Innocence

Chapter Twenty-five

I sat up in bed, releasing a blood curdling scream. A hand clamped over my mouth and I struggled, trying to get away.

"Mikeala! It's me! It's ok, I'm here!" Ethan said. Finally I realized it was him and flung myself into his arms, crying. It has been three months since I had stupidedly went into the woods, but the same dream still haunts my sleep every night.

"Will it ever stop?" I sobbed into Ethan's chest.

"I don't know." he said quietly. I reached up to kiss him but he turned his face away.

"Ethan?" I asked, hurt.

"Mikeala, in your sleep, you kept calling for me. You kept asking what they wanted from you. They don't want you, baby, they want me."

"But why would they want..."

"Because I'm a vampire." Ethan said, cutting me off.

"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked.

"Those weren't just wolves, Mikeala. They were shape shifters. Hunters. They only have one pray. Vampires."

Cold, hard realization hit me at what he was saying.

"They are after you." I said. Ethan nodded his head.

"Well, they can't have you. Just stay away from the woods. Don't let them catch you." I started.

"Mikeala, as long as they are after me, you aren't safe."

"What, so your just going to go give yourself to them so I won't get hurt?" I said, my voice rising.

"No. That's not what I mean." Ethan said slowly.

"Then what?" I said.

"I'm leaving, Mikeala. I can't risk putting you in this position. " Ethan said, clenching his jaw.

"What?" I whispered. "you, your'e leaving me?" Ethan nodded his head.

"but, no! I'm coming with you." I said forcefully, starting to get out of my bed, but Ethan grabbed my hand.

"Mikeala, I don't want you to come." I felt like a icecicle had been shoved into my heart.

"You dont like me?"

"no." Ethan said, grimacing.

"Oh." I said, tears welling in my eyes.

"Don't cry." Ethan begged, pulling me to him but I jerk out of his reach and got out of bed. I went to the window and opened it, breathing in the fresh air that now just seemed stale and unliving.

"Get out." I said, my voice trembling. Ethan got out of bed and came to the window. Hegrabbed my chin and kissed meon the forehead once before vanishing into the night.