My Angel

Chapter 5

Charlie, being the man of few words that he was, decided that the best thing to do was keep his arm over my shoulder, and simply not let go. Like everyone else - I guess he didn't want me to disappear again. Which is fair. Twice was probably enough.

Eventually though, after I let him know that I was really, actually okay, and not going to suddenly pop out of existence. He wanted an answer.

"What happened kid?" He asked quietly, squeezing my shoulder, trying to comfort me. I gave a little shrug.

"It's not complicated... I uh... well... What day is it?"

"Friday, the 10th."

"Right." I said with a little nod. I've been gone for five days. Almost a week of freaking Charlie out. It made me feel a whole lot worse hearing that out loud. I know there wasn't much I could do... but it still wasn't right. He shouldn't have to be the one to deal with my stupid decisions.

"Well... do you remember that day? You told me not go hiking?" I said with a little awkward laugh. I could feel his stare suddenly burning into my cold skin. "I kinda... sorta went hiking." He gave me a blank look, not saying a word. I guess that meant I should keep going.

"So, I went out, and I just kinda ran into... are you guys still chasing that wild animal? The one that was killing those hikers?" I ask quietly, stuffing my hands into my pockets, as I interrupted myself. I've never been good at this. Talking. It was the worst.

"Well, it's not just one... it was wolves... like horse sized, mutant wolves. They were huge." I said breathlessly, imagining them again. The way they chased after Lauren... how they looked ready to mow down anything that got in their way.

I know how insane that sounded - I hope he doesn't think I'm delusional. It's gonna be a lot harder keeping him safe from them if he doesn't believe they're real.

"They were hunting... uh just some kind of animal, and I kinda interrupted them." I could feel his grip on me tighten. The people walking back with us were all listening as well, a few kept edging closer, trying to hear better.

"They weren't really focused on me, they wanted the animal they were hunting... but I got scared. When they passed me by, I just ran - straight back to my truck... or I thought I was heading back to my truck - turns out I was running the wrong way." I said with another dry laugh. He didn't really share my humor, his grip just kept getting tighter. His hand is definitely gonna break.

"I got lost." I said quietly. I kinda wish that was what happened. Just getting lost in the woods, like a normal person - someone that didn't deal with monsters. It's not like there were many benefits of being a vampire... not anymore at least. Not since she...

"What happened next?" Charlie asked simply, clearing his throat, and knocking me out of the thought. Obviously he was very uncomfortable hearing that his kid almost got eaten.

"Well, eventually, I retraced my steps, and I found my truck... which I think I left the door open, because the interior is just wrecked - an animal must've got in and tore it up... but yeah... as soon as I found it, I drove straight back home" I said, sighing as I finally manage to look at him again.

He was quiet, nodding along, with tired eyes as he rubbed his stubbled jaw. It made me feel worse, the bags under his eyes, the tightness of his expression. He must have been going crazy. I felt like a complete and utter douchebag.

"I got a bit sick while I was out there, that's why I'm um... a bit cold... and everything. I... I feel fine now, but I'm uh... I don't know. I'm fine." I said lamely. He let out a sigh, pulling me closer, I think in an effort to comfort himself, because he didn't believe me - but also to try and make me a bit warmer. We both knew that this was a cool morning, even with the sun coming up soon.