Chapter 13

Peter had been studying the Denali clan from afar, taking mental notes on how to key in on getting close to their family. His original thoughts were to get cozy with Tanya, though he began to rethink and get more creative; go outside of the box a little.

Garrett he'd seen surfing many times in the icy waters, always late at night when no one was around. At first, Peter didn't see any pattern to his hobby pattern, though now he began to realize that it was typically Mondays, Tuesdays and, at times, Wednesdays when he'd spot Garrett riding the waves.

Peter did his best to hit the nail on the head when it came to surfer styler and lingo. He began wearing his hair messy and bought some beachy looking outfits. As a human, he'd spent a little time trying to master the sport in Martha's Vineyard, though found himself only to be mediocre. For the time being, that's all he really needed to be. His immortal strength and no true necessity for balance practically turned him into a world champion in the ocean. This would be his link to fit in with the family.

He darted off into the waters,dipping beneath the first wave as it broke over his head. For fifteen minutes or so he almost forgot what his purpose was for being there, truly enjoying the ocean waves around him and standing up on the board as it carried him toward the shore. Once or twice an excited wail left his mouth as he cruised on top of the choppy ocean water.

When Garrett finally arrived, Peter found himself caught a little off guard. He'd been so distracted by the joys of the sport that his mind wasn't fully focused on the business at hand. He allowed Garrett to approach him first.

"Not many surfers in these parts at two in the morning," his voice called in the darkness.

"Never usually anyone but me," Peter called back, "Who are you?" He tried to sound suspicious, as if it had been Garrett who'd stumbled upon his territory.

"I'm Garrett," he paddled closer, "And I've been coming here for quite some time. Never seen you around."

"Peter. I typically enjoy the weekends," Peter told him, "I ran into a fisherman once on a week night and it turned me off. Never had a problem on Fridays or Saturdays."

"What made you change your routine?"

"I was bored. Got the itch."

Garrett nodded, overly suspicious because of the recent events that occurred.

"I've been coming here on and off for two decades," Peter lied, "But if you'd like me to back off and leave the sea to you, I'll go. I don't want any trouble. I know how some surfers like their space."

"Do you have a residence around here?" Garrett asked, eager to get information from the stranger.

"Not permanently anymore. I spent a lot of time in Australia. Some on the east coast. New England mainly. I lived here for a time, about eight or nine years ago."

He nodded.

"If I'm intruding, I'll leave you be."

"Do you belong to a coven?"

"No. I travel alone. Probably because I enjoy seeing the world. I never stay in one place for long."

"No mate?"

Peter laughed, "No. Again, most likely because of my traveling interest. But maybe one day someone will have the ability to tie me down." He laughed again.

Garrett smiled, "I know the feeling."

"No mate either?" Peter asked, already knowing the answer.

"I do now, yes, but I was a bit of a traveler for awhile until I was fortunate enough to find someone."

Both of them sat stationary on their surfboards, bobbing in the water as the waves lapsed onto them before breaking closer to shore.

"Well," Peter said, "I'll leave the ocean to you tonight. I've already done my share of surfing tonight. I really hope I'm not intruding on you, or anyone. I didn't know there were any of... our kind out this way."

Garrett's walls of suspicious slowly came down, "We don't really occupy this area in particular, but we reside in the state. I come out here for some personal time to surf on my own. I'm not one to say who can surf here, and who can't. We, uh, we just don't hunt humans. We live off of animals, so.. I mean just don't draw attention to yourself because it could cause backlash on us."

"I understand," Peter said, "Animals? I've never heard of such a thing. Does it satisfy your thirst?" His fake enthusiasm was remarkable and worthy of an Oscar.

"It does," Garrett said, "I suppose I'm the newest to the lifestyle, but yes it gets you through. It's much different, and I must admit, challenging at first."

"I actually sometimes truly hate feeding on humans," Peter shook his head, "I feel so guilty."

"You're better than I was." He let a laugh ring out into the early morning sky.

"Well, as long as it won't be a problem... I suppose in the future it would be alright to surf here? Chances are I won't be here longer than a few months.. at most."

Garrett shrugged, "Like I said, it's not my ocean. And as long as your hunting choices are in check, and you can keep a lower profile to public, it shouldn't be a problem."

He nodded, "Nice meeting you, then." He held out a hand and Garrett shook it.

Peter smiled and made his way back to a little santuary in the woods that he'd set up for himself. Though he preferred a hotel, he didn't want to slip up and cause a distraction from his main goal. The last thing he wanted was the Denalis on his bad side. From here on out, he would continue to 'accidentally' run into Garrett, befriend him and then attack from the inside.