“Oakley just called, they are about ten minutes away. Everyone, listen to me and listen to me good. You have to give us room to work. We’re going to take him into the family room, we have privacy in there from ears, if you know what I mean.” Dolly gave her best stink eye to everyone. “We have enough hands with Abel, Pru, and myself so all of you stay back. The doctor is setting everything up so stay out; he is trying to make it as sterile as it can be. We do not know the extent of his injury, only that it is life threatening.” Dolly slightly choked on the words. “I want Bryon to be outside of the door to be our runner if needed. I want everyone else to stay calm. If you can’t handle it, go outside for some air. Absolutely no running. Do I make myself clear?”
“Clear.” Everyone said together.
The RV pulled in the drive, Pru and I grab the yellow back board and run out to the RV. Parker and Oakley help us carry him in. I can hear everyone whispering about Parker being on the RV, I never even thought about him being around, I’d forgot no one knew he is helping. It is obvious what the injury is… we put him on his left side as two arrows are protruding through him, one in his chest the other his abdomen. The sticky metallic blood is everywhere, I feel my stomach lurch a little, don’t throw up is all I can think.
Setting him down gently or as gently as possible on the make-shift operating table (the pool table with a plastic tarp). Barely conscience General Phelan reaches out to me, I bend over to hear him better, his words coming in short gasps. “Bless you Abel Casey. Be strong, live well.”
“Hold on, just hold on. You can’t leave us, Dolly needs you, Pru needs you. We all do.” I frantically said to him, beads of sweat dripping off of me. “It’s okay, the doctor is here, he will help, just hold on.” I look up to see the grim look on the doctor’s face. I can barely see through the tears that are welling up in my eyes. I turn my head so no one sees.
Dolly and Pru moved in closer and I step back to give them room. They are doing their best to keep it together for him and for each other. Dolly is frantically telling him how much she loves him and how she is so thankful for all the time they have had together. She tells him he is a great leader and roll model and no one can be more proud than her that he spent his life with her. I close my eyes, listening to her, my heart feels tight my throat feels like it is closing off. I put my hand to my face, pinching the bridge of my nose. Pru’s voice, I hear her pleading with her father not to die, not to leave her not to go. She tells him he is the best father and leader, and how proud she is to have had him in her life. She promises to take care of her mom and to watch over the Pack. She promises that one day I’ll be the Great Wolf and it is all because he believed in her and her gift. Her words are almost inaudible through her sobs. I turn my head as my own sob is stuck in my throat.
General Phelan reached for Dolly’s hand, pulling her closer and telling her he loves her. It was at that moment he took his final breath.
I hear Dolly let go of the sob she had been holding, first a small whimper and finally she cries. My soul ripping at the seams hearing her and Pru. I see Oakley run into the room, putting his arms around Pru and I see her melt into him, barely standing, being supported by him. I see his tear streaked face. Is this all I can do? Is this really all I can do? Watch my friends hurt, lose their husband, their father, their mentor. What good is a Great Wolf if this is all I can do, stand there and watch the pain.
I run out of the room and into Pru’s room grabbing Chrissy to follow me. “Chrissy, just try, please just try.” I beg.
She shakes her head no, “Abel, I can’t. I don’t have that ability sweetie.” She says gently.
“Yes you can! Just do it! Try, you have to try! Please, just try!” I beg. She takes my hand and we run into the room, the charms not stopping her causes everyone to take notice.
Chrissy leans over the table and places her hands on him. “Oakley, will you take the arrows out. I can’t do it with them in him.” She cries for him as they are pulled from his lifeless body. Everyone in the room watches, anticipation filling them, just a moment of fleeting hope.
“What is she doing Abel? Why is she even in here?” Pru demands, her pain raw on her face and in her words.
“Her father could heal people, she has never healed anything but it is worth trying. It won’t hurt.” I turned to Chrissy. “Please, for me.”
We all take a deep breath in as she lays her hands on his lifeless body, for a brief moment I see a flicker of light illuminate around her, I realize it is her aura. Her hands shaking as they hover over his wounds. Her aura brightens and suddenly the light shone from her hands. Her concentration immense as she chants a prayer. It seems to go for hours, but I know it is only minutes when she turns to me and says, “I’m sorry, really I am. I cannot interfere with nature, his life cycle has ceased. Please forgive me.” She burst into sobs and runs from the room.
I run to catch up with her, pulling her in closer. “Shh, it’s okay, you were wonderful in there. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.” I wipe her hair from her face, her mascara running over her cheeks, I tilt her chin up to look at me. “Chrissy, you were incredible.” I hug her and I hear Pru’s sobs coming from the house. “Chrissy, I’m sorry, I need to go in there for a little while. Thank you so much, really, you’re amazing.” I didn’t wait for her to answer before I run back into the house.
I can see Pru and Dolly each with one of the General’s hands and crying. My heart ached for them. Parker and Oakley take me aside and tell me that the arrows had to have been poisoned, the silver alone would have wounded him but the poison made it lethal. Whoever did this, knew what they were doing. In case they thought one arrow failed, they shot two.
As a tribute to the fallen, everyone heads outside to pay homage to the wolf in us. The bellowing howls began with Dolly, followed by Pru, and went down the line until everyone is howling, their pain heard in their tone.
Dolly nudged me to howl, I always feel kinda silly, not this time, I can feel the wolf in me. I throw back my head and I howl the loudest and the longest.
Chapter 26.