It's Just a Trick of the Moonlight

Chapter Eleven – Midnight Rendezvous

The car ride to the school had been a quiet one.

Derek wasn't much for talking and today, frankly, neither was I.

You think by this point I'd be used to running on barely any sleep.

The truth was that I've not had a full night's sleep since I saw the severed top portion of Laura Hale's body in the woods.

For the life of me, I don't understand how Scott and Stiles are handling this so well.

I'd always considered myself to be a pretty strong person but my apparent inability to handle recent events have me questioning that more than I'd care to admit.

After I'd gotten home from the video store the night before, Sheila was beside herself with worry.

I'd barely gotten three steps into the house before she rushed to hug me. Squeezed me so tight that I could hardly breathe.

She sat with me for a few hours, trying to get me to tell her what had happened.

Giving me both a shoulder to cry on and her ear to bend.

But instead of telling her the truth, I just kept toeing the company line.

Animal attack.

Mountain lion.

I'd finally lied and told her I needed to get some sleep and assured her for the hundredth time that I was okay.

I've always been close with my aunt and the fact that I couldn't tell her the truth about what happened made it hard to even be around her after the attack.

I'd tried to sleep. I really did.

Tossed and turned -then tossed and turned more, but my brain wouldn't shut off.

I knew Derek would eventually find me to get every detail I could remember about the night.

Finally, I'd given up on trying to get any sleep and decided to just write it all down. Put on paper exactly what I'd seen.

After all, isn't that when a witness statement is the most credible when it's still fresh in their head?

Maybe a part of me also felt like I'd feel better if I got everything out that was clogging up my mind.

Spoiler alert: it didn't help.

As impossible as it was, I just wanted to get back to normal.

Normal.

I'm not even sure that exists anymore. Not in a world where one of my best friends had been into a werewolf and my other best friend is more excited than scared of what's happening.

But against all odds, I had to try.

Even if there was an alpha out there possible targeting me, I couldn't just stop living my life.

As I told Derek that night on the porch before he kissed me and ran off, if that alpha wants me dead -I'm already gone.

Not like I have a chance in hell of fighting that thing off.

A chill ran up my spine at remembering just how the beast had towered over Jackson.

I hadn't started to regret my decision to go to school that day until Derek had pulled up by the door and I spotted Jackson heading up the sidewalk towards the school.

I'd just assumed both he and Lydia wouldn't be there.

Resisting the urge to just duck down out of sight and yell at Derek to drive, I got out his Camaro with my bags in hand, mumbled a thanks for the ride, and then lingered on the sidewalk for a little while -hoping to not cross paths with Jackson first thing that morning.

I knew I'd have to see him eventually and I guessed one of the first things out of his mouth would be some comment about my inability to stop crying the night before.

Take a jab at me.

Kick me while I was already down and struggling.

And even though I've never been easily brought to tears, I'm afraid even something as stupid as a smart-ass remark from Jackson Whittemore could possibly start the waterworks all over again.

I had to stop again just outside of the school door and take a deep breath to gather the strength to open the door and go inside.

For years now I've been living in this contradiction of not wanting to be invisible and feeling uncomfortable being the center of attention.

And now all I could think was how many students at my school heard about what happened.

Would they just stare at me or want to ask what happened?

Trying to shake those thoughts from my head, I opened the door and walked into what I'd hoped would be an empty hallway -but instead saw Jackson leaned against the wall.

His backpack slung over one shoulder Like he were a model in one of those back-to-school clothing ads.

He had an expectant look on his face.

Crap.
I sighed both on the inside and outwardly.

He was waiting on me.

Here we go, let the taunts begin.

"Still hanging out with McCall's drug dealer?"

He asked me.

He must have seen me with Derek and for whatever reason was still convinced Scott was on drugs and Derek was the dealer.

It was comical. Enough so that I almost laughed. Almost.

"He's not a drug dealer."

I set the record straight.

But it was clear from the expression on Jackson's face he wasn't buying a bit of what I was selling.

He opened his mouth, then stopped and shook his head.

Like he was going to ask me something but then changed his mind.

In silence, we walked to the office to check in and get our hall passes for class.

I realized as we walked into the office that we both had chemistry.

The secretary looked up from her computer at us, then did a painfully obvious double-take.

Shocked to see us at school, I guessed.

"Oh my god," She exclaimed, pushing her wire-rimmed glasses back up on her nose, "You poor things! How are you?"

"Fine."

Jackson and I both automatically answered.

Robotic and unemotional.

That's what everyone wanted anyway.

Not like anyone genuinely wants a messy response to that question.

They want quick and easy.

God, how I wish my life was somewhere near the realm of easy.

While the secretary typed something on the computer and then gave us our handwritten passes for class, she kept rambling on about how she couldn't believe what had happened at the video store.

How she was so happy we were all okay and something about how her husband ordering them some bear spray.

My ears perked at that.

I had regular mace that my aunt had given me a while back. I highly doubt that would slow down an alpha werewolf… but maybe something as powerful as mace meant for a giant animal?

I looked over at Jackson.

As much as I wanted to forget the events of the prior night, I was now trying to remember just how big the alpha looked crouched over him.

Probably about the same size as a bear… I guess?

"What are you doing?" Jackson asked me, his lip curled.

God only knows how long he was watching me stare at him.

I'm sure he probably thought I was entranced by his model-good looks; little did he know I was picturing him on the floor of the video store again.

"Nothing." I brushed the hard stare he was giving me off and offered a smile to the secretary as she handed over the passes.

We both started down the hall towards chemistry.

Jackson pulled the door open and I waited for him to walk in first.

Someone that self-absorbed doesn't bother holding the door for anyone.

A lesson I learned the hard way freshman year and I was walking behind him out of the school, he'd looked over his shoulder at me.

Common courtesy is you hold the door until the person behind you at least has a hand on it so it doesn't smack them.

Whelp, Jackson Whittemore has zero common courtesy and I ended up with a bruise on my arm from where the heavy door hit me.

With a sigh of utter irritation, he motioned with his free hand for me to go.

I still hesitated. Thinking this might be a joke and he's just going to slam the door on me or something.

But he didn't.

It was within just a matter of seconds that I felt everyone looking at me.

Mr. Harris had been in the middle of asking Stiles where Scott was but stopped mid-sentence when he saw Jackson and I appear at the front of the classroom.

Jackson lowered his head some and started for the only empty table in the room. Mr. Perfect apparently isn't feeling like being the center of attention today.

My gaze went over to where I usually sit with Stiles, but someone had taken my seat.

Stiles was staring at me wide-eyed.

The next thing I know, I was pulling a Jackson; lowered my head, and booked it to the last empty seat in the room; beside him.

Almost in unison, we both dropped out backpacks on the floor between our stools.

I half expected him to complain about my belongings touching his; or demand that I trade seats with Danny.

But he just sat there with his head lowered.

It was at that moment I realized I am not the only person in Beacon Hills struggling with the things I've seen.

I was struck by the thought of what was worse;

Knowing that werewolves were real and we were almost killed by the biggest and worst of them all, or not knowing the supernatural was real and trying to make sense of what he'd seen the night before.

Walking over to the side of our table, Mr. Harris placed a hand on Jackson's shoulder and spoke quietly to us both, "Jackson. Aubrie. If either of you need to leave early for any reason let me know."

Jackson nodded. From the side, I saw his throat move as he swallowed hard.

All I could do was stare at our teacher in shock.

Maybe our Harris does have a heart after all…he's usually such an ass.

Walking to the front of the classroom, Mr. Harris instructed all of us to start reading chapter 9 in our textbooks.

"Mr. Stilinski!" Our teacher called out, "Try putting the highlighter down between paragraphs. It's chemistry; not a coloring book."

Nope, he's definitely still an asshole.

When I looked over at Stiles, he was leaned back on his stool trying to look under the table Jackson and I were sitting at.

My guess was he was trying to verify if I was wearing jeans and sneakers; I am.

Our middle school didn't have a swimming pool and in eighth grade, they'd bus our gym classes over for P.E. to the high school for swimming.

And one day, the really cute high-schooler they had as the lifeguard complimented me on my great legs, I'm not a vain person… but I do have great legs.

My mom and sister did too. Must run in the family.

Stiles knows that since that day I have only worn jeans or pants when it's way too cold outside or we're planning an outdoor outing or something of the sort.

Scott, Stiles and I, all had such big dreams for freshman year.

They were sure they'd make the lacrosse team and become star athletes.

I traded in all of my jeans and pants for dresses and skirts, most of them my Aunt Sheila thought were far too short.

I trained myself how to walk in heels and watched countless hours of online videos from beauty gurus.

A smile spread over my lips at the memories. The three of us thinking we were going to somehow morph into different people when we started freshman year; that we'd no longer be losers.

But it turned out that both Scott and Stiles majorly sucked at lacrosse and even with killer legs on full display -I was still just as invisible as they were.

Funny how those disappointments of last year feel like the good old days now that we're sophomores and Scott is a werewolf.

He's amazing at lacrosse and has Allison now.

The popular group is sitting at our table most lunch days.

Stiles seems to be having the time of his life learning about the supernatural.

And I am no longer invisible; considering I've managed to snag the attention of one Derek Hale.

I guess we all should have been more careful about what we wished for last year.

Stiles had leaned back a little too far on his seat trying to see what I was wearing and managed to fall backward off the stool.

It's a miracle he didn't crack his head open on the table.

When he stood up, he shot me a questioning look, and still being upset with him, I quickly looked away.

That's right, Stiles.

I am wearing one of the only pairs of jeans I still own; paired with Chuck Taylors.

Why?

The better to run for my life in, my dear.

~( )~

"Brie!"

I could hear Stiles' voice over the noise of the hallway after class but I pretended I couldn't hear him.

That was until I reached my locker where I had to stop to get my binder for next period and he caught up with me.

His shoes made a loud screeching sound against the polished linoleum floor when he skidded to a stop.

"Brie!" He repeated, out of breath. His mouth hanging open, "I kept yelling you for you. Guess you couldn't hear me."

I blinked at him in disbelief.

People that don't know him tend to write him off as a spaz, but I happen to know that Stiles is actually very smart and perceptive -except, apparently when it comes to reading me all of a sudden.

"I need your phone."

He held his hand out, flapping it around impatiently.

"Why?"

I briefly glanced his way.

"Uh, because I need to call Scott!"

"Use your own phone."

"I tried. Like nine million times. He's not answering." Stiles finally admitted.

"Fine." I relented, unzipping my purse to get my phone, "If he's ignoring you what makes you think he'll pick up for my number?"

I placed my phone in his hand but didn't let go until I was sure he wasn't going to flail and drop it.

Stiles looked around us.

"Because he's worried about you, Brie."

Is he now?

"We both are," Stiles added.

I let out the breath I'd been holding and shut my locker door; going from being mad at him to feeling guilty for ignoring both of their calls.

Stiles looked down to my phone and I saw him type in the passcode.

It didn't dawn on me until I saw his mouth drop open that the last thing I'd had open on my phone was the one-sided text conversation from Derek -which I had also ignored.

My eyes widened as he held up the phone to show me the screen.

"What?" He almost shouted, "You're texting him now?"

Clearly, Stiles, if you'd pay attention you would see that I most certainly did not text him back.

I ignored every text message and call after he'd resorted to trying to reach me that way.

"My dad is asking me questions you know!" Stiles said. It sounded like an accusation.

"About me?"

"Yes!" He motioned with my phone towards where my hair was down and covering the hickey, "He asked me who you were seeing! And if that's why you're never around the house anymore."

"And then!" He pointed a finger in my face, "I had to lie to Scott when he asked me who did that to you!"

"How does Scott even know?" My voice came out far more shrill than I'd intended.

Why were they talking about me behind my back?

"He was at the video store last night after what happened. He and Derek were on the roof trying to see if they could pick up a scent or something from the alpha."

"Oh my god!" My knees buckled some and I shrunk a few inches before popping back up to my usual height, "So they both saw me talking to your dad? Like they saw the entire awkward exchange. Oh my god, this is awful."

"Um, hello!" He dramatically tossed his arms to the sides, "I saw it too! And I am scarred for life."

I rolled my eyes.

Shaking his head and trying to focus back on the task at hand, he called Scott and I leaned in, pretty much pressing my ear to the other side of the phone as it rang.

"Brie?" Scott answered, "Hey, are you okay?"

"Finally! Have you been getting any of my texts?" Stiles said so loud I immediately regretted being that close to him.

"Stiles? Yeah… I saw your texts. Is Brie okay?"

I cringed.

"Brie is…" Stiles eyed me from where I was still huddled up to his side trying to hear the conversation, "I don't know. She's wearing jeans and I don't think she slept much."

"What the f-" I started to complain but Stiles cut me off.

"Scott, you have to get back here, okay? Lydia's totally MIA. Jackson looks like he's got a time bomb inserted into his face. Another random guy is dead and you have to do something about it!" He spoke loudly over me.

I did my best to avoid the stares from the girl who has a locker right beside mine.

I'm sure she's heard plenty of odd conversations from us before but this probably takes the cake.

Scott said he'd do something about it later and hung up.

I quickly took my phone back from Stiles.

He looked like he was about to throw it across the hallway.

A small part of me thought he might try to delete Derek's number too.

Not that I cared…

"Where is he?" I asked my best friend.

"Off with Allison." Stiles sighed.

I internally sighed along with him.

Like I'd told Derek, these days if it doesn't directly involve Allison Argent, Scott doesn't care.

Ugh. I sighed again.

This time at myself.

Derek Hale manages to find his way into my every waking thought. It's entirely out of my control.

"It's her birthday." Stiles continued to explain, "I guess she's all embarrassed because she's turning seventeen and doesn't want anyone to know."

I frowned.

I'm not that far away from turning seventeen either.

Not like I'm proud of having to repeat a year after my family went missing… but I didn't know I should be embarrassed about it.

I didn't feel ashamed until now.

Thanks, Allison.

~(Later that night)~

I looked down at my cellphone as it started buzzing in my hand.

It was a text from Scott, wanting to know how Stiles' dad was doing.

Earlier that night at the parent-teacher conference, a mountain lion ended up in the school parking lot.

An actual cougar this time.

Not a cover story for another werewolf attack.

But rising fear from the recent animal attacks had sent everyone into a state of absolute panic.

Someone trying to hurry out of a parking spot had hit Stiles' dad.

He'd been knocked down. Injured.

But Stiles told me was going to be fine.

I was under strict orders not to give Scott any details.

According to Stiles; we're not talking to him right now.

I'm really not a fan of this two against one thing. It's certainly made me feel like shit in the past when I've done something to make them bad and they both ignored me.

I'm not taking sides and I told Stiles as much.

But this is his dad that was hurt and Stiles had spent all day trying to convince Scott that he needed to try and do something and was ignored.

But at the same time with everything Scott's going through, I don't blame him for wanting to just get away for a day and spend time with his girlfriend. He might have supernatural abilities now but I don't think that should automatically make it his responsibility to do something about everything that happens.

Then again… Derek had said Scott's connection to the alpha is our best chance at finding out who it is and stopping them.

So maybe his feelings for Allison could take just a backseat until we figure who the alpha is?

Shelia had been at the conference earlier that night. She was shaken up when she got home and told me that Chris Argent had shot and killed the mountain lion.

Apparently, his hunting skills weren't limited to the supernatural.

The more I think about it, the more I think maybe Derek was right. I shouldn't have intervened that day at the gas station.

Openly associating myself with him right in front of a group of hunters.

I've already got a monstrous alpha werewolf targeting me -the last thing I need are hunters after me too.

With a groan, I hung my head and rubbed my eyes with my free hand.

Here we go. Another sleepless night.

I knew it would be. Which is why I'd already made other plans.

Right on cue, I heard a car from down the street.

Standing up from where I'd been sitting, I remained on the safety of the porch until the sleek black Camaro pulled to a stop.

Headlights off.

Derek probably assumed I was sneaking out.

Shelia is already in bed and that woman sleeps like the dead.

Dead?
God, I've got to start using some new terminology.

(Derek's point of view)

I saw Aubrie lingering at the top of the porch steps.

For a moment I thought she'd changed her mind but then she finally descended the stairs wearing a pair of shorts and a hoodie with the Beacon Hills High School logo on it.

She slid her phone into the pocket of the hoodie just before opening the passenger door and getting inside of my car.

The cool night air came in with her, carrying her scent strongly right to my nose when I breathed in.

I just keep trying and failing to stay away from her.

Then again, when I'm trying to keep her safe from the alpha I can only stay so far away.

With a sigh at myself, I had to admit that was an excuse.

Everything about her draws me in and the last thing I want between us is distance, but I don't have a choice.

I've got to find out who the alpha is.

My focus needs to be solely on that and I cannot let myself be distracted.

"Ready?" I asked her once she latched her seatbelt.

"Let's go," Brie said as she looked over at me.

There was a touch of mint in the air as she spoke. She'd just brushed her teeth recently.

My eyes traced her face.

She wasn't wearing any make-up; she didn't need it.

Focus.

I reminded myself, pulling my eyes away from her and shifting the car into drive.

I can't get side-tracked.

It's not Brie's fault but she's a distraction.

An utterly beautiful distraction; I thought with another stolen glance in her direction when we drove under a streetlight.

The rest of the car ride was quiet. But it was a comfortable silence being with her now.

I'm thankful for that. Not to mention also rare to find that with someone and it also means she's grown comfortable being around me -she used to nervously ramble and try to fill up the empty space.

Yeah, this is a huge step up from when he was convinced I was a serial killer.

When I pulled into a parking spot at the back of the video store, I could feel the mood change in the car.

Brie has had an air of fear around her for quite some time now.

But this was more, the scent was bitter and strong, something more like absolute terror.

Leaving my car to idle instead of shutting it off, I watched her as she slowly removed the seat belt; there was no missing the tremble of her hands with the movement.

"You sure you're up to this?" I questioned.

Letting out a ragged breath, she sunk back against the passenger seat and I thought she might start crying.

She'd been inconsolable the night of the attack when I'd watched her from the roof.

Strong emotions manifest themselves differently in everyone. It seemed like hers was uncontrollable sobbing.

"Don't worry," Brie finally said her voice strong, "I know you saw me that night but I'm not going to burst into tears this time around."

My brows lowered at her tone.

Crisp and cold.

Embarrassed and defensive.

She must feel like I'm judging her for it but I'm not.

Considering everything she's learned and gone through in a relatively short time, she's handling it the best she can.

"I'm not going to cry." She repeated.

I'm not sure which one of us she's trying to convince.

I looked over to see her gather up her hair in her hands and secured it into place on the top of her head with a band from her wrist. The result was an extremely messy pile of her dark brunette hair with random pieces poking out all over the place.

Then she turned to face me and gave a single, determined nod to show me she wasn't backing down.

The corners of my mouth curved up against my will as I stared back at her.

So beautiful -and she doesn't even know it.

"Don't look at me like that!" Anger flashed over her face and I was completely stricken with confusion until she continued to scold me, "Don't make fun of me. I couldn't help it, okay?"

My attempt to smile at her hadn't gone over well.

Instead, she thought I was going to laugh at her.

Without another word she got out of my car and slammed the door behind her.

I shut the car off and scrambled out after her.

Seeing as how I've not exactly been warm to her it's no wonder she just assumed the worst from me.

"I wasn't making fun of you." I pointed out when I caught up with her by the building.

She was not the least bit pleased with me and seemed to be regretting ever texting me earlier in the night, to begin with.

"Whatever." She grumbled under her breath. She ducked under the crime scene ribbon that the police still had strung up around the building.

Lifting up the slack of the yellow tape, I ducked under it and caught back up with her.

The movement she made when she turned her head to look around the parking lot exposed the discoloration my mouth had left behind on the tender spot where her neck met her shoulder.

I still can't believe I nearly marked her.

But with the way I left things between us that night, I couldn't deny I felt guilty. Aubrie had no idea what had been running through my head. I'm sure to her I'm a world-class jerk.

It would have probably been better to let her think that. More likely that she'd try to keep her own distance from me that way.

However, it bothered me more than it should have that she wasn't only angry at me but she was hurt.

"Brie," I caught her arm in my hand when she stubbornly continued to walk away from me, "I'm serious. I wasn't."

"Oh, yeah?" Her brows shot up in disbelief, "Then what was that?"

She waved an arm towards the direction of my car in a very exaggerated manner.

"What?" I questioned.

"That face you gave me back there."

She really wasn't going to let this go. She's pissed.

"Maybe I was smiling at you." I opted for the truth.

Figured I've already done enough damage.

Brie's face twisted up, her eyes narrowed.

I thought she was going to yell at me but instead, she looked genuinely puzzled, "Smile at me?"

I nodded.

"Okay…" She breathed out seeming lost in her thoughts.

If I had to guess, I'd imagine she's probably trying to locate a memory to compare it to. I don't think she has one.

Smiling isn't exactly my default.

"Okay." Brie seemed to finally accept. Then she caught me off guard as she commented, "Do better next time."

If she hadn't turned back toward the building so fast she'd have seen another smile; she almost got a laugh out of me with that reaction.

Reaching past her, I broke the chains the police had been using to secure the doors to the building.

But I left it up to her to open the doors to go in when she was ready.

Aubrie couldn't have been more wrong in thinking that I was going to make fun of her for the reaction she'd had to what she'd gone through just a few nights before.

In coming back to the scene of that trauma so soon, I thought she was being incredibly brave.

Especially considering this was her idea.

She'd been the one who texted me, saying she wanted to go back to the video rental store. See if being back there could trigger something she might have forgotten or blocked out. Anything that might get us closer to finding the alpha.

The air thickened with tension as we stood inside of the store and Aubrie nervously looked around.

Her panic started to come to the surface. Adrenaline. Flight or fight.

It was pouring off of her. So much so you'd have thought she was face-to-face with the alpha right now.

"Walk me through it," I instructed when it felt like we were seconds away from her trying to bolt from the building.

"I, uh…" Aubrie breathed out, running her tongue over her lips, eyes darting back and forth across the wrecked interior.

"When did you first realize something was wrong?" I pushed.

Slowly she walked further into the building and I followed a few steps behind.

"The body." Her gaze now seemed fixed on a certain spot in the store. In the same direction I could smell blood in, "Jackson and I… we found the body. And that's when I knew…"

"That you were in danger?"

"No. I mean yes, but no…" She shook her head almost frantically, "That's when I knew that it was here."

Mimicking a slashing motion with her fingers at the front of her throat she admitted, "I moved in closer to the see wounds and I knew what caused it."

"The growl!" She gasped as if she was hearing it in real-time, "Then I saw the red eyes and…Jackson just froze."

I listened as she explained how she'd pulled him behind one of the shelves out of plain sight from where the alpha was.

That she couldn't believe she was going die with Jackson Whittemore of all people.

I've met him -can't say that I blame her.

We crossed to the other side of the store, the entire time one emotion overpowering the rest; fear.

That was until she knelt down by the toppled shelving and I felt something change with her.

Shift from fear to anger.

"What just happened?" I asked.

"The alpha was running from one side of the store to the other. It was so loud it was like thunder." She shook her head back and forth, the messy poof of a bun she'd created with her hair starting to loosen.

"Okay." I nodded even though she wasn't watching me, "But something happened. You went from scared to mad."

Brie stood up and turned to face me with her expression twisted up in confusion.

"No, I was terrified the entire time." She insisted.

Her attention was pulled back over to the spot where she'd been hiding before she slowly looked back at me. Pausing before she peered up at me from those long, dark lashes.

She has got to stop looking at me like that…

"You're right." Brie said with wide eyes, "I got mad because it was just toying with us. He or she… or whatever it is, had us cornered. No way we could outrun it or fight it off. We were powerless… but instead of going in for the kill it just…"

She shook her head and repeated something that angered me every single time she said it, "If the alpha wants me dead then there's nothing I can do. I'm already gone."

I opened my mouth to argue with her and that completely unacceptable notion.

But she reached out and grasped onto my arm.

"Brie?" I leaned down some, trying to catch her line of sight as she looked back and forth around the store in a frenzied movement.

"I'm not dead though." She spoke the words with admonishment in her tone.

Her grip tightened on my arm.

"I don't think it's me that it wants. If I was being targeted by the alpha… why am I still alive?"

My eyes met hers and I didn't have an answer.

Like she'd just pointed out, the alpha was blatantly making it a point to terrify and toy with both her and Jackson.

If she is the target then it may be waiting for another opportunity.

There's also no way to rule out that the reason the alpha had been by her family's house was that someone else was a target; her aunt or uncle. Possibly both.

And while that was a better option in my reality, I highly doubted she'd view it that way. So I kept my thoughts to myself.

Brie's hold loosened from the vice grip she'd had on my arm until her hand fell away from me altogether.

Her uneven breathing drew my attention back to her and for the first time, I realized just how exhausted she looked.

Facing down what happened seemed to have lessened the state of terror she'd been stuck in, but now that the adrenaline was gone, she seemed to be doing good to stay upright.

"Are you okay?"

We both seemed a little surprised by the level of concern in my voice accompanying the question.

"I think I just wanna go home." Her voice wasn't more than a whisper.

She'd been through enough.

"Come on," I offered up my hand, which she took without hesitation, "Let's get you home then."

A/N - Thank you all for reading!

I'd like to thank: Emmettluver2010, TheQueenofGoodbyes , sunrisekisses, BaDWolF89, xJenzaFreakx, monkeybaby, TheMorbidGal, Skylar Winchester, and mercury30 for reviewing since my last update.

The feedback and support means more than you know and is really keeping me motivated to keep writing and posting!