There's Another Evil Brewing in Beacon Hills…
It's the beginning of the 2nd Semester of Senior Year
And just so you know... I brought a few characters back from the dead. ;)
I walk through the woods, alone. It's well past sun set, and the woods are alive with scuffling creatures and crickets chirping. A place I knew well, a place I loved. I grit my teeth through the shiver that runs down my spine, I'd forgot to bring my hoodie with me today and at night in the middle of January, it's cold out here. I don't understand why it was taking me so long to get home… I didn't grow up here but my dad has a house and I spent almost every summer here with him growing up. His house is a small single-story on the outskirts, across town from the high school. This year will be my first year there. I may know a couple kids from a few years ago, but the last summer I spent here, I was 12. And a lot can change in 4 years.
I continue walking but realize that the woods have gone silent. A twig snaps. I stop, and my heart beat rises. I begin to hear the blood roaring through my ears. Why am I so afraid? I know these woods. I turn around slowly, afraid to see, but nothing is there. Then I feel heat from behind me and whip around again to see the dark figure of a man dressed in black standing a few feet away. The white light from the moon reflects off of his leather jacket but his face is shrouded in shadow.
He takes a step towards me, and another, and another until he's right in front of me but I still can't see his face. What I can make out is a strong jaw line and the one eye that is not shrouded in darkness is an expressive shade of light green and a jolt hits me. I'm suddenly very well aware of 'The Sexy' emanating from this man and I swallow nervously. A beautiful pale hand reaches up to brush against my cheek; then he speaks.
"You shouldn't be here." His clear tenor voice rings out. His eyes and voice then soften as they glance over my face. "It's dangerous."
"I know, but-"
A cool finger touches my lips. "Shh, listen to me. When you see me, don't try to talk to me. Just turn around and walk the other way. Do you understand?" His voice hardens with urgency. "I am dangerous and you will get hurt. I am not a good man. Don't look for me. Don't…" His voice softens to a whisper with the last words, and his head lowers, almost as if he doesn't want to but can't help it. For a reason that I can't comprehend, almost as if I can't help it either, I rise on my toes and our lips meet. I kiss him hard and he responds, squeezing me against him. The wind picks up, billowing my belt-line length straight, dark brown hair around us. but as suddenly as it begins, the kiss ends. He pushes me away and disappears. I'm left standing alone in the woods, dazed and slightly weak, and suddenly very, very cold.
Then, in the fog, I see a pair of red glowing eyes. I begin to hear the blood rushing again. The eyes are moving towards me, growing wider apart, and I see the shape of a large dark beast racing on all fours towards me. The last thing I see is a wide open jaw filled with long white canine-like teeth as it closes around my face.
"AHHHH!" I scream and lurch upwards, my heart is pounding and I'm breathing hard. It takes a few moments to realize I'm in my own bed safe in my room. My head falls into my hand and I struggle to calm myself.
"Jesus," I breathe, shakily. I get out of bed and slip into my pajamas. Heart still pounding, I walk into my connecting bathroom and go through my morning routine. Washing my face, brushing the night tangles out of my hair. I actually get a lot of compliments on it. I look at my eyes as I brush my teeth, looking for any trace of fear left in their deep purple depths. When I blink, I almost choke as I see the beast once again closing in.
"Get a grip, Faye, it was just a dream." I scoff at myself around the toothbrush.
I take a long time to figure out my outfit. It's the first day of my Sophomore year at Beacon Hills High School, first day of second semester, and I want to make a good impression. My Mom re-married and I can't stand the guy, so I came to live with my dad after Christmas break.
I finally decide on a navy blue loose blouse, tight at the hips, with white leggings and a nice pair of tall boots. After putting the finishing touches on my hair I take a deep breath, and go downstairs.
I see a note my dad left on the kitchen counter. It reads…
Faye,
The station called early this morning. I'm sorry I can't be there to see you off on your first day. I'll be home late so don't wait for me. Help yourself to whatever you want for breakfast.
Dad
I can't help but feel disappointed at the note. I quickly snarf down two pieces of peanut butter toast and a glass of milk and grab the keys to my early-thousands model Yukon XL. I feel a rush of pride as I walk outside and see it sitting in the drive way. It's steel grey with a 6-inch lift and 37-inch off-roaders. It's my one joy in life. The big eight-liter V8 gasser roars to life when I turn the ignition and rumbles throatily as I idle coast down my street.
I get to the school a little early, and back into one of the wide spaces meant for trucks. I face forward again to see a few people staring at me. It's slightly unnerving but with a truck like this I'm used to it (and deep down, I think I like it. But you won't catch me admitting it outloud!).
I slip down onto the asphalt. A few people are still staring, but I don't back down, and they eventually look away.
I make my way to the main office and get my class schedule and a school map. Putting them into my bag, I walk out of the door and nearly scream as I bump into something – a girl with a shock of strawberry blonde hair – and knock her things all over the floor. People start laughing.
"Oh, my God I am so sorry." I breathe. I bend down to help her pick them up.
"It's not like I was walking here or anything." She retorts.
"I didn't see you, I wasn't watching where I was going. Really, I'm sorry." I try to apologize again.
She regards me with a critical eye. "Hm. I'm Lydia Martin." She says as we right ourselves.
"Faye Enderson." I'm a little taken aback by her change in demeanor.
"Are you new here?" She asks, as we start walking down the crowded hallway.
"Not exactly," I begin. "My dad works in the Sheriff's office and I spent some summers here growing up. This is the first year I've stayed to start school."
"Ahh yes, Officer Enderson is your dad, my friend's dad is the Sheriff. Are you a senior?"
I laugh, flattered. "No, I'm a sophomore."
"You look older than that." She says, once again regarding me critically.
"I have been told that before." I say, giving a small smile.
"Hm."
Just then a stunning tall brunette with shoulder-blade length hair walks up to us. "Hi, Lydia!"
"Allison." She smiles and hugs the girl.
"Hi, I'm Allison Argent." She holds out a hand. I shake it and am surprised by and return the firm grip.
I smile. "Faye Enderson."
She nods and smiles back. Is it just me or are kids here much nicer than in Montana?
They start talking about their summers and I get a change to survey the school. It's an average looking high school, with blue lockers paneling the corridor and a trophy cabinet every few dozen feet. I notice a lot of people, boys in particular are staring at Allison and Lydia, and a even a couple looking at me.
"Faye, is it?" Lydia asks, but continues without waiting for me to answer. "You should join us for lunch. We sit at the third table from the back near the windows."
"Ok," I say, surprised and glad to have made some friends already.
"Where's your first class?" Allison? Asks.
I scan my class schedule. "Um… I have Geometry with a Mr. DeMarco."
"Ahh, too bad. Lydia and I have English with Gordon. See you at lunch!" They walk off and I find my class room. I pick a window seat near the back, unpack the essentials, and settle in for the first day lecture, always the same with every school… Outlining the semester's curriculum, class rules, behavior expectations, etc. I gaze out the window. I'm startled as my mind wanders and I see the mystery man's face as clear as if he were standing right in front of me. I feel a pinch of pain and sadness in my gut. The way the moon shadowed his face… Who was he?
Lunch arrives relatively quick. I pick out a grilled chicken caeser salad and a slice of pizza and look for the table Lydia described. I see Allison sitting there already. I hesitantly walk over and set my tray down across from her.
"Hi." She looks up from her book and smiles.
"Hi," I return, relieved.
"How's your first day? Any cute boys?" She asks, clearly teasing.
I laugh. "No, none that have caught my eye."
"Hello, ladies!" A young male voice startles me. The boy plops down into the seat next to me. "Who's this?" He has sharp brown eyes are direct and hold mine. His hair is brown, an inch in length and seems to stand up in all directions.
"Stiles, can you not scare the new girl please?" Allison says, raising one eye brow elegantly and smiling with half of her lips. Again I'm stunned at this girl's seemingly effortless beauty… but Stiles? The hell kind of name is that?
"Oh, right. Sure." He leans closer and tilts his head to the side. "Who are you, again?"
"Oh, I'm Faye Enderson." I laugh.
"Ahh ok. Wait. Enderson? Is your dad a cop?"
"Yes, he is." I'm not surprised that he knows of my dad. Beacon Hills is a small town.
"Sweet. My dad's the county sheriff!"
I open my mouth to reply, but Lydia, the girl I'd bumped into, walks up just then and says, "Although you wouldn't believe it with how much trouble him and Scott manage to get in to!" Allison laughs behind her book.
"Ahh, Lydia. Always the... one to point that out."
"Any time, Stiles!" She smiles brightly, and sits down next to Allison.
"Well, she's right." Another brunette girl, this time with neck-length hair, comes up wearing a jeans jacket and shorts. Could a girl have more perfect legs? What, does she do 200 freaking squats every morning? Geez!
"Oh, shut up." He mumbles. Allison and Lydia laugh again.
"Speaking of Scott," Lydia begins. "I havn't seen him today. Where is he? And where's Kira?"
Allison and Stiles glance at each other. "I havn't seen them, either." Allison says, looking back at her book.
Just then a loud voice crackles over the intercom - Attention! Will the owner of an over sized grey SUV, lisence plate RIPLEY, please report to the office. Will the owner of an oversized grey SUV, lisence plate RIPLEY, please report to the office!
"Oh, my god!" I exclaim. "That's me!" Seeing the look on their faces, I say, "I'll be right back!" I hope.
I race to the office and burst through the door. "I'm the owner of the Yukon! Is something wrong?" I ask, out of breath.
"Yes," I feel the color drain from my face. Then the office clerk, a middle aged woman with short white hair and cruel grey eyes, says. "The alarm will not stop going off. You need to get that taken care of, Miss, what's your name?"
"Faye Enderson"
"Ahh yes. Enderson… Your father's a police officer isn't he? Well, just because your father is on the force does not mean you get special treatment here."
I gasp at the assumption. "I don't think that's-"
"No, obviously you don't. Go turn off your alarm. And if it happens again, I'll have your parking license revoked. And if you're late to class, you'll have to go to Sweeps." Her head lowers back to her work on the desk.
My mouth pops open in dismay. I stand shocked for a few seconds.
"Is there something else I can help you with, Miss Enderson?" She asks, sharp eyes boring into mine, daring me to reply.
My eyes narrow in reply.
"No. I guess not." And without waiting for a reply, I storm out of the office door and down to the parking lot, which is deserted. Most of them are older cars. I see a few new sedans, a couple coupes, even fewer trucks, and a couple motorcycles. My SUV stands out like a light house in the dark. It's in the very last row, where the woods start, right where I left it. See, my SUV has two separate alarms; one, where someone hit it, and the other, where someone tried to break in, and sure enough the alarm is blaring like someone tried to break in.
I jog over to it, glancing around the parking lot looking for anything suspicious. I don't see anything. However, upon reaching the driver's side, the bottom of the window is level with my head and sure enough, I see scratch marks on the window trailing down into the door.
"Son of a bitch." I whisper. "Who the hell would possibly try to bust into you? Not like it's obvious it has an alarm or anything!" My voice raises on the last sentence. I tap the keyless unlock and climb into the seat, then turn the ignition; the only way to stop either alarms from going off. I shut the door and lock it from the inside. I need a few seconds to calm my anger. The huge engine idling in front of me helps calm me. Breathing heavy, I rest my forehead on the wheel.
"Ok, Faye, just, calm down. No serious damage done. Go back to class." I say to myself.
Taking a deep 'calming' breath, I hop down onto the asphalt and turn to shut the door behind me.
"A bit big for you, isn't it?" A voice calls from behind me, where the woods begin.
I whip around and the first thing I notice are his clothes; black jeans and hiking boots, black leather jacket and a tight white t-shirt underneath that makes it painfully clear that the man is wayyy more buff than the average male should be. The next thing is the thick dark hair and the five o'clock shadow accenting his jaw line. Then I see his eyes. Light, and playful, they look complete with the half-grin on his face.
"What?" I can't remember what he said. Apparently, I'm too affected by his physical appearance. Snap out of it, Faye. Come on!
"I said, 'A bit big for you, isn't it?'" He gestures to my SUV with an elbow. His hands are lightly resting in the jacket pockets. Snap faster, Faye!
"Not at all." My senses return, finally. "Can I help you with something?"
"Yeah, actually," He steps down off the curb. I watch him warily. "I just wanted to let you know that a guy tried to break into it about twenty minutes ago."
"I noticed."
He grins and glances at the sky, shuffling his feet once. "Right. Well, I just saw him and scared him off. Also, you might not want to park in the back anymore. Everyone knows that this is a bad area to park, easy wood access, things get stolen if people aren't careful."
He takes another step closer.
"Oh, well then, thank you." I feel obligated to say something, since he feels like he did a good deed.
"You're not from around here, are you." It wasn't a question.
"Not really, no." My wariness reaches its peak. "Look, thanks for what you did but I can't be late for my classes."
"Right, right. Please, don't let me stop you." He turns to walk away. Am I actually disappointed? So much for snapping out of it. Great work, Faye, I cringe to myself. This guy went out of his way to help me. And he doesn't even know who I am. "Wait." He turns around and looks at me, hands still in his pockets. "Really, thanks. I don't know what I would have done if the guy had actually gotten in or broken the window or something. This thing is my baby." I tap the tire affectionately with a boot toe.
He grins again. I feel a pang in my chest; it's a very handsome grin. "Anytime. See you around."
I start walking towards the school but remember I didn't catch his name.
"Hey, I never got your…" My voice trails off as I turn around and no one is there. I look on the other side of my SUV, no one there. The parking lot is once again, empty.
"What in God's name is going on with this town!" I exclaim, and jog back to the building. "Strange dreams, people who are too nice, random handsome strangers who just happen to stop some random dude from breaking into Ripley." (yes, I named my SUV Ripley) "Seniors just happen to welcome ME into their group and that freaking lady in the office! The hell was her problem…" I make it to the front doors, take a deep breath, and walk in. I find my class and take a seat right as the final bell rings.
The rest of the school day passes without incident. There is no homework, thankfully, and Lydia is having a 'Back to School Gathering' at her house this afternoon. They said the whole group was going to be there, and that I should come. I said a hesitant 'yes', and Mapquest her address once I get home. After changing into a long teal tank top, shorts, and my old favorite worn out combat boots, I'm on my way.
Once I get there, I park along side the curb. There are a few cars here already and three motorcycle. The house is beautiful, a big old style classic with a modern white touch and a spacious yard. The front door opens and a little red and white Papillion races outside and jumps up at me, wagging its tail furiously and fiercely licking my hand as I bend to pick it up.
"Hey there, puppy! What are you doing running out here like that?" I say in a kid voice. Then I hear a shout from the door.
"Prada! Prada get back here!" Lydia races out in a short loose dress and no shoes. "Oh, hi Faye! I swear I don't know what I'm going to do with this little dog! She runs out every chance she gets…" Lydia takes the dog from me and scolds her softly. "Thanks for grabbing her. She likes to flirt with the Mini-Pin across the street." Lydia shuts the large oak door behind her. "Everyone is in the back. Go ahead; I'll be out in a couple minutes."
"Ok." I say apprehensively. I head around the kitchen island to a set of sliding glass doors. I see beautiful Allison sitting next to an oddly handsome and tall boy with sandy brown hair. Stiles is there on Allison's other side and the brunette with the fabulous legs is sitting with legs crossed gracefully on the chair next to him. There are a couple other people I recognize from a couple of my classes. One of them is another beautiful girl, this time a small blonde, laughing with the pretty Japanese girl in my math class in the pool playing Chicken with two guys who I can't see.
I hesitantly walk through the doors, and all activity stops. The Quad playing Chicken stares, the blonde openly hostile. As I step onto the mat. Everyone at the table stops mid sentence as well.
"Faye Enderson." Allison says, and gives Stiles a hard look that I'm guessing I wasn't supposed to see. "Glad you could make it." She gets up and hugs me lightly.
"Everyone, this is Faye Enderson. She's new so make her feel welcome! Come on, I'll introduce you around." She goes to the shaded table first. "You already know Stiles," He nods his head in a 'what's up' gesture and smiles.
"This is Aiden," I jump as Lydia pops up out of no where. She looks fondly at the boy (well, man really...Only a man could lounge like that and still look that lethal), with a strong law line who's lounging against the support beam next to the table as she sits down, making me think they're together.
"Erica, Scott and Kira, and Ethan are out there." Allison says, pointing to the pool, where the four have returned to their game.
Stiles motions to Legs next to him, introducing her as Malia. She says, "Hey." with a little grin.
"And this one here," Allison points to the cute boy she was sitting next to. "is Isaac. The most handsome man in town." She says as she sits and their hands intertwine. I sit too, unsure of what to do. "Oh, Lydia. Liam called and said he was going to be a little late. Something about his parents taking away his new license." Allison walks over to Lydia and Scott runs over from the pool, dripping water.
"So, Faye, is it?" Aiden asks inclining his head at me once, his gaze is direct and unwavering. I nod. "Where are you from?"
"A tiny little town in southern Montana. A place called Bearcreek."
"Never heard of it." He says with a slight smile. Even though he's smiling, I feel a prickle of apprehension. This guy's dangerous.
"It's population is less than a hundred people, so I'm not surprised." I laugh, trying to not sound breathless. This guy's 'Danger Guy!' vibe is starting to mess with my head.
They take turns asking me various questions and I ask a few in return and soon we're trading stories and laughing. Before I know it, it's dark and Lydia lights the Tahitian torches stuck in the ground.
"-and then," I exclaim "I merged onto the freeway, the little four-banger managed to reach 90 miles an hour, and the freaking cop gets stuck behind the two old geezers in Crown Vics and I get off at the next exit and manage to loose him! I swear, I have never been so scared in my life!"
"I can't believe you lost him." Erica, who's long joined us from the pool, laughs. "What happened after that?"
"Oh, I got busted the next day at a speed trap in town by the same cop." Everyone groan/laughs. "His dash cam malfunctioned so he can't prove it was me, but he knew. He was like, 'So you're the one who escaped me yesterday, huh?' And I told him I'd just gotten back into town that morning and he was like, 'uh huh.' And he wrote me a ticket for speeding and let me go."
"Jesus, Faye, you're crazy." Allison says, grinning from ear to ear. "I wouldn't dream of running like that! I can't believe he let you go."
"Yeah, I ended up leaving Bearcreek that weekend anyway, so he never got the chance to take me in."
"What did you leave for?" Aiden asks, eyes once again direct and slightly narrowed. There was no way I was ready to tell these people that I'd spent two weeks on the run as a drummer's girlfriend / band background singer until the cops brought me home.
"Anyone need a drink?" Lydia asks suddenly. "Oh, good. Liam just walked through the door. He can help me bring them out."
"Who's Liam?" I ask, before I know I've thought the words.
"He's Scott's B-" Aiden begins, but Lydia interrupts him with,
"Buddy. He's Scott's younger buddy." and glares at him briefly. I'm guessing I wasn't supposed to see that either.
"Oh."
"Yeah, you wouldn't want to see him mad." Aiden continues, gaze following Lydia as she walks through the sliding door. Then he turns to me and mouths, "Kid's got a real nasty temper."
"But," Stiles begins. "He's gotten a lot better about it since Derek left. Ow!" He gives Allison a dirty look, for which I'm guessing that she kicked him from under the table. Allison widens her eyes innocently.
"I don't understand. Who's Derek?" I glance around hesitantly.
"No one to concern yourself with!" Allison says brightly. "Liam!" She gets up and rushes over to a startlingly cute boy around my age, who just shut the glass door behind him, and hugs him quickly. "Glad you could make it!"
I hear Isaac huff. Was this even a good idea?
Allison motions over to the table and pulls out a chair next to me. She sits down next to Isaac again.
"Faye, this is Liam Dunbar. Liam, this is Faye Enderson. She's new in town."
"Oh," Liam glances at Scott. Another weird look that I wasn't supposed to see. Then he turns to me, almost shyly.
"Hey. I'm Liam." Does 'startlingly cute' do him justice? I think a better phrase would be 'angelically beautiful'. Geez, did you really just think that? Get a grip, Faye.
"I'm Faye." I think I actually blushed because Liam grinned slightly. Those at the table give him an odd look, almost like they're shocked.
"Gah!" I jump as my ringer, Animal by Three Days Grace from my right cheek pocket. "Excuse me." Seeing it's from my Dad I stand up and walk a few feet away and fumble for the answer button.
"Hi, Dad."
"Hi, Faye. Where are you?"
"I'm at a little get-together with some kids I met at school today. Are you still staying late at the station?"
"No, I'm actually on my way home. I got Panda, I thought we could make a night of it and watch the game."
Unlike most girls I actually like watching the games. I'm a huge foot ball fan. And tonight was our favorite teams against each other. Dad's team, the Greenbay Packers, and my team, the Indianapolis Colts.
"Sure, Dad. Sounds fun! I'll be there."
"Alright, honey. See you soon." He hangs up first.
Walking back to the table, I see that Liam and Lydia had brought out drinks in blue solo cups and they were all standing around or sitting at the table, intermittently sipping from the solo cups.
"That was my Dad," I begin awkwardly. They all watch me intently like I had interrupted their conversation. "He wants to watch the game."
"Is everything ok?" Allison asks.
"Yeah, fine. Our teams are playing each other tonight and I can't miss mine creaming his." I laugh.
"Skip it," Suggests Aiden, who shrugs.
"Don't be rude." Lydia scolds.
"Family is something that you don't 'skip.' " Allison points out; Aiden huffs.
"Mind if I walk you to your car?" Liam asks, straightening from leaning on a nearby chair. The others once again try to hide their surprise but fail.
"No," my mind is racing. "No, I don't mind."
We walk in silence through the house and down the front lawn.
Liam whistles appreciatively at Ripley. "Niiiiiice."
I grin. "Thanks."
I open the driver's door and start to pull myself in but Liam stops me.
"Hold on a minute." I turn around and he's right in front of me. I swallow nervously. Almost like he heard, he takes a step back.
"Sorry. I was wondering, what are you doing Friday night?" He asks, and I can tell he's trying hard to not look nervous, but his eyes keep darting and to be honest, I think it's really freaking cute. Can eyes really be that blue?
"Oh, um, nothing really."
"There's a rave at the Jungle. It would be less lame if you were there."
"That actually sounds fun." I say enthusiastically. Who doesn't love a good rave?
"Great. I'll meet you around eight?"
"Yeah, sounds good." This really does sound fun.
"Great. See you later!" He says, and helps me in to the drivers' seat. I didn't need help but no harm done when someone offers. Especially when that someone is startlingly cute angelically beautiful Liam. His hand is rough, yet smooth, and you just barely make out the outlines of his veins on his forearm.
"Goodnight," He says.
"'See you later," I pull the door closed and Liam walks a few feet into the yard and turns around. After taking a moment to plug in my iPod and roll down my windows, I wave once, and when I pull away he turns around again and heads to the house.
I pull onto the main road in town and Ripley roars in acceleration. What a strange night… strange night indeed…