River of Bones (15 page)

Wolf disappeared into the bathroom. Seconds later came the sound of rushing water. He returned and knelt at my side. “Your skin is like ice. I'm running you a bath. We need to get your body temperature back to normal. Do you think you can make it or do you want me to carry you?”

“I can do it,” I said.

Wolf helped me to my feet, snared his arm around my waist and guided me into the bathroom. He supported me as far as the edge of the tub before turning to leave, shutting the bathroom door behind him. I peeled off my stinking clothes and tossed them into the sink. At least this time I had a set of clean ones to change into.

I sank into the warm bath, letting the water soothe my aching body. I scrubbed my skin until I couldn't move anymore, exhausted and consumed with worry. The bath had washed away the filth, but not the curse. My stomach plunged. I knew how awful I looked and it amazed me that Wolf still hadn't abandoned me. It seemed strange how he didn't hesitate to hang around, even after all the strange events. It was almost like he was waiting for something to happen, something to resolve.

I stepped out, dried off and slipped into my favorite sweats and tank top. I bent over to wrap a towel around my head when I felt something weird—a loose tooth near the tip of my tongue. A cold sweat broke out across the back of my neck. My legs trembled. I couldn't stand to lose any more teeth! My heart jumped at the thought of having to wear dentures.

I hurried from the bathroom and into the kitchen. I found Mom's weirdo willow bark pain reliever and took a double dose. I shuffled into the living room looking for Wolf. He sat in front of the hearth staring at the skull. He glanced at me when I came in, then leaped to his feet and took my elbow.

“I'm ready for bed,” I said. “Can you help me get up the stairs?”

“Sure,” he said. “But why don't you just sleep down here where I can keep an eye on you.”

“Because I have to have the skull under my bed, remember? Down here there's no bed, only a couch, and I'm not taking any chances. My throat is killing me. I'm getting weaker. Wolf, I'm scared. My whole life, I've taken care of myself and Benny. What will happen to my brother if I die?”

Wolf grabbed my shoulders. “Don't talk like that. We're gonna beat this thing. Whatever it is.” He snatched the skull, tucked it under his arm, and bent down. “Get on my back and I'll give you a ride.”

I hesitated. “What if I'm too heavy?”

Wolf laughed. “You're far from heavy, Dharma. Look, you need to start trusting me. And you have to start trusting yourself. You are stronger than you think you are, and you're braver than you know. Now hop on.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck, and collapsed against him. “Thanks,” I said, inhaling his woodsy scent.

Wolf labored up the steps, every muscle in his strong back flexing beneath me. At the landing, I slid off and hobbled down the hallway to the master bedroom.

“Good thing I made the bed last night,” Wolf said.

“You did? Wow, thanks.”

“I had to have something to do while you were sleeping.”

He pulled back the blankets and held them up so I could climb into the soft bed. Wolf got on his knees and slid the skull underneath the creaky springs.

“You sure you're going to be okay up here?”

“I hope so,” I said. “At this point, nothing matters but sleep, even if I don't wake up.”

“Are you sure about that?” Wolf said. He gazed into my eyes and leaned in close, his lips almost touching my forehead. My heart skipped. For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me, but instead he placed a hand against my cheek.

“You still feel like you have a fever. No wonder, with everything you've been through.” He pulled away. “I'm going to camp right outside the door. Call me if you need anything.”

“Thanks,” I said. It felt good knowing he would be so close. I couldn't blame him for not kissing me. My heart sank, I'm sure I looked totally gross. I closed my eyes, listening to his hollow footsteps as he walked away.

Every sound set my nerves on edge—the howling wind, the rattling shutters, the clatter of pipes, a weird scraping outside my window. Then I heard another noise. A different kind of noise. Low. Raspy. I strained to hear against the wind, and held my breath. The eerie sound stuttered in the darkness.

Heavy, mucus-filled breathing.

Coming from under the bed.

For several minutes, I didn't move—couldn't move. I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the spooky sounds. The breathing grew louder, accompanied by a horrible gnawing, chewing sound. A thump came from under the mattress.

I threw the covers off my legs. The chewing intensified, sending goose bumps rippling down my arms. I put one foot onto the floor, ready to jerk it back if something grabbed it. The weathered floorboards felt unusually cold beneath my toes. I put the other foot down, took a few steps away and aimed the light under the bed.

A flash of movement!

I inched closer, lifted the dust ruffle away from the bottom of the bed and peered underneath. The skull grinned at me, the gold tooth gleaming. Then, it moved an inch, tipping to one side. Two red eyes flashed in the dark. A rat peered around the skull, bits of bone in its mouth.

I dropped the flashlight. It spun into a corner of the room, the beam flashing crazily on the walls and I scuttled backward. The rat advanced, its claws scraping the floorboards.

My mouth hung open, words tumbled from my brain, but nothing came out. Where was Wolf? Why hadn't he burst inside already? The rat snarled, pulling back its thin lips, baring ugly yellow teeth. Foam dripped from its mouth onto the floor. I reached for the flashlight. The creature lowered its head, reared back and barreled toward me. I scrambled to my feet, bolted from the room, and slammed the door behind me.

Inside, the rat battered against the door, growling.

Wolf leapt to his feet, tossing aside a tattered quilt wrapped around his shoulders. “What's going on? Are you okay?”

I shook my head and pointed to the door. “Rat,” I said, my voice so weak it was almost a whisper.

Wolf narrowed his eyes at the door.

I shivered. “It's huge and disgusting. It tried to attack me.”

“Probably just a swamp rat. I'll take care of it—no problem.”

Wolf kicked at the door. The rat growled and snarled behind it. “Okay, maybe it is a problem.”

I leaned against the doorframe. “I have to go back in and get the skull.”

Wolf frowned. “Are you sure you can do this?”

“Like I have a choice.” Tears stung my eyes. “I just want this whole nightmare to end.”

“Go downstairs and rest.” Wolf picked up the tattered blanket and wrapped it around my shoulder, then jerked his thumb at the door. “I'll deal with our furry friend here.”

“Be careful.”

Wolf nodded. “Better get out of here before I open the door and it jumps out.”

“What about the skull?”

“I don't know, but we have to take care of the rat first. Now get going.”

I nodded and headed down the stairs. Each step seemed to take more effort than the last. Every creak and groan of the old staircase wore on my last nerve. Like it had any right to complain—I was the one with all the worry, all the sickness.

Collapsing near the fire, I closed my eyes. The power of the curse drained me, stole my last bit of energy. My eyes snapped open. Even if the skull could talk, would it tell me how to end this misery? What if it didn't? What if I died before it gave up its secrets? I pushed the thoughts from my mind but the horrible fear welling up inside me remained.

A scuffle echoed from upstairs, followed by thundering footsteps down the staircase. The rat scurried into the living room, and I could hear Wolf close behind. I sprang from my seat and whipped open the front door. The rat swung its head in my direction. It paused, glared at me with its beady eyes, its fur rising in hackles. Then Wolf came into view. Darting a glance in the man's direction, the rat reconsidered, hissed one final protest, and scurried out, disappearing into the night.

“You let it get away—what's up with that?” Wolf said.

“What was I supposed to do?”

“If we don't deal with it now, it'll be back later.” Wolf scowled. “It probably has a nest in here somewhere.”

“Sorry,” I said, collapsing on the couch. “It can have the whole place if it wants. I just want to get better, find Mom and get out of here.”

Wolf yawned and sat down beside me. “We better try to get some rest.” He propped his big boots on the end table and dozed off in the glow of the warm fire. I tried to sleep, but every time I closed my eyes I worried about Mom, I worried about the skull, I worried about the rat. I even worried about worrying. Plus, how could I sleep with Wolf so near me? What if I started sawing logs again, like I did before when he compared me to an old grandpa—I didn't need that again.

Eventually I gave up, letting sleep take me away.

Sometime later, I jolted upright. Someone was calling my name, faint at first. I rubbed my eyes and glanced at Wolf? Was it him? But that couldn't be, he was sleeping soundly, arms folded, snoring lightly beside me.

“Dharmaaaaaa,” a voice whispered.

I cocked my head listening, my heart jumping.

“Dharmaaaa,” the voice called again. The sound came from upstairs, snaking down the stairwell. “Come, Dharmaaaa, come and see me.” The voice slithered up the back of my neck to my ear.

“Who's there?”

I waited several seconds. No reply.

I started up the steps.

“Who is it?” I demanded.

“Don't you know?”

I paused, frozen on the landing. My sore throat constricted.

“Come to me, Dharmaaaa.”

The voice floated from the master bedroom.

The skull!

I stepped inside the bedroom, my heart galloping.

“Tell me how to break this curse,” I croaked. “I'm begging you—please!”

Silence.

“What do you want from me?” I shouted, clutching my raw throat.

“I want you to be my friend, Dharmaaaa.”

My head spun, and the floor tilted beneath me. Old timbers crackled and muttered. I fell hard, pain radiating into my side.

“How does it feel, Dharmaaaa? How does it feel to be alone in the dark? Forgotten and cast aside? How does it feeeel?”

From under the bed came a strange crimson glow—blood! It spilled out in a great wave, crashing over me, pinning me to the floor. I struggled to free myself, thrashing until my muscles froze in the paralyzing liquid.

A voice shrieked. “Come to me Dharma, give in to the eternal darkness. Death is your friend—darkness is your lover.”

A low, unsettling tune filled my senses, luring my eyes closed. I didn't want to sleep, I wanted to get out—but the power of the skull held me prisoner. My shattered mind raced, something was crawling around inside my head, probing at my thoughts. I struggled to fight, to kick, to escape. The tune grew louder, carrying me away into an endless night.