It's been four months ever since the incident happened and time seems to have healed our emotional wounds. Our host pack has been like family to us. Ever since the incident, they have been providing us with the food and shelter we need including information on who could be responsible for the attack laid on the pack.
This incident took a serious toll on Ethan.
He has not been himself since the attack. He has transformed from being the calm-looking guy that I know to be pale and sad.
His condition made me more angry and more determined to find those who are responsible for this.
For the past 3 months, I have been going to Ethan's pack, which has now been reduced to ashes to see if I could find any clue.
I was careful not to let anyone, especially Ethan know what I was doing. It was my little adventure.
Ethan has been like a brother to me, he has done more for me than anyone in this world has, not even my pack mates. It was my way of appreciating his effort for everything he has done for me over the years. Besides, he would have done the same if not more.
So far I haven't been able to gather any solid evidence or clues, but I was not going to give up.
One day, Ethan and his packmates traveled to a neighboring pack to sort help in renovating their destroyed home.
Only the female members and a few males were asked to stay back. I wanted to go with them but Ethan insisted I stayed back.
At first, I was disappointed until a plan came to me. Since no one who would care about my whereabout was around. I decided to use that opportunity to continue with my investigation.
I usually go there under the cover of the night for fear of being found out by Ethan or his packmates
It was January and everywhere was wet and freezing cold. It had rained throughout the day.
I reached for my boot, leather cardigan, and oversized raincoat which I had set aside for my night adventure. It was the coldest time of the year and I needed to prepare for the frostiness that awaits me in the woods.
As I walked through the damp forest, the canopy of trees above my head filtered the sunlight, casting a dappled shade on the forest floor. The air is cool and damp, and the scent of earth and vegetation fill my nostrils. I moved gracefully, almost feline gait, my lupine senses attuned to every rustle and snap of twigs underfoot.
My sharp and keen eyes pierced through the dimness of the forest to spot every detail. I couldn't stop admiring the tall, slender trunks of the beech trees and the gnarled, twisted shapes of the oaks. My biology teacher ensured we knew all the trees and plants in the forest by name, from the European hornbeam to the silver fir, and can identify each one by the shape of its leaves, the texture of its bark, and the way it sways in the breeze.
As I walked, I paused to examine the smaller plants that grow along the forest floor. The velvety leaves of the wild strawberries and the prickly stems of the blackthorn bushes were so attractive that I ran my hands through them. Walking through the forest brought back memories of when my biology teacher made us mention the names of every wildflower we came across repeatedly, from the delicate bluebells to the bright yellow buttercups.
He was a friend of my mother and would always tell me how gentle my mother was with the forest and its inhabitants.
"She never disturbs the delicate balance of nature, and takes pains to avoid stepping on any of the smaller plants or crushing any of the tiny creatures that live in the underbrush," he said.
As I moved deeper into the forest, the light grew dimmer and the air cooler. I felt a sense of peace and belonging here, among the trees and the plants. There is no greater joy than being surrounded by beautiful plants. I couldn't help but wish I could come here every day.
My journeying through this path was mostly in the night and I was usually nervous. Hurrying so that I can be back before the day breaks.
Today was different, I need not worry since Ethan will be away for a few days.
I felt so at peace that I almost forgot I was going for serious business.
At last, I arrived at the scene. It is devastating to see how a place that was once full of life has been reduced to ashes. I watched from a distance with a heavy heart. I thought about when Ethan first brought me to his pack, how I was accepted open-armed.
"This is more reason why I must get to the root of this" I finally said as I walked towards the vicinity.
The weather was still cloudy, it looked like there would be another downpour soon. I had my raincoat and boots so I wasn't worried.
I took my time to walk around the entire province. I went from room to room, paying close attention to the floor and what was left of the walls. I wasn't looking for anything in particular.
I kept looking around like that for hours, going back and forth determined to find something that could lead me somewhere no matter how small.
After hours of what seemed futile, I gave up. I decided to go home and come back another day. I wasn't sure how to go about it but one thing was for sure, I needed to change my method of investigation. I would think about a better way to go about it before my next visit. I concluded.
I went back into the woods to look for a nice spot where I could rest for a while. I soon caught sight of a rose flower. Rose is one of the most popular plants around here and one of my favorites. It is used for everything from its perfumes to decorations and is grown all around the country.
As a child, I found solace in its company whenever I was sad. I sat beside them to rest and take some snacks that I had brought along in my backpack.
Sitting beside the rose flower brought back beautiful childhood memories. Memories I wish I could bring back. I smiled sheepishly as these memories rushed back to me in a flash.
When I was through with my snack, I decided to take a nap. I wasn't in a hurry and I loved it here. I took a few minutes nap and was ready to go back home. I rose to my knees, picked up my backpack.
Then, Something told me to check my bag to ensure everything was intact, and that was when I realized my flashlight was missing. I didn't have a use for it today since I came in the daytime.
"It must have fallen from my bag when I was searching for clues back at the park," I said to myself.
I picked up my backpack immediately and headed back to the park.
Even before I reached the vicinity, I felt that something had changed but I wasn't sure of it until I saw footprints.
They were fresh, which means the owner was most likely still hiding within the collapsed buildings.
"Who's there?" I asked feeling nervous. "Show yourself" I commanded trying so hard to hide my fear meanwhile, I was already shaking like a leaf in a harmattan morning.
The footprint went all the way into the building. I followed the track. Not sure if I was being brave or foolish.