Crescent

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Loud music cut off Tom and Daniel's questions. I raise an eyebrow, looking around the room curiously as if I'll find the source.

Tom groans and sends Daniel a glare. "Did you really plan another party tonight?"

Daniel smiles sheepishly. "It's not often Alexander leaves for a whole week. How was I supposed to know we would have a situation like this?"

"I guess Riley can just stay in my room for the night," Tom begins.

"Wait, what? No, my mom is going to be home any minute. She'll be worried about me, not to mention Derek could show up at any moment." My brain kicks into overdrive as I jump from scenario to scenario of Derek hurting me or my mother. The only way to keep her safe is for me to leave, and even then he still might not leave her alone until he finds me. I have no idea how he even found out where my mother lives or how he knew I would be there this week. Sure, he's been trying to contact me, but I've never given him an inkling of where I was. Hell, my college isn't even one of the prestige ones I was accepted to; I chose a simple university, almost a community college, that he never would have expected.

My chest starts to hurt and my breath comes out in pants. Blood rushes to my ears, so all I can hear is the fast whooshing sound in my ear. How can I keep myself safe from him when he can find me anywhere?

Tom grabs my hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay, Riley. I can go with you to your house and keep watch for Derek. We can make sure he doesn't show up again."

"How? How can you do that? You don't know how strong he is, and smart, and charming. If Derek Cross wants me, he'll get me."

Tom and Daniel look at each other for a minute. No words are spoken, but they seem to have magically come to a conclusion. "We aren't going to let him get to you," Tom says, breaking the silence. "Come on. Let's get to your house and I'll make sure all the locks are secure."

I let Tom pull me off the bed, silently watching as he and Daniel share yet another moment of eye contact. We walk back down the stairs, hand in hand so that I don't get lost among the sea of bodies jumping to the beat of the music. After a few turns and doors, we end up in a garage where I can see Tom's bike sitting at the very end of the long line of vehicles. Tom, however, walks toward a simple, newer model sedan instead.

"We aren't taking your bike," I question as I open the passenger door, somewhat disappointed.

Tom shakes his head, closing his door and turning on the car. "It's raining out. Riding my bike couldn't be very safe. Or dry."

I wrinkle my brows in confusion. "It's not supposed to rain today."

The garage door finally opens enough for Tom to speed under and into the weather outside. Whereas earlier it was in the mid 60s and sunny, now the rain is coming down in sheets, the sky is dreary, and the temperature is in the 40s. My jaw drops in utter disbelief.

"Welcome to East Texas," Tom drawls out with extra emphasis on his southern accent.

I don't reply, choosing to look out the window at the dense forest as we pass by. I try not to let my mind drift, but my willpower must not be too strong. Before long, the trees seem to be coming towards me instead of parallel. I'm running, glancing back at the dark figure chasing me. It's feet crash through the undergrowth and birds fly away in fright. My breath comes out quicker as I look forward and and keep running, dodging each tree as I get close to it. They whip past me so fast it's hard to make out any detail whatsoever. I dodge again, jumping over a fallen log and then a narrow stream. Something streaks in front of me, and I only catch a glimpse of dark fur. It's some kind of creature, but it doesn't scare me like the thing chasing me. I look back to find what I am running from, but it isn't there. I smile, finally relaxing and deciding to try and catch up to the beast ahead of me.