Page 101 of When the Snowman Whispered
“Can you give me a clearer answer?”
“I’m not as good as you think.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Remy said you were the villain.”
She glanced off at Faith. Some of the wolves had rose to their feet and bared their teeth at Addie Mae. Those hundreds of heads swayed back and forth, chanting some odd words.
“I am the villain,” she said. “But none of that matters.”
“It matters to me.”
“I wouldn’t hurt you or my daughter.”
“How are you the villain?” I asked.
Faith’s screams ceased. Had she recognized her mother’s voice? Or maybe she relaxed when she realized that the creature didn’t scare me. Regardless, her head must’ve twisted into more insanity.
“Daniel,” Addie Mae said. “We need to get Faith inside and away from these spirits.”
“I need answers.”
Faith looked back and forth at us.
A few more wolves bared their teeth.
Addie Mae’s voice lowered to a deadly edge. “I don’t have time for this, boy.”
I trembled, but wouldn’t run away or listen to her commands anymore. I’d fucking battled some spirit snowman. I would at least get some answers or Faith would remain right there with the wolves protecting her.
“How are you the villain?” I asked.
“Damn you, boy.” All those heads separated.
If I hadn’t been mentally-fucked by them being formed into her body, I was destroyed by them all floating in the air. How could one really describe the scene in front of me. They were like circular leaves riding the breeze, twisting, and turning around. She had no center, just darkness and hundreds of heads spinning around.
“Addie Mae?” I backed up toward the wolves and then decided to go in the center of the circle with Faith. It had been a smart move. They didn’t even growl at me. Addie Mae had been right. A few even stepped to the side.
Turning around, I rushed for Faith and the ice melted away from her hands and feet.
Buzzing filled the air.
I glanced over my shoulder and Addie Mae’s heads flowed everywhere.
“W-what is that?” Faith mumbled as I gathered her in my arms.
“Your mother.” I shook too. I was man enough to admit it. The situation was out of my hands. Far away from logic and what I knew to be reality. “Just hold on to me. Everything is going to be okay.”
Surprisingly, she didn’t say shit. She just buried her head into my shoulders. These days had been too much for her. And this time, her body was cold and sores covered her hands. I tried to put her down for a minute to take off my jacket and give it to her, but she screamed again and then passed out.
“Okay. Okay.” I held her tighter. “I won’t let you go.”
Is she out? I don’t think she heard me.
We remained in the center of the circle.
Addie Mae’s voice floated on the air. “Take her home.”
The wolves howled.
