Derek's POV

The Reckoning: Ch. 17

The Reckoning: Ch. 17

(Just after Simon and Chloe go out on a date)

Don't go looking for them...don't go looking for them...

It had become my mantra. They had left hours ago, shouldn't they be back by now?

Yes, the should. The Edison Group could have them, could be hurting them right-

NO. They were fine, they were just out there, all alone together.. I yanked my mind away, shoving down the feeling of... something that came with that thought.

Any minute now they'll be back and i'll feel like an idiot for worrying so much.

I took a deep breath and caught the scent. From my perch by the window i saw a small figure step out of the woods, much too small to be anyone other then her. I threw open the door and even more of that delicious smell floated up to me.

Strawberries and the breeze after it has swept through the forest. Chloe.

I stalked towards her, pissed off by the fact that i cared enough to memorise her scent. She muttered something under her breath that i chose to ignore.

"Where's Simon?" I snapped at her.

She didn't say anything, just raised an arm and pointed behind her, at the forest.

No, tell me he didn't-

"He left you? Out there? At night?"

She tried to get past me, muttering about Simon dropping something and not being far.

Bullshit.

I stepped into her path again and when she lifted her head i saw the tears glistening on her cheeks.

"You're crying?"

She looked away.

"No, it's just..dust, from the path." Chloe pointed at the forest again,

"Simon's that way."

Dust, huh? I tried to get a look at her face, telling myself that i was only worried about her being upset because it's what Simon would want. She wouldn't let me see, always turning her head so, while trying not to overthink it, i placed my fingers under her chin and lifted her head myself.

She jerked back, flinching and I shook my hand slightly where she couldn't see, trying to stop the tingling that just touching her had caused.

"You have been crying." I said, my voice suprisingly soft. My insides were churning, my temper demanding I find who had upset her and make sure they don't do it again.

"What did Simon-?" I cut off, not believing that i could even think that Simon would somehow hurt Chloe. It couldn't have been Simon...but who, or what, else could it been then?

"What happened?"

She shrugged, "Nothing. It just didn't work out."

"Didn't, work, out?" What? But- why?

When i asked her that she told me to talk to Simon. I narrowed my eyes at her.

"I'm talking to you. What'd you do to him?" Anger, a much better emotion when dealing with Chloe. If i was angry with her then i could forget how sweet she smelled or the tingling still hadn't dissappeared. Dammit.

"I screwed up. Again. You're shocked, I'm sure. Now, let me go inside-"

No. Screwed up how? And what did that have to do with Simon not being here with her?