My mind cleared momentarily, and I was able to pull away. “Wait! When I first met you it was daytime.”
“Huh?”
“You said you could make out my eyes in the dark, but when I first met you it was in the middle of the day. What did you mean by that?” My heart was beating heavy now.
“Oh, I meant the daytime, of course.” His eyes flashed yellow.
I jerked back and eyed him suspiciously, and suddenly the connection was made. I ducked and squeezed away. “I’d better go.” I made my way around him and quickly darted through the forest, headed back in the direction I’d come.
“Wait! Don’t go! I can explain!”
Panic took over and I began running. “No! I don’t think you can!”
“Please, Shae, let me explain!” He was instantly in front of me.
I squealed, darting around him. “No! I have to go! Leave me alone!” Pure fear had consumed me.
I finally made my way out of the forest and through my yard. When I entered the house, I slammed the door closed and locked it. I was breathing hard as I pressed my back against the door, relieved to be in the safety of my home.
What had just happened? Did I just discover what I think I discovered? No, it’s not possible. My mind rejected my thoughts as I ran up the stairs and into my bedroom, where I collapsed on the bed and pulled a pillow over my head.
Chapter Six
Shae
Saturday morning, after breakfast, I headed out to the picnic table in the back yard to work on my report. It was a beautiful spring day. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the flowers were blooming. I also felt safe since my parents were home and working in the yard around me.
By lunchtime I had accomplished a lot and decided to take a break. I called to Mom, but she didn’t answer. Dad, too, was missing in action. I stepped up to the deck and spotted a note taped to the door.
Shae,
Your father and I headed to Home Depot to get some mulch and some lunch. You were too busy with your work to interrupt. See ya soon. We’ll bring you something back.
Love,
Mom
My heart raced. I was home alone. I turned and scanned my surroundings, but no one was there. I sighed and went into the house, locking the door behind me. I went upstairs to my room and set my things down on my desk.
“It’s about time you got in here.” I spun to see Eli sitting on my bed, arms crossed.
My heart jumped and I made a mad dash for the door, only to be intercepted by him as he grabbed me from behind and held me.
“Let me go!” I squealed.
“Shae, listen to me. Let me explain!” There was pleading in his voice.
I struggled to get free until he finally picked me up and dumped me on my bed. “You’re going to hear me out!”
“Are you a werewolf?” I blurted out in exasperation.
He let out a big puff of air. “Yes, but I’m a good guy. We don’t hurt humans, I promise. We protect humans.”
“We?” A wave of nausea hit me, and I bent over and put my head between my legs. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”
He approached, kneeling down by me, but he didn’t touch me. “Shae, please. I would never hurt you. I tried to tell you in the forest all those times but you kept passing out.” His voice turned mocking. “You don’t handle stress very well, do you?”
I looked up and gave him a stern glare.
He held his hands up in defense. “Okay, I know it seems like I’m the bad guy here, but trust me I’m not.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “How can you say that? You’re a werewolf! How’s that even possible?”
“Being a werewolf is awesome. And I have the coolest family ever. Wait until you meet them.”
My voice rose a notch or two. “Meet them? What on this earth makes you think I’m gonna meet them?”
“You mean you don’t want to?” He looked hurt.
I stood and began pacing in exasperation. “Eli—are you totally insane?” My arms were flailing in the air. “You break into my home, attack me, and tell me you’re a werewolf—and you think I wanna meet your folks? Get a grip.”
He threw his hands up. “Okay, so I see your point, but please give me a chance.” He began pleading again. “All I want is for us to get to know each other. If you would hang out with us you’d see just how normal we are.”
“I don’t think so, Eli. As you can see I don’t handle some things all that well.”
“We’ll take it slow.”
“Why do you care what I think anyway? You barely know me.”
He put both hands to his chest. “Tell that to my heart. I’ve been watching you for a while.” He pointed to the forest.
“You’ve been watching me from the forest?” I screamed in alarm.
His eyes widened as if he’d said something wrong. Which he had. “Umm.”
“Are you kidding me?! I’ve been undressing in here!”
He rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah, sorry about that.”
“You mean you’ve seen me?!” I screamed.
“Well, what do you expect me to do—turn my head?”
“Yes!”
“Well, I didn’t—so shoot me.”
Anger shot through me like a bullet, and I planned to show him just what I thought of him at the moment. “I think I will.” I got up to go in my father’s room for his.45.
He stopped me, his expression questioning. “Wait, are you serious?”
If I weren’t angry his expression would’ve made me laugh. “Yes, I am.”
He searched my eyes for a moment, as if reading my mind, and then he took off like lightning, bolting from the room and out of the house.
I sat back down on the bed, put my face in my hands, and cried.
Chapter Seven
Shae
I kissed my parents goodnight and headed up to my room to shower before bed. I emerged some time later, dressed in my nightgown, but was too tired to dry my hair. I was just getting comfortable under my covers when someone grabbed me and covered my mouth. I struggled, but to no avail as I was carried across the room and out my window. I could make out two figures in the dark. One duck taped my mouth, while the other tied my hands. Then I was sailing through the air as one picked me up and jumped. We landed on the ground below with very little jarring. I looked up to see Eli’s beautiful face. My own face turned red with anger. I tried to yell at him, but the tape muffled my screams.