Twenty

            Since Ray had decided to go on foot to Ethan’s instead of drive, I’d taken the opportunity to follow him. I had no idea what had just happened, why Ray had freaked out or why he’d taken my necklace. He obviously knew something I didn’t, but it was my chance to figure out exactly what that might be.

            I kept my distance from Ray and I silently stalked his trail. As he approached Ethan’s house and knocked on the front door, I followed a path from the sidewalk that would lead me to the side of Ethan’s house without being noticed. I peeked around the corner and watched in silence.

            Ethan came to the door, saw Ray standing on the porch, and stepped outside, closing the door behind him.

            “What’s up?” Ethan asked, his expression curious.

            Ray’s eyes shone angrily as he lifted his fist to Ethan, showing him the necklace. “This is what’s up. I can’t believe you would give her a necklace with a wolf on it. Not to mention having the words The Protector!”

            “Ray, calm down. A wolf is her favorite animal. She wouldn’t think anything�"”

            “You’re wrong. Heidi is the type of girl that searches for the answers to everything! If something happens that is beyond her understanding�"if she sees something she’s not supposed to see�"she is not going to stop until she finds the answer; until she understands what it is she’s dealing with. She could find out about us, and you’re giving her hints! Not to mention, she’s already suspicious of where I spend my nights. Thankfully, she just thinks I’m just sneaking off to parties. She doesn’t know.”

            “I see where you’re coming from, but even if she did find out about us, who would believe her?”

            “Some people could though, Ethan, and we can’t take that chance. Besides, if she knew what you really were... what we really are… do you think she would still feel the same way she does about you? No. She would be terrified of you. She would never be able to look at you again, let alone kiss you. Plus, think of the danger it could put her in.”

            Ethan gave a defeated sigh and crossed his arms. Even at the distance I was from him, I could see the muscles bulge in his arms. My stomach tightened in response.

            “I guess it was just my way of promising that I would always protect her�"no matter what�"without telling her what I am.” He took another look at the necklace in Ray’s hand and asked, “How did you get that from her anyways?”

            I could tell Ray was embarrassed because he looked away as he answered, “I kind of… ripped it off her neck and stormed out.”

            “Dude! Don’t you think she’s going to be even more suspicious now?! That was a really dumb thing to do.”

            “Well I obviously wasn’t thinking about that. I was really angry, and you know it’s hard for me to control my anger. I’m one of the unlucky ones.”

            “So what do you plan to do then?” Ethan asked, unfolding his arms and letting them fall to his sides.

            Ray thought for a moment. “I need an excuse for why I was so angry about the necklace you gave her.”

            “And while you make up more lies to tell Heidi, make sure you give her back the necklace. It means a lot to me. And it’s not like we can make her forget what she’s already seen.”

            I pulled back from the corner of the house and sunk back against the solidness of the wall behind me. I listened as Ray said goodbye and made his way down the sidewalk, back home. I was in shock, and no thoughts were going through my mind. I felt frozen.

            After ten minutes of deep, calming breathing, I heard Ethan’s door open and shut. I stood up and peeked around the corner. Ethan was walking down his porch steps, crossing the street and heading for the black forest. The sun was already beginning to set, and I wondered why he would be going in there at night. Was it to “think” again, like the time I’d run into him at the baseball field?

            I decided I didn’t need to sit back and ask myself questions I couldn’t answer. I was going to following him.

            “I guess I’m going to have to keep sneaking around to get some answers,” I mumbled to myself, frustrated.

            I stuck my hands in my coat pocket and counted to ten in my head before I headed in the direction Ethan had just gone.

            As I followed him into the forest, I kept a few yards between us, watching him from a long distance. After hiking through the brush for half an hour, Ethan came to a stop and sat down amongst the grass and dead leaves.

            I continued my path towards him, staying hidden behind trees, until I felt like I had a close enough view. It was completely dark, and I felt a chill go down my spine at the thought of losing sight of Ethan and having to find my own way out of the forest. I resisted the urge to run up to him and plead for him to lead me out of the eerie brush.

            Sheltered behind a tree, I watched Ethan carefully. Nothing seemed to be happening, other than him looking close to tears. Another urge grew inside me�"I wanted to comfort him, to make him feel better. I didn’t know what was wrong, but I wanted to take away his pain.

            How I could want that, after discovering everything I thought I knew about him was lie, was unknown to me. But either way, I wanted to run to Ethan, wrap my arms around him and kiss him until he couldn’t feel anything other than the passion between us.

            No, I told myself sternly. I’m here to figure out what he’s up to, and nothing else.

            Just then, Ethan stood up, and my attention snapped back to him. To my astonishment, he began stripping. I focused in on him as he unzipped his sweater, let it fall to the ground, and began lifting up his shirt.

            His stomach and arm muscles flexed and un-flexed as he pulled his shirt over his head. I watched them ripple and surge beneath the cover of his tan skin, and my stomach fluttered in reply. I wanted so badly to run my hands along his arms, his chest, his stomach…

            I shook my head, trying to clear my mind. I had to focus.

            But that thought erased from my mind completely as Ethan began undoing his pants and stepped out of them. The next thing I knew, his boxers were around his ankles, and he was completely naked.

            Before this could even fully register with me though, something happened. I didn’t know what, exactly, but suddenly Ethan was on the ground, on his hands and knees. His head was tucked down, so I couldn’t see his face, but I didn’t miss his loud, pain stricken groans.

            I gasped, worry and surprise replacing my curiosity and suspicion. I stood, frozen in place, with no idea of what to do.

            I didn’t have much of a chance to weigh my options though, because his groans turned into painful cries�"almost screams�"and I knew I couldn’t just stand aside and do nothing. I had to help him.