Wolf

Part 49: Russell & Rose

Rose navigated the winding paths of the swamp with a sense of trepidation, her footsteps echoing through the dense undergrowth as she made her way toward her nephew's secluded cabin. The air was heavy with the scent of decay and damp earth, the darkness of the forest closing in around her like a suffocating embrace. She had never been fond of the swamp, its murky depths holding too many memories of loss and pain, but today she had no choice but to face her fears.

As she approached the weather-beaten cabin, Rose's heart ached with concern for Russell, her only remaining family in the world. She had heard the rumors circulating through Ruby Falls, whispers of a brutal attack by the werewolf that had left Russell shaken and withdrawn. She had tried calling and texting him, but he had ignored her attempts at communication, retreating further into his solitude with each passing day.

With a heavy sigh, Rose knocked on the door, the sound echoing through the stillness of the swamp. "Russell?" she called out, her voice tinged with worry. "It's me, Rose. Can we talk?"

For a long moment, there was no response, the only sound the soft rustling of the trees in the breeze. Then, slowly, the door creaked open, revealing Russell's haggard face peering out from the shadows of the cabin's interior.

"Aunt Rose," he muttered, his voice hoarse with emotion. "What are you doing here?"

Rose stepped inside, her gaze sweeping over the cluttered room with a pang of sadness. "Mason told me what happened with Troy," she said, her tone gentle. "I was worried about you."

Russell shrugged, a hollow gesture that spoke volumes of his inner turmoil. "I just needed some time alone," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can't shake what I saw, Rose. It's like... it's like it's haunting me."

Rose's heart went out to her nephew, his pain a mirror of her own. She knew all too well the horrors of the supernatural, the nightmares that lingered long after the darkness had passed. "I understand, Russell," she said, her voice filled with empathy. "But you can't keep it bottled up inside forever. You need to talk about what happened, to confront your fears."

Russell shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "And what good will that do?" he asked, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Nothing can change what happened."

Rose reached out, her hand resting gently on Russell's shoulder. "I know," she said, her voice soft but firm. "But you can't let this consume you, Russell. You're stronger than you think, and you have people who care about you. You're not alone in this."

For a moment, Russell's green eyes flickered with uncertainty, his defenses crumbling in the face of Rose's unwavering support. "I don't know if I can," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper.

Rose squeezed his shoulder reassuringly, a silent promise of solidarity. "You don't have to face this alone, Russell," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "We'll get through this together, no matter what it takes."