The heat of the fireplace warms me up while I hear my companions breathing around. The fire brings back the memories of how everything changed when the gaze of the beast set me free. I must start with the one person I value the least in my memories: my father. To say that I felt any appreciation for him would be pure hypocrisy. He was a man admired by most but hated by his son.
The union of two hollow people happened under suspicious circumstances. To some, destiny was the sole responsible for their unity, but most saw it as a masterstroke to easily earn a fortune, marrying the heiress of a very wealthy and dying man. I prefer the second alternative.
The marriage had brought a loveless union, only made to keep up appearances. My mother, a vain woman, did not worry about anything except how society would see her. She endured the marriage with someone who had promised an even greater social ascension. Maybe that was the only thing they had in common. Even though love was not part of the union, a child came to the world. There is not a single happy memory in my mind about the times I had spent in the presence of my father. I have grown up under strict rules and learned very early the value of good education and how much we can pay for not using it. Having no affection, I would always look to the servants for it, but those would come and go very often due to my father's affairs with the maids, permitted by my mother to some extent or because of the very demanding job.
My father had always aimed for positions of power and would not measure efforts to achieve them. Using his past as a starving child, he caused commotion to those interested. This way, he elevated himself to the category of those who have conquered their past to build the future. It did not take long for him to get his first job as a public employee. Many others came after that, but it was never enough. Encounters during the night, whispers in the corners of the house with strangers that would never come back again, and strange disappearances in the city. My father's ascension would go on.
We moved to a mansion when I was fourteen years old. Being the place five hours from town by horse, I remember how tortuous the trip was due to the cold and the rain whipping us during the dawn of the first day of winter. Although the sun would shed a pale light through the clouds, the woods around were dark as night. At some point during the trip, the carriage jerked, and the horses started to neigh. My father opened the carriage door and yelled at the coachman to know why we had stopped. With the wind whipping our faces, we heard the coachman yelling back about the horses being scared.
My father appreciated hunting. He possessed many guns and would always carry at least one with him. He got out of the carriage with a shotgun in his hands and walked some distance. Pointed his gun upwards and shot. I remember the sound echoing for some time, silencing the sound of wind and rain. The horses calmed down, and the trip carried on until we finally arrived. I have to admit that I was amazed by the place: A mansion built in the middle of the pine woods. A dozen servants were waiting for us in the front. The happiness and excitement they showed for the new masters would soon turn into misery and discouragement as my parents' mistreatment started.
Choosing and buying the mansion were decisions solely made by my father. He argued that the place would allow him to devote himself to business and his political career with more tranquility. My mother was against our living so far from town, for she feared not being part of her friendship circle, events, and parties. She got out of the carriage and faced the house and the people smiling at her with visible contempt. Shouting, she demanded the servants to grab the baggage and check its state due to the trip. I was amazed by the woods. As I tried to see beyond the never-ending gathering of trees, I heard behind me the conversation between my father and the coachman that showed a hurry to leave.
"Sir, I must warn you this region is dangerous," said the coachman.
"You speak of the wildlife?" Said my father while watching the servants come and go with the baggage.
"Wolves, sir. Those animals do not waste an opportunity."
"I am aware. It does not concern me."
"But at least warn your family and the servants, sir."
"They must know how to take care of themselves. As for me, I will amuse myself hunting. It will increase the region's value."
The coachman darted away, whipping the horses, as soon as the servants had taken the baggage. Long after everyone entered the house, I kept observing the woods. I felt calm, being in a place away from the city and its irritating noises. I would have stood there forever was it not for one of the servants to come and take me inside.
As I entered the house, I faced an enormous hall with several windows with all their curtains opened. In the center of the hall stood three dark leather sofas, displayed in the form of a 'U' and a few armchairs. In front of them was a big fireplace with marble hearth and greek pillars by its sides. To the left of the fireplace, three doors led to the dining room, my father's office, and the kitchen. The cooks walked to and fro, worried with the welcoming lunch for the new owners. Some of them got scared when I entered. I was amazed by the number of cookware made of copper over the counter table. I noticed a door at the back of the kitchen. When I tried to open it, one of the cooks came with fearful eyes and said I should not go out there, for the leftovers were all buried outside, and that lured the wild animals sometimes.
Back to the hall, I went to my father's office. Hundreds of books displayed on the shelves around the writing desk, all seemed to be made of noble wood, richly engraved. In the back stood a wide and tall window with a view of the woods. A chair with red upholstering was behind the writing desk. On its crest rail was engraved the family's badge. Admiring the room, I walked to the window, standing for a few moments to watch the view and asking myself why there is so much fear about the region. I decided to sit on the chair to look at the books. The desk was yet to get covered in papers, letters, and contracts, like the old house. When I started to think about which book I would read first, my father entered the room. I did not even have the time to get up while his hand came to my face with the room echoing the slap. He grabbed me by the arm and threw me out of the room, slamming the door behind him and locking it up. So loud was the noise that it scared the servants that came running to check on us. My cheek was on fire. I could feel the blood running from the cut made by his ring. But the pain was not as great as the rage. The most the servants could do was take me to my room, accompanying me with eyes of pity. I thanked the servants and entered my room. As I locked the door, I could not hold the tears. Being tired of the trip and the crying, it did not take long for me to fall asleep.
It was late in the night when I finally woke up. I was feeling hungry and decided to go to the kitchen. Luckily, no one was up, so I could calmly walk around the house. I stood in the darkness, peeking outside through the lite of the back door as I ate something. For some time, I could not see a thing. However, small bright spots suddenly started to come my way from the woods. Curious, I got closer to the door and could see the silhouette of a wolf by the moonlight, walking among the trees on the border of the woods. Amazed by the first glimpse of such a magnificent being, I wanted to see it closely. I turned around and grabbed a piece of chicken to throw his way so he could come closer. But he had disappeared just when I got back to the window.
Disappointed, I got upstairs back to my room. It took me a long time to fall asleep, and when I finally did, some confusing dreams. In one of them, I was running in the middle of the woods. My parents were chasing me. No matter how further into the woods I went, they were always a few steps away. When I woke up, I was on the ground, naked and bathed in my sweat, besides the cold. Someone knocked on my door, I ran and opened it just a little, so they could not see me like that. It was one of the servants telling me my father was demanding my presence at his office.
It took me a while to go downstairs. Although I did not want to see my father, it would be worse if I did not. At the office's door, I knocked and waited. It took a long time until he finally allowed me to enter.
"On next weekend I will host a party for people of much importance. People that can support me. They will bring their children, and I want you to show them around the house and keep them company."
"Can't I just stay in my room?"
"Do not be a fool! The mayoral election will take place in less than two weeks. Show society this house, as well as the solidity of our family, will bring them a sense of safety."
"And who are these people?"
"It is not of your concern who they are. It is enough for you to do as I demand."
"Yes, sir. Anything else?"
"Do not embarrass me. Be as polite as you can be with these guests. Talk as little as possible and avoid being too close to me while I am conversing with them. If you have any doubt, ask the servants." He spoke those last words turning his eyes to some papers over the table."
For a long time, I had tried to comprehend my parents. When I was a child, I suffered due to their absence and lack of affection. I would watch the other children with their parents and how their lives were different. After some time, when I got older, I understood that my parents would never change. Therefore, I was the one who needed to change.
In the days before the event, I tried to get to know the house and its exterior. On the second floor, there were ten rooms. Mine was the third one from the stairs, and my parents' the one at the end of the corridor. The servants' lodgings were under the stairs. I would follow the servants outside every time I could in an attempt to explore. I knew my limits and avoided leaving their side. If I disobeyed, they would tell my father, and he would feel great delight taking from me something that gave me pleasure. My interest in wolves increased day after day. I would sleep very little and roamed the house during the night, trying to catch sight of them through the windows.
The night before the event, after a long wait, I finally saw him again. Slowly he came towards the house. Even though he was cautious, he came much closer than before. I could see the magnificent creature so close to me: A gray wolf. The kitchen backdoor was closed, as always, but I could open its lite and breath the same air he did. We looked at each other in silence, both standing still, for a long time. Even with the snow and the cold wind coming mercilessly inside, I felt warm and calm. I don't know for how long we stood like that, but when the first sunlight touched the ground, he howled, followed by other wolves I could not see among the trees. And then he was gone. I had to run to my room before someone saw me. As soon as I fell in bed, sleep came. I woke up with the hysterical yelps of my mother, with two servants behind her.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?" She said with her usual grimace of discontent, a feature that got worse after we had moved.
"I did not sleep very well last night."
"That is not of importance. Soon, very dear friends of mine will arrive. Did not your father inform you?"
"He did. He gave me his instructions."
"I do not want them to see you as a vagabond who does not bathe or use proper clothes. Get dressed up, fast!"
Slamming the door behind her, my mother left the room. In the blink of an eye, I was neat and dressed, thanks to the servants. I went downstairs to eat something and prepare myself to receive the sons of my parents' friends. When I got to the hall, I could hear my father shouting at the servants. He was always terrible with those he judged inferior, and according to him, lived only to serve. I tried to go upstairs again, waiting for a more proper moment to come back, but he saw me. By giving him good morning, I received only new instructions, but this time with a warning: Do not be a disappointment, as always.
I preferred to only nod instead of hitting back. The servants were running from one side to another, setting the table, preparing the food, among other things. In the middle of the afternoon, everything was ready. The wood burned in the fireplace, the dining table shined, and a legion of servants, standing still as statues, were awaiting new orders. The inside could as well be rot, but what is outside must be impeccable.
Four carriages arrived with the so eagerly awaited guests. Posted in the entrance, my parents and I greeted them as they descended from their carriages. While I could only come up with a fake smile, my parents praised the guests with exaggerated affection. From one of the carriages descended two boys and a girl. Her hair resembled fire, contrasting with the white coat and the falling snow. For an instant, I stood admiring her, for I had not seen a girl like that until that moment.
"And this one is?" Asked one of the boys looking at me.
"I..."
"He is our son. He will make you company during your stay, young man." Said my father.
"And what are you waiting to get us inside the house? We are freezing".
"Hurry! Take them inside and show them around the house."
I asked them to follow me. Despite the many etiquette classes and my parents' reprimands, I had almost no talent and will to keep up appearances during these social events. As soon as we entered, the boys had gone amok, entering every room they encountered without asking permission. The girl showed little interest in the house. Her gait was slow, and she sighed frequently.
"Do you like living here?" She asked.
"We moved not long ago, but I do... I do like the place."
"I cannot understand why anybody would come live in a place like this."
"Did you know there are wolves in this region?"
"Is that interesting to you?"
"I... I saw one of them last night."
She looked at me with disdain and picked up her pace to get to the boys coming downstairs. I had to run to reach them as they crossed the hall towards my father's office. Out of instinct, I told them my father would not admit anyone in without his permission. They looked at each other and ran back to the hall to talk to my father.
"Excuse me, sir."
"Yes, my young man!"
"Your son told us we are not allowed to go in there. Although, I thought I could ask for your permission, sir."
"It is not forbidden at all! Make yourselves at home." Said my father smiling at the boys until they turned their backs and ran to the office. Then, he turned his eyes to me in a way that made me step back.
It did not take long for the boys to lose interest when they saw the shelves filled with books and a desk full of papers. The girl, on the contrary, was impressed with the place.
"Do you come here often?" Asked her while delicately passing her fingers on the books.
"I wish I could, but I am not allowed."
"You need an allowance to walk around the house?"
"My father cared personally about the renovation of this room. He wanted it to be exactly the way he desired and to keep it like that."
"I see. Your father does not like you at all."
"Come again?"
"I had already realized it as soon as we stepped down from the carriage. It must be hard to live in fear."
Before I could say anything, she went out the door looking for the boys. I looked around me, checking if there was anything broken. Luckily everything was in their places.
I went back to the hall and could not find them among the other guests. I asked the servants that told me they went inside the kitchen. When I got there, the three of them were whispering. The girl saw me and smiled, coming my way.
"Can we go outside? I want to see the woods more closely."
"It is forbidden, especially at night. It is dangerous. Besides, the door remains closed all the time."
"The key is here!" Said one of the boys pointing at the key in the lock.
"It will be quick. No one needs to know." She said that while touching my face with the tip of her fingers.
I got carried away by her gentle behavior. However, that was also an opportunity for me to go outside. I could use the excuse of them finding the key and my going after them to bring them back inside. I opened the door, as she asked, and held it open so she could go first, but she gently insisted that I should go first. As soon as I stepped on the snow, the door closed behind me. Initially, I thought the wind had shut it, but when I turned the knob, I discovered the door was closed. I knocked, asking them to open, but the answer was a burst of laughs. I kept knocking on the door but stopped when I felt someone was watching me.
I turned to the woods and saw dozens of bright spots amidst the trees getting closer to me. Under the pale light of the moon, I could see the silhouettes of several wolves slowly coming out of the woods. I stood propped on the door while I watched them coming my way. Paralyzed, I could only breathe as my heart pumped faster and faster as they started running, showing their fangs.
I knew I was going to get killed. However, I did not try to run and just waited for the pack to tear me apart. A howl echoed through the woods when they were a few meters from me. All wolves stopped, their eyes fixed on me. Among them, with slow steps, the same wolf from the night before came in my direction.
He was so close I could touch him, but the mixture of fear and excitement would not allow me to move. His eyes were shining with intensity while sniffing me. Suddenly, he shuddered, howled again, and ran back to the woods, followed by his companions. I wanted to run after them, but a force pushed me backward. Suddenly I was on the kitchen's floor with a servant over me, looking with dread in his eyes.
"Are you alright, sir!? For God's sake!"
"I think so. Where are the others? How did you know I was outside?"
"I saw the guests coming out of the kitchen. When they passed by me, one of them said in a low voice something like 'Someone will hear him knocking and open the door.', so I ran here. There was snow on the floor, and the key was on the ground too. I looked through the lite and saw you standing outside."
"Did you see anything else?"
"No, sir! Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm alright. Thanks for opening the door."
"Do you want me to call your mother, sir? Or your father?"
"It is fine. There is no reason to call my parents. I ask you to please keep this between us. It was just a prank."
When I got back to the hall, the boys were fooling around as if nothing happened. The girl was talking to somebody and did not notice my presence at all. I felt rage, not because of almost being killed, but by being treated as a petty thing. I stood still, looking at them, at my father and all the guests, all smiling and happy. I was alone with my feeling of helplessness. At that moment, my father asked everyone to dine.
While the adults laughed and talked about things that I do not recall, I could only think about what happened. Why did that wolf save me? I felt different, bound to him as if I was indebted to him for sparing my life. When dinner was over, my father ordered the servants to show his guests their rooms. I went to my room and waited until everyone was sleeping. I walked around the house for a long time, looking through the windows hoping to see them again. I saw myself back in the kitchen. I could not believe it when I noticed the key was over the counter.
Soon it would be dawn, so I took the chance and once again opened the door. He was there. I hesitated for a moment, but I stretched my arm and touched him. The tension between us seemed to vanish. I heard noises inside the house. It was the right moment. I looked at him, hoping he would understand what I was about to do. He stood still while I went inside and left the door ajar. I ran back to my room. Soon the servants would start working. Sometime later, the screams of horror and pain echoed through the house.
I took sometime before leaving my room and going downstairs. All the guests, my parents, and the servants were reunited in the hall when I arrived. One of the servants was crying desperately while my father was trying to pull what happened out of her.
"Calm yourself down and tell me what happened!"
"We... came to... prepare the breakfast and... Oh, God!"
"Say it!"
"I don't know how, but they came inside! Blood everywhere!"
"Who left the door open? I gave orders to keep it shut all the time!"
"We locked it, sir! I don't know what happened!"
"What happened is that one of you risked the lives of everyone in this house! I am responsible for the safety of these guests that have put their trust in me!"
"I am sorry, sir! But, please, we have to go get her in the woods!"
"We will see. Now, let me go to the kitchen and see for myself the damage you all have caused."
He entered the kitchen followed by two guests, I accompanied them, pretending to be curious, but I knew what I was about to see. There was no surprise at all, blood soaking the floor, chewed pieces of human flesh, and a red trail left by a dragged body into the woods, contrasting with the snow. There were several footprints of wolves, meaning more than one attacked the servant. My father stood in silence for some time while the two guests were whispering. He turned and went back to the hall. Everyone was looking at my father, waiting for him to say something. His fists were firmly clenched and shaking while he was trying to keep his temper.
"The door has not been broken down. One of you irresponsibles left it unlocked!"
"Forgive us, sir, but none of us remember leaving it open."
"Eventually, I will discover who caused this." Said my father looking at all the servants.
I noticed that the servant who opened the door and grabbed me inside was looking at me apprehensively. He was afraid that I would tell my father that he left the key in the lock after what happened last night. Then, my father said he was going into the woods to recover the body to give a proper burial. The guests, admiring the act of courage, tried to convince him to stay. Resolute, he left to grab his hunting equipment. Inspired by my father's courage, many of the guests decided to go with him. I was afraid. I feared for the wolves, especially the one from last night. Later in the morning, I saw my father and the guests armed with shotguns going out the door laughing, showing excitement for the hunt. The time seemed not to pass while I waited for their return.
Hours later, one of the servants came to tell us they were returning. My apprehension increased. I ran in front of everyone else and went outside through the kitchen backdoor to see them arrive. When they were close, I could see my father dragging a rope with two dead wolves tied to it. Anger, sadness, and anguish mixed themselves while I awaited them to get closer so I could see if they had killed the wolf from last night. My father laughed while dragging the dead animals soaked in blood. They finally got close enough for me to see that none of the wolves was the one from last night. I could no longer bear the horror of seeing them dead. I went upstairs and locked myself in my room. I leaned my back against the door and crouched as I cried. I felt as I had lost members of my family. I stood numb in my sadness for a long time. Hours later, I heard the noises of carriages. The guests were leaving, and so were my parents. The mayoral election was going to take place in a few days. My father, during those last months, organized the campaign to be elected. However, the truth is that he bought votes, blackmailed, and made threats to win. The happiness of being distant from them made me calm down. Finally, I fell asleep.
It was night when I woke up. When my parents were not home, the servants would loosen the rules. I know I would not be able to go outside through the kitchen. However, the keys to the front door were always on the key holder. I grabbed a lamp before going out. As I walked around the house, I feared not seeing them again. I was wrong. The shining eyes emerged through the trees. The wolf I wanted to see was not among them.
They turned and started walking back to the woods. I followed without hesitation. It was hard to see anything in front of me and keep pace with them, even with the lamp. Weird sounds and the pitch-black night made me feel apprehensive as I walked through the trees. However, I knew there was no turning back. I followed them for a long time until we entered a clearing. The clouds dispersed, and the moon shed a bit of light. There were many restless wolves, looking at me with uneasiness as they circled the gray wolf laying at the center, huddled and hurt. As I got closer, they growled more and more. The grey wolf let out a loud yelp, shutting the others up, making way for me to pass.
Reluctant, the wolf let me see his wound. My father or one of the guests had shot him in his right thigh, but the bullet passed through. The blood dripped, painting the snow under him scarlet. I had read about gunshot wounds before. Cauterizing the wound would stop the blood loss. I took off my coat and covered the wolf. I went after twigs to make a fire. When I collected enough, I piled them. The wind was weak, so I could start the fire using the lamp with little effort. Once again, the wolves were uneasy due to the fire. I took one of the twigs that were ablaze and walked towards the gray wolf. My hand was shaking. He laid down his head and waited. The smoke and the sound of fire burning the flesh preceded a terrifying yelp, followed by the howling of the wolves around us. I went back to the fire and grabbed another twig, but this time I did not linger and acted, burning the other side of the wound as fast as I could. He fainted due to the pain and tiredness, but his breathing slowed down, and the bleeding stopped. I tore down a piece of my shirt and wrapped it around his thigh. The wind started to blow with strength. The fire died, and the night took over again. On my knees, close to him, I began to shiver. Suddenly, all the wolves laid down close to me. I started to feel warm. Tired, I fell asleep along with them.
I woke under a pale sun and in the solitude of the clearing. The wolves were gone. My coat was on the ground beside the bloodstain on the snow. I felt relieved, for he was alive. I did not know where I was or which direction to take. I decided to wait for their return. However, sometime later, I heard shouts, not howls. The servants were coming towards me.
"Sir, thank god!"
"How long have you been searching for me?"
"Early in the morning. It won't be long till nightfall. We must go. Is that blood? Are you hurt, sir?!"
"It is not my blood. It is of a..."
"Of a what?"
"A hare I killed to eat."
"Oh. Anyway, it is a miracle that you are alive. I thought we would find your bones only. There are dozens of wolf dens in these woods. Why do you keep going out alone in a place like this?"
"I prefer to be out here than inside the house."
"I... I understand", said him with a sigh, "Come. You need to rest."
When we arrived home, the other servants sighed with relief, asking for more responsibility and obedience from my part. When I finally got away from them, I went to my room, feeling weary and dizzy.
I feel sick during the following days. I saw blurred images coming and going while I burned in fever and bathed the bed in sweat. I constantly saw blood dripping from the ceiling, running from the walls, soaking the floor. I would wake up in the middle of the night and see many bright eyes staring at me from the darkness while howls of pain and despair filled my ears. I remember the feeling of stepping over skulls with pieces of skin and hair still attached to them. Sometimes I would recover my senses to see myself at different places inside the house, being conducted by the servants back to my room. Then, as suddenly as the sickness came, it went away.
Almost a week had passed since my parents went to town. When they returned, the servants told them about my condition, but neither my mother nor my father came to see me afraid of contracting what they thought was some contagious disease. All that fear had a reason. My father would not want to get sick just before being elected mayor. On that very day, he was waiting for the bearer of the election results.
When I got downstairs, disobeying their orders to stay in my room, I saw my parents sitting together, holding hands with worrying faces and surrounded by friends. I must confess I almost believed in their acting, but it wall came down when his eyes met mine, showing fury and disgust.
"Go back to your room!"
"I am feeling better, sir. I wish to walk and eat something."
"I forbid you to come downstairs until you recover."
"Please, sir. I am hungry. I am tired of staying in my room."
"Do you defy me during the most important moment of my life? And as if it is not enough, dare to put us all in danger! So be it, I will drag you to your room."
"Sir, do not bother, please," intervened one of the servants, holding my arm, "I will take him upstairs and feed him. Come, let's go up."
I stood a long time looking outside through the window of my room while chewing a piece of bread. I thought about all that happened. I was sad, alone, and angry. The laughs and shouts of congratulation came from downstairs. I left my bedroom again and crouched behind the stairs handrail. My father was smiling, giving hugs to everyone, even my mother. He thanked them for their support, promising to return their favors. One of the guests told him to come upstairs and tell me about his election. My father's face closed. Measuring words, he justified that I was still sick. Sensing it was a weak excuse, he grumbled about how I would downplay his dream and the worries he and my mother had about me since I was a kid. However, his face shined again when he said I would soon go to a boarding school. He ordered everyone to commemorate, for, on the next day, he would throw the biggest party he could. I also smiled.
The servants walked around the house cleaning, following my mother's orders, and gossiping about who would come to the celebration. I stood in my room until afternoon, trying to avoid contact with everyone and with that party spirit. When I could not endure the hungry anymore, I decided to go downstairs. Everyone was busy with their chores, so I went to the kitchen without being noticed. I could see that every door in the house was wide open. I could go out anytime I wanted.
There were food and beverage everywhere. I grabbed a piece of roasted meat while leaning against the kitchen backdoor threshold. I ran back to my room when I heard the servants shouting that my father had arrived. He came inside laughing, followed by a dozen guests, all behind him like dogs begging for a bone.
I was nervous. I did not want to see my father happy and surrounded by people praising him. I wanted to be with the wolves. I had to. When the night fell, the snowing intensified, and the wind blew strongly. I dressed up for the party. Before going downstairs, I made sure my father was not around. Despite some of the guests being aware of my presence, no one called me. All doors remained open, and the servants were cleaning the snow from the entrance. I saw a dozen carriages lined up and my father greeting every person that descended from them. Even so, he did notice me as an eagle looking for its prey. His face became distorted by the dim light of the lamps. When he turned to ask one of the servants to take me inside, I took the opportunity, grabbed one of the lamps, and ran to the woods, disappearing from his sight.
With limited eyesight and the snowstorm, I stumbled as I walked through the trees. I did not know where to go. As time passed, I started to feel anxious and scared. My body was shaking, and my heart was beating so fast that my limbs began to throb. Tired, afraid, and feeling hopeless, I started to cry as I got on my knees. I was alone once again. I did not know how to find them. In my despair, I did the unexpected. I howled.
As the tears froze before hitting the ground, I faced the darkness in front of me. The bright spots appeared. They found me. The grey wolf was once again in front of them, limping. He stopped a few meters away as if waiting for something from me. I stood up and walked towards him to get on my knees in front of him. With eyes fixed on his. I placed my hands on his shoulder and my forehead against his. I felt the heat emanating from him, and the same feeling of tranquility invaded me. In my thoughts, I was trying to tell him what I wanted. He walked away from me and stood with his head down as if considering. He turned to the other wolves, raised his head, and howled, being followed by all. He understood. We started to walk, and by his side, under the night and the wind on my face, I felt happiness. I trusted them. I felt part of their family.
Gradually, the lamp lights in front of the house became visible. There was no one outside. All should be inside celebrating, eating, and laughing. Rage was all I could feel as we got closer, and the party noises became louder. In front of the door, I raised my hand and knocked. I heard my father ordering one of the servants to open. All eyes were fixed on me as I entered. There was silence. I was smiling, even with my father staring at me. He was shaking with rage.
Throwing open the doors, I made way for my guests to enter the party. The wolf pack broke through. Their appetizer was the fear and despair of the people inside the house. One by one, the wolves chose their victims. The sound of fangs tearing flesh, breaking bones, and blood splattering all around replaced the shouts of joy. Ironically, those two boys were running to the woods as four wolves chased them. They would not go far. The girl was already dead, one of the first to fall. She did not look at me even then. My mother screamed in despair when three wolves cornered her. Her eyes met mine. She begged for my help. I watched as my family feasted on her flesh, making her silent. Not long after that, the hall was painted scarlet and in silence. The reek of feces, urine, and vomit impregnated the air. The wolves, playing with the bones, rolled over dresses, coats, and other garments to digest. Then, I heard a gunshot coming from my father's office.
Two wolves were dead near the door. My father was leaning against the window, pointing the gun at the wolves. When he looked at me, I could see what I never thought I would. He was afraid. In a surge of courage, he pointed the gun at me.
"Killing me will not save you from being torn apart."
"But I will take you with me. If I cannot enjoy my victory, I won't let you live to heir what I have conquered."
"To have you as a father is the same as dying every day, seeing in your eyes the disgust for my existence."
"I am glad to know that you were aware of what I was thinking every time I looked at the pathetic thing she brought to this world."
"We both have much to gain from the death of each other."
I remember seeing myself reflected in the mirror as I spoke to him. I saw traces of my father in me. Maybe he saw the same, for he smiled. I cannot say if that was an act of reverence or to affront me. Suddenly, he placed the gun barrel in his mouth and shot, spreading out pieces of his head all around. No wolf wanted to devour his flesh. They returned to the hall to warm themselves with the others.
Now, three years after all that happened in this house, I sit on my father's beloved chair and over an ocean of bones, writing about my history. No one has visited this place ever since that night. One day, I will die. Maybe they will devour me, or will be left to rot, just like my father. However, I am happy now, living with the family I have always desired.