| s a v i n g  g r a c e | 

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     HEARING THE WOLVES howl at midnight was terrifying enough, yet somehow the glowing crescent moon seemed to accentuate the fear that struck a chord in Thadeus' heart. Thundering against this ribcage, his heart seemed to have a mind of its own, the want to lurch out of his throat causing him to feel nauseous.

      Running through the dead streets of the lifeless town as the bitter, chilly wind whistled by was another factor that chilled him to the bone. Silence hugged the noise around the howls, and as soon as they stopped, all he could hear was his own breath. Panting. His own feet hitting the pavement was drowned out by the ringing silence.

      Reaching the corner, he stopped to put his hands on his knees, eyes flashing by to check if the coast was clear. There had been a curfew set by the Chief of Police, as a second murder was announced almost a week ago. It was a pity to think the girl that had passed was a well-known classmate.

      Calming his breath, he closed his eyes and wished for his mind to clear. Thadeus began his journey to his apartment, that was not a long walk from here. Hair windswept over his face, he kept a sharp eye for any sudden movement. A cold hand grabbed his shoulder, Thadeus immediately turned around, swiftly holding the person in question in a headlock.

      "Bloody hell, Jesus Christ, God Almighty, what the hell is wrong with you?" choked out his dear friend, Jackson. Letting go, Thadeus sighed in relief and wiped his face in frustration.

      "Is that really what you're asking me right now?" glaring at Jackson, Thadeus helped his friend up to continue walking to his destination.

      "I know, it was pretty messed up, y'know, her death. I think I dated her for a few months, she was pretty cool, sucks though," nodded Jackson, shoving his dark hands into his pockets. He was almost Thadeus' height, however his curled hair made up for it.

      "We're not even supposed to be out, Alfred warned us specifically, and what are we doing? The exact fucking opposite," drawled out Thadeus, his voice deep and incredulous in tone.

      "Dude, I get it, I just wanted to see you before you left for your two-day trip to town," scoffed Jackson, clearly pissed off that Thadeus was complaining, when he himself was out before Jackson was.

      "What are you? My clingy girlfriend?" Biting his lip, Thadeus was glad Jackson surprised him. Silence was deadly, and Thadeus did not do well with his thoughts and himself alone. Perhaps, in a way, Jackson would have been his saving grace.

       "Shut up, I'll see you soon, then," quietly chuckled Jackson. Thadeus softly smiled at the dark skinned boy, flicking his nose. Jackson immediately punched Thadeus back, and disappeared back into the shadows.

      Nearing the looming building, anxiety began clawing its way into Thadeus' heart. As much as he liked to deny it, he didn't like being alone. But even worse, was not knowing who else was with him. Quickly pressing the code of the door, he entered and closed it behind him, crumpling to the floor and rubbing his eyes.

      "Jesus freaking Christ," he muttered, quickly picking himself off of the floor and quietly hurrying up the stairs to his room. That night, with the moons bloody haze, Thadeus could not sleep. Sweat clung to him, and despair right behind it.

○ ○ ○

     Feverish knocking woke Thadeus in a jolt. Sweat was still on his skin, glistening and reminding him of the dark dream he had awoken from. Shivering from the horrific images he had seen, he clenched his eyes shut and rose from the bed.

      Groaning from the headache that accompanied him to the door, he opened it slowly, only to be hit with loud noises from a mean, ill-tempered woman.

       "I try tell you! You don't listen! Never listen! Everyone listen, but you! You!" she wagged her wrinkled finger at him, anger erupting in her soft features. Madam Ai was struggling to form words, as her limited vocabulary could only do so much harm.

      "For what?" Was it so bad for Thadeus to want to play the innocent, naive little boy?

       "You know! Last night, you go out, when told not to, very bad, no, not tolerate this!" she shook her head angrily. A hand rested on her shoulder, and moved her away, and in her place stood her granddaughter, Mei.

     "She told you not to go out last night, with countless other people telling you, yet you simply don't want to understand. You know she cares very much for you, Ace. I know you care for her very much, so, start acting like you do," she said sternly, crossing her arms over her very much pregnant stomach.

      Guilt pooled at his stomach, and Thadeus nodded. The old woman did so much for him, yet he always seemed to create more problems for her.

      "I'm sorry Ai, I won't do it again, promise," he said softly to the woman who scoffed.

     "You say every time, and every time you break promise," said Ai, however her resolve was crumbling and she let go of the frown and let a brilliant smile overtake it.

      "It's Madame Ai," she laughed. Mei grabbed Madame Ai's hand and lead her to the elevator that was strictly reserved to seniors, pregnant women, and the disabled. But, Thadeus did use it a couple of times. Not that he'd tell anyone.

      Chewing the side of his cheek, Thadeus closed the door with a soft click. Walking over to the chest beside his bed, he rung Jackson and left a voicemail of Thadeus bidding his farewell. Grabbing the suitcase he had packed quickly the night before, he did a once over of the apartment, and locked the door.

      Once he had reached the lobby, he saw Madame Ai make her way to him. A soft smile enveloped her features, but fell as she saw his train ticket in hand.

      "I was going to tell you, but I'm coming back on Wednesday. It's only two days, take care okay?"

      "Where are you going?"

     "Oregon, visiting family," Thadeus decided to tell her the truth.

      "Oregon? Oregon has rogues, very bad, okay? Take care, please?" fear evident in her pale face, she sighed as though she was helpless. Confused, but mildly amused, he hugged her goodbye and left.

○ ○ ○

     On the way to Oregon, Thadeus wondered why there was a second murder near his apartment building, and why a curfew was established so early. Could it be that the murderer came at a specific time? Place?

     From what he had heard, there was little information the police had given out. Thadeus would definitely find out more when he got back. Curiosity piqued him, how did Madame Ai knew of him sneaking at night? And what did she mean by Oregon having rogues? He knew it had recently developed a nasty reputation of theft and crime, but that couldn't be it, could it?