Come Home

Declan

The house was glowing by the time we got back, but only one window really captured my interest. Third-floor, two windows from the right. Hannah. Stopping at the edge of the woods, a grin forms on my face as I see her shadow move around in the room. The others brush past me and move into the house, leaving me to bask in the summer air. Inhaling, a rancid, overly salted fish scent assaults my nose.

Taking a few steps back, I move right several paces until I can see around the house where the smell is coming from. I don't see anything amiss, and a sudden onslaught of fatigue pushes me towards the house's entrance. Pushing through the brush, I move across the lawn and towards the front door when a light thump sound on the other side of the house causes me to pause mid-step. Turning around, I swiftly move to peer around the corner of the house where everything looks as it did a few moments ago. Nobody is around and I don't see any wildlife nearby, but glancing up, I catch sight of Chloe leaning out the window and staring towards the woods in the distance. Pressing myself back against the corner, I quickly shift into my fleshy form and move into her line of vision.

"Oh, Declan. I thought I heard something. Did you guys find the bear?"

"Not this time, but we have hopes for the future. Did you see something out here?"

"No, I thought whatever I had heard came from the woods. I guess I was kind of right," she replied, earning a chuckle from me.

"We're always coming and going through these woods. It can take a while to get used to, but the minute you're back in the city, I guarantee you'll miss it."

"I hope I never have to go back. I might talk Jethro into moving into a wooded area like this, a small cabin in the middle of nowhere," she said, looking into the night.

"Fredrick could help arrange something for you nearby. Do you want me to mention it to him?"

"Really? That would be amazing, please do."

"Well, I should head in. Goodnight, Chloe."

"Goodnight Declan," she replied with a small wave before closing her window and pulling the shades.

Turning towards the woods, I try to figure where she had been looking but only see darkness. Shaking off a sudden chill, I back around the corner and pause with a sigh when I see Hannah's light is turned off.

Coming through the abandoned main entry-way, I swiftly head up the stairs for a nice shower to remove the day's sweat and grime. Reaching my room, I stop dead in my tracks when I notice a figure in my bed that silently beckons me inside. I silently close the door behind me before moving to sit on the edge of my bed.

"How did it go?" Hannah asked, scooting to sit beside me.

"Not good. We discovered a townie in the middle of the woods with her throat slit."

"Oh my goodness, that's awful. Did you guys figure out what happened?"

"No, Fredrick called Hunter so maybe we'll know more tomorrow."

"Does he think it was murder? I hope she didn't suffer."

"Yes, he's putting us on house arrest until further notice," I answer, rubbing her arms in comfort.

"How long do you think that will last?"

"Just until he's sure it's safe for us to be out there."

"This will be a fun couple of days," she sighed, leaning into my chest before completely pulling away from me. "You really stink. Go take a shower so we can cuddle." I chuckle at her seriousness but obediently follow orders.

Once I return to the main room, my face fills with a content smile at seeing a sleeping Hannah in my clothes and snuggled under my sheets. As quietly as possible, I climb into the bed before scooping her in my arms and drifting off to sleep.