Prologue - Encounter

(This is just a WIP at the moment and it is the prologue of my story that I am writing. Criticism is greatly appreciated as it makes me a better writer. Enjoy.)

My bed was usually warm and inviting but tonight, as I slipped under the covers, it was ice, frozen. I shivered uncontrollably, pulling the covers tighter around me. Perhaps it was the fact that I felt guilty, maybe it was because the heater wasn't working. I knew before I thought about everything that it would be the first one. A small crystallized tear escaped my lashes and made its way down my cheek to the bridge of my nose. I reached up to wipe it away only to feel a blast of cold air as soon as my hand poked above the blankets. My hand retreated back under the covers and I buried my head into the sheets.

I was a stupid little girl. I should have listened to my elders, to my parents, but I was stubborn and rebellious. I risked not only my life but the lives of those that cared for me. It hit me now how much damage I really could have caused. The first thought that came to my head when I was being so irresponsible was that I was going to be the coolest sister in the world. My little brother would have loved it, but now that I thought about it, I could have really hurt him, killed him even! More tears flooded from my eyes as I realized all the worry I had caused.

How could you do something so irresponsible Emma! This isn't like you! This isn't like you at all! You could have hurt him! Or worse... Go to your room Emma, I don't even want to look at you right now. My father's words continued to ring throughout my head. I thought back on that morning and what I was really supposed to be doing.

I had to babysit my little brother, Ethan. He was a little kid, about seven. He had wild brown curls on his head that just wouldn't grow straight. He had huge green eyes and dimples that made him irresistibly cute. Everyone adored him, my parents, the neighbours, even the friends I invited over to my house. We were supposed to hang out but as soon as they saw him, our plans instantly began to revolve around him. Of course I was jealous, but he was my brother. I wouldn't do something so stupid enough to harm him... until today.

My mother and father had to go out for a meeting. They both worked together, lawyers. They were always in meetings, discussing clients and other matters that meant nothing to me. They trusted me. I was seventeen, responsible, and always did well in school. I did nothing that would make them suspicious about leaving Ethan with me. As soon as they left, I got Ethan all dressed up in his winter clothes. He wore a dark blue winter jacket and I made sure to make him wear a scarf, hat, and gloves. I didn't want him getting sick. It was in the middle of winter, cold, bitter, the type of weather one didn't walk out into with shorts and a t-shirt on.

"Where are we going, Emma? Tell me. Tell me!" he exclaimed eagerly.

"Well, you know, there's a story in the forest about a pack of wolves. They are called the Protectors. They don't hurt humans at all and I'm told that if you walk up to them, they'll let you pet their fur." I told him. I made it sound exciting, knowing he would be happy to go. He always loved adventure ever since he was little. I had heard of the story from an old man that was said to be crazy. Perhaps he was but I trusted him and I wasn't thinking. I took his hand and together we headed for the forest.

It didn't take long to spot the border of trees. I picked Ethan up then, knowing that he could easily trip over a branch and hurt himself. I didn't want to bring him home damaged. I stepped over logs carefully and together we moved deeper into the forest. It felt like it continued on and on, without end. The trees all looked the same and soon Ethan began to grow anxious. He squirmed in my arms and I almost let him walk but the thought of letting him stumble through the forest made me tighten my grip even more.

Birds were calling from high in the trees. I glanced up and suddenly Ethan let out a gasp. I turned my head to him and then to what he was staring at. My eyes widened with shock, fear and any other emotion that was possible. In front of us stood a wolf, larger than anything I had ever seen. Wolves didn't grow that large and probably couldn't. It had large powerful paws that could probably crush me in half. A long torso was supported by long, great legs. The body was covered with long black fur all the way to the tip of its tail. Big green eyes stared at us, eyes full of curiosity. A black nose twitched as it took in our scent. I realized it could probably smell the fear that was emanating from my body. I took in a deep breath and straightened myself out, holding Ethan protectively. Its eyes took on an emotion that I could clearly recognize as amusement. There was a snort from behind us and I turned only to see three other large wolves like the first behind us. One was a grey, the other white, and the last on the left was a chocolate brown. I felt like a deer being surrounded but I knew they weren't hungry. They all had the same curious expression in their eyes.

Ethan struggled in my arms and I placed him on the ground. He grabbed my hand and nuzzled into my side. I guess the story was true, but I was still unsure. The wolf tilted its head as though it knew that I had something on my mind. I extended my arm out, my hand trembling with fright. My fingers met soft fur. I was surprised that the tale was true. It allowed me to run my fingers through its coat, stroking its head. It was unbelievably warm. It closed its eyes as though it was content. When they re-opened, a bright light flashed in front of me and then everything went black.

When my consciousness did return to me, it was dark out. I jump to my feet; the first thought running through my mind was Ethan. I frantically looked around until I saw him sleeping on the dominant one of the giant wolves. The black one had remained while the rest seemed to disappear. His eyes opened and stared directly at me as I made my way towards Ethan. He seemed to be protecting him. I lifted Ethan into my arms and thanked the wolf. I wasn’t even sure if it understood me but it nodded its head and then rose to its large paws and disappeared into the horizon.

I stood there for a few minutes until I realized that my parents were probably home by now. Holding Ethan tightly to me, I raced out of the woods and towards the house. I rounded the corner and saw police cars swarming around my house. I walked cautiously towards the area, afraid of what was to come next.

"EMMA!" screamed my mother. She raced towards me and pulled the sleeping Ethan from me who instantly woke up. He rubbed his eyes and began babbling about the wolves. My mother only thought of it as a dream and she only glared at me as she walked away. I felt a sudden pang in my chest. Were they really only worried about Ethan? I didn't know what could have happened but I was sent to my room.

That's where I was now, hiding under my covers; the shame and guilt bombarded me every time I poked my head outside of the sheets. I couldn't take it any more. I finally threw off the sheets and grabbed my boots that were beside my bed. I slipped my feet into some fluffy white socks I had gotten as a Christmas present and then into the matching pair of boots. I grabbed my light blue jacket and zipped it up before opening my bedroom window. Lucky for me, my room was on the first floor. I looked around me, paranoid. I had never snuck out late at night and was afraid sirens were going to go off and a helicopter spotlight was going to land on me. Fortunately, the only lights around were the ones on the street lamps and those were flickering uncontrollably.

I began walking down the streets, my hands shoved deep into my pockets. It began to snow, the snowflakes drifting aimlessly around in the sky. My dark hair was instantly turned white and I buried my neck into the collar of my jacket. I was heading to the one place I thought would be safe.

My arrival didn't seem to surprise any of them. They didn't even look in my direction as I slowly approached them. The wolves were in a circle, the big black one in the center. It rose to its feet as I came closer and lowered its head as though bowing. I was surprised. I felt as though I should be the one showing respect. A thought flashed in front of me and I suddenly did a curtsey. I felt so stupid afterwards but the wolf seemed to accept it. He went back to lying down and I came even closer. I looked into its eyes and I was convinced. I sat down and leaned into him; the soft fur was warm against my frozen skin.

"Do you always come here at night?" I asked. I knew I wasn't going to get a response, but it didn't hurt to try. I felt its body move slightly and I looked up to see it was nodding its head. I heard a sigh as it lowered its head into its paws. I could hear its heartbeat and I pressed myself even further into it. It smelled of pine and honeysuckle and I smiled. The other wolves seemed to be asleep now and I felt the sudden exhaustion from the day hit me. I yawned and snuggled into the creature before closing my eyes and falling into a dreamless sleep.

"I found her. Oh My... Is she alright?"

I could hear voices around me, but none of them were familiar. I tried to lift my arm but it felt heavy, useless. My eyes wouldn't open either. It was like I had no strength whatsoever. I groaned, a sudden wave of pain crashed over me. I could hear worried mumbles but that was it. And then, I was being lifted. Someone strong was carrying me. My head hit his shoulder and I smelled what I thought to be pine and honeysuckle. I squinted as though trying to remember why the smell was familiar but nothing came. I was probably just imagining it.

I knew I had entered a house because the temperature changed drastically. I began to shiver uncontrollably and before I knew it, someone was removing my jacket. I was placed into a bed; the soft mattress was something that felt almost like a distant memory. I felt a cold hand on my forehead and I moaned.

"She's running a high fever. Her whole body is burning up. Cool her down." This was all I heard before my thoughts began to blend together and I slipped away the real world.