CHAPTER NINE

Olive's POV:

We arrived at Ivan's house, famished and drained. Ivan had carried my mom throughout our journey, while I stayed by her side, trying to offer what little comfort I could. Her strength had been sapped by the earlier fight, so I tended to her wounds with Ivan's assistance. Night had fallen by the time we settled in.

After ensuring my mom was sound asleep, I left her to rest on the sofa. She needed to be as comfortable as possible for a speedy recovery. As I sat in the dimly lit room, my mind buzzed with questions. How could my mom be here in this strange place? And why was she a wolf? The mysteries piled up like a puzzle waiting to be solved. Was this the reason behind my dad's disappearance? What kind of world had we stumbled into? These thoughts swirled in my mind as I eventually drifted off to sleep.

Sydney's POV:

Returning to this place, a location that held so much resentment for me, was an act of confronting my darkest memories. The surroundings were all too familiar, serving as a stark reminder of my tragic past.

I was just a six-year-old boy when I witnessed my mother's life slip away in my arms. Her once-jet-black hair lay scattered in my trembling hands as tears flowed uncontrollably. My father's reaction was to blame me for her death.

"You're useless, a good-for-nothing misfortune," were his words when he found me holding onto my mom's lifeless body. She appeared peaceful, as if finally freed from her troubles.

"Take him away from here. I never want to see him again, never," my father ordered as they forcibly separated me from my mother. My young mind struggled to grasp the enormity of what had transpired. I pleaded with my older brother to explain to our father that I hadn't caused my mom's death, but he remained silent, watching as they took me away. That's the extent of my recollection from that painful day.

My father had sent me to live with my aunt, far away from this place. But returning now, the memories resurfaced with startling clarity. How was Tracy connected to this enigmatic place? I had tried to forget everything about this location, yet I couldn't erase the haunting memory of my mother.

As I tossed and turned in bed, my thoughts raced to find a way back home. My mind churned, but no solutions emerged, leaving me deeply troubled. The fear of encountering my father in this realm loomed large, as his anger could be lethal.

I eventually succumbed to slumber, but it was far from restful. Escape from this bewildering world was my singular focus.

Olive's POV:

Restlessness gripped me, and I sought solace on the balcony, yearning for the calming embrace of fresh air. The relentless overthinking was taking its toll. Ivan joined me on one of the chairs.

"Getting some fresh air, I see," he observed, his voice soft with understanding.

"Yes," I replied, my thoughts still a labyrinth.

"Where are you from?" Ivan inquired, and I hesitated, torn between trust and caution.

"You don't trust me much, do you?" he mused. "That's alright. I'll give you time."

I contemplated for a moment and decided to share. "I guess... the human world," I replied, uncertainty lingering in my voice.

"I see," Ivan responded, his tone contemplative.

"What do you mean by 'I see'?" I asked, searching for clarity.

"No wonder," he replied cryptically.

"No wonder what?" I prodded, my gaze locked onto his.

"No wonder you couldn't defend yourself," he explained calmly. His statement raised more questions than answers.

"I have one pressing question," I interjected. "How do we get back home?"

Ivan's expression grew serious. "I have no idea how to get you back home. I'm sorry." My heart sank at his response. I was left with the unsettling feeling that returning home might not be as simple as we'd hoped.