Changed

Chapter Seven

I pulled open the oddly heavy door of the cafe. It creaked loudly enough to grasp the attention of an older couple sitting at the nearby window, and a small bell released a jingle - alerting the lady at the counter of my arrival. I studied the delicious looking croissants immediately changing my breakfast plan, each one baked to perfection. I could feel the stares of her customers as they watched a strange red-head cloaked in black decide what croissant she wouldn't mind devouring whole. They probably didn't get many strangers around here.

"Just let me know when you've decided on what you'd like hun." The counter lady flashed me a friendly smile, which I returned, and continued wiping crumbs and coffee rings off her café tables.

Hail didn't follow me and I didn't care. He mentioned a camp and I would try to find it on my own - I didn't need him to hold my hand every step of the way. I sighed to myself. I guess that was a lie. I craved affection - yearned for it. Finally I had found others like me and an explanation to what I was, but one's a cocky asshole and the rest I couldn't touch even if I found them.

I let the lady know I wanted a water and a cheese croissant and seated myself in the single, comfortable love seat, as far away from the objectifying eyes of the window couple as possible. The little bell dinged, and my heart skipped a beat without me willing it to do so, expecting Hail's blue eyes to meet mine. Instead a man with green eyes came into my view, and his perfectly shaped hand ran through his dirty blonde hair. He gave me a lopsided smile, and I threw my head down instantly, trying to find something interesting about my hands.

"Mornin' Joyce!" he directed at the counter lady.

So he was a regular.

"Caffé Breve coming right up hun," She said with a welcoming smile as she brought my well anticipated croissant to my table. I changed positions uncomfortably as the guy walked over to me and to my horror pulled up a wooden chair and sat right across from the cushions I was seated on.

"You're in my spot," he whispered. "But I'll let it slide for the pretty lady."

I looked up at his grin, and right back down to my croissant, not knowing how to respond with anything other than silence. He continued a studying stare as I awkwardly ate my breakfast and got up to pay and return the dirty plate and glass.

"That'll be 2.50 sweetie!"

I reached into my pants pocket expecting to pull out a five when I realized Hail probably didn't stock my outfit with money. I faced Joyce with apologetic eyes as I told her I had nothing, when blondie reached over me and gave her what she needed. I rushed a thank you and a grateful smile, and fled the café. The constant tap of my shoes against asphalt calmed me, and I was a very confused tourist walking aimlessly down the small town's single road until I could figure out what to do since Hail had apparently ditched my stubborn ass. Soon my taps were accompanied by faster clicks and a recognizable voice reached out to me.

"Hey pretty lady! Wait up!" Sure enough it was the blonde who'd saved my broke ass.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but what do you want from me?" I asked, stopping to face him.

"You look lost, and I like helping people," Again he bared that adorable lopsided grin.

"I'm Alec, and if you don't mind I can help you."

"I'm fine thank you." I continued walking.

He let out a sigh. "I'm cutting this nice guy bullshit. I'm one of the Changed and you are too."

I groaned, and once again turned to confront him.

"Do you know Hail? Because he's already tried helping me and since I've known him I've been shot, seen two people die, was pushed off a balcony and almost had my throat shoved into a monster's mouth. I don't even know what to believe anymore."

He stifled a laugh. "Yeah, that sounds like Hail. Trust me, I am a lot better. I'm heading to camp, you'll get answers there." He basically strut in the direction I was already going and beckoned that I follow him, which I did. Because in all honesty I didn't have a single fragment of an idea as to what I was doing.

"So uh.. are you and Hail a thing?"

I stared at Alec in disbelief as we began through countless rows of dense trees. I'd have to ask about this forest obsession these people had. "Are you kidding? I've known him a whole of four days."

Alec released a loud but oddly satisfying snicker. "He got you shot, attacked, and thrown out of a balcony within four days? That has to be a record even for him."

"How did you know I was one of the Changed?" I asked while dodging a protruding branch.

"I knew Hail had found another Changed when he went M.I.A. for a while, so I tracked him and found you. Just my luck you two had a little cat fight so I could scoop you up and take you back myself,"

I was mildly offended by this whole competition thing between Hail and Alec, but I was desperate to find that camp. I stumbled over mossy twigs as I followed Alec's effortless steps leading us towards this camp, where I would hopefully be able to shower if anything.

"Stop and stay low." Alec unexpectedly dropped to the ground and I, like a weary cat, did the same. We were almost touching shoulders, and I inched away, reminding myself of Hail's warnings. There was an earth-shattering explosion, and a downpour of sand and pebbles showered us.

"What was that?" I hissed.

"Underground Scaevus. Shit. Okay, I need you to get on my back," Alec shook himself off and stood in a sprinter's stance.

I doubted whatever he was planning, but didn't have much of a choice as the ground beneath me dropped, and I automatically launched myself onto Alec's muscular body.