Chapter 71 Stop
I rock on my heels, uncontrollably anxious. It doesn’t take long for her to open the door. Her smile left her face when she saw mine.
“Come on in.”
Father is already sitting on the couch, and Mom is going to join him. She sits close to him, obviously nervous as well. I can’t even imagine what they think I’m going to be talking about. I go to the chair off to the side in front of them, slowly sitting in it. My own nerves are obvious as my leg bounces uncontrollably. My fingers entertwining in each other over and over again.
“What’s wrong, honey? You’re worrying us.”
I put my attention back to them. She really does look worried. Her eyebrows are knitted together even her father looks worried. He’s leaned forward, wanting to know as well. It’s the most concerned I’ve ever really seen him. It’s almost as though he knows how serious the words that are going to come out of my mouth will be.
“I’m sorry, I’m just struggling with how to talk about this.”
They both look like they want to yell at me to spit it out, but they stop themself from saying anything. I take a deep breath and another. I really don’t know how to say this. I’ve only even talked about my parents' involvement outloud with Alec.
It’s still hard to even admit this is true, making it even harder to confront them. I know I’ve volunteered for this. And I’m not backing out, but it still doesn’t make it any easier. I guess I should start with disarming them. Ensuring that they won’t run or freak the hell out when they realize I know the truth of their work. Or the truth about werewolves in general.
“I just want to start off with some like ground rules, suggestions I guess, is a better word.” I’m butchering this conversation already, and they seem to be noticing that as well.
“I want you guys to just listen to what I say first before you jump. I want you guys to just hear me out and answer me honestly, please.”
This makes them look somehow even more concerned.
“Okay, we’ll listen to what you have to say. And I promise we’ll answer everything as honestly as possible.”
I nod curtly. I can do this.
“I know about werewolves.”
I see them physically jolt as though I just hurt them. Her face falls as she takes her hand out of his. His face hardens as he leans forward almost off the couch.
“I know the truth about your guys' work. I know what you guys do for your work, I mean. I know that you hunt werewolves and kill them. That you hunt their packs to kill them, too. I’m not for certain why you do it. I assume someone puts bounties on their heads and that’s what makes you do it.”
They’re both frozen. It’s weird to see my parents look like this. I’ve never seen them so shocked before. So taken off guard.
“But I’m not here to talk about why you do what you do. I’m here to tell you both to stop going after the pack you’re hunting right now.”
This makes them finally unfreeze. My mom speaks before she seems to realize it.
“What? How did you find out? What did you say?” She stumbles over her words, obviously very taken off guard by everything.
He looks at me with the same look, wanting to ask the same questions. But I’m not answering them, at least not right now.
“I said you need to stop. I don’t care what you want to do; you can’t tell me you haven’t earned enough money from your past bounties to be done. And even if you haven’t, you guys can work a normal person's fucking job. You guys need to stop doing this.”
They look even more appalled by my firm and authoritative tone. I’m not leaving room for arguments or questions.
“What is even happening right now? You’re telling us that we can’t keep doing the only job we know? Who do you think you are to have that authority over us?” He steps in.
It takes me off guard for a beat, but I don’t let it completely throw me off my game.
“I’m your daughter. And yes, I’m telling you, not asking, telling you both to stop. You need to stop this job now and forever. If you don’t, I won’t be able to protect you. And I really don’t want you both to die over something so unnecessary.”
“Our job isn’t unnecessary, you don’t know anything about it, Anna. These things are dangerous; they kill innocent people, and they are not allowed to be left alone. We are saving people and helping rid the world of these unnatural things.”
It’s weird, it’s one thing to hear him admit that it’s true. To confirm what I had hoped was false, but it’s even worse to hear their demented reasoning.
They really think werewolves are bad people? They truly believe that they aren’t even humans. That they don’t even deserve to live. That they aren’t also innocent beings. My mouth is parted slightly as I don’t even know what I really want to say to them. They really think they aren’t the animals? That they aren’t the killers?
“No, you’re not. You are killing innocent people. They don’t do anything to deserve what you have done to them. They aren’t some creatures; they are living, breathing humans like you and me. I can’t even believe that you would think that is justification for your horrific actions. I can’t believe my parents are doing this.” I spit it all out, not holding back how I truly feel.
They look appalled at my own statements, almost as though they can’t believe I’m defending them.
“I’m telling you right now. You stop hunting werewolves right now. I don’t care how you feel about it. If you keep hunting them, they will kill you both, and I won’t be able to stop them.”
This makes them both stop looking so appalled. They both lean back as though they finally understand this conversation is deeper than just a simple argument or discussion among family.
“What do you mean you won’t be able to stop them? You’ve spoken to them?”
“That’s not important right now. The important thing is that I won’t be able to save either of you if you don’t just listen to me.”
They flinch back at my loud voice. I’m not going to play around with this any longer. My face hardens as I prepare for the conversation to continue even more.