Chapter 51
It’s been months since Winter has been gone and I’ve gotten myself a regular job in a cafe as a barista of all things. Can you imagine that? I never would have thought I would have to be as responsible as I now am, taking care
of the bills and still going to school at the same time. Is this how Winter had felt every day when she had done all the
household chores and responsibilites?
“Thanks, have a good one” one of my regulars yelled out as they left, the last customer of the night, and I closed the door gratefully and locked it. Now all I have to do is clean up and I’m done for the night. It doesn’t take long, I’ve
got myself into a regular routine and before I know it, I’ve put my coat on and ducked out the door. Brrr it’s slightly
cold and I shiver, putting my hands in my pockets.
I walk home slowly. It’s otherwise a beautiful night and the stars are twinkling overhead. I don’t bother to use
the car anymore. Not when I can avoid it anyway. Walking saves gas and means I have more money to take care of the
bills. Besides, it’s not like home is that far away and I’m not frightened that someone’s going to jump me. I’m a shifter for heaven’s sake, not to mention, the town is mainly made up of pack members and shifters.
I stared at my house, feeling strangely hesitant. It looks so uninviting and cold. Then again, it’s felt that way since Winter’s been gone. I never really saw just how having my little sister around made the house feel more like a home. I miss her laughter and her smiles, even if her smiles were rare and few and far between. I miss Winter. I miss
more than I ever
the door and put my keys away in the entrance hall, turning on the lights. It might
remember to at least leave the front porch light on, but it always seems to slip my mind. Sigh, the refrigerator is practically empty. Damnit. I’ll have to
stomach growls. Damn I’m
There’s a scent in the house and it doesn’t belong to me. It’s not Winter’s either.
the smell of that bastard anywhere. It seems to
been stolen. Then again, it’s not like
and poised to fight. But there was no one there. The smell is faint, like it’s been
basement needs to be checked and I’m not going to shy away like a coward. But why the hell is this scent so familiar to me?
the life of me think who it
stronger as I approach the door leading down to the basement and I
I opened the door cautiously and
waiting down here for me and my
of the stairs and begin to move forward,
the light globe that’s
right about now.
of junk and furniture that’s piled
a junk room over the years, but it also contains one
stare at it. The cage, or more accurately a cell, stands in one corner, made of silver with shackles and restraints against the wall, to keep someone immobile and unable to move. A cell, that I remember with remorse, Winter was often placed in and locked
as she pleaded to be let out. The crying. God, my stomach churns to look at it and I resolve
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