We Aren’t Ready For This

The pregnant pause stretched between the two boys. Both staring at the other as if they expected someone else to pop up and speak for them. When he was younger, Ghoul had been more... apathetic. Uncaring for those around him. Selfish, self-centered, and well, yeah just kind of a douche bag. But now as time passed since his mother's loss, he was beginning to understand. Emotions would come to him and he could actually reflect on what it meant. Which was why now as he stood there, staring at his brother (more like squinting), he could swear he felt his heart literally drop.

What had Enki said? Dead? What did he mean die?

Unfortunately for Ghoul, Galho had not yet found him. During the time that his mother's companion had come searching for them, he had been hiding away, healing from his broken legs. Surely the bird had told Macabre, right? Why hadn't his brother said anything? Then again, his brother had been sick as well. Wait, fuck. His mother was dead.

DEAD. DEAD. DEAD. DEAD. DEAD.

The word repeated itself boldly and loudly in his brain. He said nothing in response to Enki. Just stood there, now wide-eyed, with his mouth agape. No, that couldn't be. Pain radiated from his chest as if a blade had been driven through his ribs. An overwhelming surge of emotions choked his throat, drying his mouth, and forcing his eyes to water. He makes his mouth close, clamping his teeth together as his lips crinkle into a snarl. How could this be? Who had done this?

"Who?" Ghoul's voice is hoarse as he makes himself say the word. Fuck what his brother wanted to know. Why would he, of all wolves, know why their mother died? He had been here the whole time. Stuck in Insomnia until he could stand on his own paws. "WHO TOLD YOU THIS?" Suddenly he is screaming, teeth snapping toward his brother as his body puffs up into a defensive and aggressive posture. Hackles standing straight up, tail curled over his spine, both ears flat against his skull. Stepping toward Enki, he refuses to let his brother get away without telling him the answers.

G H O U L