Death's Saviour
Chapter Seven: Noah

Author's Song of the Chapter: Scared of the Dark by Lil Wayne and Ty Dolla $ign

I wake to replace Dusk curled up against the wall beside me, my arm is slung over her sending this strange mix of strong emotion through me as I feel protective. This emotion confuses me since Dusk is in no way needs protection, yet, I can’t help but cradle this moment like a baby as I look down at her peaceful features and admire the way her black hair frames her pale skin, her beautiful features. Blood is still caked like a layer of dirt over us as last night’s events rush into my mind. Sally cut Dusk’s throat and she was able to heal herself save a small scar. When Sally cut me, I thought that was the end, I thought I was going to die, but I didn’t die, Dusk saved me. Dusk also delivered me some rather interesting news that still has my mind all twisted up in knots as the idea of having wolf-blood makes me feel a rush of emotions all at once. I move from where I lay, I reach for my phone. I swore I would never return to my mom and her trailer if she was dating the same guy because of what happened to me last time he was there and so was I. I need answers though, I need to know if Dusk is being honest with me about having wolf-blood. My own blood heats up at such thoughts and sweat runs down my neck and my back as I send my mom one simple text telling her we need to talk and asking if her boyfriend is there. With a plan forming in my mind I creepy from the room to shower and get ready for school. I tell myself I will get through today then I will secretly pay my mother a little visit. I need to do this, I need to know the truth but I don’t want to drag Dusk into that disaster zone part of my life. One day I’ll tell Dusk about my mom and her boyfriend but today is not that day, I never even introduced Hannah to my mom because it was too dangerous. I must do this alone. I make my shower quick before grabbing some clothes Sally bought me. I didn’t expect Dusk to be awake, yet, she is as she sits at the window sill looking out over the forest with the window open. Today is warmer and the wind carries the promise of spring heat, for some reason that puts my heart at ease. Probably because I know I won’t have to worry about Dusk being stuck out there in the cold unable to shift back to her human form. When I clear my throat Dusk’s eyes land on me, I feel the pinch of victory as her eyes take in my body, they do the full-scale justice when she checks me out as she goes from my toes to the wet tips of my hair hanging in my eyes. I watch Dusk’s eyes catch on my chest and I won’t lie I’m one of those ripped guys. I’m a bit of a workout fanatic because it helped distract me from Hannah being missing. Dusk swallows and I watch as her tongue darts out to lick her lips, I try to shove dirty fantasies away from my mind as she finally meets my eyes again. Dusk doesn’t blush or feel any form of embarrassment about checking me out, instead, she is confident and that is something new for me. I like her unchecked confidence, it makes me feel good.

“I have to get changed, do you mind?” I ask in a teasing tone but really I don’t know what I would do if Dusk said no and wanted a show.

Hannah and I were a rather innocent couple. We mostly kissed and made out, past that I’m not experienced at all, I’m still a virgin. Dusk looks at me with those teasing eyes as she raises one eyebrow at me before she moves around me. I smile at her as she leaves the room, I breath a little sigh of relief that she didn’t push her confidence on me. Sure, Carl and Perry think Hannah and I did it, but we agreed to wait until it felt right, that time never came. I hear the shower water running again from down the hall and I know Dusk must have decided that she could use her own shower. I don’t blame her after sleeping like that last night, though I’m sure she had been through worse with living out in the forest most of her life. I shake this topic from my mind as I change heading downstairs, to my surprise Sally and Chris maneuver around the kitchen as they spread a huge pancake breakfast out across the dining room table. I don’t know what to do or say about it, all I can do is sit down and gape. Sally and Chris haven’t used this kitchen since Hannah first went missing, now they are cooking again, they must have found their peace. When Dusk appears in the doorway she stops dead her nose twitching rapidly. Dusk takes in the food, I notice her eyes swell with tears that she quickly blinks away as she joins us. We eat in silence but I can’t help it as I watch Dusk downing her breakfast, I’m hypnotized by the way she eats. Dusk’s eating is so refreshing because Hannah never ate in front of me, she was too self-conscious. Dusk catches us all watching her, she slows her eating slightly as soon all the pancakes are gone.

“My dad used to cook me pancakes all the time, his were my favourite because he had a speical recipe. He happened to teach me it before he was killed, maybe one day I can teach you how to make them Sally.” Dusk speaks, her voice wavering between the past and the present as Sally looks at her completely shocked.

It’s like Dusk just threw Sally a lifeline that promises to pull her in, I don’t understand it. Dusk should hate Sally for what happened, instead, she extends a new line as if she is trying to right things between them. Heck, Dusk even brought up her father to Sally it’s a big step from last night. I look between Dusk and Sally, Sally practicially glows. Chris and I share a look that causes us both to smile as Sally delves into the topic of cooking with Dusk. Apparently, Dusk’s father was an amazing cook, he started to teach Dusk recipes at a young age and it was one of the few things he was able to give Dusk before he was killed. Cooking is one of the few things Dusk has left of it. I don’t want this morning to end because it’s been surprisingly good but it must.

“I should get heading to school, I’m going to meet up with Carl after so don’t wait up for me!” I call over my shoulder as I grab my backpack and head for the front door.

I stumble back a little because Dusk appears in front of me standing closer to me than she ever chooses to on her own. I reach for my bag from where I dropped it, the motion distracts me from how close Dusk is.

“What are you really doing tonight Noah?” Dusk questions me, her voice quiet and meant for my ears only.

I look into Dusk’s eyes remebering that she can tell I lied from my heartbeat.

“I need to do something.” I tell her through gritted teeth as in my mind I beg her not to push me on this, if she pushes I know I’ll tell.

“What’s the commotion you two?” Chris asks as he steps into the hallway saving me from Dusk’s narrowed eyes.

I glance at Dusk to see her briefly glare at me before putting a smile on for Chris as she lifts the hem of my shirt exposing my chest to her eyes. I suck in a breath as her fingers brush the scar there, also I know she isn’t about to rat me out. If Chris and Sally knew I was returning to the trailer park they would have a literal hernia.

“I was just double checking Noah was healed enough to be going to school today.” Dusk explains as she let’s my shirt fall back into place.

I feel two small pinches inside of me, the first a weird sadness that Dusk is no longer touching me, and the second being a hint of worry over how easily Dusk played Chris.

I make my escape when I hear the rumbling of the school bus heading for the stop at the end of the road. I absently consider it’s a little odd that I can hear the bus since this is the last house on a nine house street. I bolt out of the house and down the road to catch the bus just as it reaches the stop. When I get onto the bus I look back and let out a sigh as I see that Dusk hasn’t followed nor does she stand watching me. True to her words Dusk remains hidden away. I reach my seat plopping down before closing my eyes and sighing as I relax. Today is going to be stressful, I need to explain more to Carl and Perry even though they won’t believe me. I’m going to go right after school to Mom’s so that Dusk won’t have the chance to follow me, though, I’m sure she has better things to do. I swallow as some part of me hopes that maybe Dusk will follow me because I’m putting myself in danger going back to the trailer park. If Dusk were there I know nothing bad would happen to me yet, this isn’t a part of my life I want her to know about. I breathe again keeping my mind on track.