Authors note:

MEEEEEERRRRRYYYY CHRIIISTMASSS

here you go!! more story for you!

oh, and because people are wondering, ima make my propic what i think wolf derek looks close to because i dont know how else to share a pic on here...;)

DPOV

I coughed, bringing Simon's eyes to me. "We should get out of here, regardless of whether the werewolves are still around or not. It's too dangerous to stay in one place for too long."

I tried to let their stares roll off me, I mean, what did I care? Tori's eyes were drilling into the back of my head, and I was more than sure she had a comment or two bursting to get out. I had the strongest urge to leave her behind, but I knew Chloe would like that least of all. She was too kind for her own good. I tilted my head to the side, thinking about Chloe. She is smart…and nice…very pretty. There is no doubt that she is every one of those things, but so are a lot of girls. Why, then, did seeing her mess me up so much? Never once in my life had I ever fixated on a person with this level of intensity.

I glanced to the side, searching for her gaze. Not surprisingly, she was looking at Simon. I studied her face for a second, did she have the same glazed over look as all of Simon's fan girls? Was she drooling just at the thought of talking to him? No? Maybe she was the silent type, the girl who pined for her object of affection from afar. Maybe she didn't pine for him at all? But how was that possible. Every girl pined for Simon. There was another thought. Chloe wasn't exactly like every girl.

Her eyes flicked to mine, a confused look on her face. She blinked, startled. I wanted to look away, but the blush rising to her cheeks kept my gaze. She glanced down, angling her shoulders away from me, as though she couldn't stand the thought of facing me.

"Time to get moving," I grunted, my mood sour.

I walked off in the appropriate direction, heading away from the supposed 'safe' house. The others followed timidly, my anger a fact known among them all. I sniffed, a distinct tang filling my nose. Interesting….

For a moment I paused, thinking it may be the other wolves, but then dismissed the thought. I had other things occupying my mind, too many other things to worry about those creeps. I almost laughed at myself, letting my thoughts of Chloe taking priority over the smell of pending doom? How uncharacteristic of me.

The smell hit me nose stronger, forcing me to stop and glance around. There didn't seem to be any disturbance in the trees or bushes, where were they hiding? Maybe it was an old scent? Shuffling from behind made me spin, startling Chloe, who was right behind me. I instinctively grabbed her and pulled her against me, scanning for the threat. I growled, low and threatening. Whoever was out there…better watch out.

It all happened in an instant. A shuffling, thumping and rushing, the sounds of an attack. I spun to face Simon and Tori in enough time to see Tori, screaming while being dragged through the trees. Stunned, I staid in a crouch, Chloe safely tucked against me.

"Derek!" Chloe screamed, shocking me back to reality. "Go get her!"

I paused. Of course Chloe would want me to save her…but Tori? Why bother? They could have her!

"Derek! That's inhuman!" Simon snapped, fear all over his face. Could he tell what I was thinking?

I stood, letting go of Chloe. Without a second thought I crashed away into the forest, looking for any signs of a trail.

CPOV

I staid on my hands and knees where Derek dropped me, for the longest time, until my heart had calmed a little.

"Simon?" I whispered, my voice shaking. Poor Tori! Sure she was a pain…but to be taken by…them…..

"Chloe," he said, one arm around my waist, lifting me up, and the other lightly across my shoulders. "Derek will get them."

"W-w-what if he c-can't?" I said, my heart racing again. "What if…."

Simon pressed his fingers to my lips, silencing me. "Don't even think about it."

Nodding, I stood and leaned against him. Even thought it was late afternoon, none of the sun's warmth was reaching me. I shivered, thinking of him again. Cade. I felt a strong urge to run and hide, picturing his face was enough to put me on edge. I couldn't understand where all of this fear was coming from, or why I was playing into it, but I couldn't stop myself from being paralyzed by horrific thoughts of what they would do if they caught me…or Derek.

Time passed as we waited for Derek to return with Tori viciously attacking him with every word she spoke. Never once did I want to hear her sarcasm more than I did in that moment.

"Lets keep walking," Simon said, his voice resigned. "Derek can take care of himself, and if I know him, he would want us to keep moving."

"But-" I started.

"Remember what he said," Simon cautioned, his voice strained. "Gotta keep moving."

I let him lead me away, continuing in the direction Derek had set a while ago. There was no use arguing, what was I going to do? Sit and complain? Refuse to leave until Derek-and Tori- came back? As much as I wanted to have him-them- back at my side, I knew we had to leave.

"Besides, if anyone can track us down, he can," I smiled to myself.

Simon dropped his hands from my waist and shoulder, taking my hand instead. Part of me wanted to drop his hand, but a small part of me was glad for his warmth and kindness. I walked on, gritting my teeth and making my resolve. Gotta keep moving.

After a few hours of walking we agreed we had to stop and rest. While Simon sat on a log and ate an apple, I snacked on a protein bar. Delicious.

"How long until dark?" I asked, looking up at Simon.

He cocked his head, glancing at the sky. "I would say about thirty minutes, and hour tops."

"Should we stay here for the night? Or keep walking? Should we walk through the night? Or maybe we should sleep in shifts?"

"Chloe!" Simon cried, smacking his palm to his forehead, "you worry too much! Let's just stay here!"

I laughed a little, agreeing with him. "Yeah, I just want to be…safe."

I couldn't help but let every other thought stray to Derek and Tori. Were they alright?

"Do you want me to take the first watch shift?" Simon asked.

I looked him over, not missing that he was tired. Since I had slept for most of the morning anyway, I was far from being able to sleep. "I'll take it, I'm not even tired."

He nodded, quickly curling up next to the log and closing his eyes. He must really be tired if he didn't have time for chivalrous comments.

I pulled my knees close to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. The sun had set, the moon sliding behind the clouds. I shivered, my nerves on end. I had agreed to take the first shift, but part of me was wishing I was the one fast asleep. The hair on my arms rose on end, a cold chill climbing up the back of my neck. I knew this feeling well.

"Little necro…" a voice sang.

I froze, glancing around. There was no ghost…yet. At least, not a visible ghost.

"What are you doing so far out in the woods?" the voice got closer, a faint pop announcing the arrival of a spectral being.

I studied the man who was sitting cross-legged in front of me, his face young enough to be my fathers age. Not exactly young, but hey, not dead old. I laughed at my lame joke, smiling at the man. He looked fatherly and nice, certainly not about to cause me harm. His brown hair looked disheveled, his jacket was made by sports outfitters. A camper maybe?

"Did you hear me?" he asked, looking to me in concern. "Necromancer?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. I was just trying to figure out…why you're here." I smiled, feeling slightly colder when he smiled back.

He frowned again. "It is quiet sad, my family went camping…."

So I had been right. I waited for more.

"Wolves attacked our tent. Never had I seen such a big wolf. Did you know that there are wolves in these woods? That's why I was wondering why you're so far out? And without a tent…" He trailed off, the look of concern coming back to his ghostly white face.

"A wolf? Big? How big?" I stiffened, Cade's face flashing to mind, Jackson's not far behind.

He stood, throwing his arms wide in an animated motion. "Huge!"

I almost smiled, before I remembered he was dead. I felt sad for him, for his family. He seemed like a very nice man.

"What's your name?" I asked, feeling like I should remember him.

He smiled a little. "My name was John Marsh."

Another sting of sadness. Was. His name was. I bit back the tears, remembering my job. I was a necromancer, right? Meant to help the dead.

"Is there something you want me to…do?" I asked, feeling a great sense of duty to fulfill this ghost's request.

His face broke into a sad smile. "There's nothing…."

"There has to be something," I urged, feeling like I had to make this ghost happy.

He smiled to me. "You're a nice girl. I wish I had met you years ago when my family was still alive, my sons would have liked you."

I blushed, looking away. "Well…I wish I could do something-"

The ghost looked up- no, John looked up- and blanched. His white face getting whiter, if that was possible. I glanced behind me, a snarl shaking my bones. A big…really big, wolf man was crouching behind me, his elongated muzzle scrunched with his sharp teeth bared.

"Run!" John yelled, standing as though he was able to protect me.

I scrambled to my feet, reaching for Simon. "Wake up!" I screamed as the beasts long fingers wrapped around my ankle, dragging me back.

I knew this wasn't Derek, it just wasn't.

"Simon!" I screamed, lifted off the ground by the animal.

In a desperate attempt I reached for John, my fingers passing through his outstretched hand. He looked desperate, his eyes welling with ghostly tears. My screams were cut short as I was thrown against a tree, my head snapping back and hitting it with bone cracking force. Blackness danced around my vision, closing in on me as John stood, staring down at me in horror.