It was two in the afternoon the next day when I decided to finally get dressed and make my way down stairs. It was cold today, so I dressed warmly, and blow dried my hair before coming downstairs. I had on barely any makeup since I didn't care much about my looks or what my makeup looked like. I liked looking natural instead of having to cake my face in makeup every day.

When I walked into the kitchen, my grandma had a smile on her face. "It's about time you decided to come downstairs."

"Grandma yesterday was very tiring. I needed that sleep."

She laughed, "Your grandpa and I get up at six every morning to go on a run, maybe you should come with us sometime. I know you had a rough day yesterday, I was only messing with you. You're an adult and you can decide when you actually want to wake up."

I made a face when she said her and grandpa went on a run every morning. I can barely wake myself up before noon. "Well, I don't know how you guys do it, but I can barely wake up before noon. I most likely won't be joining you on your runs."

"Don't worry, I wasn't asking you to, honey."

The door to the backyard, which was in the kitchen, opened. My grandpa walked in and was sweating a bit. "Hey, you're awake."

I laughed, "Yes, I am and you're sweaty."

My grandpa looked down at himself. "That I am. You should come on a run next time with me."

I grabbed a banana from the basket on the countertop. "Maybe. I used to run back in high school all the time before everything happened so maybe I'll start that back up again with you guys."

My grandpa's face softened. "You're safe here, you know that, right?"

"Yeah, I do."

I threw my banana peel into the trash can and walked over to where my purse was sitting. "If you don't mind me borrowing your car, I was hoping to head into town to buy some clothes and stuff that I need that was ruined in the fire."

My grandma handed me her car keys. "You don't even have to ask. You can use my car anytime you want, your grandfather's as well. Your father went into town to get some things and your mother went to the grocery store so she has your grandpa's car. We're not going anywhere so take as much time as you need."

I took the keys from her and thanked her. I gave them both a hug and a kiss on the cheek and went into town.

***

When I got back, no one was home. There was a note on the kitchen counter telling me that my grandparents went to a town hall meeting and my parents went out to dinner with each other. I hung up my grandma's car keys where the other keys hang and then put all of my bags in my room. My bank account was going to be hurting after this until I find a job, which I hope is soon because I need money for when I start college back up again. I decided to take a semester off since everything that has happened these last few days and my counselor at college thinks it is a good idea for me. I don't need any more setbacks then I already have had.

The night was still young and the sun didn't look like it would set for a few hours so I decided to take all three dogs for a walk, which I will probably end up regretting but Lucy and Lucky need this and who knows when Rusty last went on a walk.

I grabbed the three leashes that were hanging next to the keys and called the dogs out to the kitchen. Once all of their leashes were attached, I went out the back door and into the woods. Even though my grandma asked me to stay out of the woods, she wasn't home and whatever she didn't know wouldn't hurt. Plus, it was daylight, what was the worst that can happen?

"Come on, Rusty, stop walking so slow."

It had felt like we were walking for hours when it had only been ten minutes. Since Rusty is the oldest of the three dogs, he walks very slow and it makes it feel like time is going by just as slow.

The woods were beautiful and I'm happy I decided to take the dogs through here. I took many pictures on my phone of the trees, flowers, and the dogs. I stopped for a little bit, to let the dogs drink from the pond water. I got down on my knees and snapped a picture of Lucy drinking from the water. The background of the picture was beautiful and I couldn't wait to post it on my photograph blog when I get back to the house.

When the dogs were finished drinking, I turned around and began leading them back to the house. I stopped when I heard a twig snap behind me. Each of the dog's heads went up and their ears went back. I looked around but didn't see anything nor hear anything else. The dogs were all staring to the left of me, their ears back and teeth showing.

I grabbed their leashes and began tugging them forward, back to the house. An eerie feeling settled in my stomach and I was suddenly scared. Once I began tugging on the leashes, the dogs quickly followed me and after what felt like hours of walking back, I saw the light at the end of the path that was from my grandparent's house.

As we were getting closer to the house, I stopped. Something didn't feel right. My body was getting tingly and something in the air smelled really good like cinnamon and wood. Everything in my head was telling me to keep going, that the house was only a few feet away, but my body wouldn't move.

I felt like someone was watching me and that scared the shit out of me. I forced my body to move and once I did, a jet-black wolf jumped out of the bushes and sat right in front of me. Fear took over my body and I didn't know what to do. Something inside of me was telling me to go towards it. So, call me crazy, but I did.

The dogs stayed close to me, curious of the wolf in front of me. I slowly walked towards the wolf with bright gold eyes. Something in me told me that it wouldn't hurt me. I stretched my hand out and its snout came up to my hand and touched it. Once its nose touched me, the wolf jerked back and ran back into the bushes.

I stood there, with my hand still outstretched, dumbfounded that I just got close to the one thing my grandma told me to stay away from.

I tugged the dogs forward and finally made It back to the house, the image of the wolf still flooding my head.

______

Song: I Dare You by Bea Miller