Chapter Three: Shadows

There was a pile of people in the foyer, some in groups others in just coming out of the kitchen.

"Wes, this is Tessa. Tessa, this is Wesley." Gabby introduced me to someone. I glanced at him, saying hi. Weird, giddy feelings were coming off of her, like shades of pink and red. His messy hazel eyes were calculating me as Wesley said hi back. I noted the slight British accent and the short brown hair.

He wasn't cute and he wasn't devastatingly handsome. He was just…nice looking.

First impressions are important. A little red flag shot up. He was like Jenna, which meant I wouldn't be alone with him anytime soon. Funny how dependent on my feelings I actually was. His eyes never left me, making me self-conscious.

I looked away.

My eyes landed on a blonde god. He was half a head taller than I was. Gabby tapped his shoulder and he turned around, away from Ethan. He smiled at me. "You must be Tessa." He held out a hand I took it. Warmth radiated from his fingers, slowly traveling up my arm.

"And you are…?" I let the question hang, waiting for Gabby or this handsome stranger to answer.

"This is Shane. He's going to fix your car." Gabby smiled at me. I hadn't realized it until now. That little trip must've been hell on my poor car. I faintly remember Gabby telling me that the day before yesterday.

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Maybe we should start now?" He asked, glancing towards the kitchen were no doubt food was piled high to the ceiling. "Mind saving me a few plates, Gabs?"

"Wait, you're starting now?" She asked, her voice surprised. He nodded, then glanced at me.

"If that's okay with you." It was more than okay with me. If he asked me to jump of a cliff, I would.

"Yeah, that's fine." Gabby looked at me, a slight smile on her face. Shane gave me a lopsided smile and I smiled back automatically. Grace called Shane's name, he went off promising to be back in a few. I watched as he left, blonde hair sticking up in the back.

"I was hoping you might like him," Gabby said, grinning like she just won the lottery.

I nudged her with my foot. "I…" I was slowly crawling back into my shell. I wouldn't even be able to have a full conversation with Shane by the time we got the garage. That's one of the things I didn't like about myself.

"You'll do fine," Gabby encouraged before trotting off with everyone else into the dining area. I

could hear her voice fly up a few octaves as she directed people around the kitchen. Hunter stood in the doorway, watching her with a slight smile on his face.

At the corner of my eye, I seen Jenna. I completely forgotten about her since she hasn't left her room in days.

She was gripping a hand, slowly leading him up the stairs. He was tall, dark. His green eyes met mine and stayed there. I shifted almost nervously, quickly glancing at Jenna. Her dark blue eyes looked back at him, full of lust.

I turned my head.

It was to obvious what was about to happen between them upstairs.

"Hey, you ready to go?" Shane's warm voice asked me and I was thankful he came at the right moment. His gaze suddenly snapped to Jenna and whoever else was there before he rolled his eyes muttering something under his breath.

"Yeah." I muttered, feeling stupid. He opened the door, and I walked out. Shivers ran up my spine and I stood on the patio, looking out into the street for anyone lurking in the trees. I felt exposed, vulnerable.

Shane closed the door and stepped up next to me. "Are you okay?" He asked.

I nodded, and we walked down the stairs. He led me across the yard, whistling softly to himself. "Well here we are," He kicked the door open and flipped on the light. "Do you want a Coke?"

I made a face, shaking my head. Shane smiled, a can of Coca Cola in his hand. "How about Sprite?" Suddenly the red can turned blue. "Or maybe some Crush?" It changed again and I stared at him. He put a hand up, stopping my advancement on him. "Ooo, wait, how about some root beer?" I walked up to him, eyes bright and took the can away from him.

"How did you do that?" I exclaimed, examining the can of root beer.

Shane laughed. "It's what I do."

"That unbelievable." I muttered, still staring at the soda.

He held out his hand. "What? You don't like root beer? Maybe we can find-" I giggled, holding the can away from him.

"It's fine." I grinned at him. He walked away, reaching up to turn on the stereo. Music came out of the speaker I stood next, making me jump. Shane turned it down a little. "Sorry." He said before turning to look at my car.

"You don't have to do anything with it. It's a piece of garbage." I informed him. Shane rolled his eyes playfully then he stiffened visibly. I frowned, wondering if it was something I said before a voice came from the door.

"Relax. I just came in here for some soda." It was him. The one with Jenna. I would have thought he would be a little tangled up at the moment. Shane's golden eyes darkened and he never took his glare of him. The tension between them flooded the room. The fridge door opened and shut, his green gaze snapped to mine. There was something there that I couldn't comprehend, swirling and twisting in his eyes.

I settled for looking at Shane instead as he silently fumed. "Who is that?" I asked quietly, when the door finally shut. He exhaled a gust of air.

"That's Cole." He muttered, not sounding to happy about it.

"What's up with him?" I was swimming out in deep water here but curiosity got the best of me.

Shane just shook his head, before his burning eyes locked with mine. He was silent for a very long time before finally, "Promise me one thing."

I set the can of root beer on the bench, considering. "Okay, what is it?"

"Just promise me you will stay away from him."

x-X-x

The phone rang.

Dad picked up on the second ring. "Oh thank God, Tessa. Where are you?"

I sunk my feet into the cold sand. It wasn't the best day to be outside but I didn't care. I stared out into the fearless sea. "That doesn't matter. I'm just calling to tell you I'm okay. Don't you dare call mother over, you know she'll kick up the water works."

"Honey, she's worried about you."

"Yeah, well, you can tell her later. When we are done talking." I told him, putting emphasis on the word 'done'.

"Your going to get me in trouble." He warned and I shrugged, well aware he wasn't sitting in front of me, feet also buried in the sand. Tears burned my eyes but refused to shed. I hadn't realized until now how much I missed him.

"Haha. How's the divorce going?" Silence. I buried my free hand in the beach sand, watching as a strand of brown hair falling to the ground. I needed a haircut.

"Uh, there is no divorce." Pause. "This entire experience has…brought us closer together."

I couldn't help but snort.

Shannon and I were hardly close. She avoided me and I avoided her, I wasn't defiant about it nor did I go out of my way to make amends. It had always been that way ever since I could remember.

"I know, I know. But things are different. When are you coming home?"

Gripping a handful of sand, I lifted my hand up, unclenched my fist so it slipped through my fingers. I wiped my hand off on my jeans, hugging my legs to my chest. I crossed one arm over my knees, the other bent to hold the phone up to my ear. "Dad, I'm not coming home. I…actually like where I am now." My thoughts shifted to Shane and I smiled softly. "I made some new friends, they're great Dad. I wish you could meet them."

"I'm glad you've managed to take car of yourself."

"Thanks, Dad. Just promise you won't call the police again, okay? I'm fine, I really am."

He sighed and was quiet for a few minutes. "Okay. I…you can stay where ever you are. Do what you will, but be safe. And call me every once in a while."

" Thanks, Dad. I guess I'll talk to you later." A lump formed in my throat and I choked back tears as he said his goodbyes before either of us hung up. I sat there in the sand, staring at the phone the urge to dial in his number again and beg him to come get me was suffocating.. He was my dad, the one who made horrible cupcakes with me and the one who stayed up late just to help with a stupid science project.

One day I'll go back and resume my life there. Maybe on that same day I'll gather up the courage to forgive that mother of mine. I sighed, homesick. Yeah, Minnesota was harsh and flat, but it was the place I grew up in. The only place I knew. Growing up, we never went anywhere except for a week in Michigan with Gramma Rose.

Being here, the weather was rainy almost dreary in a beautiful way. The ocean was unknown territory, moody with it's tossing and turning waves. All this place contained was vibrant green and grey. The sun was hardly out, but I didn't mind.

I stayed out on the beach for a long time, breathing in the crisp air. My mind wanted to run wild and go through the information I received today but I refused. I knew it would come down to over-thinking it and the next thing I knew I'd be second guessing myself.

I stopped breathing.

Someone else was here. It felt like claws were raking against my skin and I jumped up, my head whipping around. I seen something move by the huge boulders near by. Blood pounded in my ears and I clenched my fists tightly.

Then I ran.

I willed my legs to move faster. Whoever this was meant harm. Run! a voice screamed in my head.

The house was only yards away and I could feel it gaining on me. I forced myself to run faster, panic exploded in me when I seen the huge black thing sprinting beside me. I jumped up the three steps and hurriedly fumbled to get the door the door open. A sense of safety blanketed the fear.

"Are you okay?" I didn't bother to look who it was. I just nodded before going up the stairs as fast as I could. My bedroom door was open, the way I left it when I got up this morning. Slamming the door shut, I leaned against it. My eyes closed, my breathing deepened. The adrenaline in my veins was fading.

Thump!

Slowly, I looked around. A pile of small, white bugs were squirming outside on my window. Maggots.

I screamed, moving away from the window as fast as I could.

Little did I know across the street, looking up at me was a tall shadowy figure.