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Chapter 10

Jake and I helped James wobble back to the cabin. James gasped as he stumbled and almost fell forward. I reached forward just in time to stop him from crashing down.

"Don't fall, it will add to the reasons you die," Jake joked lightly.

I did not think it was funny. If James was to die, I could never forgive myself!

I shot Jake a glare then continued to help James.

My mind let out a sigh of relief as I saw the cabin. I had never been so happy in my life to see the old tiles on the roof and creaky door hinges.

"I'm having serious flashbacks right now," James said with amusement as we laid him on the floor.

"No, last time your were knocked out dude," Jake replied as he filled a warm cup of water and gave it to Sarah.

I heard heavy footsteps come running down the stairs and I noticed Sophie gasp as she sat on the couch slowly.

"Wolf attack," I sighed as I stroked the fur of my husky.

It was calming and soothing,  my heart was returning to normal. He licked my hand and wagged his tail, trying to cheer my up, like he was aware of the situation and wanted to comfort me, he must smell my fear. That's when I decided to name him, Noble, like his heart. He was the older of the four pups and the only male.

Sophie was sitting with the other four dogs on the couch while Sarah was tending to James's wounds.

"While we're here, lets name the dogs," James rasped and I looked at him like 'really, now?'

"Really!? Right now?" Sophie snapped.

"you and me both sister," I replied and turning back to James.

"dude you almost died, again may I say," Jake told him.

"Almost, but not quiet," James tried to sit up but was fiercely pushed down by Sarah who gave him a stern look.

"Fine, I already named mine, he is Noble," I announced.

"He's noble so what's his name?" Jake asked and laughed.

"Noble is his name you dork!" I laughed and Noble barked.

"you clearly don't get sarcasm Em," James laughed before breaking off coughing.

"Not you too yet to be bled out human," I shot back and James smiled.

"anyways, mine is named Nova, after the Canadian country Nova Scotia we call home," Jake said with pride.

That, I had to admit, was pretty creative, for Jake anyways.

"Mine will be Aspen," James told us.

"That's a nice name," I pointed out.

"Thanks, just thought of it now actually, is was the name of my dog back home," James said and flinched as Sarah wrapped his wounds.

"My little pup will be named Blue, she is tinted blue a bit," Sophie said happily and pet Blue's face.

"What about you Sarah?" James asked her and looked up.

"Willow, like the soft branches of a willow," Sarah sighed.

My heart almost melted when  I saw Willow tilt her head to the side and whine for Sarah's attention.

"You should be all set, but you are restricted to the cabin for a whole week, no less," Sarah finished up and walked to the bathroom to clean herself up.

Jake and I helped James up and onto the couch.

"Doctor freshmen can be so mean," James joked and Jake looked at him oddly.

"Freshmen?" He asked.

"Your first year of high school," James explained and Jake nodded.

The thought of school seemed odd, I would never see a teacher or classmate ever again, and I didn't want to. I was happy in my peaceful cabin with my siblings and James.

"I remember school like it was in my past life," I spoke, "I don't even remember the name of the last teacher I had before we escaped and hid."

"I was drafted into the military, if I ever go back, I want to go to college," James sighed.

"Go back? James we talked about this," I said, heart broken.

"I know! I know! but don't stop believing!" He sang the last part and we laughed.

Jake, who was sitting on James's left, moved and sat next to me. What was he planning. He started to push me over, closer, closer, closer until I was basically pressed into James.

"Quit it Jake!" I shouted at him and James laughed.

Jake stood up and pushed me one last time and I went barreling into James before Jake went dashing up the stairs.

He looked down at me and smiled, "Hi."

I got up and chased after Jake.

"Jake I will kill you!" I bellowed and tackled him into his bed.

I tickled his sides and he laughed, "Stop Emily! STOP!"

I saw James creeping up the stairs and he started laughing too.

I let Jake go, "You can go help Sarah collect some branches, Sophie's in the food store, see if she wants to go too."

Jake nodded and trotted down the stairs.

I turned to see James looking at me like 'really?'

"He had it coming!" I insisted and crashed on my bed.

James sat on the corner of my bed and looked out the window.

"It's snowing," He said with awe as the little flakes danced outside.

I smiled, "Come on let's go!"

I grabbed his hand and he grunted as I dragged him down the stairs. Tossing him a coat, hat, and gloves, I ran out the door and looked up at the sky. My tongue caught falling snowflakes and I laughed.

"The first snow is always the best!" I shouted and sat on the solid ground.

"I haven't seen snow in ages," James said in awe as a cold flake landed on his nose.

I stood up and hauled him onto his feet. A large frozen puddle was next to me and i glanced at it.

I slid around on the ice and slipped. James caught me and helped me up and I couldn't drop the smile from my face.

"This is what it means to be free," I sighed as I closed my eyes with my face to the sky, "You can do what ever you want and when ever you want, with in reason. You can't play Ice Ball in the summer!"

"Ice ball?" James asked.

"I have much to teach you my pupil," I smiled and helped him to the cabin.