wolf I had seen the first day I had arrived at Black Forest. What the heck was it doing here?

As it continued to stare at me, I couldn't help but feel safe in its presence. I felt no danger emanating off of the creature before me. But I was more surprised to get a random sensation where all I wanted to do was close the small distance that stood between us. I yearned to touch its fur and cuddle against its large form until I fell asleep. Wait, what the heck was wrong with me?

I shook my head as I tried to clear my mind that was running at full speed. Here I was, standing in front of this abnormally large wolf, and yet I wasn't running away screaming at the top of my lungs. I think I have officially gone insane.

Cautiously taking a step to the side in the direction from which I came, I made sure to never look away from it. It watched me carefully, taking in my every move as I made my way towards the bushes near the cabin. Just when I was about a few feet away, I heard it whimper softly before taking a step in my direction. The sound of it nearly broke my heart and I wanted nothing more than to go to it and comfort him as best as I could. If it even was a him.

But reality struck me just then and I turned around and ran towards the cabin, ignoring the book I had been reading just minutes before. I rushed towards my bedroom upstairs, not caring about the loud thuds my feet made as it collided against the wooden floors beneath me. I didn't care if I woke up my dad just then, I just wanted to distance myself from that wolf and bury myself beneath my covers before I officially lost my mind. I don't know what had come over me. I wanted to go to it, to comfort it the second I heard that sound. I wanted to comfort a beast that could easily take my life with a single swipe of its enormous claws. And yet, here I am, my body begging to go back to the woods where I last saw it and never leave its side.

Why was I feeling this way? Why did I feel such a powerful connection all of a sudden for a creature that was meant to be in the wild?

All these questions swirled about in my mind as I slowly fell into a dreamless sleep.