SOMETHING ROAMS THE NIGHT...

THIRTY THREE

"We've got police securing the area," a burly man, probably the head of the police, spoke into his phone. "Yeah, the fourth one within twenty four hours."

"Looks like we gotta get out of here now," a teenage boy from the crowd said. "I sure as hell woudn't want to be next."

I looked out from Ezra's slightly open car window at the huge crowd that had gathered before an old, shabby house not far from Aunt May's. I swallowed, realizing that the reapers had claimed another victim-the fourth since last night.

Were they on some sort of killing rampage?

"You feeling okay?" Ezra lifted his gaze from the road to meet mine. He had been asking the same question throughout the whole car ride.

"I'm better," my voice came out hoarse. My throat still hurt, but I could feel the painkillers kicking in. I  was supposed to spend three weeks in the hospital, but I was already discharged in less than a day, probably the reason being leaving town as soon as possible. "What...what time are we leaving?"

"You mean leaving for the airport, or..."

"Yeah, cause the airport's really far from where we are," I said, studying his face. I didn't know why, but I was becoming more and more attracted to my best friend.

"Maybe around noon?" Ezra said. "We've got to get you all packed up. Oh, and I told your parents there was no need to go to the hospital, so they're waiting for you right now at your aunt's."

I nodded, thinking of what to say to him. And then I remembered.

"Ezra, about last night..."

"Hmm?" he pressed his lips together. "What about last night?"

"You know...everything you said to me when I was asleep? Or sorta? I heard every word." 

"Oh," he gave a low chuckle, and blushed  a deep red. "That..."

"Did you mean it?" 

"Mean what?" he was acting as if he had forgotten about it, but I knew he obviously hadn't. Ezra was the only guy who could remember exactly what I had said to him many years ago, when I already had completely no memory of it.

"You know..." I trailed off. "About..."

"Me being in love with you?" he said it so casually I was starting to doubt myself. He spun the steering wheel left and parked perfectly into the bay just outside my aunt's house. He changed gear, pulled on the handbrake, and unfastened his seatbelt. He didn't say anything, but looked straight ahead at goodness knows what.

"Ezra, if you feel-" I could only gasp when his lips came upon mine, shutting me up.

What was this? Was this another dream? If it was, please don't wake up!

"Haley," he sighed my name, gathering my loose hair in his fist. "I meant everything I said."

"I love you."