Lycan's Prey by Jessica Hall

Chapter 41

~Aubrey~

A couple of days later.

The sunlight filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room filled with memories of Granny. I’m on the floor, surrounded by papers and old photographs, each item a reminder of the loss that stings and aches like a fresh wound.

Granny always said she wouldn’t leave me with any burdens, but now I’m left with the burden of figuring out how to pay for her cremation. I had just found out that Granny didn’t have funeral insurance. She never wanted to be a bother, one she could hardly afford, but also always insisting on living simply and said just to toss her to the forest yet I don’t think she realized I can’t just dump her body at random. So in her passing, she left me with a heavy weight on my shoulders.

As I sift through her belongings, I’m desperately trying to find anything of value, anything that might help cover the costs. I come across an old shoebox, worn and yellowed with time. Inside, I find a stack of letters tied together with a faded ribbon. I recognize Granny’s handwriting immediately.

Trembling, I untie the ribbon and my stomach sinks further when I realize they are all letters to my mother that had been returned to sender, unopened my mother just sent them back.

I trace the delicate contours of the crumpled envelopes, their creases marking the passage of time and the pain Granny must have felt. Every one of them unopened…never

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Chapter 41

read…returned like a slap on the face.

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mother for as long as I can

I gently unfold the top–most letter. An ache fills my heart as I read the words from Granny meant for my mother, filled

reconciliation, every plea for

sorrow and then suddenly, outrage. It’s like a dormant volcano that had been denied its

she’d been doing that, she’d also been reaching out to a daughter who didn’t

The tears come hard and fast,

wondering who it would be before I stand up hastily, wiping away my tears with the back of my hand as I

off as he takes in my tear streaked face and my grandmother’s belongings scattered

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again, this time his voice soft yet firm, as

tiny town… I stare at him wondering why

He asks politely,

flutter in my chest but quickly squash it down;

other than the pain induced by losing Granny. “What do you want?” I ask.

you holding up?” he asks, his voice betraying

force a weak smile, “Just trying to sort through Granny’s things. Why are

she said you haven’t come in. I thought you might have fled. So I wanted to check on you.” I swallow nervously.

the room. “What are you looking for?” he