Sorry for the delay with this chapter, I had an evil cough/cold thing past week, and I've been feeling like poop!
Again, it's always nice to know what you guys think of this, so please review. Take care x
Chapter 7
I hitched my way back home to Pennsylvania. I knew I didn't have much time – a day at most – The Pack would know this would be the first place I would head to. As much as it pulled at my heart strings, I kept clear of the stables. The last thing I need is for the horses to go crazy at having my new predator scent making them go senseless.
I got out of the last ride a mile from the farm and jogged the rest of the way home. I walked this route regularly growing up, and with the added boost of the Werewolf genes the pace of my sprint was considerably faster, and before I realised it, I was running alongside one of the fields I had last ridden Monty through. At last I could see my house. With an added burst of energy I jumped over the fence and continued to run through the field, keeping my knee's up with my stride so as I wouldn't trip on the long grass.
By the time I reached the front door the sun had just set over the horizon casting everything into a dusky orange. I tried the door, but unsurprisingly it was locked – Jessie was probably responsible for that. I could just snap the lock, but what's the point when there's a spare key tucked away?
Cliché yes, but as I reached up under the familiar eves of the porch I found what I was looking for and brought down the little brass key to open the door, remembering to return it to its hiding place, so as not to arouse suspicion.
I felt another pang of grief, as I half expected Sally to come bounding through the door welcoming me home. Only silence greeted me now.
Scouting out the rest of the house, I found traces of Jessie's scent clinging to the living room and kitchen with fresh food and drink in the fridge. She must be using this place as a stop over whilst I've been gone. I thought.
"Right then, let's do this." I thought out loud as I walked into my bedroom, grabbing the suitcase from my closet and started filling it with clothes.
The sound of footsteps coming up the porch steps and the front door opening and closing cut me short. I stood on alert, instinctively hiding behind the bedroom door as I took in the intruders scent.
The hallway light came on, making me blink at the harsh brightness as my vision adjusted from the darkness.
The intruder moved into the kitchen as I made my way out into the hall to spy on them, quietly moving round to the kitchen door way. I saw her then; she was leaning into the fridge bringing out some milk and a plate of leftovers I had spotted earlier.
Jessie was in clothes typical to her style, bootleg jeans and a strapless t-shirt. Her afro hair pulled back from her forehead with a bandana. I could smell the horses on her as I stepped further into the kitchen, into her peripheral vision.
I'm sure if she hadn't already put the plate of leftovers into the microwave, and set down the bottle of milk, she would have dropped both as she saw me. She fell back against the counter top and for a second I thought she might feint.
"Rachel?" She whispered in disbelief, hey eyes as round as saucers.
I had to let out a little laugh for fear of bawling into tears. "Hey Jess." She came at me and wrapped me in an iron hard embrace.
"Where have you been? We've been so worried about you!" She scolded, as she pulled back to get a good look at my face.
I had to hold my breath. Did the horses always stink so bad? "It's a long story." I told her pulling her arms away from me.
"What happened to you?" She asked looking me up and down. "You seem…" Again, like the last time; the tell-tale twisting of the lips gave her away. "Different."
I smirked. "Like I said, it's a long story – and I don't have time to explain right now. Jessie you have to listen to me carefully." I sat her down at the little kitchenette table. "Some people are going to come and look for me – and I can't be here when they do."
"We have to call the Police; they need to know you're alright." She gibbered. I noticed her hands were shaking.
I shook my head. "It's difficult for me to explain. The people I were with wont hurt you, they want to protect you…"
She paused a moment before meeting my gaze. "Protect me from what?"
I took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. "From me."
This time Jessie furrowed her brow. "I don't understand…"
"You're right, I am different. I'm dangerous for you to be around me." I started pacing the kitchen. "Look, think of it like a government conspiracy or something – I can't tell you because it's a huge secret. And just knowing could put you, your Dad and everyone we know in danger." I held her gaze until she looked away. "I need to get away from here. I was going to leave you a note telling you I was alright-"
"Where will you go?" She interrupted in a weak voice.
"I don't know." I admitted, with a pitiful shrug.
"You'll need money then." She said sternly getting to her feet.
"Umm, no I'm alright – I have money." Her suddenness made me jump and I momentarily hesitated before following her out to the hallway where she was fumbling with her purse to bring out a couple of twenties. "Jess," I snapped taking hold of her hands. "Really, I'm alright." She looked at me then as a frightened little girl would after being awoken from a nightmare.
"Okay. But I have to help you in some way…"
I shook my head. "You're doing it already. Just look after the farm – that's all I ask."
"Take my car then." She ordered pressing her keys into my hand.
"No." I almost laughed as I reached over her head and grabbed the set of keys for my little Ford Fiesta off the coat hook above her head. "It's better if I take my own."
"But what am I going to tell the Police?" She squeaked following me into my little bedroom.
I sighed impatiently. The Pack would be here soon. "I'll think of something." I snapped trying to keep the impatience out of my voice grabbing my suitcase to take it to the front door, only to retrace my footsteps as I got my duffle bag from the shelf in my closet and randomly filled it with other possessions, for instance; the last picture I had of myself and my parents sitting on my bedside table.
"I really have to go now." I emphasised the 'now' as I roughly opened the drawer of my cupboard to grab my essentials.
Passport - driver's license - bank cards - emergency money. That should do. I could feel the dread creeping across my skin thinking of Clay and Elena travelling down to Pennsylvania to make me live with some horny old men. I need to calm down, the last thing I need to do is Change… just calm down Rachel – Calm. Calm is the watchword. I repeated to myself, trying not to absorb the waves of confusion, fear and anger coming from Jessie.
We stood next to my little beat up car, Jessie looked at me with tear brimmed eyes. "Okay. But you have to keep in contact – I won't tell anyone I swear. Just promise to let me know that you're alright." She asked.
"Promise." I sniffed, feeling a tear slide down my cheek. "Take care of yourself." I said stiffly as I wrapped my arms around her, and inhaled her scent so as it was ingrained in my memory.
I felt her nod against me. "You too." She sobbed, as regretfully I jumped into the car and started the engine. It took two attempts to catch, but eventually it roared to life with a cloud of dust coming from the exhaust making Jessie jump. "Love you!" She called as I pulled away; all I could do was let out a sob of my own and blow her a kiss before I drove away.
