21

"Shall we go, honey?"

I nod at Dad as we walk to his car, wondering where Kessler is and why he left without even saying hello or saying anything. Also, that man left me thinking, who was he and why did he tell me that? I'll definitely have to talk to Kessler.

“You can go? I'll find Kessler and we'll go together,” I let him know. Dad didn't seem very convinced at first but he didn't refuse. I gave her one last hug and she left, I looked for Kessler among so many people, I looked at Riley but she was with her friends. I haven't seen Jon since the accident at the fair, will he be okay? How cruel I am, he hadn't made me think about what could have happened to him, he ran out looking for someone and I didn't see him again.

Among so many people I bumped into someone.

"Lottie." I looked at her.

“Eva, I thought you had already left” he smiled at me “how are you?”

"Okay, looking for Kessler, have you seen him?"

She frowned.

“What did I miss? Did you two...?”

“Lottie, you've been with Lucas a lot lately, maybe that's why we haven't had time to talk.”

“Yes, I know” I think she got nervous “it's just that your brother... I like him a lot. I admit it, Eva, I like him and I think he likes me too but he can't decide. He is very shy.”

I laughed.

"My brother isn't shy at all," I told her, "but maybe he's just giving time for things to happen normally."

“Yes, maybe. Going back to your question: no, I haven't seen Kessler.”

"Okay, I think I'll... I'll go alone."

“Don't do it, it's dangerous. Come, I'll tell my brother to take you.” Lottie took my hand and led me into a crowd of people. There were several there talking and offering condolences.

"Landon." Lottie touched his brother, a tall boy looked at me.

“What's happening?”

"Could you take Eva to her house? It's night and it's dangerous for her to go alone.”

Landon looked at me from head to toe, it caught my attention that he had a tattoo on his neck. Lottie's brother is quite attractive and he is seen to be older than her, maybe he is around twenty-three years old. I'll just be sixteen in a few months.

"Sure, if your friend wants...”

"Yes, she lives in the sheriff's house.”

Landon raised a curious eyebrow.

"So you're Sheriff Bailey's daughter."

I nodded.

"Well, come on, I'll take you." Landon turned.

"See you Monday at school, Lottie." I hugged her.

"Sure, carefully.”

I followed Landon to where the cars were parked, we came to a black convertible. Landon opened the passenger door for me so I got in, he walked around the car and got into the driver's seat. Landon started.

He was silently looking out the window until Landon spoke:

"Why are you so quiet?"

"I don't talk to people I don't know," I replied.

"Ouch. But you are my sister's friend, you have to make an exception.”

“OK.”

“I know your father and I know he's a bit of a nosy.

I looked at him.

“What?”

"That's right, that's why things like this happen," he murmured.

I don't understand why he talks about my father like that and if he keeps doing it he'll end up pissing me off.

"We'd better not talk about it.”

“Why not? It's very interesting what happens, don't you think? Wolves kill a group of officers.”

“You can shut up?”

"No one tells me when to shut up, girl." Landon stopped the car abruptly. I looked at him wrong.

“What the hell is wrong with you? I'm leaving” I opened the door and got out of the car, I began to walk away from that grotesque and rude guy.

“Wait! Eva...” he ran towards me and took my arm but I got away “… why are you angry? Now that you're here, go and tell your father to stop sticking his nose where he's not called or he'll be next.”

As soon as he said that I raised my hand and slapped him very hard. I hate when they mess with my father, he is a good man who only seeks the well-being of people and it is sad that they do not take it that way. Landon looked at me with his eyes full of fury, however, he did nothing, he just smirked.

"Wow, you've got guts, why would you dare hit a man older than you in the middle of nowhere? Aren't you afraid that I'll do something to you?”

"What could you do to me?"

Landon was going to speak but a howl silenced us.

"Oh, now the good stuff begins," he whispered ecstatically.

“What are you taking about?” I looked both ways in search of that wolf but all I looked at was darkness and forest. I'm scared, it's cold and I'm alone in the middle of nowhere with a man I don't know who seems to be crazy. "I'm out of here." I turned to continue on my way alone but stopped dead when I saw a huge white fur wolf at a considerable distance from me.

It just can't be.

"Do you still want to go?" Landon asked me.

“What's going on?” I backed away, "What the hell are you doing?" I looked at Landon, I feel helpless right now. Landon is doing the same thing Riley did to me a few days ago. "You control them!" I ran towards Landon and hit his chest, “do you think I don't know what you do? All of yours control the wolves to do what you want, I know what you are” I looked directly into his dark eyes to make him understand that I'm not afraid and that you can't fool me.

“What are you taking about? Get in the car if you don't want that wolf to attack us” he said silently “Yeah, Eva.”

He confused me

"I don't believe you" I turned, back to the wolf, "Here I am, come and get me!" I got closer “Come on, Landon, I know you won't make that wolf attack me, I think everyone would find out.”

"Eva, shut your mouth and get in the car!" He insisted.

"Come on, wolf, come to me!"

I don't know when I went crazy but I definitely fell into madness. The wolf felt offended, he walked from one side to the other, wanting to come attack me, as if he were caged. I didn't get out of the way because I'm sure Landon wouldn't be stupid enough to make that wolf attack me.

"Come on," I insisted quietly.

"It was enough!" Landon took me by the waist and loaded me on his shoulder “we took off.”

"Put me down," I kicked.

“Shut up.” We got to his car and Landon put me in the passenger seat. He jumped on quickly and drove off. “What the hell was that? You are crazy.”

“What? You're the crazy one, he admits that you control the wolves.”

“You are drugged.”

"Don't call me that, I have proof."

"What evidence?"

“A book that shows that the inhabitants of this town have the power to control animals. That's why wolves only attack people who threaten them, they always have a purpose, I got to thinking, first it was Lottie, then the people at the fair, and then the officers. It's all connected, I just have to figure out what.

“You are reading many books.” Landon sped past the wolf, I surprised me that the wolf didn't follow or intercept us. I felt relief when we finally got away from that place. Breathe easy when we finally got to the houses.

"Maybe, but I prefer to be informed and know what I'm up against."

"I think living with your father a lot has given you the idea of investigating everything," he murmured.

"Maybe it's in my blood."

"You're crazy, Eva," he smiled, “but despite what you did a while ago, I like you. I thought you were one of those daddy daughters girls.”

“I am, but I'm also very mature for my age.”

“Noticeable.”

Landon parked in front of my house, I noticed Kessler's Jeep was in the driveway.

"Thanks for bringing me," I went out, "see you, Landon."

"See you, crazy girl," he started and left at last. I stayed for a few moments watching where she had gone, until I turned around to go home but a silhouette behind me prevented me from moving forward.

“Kessler.”

"What were you doing with that guy?" He snapped.

"He brought me home," I replied.

"Eva, why don't you ever listen to what I tell you?"

“What are you taking about? He is Lottie's brother.”

"But he's my enemy so don't go near him," he explained calmly. Kessler looks tired and exhausted.

"Why are they enemies?" I wanted to know.

“It's a long story” he took me by the arms and hugged me “I'm sorry for leaving you alone tonight, you don't know how many problems I had to solve but from today I'll be alone for you” he caressed my face and kissed me “but I die of jealousy when you are near another man, although I know that you have eyes only for me.”

“It's true. But I have to tell you something important: when we came we met a white wolf, it was huge.”

Kessler didn't seem surprised.

“What happened? Did he want to attack you?”

"No, he didn't dare," I admitted, it seemed strange to me.

"You'd better.”