Crescent

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

I watch Hailey's mouth fall open, mimicking my own. "Riley? Is she your maefali?" She pronounces the last word like may-fuhl-eye. I don't recognize the word and mentally make a note to try and look it up later. Mentally picking my jaw up off the floor, I try and reason with his decision. In the heat of the moment and panicking, he chose me. It's an obvious decision because everyone here is so close knit that word probably spreads fast. I'm the only one not involved in it, plus we have been spending a lot of time together.

Tom must appease her by given some type of affirmation because she apologizes again, her shoulders sagging before moving to turn away. He catches her shoulder and starts speaking even more quietly, looking like he is trying to console her.

Turning on my toes, I walk back in the direction of the front of the house. A pounding has started in my head, possibly a migraine coming on, and I groan to myself. This is why I don't party, I chastise myself. My phone died a while ago, so there isn't a way for me to contact L - not that she would want to come. She's probably in some bedroom with Zach right now, hopefully making wise decisions.

I finally stumble my way outside, heels in hand, and start to walk toward my jeep parked in the furthest row of cars. My head hurts, the inhibitors effects are wearing off, and I trespassed on a private moment between two friends. My night is taking a whole new direction.

A little ways into my walk, my stomach drops. I can feel someone's gaze on me, and I turn around. There's a dark figure leaning against a tree not too far back from me that wasn't there when I passed. I gasp, turning tail and running down the drive to my car.

Almost there. Almost there! I chant to myself as my car comes into view in the darkness. I look back, not seeing anyone behind me. When I turn back forward, I run smack into someone who doesn't even flinch as my body smacks into them. I let out a scream as I fall to the gravel. A hiss escapes my lips as my butt slams down painfully and rocks press into my skin. Looking up, I can just make out the features of the person.

"Derek," I whimper.

"Riley," he sneers.

Derek reaches down, grabbing me roughly by the upper arms before yanking me to my feet. I cry out as he squeezes my arms, surely leaving bruises. "L-leave me alone, Derek!"

"'L-leave me alone, Derek!'" He copies in a high pitched tone. Derek uses his grip to his advantage, shaking me back and forth. "Don't tell me what to do!" I look up at him, catching his eyes for the first time. As expected, they're full of anger, but that's not why I scream.

I scream bloody murder, my eyes locked on his. His usual hazel eyes have changed - pupils dilated, larger than should be possible, and shining a luminescent yellow.

Like an animal.

I run out of breath, gasping from the effort of screaming, but quickly open my mouth to yell once more.

"Stop that," Derek hisses, covering my mouth with his hand. I bite it, causing Derek to yelp and drop me as his studies his bleeding hand. "Ouch! You're going to pay for that!" He reaches for me again.

"Cross!" I hear someone yell, referring to Derek by his last name. "What do you think you're doing here?"

I gasp as Derek yanks me to his side, wrapping an arm around me as we turn to face the person. Based on the voice and features, I would say it's Daniel, but his eyes seem to yell monster. They've changed, just like Derek's, flashing an animalistic green as the small amount of lighting hits them. I try to rip myself from Derek's grasp, wanting to run away from both of them.