Chapter 5

The neighbor's multi-red cobblestone home was twice as big as Scarlet's. They had a small playground in the back where some trees grew. Vines wrapped the sides of their home, nearly covering the windows of the second floor. Scarlet didn't know much about their neighbors, her grandmother hardly mentioned them. In retrospection, Scarlet figured out her grandmother likely wanted to be close to the neighbors so they didn't suspect she was hiding a Lunar princess in her basement.

They stood at their neighbor's door, trying to look 'natural'.
"Just two average nobodies" Scarlet said fixing his plaid green shirt, ironing down any wrinkles.

Scarlet wore her only pair of denim shorts and calf boots. She picked a stainless white tank top and wore a red plaid shirt on top. "So, do I make the cut for a cute and innocent farm-girl?" She posed for Ze've with the picnic basket in her arms, both hands clasped together she brought to her chin.

"I'm thinking of a lot of things, but they are all far from cute and innocent," He gave her a mischievous smile.

She grimaced. She was more nervous than he was, burdened with the guilt of not having attempted contact earlier.

He cleared his throat, concealing his disappointment in her response. "Look, let's just assume they don't live under a rock and haven't already made their impressions of us from the feeds,"

"That's not helping! I don't know what nonsense they've been brainwashing these people with!"

For Ze've, his clothing options were just as limited as hers, but they found blue jeans to go with the green plaid. "Average people like colors…I think." Ze've originally picked out an orange and pink scarf, aviator sunglasses, and a straw hat to 'compliment' his outfit. She wished she had taken a picture of the horrendous combination of clothes he had come up with.

"Hello…?"

A woman warily opened the door, only enough to stick her half her body out. She was fit woman in her early 40's. Her brunette hair was always put up in a bun and she chose to wear mid-length dresses that covered half her arms.

Scarlet coughed, "Hi, Mrs. Lang? My name is Scarlet Benoit" she stuck out her hand to shake hers.

"I know who you are…" the mother's eyes never left Ze've.

"and this is my.."

"-Ze've Kesley," The mother's eyes widened, as if she didn't expect "it" to talk. "Uhh, we've brought you some cake."

The tension was thick; it was difficult to point out who actually felt more uncomfortable of the three.

"Would you allow us to join you for teatime?" Scarlet coughed again trying to gain the woman's attention. "Maybe we can get to know each other..and.."

"Mama, what's going on?" A little boy pushed his dazed mother out of his way.

"Adrien! No-I-" She scooped him up at once, but she was too stiff to return him inside. Adrien looked at Ze've suspiciously, but he showed little fear. The other child followed shortly. Seeing Ze've, the younger child jumped and hid behind his mother, covering his eyes with her dress.

Greaaaaat. Scarlet rolled her eyes. She wiped her both hands on her jeans, "Well- I guess we'll be on our-"

The older boy interrupted her. "Your eyes are like the green the lights on my hover bike," He almost flung himself from his mother's arms to touch Ze've's face. The mother had no chance to pull her son back.

"Are you going to eat us?" The child raised an eyebrow at him.

Scarlet's eyes widened. Yes, we'll wash you down with wine and have cake for dessert.

"No. I prefer the tomatoes on the farm. Do you grow any here?"

The little boy behind his mother lowered the skirt revealing half his face as if he wanted to answer.

"Can you read our minds?" The mother asked.

WHAT?! Scarlet screamed in her head. Where were they getting these ideas from? How was it possible the mother asked a stupider question than her 7 year old son?

"No, I've never had this ability. But I guess it would be useful- especially when understanding Scarlet sometimes," his eyes met hers momentarily.

Was it amusing to see how uncomfortable she was?

Ze've saw that they were all waiting for himself or Scarlet to say something.

"Look, I understand you are scared. You've seen the monsters on the netscreens, you've seen what they can do. You have every right to fear for your safety."

All eyes turned to Ze've. He did not break stare with the mother.

"I promise you, I am not dangerous. I am not like the others who are manufactured to kill and destroy. I am free. I've come to live with my alph-I mean-girlfriend and take care of the farm her grandmother has passed on to her. I mean you no harm."

Scarlet could hear her heartbeat in the silence.

"I-I believe you... I was always close to your Grand-mére Scarlet. She helped me through some rough times. Some say she was a bit weird, but she was so full of love. She taught me to be more open-minded. I saw you all over the net and port screens, and I initially didn't want to believe an animal-I mean a soldier of the Lunar queen would have anything to do with her defeat. But-," she examined his eyes, "I believe you. You betrayed your queen to destroy her. You saved us."

"She was not my queen. She was my captor. I owe my freedom to Scarlet. I have vowed to protect her ever since."

She looked at Ze've with awe, she knew he meant every word. The mother finally removed her gaze away from Ze've- a sign she trusted him. She put her child down and looked at Scarlet. "The Benoits are very special people," she said sincerely.

Scarlet blushed, "Thank you,"

"Your Grand-mére? Where is she now?"

"She's passed…" Scarlet's eyes darted to the ground.

"I am sorry- where are my manners? Please call me Nadine. These are my sons, Adrien and Aden. Seeing his mother relaxed, the smaller boy stepped out from behind his mom's skirt. "Please come in," She extended her hand to lead the two inside. "Let me just call my husband to…let him know the situation..."

Ze've looked at Scarlet with relief, she reciprocated the look. "Dodged a bullet there,"

"Literally,"

Scarlet and Ze've began laying the contents out of their picnic basket on the dining table. The smallest child ran back and forth getting the utensils, while the older child stayed with the two, continuing his stare at big towering wolf-man in his home.

"Didn't your mama teach you it's impolite to stare," Scarlet wagged a finger at him. The boy glared at her, and she returned the look. Brat.

"Don't mind her," Ze've kneeled on both knees. "Is there something you want to say Adrien?"

The child leaned closer and put a hand to his ear as if he was going to share a secret, "You couldn't be the one,"

"What one..?"

"The big, yellow eyed monster. The other night I saw him in the fields. I swear I've seen the same eyes in the trees near my bedroom. I think he can fly."

Ze've did not change his expression. "Go on…"

"Do you believe me?" The boy lowered his voice. Without his heightened sense of hearing, Ze've might've missed it. "Can you protect us?"

The wolf hybrid distanced himself from the boy to take a look at him. He was probably the smallest in his class, dark brown hair, dark eyes that showed little fear. He just wanted to protect himself and his family. Ze've saw himself in the little boy.

He nodded.

The little boy embraced him.

The lemon cake had reduced to bits of crumbs on the silver platter.

"Mama, may we be excused?' The younger boy pushed the plate full of crumbles away from him. The two boys stacked their plates and rushed outside, leaving the three adults.

Mrs. Lang stood up to begin piling the empty plates.

"Nadine…" He stopped her from reaching his plate. "There's something I'd like to discuss with you".

"Is anything the matter?" Mrs. Lang asked.

"There's a monster in your woods,"

Both Scarlet and Mrs. Lang exchanged confused looks. "Excuse me?"

"I smelled him when we entered your property and your son has seen him more than once. I suspect he's stalking your son, waiting for the right moment to take him."

The mother gasped, looking horrified.

"Adrien…he mentioned it before once. I didn't believe him. The village has been so peaceful these past weeks with the increase in militia. Should I call the police? What should I do?" There was some desperation in her voice. She knew some less fortunate people who have recounted their experiences with these monsters to her, not withholding any details of their horror. She let her body collapse back on the chair, "My husband's mother had an emergency trip to the hospital. He's keeping her company and he won't be back for another 2 days…" She ran a hand through her messy hair, loosening the bun. She tried her best to hold back tears, "I can't protect my sons alone. I won't let them be taken!"

Scarlet placed a hand on Nadine's shoulder.

Ze've stood up, standing upright, his hands curling in tight fists. "No one else is loosing family because of monsters."

Nadine could not longer compose herself, her face wet from the tears dripping down her face. Whatever it was, it had been watching her, watching her sons. Calculating moves, while she stayed up nights watching net dramas completely oblivious to the danger just outside her door.

"Do you trust us?" gripping Nadine's shoulder.

She nodded, burying her face in her hands.

"Then tell me where you keep your traps. It's time to fortify this house".