Red Riding Hood

Chapter Thirty

It could have been hours or years but really it was probably only minutes before the sound of someone approaching hit my ears. I didn't offer any help as they gently lifted me from the ground, one arm under my knees and the other supporting my back as my head fell into the dip of their shoulder. I couldn't have protested even if I wanted to, my eyes not willing to open and my senses offering no help I was completely at their mercy. The muffle of voices around me made my head ache and I wanted to beg them to stop but my mouth wouldn't move. This time last year Jocelyn and her boyfriend Brad had broken up as she caught him kissing Delia Carter the easiest lay from our school at midnight which then left us sitting in Hyde Park with a bottle of tequila as we made our New Year resolutions. How I wished I was back at that time. No worries. No werewolves. No Parker and no William. I didn't want to mean it but I did. What if I had stayed with my Grandparents, sure at twenty one things would've changed but I still would be living my normal life now.

I felt my hand being lifted, my arm aching at the movement. I was aware of something soft under me now, the person carrying me gone. So I just waited. My hearing became clearer and the ticking of a clock the first thing I heard. Footsteps were shuffling nearby and I turned my head slightly in that direction, fighting to open my eyes.

"I told her to keep the ring on. It only proves what you thought Finn. Someone out there is targeting her" My Grandmothers voice came to me then and wiggling my fingers the ring was sure enough back on my finger.

"Who ever it was wanted the extra strength so used her. I think it could work in our favor though. If they did this now they will try again only this time we will make sure that ring is glued to her" His tone lacked the stress my Grandmothers carried which comforted me slightly.

"How are we going to find out who did it?" the angry familiar voice got my eyes to open. It had been nearly a fortnight since I had heard that voice.

"Seriously, I may be immortal but you will be the death of me" Eric appeared in my line of vision as he moved from the single chair beside me on the floor. I offered him a smile as I took in my Grandparents lounge room.

"What happened?" I asked sleepily, my body not willing to let me do much more than that.

"Finn thinks a witch was using you, that what they were doing needed the strength of more than one witch and you were the closest one within their reach" He leant over and picked up my hand, "This ring would have stopped it but you didn't have it on" he scolded. I looked at the tiny pearly stone in the silver band. That could have stopped the pain? My head hurt thinking it about it. The sound of the door sliding open caused us both to look up and my heart stopped, as William appeared, Finn and Marcus right behind him. Eric moved swiftly out the way as he took his spot, the blue eyes I'd spent nights staring into were back looking into mine full of concern. I rolled onto my side, his hands taking mine as his forehead rested gently against my shoulder.

"Beth I..." I stopped him as soon as he started. I didn't let him finish as I sat up, shifting so I was sitting up and cradling his head in my hands.

"It's ok" He nodded slightly, leaning forward I moved down so our lips met. The tenderness of his touch made heart start to  race and the gentleness of the kiss was abandoned and instead an urgent need took over.

"Ok, we're all here guys" Freddy interrupted, blocked by Finn and I was certain it was for his own protection as William stood and glared over at him. I stood beside him placing my hand on his arm gently taking his attention off Freddy.

"How are you feeling dear?" My Grandmother walked over, Russell behind her with a tea tray in his hands. She looked curiously at William, clearly having missed our interaction second before.