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CHAPTER THREE

The Great Divide

'A thief! Dad, seriously?'

Chris said almost at the same time that he was flying out of his seat.

'Listen to yourself, you can't seriously believe that Nina, whom you've known all your life, a girl whom you practically raised is suddenly a thief', Chris continued. 'I mean, look at her! does she look like she could steal a twig?'

I wished he hadn't said that. I knew he was only trying to help but I wish he hadn't made the entire room look at me at once.

He was wrong too. Everybody in the room, except Lisa, had been around long enough to recall my one-time offense six years ago and his call to have me looked over brought back the memory with full force.

'Sir, if I may', Mr. Williams interrupted in that proper tone of his. 'After Lisa here brought my attention to the chest hidden in Miss Nina's room, I took the liberty to search her room thoroughly, to make sure that the few other items that have gone missing in the house over the past few months weren't too be found in her possession also.'

'And??', asked Chief Cody, impatiently. As he said this, he waved Lisa off.

She had done her part and didn't need to be part of the conversation any longer

As soon as Lisa closed the door behind her, he replied 'They were, Sir. I found them hidden in several places in her room. His tone was heavy.

'That nonsense, Williams', Chris retorted.

'What reason would I have to lie?'

'And aside from a silly mistake that happened ages ago, what reason does Nina have to steal an old necklace that belonged to my mum and some house trinkets?'

'Old habits die hard…'

'Oh please! "Old habits die hard", listen to yourself…'

'Enough, you two!' Chief Cody bellowed.

After a moment, he said in a calmer voice 'Williams, thank you for going the extra mile. That's why I've entrusted the affairs of this household to your care for the past 20 years. You always know what to do.'

'Chris, my son', He continued. 'I know that you care deeply for her but you said it yourself, she has a record of doing things like this. Who is to say that this is not another episode rearing its ugly head?'

'Dad pls…'

'....If she's so innocent, then let her prove herself. I'll wait and listen to whatever reasons she gives.'

All eyes turned to me once again. I could see Chris urging me with his eyes as he stood behind Father's chair.

I willed myself to speak. I opened my mouth, but the words couldn't form. I realized how guilty that made me look, and it made me cry even more.

After what seemed like an eternity, Chief Cody breathed in and breathed out heavily and said, 'Well, I guess that leaves me no choice, Nina. Trust me it brings me no pleasure doing this….'

'... I can't send you to be caged, simply because I raised you like my own, and I don't want that life for you.'

'You know more than anybody thieves aren't welcome in this community, so I can't let you go free either', he continued in a matter-of-fact tone. 'As soon as word gets out, you won't be treated kindly. So in your best interest, I'm going to send you to another school in Levina.'

He paused as if to let the effects of his words sink in.

'They have the correctional facilities to absorb children… young adults, with a public record like yours.'

'Dad, wait', Chris said, stepping out from behind his chair now. 'Think about it. You're the most powerful wolf in Ava, and Williams here is your right-hand man. Of course, Nina will be unable to defend herself. She thinks that it's a done deal.'

'You're constantly preaching justice and fairness in leadership. What justice would you be propagating if you don't at least give a Nina fair hearing', he continued. 'I propose that this matter be brought up to the wolf council of elders. Let them listen to her case, deliberate on it, question all the involved parties, and come to a verdict. Whatever they decide, I'll accept it.'

'Very well', he said at last. 'And you're right, she deserves a fair hearing. The council will be sitting for two days. I'll have Mr Williams deliver a letter to them'


The council ruled against me. It didn't come as a surprise when they did because I hadn't gone in expecting much. Despite Chris' help to get me prepared too, I didn't defend myself at the council.

I left for Levina the next day. Chief Cody thought it was in my best interest

On arrival, I realized that the school in Levina wasn't, in fact, a school, but a juvenile center. They'd been told that we were the worst set of teenagers from our respective homes and they treated us accordingly.

I had never been so maltreated in my life. They fed us little and the extreme punishments meted out always left visible scars on me. This would go on every day for two years.


'Nina, wake up, we're leaving'. A voice said from my room's window.

'What's going on… where are we going to?', I responded, half asleep.

Chris stepped out from the shadows, and he was very much like I remembered him, only more buff and more dangerously handsome.

Tears welled up in my tears at the sight of him. The thoughts of him had kept me sane through my difficult time in the Levina center and seeing him after such a long time was more compensation than I could have asked for. I should have spoken up to defend myself that day in Chief Cody's office, but I hadn't and it cost me my peace, my life, and everything that I'd ever known.

I had given up hope of ever living, until this night.

'I'm breaking you out. Consider this an early birthday present, Jailbird', he said, his face beaming with a smile.

'Where are we going to?', I asked, innocently.

'We're going home'.

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