Brothersong (Green Creek 4)

The clouds were gone.

The sun was shining.

I said, “I know you’re there.”

I said, “Come out, come out, wherever you are.”

I said, “You can’t hide from me.”

I said, “This is a dream. I’m still dreaming.”

I was delirious.

I was hot.

I was cold.

I said, “Dad?”

But my father was dead and nothing but ash.

I went to the door.

I opened it.

Cool air washed over me.

I blinked against it.

I stepped out into the snow.

I barely felt it against my bare feet.

I walked away from the cabin.

I didn’t know where I was going. My skin thrummed.

I said, “Where are you?”

I laughed.

It came out sounding like a sob, choked and wet.

And then I saw him.

In the snow.

Behind the trees.

A white wolf. Black on his back and chest.

His eyes burned red.

He said chase me i love you chase me.

I said, “Daddy?” because I was just a little boy again, and my father, my father was there, and he was never going to leave me, he was never going to leave me again.

He ran.