Moonshadow - Cat Stevens

Before...

Eddie had ventured down to the bottom of the cliff. TC and himself had done it dozens of times, actually able to climb down the slippery wet rocks without falling and harming themselves. In fact, even before they had been given "the gift" they had spent countless days climbing on these same exact rocks and cliffs, skilled at being able to move down them, then climb back up without any problem. They had lived in the woods basicly ever since they were old enough to really be on their own. The doc had taken them in, and while TC worshipped Doc like he was a God, Eddie attended a few of his sessions, never truly taking what he said too seriously. It was Marsha who was completely against it, constantly telling them that what the Doc was trying to do wasn't natural. Once he reached the bottom, he spotted her body. Floating face down in one of the tide pools, where the usual bright blue water was now a sickening dark shade of red, mixed with the foam that trickled over the slimy rocks.

Knowing that she had shot herself with silver meant she wouldn't magically open her eyes soon, blink, and reheal. No...Gretchen was dead. He carefully climbed over the wet rocks towards her before leaning down, and scooping her lifeless soaking wet body up. He saw the exit wound beneath her tangled wet, slightly pink stained hair, along with tiny sickening pieces of wet gooey brain, and skull fragments caught in her hair. He rolled her body over like a ragdoll, and held her body close to his. The fall has broken one of her legs, along with her arm in several places. There were scratches which were thin with blood across her face from crashing down on the hard unforgiving surface. Her head rolled back, her eyes shut, and her face pale. Eddie rocked her back and forth, as if by some sort of magic he could will her back to life. Giving her a hard frustrated shake, he lowered his head, and looked down at her. Maybe it could work...maybe... Leaning down, he took a sniff of her wet salt water slicked neck, and opened his mouth revealing his fangs and bit the already cold skin, piercing open the skin, and tasting her blood as it flowed into his mouth. He had hoped that actually turning her would have been a celebrated occasion, one of which he would have done while making love to her at the exact moment they finished together as they usually did. Instead, he desperately bit into her and pulled back, blood trickling down his chin and neck, as he stared down at her and waited.

"Come on damniit..." He muttered.

Nothing.

Frustrated, he gave her a hard shake, before he knew better. He had already bit her before, but it was the silver bullets that had killed her. In fact, silver was what proved most fatal to their kind. Feeling a sour sickening tossing deep in his stomach, he gently brushed back the few fallen pieces of blond hair from her face. He had failed her, he shouldn't have let her run off like that. He should have gotten Doc to explain to her that it really was a gift. Instead, she now laid dead in his arms. A terrible hatred shivered through his body. He fought back from throwing down her corpse and leaving her there. This was all her fault. Why? Why would she do this leaving him all alone?

Disgusted, he knew better. He had loved her, in fact...she might actually be the only thing in this entire terrible fake world that seemed real. Scooping her up tighter against himself, he struggled to stand, knowing if he had just simply transformed he could carry her easily. But no, he didn't want to change. He wanted to feel this pain naturally. Picking her up, he struggled again, before using all of his strength to stand, the cords in his neck straining before he wobbled for a moment, and held her wet still body up against his chest. Turning, he carefully began to climb back up with the love of his life dead in his arms.

Before...

Eddie felt absolutely amazing. The ride up to The Colony had been fantastic. By the time they arrived the sun had just begun to set, casting gorgeous streaks of pink and purple across the sky. It was pleasantly warm, but the seaside breeze was cool, and comforting. It became at least five degrees cooler once they turned off the long dirt road into the woods, as Eddie rode his bike over the bumps, and slight slopes, before they passed the wooden sign that read painted in bright red and blue letters...

The Colony

He turned right, riding down the long road, before finding the main building, where Doc's offices were, his therapy room, and the rec and dining room. Parking beside the other few cars, bikes, and scooters, he put the kickstand down, before killing the engine. Gretchen gave his waist a dull squeeze, before brushing back some of his hair, and nuzzling into his neck. Smiling, Eddie felt her soft lips kiss him, before he turned his head slightly.

"Ride wasn't that bad huh?"

"It was amazing. It's so beautiful here."

He helped her off the bike, her bag swung over her shoulder. Her large doe shaped eyes stared up at the tall trees, all circled around. Taking her hand, and giving it a dull squeeze, the two began making their way to the main building.

"I want you to meet Doc, he'll love you."

He walked with her up the creaking wooden steps, and held the door for her, before leading her inside, and down the hall towards Doc's office. It was the weekend, which meant all therapy sessions had already happened in the morning hours. Inside the strong smell of pine lingered in the air, as Eddie reached the last door on the left, before rapping on the door, before hearing Doc's voice call out through the frosted glass window on the door.

"Come in!"

They both entered, Eddie smiling proudly holding onto Gretchen's hand. Doc sat behind his desk, before he looked up and instantly lit up.

"Eddie! I didn't think we would see you this weekend, and who is this beauty you have brought to The Colony?!"

Eddie smiled walking with Gretchen hand in hand towards the Doc's desk.

"This is Gretchen Miller. Gretchen this is Dr. George Waggner."

Gretchen leaned over, and shook hands firmly with the Doc.

"It's so nice to meet you!"

Doc chuckled before turning her hand over and planting a kiss on it, before gently patting it.

"Please call me just Doc. Now, how do you know our dear Edward? Are you from Los Angeles?"

"Oh no, I'm from Morrow Bay...well originally New Mexico, but I moved here a few years back. I waitress at a bar, and some jerks were giving me a hard time and Eddie swooped in just in time. He invited me up here for the weekend, and I absolutely fell in love with the ride up here. The air just seems so much cleaner."

"Ah Edward, a knight in shining work shirts and denim jeans am I right?"

All three of them laughed, which sounded natural, and pleasant. Gretchen smiled, leaning in towards Eddie, smiling as she stared up at him.

"He really is."

"Well my dear, please enjoy yourself. We're having a BBQ at the beach tonight, and I would love to introduce you to everyone."

Gretchen thanked her, before Eddie led her out. Walking through the therapy room, they ran into Donna, and Jerry. Donna as always was hyper, and excited to meet her. Eddie finally pulled her away, before telling her they could swing by his cabin, drop her bag off, and maybe head up to the point, where Eddie claimed had the best view of the entire coast. They walked hand in hand down the pathway, side by side. Gretchen gazed up at all of the tall trees, and even squealed with delight when a woodchuck scattered across the path, pausing slightly to look at them before running into the bushes. Eddie laughed, before finally pointing to the cabin. Gretchen didn't seem bothered by the animal skins, and bone wind chimes. She seemed fascinated, closely looking at the pelts nailed to the sides of the cabin. Eddie stood back slightly nervous, waiting for her reaction, before she turned and smiled.

"My papa used to hunt, these are beautiful."

Eddie couldn't believe it, and smirked before taking her hand and leading her up the steps.

"You'll fit in perfectly here."

Laughing, Gretchen climbed the steps with him, before entering the cabin. TC was sitting at the table by the window, using a pocket knife, and carving on a piece of wood. Marsha was standing by the small wooden island, chopping up a rabbit for a stew which was cooking on the stove. As soon as they entered, both filling up the doorway, side by side, still holding hands, a thick tension lingered in the air, as silence washed over the room. TC looked up, and right away his eyes went towards Gretchen's breasts, even though she was still wearing the faded black rock shirt she had wore to work earlier. He saw his brother's eyes linger on her jeans, hugging her hips and legs tightly, to her neck, her full lips, her doe eyes, and strands of her honey colored hair underneath a blue and white bandana. Eddie hated the surge of jealousy and rage that washed over him as he glared back at his younger, slow brother. He knew TC had never gotten the true taste of a woman, even though he longed for one, constantly in heat. Eddie was in no mood for any of this. He was going to make it perfectly clear that Gretchen was his, and his only. Slowly he slipped his arm around Gretchen's thin waist, slightly bringing her in closer to him. TC got it, and dropped his eyes embarrassed. Marsha was glaring at them, before Eddie glared back.

"Gretchen, this is my younger brother TC, and older sister Marsha."

Gretchen smiled, stepping forward, offering her hand. TC seemed slightly confused, but took it, and shook slowly. Gretchen didn't seem bothered, before letting go, and offering her hand to Marsha.

"Eddie has told me so much about you guys. I think it's so cool that you all live together up here. It's so beautiful up here!"

Marsha's mean look seemed to vanish almost completely at once. She smiled, shaking Gretchen's hand.

"Welcome to The Colony darling. My brother must be quite smitten with you. We've never had a guest of his here before."

Gretchen smiled eyeing Eddie, who seemed more annoyed with his sister than anything.

"I love your necklaces! They're so beautiful!" Marsha smiled eyeing Eddie. "I'll have to make you one, they are quite easy to make, and bring protective energy."

Gretchen smiled, before she glanced back at TC who stared up at her like a love sick puppy.

"I can tell you guys all have the same beautiful long brown hair. Must run in the family."

TC then spoke, which was unlike him.

"You staying here?"

Eddie quickly reached over, taking Gretchen's hand.

"No, I arranged she could stay in one of the guest cabins since it's so crowded here, come on..."

He pulled Gretchen in the direction of his bedroom, leaving Marsha still smiling. Quickly, they entered Eddie's small bedroom. Gretchen nearly stumbled entering, before recovering and laughing, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear.

"They seem really nice..."

She began looking around before noticing all of Eddie's sketches. Instantly her face lit up before she hurried over, and leaned down, placing her hands on her knees as she stared at all of them tacked against the wall beside his bed.

"These are great!"

Eddie felt color fill his cheeks before he smirked, and reached down, grabbing his bag where he kept his sketching supplies, along with another set of clothes for tomorrow.

"Um...yeah."

"They're beautiful! You never went to any art school?"

Eddie chuckled before standing directly behind Gretchen, wrapping his arms loosely around her waist, and bringing her ass up against his crotch, pulling her in close to stand, causing her to giggle. His hands reached up, lifting her T-shirt slightly, and placing them on her flat tanned stomach.

"I barely went to any school at all. You ready?"

Gretchen smiled, leaning against him, unphased by even his sketches of all of the wolf people around.

"I don't mind staying here..."

Eddie shook his head, before gently kissing her neck, smelling that perfume again.

"I rather have our privacy this weekend, besides these cabins go unused most of the time..."

Smiling, Gretchen continued staring in complete wonder at all of the sketches that hung all around Eddie's bedroom, having absolutely no idea that most of these wolf people...were actual members of The Colony.

Later...

They stopped by the unsure cabin which was closest to the Quist's cabin. It was small and cozy, and Eddie told her that the bedding was changed every Thursday, so she had fresh sheets, and towels. He watched as she dropped her bag down, before throwing herself backwards on the creaking bed. Grinning, he entered, before slowly climbing up on top of her. Arms down on each side of her, his long brown hair pooling yet again around them, he playfully found himself nipping at her neck, wanting so badly to just bite her and make this official. Instead he became distracted when Gretchen's hand reached up to the bulge that was forming in his jeans, and began rubbing it. Feeling a crashing wave of tiny pinpricks wash over him, he snapped his eyes shut and moaned, before devouring her mouth. He figured in the next two days the two would make it their mission to make a mess of these sheets, and exhaust each other. To Eddie, that seemed just fine. Finally, he willed enough strength to pull his mouth away, a tiny trail of spit lingering between their mouths, before he gently cupped her soft face, and rubbed her cheek with his thumb.

"Wanna grab a couple of beers and head out? I wanna show you the point."

Gretchen was more than excited to follow him, taking his hand as he helped her off the bed. Eddie grabbed his bag with his sketching supplies in it, along with a blanket, and opening the fridge, where he usually kept his extra beer. Grabbing a six-pack, he asked if she was ready? Gretchen was fixing her bandana, and smiled taking his hand. They ventured out, walking into the thick deep woods, all the while Gretchen continued staring up in wonder at everything. Eddie watched her amused, as they continued walking.

"It's so beautiful here..."

Her voice trailed off, gazing up around in wonder. Eddie smiled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze, before pointing to a small overgrown dirt path leading upwards.

"This way, come on..."

He helped her as she walked, climbing the hill, and less than ten minutes later they game to the point, which overlooked the entire bay. It was a beautiful evening, the sky still a gorgeous shade of red, as the sun continued to set. The water below looked a greenish bright blue, and continued washing up on the sandy beach. Eddie led her past the picnic tables, and around the old wooden fence, before finally he stopped, a gentle sea breeze blowing back his hair over his shoulders slightly.

"This is it."

Gretchen stood beside him and stared at the view in complete wonder. Eddie had been thinking about what was in his pocket the entire time, something he had slipped in, after taking it from his side bag off his bike. He knew it was stupid to be rushing into something so fast, but he couldn't help it. After dropping Gretchen off at work, he rode into town before stopping at an old jewelry store. He had parked the bike on the curb, and buttoned his shirt halfway, before venturing inside. He had last week's paycheck from dishwashing, and two sketches he had done on the boardwalk back in Los Angeles in his wallet. Walking around, he stared at the displays in the glass counters, before the owner, an older gentleman, asked if he could help him. Smirking, Eddie pointed at a set of simple thin gold hoop earrings.

"How much are these?"

"240, but are solid gold and was sent to me from an antique shop further up North."

240 was steep, but Eddie didn't even think twice. Staring down at them, he nodded, grabbing his wallet from his back pocket.

"I'll take them."

The man smiled, before offering to box them up in a thin small black velvet case. While he cashed out, the man remarked that these were a very beautiful set of earrings, and whoever the lady was that was receiving them was very lucky. Eddie smirked past the bullshit, and agreed, before taking the box, and passing over the cash.

"She's worth it through..."

With that he went back outside, tucked the box away in his side bag, and rode around on his bike, counting down the hours until Gretchen's shift ended. Now, he felt as nervous as a schoolkid. He wondered if giving her jewelry after knowing her less than two days might scare her. He had never really been in a relationship before, let alone give anybody a piece of jewelry. Still, he didn't care. Staring at her, standing right beside him, strands of her honey colored hair fell on her face. The reddish light from the sun reflected against her eyes as she stared at the breathtaking view before them. Working up his nerve, Eddie finally turned towards her, making her look at him. Gulping, Eddie stared at her.

"Gretchen, listen...I know we've only known each other for a day or so...but I don't know about you...but something about this feels right. I've never taken anyone here before. After me and my brother and sister arrived here this was my special spot. I always came up here alone to think and sketch. I know I'm nobody...but I swear I'll be good to you. You're the first person...that...actually sees me...the real me..."

He then with a shaking hand, held out the box and opened it, revealing the two gold earrings. Instantly, Gretchen's eyes widened as she gasped.

"Eddie!"

Eddie nervously smiled, still holding out the box with the earrings on them.

"As soon as I saw them today I thought of you. I just want you to know...you're special...and...I'm happy that I can trust you to see...the real me."

He knew he was babbling, but before he could say another word, Gretchen had her arms tightly around him, covering his mouth with hers, both passionately kissing as the sun continued to go down over the bay.

Later...

Eddie sat at the picnic table with his sketch pad and charcoal pencils. Twilight had washed over the sky, leaving it a pretty pinkish blue as stars started coming out. Gretchen now with her earrings on, was on her second beer, sitting across from him, smiling, staring at the view. Eddie had plans on drawing her later, but figured that could be an activity for maybe after getting into bed. Putting the finishing touches, he signed his name, before staring down at it. Smirking, he turned and held up the pad towards Gretchen.

"What do you think?"

Gretchen's eyes widened as she leaned in, closely staring at it, before she shook her head.

"It's beautiful..."

"I made a bigger one a year or so back, that's back at my place in the city."

"You're so talented..."

Eddie shrugged, slightly embarrassed, as he put his things away.

"It's really just a hobby..."

"I mean it Eddie, your stuff could seriously be in magazines and books. It's beautiful." Eddie smiled, slightly blushing before he looked at the sky.

"Wanna head down to the beach soon? They should be starting the BBQ soon."

"Sure!"

Grabbing their things, Eddie circled around the table, before staring down at her. Looking back up, she smiled, before Eddie looked up at the sky and saw a full moon appearing from behind the clouds. Instantly he smiled, before lightly chuckling to himself.

"What's so funny?"

Gretchen asked, wrapping her arms around his waist. Shaking his head, Eddie leaned forward kissing Gretchen's forehead before looking back up at the moon.

"Nothing, inside joke."

With that, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her as night slowly took over, her head laying against his chest, all the while staring up at the sky, with the full moon reflecting against his eyes which for just for an instant flashed a wild shade of green.