|WOLVES|

How long can someone stay knocked out? I wondered as we stared down at my nearly dead body.

Nearly dead. How strange it is to think that about myself; how even weirder it is to watch it happen.

Not much longer now... That's what Josiah said, yet, I see no threat. Where's my killer?

My bet was on JT, but he seemed too drunk to function, let alone plan a murder. Maybe he didn't plan it. Maybe Leslie sends him out here to finish me off, or perhaps she did it herself...

Whoever it was, I wish they'd hurry up and get here because I'm getting bored. "Come on Harley, wake up." I said. I exhaled deeply, annoyed at my almost corpse.

Perhaps she doesn't want to wake up, not ever. Could this be the end? The big bang at the end of this mysterious journey?

I can imagine Josiah saying "Hey Harley, guess what, you're not dead, you're in a coma... Yep I was lying this whole time to throw you off. I got bored and I figured I'd screw with a pitiful human."

He looked over at me, glaring from beneath his brooding brow. He obviously didn't like my thoughts.

Suddenly, Harley sat straight up, breathing erratically. Her eyes darted around the empty back yard, probably wondering what the heck happened.

Great, she's still alive, for now anyway...

She looked back at the house that was booming with life, a look of confusion smeared across her face.

"Don't even think about going back in there.." I told her. "Save yourself the embarrassment."

She listened to my command even though she couldn't hear it, and laid back down in the dew drenched grass.

A strong wind blew past her, picking up her alcohol soaked hair. Her nose and freckled cheeks were rosy red from the cold, but she didn't seem to care. Her gaze was in the stars.

Shiny tears began to overflow her eyelids. She didn't make an effort to wipe them away, or to hide them. There was no one left to see. There was no one left to comfort her, or to tell her that it would be okay. But, the truth is, it's not going to be okay. Not for her.

Her killer could be watching right now and she has no idea. She's not paying attention to her surroundings, her mind is in the sky amongst the stars.

She rose slowly from the ground, testing her balance. When she found her footing, she slung her bag back over her shoulder and started off into the woods at a sluggish pace.

Does she want to be killed? Because walking into the dark forest is what people that want to die do... She's lost her mind. I think she's gone insane.

Josiah pulled me up from the ground with tired, lazy effort, and we followed after Harley yet again.

Her pace was very slow. She stumbled several times, mainly because she couldn't take her eyes off the sky. She was mesmerized by the bright full moon, almost like it had her in a hypnotic trance. It's nearly impossible for the darkness to hide now. The moon was overpowering the woods and it's naked trees. It's magnificent light exposed all of Harley's flaws. Her bruises and wounds were prominent, her puffy face and tangled hair were wrapped in the wondering light. She couldn't hide anymore.

She had absolutely no concern for where her feet were taking her, or rather to whom they were taking her. It's going to happen any moment now, I can tell. I could feel it in the wind somehow, like a whispering secret. A secret that will soon be exposed.

Josiah's gentle hand stopped me from walking further, startling me back to this "world". The moon had stolen my attention as well.

I noticed the woods had ended right on top of the hill.

Harley untangled herself from the constricting bag around her torso, dropping it abruptly to the ground.

A clinking sound pierced the night, and all three of us looked down at the source in sync. The contents of her purse had fallen out with the harsh drop.

Harley turned her head to the side with curiosity, although I'm not sure what took her attention from the light.

She bent down to pick up whatever it was.

As soon as she opened her hand, my face was bent down to get a quick look. It was the pocket knife. She flipped it over several times in her palm, then marched on down the hill. I chased after her confused.

She didn't slow down her stride until she reached the lakes edge. She plopped down in front of the infamous dock that I had been avoiding.

The grass was tall around us, or maybe it was weeds. She tucked her bare legs against her body. She was probably cold. I'm glad I cut my feelings off.

She gazed out over the lake. I suddenly realized that Josiah was standing out on the end of the dock, staring down into the icy water.

The moon's reflection left a bridge of light that expanded all the way to the other side of the lake. Josiah looked as if he would step right out into the waves and walk across. I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to leave me behind, I haven't been a very good companion. What even keeps him here anyway? Why does he care so much? Just as I finished my thought, he collapsed down to the docks edge with his feet dangling, still not looking back at us.

I diverted my attention back to Harley wondering what's next. I'm over flowing with curiosity. What's going to happen?

I watched as tears streamed down her face following the same path they had for years. She's cried in almost every memory I've experienced. I wish I could've seen her smile more, and heard her laugh. I don't think I even heard her laugh at all except for when she was a child. Wonder if that's the last time she did?

I didn't get a chance to ask Josiah that question because Harley was on the move again, but she didn't go very far. She slowly walked over the creeky boards of the dock as if she were testing their strength. She finally made it to the end. Her body was perched right next to Josiahs as if she knew he were there, but more than likely he placed himself to perfectly sit next to where he knew she would be sitting.

I found myself stepping on the wood I said I would never set foot on again. I couldn't help myself, I needed to be next to her whenever it happens. Whatever it is.

Me, Harley, and Josiah all stared up at the moon. I'm not sure if that's what she was seeing or not though. I wish I could hear her thoughts.

"I'm sorry. Whoever is left to hear me, I'm sorry." Harley croaked out. Her voice was choked out by the continuous tears.

What is she even talking about? I wondered. What is she sorry for?

"I can't go on like this. Not without him." She continued.

A lump slowly formed in my own throat. I realized that my feelings must have been cut back on, and I quickly made an effort to turn them off again. I want to be numb to the horrors of this world.

"I give up." She whispered. I hadn't noticed the open pocket knife in her hand until it's tip rested on her exposed wrist.

I could feel my face mesh into a confused bundle before I realized what was going on. I'm the murderer I've been waiting on this entire time. It's me.

"No!" my voice echoed out, I no longer had control of it.

I grabbed at the knife, with no avail. It was pressed tightly to her wrist, but it hadn't broken her skin yet.

I looked into her face, hoping to see a gleam of recognition, but she only stared blankly though me.

"Don't do it Harley, please don't do it!" I yelled even louder. I slapped at her face, wishing I could make contact to wake her up.

I knew tears were starting to pour from my own eyes, I had no control over them either.

I looked over to Josiah for help. His eyes were wide with fear and sadness. It made my heart race even faster to see him in such a way. He's my only hope now, if he can't fix it, then I don't know what can.

"Stop her, Josiah! Please, I'll do anything! Please don't let her do it!"

His face melted with tears, "I tried. You don't know how hard I tried Harley." His voice was just a whisper. I wouldn't have been able to hear it if I wasn't trying so hard.

I looked back to Harley. Her eyes were squeezed shut. Suddenly I felt as if a knife had pierced through my frantic heart. I knew she had done it.

I looked down just as she slit the other wrist. Dark blood flooded out as the pocket knife tumbled from her hand to the dock.

My chest exploded with pain. "I can feel this Josiah!" I yelled to him. "It hurts so bad! Please make it stop!"

"I can't Harley, you have to feel it."

I tried my best to cover her wounds with my hands, knowing it wouldn't work.

Josiah rose slowly. I watched him through my tear soaked eyes as he made his way over to Harley. He wrapped his arms around her back, whispering in her ear. After the brief embrace, he gently pushed Harleys body over into the lake.

"what are you doing?!" I screamed. "You can't do that!" I jumped to my feet, attempting to see Harleys body in the waves. They were too dark to see anything though.

My sobs had become too much for me to handle, even if I am a ghost. I just let my body collapse onto the wooden surface.

After less than a minute, Josiah pulled me to my feet and wrapped me in a tight hug.

He held me close until all my tears had been soaked up by his warm hoodie. We were silent for a while like that. I was just enjoying the comfort I get from him.

After what seemed like hours, I felt the warmth of the sun on my back, and a bright light piercing my eyelids. I knew we weren't on that terrible dock any longer.