Scarlett's Moon

Chapter 19: Haunted and Hunted

Chandler grabbed my hand as we crossed the street from our parking space to the carnival. It was so pretty in the evening with all the lights against the sun setting sky. I was quite excited. I haven’t been to a carnival in a while. And being there with Chandler made the experience even better.

            We got in line to buy wrist bands and as soon as we got them I dragged Chandler as I skipped with happiness.

            “Whoa there, girl. Hold on a second. We have to put the bands on.” He wrapped his around his wrist then wrapped the other band around mine. I jumped in happiness and excitement.

            “Let’s get on the Ferris Wheel!” I said.

            Chandler chuckled. “Lead the way.”

            I grabbed his hand and dragged him to the line waiting to get on the giant wheel. I was quite giddy. I kind of felt like a little girl again. The Ferris Wheel was my favorite part of carnivals and fairs.

            “You know, I have never been on one of these,” Chandler said with a little scrunch in the face.

            My jaw dropped. “Are you serious? You have got to be kidding me.”

            “Nope. I have never been on a Ferris Wheel.”

            “Ever?”

            “Ever.”

            I sighed. “Well, there’s a first time for everything. I hope the Big Bad Wolf isn’t afraid of heights.”

            His hands wrapped around my waist as he pulled me closer. “I’m not.”

            “You sure?” I asked.

            “Yep.”

            “Positive?”

            “Yes.”

            “Surely positive?” I asked with a smirk. He glared at me and I laughed. “You can never be too sure.”

            “I’m pretty sure I’m not afraid of heights,” he said before leaning in to kiss me. I stood on the tips of my toes to meet him halfway. I usually wasn’t one for PDA but his lips felt like soft, sweet butter against mine, making me want to deepen the kiss. His tongue traced my bottom lip-making me shiver. I pulled back slightly to breathe and made the mistake of opening my eyes slightly. Because standing not twenty feet from us, staring directly at me was the Demon Wolf.

            I jumped while I gasped. Chandler pulled back and whipped around. “What is it?”

            I looked back at the spot the Demon Wolf had been in but he wasn’t there anymore. I frowned. “I thought I saw…never mind. It’s gone now.”

            Chandler hadn’t responded to me. I looked over at him and gulped. Chandler’s back was hunched with his legs in fighter’s stance. He looked alert. But it wasn’t that that alarmed me. It was the tiny little detail of his eyes glowing.

            I touched his shoulder gently. I didn’t want to startle him. I knew if I had, it would have ended badly. “Chandler,” I whispered softly.

            He blinked. His eye went back to their normal color and his back straightened. He cleared his throat and took a breath. I looked at him. “It was nothing, Chandler.”