Silent Secrets

Chapter X

AN:

Chapter Ten WOO!!!! I'm really amazed at the feedback this has gotten so far! It's my most popular book (by a long shot!) and I'm so grateful for all of you who read and vote and comment on this. Thank you for so much--you have no idea how happy you make me :D

Shout out to @eternal_potterhead for her response when I asked my followers what they wanted to see updated:

SILENT SECRETS ABANSNAHOSBAHAKAMANSBJAMA I FANGIRL OVER THAT BOOK BECAUSE IT IS SO AMAZING AND DESERVES A MILLION MORE READS AND VOTES THAN IT HAS. ALSO,I GET SUPER EXCITED WHENEVER YOU UPDATE, SO PLEASE MAKE MY DAY. OKAY RANT OVER BYE

Thank you for lighting up my day :D

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Remus and I hiked through the forest for a good half hour, getting turned around at times, realizing that we were walking in circles and having to double back, before we emerged at the eves of the forest near the suburb I lived in. Fortunately, we were on the opposite side of town from where I lived, so I didn't needed to worry...yet.

Remus eyed me shrewdly, pursing his lips. "You don't want me to come any farther, do you?"

I shrugged, which, now that I thought about it, was a large improvement from staring at him in fear.

He sighed. "Figured as much."

A small smile escaped my lips, my eyes slightly apologetic.

"I'm coming with you to your alley," he stated firmly.

I knew what he was doing. He hoped that once we got to the alley, he could say 'I'm coming with you through the next block,' and so on until we got to my house. Then my father would find out about Remus, and he'd hurt him, or worse, kill him. Kill him like he killed that other family that took me in. Murder them in cold blood, just like he did them.

And it would be my fault. My fault for allowing Remus to get to know me, my fault for not standing my ground and forcing him to stop following me, my fault for even allowing him to become my friend. I already held the guilt of five innocent lives in my soul; I didn't think I could stand even one more.

I smiled slightly at him and my head, but walked on, leaving it up to him whether he followed. I would be certain to lose him at my alley. The truth? I didn't want to be alone just yet. I enjoyed his company, and the sense of safety he gave me. He'd been to my alley loads of times; my father didn't even know it existed. Why couldn't Remus accompany me that far? I'd make sure he went home before I headed home.

Remus grinned as he followed me, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I swear, I'll leave once you make it to your alley," he promised.

I shot him a doubtful look, unwilling to believe he would just leave me in an alley without a fight.

He shrugged. "Hey, believe me or don't. I try not to break my word, though."

I smiled at him, leaping lightly over the curb and hugging the shadowy edge of the sidewalk, trying to avoid the warm pools of yellow light.

All too soon, we reached my alley. Slipping down toward the back wall, I sank down among the trashbags and looked expectantly at Remus, waiting for him to leave. He shuffled his feet awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess...I'll come by here tomorrow? See if you're here?"

You better hope I'm not, I thought to myself, frowning. I only come here when I've either been thrown out of the house or when I'm hiding from my dad and his fists. If you really do care about my safety, you wouldn't want to see me here every day.