I can't wait any longer. I need to know. I need to see for myself, I need to see that it's real and he's gone.

I climb down the rocky terrain, the moisture in the air dense, the ground soft and unstable beneath my feet, as I make my way downhill towards the location of the wreckage. The low-hanging branches and overgrown bushes graze my legs as I pass one after another, their sharp edges delivering stinging sensations as they slice and prick at my skin.

The incline down to where I know his truck landed is horrific, my boots constantly slipping on the soggy ground. Looking at my hands, I cringe when I see that they're covered in mud, and I have deep cuts across my palms, the result of using them as a buffer between my body and the ground in an attempt to prevent further damage each time I fall. I can't remember how long I'd been walking. The air has become so thick with fog it's getting harder and harder to navigate as I inch closer to my destination.

Swallowing deeply, my mouth dry and my hands shaking, my eyes finally land on what I've been searching for. In a small clearing below, I can just make out the giant black shape of his truck's chassis or what's left of it. Lowering myself closer, I gasp at the sight of the vehicle, a complete wreck, the entire exterior damaged, body crumpled like a used cardboard box, compacted to fit into the recycling.

There's no way anyone could have survived that fall.

The Ford is wedged between two massive pine trees and positioned on its side with only the passenger side visible.

Taking a deep breath, I wipe at my eyes, sharpness stinging behind my sockets as I try to focus. The fog, now heavier, is making it impossible for me to see my surroundings apart from the wreck before me. My heart thundering in my chest, I edge forward, one step at a time, until I'm face to face with the undercarriage.

It's so quiet. Nature is still, silent. I, however, have an overwhelming feeling of being watched, a knowing sensation of eyes that I can't see, but I believe, can see me.

I plant my foot on the front tire, my heel gripping the rubber. I heave myself up and position my body on the side panel. Leaning over, I bite my bottom lip and peer into the windshield.

The glass is smashed, shattered, but still whole, like millions of spider webs overlapping and no clear holes. It is so dark now, and I can't get a clear picture of the interior.

I shuffle my body forward towards the door. The window is thankfully open. Using my fingers to grip the edge, I grab onto the frame and pull my upper body closer, my face moving directly above where the glass should be, and look inside.

NOTHING!

There's no one inside!

Before I can register what I'm seeing before me, a dark clawed hand clasps itself around my ankle, dragging me off the truck, making me fall to the ground below.

My brain, too stunned from the shock of the impact, sluggishly takes its time to move my body, my eyes searching to see what dragged me.

Raising my head, I see it/him standing before me.

His body is covered in blood, his left arm hanging loosely at his side and bent at an odd angle. I swallow, my throat painfully dry when I see that his right leg is broken, fragments of bone sticking through and his eyes, his steel-blue eyes are now yellow, beast eyes staring at me from his sockets.

Not Dead!

Pushing myself backward until I'm flush against the truck bed, I curl in, trying to make myself as small as possible as his face begins to shift, black fur sprouting from his pores, his teeth elongating, a growl escaping, turning into My Wolf.

He lunges.

.......................................................................................................

I scream, my body jerking up in an attempt to scramble away, my legs tangled in something, bedsheets? Body heaving, gentle hands rest on my shoulders, Erin, the screams continuing to come out until my throat is raw.

"Babe, babe, you're safe. It's over, Ava," Erin soothes, wrapping her arms around me and drawing me into a tight embrace.

"But I saw, I saw the truck, I saw..." I hiccup between sobs, "him! Oh, Erin, it was horrible, he, he was so wrong, and his eyes, his eyes, were..."

Rubbing my back, she gently rocks me, "It was just a dream, Ava, you know what you're seeing isn't true. Geoff even confirmed it. The truck exploded on impact; you're just lucky that the local authorities put it down to an accident, otherwise..."

Taking in her warmth, the smell of vanilla, and iris, my muscles relax as I try to slow my racing heart.

"I know, and you know that I don't want to talk to the police about what happened. But Erin, it felt so real, I could feel him, I could feel his pain, his anger."

Releasing my body and moving back on the bed, Erin's eyes find mine, a frown marring her stunning face, "Babe, you really should talk to someone about what happened. If not the police, then maybe your therapist?"

She's right. Even though I've been able to share everything that happened with her, I need more.

When I returned home, Erin begged me to see someone, to tell anyone, but I couldn't, I just... What would I have said? "Officer? I've just had the best sexual experience of my life, except, I think I was drugged, but I was an equal participant in all of it and didn't say 'no' once. Oh, and yeah, I enjoyed it!" Yeah, No!

But I do need to speak to someone who will help me understand. Help me process why I couldn't stop it and why I didn't want to stop. I want to be myself again. I can't keep drinking and popping pills to function without breaking.

Sighing, I pull the duvet up to cover my knees, my head dropping, my chin resting on my chest, "I know, I've got a session booked with Angela on Monday. God, I don't even know where to start when I see her, but you're right. I need to talk to someone that can help me put things into perspective. I can't have you sleep with me every night."

Erin moves to lie beside me. Running her fingers through my hair, Erin turns and pulls my body down and into a spooning position. The gesture is calming, a simple act that reminds me of my mother. "Babe, it's only been three days, you know it's going to take time to feel more like yourself, and I honestly don't mind."

"What about Geeeoofff," I tease, smiling as my heart rate returns to normal, "won't he be missing his hot booty calls?"

"Geoff understands that I'm with my bitch, and he knows not to get in the middle of two very emotional girls."

"Anyway, tell him I said thanks. I know getting that information about the crash wasn't an easy thing to do, especially without knowing why we wanted the details." I yawn, my eyes beginning to drift closed.

"Meh, he's already been paid in full for those services. My jaw is still killing me." Erin replies, groaning and moving her arm to wrap around my waist.

Chuckling, the heaviness of sleep beginning to take over, I whisper, "As fucked up as it is, Erin, I miss him." So fucking much.