Winter's Bite

Chapter 9 Cait

'Cait, what did we say about that boy?' Aunt Louise began as I entered.

Then she saw my face.

'Cait, what happened? You're white as a sheet.'

'Something chased me from the woods.'

Although not as shaken as when Owen first saved me, I wasn't much better.

'What? Are you hurt?'

I shook my head. 'Owen saved me. I didn't see it. But it sounded big.'

'A boar maybe? Although I haven't known them come out onto the roads. You were lucky you got away. This boy saved you, you say?'

I nodded. 'It ran off, must have been when it heard him come back.'

'We must report it,' Aunt Louise said. 'In case some-one else gets attacked.'

'Owen said his uncles will search the woods with dogs,' I said.

'Let's hope they find it.'

I feared the police would question me but since I couldn't give them a description or even say what had chased me they didn't. They said they'd investigate.

Uncle Joe came in for dinner and I repeated the tale again. Once ascertaining I hadn't been hurt he started on Owen.

'I told you, stay away from that boy. The Haimon family are trouble. Stories say they once hunted young men and women through those woods and not with dogs. Some say they changed into monsters.'

'You can't believe some stupid old story,' I protested.

'Even 'til near present times young people were murdered in those woods. Four only fifty years ago.'

'Seventy years,' Aunt Louise corrected. 'I looked it up on the internet. Two boys and two girls. The youngest the same age as you, Caitlin.'

'Seventy years ago! That's ancient history. Why blame Owen's family?'

'They own those woods. They were here at the time.'

'Did the police catch anyone?' I asked.

'No, there wasn't enough evidence. But everyone knew who was responsible. '

'So you don't even know who did it.'

'If you'd been brought up here you'd understand. The Haimon family is dangerous,' Uncle Joe insisted.

I ate dinner with a sullen frown, determined not to let mindless prejudices affect my feelings for Owen. After dinner I studied in my room. I thought Uncle Joe had spoken his last on the subject, but an hour later he called me downstairs. He and my aunt sat alone in the living-room.

'I won't forbid you to see the Haimon boy,' Uncle Joe said. 'You'd probably go behind our backs and see him anyway.'

I remained silent.

'But you must promise you'll be careful. You might not believe it, but your aunt and I do want what's best for you. Don't meet the boy without telling anyone. Don't go off alone with him. And don't go into the woods on any account, especially not with him. Will you promise?'

'I promise.' I stared down at my shoes.

'Alright then.'

With a nod Uncle Joe let me go. I left the room with releif. God, how embarressing. I didn't even know if I'd see Owen again. But at least I wasn't forbidden from meeting him. I wouldn't have to creep behind their backs.