Eventually the wolves melted back into the trees, though we could still hear their songs.
The white wolf turned to face us.
The red left his eyes.
He whispered, stay stay you must stay this is where we part this is where we say goodbye the doors the doors are closed and you can rest rest knowing i have never been prouder of you
Joe’s shift receded. He said, “Dad?”
The wolf tilted his head.
Joe took a step toward him. “I….”
Our father leaned forward, pressing his snout against Joe’s forehead.
Joe said, “Oh.”
Green, like relief.
Blue, like sadness.
And white. The white, pure light of peace.
I OPENED MY EYES.
I turned my head.
Joe held Ox’s hand.
His eyes filled with red.
Ox’s claws were pressed against his skin.
“Now,” I heard Aileen say. “You must do it now.”
Joe said, “I love you.”
And pierce
d his own heart.
His head rocked back as blood began to drip down his chest.
Ox arched off the ground, the rose through his stomach in full bloom.
The petals began to fall.
Ox opened his mouth, fangs descending.
He screamed.
The color in Joe’s eyes flickered.
Red.
Blue.
Red.