Lonely Boy (B×B)

Chapter 8 - Confront

××Stormy××

I brought my arms up around myself tighter as the cold air hit. It only took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness around me. At the moment, clouds were blocking out the multiple moons light. I took a turn and met Fallow's curious gaze. He had hay hanging from his mouth so he must have been having a midnight snack.

"Hey buddy," I whispered. He nosed into my shoulder, sensing my distress.

I couldn't get the scene between Niton and the strange man out of my mind. It constantly played over as I tried to decipher it further. I hadn't built up the courage to ask Niton. I didn't know how he would react or what he would say.

Maybe I was just afraid of what it could be, of what everything could mean. Of what might happen when I asked. I didn't want him to suddenly begin pushing me away. It had taken both of us a long time to begin trusting each other and even talk seriously to each other instead of just joking and teasing.

"I need to clear my head a little. Wanna come hunt with me?" I question, leaving the option open for him. It was the middle of the night, a time when most would be asleep.

Fallow made his way out of the stall and I smiled, closing it behind him. I readjusted the bow Niton had given me and arrows we made together as Fallow and I walked away from the quiet cabin. I had peeked into Nitons room before I left and found him fast asleep. I would be free to roam in silence, without the worry of him bothering me.

The dark woods ahead didn't scare me. I knew them like the back of my hand. I had planted red X's across many different trees in the forest and most animals had figured out where those trees were so I took the path away from that area.

I stalked into the woods, my footsteps becoming quieter as I honed in on the sounds around me. Fallow's footsteps made no noise along with mine. He understood that hunting required silence.

The woods were eerily quiet tonight. I couldn't hear a single squirrel in the trees or a rabbit running along in the brush. Every few seconds a cricket would sound off but that seemed to be it. As I got closer to the small creek running through the woods, I expected to hear frogs croaking but they were quiet as well.

The breeze rustled the leaves above me and stopped me in my tracks as I looked up. The stars were bright tonight along with the two moons. All casting a soft glow. The clouds must have moved on with the breeze.

I tensed. Rustling came from behind me, too loud to be a small animal. Fallow didn't seem to care though and that's what set my mind in motion.

I swiveled around and glared at the area I believed the sound to have come from. As I took a step closer to investigate, the rustling started again but this time, on the side I had been looking at before.

I groaned and turned again. I leveled my gaze at the trees. Specifically the area between two trees where I could barely make out two twinkling dark red orbs.

"I know it's you Niton."

In seconds, Niton was stepping out of the shadowed brush, knocking a few leaves off his clothes as he got closer. I made sure my stare showed my annoyance. I was planning on this hunt being just me and Fallow.

"You're no fun," Niton pouted. His lips caught my attention but I quickly looked away. I only shrugged in response.

"Why are you out this late?" Niton questioned, setting a hand on Fallow in greeting. He gave his flank a gentle pat as Fallow trotted towards some leaves that must have looked tasty to him.

"I could ask you the same thing," I retorted, crossing my arms again to fight off the cold chill.

"I'm a nighttime creature." Niton countered, a smirk setting in place on his angled face. The shadows from the moons cast a dark shadow on his face, giving him a completely mysterious and mischievous look.

It was tempting to bark back but his words only brought my mind back to what I had seen a few days ago. The stranger Niton was talking to was no doubt a night creature as well. His whole aura had shouted darkness.

A quiet moment passed with Niton and I both staring intensely at each other. It was Niton who broke the silence I had accidently created by ignoring his taunting.

"I actually have something I would like to speak with you about," Niton started, his gaze flickering away and back a few times. He was nervous.

"I also need to talk about something. Something that's been on my mind for awhile actually," I said, taking a step closer. Niton moved to erase even more distance between us. My cheeks flushed at our proximity but I couldn't let myself forget my goal. My entire reason for needing to speak to him.

Another moment of silence. This time caused by both parties.

"I love you. I have for a while."
"Who was that man at the house?"

Our words jumbled out at the exact same moment, both statements crumbling at the end due to the other's words.

My breath hitched and I searched Niton's eyes, frozen in place. He loved me. A giddy feeling bubbled inside my chest and threatened to escape my mouth in similar words. His eyes caused that feeling to pop. There wasn't love in them any longer. Only shock and worry. I took a couple steps back to make distance, regaining my composure.

"What?" Niton breathed. His shock had yet to wear off.

"You know what I said. Tell me who he was," I growled, pushing my topic first.

"I'm not sure what you are talking about." Niton mumbled, his eyes barely able to meet mine now. He was lying straight through his sharp teeth.

What's the point of lying when I clearly saw something? He was only making it worse for himself.

I leaned down and caught Niton's gaze. For the first time since I've met him, he actually looked scared. That only solidified the fact that the old man meant something important and was something I definitely wasn't supposed to know about.

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I guess that's an ending