"Bye Jess," I called as I left her house.
Sighing, I got into my car. It was going to be a dark drive to my dad's house. And I still needed to eat. I pulled over at a gas station near the edge of town. Pop and pretzels made an okay dinner sometimes. I stepped out of the gas station with my goods. Before I could get to my car, a man approached me. I paused, thinking I may know him. As he got closer, he spoke.
"Hey there," he said. I didn't recognise the voice.
"Hi," I said. My voice sounded small.
He was in perfect view now. I didn't know the man. Fear began to curl in my stomach.
"How're you doing?" he asked.
"I'm alright," I replied, trying to keep the hysteria out of my voice. It didn't work.
"What's a pretty thing like you doing out so late?"
"J-Just getting gas."
He smiled at me. His teeth gleamed in the vague light. He looked like a menace. I couldn't do anything but stare. My feet were frozen in place. He threw me against the wall. I tried not to squeal in pain. His lips were on mine very quickly. My brain started working again. This man would force his way with me and leave me to die. I had to get away, and get away fast.
My brain went into overdrive. I kicked him where it hurts and punched him in the face. Then I flew to my car, and before I even had my seatbelt on I was going. The car flew down the 101. I took a few steadying breaths and put my seatbelt on. Still flying down the highway, the tears began. They were like a torrent, blurring my vision. I pulled over on the side of the road.
I sat there, shaking with tears. Shock started hitting me and I started hyperventilating. Dropping the seat back, I curled into the fetal position and grabbed the pretzels. I needed food in me; I'd worry about drinking later. I was feeling exhausted. Sleep would consume me soon. I could feel it. Just as I was drifting away, there was a rustling in the bushes outside. Fear consumed me again. Did he come after me? I froze where I was, staring out the window. A wolf glanced at the car and took off. I breathed a sigh of relief. I was safe for now.
There was no way I could sleep. I was too keyed up now. But I couldn't drive either. My dad would be freaked. I sighed and grabbed my , then went to sit on the hood of my car. The rustling started again. I turned to face the woods, too frozen to do anything else.
It was the wolf again. I could see it better now. It was thin and grey, with dark spots on its back. I stared at it a moment. It seemed to stare at me. As I looked at it, my thoughts changed. [i] He [/i] was my wolf. But then he scurried into the woods.
"Hey!" I exclaimed. "Where are you going?" I didn't want him to leave.
I could see him moving in the shadow. I got off my car and went to the edge of the woods. I could barely see anything in the dark of the night. Then a boy came toward me. I looked at him, feeling the same possessiveness as I had for the wolf. He opened his arms, as if showing he wasn't dangerous.
"I'm not going anywhere," he said, shaking his head. "Not unless you want me to."
"No!" I burst. "Uh, no. Please don't go anywhere. I really don't want to be alone."
He looked at me a moment. He seemed to assess the sound of my voice, matching it to my face. He looked worried. "Are you okay?" he asked. "What happened to you?" His eyebrows mashed together as his look of concern deepened.
I looked at him a moment, unsure of how to explain what had happened to him. I started to shake and wobble as tears welled in my eyes. Letting out a soft sob, I fell forward into him. He wrapped his arms around me, and patted my back in an effort to comfort me. I told him what happened through my sobs. I was going into shock again.
When I finished my story, he was gazing down at me. "I'm sorry for what happened to you," he said. "But you're safe now. Everything will be okay."
I gazed up at him, believing what he said. I nodded. "I must seem like a psychopath," I muttered.
He wiped away one of my tears. "No," he insisted, shaking his head. "Not a psychopath. Just very brave." I smiled and he smiled back. "I'm Embry. Who are you?"
"I'm Aleigh," I replied. "It's nice to meet you."
His arms tightened slightly. I realised he was quite warm. He seemed to be deliberating something. He sighed and refocused his gaze on my hair. He twirled a strand between his fingers. "So why are you out so late?" he asked.
"I just lost track of time at a friend's house," I replied, shrugging. "So I stopped at a gas station for some dinner. I'm staying at my dad's in Port Angeles tonight."
"Your dad's probably worried about you. Why don't you get going? Maybe I'll see you tomorrow." He smiled.
I smiled back. "Maybe," I agreed. Then I winked. "I like the library."
He brought me around my car. I paused before opening the door. "Bye then," I said, turning to face him. He leaned down and kissed me lightly before disappearing. Dazed, I got into my car and began driving. But I never made it to my dad's that night.