Sorry it's so long!Redwood
Chapter One
She ran. Her arms and legs screamed in protest as she pumped them and her limbs burned but she ran. She couldn’t hear him; she couldn’t hear anything but her own shallow breathing and feet pounding against the pavement. But she could feel him behind her, that eerie presence that sent chills through her. She stopped when she emerged onto a lamp lit street. She was lost; she had never seen this part of the city before. Pretty little identical houses lined either side of the road, suburban hell. She slowed my breathing and let the cool night air cling to her sweat dampened skin. She felt the burning ache from the cut along her collar bone and the sense of exhaustion that swept over her entire body. She thanked God for the street posts and the light they emitted, but cursed him for the shadows they created. She could still feel him there, lurking in the shadows, laughing at her fear. She couldn’t shake him.
Then something grabbed her.
Brennan Parker jumped in her bed. Feeling the warm sheets and familiar mold of her mattress she let her tense muscles slowly relax. She was at home, she was safe.
Brennan laid in bed for a while, letting the still set back in and attempting to push the thoughts out of her mind. But they seeped in like water through paper. She thought about what happened after he grabbed her, how she passed out then woke up rolling down a stark white hallway on a stretcher. She thought about seeing her family, their eyes swollen and their faces tired. She thought about the pain in her head, and how she couldn’t remember anything until her mom told her what happened-then it all came rushing back. She thought about the FBI agents in their suits asking her questions she couldn’t answer. She even thought about the pictures of him they showed her. He had a beautiful face. She remembered how everything about him had been so perfect, perfect hair, perfect smile, perfect nose, perfect smooth voice, and perfect soft touch. But there was something in his eyes, untamed, haunting and slightly off. They told her it wasn’t a random attack, that he picked her. But she got away. He got away too. She thought about how they told her family that he might come back, that he might try to hurt her again, but that they would catch him. Then they moved.
The thought she tried most to keep out of her mind was how they never caught him, how he was still out there somewhere.
A sliver of light came through the curtains hanging over the window. She turned to the clock and the alarm started buzzing, interrupting the quiet. She clicked it to silence and threw the covers off of herself, there would be no snoozing today, not even if she wanted to. Cold October air rushed onto her skin sending shivers through her. Brennan padded barefoot across the icy floorboards to the window. Thrusting the curtains open she saw the pale sun hanging in the gray sky, a thin vapor of cloud dimming its light even more.
She let her eyes wander down and fall on the trees, the miles and miles of trees that stretched all the way into town. It amazed her how beautiful the woods could look even when they were dying. Their ordinarily green leaves had burned red and crisped gold. The wind swept through, shaking the branches and tearing the leaves from where they belonged. They fell dramatically to the ground already littered with the dead remnants of their fellow soldiers. It almost looked like the whole forest had caught up with some magical, never ending fire. Sometimes Sophie felt like one of those soldiers, torn from her tree and left to rot on the ground.
She closed the window and clasped it shut with a shiver. She escaped into the bathroom and the warm water of a shower for a few moments before starting her morning routine. It had been the same now for three years and surprisingly it helped, the repetitive motions kept her mind busy. Today especially she needed her mind busy, she couldn’t think about the night mare. It had been nearly two years since the last one. She told herself it was just an echo, a memory that had been pushed down for so long it had to come up, it didn’t mean anything.
After debating about what to do with her unmanageable chocolate brown locks she decided to let them dry in their natural waves and swept them back in a thin headband. She slipped on her favorite jeans and red sweater like a second skin then grabbed her backpack and slipped out into the hallway. The hall was dark and the air was still, like a deep breath before she headed down the stairs where the house was alive.
Brennan’s mom, Grace, stood in the kitchen in her apron that seemed as much a part of Grace as her right foot. She had one hand resting on her hip while the other absently stirred a pot on the stove. Her eyes were glued to the television and the local morning news. The words Breaking News scrolled across the screen and a reporter stood on the side of the road, police cars and an animal control truck parked in the background.
“What happened?” Brennan asked and her mom started.
“You scared me,” she laughed, turning back to the pot and stirring with more fervor, “they found some dead animals in the woods.”
“Call me crazy but that doesn’t seem like a news flash to me,” she said raising an eyebrow.
“They’d been hung and gutted, like a slaughter house,” Grace said, disgust in her tone. Brennan scrunched her nose up and turned back to see footage of the rope hanging from the trees.
“That’s horrible.” She said. Her mom shook her head and flipped the channel to the food network.
“I’m making hot chocolate, do you want some for the ride?” she asked. Brennan nodded before grabbing a muffin and nudging the swinging door to the dining room open.
She stepped inside to find her dad and oldest brother, John, pouring over papers they had spread over half the length of the dining room table. She saw the Parker Foods logo at the top of some of the pages and realized they were talking business, the family business. Jessie, the middle of Brennan’s three brothers, headed up the marketing and advertising office in New York City. He took over after he finished business school and their dad decided to retire to help John with the orchards at the base of the operations in Redwood, New York, where they lived. Not that he had actually done any retiring. In fact she was pretty sure her dad did even more work now than when they lived in the city, but he seemed to enjoy it more.
“Working hard?” she asked.
“Hardly working,” her dad responded with a smile and a stretch. He leaned back in his chair and took his glasses off, leaving them to rest on top of his head, “we’re going to purchase a vineyard upstate and add a wine label to Parker Foods.”
“Interesting. I should get going,” she said and then leaned down next to John’s ear and shouted, “Good morning!” causing him to mess up the line he was highlighting.
“Isn’t it time for you to go to school?” he asked in an annoyed tone.
“Not before I get my smooch,” her dad said. With an eye roll and a sigh she backtracked around the table and planted one on his cheek, “Thank you. Have a good day at school punkin’.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she replied and headed into the living room. Her mom came in a few minutes later with a thermos of hot chocolate and a basket.
“Will you take this to Scotty and Kevin?” she asked, “Kevin hasn’t been feeling well so I made him some soup.” Brennan nodded as she pulled on her boots. She took the basket and thermos then was out the door and onto her favorite part of the morning.
The walk from the Parker house to the small cottage where her brother Scotty and his boyfriend/publicist Kevin lived was short but beautiful. The land had been in the family for generations but nobody had lived in the cottage until they moved to Redwood. Scotty and Kevin fixed it up and turned it into one of Brennan’s favorite places.
As she was through the woods she admired the sheer beauty of the scene. Brennan loved the way the trees were like statues, unique and still. She loved the warm colors of the forest even more. There was still a little life in the woods but in a few weeks all the leaves would be gone and the world would be deadened by snow for the season.
She rounded the path leading to the cottage, already decorated for Halloween. A Small stream ran along the path and attracted some small animals, sometimes even deer. Sometimes she pretended to be a princess from one of those fairy tales. Scotty had told her that modern day fairy tales were just watered down versions of the Grimm Brother’s original stories which were more terrifying than magical.
Without knocking Brennan entered the cottage and dropped her backpack and kicked her shoes off in the entry way, “Hello!” she called.
“In here!” Scotty called and she followed his voice to the cozy living room. On the way she passed the office, every inch of the walls covered in shelves upon shelves of books. The antique desk was littered with papers and pictures completing the picture.
Scotty was the youngest of her brothers but he still had seven years on Brennan, who was often referred to as an afterthought. She found Scotty perched on the edge of the couch, hands hovering over his laptop but his eyes glued to the television. The look on his face was of pure horror. Next to him Kevin sat staring wide eyed at the screen, steaming coffee mug halfway to his lips, and wrapped up in a blanket.
“Did you see this?” Scotty asked her, not taking his eyes off the news.
“Yeah, creepy, huh?” she replied tearing a chunk from her muffin and popping it in her mouth.
“Do you know Mr. Smith?” Kevin asked, his British accent shining through his congestion. She nodded, “His dogs went missing last week, I hope they haven’t just been found.” He motioned at the TV and Brennan shuddered at the thought. Mr. Smith was an old man who lived deep in the woods. Everyone said he was crazy but she just figured him for misunderstood. He had a whole bunch of dogs and as a joke kids from school would sneak out there at night and open the fence to let them out.
“I should use it in my next book,” Scotty said, taking a pen from behind his ear and jotting a note down on a pad resting on the couch.
“Speaking of books,” she said, “is it almost finished?” she referred to the final book in Scotty’s best selling and wildly popular crime novel series.
“No!” Kevin scolded turning to Scotty, “and his deadline is only three weeks away!”
“It’ll be finished,” Scotty said before turning to Brennan, “it’s just missing something, it’s the ending, I can’t get it right.”
“What’s that?” Kevin asked pointing at her.
She looked down at the basket in her hands and remembered she was making a delivery. She handed him the basket, “it’s from my mom, for you,” She turned to Scotty, “now if you don’t mind I would like to get to school on time today.”
After ten minutes of Kevin changing the music every five seconds and Scotty taking the turns at the last possible moment Brennan welcomed the sight of Redwood High school, happy just to have survived the trip.
Inside the cozy halls she found her locker and fought with it until it finally popped open. Everyone buzzed with the news of the occurrence in the woods, which apparently happened only a few miles away from the school. Everything in town is surrounded by a connecting run of woods, almost blocking Redwood off from the rest of the world completely, except for one road running in and out of town.
Brennan received a few ‘hellos’ and ‘good mornings’ from people she barely ever talked to and responded with smiles. Popularity was not something she really enjoyed, but it came with the territory of having one of the wealthiest families in town. Her parents had donated most of the money used to rebuild the school before they moved to Redwood and employed most of her classmate’s parents. She never welcomed the idea of popularity; She hated drawing more attention to herself than necessary.
“Brennan!” a familiar voice shouted from down the hall. She turned to see her best friend, Sophie, bouncing through the hall with her blonde hair, giant smile, and cheer uniform like a ray of sunshine. Everything about Sophie was fun and alive. Their other best friend, Hoyt, trailed a few steps behind her. His large build and dark hair contrasted Sophie but they were so perfect for each other, she just wished they could realize it.
Sophie landed next to Brennan in a burst of laughter and handed her a card, “Happy Anniversary!” she said in her best sing song voice.
She took the card from Sophie in confusion, “What’s the occasion?” she asked.
Hoyt stumbled up next to them and leaned against the row of lockers, hands shoved in his letterman’s jacket pockets, and the memory of sleep still clinging to his eyes.
“It’s been three years today since you moved here!” Sophie said. She opened the hand drawn card to find a picture of the three of them tucked inside where Sophie’s cute hand writing filled up all the white space. She only got a chance to glance over the words before she heard the slam of her locker and felt herself being tugged down the hall towards home room.
“After the game we all have to go out and celebrate!” Sophie said as they found their normal seats in the back of the room. Mr. Sanderson handed out the morning announcements and took roll. No sooner was the paper in Brennan’s hands then Sophie was leaning over her desk.
“The fall ball is in two weeks!” she whispered, “We have to go dress shopping! It’s masquerade theme this year.” Brennan nodded and nudged Hoyt when the teacher called his name. He opened his eyes and muttered a strange noise in response before letting his eye lids fall back shut. Sophie laughed and sat back in her seat.
“Okay, everyone quiet down,” Mr. Sanderson said, pressing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose, “listen up!” The class quieted and turned their attention to the short balding man at the front, “Okay, until further notice the fall ball is canceled.” An uproar of protest caused Hoyt to wake up again but the teacher put his hands up causing the class to fall silent, “Redwood PD has asked that we cancel the event since it is usually held outside.”
“Can’t they just have it inside?” someone spoke up.
Mr. Sanderson let out an exasperated sigh, “the only indoor facility large enough to use is the gym, which as everyone knows is having the floors redone and won’t be finished in time. Also, until they catch whatever did that no one is permitted to go into the woods surrounding the school, or eat outdoors at lunch. I would also caution you to stay out of any part of the forest until this matter is resolved.” Mr. Sanderson turned to write on the chalkboard and the whole class rippled into murmurs. Sophie leaned over Brennan’s desk again, a dark look on her face, “My mom was there,” she said, Sophie’s mom works with the police department. She looked around before continuing, lowering her voice even more, “She said they’re going to tell everyone it was an animal attack, but it wasn’t.”
“Who do they think did it?” Brennan asked.
“I don’t know,” she said, “my mom says there’s no way its someone from town. I’ll you what though, whoever it is, he’s one sick puppy.” Brennan nodded in agreement before opening her textbook.
By lunch everyone had heard the warnings to stay out of the woods and multiple rumors were circulating around about what happened. Despite the new rules Sophie, Hoyt, and Brennan went to their normal outdoor spot behind the school for lunch, the weather was too nice to stay inside. Sophie immediately started relating the outrageous stories people had been telling since they last saw each other.
“You don’t think they’ll cancel the game tonight, do you?” Hoyt asked through a mouthful of ham sandwich.
“Probably not,” Sophie said. Hoyt looked relieved and chugged down a can of mountain dew before finishing off his sandwich.
They all sat enjoying the cool air until crunching noises broke the silence.
“Did you hear that?” Brennan asked, turning to look behind them towards the trees. They seemed still except for the rhythmic sway of the breeze through the half barren branches. Sophie and Hoyt followed her gaze, “You heard that right?” she asked again.
“It was nothing,” Sophie reassured her. But Brennan’s heart was already racing.
“But you heard it right?” Their eyes stayed fixed on the empty, fire colored forest.
“Yeah, I heard it,” Hoyt said. His hand hung in the air, halfway to his mouth, a chip clutched in his grasp.
“Seriously guys, it was probably nothing,” Veronica offered, but she didn’t sound so sure now. They sat for a few more seconds, straining their eyes and ears before another sound came, but not from the trees.
“What the hell are you guys looking at?” a voice asked.
Their heads whipped around at the same time to see a man standing a few feet away from the group, head cocked to the side. He was tall and lean with dark hair and eyes to match.
“Axel?” Sophie said, disbelieving.
Brennan searched her mind at the mention of that name and remembered the last time she had seen that relative stranger. The more she looked at him the more she saw the features Hoyt and his brother shared. They had the same tan complexion, the same eyes, the same prominent jaw bone structure, and the same build. But Axel was an inch or two shorter than Hoyt’s 6’5” build. And while Hoyt was attractive, Axel was beautiful. Like a dark angel.
She felt Hoyt tense next to her as Sophie leapt up and gave Axel a hug. She turned to look at Hoyt and noticed all the color drained from his face. The last time either of them had seen or heard from Axel was a few weeks after she had moved. Hoyt and Axel’s father worked as a stock broker and spent the week in New York City, only coming home on weekends. Their mom was a nurse and there was an accident. Two days later she was still in a coma and the doctors said she probably wouldn’t come out of it.
Brennan had walked Hoyt home that day and they found Axel throwing his bags into his truck. He looked angry and wouldn’t talk to Hoyt. He just left. She remembered the look on Hoyt’s face, so full of hurt. He had always looked up to Axel. Hoyt saw his dad’s car in the garage and went inside. They argued but he wouldn’t tell Hoyt where Axel went. They told everyone he went to college and asked Brennan to help keep their secret, which she did. Not even Sophie knew. Their mom is still in a coma, their dad has her in one of the best hospitals in New York. He spends most of their money trying to figure out a way to revive her.
“Aren’t you going to give your big brother a hug?” Axel asked Hoyt. Hoyt looked at him and Brennan worried he might punch Axel. He had the size advantage and would probably knock him out cold. She put her hand on Hoyt’s arm as she saw a fist form on his right hand.
“What are you doing here?” Hoyt said. His tone was surprisingly cool, which she assumed was for Sophie’s sake.
“I’m back,” Axel said, “I thought you’d be happy.”
“Happy?” he let out of small snort of laughter before standing up, “I’m thrilled.” He grabbed his backpack and stomped back to the school, leaving the leftovers of his lunch on the table.
“What’s his problem?” Sophie asked.
Brennan shrugged, “We should go check on him.” Sophie nodded and grabbed her bag. Brennan tried to think of a way to get Sophie to go inside without her so she could talk to Axel alone. She looked at the lunch remnants on the table and then back at Sophie, “I’m going to clean up, I’ll be in in a sec, okay?”
“Okay,” Sophie gave Axel another hug, “you’re coming to the game right?” he nodded and she disappeared into the school. Brennan silently picked up the garbage and tossed it in the bin.
“It’s Brennan, right? I remember you I think,” Axel said.
She nodded and took a deep breath before rounding on him, “You had no right just showing up like this!”
He stepped back, “Look no offense, but it’s a family thing. Not really your business.”
She felt her cheeks flush with color as anger bubbled in her. Hoyt had always been like another brother to Brennan, “Well, no offense to you but I am Hoyt’s family. While you’ve been gone I’ve been here for him.” She felt so protective of Hoyt. Brennan’s family loved Hoyt and after everything that had happened with his family she couldn’t blame him for wanting to be a part of her’s. Her mom had practically adopted him and constantly invited him for dinner, made sure he was doing alright, and helped him shop for school clothes when his dad was in the city. Her dad and brothers went to all of his games and they even formed their own touch football team at our last family reunion. Hoyt was as much a Parker as Brennan was.
“I know I haven’t been around and I’m sorry-“ Axel started.
“Don’t apologize to me,” she interrupted him, “apologize to Hoyt,” She finished and grabbed her bag. She turned and walked back to the school leaving Axel in her dust.
Chapter Two
Brennan waited after school in the parking lot for Hoyt. After lunch he had gone straight to class and done everything possible to avoid Sophie and her questions, leaving Brennan to take the blunt of the blow. She managed to convince Sophie that he was just shocked and that it was a guy thing before she hurried off to get ready for the game. She didn’t look fully convinced and Brennan knew she would interrogate Hoyt the first chance she got. That was one of Sophie’s best and worst qualities, she wouldn’t stop until she knew everything.
“Hey,” Brennan heard from behind her, “you need a ride?” she turned to see Hoyt. He clicked the keyless entry and she heard the soft click of the doors unlocking to his brand new mustang. Despite the fact that their dad spends a countless amount on experimental medicine for Hoyt’s mom they still had a lot of money.
“I thought I would just hang out with you until the game?” Brennan offered. They climbed into the car and he nodded.
“That sounds good, I wanted to talk anyway,” he said. The car came to life and they left the parking lot turning onto a tree lined road leading towards where Hoyt’s mansion of a house was situated.
“Thanks for not telling Sophie, she’s my best friend but she’s a loud mouth.” He smiled and Brennan returned the gesture, “I know you think the only reason you know about all this is because you were there, but I would have told you anyway Soph. You’re like my family, I trust you.”
She smiled but this time to herself, “I’m here for you,” she said, “does your dad know he’s back?”
“I don’t know, he’s staying in the city through the weekend, he’s got something big he’s working on I guess.” Even though Hoyt shrugged it off Brennan knew it bothered him that his dad, the only parent he had, wasn’t around. He had promised he would be at the game tonight but again he was letting Hoyt down.
“My whole family is coming tonight, “she said in attempt to cheer him up, “Angela and Ryan made you a big sign and my mom had these shirts made and they’re all going to wear them, it should be sufficiently embarrassing.” Angela and Ryan were John’s wife and their son. Hoyt smiled and turned down a road away from his house and towards Cooper Point, a cliff on the very edge of the woods where everyone went to make out.
“They don’t have to do that,” he said.
“Sure they do!” she argued, “they love you.” She could tell he was avoiding going home as he maneuvered through the winding road that ran along the Cliffside. He took a left and followed the road to an oddly familiar destination, “I remember this place.” she said as they pulled into the parking lot of a family run pumpkin patch and small apple orchard. There was a small pony ride, corn maze, play set, and shop on the land too.
“I used to play here all the time when I was a kid,” Hoyt said, “have you ever been?”
Brennan nodded and he looked at her surprised, “we used to visit all the time before we moved here, mostly in the summer so my dad could do business, but sometimes we would come in the fall or winter. My mom brought me here one time and I never wanted to leave.”
“You see that barn over there?” he pointed and she nodded, “Axel and I used to pile up all the hay inside and jump from an old ladder they had left in there. We would pretend like we were flying.” A shadow of a smile fell over his lips then disappeared, “He asked me to meet him here.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Hoyt shook his head and popped the driver’s side door open. The ding ding ding of the car’s warning bell went off as he leaned back in and gave her a reassuring smile. The door closed and he crossed the distance between the car and the barn in long even strides before disappearing inside.
Brennan sat back and turned the music up, closing her eyes and settling in to wait. A few seconds later a loud thump against the door made her jump and her eyes popped open. She looked to see Axel laughing outside the door. She turned the music off and rolled the window down.
“I’m sorry,” he said, “I couldn’t resist.”
“Hoyt’s waiting for you in the barn,” she said, annoyed. She wanted to roll the window back up but he leaned in and rested his forearms on the door.
“I know you don’t like me Brennan but I’m here to try to make up for lost time with Hoyt. I know I messed up but he’s my brother and I love him,” Axel said.
“I can respect that,” she said.
“You’re a good girlfriend,” he said and Brennan felt her expression change to horror at the thought of being Hoyt’s girlfriend. It would be like incest.
“I am not Hoyt’s girlfriend,” she protested.
“Oh,” his expression changed as well, “I just assumed.”
“We’re friends,” she confirmed, “that’s all.”
“It’s just as well,” he ran his hand along his jaw, littered with 5 o’clock shadow, “I always kind of thought him and Sophie would grow up and get married.”
Brennan shook her head at him, she couldn’t believe they actually agreed about something, “shouldn’t you get going?” she asked.
He looked behind him at the barn then back at Brennan, “You’re right, see you later.”
“Thanks for the warning,” she mumbled as the window scrolled back up. He stared at her for a moment very intently then the most beautiful smile spread across his lips and Brennan’s heart skipped a beat. God he was gorgeous. She immediately scolded herself for thinking of Axel like that, especially since she needed to be mad at him for Hoyt because she was on Hoyt’s side.
Brennan sat in Hoyt’s car for a half hour doing homework before he came out of the barn closely followed by Axel. Hoyt was talking but they were too far away to hear. He stopped and turned to Axel, they exchanged a few more words and then an awkward parting before Hoyt left him standing there and got into the car. A cool gust followed him in the car and she shivered.
“How was that?” she asked as he snapped his seatbelt in place.
“Better than I expected,” he replied, but that was all he said until they got to his house. He ran in and grabbed his football bag then they drove in silence back to the school where he was late for warm ups.
They parked and he turned to Brennan, “I promise we’ll talk later.” She nodded and he gave her his keys before darting off towards the field. She left her back pack in the backseat and tossed the keys into her purse before walking to the stands where a few early arrivals were already situating themselves. Brennan’s parents were already in their usual seats with Scotty and Kevin.
Her mom looked hysterical wrapped up in multiple blankets and waved her over. The best part about Grace was that she was always thinking ahead. Brennan knew they would all be thankful for the stack of blankets next to her mom on the seat and the bag of snacks she brought along.
“You’re here early,” Grace said as she sat in the middle of Scotty and Kevin who were also wrapped up in one of the larger blankets. Kevin was on the phone while Scotty typed away on his laptop.
“I was with Hoyt,” she said.
“His father called me,” Grace replied and Brennan looked at her, brows knit together, “he said Hoyt’s brother is back in town and asked me to keep an eye on them. He knows how much I look after Hoyt, I think he appreciates it.”
“Well he should,” she scoffed, “he’s never around. Look don’t get too involved with Axel, him and Hoyt have some history.”
“I’m not so completely naïve Bren, I know what happened.” my head whipped around to look at her.
“You do?” She asked skeptically.
“Of course, his father called me then too.” It felt good to have at least one other person who knew, even if it was her mom. Brennan wished Sophie knew so she could talk with her about it but she knew it wouldn’t do any good for her to know now. Sophie would just feel betrayed that Brennan and Hoyt hadn’t told her in the first place.
She looked down at the end of the bleachers where her dad sat talking on the phone, “Does dad know too?” her mom nodded. Brennan looked at Scotty and Kevin, “Does everyone know?” Grace shook her head. Scotty nudged her in the side.
“Know what?” he asked, looking up from his alternate reality of crime fighting and bad guy catching.
“That I brought a batch of fresh baked cookies for the boys after their game,” her mom said.
Kevin hung up the phone and leaned in close to Brennan, “God it’s freezing already.”
“Aren’t you from England, it’s like this all the time there, right?” Brennan asked as he huddled next to her.
“I’m from California thank you very much, I haven’t lived in England since I was fifteen.” His teeth chattered and she wrapped my arms around him.
“Quit cuddling with my sister, it’s freaking me out,” Scotty said.
“It’s not my fault you emit zero body heat you vampire,” Kevin teased.
John, Angela, and Ryan showed up and Grace was instantly entertained with her grandmother duties. Sophie’s mom joined them after the national anthem and then the game started. Sophie was down on the field with the rest of the cheerleading squad enduring the biting cold as the sun quickly set over the horizon. Brennan grabbed her camera out of her purse and scaled down the slippery bleachers to the fence that ran around the field. In between cheers Sophie talked with her and posed for pictures.
During half time though Sophie had to leave for their big performance. Brennan snapped pictures and reviewed the ones she had of the game when she felt a presence at her side. She turned to see Axel and sighed.
“It’s nice to see you too,” he said nudging her.
“Look I get what you’re trying to do,” Brennan said, “but Hoyt is my best friend-“
“I get it,” he interrupted, “conflict of interest and all that.”
An awkward moment passed between them as the half time finished, “my family is sitting over there,” Brennan said, pointing, “my mom would probably love to meet you. You’re welcome to go sit with them.” He smiled at her and nodded.
“Thank you,” he waved back at her before climbing the stairs. She watched him introduce himself to her mom who stood and motioned for him to sit. She offered him a blanket and food and introduced him to the rest of the family. He shook her brothers’ hands and chatted with her father. Great, they loved him, Brennan could tell already.
At the end of the game an announcement came over the loudspeakers, “Everyone please leave as quickly as possible and travel only in groups of three or more, thank you.” The speaker clicked dead and everyone started filing out of the bleachers.
Hoyt and Sophie came bounding up to them, sweaty but excited from the win. They all collected their blankets and retreated to the parking lot. Brennan couldn’t help but notice the awkward distance between Hoyt and Axel and the look on Hoyt’s face when he saw Grace chatting with Axel. Brennan felt the same expression cross her own face.
Sophie immediately starting arguing with her mom over what time she had to be home and they eventually settled on midnight, which Brennan’s parents agreed with. After they all said their goodbyes Sophie and Brennan climbed into Hoyt’s mustang and headed off towards his house, followed by Axel in his truck.
Inside Hoyt’s house Brennan thought about how she had only been there countless times and how it seemed that Hoyt practically lived at her house some days. Hoyt disappeared upstairs while Sophie headed straight for the kitchen, leaving Brennan alone in the living room with Axel. She searched through the Reed’s extensive movie collection and pulled out a few candidates, setting them on the coffee table. Axel flopped down on the couch and sighed, “how long do we have to go on not being friends?”
“As long as it takes for Hoyt to forgive you,” she said, “as soon as you and Hoyt are friends, you and I can be friends.”
“So you only hate me because he does?” He said. Brennan nodded, “That seemed highly unfair.” She slid Clueless from the shelf and set it on the pile of movies slowly growing on the coffee table.
“Life’s tough, get a helmet,” she said.
Axel laughed and leaned forward, “Your mom invited me to dinner, Hoyt too. Your family is wonderful,” he said.
“I like them well enough,” she replied.
Axel stood and came around the coffee table, leaning down next to Brennan until she could smell his cologne and rain scent and feel his warm breath on her cheek, “I think you’d like me too, if you gave me a chance,” he whispered before swiftly standing and leaving the room.
Sophie came bouncing in from the kitchen and started shuffling through the movie selections.
“What were you doing in there?” Brennan asked, trying to shake off the tingling feeling she felt where Axel’s breath had brushed her skin.
“Making a cake, it’s an instant mix but it should still be good. I added my special ingredient,” Sophie said, smiling mysteriously. She started separating the movies into a pile of no’s and a pile of yes’. Hoyt came bounding down the stairs, clean and dry from his shower. He fell into the soft cushions of the couch and grabbed Veronica’s yes pile, picking a Bruce Willis flick right off the bat.
The rest of the night, until she got home, until she climbed into bed, and until she fell asleep Axel was on Brennan’s mind. But once she was asleep, the nightmares came.
Chapter Three
For two weeks the nightmares didn’t stop. Every time it was the same, running, darkness, and the feeling of him all over her. Every time she would wake with a start and spend a good portion of the morning pushing all of the memories and thoughts out of her mind. Each time more memories of her darkest days crept through her invisible force field.
On Saturday Brennan stayed in bed longer than usual and took the longest shower she could manage without wrinkling into a prune. She spent a few minutes staring at herself in the mirror, she looked bad. The bags under her eyes and pale complexion couldn’t be hid well enough by make up so finally she gave up and went downstairs.
Saturdays were usually quiet in the Parker house so she expected to find a little peace and quiet, but got the opposite. Even her dad, who usually insisted on staying in his slippers past noon, was up and about. And he was helping Grace in the kitchen, where most of the family was gathered.
Scotty sat at the breakfast table, typing away, John was on the kitchen phone trying to unwrap himself from the death trap of the extra long phone cord, and Angela was attempting to get Ryan to eat his lunch. Brennan’s mom and dad stood at the stove, staring down into a large pot that smelled like apples. The sliding door opened and Kevin stepped inside, shivering.
“The lights are fixed,” he said then turned to Brennan, “you look like hell.” Everyone’s head snapped in her direction. Her mom set her spatula down and walked towards Brennan, pressing a hand to her forehead.
“Sweetie are you okay?” she ducked away from her mom and made every attempt to sound convincing.
“I’m fine, I’m just tired,” she lied. The last thing Brennan wanted was sleep.
“You’ve been sleeping all day, it’s nearly two. Maybe you should take something,” Grace said, reaching towards the cabinet above the microwave where they keep all the medicine.
“Seriously, I’m fine,” she lied again, “what is everyone doing?” she motioned towards the pot on the stove.
“We’re getting ready,” her dad said, also pressing his hand to Brennan’s forehead.
“Oh right,” she said, brushing his hand off, “the Halloween party.” It was a tradition, her family hosted a party every Halloween party. People would be arriving in a few hours and she had no costume.
The costume Brennan came up with was logical and didn’t even require that much make up considering her current appearance. Zombie was the only way to go. As she ladled herself a cup of steaming hot apple cider Brennan felt someone come up behind her. Despite herself she felt a slight fear sweep over her. She had been so jumpy lately. She turned to see Hoyt dressed in a cowboy costume, spurs and all.
“Howdy ma’am,” he said, tipping his hat. Brennan laughed and slugged him on the arm.
“When did you get here?” she asked, her voice a little shaky.
“A couple minutes ago.” Hoyt said then looked past her. Brennan followed his gaze to where Axel stood in pale green scrubs, talking to the Sheriff, who was dressed as an escaped prisoner.
“What is he doing here?” she sighed.
“He wasn’t going to come, but I told him he could,” Hoyt said.
“Why?” She couldn’t believe Hoyt could stand being in the same room as Axel.
“Because he’s my brother Bren,” he said.
“But he left you,” she argued.
“At least he came back.” A moment of odd silence passed between them and she fiddled with the rim of her Styrofoam cup, “Look, I know things have been weird the past couple weeks but there’s just a lot going on,” Hoyt finally said.
“Like what? I’m here, talk to me?” Brennan pleaded. She had barely seen Hoyt in days and every time she did he was either mad or making some excuse to leave. Sophie said they should give him space to deal with everything but Hoyt was too much like a brother to let it go.
“I can’t,” he said, “there is just stuff you wouldn’t understand.”
“Wouldn’t understand?” she felt hurt, “what wouldn’t I understand, I’m the one who knew-“
He cut her off, “Just stop giving Axel such a hard time, he’s not who you think he is.”Brennan didn’t know what that meant but she saw something flash in Hoyt’s eyes.
They both fell silent again, staring at each other. She was so angry but at the same time Brennan wanted to respect Hoyt’s wishes. Sophie came bouncing up to them in her nerd costume, “come on wall flowers! You’re missing the party.” She noticed their intent gazes and lowered her voice, “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Hoyt growled.
“Then why do I feel like I should separate you two before a war breaks out?” Sophie made to step between the two.
“Maybe because Hoyt is being ridiculous!” Brennan shot out. Hoyt scoffed at her, and turned on his heels, heading out the back door. She didn’t understand why he wouldn’t talk to her. “Why are you defending him?” She called after him as the door slid shut.
“Brennan stop,” Sophie said, grabbing her before she could follow.
“You couldn’t possibly understand any of this,” Brennan spewed.
“I know, you and Hoyt have kept me in the dark for a long time. And lately I’ve felt more left out than ever.” Sophie turned for the front door and left, slamming it shut. Brennan sighed and glanced around. her mom gave her a confused and annoyed look from across the room. She looked back to see Axel slipping out the back door after Hoyt so she decided to go after Sophie.
She found her sitting on the front steps, “I thought you ditched,” Brennan said.
“I rode with my mom,” she replied, picking at her shoe, “I can’t leave until she’s ready.”
“Well come on, you’ll freeze out here,” Brennan said, but Sophie didn’t move. Brennan sighed, “I’m sorry for yelling at you.” she sat next to her on the cement step that felt more like a giant ice cube.
There was a moment of silence then, “You and Hoyt,” Sophie said, “you guys have always kind of had your own language, ever since you moved you’ve been close. Usually it doesn’t bother me but when Axel got back… it just feels like you’re keeping something from me.” Brennan didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t lie to Sophie more and tell her nothing was going on and she definitely couldn’t tell Sophie the truth, that they had been lying to her for three years.
“I don’t like Axel,” Brennan said, kicking at some dead leaves.
“That’s pretty obvious,” Sophie replied with a laugh, “but look if you and Hoyt are I don’t know, together, or something it’s okay, you can tell me.”
“Me and Hoyt?” Brennan asked in disbelief, “that’s what you think is going on?” Sophie nodded, “Ew!” she said, “I mean, he’s like my brother.”
Sophie let out a long breath and smiled, “Good,” she said, “not that I wouldn’t support you guys it’s just…” she looked around, “I like Hoyt.”
Brennan smiled and nudged Sophie with her elbow, “I’ve got news, that’s pretty obvious too.”
Chapter Four
On Sunday evening Brennan managed to talk her mom out of making her go to church. She told Grace she had a Spanish project to work on and used her sickly look to her advantage. She was still having the night mares and sleep was more of a chore than a luxury.
As soon as her parents left Brennan was out the door and on the familiar walk to Scotty and Kevin’s. The cottage was a comforting sight, as usual. She let herself in and kicked her shoes off at the door. Scotty was in the office but completely focused on his writing, so she slipped past into the kitchen.
Kevin stood at the stove, his face twisted into a grimace as he stared down into the pot he was stirring.
“Hey Kevin,” she said.
“Hello love,” he replied, turning the stove off and wiping his hands on a dish towel.
“How’s our Hemingway doing?” Brennan asked.
“Bloody awful,” he said, glancing down the hall, “he’s been up all night. What are you doing here?”
“I’m going over to Hoyts,” she said, “if I’m not back before my parents get home from church I need you to lie and say I’m over here, okay?” He gave her a skeptical look, “Please?”
“Alright, but if I go to hell for lying to your mum I’m dragging you down with me,” he teased.
“Deal,” she said.
Wrapped up in her sweater Brennan headed off towards Hoyt’s house through the woods. The woods connected everything in Redwood, like an underground system. The glow of sunset filtered through the trees, bouncing and reflecting off the leaves and the branches. The biting wind nipped at her face and hands but otherwise she enjoyed the temperature. She let her feet lead her, the walk to Hoyt’s was another familiar one. Brennan had resolved to apologize and beg for forgiveness. As much as she didn’t like or trust Axel she loved and trusted Hoyt more so she would have to put her own feelings aside.
The sun was gone by the time the Reed mansion came into view. As the dark set in she walked the last few feet to the front door and rang the bell. She stood waiting for a few minutes before the door finally opened. Hoyt stood there and at first she didn’t notice how flushed his face was or how heavy he was breathing, “Bren,” he said with some surprise.
Brennan put her hand up, “Before you say anything I’m sorry,” she said, “As much as I hate to admit it you were right and if you trust Axel then I trust him.”
“Sophie this isn’t really a good time,” he said.
Her heart sank, “Look I know you’re mad but-“
A loud crash and yelling cut her off and Hoyt stepped onto the porch, pulling the door shut, “I’m not mad, you were just trying to protect me, I get it. But you need to leave.”
“What’s going on?” She reached for the door but something hit against it and she jumped back, “What the hell?” she practically shouted. Brennan’s heart raced and adrenaline pumped through her but the feeling was fleeting.
“Brennan please leave,” Hoyt pleaded.
She shook her head, “Not until you tell me what is going on!”
“Damn it Sophie!” he cursed, something hit against the door again, “get the hell out of here, before you get hurt.” But then the door burst open and Hoyt flew against her, and they both crashed to the ground. Barely a moment passed before Hoyt was pulling Brennan to her feet and yelling at her to run. She stared at the door, now in pieces on the ground. Then she saw Axel, a huddled mass in the doorway. He was bloody and his clothes were torn and when he looked up at Brennan there was something in his eyes, something she recognized. Something slightly off.
“Run,” Hoyt hissed into her ear and she ran. She didn’t look back and she didn’t stop until she was home. She made is back before her parents did and ran up the stairs to her room, pulling the door shut. Her first thought was how much Axel’s eyes had looked like his. She pushed the thought out of her mind and let her worry for Hoyt absorb into her brain. She thought about calling the police, but didn’t know what she would say. Would Axel really hurt Hoyt? Then she thought about calling Sophie, but that would take so much explaining. She thought about calling her parents but something was telling her not to. Something was telling her there was much more to this. Brennan realized she could do nothing but wait for the night to pass and for school to come.
But Hoyt wasn’t at school the next day. Brennan stood at her locker in a haze, staring at her books and other supplies. Someone came up next to her and slammed the locker shut making her jump.
“Hey space cadet,” Sophie said, “did you hear?”
“Hear what?” she asked, opening her locker back up and grabbing her English textbook.
“About that kid, the sophomore?” when Brennan shook her head Sophie sighed and kept talking, “it was on the news this morning. His name was Peter Hanson, he was on the swim team. His mom filed a missing person’s report this morning. She said he never came home after practice last night, that he usually cuts through the woods as a short cut home.” Sophie’s tone was dark, “They’re sending out a search party right now to start looking for him.”
Immediately Brennan thought of Hoyt, of how she hadn’t heard from him and how me might be in the same situation as Peter Hanson.
When Hoyt still hadn’t shown up by home room Thursday morning Brennan decided she had to take matters into her own hands. She had to wait until lunch to make her move and the classes ticked slowly by. When the bell finally rang Brennan was the first one out of class. She stashed her backpack in her locker and slipped out the side door.
The temperature declined with each passing day. It wouldn’t be long before the first snow fall of the year. As she wove through the trees the breeze picked up and licked at her hair and face. The walk to Hoyt’s from the school was a bit longer than from Brennan’s house but she still managed to make the walk pretty fast. She practically broke into a run when she saw the Reed mansion in the distance. Axel’s truck and Hoyt’s mustang were both parked outside.
She closed the distance between her and the door, which was no longer broken but replaced. She practically fell against the doorbell and then waited impatiently until it opened to reveal Axel, who aside from a few scratches looked like himself. He only opened the door far enough to see outside. Brennan’s stomach dropped a little, “Where’s Hoyt?” she asked.
“He’s not feeling well,” Axel said, “what are you doing here?”
“I need to see him,” she said, trying to push the door open.
Axel was strong and held the door firmly in place, “He’s sick,” Axel said again, “I’ll tell him you came by.” The door started to close but Brennan was not satisfied.
“What did you do to him?” she asked. Axel’s face paled and she could feel the adrenaline coursing through her as thoughts of Axel hurting Hoyt raced through her head, “I saw you the other night, what did you do to him?” She tried again to push the door open.
“You were here?” Axel said. Brennan managed to get the door open and toppled inside. She started searching through the downstairs and calling out for Hoyt. When she didn’t find him she headed back to the entry way but halted when she saw Hoyt coming down the stairs. He was fully dressed and did not look sick.
“Bren?” he said, “what are you doing here?”
Brennan bubbled with anger and relief that he was alright, “What do you mean what am I doing here? Last time I saw you I thought, well I don’t know what I thought but it wasn’t good. And then you didn’t come to school, you didn’t call!” She realized she was talking very fast and was out of breath.
“You better start explaining!” she shouted feeling the urge to punch Hoyt. How could he do this to her?
Hoyt looked at Axel who was rubbing his face with his hands and he shrugged, “We don’t have much choice Hoyt,” he said, “she saw me.”
Brennan followed Hoyt and Axel into the living room where they motioned for her to sit. Axel sat across from her but Hoyt stayed standing next to the grand fire place.
“What you have to understand first,” Axel said, “is that monsters are real.”
Brennan scoffed at first but when she realized Axel wasn’t kidding she shook her head, “what are you talking about?”
Axel cleared his throat and she couldn’t help but admire how beautiful he was, “A little over three years ago, after graduation, I was attacked,” Axel said, “At first I didn’t know what it was, everything happened so fast all I could do was try to get out of there. The doctors said I was lucky, I recovered quickly. It wasn’t until the next month that I realized I wasn’t okay.” His look was dark and almost painful, like he was dragging up bad memories. She recognized that look because it often played across her own face, “The first couple times I didn’t shift but the rage and the hunger, it was uncontrollable.”
“I don’t understand,” Brennan said.
“He was bitten by a wolf,” Hoyt cut in. Brennan laughed again, and again she realized they weren’t kidding.
“You’re both insane,” she said.
“Shifting,” Axel continued, “the ability to change my form into a wolf came as a perk I guess. I don’t have to shift when the full moon comes, most choose to because it makes you less detectable. The fourth time I hit the cycle was the first time I hurt someone.” A shadow passed over Axel’s face, “I’m the reason our mother is in a coma, that’s why I left.”
There was a moment of silence before Brennan said, “Do you have any idea how completely crazy you sound. You don’t expect me to take any of this seriously do you?”
“You wanted the truth,” Axel said, “I’m telling you the truth. I am a werewolf.”
“So you expect me to believe that you have the ability to shape shift into a werewolf and every month you get really mad and hungry, like werewolf PMS?” she scoffed.
Axel sighed, “No, I get dangerous.”
“If I believed you,” she said, wondering how long it took them to cook up this story, “then if you’re so dangerous why would you come back?”
“I thought we weren’t telling her?” The voice came from behind them. Brennan turned to see Sophie standing there, arms folded across her chest.
“You mean you knew?” Brennan asked and even more confusion set in, “You knew about all of this.”
Sophie nodded and smiled, “I’m glad he told you, now I don’t have to keep it a secret!”
“You knew Axel was a werewolf and that was why he left?” Brennan couldn’t believe any of this.
Axel moved next to her and she the feel of his warm leg against hers and he strong shoulder next to hers sent chills through her body, “I know this is a lot to process,” he said, “but I promise it’s the truth.” And then, suddenly, Axel’s form slipped from the couch and twisted into that of a lean wolf. His clothes slipped away replaced by sleek black fur. Brennan stood and backed away from the creature.
“Oh my god,” she said, turning away. She squeezed her eyes shut and counted to ten before turning around to see Axel, back in his human form, a pillow clutched over his midsection.
“Was that necessary?” Hoyt said in an annoyed tone. Brennan just shook her head, she couldn’t process everything at once. She started backing away for the door. Sophie reached out for her but Brennan pulled away.
“Stay away from me,” she looked at her two best friends and realized they had been lying to her the whole time, “all of you just stay away from me.” Brennan turned and left. She didn’t go back to the school, she didn’t want to risk seeing Sophie or Hoyt there. Instead she headed for the cottage and for someplace sane.
She knew Scotty would be at home and Kevin would be at work. Scotty was usually more easy going about Brennan ditching school and might even call her in if he was in a good enough mood. She lucked out, and after Scotty called the school Brennan fell down against the couch and let her thoughts race.
She had seen Axel turn into a wolf, and she had seen him that night, the way his eyes looked. She couldn’t deny that she believed he was a werewolf. What she also couldn’t deny was that Axel had shown up the same day those animals had been discovered in the woods.
She fell asleep and this time, for once, she didn’t dream about that horrible night. But she still had a night mare.
She walked the familiar path through the woods towards Hoyt’s house. She could see Sophie at the end of the path, waiting for her, calling her name. She turned and saw Hoyt beside her, they smiled at each other. Brennan felt warm and safe. But then, the sun dropped out of the sky and everything was masked in darkness. She reached out for Hoyt but she was alone. She bumped into something and stepped back. Sticky blood covered her hands and she looked up to see one of Mr. Smith’s dogs hanging from a tree. She screamed and ran, bumping into more hanging dogs. She was almost to the edge of the trees, she could see Hoyt’s house. She glanced back and something grabbed her ankle. It pulled her down and into the deepest darkness she had ever seen. She screamed as she felt something slice through her skin. She turned to see who was dragging her and saw Axel, something off in his eyes, dragging her towards a huge fire.
Brennan woke up in a sweat. She tossed the blanket off of her legs and sat up on the couch. The clock read just past five. Brennan turned the television on and the evening news started playing. They were showing footage of an area in the woods Brennan recognized, she turned up the volume as the camera switched to a news reporter.
“The body of missing teen, Peter Hanson, was found this evening,” the reporter said. Kevin came into the room.
“Hey, you’re awake,” he said, but Brennan motioned for him to be quiet and the news caught his attention.
“Local police found evidence of foul play and are not ruling out the possibility of an animal attack or possibly murder at this point in time. Locals are advised to stay out the woods and to travel only in groups.”
Brennan turned to Kevin who had a grave look on his face, “What happened?” he asked.
“They found that missing boy,” Brennan said. Kevin turned and called down the hall for Scotty. He came in, on the phone with their mom.
“Yeah, she’s right here, she’s been here all day,” he said and handed Brennan the phone.
She took it and pressed it to her ear, “I’m okay mom,” she said. Nobody would say it but she knew that this reminded everyone of the night she went missing. Her mom was tearful on the other line and said she was sending her father to walk to home. Brennan couldn’t hold back the tears that pricked at her eyes. This was all too familiar.
Her dad comforted her on the walk home and when she was inside her mother immediately pulled her into a giant hug. As much as Brennan didn’t want to she couldn’t help but think that someone how this was all connected to Axel. The hanging animals, and now Peter Hanson. The timeline seemed to fit and she couldn’t get the image of Axel’s crazed stare out of her head.
That night her night mares seemed to mix and terrify her even more than usual.
Hope you liked it! It was fun to write, well it's only the first draft and clearly not finished so I'm still writing it, but so far it's been fun
Thanks bunches
Rory
