Echoes of the Pack

unsettling presence, like a tight

, waiting for her to blink, hoping she'll step down fro

he do

n a continuous

toward her. She swings back and forth, each swing dimi

he ground, releasing a scream that

zu

.

urs ear

disconnects her phone from the car's audio system, creating a l

ool football star, while she is tall and blonde, as if she's been ta

y cardigan. "My

ntally tore off my little toe's nail while practicing at home last night, which is

partner, then who can I share them with?" His nail looks awfu

and begins to apply a bandage to his toe. "You'd think that a

t just get used

ells Ahren's mom, "Miss Mac, w

! Enjoy your

cheeks turn deep red, and his bright blue eyes remain fixed on my sister. Howe

shes Ahren away and says, "I'll leave

quick hug and reminding him, "Te

do,

ont with Azura, who hasn't uttered a word since we left my rehearsal. Her fingers ar

e and asks, "Alora, d

actually spoken aloud. "Are you

, although her forced s

strated shrug and sinks back into his seat. Thi

, this sudden change. One moment she's her cheerful se

een progressively worsening since we returned

heir version of white magic, something I used to consider a rebellious hobby or a bit of Mother Earth mystic

rough her belongings. I don't know why she transformed from my fearless, outgoing sister into someone shyer

sisters who hardly exchange a word. I can't pinpoint when Azura stop

Our parents consist of a hardworking father dedicated to his business and a mother who wholeheartedly adores him. Azura and I are

, I softly mentioned, "Mom is p

esponded as she drove dow

rimera-Mama," I teased her w

her with a wrist slap. "You might g

e backseat, said, "Ladies

ust discussing what holds the

oked, but I noticed

iling business had already begun its growth. We never lacked for anything, for which I've always been grate

y resided in Puerto Rico, and the other half in South Carolina. Azura and I were always together, and remarkably

lay within the high school theater group, a choice that suited her outgoing n

t, exclaiming, "I'm famished!" He sprinted up the fro

he woods. What could possibl

the quiet one in the family, while she relished the limelight, especially on stage in ballet shoes. I f

zu

leading from our property into the woods.

versations. Subsequently, she started offering excuses to avoid hanging out, no longer bothering

've just been contemplating life after school. You have a promising futur

ese years, you'd know better

m n

t being truthful! So, please, stop it

months before me, so we've always been in the same grade. We have a

n. I strain to see what has captured her attention, but it eludes me. All I can m

gazes up at our house. Her bedroom window overlooks the driveway, and she must have forgotten to

eak free from here. We can plan a trip or head off to college after graduation. If I end up

ing. Her sad smile makes me emotional, almost bringing tears, bu

s a big world out there for you. When I th

't share it with me. For months now, I've felt like something bad is coming.

it?" Ahren hands me tea. I'm sitting at the kitchen cou

e parts." The sense of something bad happening isn't jus

ghts. I blink, and she repeats, "Go g

hen and the smell of emp

ng about moon phases to mentioning crystals, deities, and protective herbs like mugwort, it seems like my sist

stumble forward. I manage to catch myself with my hands, bu

ead and feeling tears comin

calls from the living room,

ad appears around the corner, and I start to get

nd adds, "From downstairs, you sounded

er Azura's room, my mom looks concerned. She's not one to ignore someone who's hurt,

oorknob and

Azura, a