Seventeen

            I took a silent step backwards and moved behind the cover of a wide tree. I didn’t want to be seen or heard�"I needed to understand what I was looking at.

I peeked around the tree and took in the sight again. What I saw were the backs of five guys I didn’t recognize, sitting on a fallen over tree trunk and watching a man who was standing in front of them lecturing�"naked. They were all naked. Their clothes were tossed on the ground around them.

One of the boys on the end turned his head to say something to the others, and a tight knot formed in my stomach. It was Ethan.

My mind was racing with questions. What was Ethan doing with those guys? Why were they naked? And in the middle of the forest? Weren’t they freezing? What was that man saying to them?

I leaned back against the tree, hidden from their view. I looked around, trying to find an escape route where I wouldn’t be seen. But my curiosity and confusion took over after a minute, and I decided to move closer and listen to what they were saying. I had to know what was happening.

I inched around the tree and moved forward as quietly as I possibly could. Once I was within hearing range, I ducked down and took shelter behind some large bushes. Thinking quickly, I pulled out my cell phone and began to record what was going on. I wanted to be able to analyze it later and maybe make some sense out of the situation.

“�"and boys, we have to get rid of them,” the man standing in front of the group was saying.

Ethan stood up suddenly. “But Kacey,” he objected, speaking to the man, “they haven’t done anything yet. We can’t be the ones to make the first move against them.”

My vision zeroed in on Ethan instantly. I’d never imagined I would ever see him in such a way, being so completely exposed. Somehow it seemed natural, like he belonged in his skin, and he knew it. His stance was confident and knowing�"shoulders pushed back, head held high. His muscles surged beneath his tan skin. I took in the masculine shape and muscular build of his body. My stomach fluttered.

The older man�"Kacey�"fixed stern eyes on Ethan. “Ethan, they know this is our territory, and they shouldn’t have come here. We have to protect our own.”

“They haven’t done anything yet to make that necessary�"”

“What about Heidi?” Kacey interrupted. I tore my eyes from Ethan at the sound of my name. “The encounter she had on Friday must have you feeling pretty worried. She could be in danger.”

How did this Kacey guy know me? Had Ethan told him about me? And why would I be in any danger? My mind flew back to Friday, and I remembered the man in the basement with me. My heart stopped.

Ethan’s certainty faltered slightly, but he stayed firm. “I can protect her. Besides, what would they want with her?”

“Who knows? She is very beautiful. Maybe they just want a play thing. Remember Ethan, they aren’t like us. Are you really willing to take a chance when it comes to Heidi?” Kacey’s eyebrows rose questioningly.

I felt like I was going to puke. Who were Kacey and Ethan talking about, and what could they want with me?

One of the other boys�"the only one with black hair�"spoke up. “Ethan, we have to defend our territory man. These guys aren’t safe to have around here. We’re all familiar with their careless ways.” Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Exactly,” Kacey said. “Are we just going to sit around and let them kill someone before we finally step up? Is that what it takes for you Ethan?”

Ethan shook his head quickly, his impatience growing. “No, Kacey! But there have been others here that were friendly and willing to obey our rules. They came and left in peace.”

“That was different�"they were alone. That’s not the case this time.”

“All I’m saying is that we should at least wait until they present some sign of being dangerous before we take action.”

Kacey sighed. “You’ve always been the level-headed peacekeeper, haven’t you. Well, fine. We’ll do it your way. But if any blood is spilled, it’s on your hands.”

I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. I had no idea who they were talking about, or what kind of danger they presented, but I wasn’t going to stick around to find out. I turned off my phone and backed away from the scene. Thankfully, I was far enough away from them the whole time that they wouldn’t hear my footsteps as I retreated.

 

As soon as I got home, I ran straight to my room and uploaded the video from my phone, onto my laptop. I watched it over and over again, letting the full extent of what they were saying sink in. Each time I watched the video, Ethan’s complete nakedness stole my focus, but it did little to console my worry and confusion.

I had so many questions, and my mind kept jumping to different conclusions. I wasn’t thinking straight. My imagination was running wild, and I kept picturing a man crawling through my bedroom window at night and abducting me.

I knew I had to do something, but I couldn’t just confront Ethan about this. What if they were some kind of cult? What if they were a secret society? Or a gang? Didn’t groups like those have a “Join or Die” policy if someone knew about them? I didn’t know how I would confront Ethan about what I saw�"I didn’t even know if I could...

I put a password on the video, just in case someone decided to snoop around on my computer, and shut it down. I lay down on my bed and stared at my ceiling.

I realized I didn’t know Ethan at all. I knew he was keeping some secrets from me�"that much was obvious�"but I was way off. He was a completely different person than who I thought he was. He had this whole secret life I knew absolutely nothing about. I felt like I wouldn’t be able to look at him ever again, let alone speak to him and pretend like everything was normal between us. But I didn’t have a choice. If I was in any kind of danger, Ethan said he would protect me. I had to believe that.

 

{   -   -   -   }

 

            My eyes fluttered open and I sat up in bed. I looked at the clock�"it was 11:55pm on Christmas Eve. What had woken me up?

            Then I heard the noise again. It was a light tap on my window. A few seconds pause, and the noise repeated. This pattern continued, and my heart began to race. What if they found me, whoever they were?

            I threw back my comforter and tiptoed over to my window. I slowly pulled the curtain aside and peered down into my backyard. Relief flooded through me as I took in the sight of Ethan standing on my back lawn, his hand full of pebbles, tossing them at my window.

            As silently as I could, I hurried down the stairs, slipped on my coat and went outside into the backyard.  Ethan picked something up off the ground from beside him and held it behind his back as he walked forward to meet me.

            “You’re home,” I said, trying to sound natural.

            He looked a bit offended as he replied, “Aren’t you happy to see me?”

            I forced a smile. “Of course I’m happy. You’ve just been gone for a while.”

            He gave me a sheepish look. “Actually, I’ve been home for a few days already. I just thought it would be more romantic if I did this whole throw-rocks-at-your-window routine, except I put a spin on it. It is officially�"” he glanced at his watch “�"three minutes until Christmas morning. And I have something for you.” He pulled his hands out from behind his back and held a small box out to me. It was wrapped in red wrapping paper and a golden bow was tied neatly on top.

            I looked up at Ethan and smiled as I took the present from him and removed the wrapping paper. I opened the box and gasped. Inside was a necklace with a round, wooden pendant. Carved into the pendant was the side view of the head of a wolf. Its eye was filled with waves of different blues and greens. A large moon was carved above the wolf’s head, matching the design of its eye. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen; it took my breath away.

            “Since your favorite animal is a wolf,” he explained. He gestured with his hand, and said, “Turn it over.”

            I turned it over and the words Wolf “The Protector” were carved on the back.

            I looked back up at Ethan and smiled. “It’s so beautiful, Ethan. Where did you even find something like this?”

            “I asked one of my dad’s friends to carve it for me. He’s Native and he’s been doing it his whole life. He’s a pretty incredible guy.”

            “It’s perfect, I love it.”

            “I’m glad,” Ethan replied warmly. He took it from my hands, moved behind me and clasped it around my neck. I looked down and admired the way it rested against my skin. It was just long enough that it rested beneath the neckline of my shirt.

            Ethan checked his watch again. “It’s exactly midnight,” he said, gently lifting my chin so I was looking him in the eyes. “Merry Christmas.” He leaned down and kissed me.

As our lips touched, images of what I’d seen and heard in the forest popped into my mind. I began shaking.

            He pulled away and looked at me. “You’d better go inside, you’re freezing. I’ll come over later, after I’ve opened presents and stuff with my dad.” Ethan kissed me on the forehead and I watched as he ran across my backyard and hopped the fence.

            I stared after him, clenching my jaw. I wasn’t shaking because I was cold. I was shaking because I was scared�"of him.