Jolene
Six months later, July 8
I was alone sitting in the quiet white room waiting. What was I waiting for? I couldn’t remember but I had been here for as long as I could remember. Time did not seem to pass, and my voice was not heard. I had tried to find a way out many times, but there were no doors, so I just waited.
One day was different though. There was a small voice. Who is that?
“Mom… Wake up,” the sad voice repeated over and over. “Wake up. Please, forgive me.”
His voice was so low, hoarse, and full of sorrow; I wanted to answer him, comfort him, but I could not leave this damned room. I shouted and screamed, but, as always, the white noise was not altered. So, I closed my eyes and rested my head against the cold wall. I listened to his words. My instinct said this person must be important to me, but I did not know why.
“Today is my birthday. I am finally eighteen. Mom, you missed your own birthday. Do not miss mine please,” the boy said between sobs.
Did I miss my own birthday? No cake for me? Wait. How old am I?
“Elena had a baby boy. She and Alex want you to be his godmother and mentor.”
That is way to much responsibility. Nope, not doing it. Who is Elena anyway?
“Please wake up? This would be the greatest birthday present. Please, mom,” he whispered.
I stared at my right hand. I could clearly feel the warmth of someone holding it, and something warm and wet running down my arm. However, I could not see anything. Is this boy crying? He said that I am his mother. Do I have a son? My head began hurting. I winced and closed my eyes. I knew that voice. My son… Aiden.
“So you finally come back,” A huge gray wolf said.
A wolf had just appeared out of thin air. I staggered back and of course, fell on my butt like a retarded newborn deer. What the fuck?
“Back off! What are you and why can you talk?” I said putting my hands in front of me to protect myself. Like that would stop a scary hungry wolf.
“Idiot! I am you! Your wolf, Larentia!” The wolf growled.
“Why are you growling then?”
“Because I have been trying to reach you for so long and you just locked yourself in here!”
“I was waiting!” I yelled.
“Waiting for what?”
“I do not know.” Why am I talking to a wolf? Am I going crazy?
“Come with me,” the wolf turned around and walked toward the other end of the room.
“I am good here. Thanks,” I said. “Do not make me repeat myself!” The wolf growled again.
I was then walking toward a huge growling annoyed wolf. I must have a death wish. As I neared the other end of the room, I could see a closed door that I had previously not noticed.
“Open the door,” the big scary wolf -I mean Larentia said.
I put my hand on the doorknob, but winced and pulled away. It had burned me. It was not hot as touching a hot pan on a stove. However, it was not cold as touching ice for too long either. It just burned. This door would bring me pain.
“I can’t. It hurts!” I said.
“Do you rather stay here waiting your whole life?”
I nodded and took a step back. Still grabbing my burned hand even though it did not hurt anymore. “Here, I never hurt. It may be boring, but I am safe.”
The wolf growled. “Do not throw your life away like this! How can things get better, if you refuse to live? There are so many possibilities out there and you are to give them all up because you are afraid of being hurt?”
I nodded again. “I do not really remember the details; I cannot even remember my name, but I know that whatever there is at the other side of that door can and will hurt me.”
“You are right,” the wolf said. “You will probably be in pain again, but there will also be many happy moments. You will never experience moments if you stay hidden here in this room. I will be by your side as always, Jolene.”
Jolene? So, my name is the second most common name in the whole world? Could not I have a unique name like other girls?
“How could you want me to go out there? If you are by my side, as you say, you will be in pain too,” I said. She said that she is me. It makes no sense for her to act like this.
“We have some people to return to,” she said.
“Which people?”
“Once you open the door, you will remember everything.”
I gulped and walked to the door again. I put my hand on the doorknob and hissed at the stinging and burning sensation, but I refused to pull my hand away. The wolf waved its tail and stood right next to me. I turned the doorknob and opened the door. It was so shiny that I could not see anything. Larentia nudged me with her head, pushing me toward the other side of the door. Wait, other side?
“You are pushing me to the other side. You are not killing me, right?” I asked.
“You are already on the other side! I am taking you back to the other-other side!”
“What side? The other one or this one?”
Larentia growled and barked. “To the side where living people are! You, dumbass!”
“Jezz. Calm down. It was just a question.” I took a step toward the other-other side.
In less than a second, all the memories, the pain, and sorrow came back to me. However, the happiness and joy also came back. I did have reasons to keep fighting.
My eyes shot open and I found myself connected to many cables and machines on a comfortable bed. I sat up – well attempted to. I could not sit straight on my own, so I rested my weight on an arm while looking around. The lights were off, but the moonlight softly shone through the window. I recognized the place as the infirmary of the Alpha House.
That position was becoming painful, so I lied on the bed again. For how long have I been here? My hand went to cover my mouth. Aiden said it is his birthday, so that can mean only one thing… There is cheesecake! That is what Aiden always gets for his birthday.
I called out to Aiden but my words came out as mumbles. I guess I will have to go get my own cheesecake. I tried to move my legs but they would not respond. I sighed and did the only thing logical: I went back to sleep.
An idea crossed my mind: I am a werewolf. I could mindlink my pack, but I am not that hungry. They must be sleeping anyway. So tired…
The next day I woke up to someone shaking me. Ouch, that hurts. I kept my eyes closed. People were talking. I could tell they were whispering but it sounded like shouting.
“Are you insane? What is wrong with you?” Elena said.
“I shake her every day to wake her up. Maybe today is the lucky day,” Alex said.
Excuse you? You have been shaking me every day? I am so done with this.
“If I was her, even if that woke me up, I would not open my eyes. I am not letting you alone with her ever again,” Elena said.
Thank you. I knew you were my best friend for a reason. I am not opening my eyes while he is here. What if he believes he actually woke me up? Who would shut him up, then?
They kept talking, but I was feeling tired again. I just woke up. This does not make sense. The shouting faded away.
I opened my eyes, but Alex and Elena were not there. When did they leave? The lights were on, so I guessed it was not time to sleep. They are worried about me; I should tell them I am awake. Should I mindlink them? But, that takes energy and I am feeling drained already. I closed my eyes and drifted into slumber.
“Mom? How are you today? Sorry for coming so late. I was training the whole day,” Aiden said.
I opened my eyes and smiled at him. “Ai…den,” I said.
He stared at me in disbelief and I think I could see the moment everything clicked in his mind. He jumped off the seat and kissed my cheeks repetitively. “Finally!” he said hugging me a little too tight.