Chapter Three:

Something was not right….

My free blond hair was blowing around my neck, the tips finger light on my cooled flesh, my feet were chilled, and my toes were icy popsicles. Looking around, I realized I was in the heart of the woods. Dark trees cluttered together, ominous and taunting, and so tall half concealing the pale yellow glow of the oval moon. The soil beneath my naked feet was squishy, seeping through my numb toes. Why was I even here? Why not in my bedroom? The breeze then picked up, carrying a voice with it, spookily, "Baby…not save…"

I stilled my breath, that women's voice so soothing, and gentle was so familiar, and then yet almost like a strangers.

Mom…?

I had no time to pounder that, because just then a sharp growl….had me running. I was there then I was whipping past tree after tree, blindly trying to get away from whatever my instinct told me was not saved. My feet pressed into the dirt below, sticky wet. A deep howl pierced the night air, rebounded around, caging me. I ran faster.

I whizzed past identical trees, feeling like I was going no were. Pounded thumps could be heard behind me. I stumbled as I ran faster, too horrified to look behind me. I yelled for help, shouted over and over aging that my voice was raw. "Chloe…so sorry," That voice again so close to my ear, the sweet breath brushed against my ear, a puff of breath.

A large shadow jumped overhead, I looked up still shocked. I skittered to a stop. A body of a wolf, so black, it was almost hard to see, a flash of white pointy teeth bared to me, the dot black nose winkled, lips curled in a fierce growl. I stumbled back terror-stricken, I grasped, a ball of bright light flash through the woods, sparkly white. The wolf wined, and cowardly bowed his head, ears flat. Then a blurry figure appeared between two trees, the face and body was unmarked, with flowery bright hair, to the waist. "Baby…not save anywhere," It whispered in a soft tune-like voice, "seek out the help before they come for you."

"Who are you?" I breathed.

The bury figure stared to fade, "NO!" I yelled. A feeling of dread dropped in my stomach like a bomb, I felt lost.

"So sorry,"

"Please come back!"

With a crack of a small pop it was gone; I screamed….The wolf tuned searing me with bright green eyes…

"Chloe!" I jerked awake bolting up out of my bed. Sweat soaked my skin. My aunt was watching me with horror, wide eyes, filled with restrained tears.

"What?"

"You were screaming bloody murder." She wrapped her arm around her bathrobe, "Saying…mom and help over and over again. You also said wolf and the color green a few times."

I blew out a breath, willing my hands to stop shaking. I was in my room again, I was saved, I kept repeating. I glanced over at my alarm clock on the night stand. The numbers blinked six o'clock. I looked back at my aunt who still looked spooked and ash pale. "I'm sorry, just a dream." I explained softly.

"Okay…must have been some dream…" She backed up, her slippers scuffing the carpet, "you should be getting up anyways for school." She was out the door before she could even finish her sentence. Great is my aunt seriously staring to realize how much of a freak her niece really is?

I pushed off the soft blankets ready to start my day.

I've been going to this school for almost two weeks now. So all the looks have finally dimed down some, which is good, also I have found a new friend, Simon. After I prowled him down in the school hall on my first day, we've become somewhat close, he was sweet and nice, forget the fact he was a huge flirt but I had a feeling that was just a part of Simon. His brother on the other hand…gives me the undecided chills. I still remember the first time I meet him.

"Hey bro," Simon greeted the looming figure.

Derek gave him a curt nod. But his green eyes were on me, prodding me, something about that gaze had me backing up. His eyes scanned me head to toe. Not in the way where he was checking me out, but to seize me up, it unnerved me.

"This is Chloe, your brothers new play thing." Tori spoke up, snotty.

Really, I forgot she was even still there.

Derek eyes pieced me, "I-I-I'm Chloe," I stuttered dumbly.

"I figured." He said in a deep voice, pointy glancing over at Tori before swinging his eyes back to me. I felt like I was rooted to my spot, half me wanted to run, the other half…wanted to stay.

"I need to talk to you." Derek grumbled, grabbing Simons arm.

He nodded, "Chloe don't go anywhere. I'll be back."

I mutely nodded. The two shifted a bit away, far enough that whatever the two were talking about was falling on death's ear. I studied the both of them. Brothers….that really shocked me; the two were so different in looks and personality. Simon was so friendly, open and cute. Derek seemed so closed off, fierce, and all hard edge in the face. Not cute, but not ugly…more ragged beautiful.

"Not blood brothers," a voice spoke.

I snapped my head to Tori who had a grim smile on her face, "What?"

"Simon and Derek aren't blood brothers. Simon's dad adopted Derek awhile ago." She explained, picking at her nails broadly. "You had that look, the one everyone has when they find out the two are brothers…" she looked up then, her eyes unblinking, "…disbelieve, confusion, wonderment…" She shrugged then. "Anyways, I'm out." Without a backwards glance she stalked down the half empty hall.

"Hey." I jumped and looked over a Simon who was on my side now "Let me show you to your next class." He said urging me down the hall. I looked around, until my eyes landed on Derek who was watching us. He slowly backed up. He then spun on his heel and stride down the hall with his long legs.

In the time I was zoning out. I managed to throw some clothes on, and brushed my teeth. I thumped down the stairs but came to a sharp halt. My aunt was standing by the front door, brown pocketbook hanging over her shoulder blade, car keys in hand. She was also speaking on her cell phone. Her face colored in annoyance.

Her eyes slid to me. She mummer something to the person on the phone, she then snapped it shut. "Hey, you all ready to go?" She asked, sliding the device in her pocket, my eyes watched transfixed.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"Who….? Oh! Just…my boss," she shrugged.

"Okay…"

I silently followed my aunt to the car, momentarily dropping the subject.

xxxXXXxxx

"Hello," Simon's voice drawled out as he placed his books on the table besides me. I smiled brightly, I was so glad. It turned out Simon shared the same English class as me…. So did Tori unfortunately, yeah and those 'looks' are still strong as ever.

"Hey," I said, opening my notebook to a fresh clean page.

The teacher then walked in the class, halting all chatter. She was one teacher not to mess with, "Alright everyone I want you all two shut the notebooks and place all items on the floor. I need all of your undivided attention."

They were some shifting around as everyone did as we were told. I shut my spiral notebook and slid it on the floor, the pens following.

"Good. We will be working on a project that will be half of your grade. The good news is it's a partner project, so you will have help. The bad news it will take most of your time in school and out of school. Usually I like to partner you up. But because you are my older students, I will trust that you will make a mature choice, so I will let you pick. Do so now."

Simon smirked at me and slid his desk closer to me "Partners?"

"Sure," I replied.

Simon grinned. We both then switched are gaze back to the teacher.

"A writing project, you will need to be creative. I have a list here of short stories, you will choose the one you want to read, then you and your partner could do a number of thing. I jot down the things you could do." She passed the sheets around. When I had mine I looked it over. One had a list of short stories, then the second page had things we could do, a few of them were simple enough. A few were, we could make our own ending, another was to write our own short story with the same characters, and theme, and drawing included, and plot it the way we wanted. It seemed kind of fun, and me being a writer made it more enjoyable. Maybe Simon and I can choice a scary/suspense short story.

"This seems fun." Simon whispered to me, tapping a single finger on the sheets.

"I know." I agreed.

Simon grinned "Also, I love to draw, so that could come in handy."

"You draw?" I asked shocked.

"Yeah," he said it offhanded. But I could tell it made him proud.

The bell then ringed loud and clear.

"Alright everyone choose what you want tonight as homework, I want everyone to know so we can go to the library tomorrow to get the books." The teacher yelled over the moving students.

I reached down and grabbed my stack of books off the floor, turning to Simon, I asked "So…should I call you about the project…?"

Simon gave me a charming smile, sliding out of his seat "Why call, just come over. I'm a guy I hate talking on the phone."

I and Simon headed for the door "I guess I could do that."

"Oh…you guess?" He teased.

I laughed, "I mean yeah, sounds cool."

"Sweet, just meet me at the front doors at the end of the school day, okay?"

I agreed,

As Simon and I went the opposite way down the hall, my walk slowed as I realized, going to Simon's house meant Derek.

I will have to see Derek.

xxxXXXxxx

So what do you think?

I know Derek was not in here much, but next chapter he will make an appearance….So for the next chapter to come faster, I need reviews….?

Thank you!