Are You Kidding Me?!

Chapter 5: The Encounter and Truth (Part 1)

It was dark by the time Kohl and I walked out of the mall. We had both grabbed smoothies and were laughing our heads off at the randomest things. I looked like some cliche high school girl walking with her crush.

"So, Kohl," I said while sipping on my smoothie, "what'd you think of the movie?"

"I think, Aidyn," Kohl replied copying my actions, "that it was a wonderdul movie. Very funny."

"You think so, eh?"

"Well yeah! Especially the part when Nick and Judy went to the DMV full of sloths. That was the funniest thing out of the whole thing. What about you, huh? What was your favorite part?"

"I think mine was the part where Judy was trying to figure out who Mr. Big was. I just love how they put the polar bears at different sizes and then revealed the little shrew. At least, I thought it was a shrew."

Kohl just laughed as he threw his arm around my shoulders for a second time that night. I giggled along as we walked down the dimly lit sidewalks. At this point I was starting to get a little weary at this point because of what happened a few days ago but I didn't let it show.

I thought I felt Kohl's arm tighten a little bit around me and when I looked up at him it didn't seem he noticed. Maybe I was just being too paranoid. I mentally shrugged as I walked on talking about different things with Kohl.

"I wonder if Cherry is going to be okay." I spoke out loud. "By the way you described it she seemed pretty sick."

"I'm sure she'll be fine." Kohl said. "She's a strong woman. A little sickness won't bring her down. You gotta believe in her."

"I do. It's just that I'm worried for her."

"I know you are, but let's keep our chin up and believe in our chirpy boss, 'kay?"

The way Kohl tilted his head and smirked made my cheeks go red as I nodded.

"Okay." I whispered my reply.

Walking on in silence made me more aware of our surroundings. I honestly felt like we were being watched. This thought made me press myself against Kohl more making him look down at me. He then leaned down to my height.

"What's wrong?" he whispered in my ear sending shivers down spine.

"I'm scared." I whispered back ignoring the butterflies in my stomach. "I feel like someone's watching us."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"I'm right here, don't worry."

"I'll try not to, Kohl."

Kohl stood up straight again with his head tilted up a bit as if he was sniffing the air. His eyes darted quickly looking around before stopping on something in the distance. His grip tightened on my shoulder as we kept walking.

I could've sworn I heard a low growl come from deep inside his chest as his eyes flashed a little. Then, without warning, he pulled me into nearby alleyway making us both drop our smoothies on the ground. His whole body seemed to be on edge as he pressed me against the wall with his figure.

"What-mmm?" I started only to get cut of by Kohl's hand.

He was looking out the alleyway and again it looked like he was sniffing the air. He then looked back at me with an excruciating gaze. It was almost like he was trying to figure out what to do with me.

Then his face took on one that looked like he had an idea.

"Aidyn?" he breathed out removing his hand. "Do you trust me?"

"Why?" I stupidly asked. "What are you doing?"

"I promise to explain everything later. Just answer me this. Do you trust me?"

I nodded a bit frightened at the urgency in Kohl's voice. He then started to lean in causing my heart to rapidly pick up.

"Don't move." he hissed out.

I stayed stock still as he began sniffing my neck and rubbing on it. It was like a cat had taken over this mans body and decided to mark his territory with his scent. My eyes widened as I felt Kohl go lower rubbing his head over every inch of me while smelling specifics spots.

When he was satisfied I heard him make a low whining sound as he pressed his face against my stomach giving it a little nudge and sniffing there too.

"Finished." he said almost breathless. "Now, Aidyn, I want you to listen closely to me. I'm taking you home to my house instead of yours. What I did before was rub my scent all over you. This claims you as mine when we walk past the Yearlings. Stay close to me at all times. Got it?"

I nodded quickly memorizing every word Kohl said. When he saw my response he nodded to himself then grabbed my hand as we walked out. I noticed the "Yearling" right away as we continued walking. It was the same one I had seen before and I started to shake in fear.

Kohl just guided me on past the beast towards his house. I was almost relieved to be back in a house. Key term "almost." Clearing my throat I looked straight a Kohl who was busy making coffee.

He seemed reluctant to tell me what happened as he brought over the steaming cup of liquid. I took it greatfully but continued to stare at him in expectance. When he sat he let out a sigh then looked straight at me.

"Look," he started, "I never asked to be like this. No force of nature could've stopped me from being like this. It's hard for me to even explain it to others. You must understand this, Aidyn."

I nodded my head listening to every word and syllable he spoke. He hesitated when opening his mouth to talk some more. It pained me just to see him like this. So I did what any other comforting person would do, I set my hand on his and urged him on.

Kohl let out a shuddering sigh and looked away from me.

"I am half of one of those beasts." he spoke surprising me.