XXIX. Grandma Raelyn Fall

Raine's POV:

I wouldn’t get revenge over something so small, like the spat we had inside the car. But, he did scare the living daylight out of us after the kidnap. My school therapist would love to hear about this when I get back.

Yes, I do have a school therapist.

Yes, I have been skipping therapy for the last month.

No, my therapist is not surprised that I skipped.

Yes, I am in so much trouble when I get back.

Orphans have mandatory therapy sessions—something about helping us not go down the wrong path.

Not too long after, we pass all the buildings and into the freeway. I rest my chin against my palm as I stare at the evergreen trees. Miguel rolls down his window, and the fresh air invades my nostrils. The rebellious hair scatters across my cheeks.

“What’s with that smile?” Helen asks me.

Was I smiling? “It’s just-” I look back outside, “this place reminds me of my hometown.”

“It does?”

I nod, and the smile only grew. I know it’s just a forest, but it felt familiar. The nostalgia emerges and my stomach warms up. I know it’s my first time, but it felt as if I drove down this highway a thousand times. “Yeah. My town is in the middle of nowhere surrounded by trees too. The freeway looks just like this one-” I know its stupid to say it out loud. Every freeway and forest are the same. “And there’s even a hosp-”

I stopped talking the moment a large building came into view.

Words left me. The only moment that surfaces are the slight shakiness of my lips. My fingers shake, and I immediately clutch it together, afraid someone may notice.

The building was far, but I could never forget about it.

It’s something I passed for the last seventeen years.

I remember the first time I went there. It was the longest trip of my life. But, grandma was sick and alone. Mom and dad didn’t want her to be there by herself, so they would visit her during the weekends.

It was the same time each visit.

Right in the middle of the day, when the sun is at its highest...its peak.

In the back of the car, I would brush my stuffed animal hair while my parents talk about meaningless stuff. The trees covered us from the sun, but only here and there. After we parked, dad would pick me up and take me towards the hospital.

I didn’t like it.

How everything was white.

Dad would walk inside with mom wrapped around his free arm.

Passed the large glass doors.

Through the hallway.

Passed the painting.

I smiled when I saw the crayon colors at the bottom of the painting.

Then, there she was...in the same spot as always.

Grandma Raelyn Fall.

In the back of the hospital, there is this field. Flowers that lead to the forest. A breath of fresh air.

I don’t remember much about her.

But, grandma would always wear this large straw hat. On the hat was a big bow with a planet pinned in the middle. She said it was her favorite. The one grandpa bought for her. The one that made her fall in love with him.

Grandma died before I turned five.

“It seems that my time in this world is almost up.”

That’s the line she would always say.

Grandma died of cancer.

Ah, now I remember one of the things mom and I was going to do before I went back to Harrison High School. We were going to go to the hospital. Mom makes me get a check-up four times a year. It’s not one of those simple are-you-sick check-ups. It’s a does-my-daughter-have-cancer type of check-ups.

“What’s that?” I ask.

“Oh, Crescent Moon old laboratory building,” he said. “We don’t use it anymore, so I guess it’s an abandoned building now,” Miguel responds.

“What’s wrong?” Helen asks.

I shook my head, “Nothing.” I must be missing home a bit too much that my mind is playing tricks on me. There is no way that’s MistVille’s old hospital.

I shook off the weird feeling and looked forward. Moments later, a house came into view. The house was new, very new. It seems like someone built it yesterday or pulled it out from one of those vacations in the woods magazine. It was beautiful.

Helen opens that car door, and I did the same. We both stare at the magnificent house.

“This could all be yours,” Miguel butter me up.

I smile, “I’ll pass.”

The moment the front door opens, air conditioning blesses the skin. I wrap my arms around my body. Helen did the same thing.

“It’s a bit cold in here,” Helen said.

“Yeah-” Miguel hung the keys, “we get hot easily.” A few people greeted Miguel while he made his way towards the stair.

I noticed how one of the girls was glaring at me. The girl beside her elbowed her, and she looked back down. What’s her problem?

Miguel took one step on the stairs but stopped. “Raine only,” he said.

Helen leaned back, “What?”

“She was the one who requested a meeting and got approved.” He shrugs, “I’m just following protocol.”

I look at Helen, who exhales through her nostrils. “Fine. I’ll wait downstairs.”

“Hey,” Miguel screamed and a woman came out. She bows her head. It feels like I’m watching one of those rich kids with maids movies. “This is Luna Raine’s companion, make her comfortable.”

“Yes, Beta Miguel.”

“Come on,” he said. Hesitantly, I follow him up the steps only to look back once in a while. Helen smiles softly, and we look at each other until we couldn’t anymore.

Once we were on the third floor, Miguel walked to the back. To the end of the hallway, far away from everyone so they can’t hear me scream. I should stop making up scenarios inside my head. Miguel stops at the last door and exhales, “Beware. You’re about to see some extraordinary things inside.”

My eyes squint, “What?”

“Let’s say...our Alpha is different from other Alphas.”

“Okay?”

“I’ll leave you two.”

I nod, “Thanks.”

He looks at the door and exhales, before walking away.

With a deep breath, I jump a few times to calm my nerves down. Once I cracked both sides of my neck, I knocked against the door.

No response.

I knock again.

No response.

“Hello?” I scream.

No response.

I pound it harder.

“Is no one inside?”

I knock again.

No response.

I turn around, and an empty hallway greets me. My shoes twist back, and I stare at the door. My eyes cast towards the gold knob. I look around again before I grab it. There was some hesitation in my actions, but I can’t stand here and waste time. I need to get Helen home before it gets dark.

Steadily, I twist the knob and the door crack open.

I guess werewolves aren’t the type to lock their doors.

Earlier, Miguel walked right into the house.

“Hello?” I scream between the cracks.

When no one responds, I open it a bit wider only to see the craziest thing in any world.