Failure
Shane
I only had three days, three days until I could make my next move. It was only three days, but why did it feel like an eternity? The days were long and the nights dragged on and on. The cage that had kept Max trapped had been lifted and my body had fully recovered. The raised scars were the only proof of what had happened. Three more days and I would be able to challenge him. My sister saw to it that I had three to four meals a day and I made sure to work it off. This is the only time I had left, as much as I wanted it to fly by in a flash, I made full use of it.
On the third night, I was more than ready. My health restored, healthy food in my veins, and the only way forward in front of me I was ready. One last night and we would be off. As soon as the sun rose, we would be on our way. Mave was quiet as she cleaned up and made it look like no one had been in here. She was determined to make sure it look as if no one had been here. The only things that were left in the cave were the beds of grass.
“This felt like a game of pretend,” Mave said as we both laid down for the last night.
“Mm,” I murmured.
“It feels like we were kids again and were lucky to find shelter,” she continued.
“Only we really did find shelter,” I said.
“Yes… we did. Thank you,” Mave murmured.
“For?” I asked.
“For taking me with you when you left,” she said.
“I wouldn’t leave you there. We ran there to get away from… It wasn’t safe. I wouldn’t have left you there. They would have tortured you,” I said.
“Not there. Thank you for taking me when you left home,” she whispered.
I stilled. We didn’t talk about this, we didn’t talk about that night. The fear in her eyes that night is still etched in my memory. I know I’ll never be able to forget it. I had gone to her, blood splashed all over my face and body as if I’d bathed in it. I looked like a monster there to eat her up. I couldn’t blame her for being afraid. Had I been in her place, I would have been to.
“Mave,” I warned.
“Thanks for not leaving me behind,” Mave said, ignoring my warning.
“I would never leave you behind. You were the reason I lived so long in that hell hole,” I said.
“As a child, I wasn’t stupid. I saw things. I may not have fully understood, but I saw them nonetheless. I knew something was going on,” she said. When I remained quiet, she continued. “I knew it was because of me. I knew that you suffered because of me,” she choked.
“Mave, that’s not—”
“Please brother. Don’t try and lie to me now. I’m grown enough to know what happened back then. I’m old enough to know that it was wrong and I’m smart enough to know it was because of me,” she said.
“It wasn’t because of you,” I started.
“Don’t lie to me!” She hissed.
“When have I ever?” I asked. To this she didn’t respond. “I don’t know what it is you think you know, but that isn’t it. Whatever it is you’re telling yourself is wrong. You did nothing to me. Nothing that happened back there, back then was your fault. A monster prowled among the ranks and we were his prey. I would have been an even worse monster if I let him near you.” Mave sobbed.
“You are my sister, my one and only treasure for so long. I wanted the best for you, I wanted more for you. I’d rather bite down on my own tongue and drown on my blood then to let you hurt. Even as a young boy I knew I’d kill anyone who hurt you. So don’t do that, don’t take that upon yourself. You are not to blame for what happened. I’m only angry that I couldn’t protect your wolf,” I said.
“What happened to her? I never understood what that was,” she gasped.
“It was a ritual. Beta had a witch cast a spell on you. Your wolf was sealed within you. She was cursed, never to be free,” I choked.
It was my one failure.
When I looked back on that time, I hated myself.
I blamed myself.
I could taste the salt in the air from her tears. I remained quiet and just sat with her while she cried. When she was all done, she swiped at her tears and sighed.
“I think that’s enough for today,” she murmured.
“I agree little sister,” I said.
“Are you ready for tomorrow?” Mave asked, changing the subject. I was happy for the change.
“As ready as I’ll ever be. Challenging the alpha was inevitable. It was a fate that grew closer with each day that passed. I’m meant to overthrow him and take what is mine,” I said.
“So you aren’t scared?” Mave asked.
“Not in the way you’re thinking, not for what you’re thinking,” I said.
“What scares you brother?” Mave asked.
“Losing her scares me. The thought of never being able to get her back strikes a terror into my soul I haven’t felt for a very long time,” I said.
“I have faith in you. I know you’ll win,” Mave said.
“I’d hope so,” I chuckled.
I didn’t have to look at her or be able to see her to know that she rolled her eyes. I knew my sister better than I knew myself. I listened to the rushing water and waited until I knew that she was asleep. The glow of the moon on the other side of the waterfall filled the cave. Years later, she still brought me comfort. Thoughts of her filled my mind as I fell asleep.
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