I stared the beautiful dark bags that brought out my soulless eyes one last time before turning the water off and exiting the bathroom. The sound of wolves howling kept me up all night. Not even slapping a pillow over my ears helped block out the sound. I wondered how I would even survive a full month here if this would be happening every night.
I changed into my usual attire before jogging down the kitchen. I helped myself to a black coffee, dumping tablespoons of sugar into the black water until I was sure it tasted nothing like actual coffee. I have a love hate relationship with coffee. I welcome the caffeine, but I draw a line at the bitter taste.
Seeing as I was the only person in the kitchen I dialed Rico. Anxiety gnawed at my insides thinking about the shipment. It wasn't our first nor our last shipment bound to New York. It never got easier no matter how many times we did this. With more than one million dollars on the line I desperately needed an update on the shipment. To my delight Rico answered after the fifth ring.
"Hello," he said rather cheerfully, earning a grunt from me.
"Well, good morning to you too," he chuckled.
"Sorry. It's not you I just had a terrible night. How's the Baby?"
"Customs just waived it through this morning. Everything's right on schedule." I could hear Damian's familiar voice asking who he was speaking to in the background. "Ow— No, Damian. I'm the one on the phone."
If it just crossed the border then it should arrive at its destination by the end of the week. Perfect. Today was shaping up to be a good day after all.
After hearing some struggling on the phone on Rico's end, I finally heard the all too chirpy voice of Damian on the phone.
"Valentinaaa. My favorite sister—"
"I'm your only sister."
"Well, yes, technically. Anyways can I borrow the keys to the Mustang just for tonight? The girls want to head into town and go clubbing. Marcos and I, being the gentlemen we are, are going to escort them there."
"Oh really? And if I call the girls they'll say the same thing? That it was their idea?"
There was a pregnant pause before Damian answered. "Please, Val. Just this once?"
I scoffed. He folds so easily.
As if sensing something illegal was up, Reese and three others walked into the kitchen and began helping themselves to the pile of crisp bacon, steaming scrambled eggs, and mouthwatering french toast.
"Rico's tagging along. Don't scratch up my car." I quickly muttered before hanging up. That was a close one.
After everyone had finished filling themselves up with breakfast, I walked outside with Reese.
A tall red head girl who looked to be around my age leaned on the Jeep with a carefree aura wore cargo pants and a long sleeve shirt. A shorter muscular male with cropped black hair dressed in similar attire nudged her as we approached.
"I asked Kali and David to tag along with us today. Silas will be back sooner than expected and everything needs to be finished by this Friday," Reese said as he handed Kali and David a copy of the installation plan.
This caught me off guard, but I managed to keep my face expressionless. An entire month's work done in one week? That's just not possible.
"Reese. No offense, but this new time frame just isn't going to work. That's not enough time to even get them acquainted with the devices. I'm sorry, but it's just not possible." I didn't want to get his hopes up about us finishing by this Friday.
"Try us." He simply said. Arms folded, determined and all.
After giving Kali and David a quick run down of how everything works and should be installed, we each went our separate ways. Seeing as I did not know my way around the property Reese kept me company for the rest of the day.
So looks like I will be meeting the ever mysterious Silas after all.
Before we knew it, it was time for lunch. The sun remained relentless from the second it rose up in the sky. Reese had gone off to check on Kali and David over half an hour ago and I found myself sweaty, hungry, and tired munching on my food and texting Tristiano.
Rushed footsteps alerted me to someone approaching me—fast. I quickly stood up, knocking my half eaten sandwich on the ground.
"We have to go. Now!" Reese shouted as he grabbed my arm and began dragging me in the direction of the mansion.
"What's going on?" Looking at Reese I could see he was frightened. Pale in the face and hands trembling he kept looking back expecting something to break through the treeline.
Silence.
The entire forest that was previously filled with buzzing forest life had now gone eerily quiet.
We heard it first.
Grunting and panting its way toward us.
Then we saw it.
Thunderous claws connected to a hulking black furry body broke through the treeline, charging straight at us.
A bear.
Reese yelled at me to run and I wasted no time. I turned on my heels and ran as fast as I possibly could. Pumping my arms and legs I jumped over exposed roots and dodged branches. My lungs ached. It physically hurt to inhale.
I mentally cursed myself. We were smack dab in the middle of nowhere in remote Colorado and for some stupid reason it never occurred to me that I might run into some wild animal much less a bear of all things.
After running for what seemed like hours, I involuntarily skidded to a halt seeing as I physically could run no longer. Gasping for breath, I turned around expecting to find Reese right behind me, but he was no where to be found.
"Shit."
Letting no time go to waste I retraced my steps and ran in what I assumed to be Reese's direction. I had no plan in place, but I knew I couldn't leave him to fend for himself.
It was a nasty scene.
Reese was nowhere to be found. Instead there was a giant wolf and the bear in a stand off. The wolf paid me no mind as it was engrossed in its fight against the bear. They didn't notice me arrive. I could have easily left them to fight to the death, but I decided against it. No, if the bear won it would eventually make its way to the mansion. The children—I couldn't let that happen. No, I had to end it.
Thinking quickly I hit my combat boot against a rock and grabbed the small throwing star from its hidden compartment. I climbed a nearby tree for leverage and aimed for the bear.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale—
The star flew through the air , spinning several times before hitting its target with a thud. The colossal bear roared, clawing at the star embedded deep into its chest. That was the only distraction the wolf needed. With alarming intelligence the wolf leapt off the ground in an almost cinematic manner and clamped its jaws onto the bear's exposed throat and aggressively shook its head. The entire earth shook as the bear dropped to the ground.
Dead. It was finally dead.
The wolf was bleeding from various wounds all over its body. It looked around—searching for something. For someone. Its eyes landed on mine. It growled, baring its teeth at me before sprinting off into the deep woods.
I stayed in the nook in the tree for a while longer as I allowed my body to rest from the stunt I had just pulled.
What the ever loving fuck just happened?
After having finally caught my breath, I shimmed down the tree and finally approached the bear.
It was a beautiful with its chestnut fur. It looked at peace. I stared at the fallen majestic creature. We had entered its home and it defended it bravely and with honor. What did it gain from that?
Tears stung my eyes as guilt washed over me. I felt a hand on my shoulder and spun around, nearly knocking myself to the ground.
Reese held his hands up defensively seeing my startled reaction.
"Reese, you're bleeding." Blood covered his hands and there was a large gash on his chest.
"I'm fine. Are you okay?"
"No, you're not fine. You need a doctor or an ambulance," I stared at him in disbelief.
"Hey. I'm fine. I fell while running; I'll see our doctor. Let's get you out of here."
I didn't believe that he was fine. He was clearly in pain, but he acted as if he wasn't.
We reluctantly walked back in silence. Reese grunted in pain every once in a while and I pretended not to notice as he was trying to act like he wasn't injured.
Having heard enough of Reese grunting and panting from the pain, I threw my hands up in the air, "Reese, do you want me to radio for help?" We still had at least a mile trek ahead of us and in his state I feared he might not make it.
Silence.
"Really? You're not gonna talk to me? We just survived a goddamned bear attack and you're acting like nothing happened. You need serious medical attention like yesterday. And I helped kill a protected species. What the hell do you mean just drop it?" By the time I had just finished yelling my chest was heaving. I shouldn't have yelled at him, but by gods what the actual heck is going on in this place?
He looked at me like I had just knocked on his door asking for donations to buy a new car despite being a trust fund baby. "I have a meeting to attend to," he simply said as he walked around me and toward the mansion.
I stood in the middle of the forest, catching insects with my dropped jaw.
First, the curious stares. You know what? I'm new here and this place looks secluded so I'll that that slide. Reese's never ending interrogation? Fine. I'll let that slide too. Brushing off a near death experience with a bear? No.
So it's settled.
I'm going to that meeting.