Darren rolled his eyes at me and continued to slowly eat his food. I picked up my hot chocolate and sipped it slowly like a dessert. I stared out the window next to the kitchen and wished I knew what was going on with Darren. I tried to think of a way to ask him when Bret did it for me. “Darren, what the fuck is going on?”
Darren stared at Bret in shock. “Well Bret I think that is the first time I have heard you cuss.”
Bret frowned. “It won’t be the last time if you don’t answer my question.”
Darren sighed. “There is a lot of bad stuff going on in the world and I am trying to keep you two out of it so that you can enjoy your last week together.”
I stared at Darren and for some reason knew he was lying. It was like a punch in the gut. I started to say something, but Bret interrupted me. “Well if it might interfere with our safety, I think you should tell us.”
Darren said, “You’re fine for now. I promise that I will tell you, if it gets to that point. Now go enjoy the day.”
I stood up and walked past Darren and out the back door. Bret followed me and together we walked out to the open fields that lay behind my house. This is the one place of country I still had. On TV they always showed the industrialized parts of the world. None of that interested me. Just give me open fields or forests and I’m happy. I was about to head towards the forest when Darren called to us, “Don’t go to the forest. I saw a group of wolf tracks in that area this morning. I’m not sure if they are passing through or not, but just don’t go that way.”
I nodded my head and walked the opposite direction farther into the open fields. Bret followed me, staying silent, but close. I could hear the mooing of our cattle in the distance and the neighing of my horses. I started running through the open fields just enjoying the feel of the early morning sun and wind on my face. Bret ran beside me. I smiled at him and increased my speed. He easily caught up with me and we ran for a few more minutes. I collapsed to the ground and closed my eyes.
Bret laid down next to me and asked, “What do you think is really going on with Darren? Why would he want to keep this all hidden from us?”
I shrugged. “How should I know?”
Bret stroked the side of my face with his hand. “If anything does come I’ll protect you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Shut up Bret. Nothing is going to come.”
A high pitched voice yelled from the road near the field. “Bret! Bret, what are you doing?!”
I groaned and opened my eyes. “Skankzilla is calling you.”
Bret rolled his eyes at me. “Yeah, I hear her.” He sat up more so that she could see him and waved. “Hey guys.”
Guys? I sat up and the two guys and two girls that had been smiling and waving at Bret from a lifted Chevy Blazer frowned at me. I smiled at them knowing they hated that Bret spent so much time with me.
“Oh, you’re busy I see,” said the girl whom I call “Skankzilla”. I could hear the discontent in her voice.
I retorted, “Actually we are just hanging out. Shouldn’t you be getting back to your corner? Wouldn’t want some other skank to take it.”
She flipped her blonde hair behind her back and turned away from me. Bret sighed. “She was just kidding! What are you guys up to?”
J.D., one of Bret’s best friends spoke up. “We’re going to the lake. You two wanna come?”
Skankzilla sighed and asked, “Why did you invite her?”
I stood up and put my hand on my hip and flipped my hair behind my shoulder in an imitation of her. “Because if you don’t invite me Bret won’t come, Skankzilla. And we all know how bad you want Bret’s balls in your mouth.”
The skank frowned at me. “That’s just disgusting, Artemis.”
I shrugged. “You’re the one that does it.” I wasn’t usually so abrasive, but she rubbed me the wrong way.
J.D. and the other three people in the truck laughed loudly at Skankzilla. She screamed in frustration and turned away from me. Bret sighed and whispered, “Do you always have to get her all riled up?”
“It wouldn’t be any fun if I didn’t. Besides, what did I say that wasn’t true?” I walked towards the truck and smiled up at the two boys in it. “Hey J.D. Hey Billy. One of you strong boys wanna give me a boost?”
They both started to reach towards me, but Bret grabbed me. “I got her guys.”
J.D. rolled his eyes. “Yeah, Bret. You’ve always got her.”
In reality all of the kids just put up with me because Bret was my friend. If they had their choice I would be the biggest loner ever. Billy smiled kindly at me and moved over so I could sit in the front beside him. Bret started to sit beside me and I shook my head. “Go sit in the back with Skankzilla. I’m sure she needs some consoling after my insults.”
Bret rolled his eyes at me, but did what I asked. J.D.’s girlfriend Jessica smiled at me. “Hey. Chicky.” Chicky was Bret’s nickname for me, not sure where he got it from, but it stuck.
I smiled back at her knowing she was just being nice. “Hey, Jess.”
Billy started the truck and drove off towards the lake. I put my seat belt on and watched the landscape go by as we drove. Billy turned country music on the radio and everyone started singing along except me. I ignored the rowdy teens and watched the fields. Billy asked, “So, how was your trip?”
I shrugged. “It was alright. We gambled and drank and had fun. And Bret tried to get in a fight in Las Vegas.”
J.D. asked, “What happened?”
I turned to Bret and nodded my head. “You can tell them.”
“When we were in Vegas, these older guys were trying to proposition Artemis.” Bret said without hesitation.
Billy kept looking at me out of the corner of his eyes. All of them did this, like they couldn’t let me out of their sight. Like they were scared of me. I didn’t understand it because I had never done anything to any of them, but I was used to it by now. Bret continued telling them all about our adventures. The lake started to become visible and I got excited. I loved the water and couldn’t wait to get in it.
Billy parked the truck and I hopped out before anyone else and ran down to the new dock the townspeople had built. I threw off my shirt and pants and ran straight off the dock and into the water without making the dock squeak. As I went under the water I swam farther out pushing against the water and loving the feel of it on my skin. I could hear the rest of them jumping into the water and surfaced when I knew I was far enough away that none of them could jump on me.
I turned around and gasped as Billy splashed me with water. I splashed him back and we started a girls versus boys splashing war. Of course the boys always won, but I like to think that we let them win. Boys have very sensitive egos. Billy splashed me with water and I launched myself at him pushing him under the water. He pulled me down with him and I went willingly, glad that for once one of them was treating me like a friend. I started to swim up when Billy pulled me against him and kissed me under the water. I froze in shock as he went up for air. I sat under the water not comprehending what had happened when Bret pulled me up. I gasped for air and stared at Billy.
Bret yelled, “What the hell did you do to her?!”
I shook my head and put my hands on Bret’s chest. “No, Bret. It’s okay. He didn’t do anything. I was just seeing how long I could hold my breath.” And wondering why Billy had kissed me and why it had felt so strange.
Bret frowned at me, then shrugged. “Sorry Billy.”
Billy smiled. “No prob. We know you are protective of her. Just like a big brother.”
Bret flinched at the words and I ignored him. I dove under the water as far down as I could go. I swam right to Billy’s legs and pulled him under the water. His arms flailed as he tried to stay up, but ended up failing and went under. I surfaced before he did and swam a few feet away. Billy came up sputtering and smiled at me. Bret glared at me and I shrugged at him trying to look innocent. The girls started fighting with individual boys and, as I suspected, Skankzill
a went to Bret. I floated on my back enjoying the sun on my face. I heard the water moving and turned my head to see Billy floating next to me. He spoke softly, “Hey.”
“Hey Billy. Nice day, huh?”
He nodded his head and then turned serious. “I’m sorry Bret’s leaving.”
I shrugged. “Yeah, but it’s great for him.”
He nodded his head. “Yeah, but bad for you.”
I stopped floating and treaded water so I could look at him better. “What do you mean?”
He dropped down too and smiled. “Artemis, we know how you feel about him.”
I shook my head. “No, you don’t.”
He rolled his eyes. “So you’re trying to tell me that you don’t like him?”
I frowned. “Of course I like him, but not like J.D. and Jess like each other. You said it right. He’s like my big brother.”
Billy flinched. “Don’t tell that to Bret. You’ll kill him.”
I shrugged. “I’ve never told him any different.”
He frowned. “So you’ve never done anything with him?”
I laughed. “No! I’ve never done anything with anyone.” I suddenly felt embarrassed and turned away.
“It’s okay Artemis. I know it’s hard for you here. Since everyone treats you bad.” Billy said softly.
I shrugged. “I’m used to it.”
Billy moved closer to me and said, “When Bret leaves you can spend time with me, if you want to.”
I turned around and stared at him in shock. “You’re not afraid of me?”
He smiled. “A little, but I’m tougher than Bret and he can handle you so, I figure I shouldn’t be too scared.”
Skankzilla screamed and pointed behind me. “Oh my God, do you guys see those bears?”
I turned and looked in the direction she was pointing and gasped. “Those aren’t bears, they’re huge wolves!” Two gray wolves and one beautiful black wolf were standing on the sandy edge of the lake drinking. They looked up when they heard her and I felt drawn to them. I started swimming towards them and they turned to stare at me. The black wolf in the middle took a step forward and the other two snarled at him. He stopped moving and they all started to turn away. I called to them, “Wait! Don’t leave!”
Billy grabbed me. “What are you doing, Artemis?”
I shook free of him and swam faster towards them. “Please! Wait!” I recognized the middle one and knew where I had seen him before. He was the wolf in my dream last night. He was Ares, the mystery man in my dreams and the man at the casino. The wolves ignored my pleas and ran into the fields and then disappeared into the forest. I sighed and Bret grabbed me in his arms. I growled, “Put me down.”
“What were you thinking?!” He shouted at me.
“You wouldn’t understand.” I pushed off of him and swam towards the shore. The girls were already dressed and headed towards the truck. I put my clothes back on and my shoes and started walking.
Billy caught up to me. “Where are you going? Come on, I’ll give you a ride home.”
I shook my head. “No thanks. I’ll talk to you later Billy.”
He stared at me as I started running down the road. I heard Bret grunt and stopped running. I yelled, “You go with them! I need time alone!”
Bret started to shake his head as he tried to put his pants on and I ran down the road as fast as I could. Dirt kicked up behind me as I sprinted towards home. I felt stupid for even believing that wolf had been Ares. A werewolf? How stupid am I? I have a wild imagination. I stared in shock at my house. How did I get here so fast? I shrugged and walked up the steps of the front porch.
Darren opened the door before I could reach to open it and stared at me. “Where’s Bret?”
“With his friends. I left early to come home.”
He shrugged. “Okay. Now what are you doing?”
“Taking a shower and then eating lunch. Is that okay with you?” I asked angrily.
He raised his hands as if surrendering. “Yeah, yeah kid.”
I hurried into the bathroom and undressed. What the hell is wrong with me? I keep having wolfman dreams then I think I see the man that is from my dreams. Koda said I couldn’t call him for two days. Why not? Oh shit. Is he still alive? I started to get nervous and wanted to call him, but breathed slowly, letting my body relax again. I can wait until I’m done. If he is dead… I swallowed hard… rushing won’t do anything. I would have rather taken a bath, but I needed a shower after swimming in the lake. I climbed into the hot stream of water and washed my body and hair absent-mindedly. Why had I felt so strongly that the wolf was Ares? It was stupid to even consider that my dreams were real, right? But how was he in my dreams? Why was he in my dreams?
“Artemis, are you alright?” Bret called through the door.
I sighed. “Yes Bret. I’m fine. I thought I told you to hang out with your friends?”
He sighed heavily leaning against the door. “I know what you are doing.” I stared at the wall waiting for his answer. He continued. “You think by pushing me away it will make it easier on you when I leave.”
I sighed. “Yeah, well what am I supposed to do?” I turned off the shower and wrapped the towel around myself. I opened the door and looked up at Bret who stood frowning at me. I walked past him and into my room to get dressed. Bret shut the door behind me waiting in the hallway as I got dressed as slow as possible.
When I walked back outside Bret was still scowling at me. I put my hands on my hips. “What?”
He frowned. “Looked like you and Billy were pretty friendly at the lake?”
“He was just trying to be nice since you are leaving and everything. He offered for me to hang out with him, so that I wouldn’t be lonely.”
Bret rolled his eyes. “Right, so you wouldn’t be lonely. What a dirtbag!”
I frowned at him. “Why are you upset? Most of the time your friends won’t even talk to me so, shouldn’t you be happy that he is being nice to me?”
Bret scoffed. “I’m sure he’ll be real nice once I’m gone.”
I stared at Bret and realized what was going on. “You’re jealous.”
Bret’s face twisted from shock to sadness. “No I’m not. Why would I be jealous of Billy?”
“Because you think that when you leave I am going to hook up with Billy and then when you come back it won’t be the same between us.”
Bret played with a string at the end of his shirt. “That’s not it. I just … I just don’t want him to hurt you.”
I smiled. “You mean emotionally, right?”
He smiled back. “Well not physically. I think you could take Billy if you wanted to.”
I rolled my eyes. “I could take you if I wanted to.” I pushed his chest and he fell backwards onto the floor.
He swept my legs out from under me, making me fall to the ground on my back beside him. He rolled over and before he could do anything else, I punched his chest and arm. His face was lit up with a giant smile as we wrestled in the hallway. We both admitted defeat when we were breathing heavily and sweating. Bret stood up and then held out his hand to help me up.
I folded my legs under me and stayed sitting as I looked up at him. “Tell me the truth, Bret.”
Bret’s face turned serious making him look older and a little handsome. “I don’t want to leave. I want to stay here with you.” I started to protest but he squatted down, grabbed my arms and shook his head. “I’ll play for one of the colleges close to here. We can live in my parent’s house and…”
I shook my head. “Bret, Notre Dame is an amazing opportunity. I’ll make new friends.”
“I don’t want to be away from you Artemis. I lov…”
I pushed him away and ran from the house. I am not doing this right now. I could hear Bret calling after me, but I didn’t want to deal with him and his stupid attempts at making me more than his friend. I just didn’t see him that way. Bret was catching up to me and I knew I couldn’t outrun him so I stopped. He stopped a few fee
t behind me trying to catch his breath. I focused on my own breathing and realized that I wasn’t even winded, but I normally never got winded. Bret said it wasn’t human for me to be able to run so fast or long without getting winded, but I just told him he was just mad that I’m in better shape than he is.
I started to turn around to look at Bret when I heard a soft growl from beside me. I turned my head slowly and saw one of the wolves from the lake standing in the forest. The black wolf. Bret grabbed my arm before I realized I was moving towards the wolf. The wolf snarled loudly and I knew he was snarling at Bret. Darren appeared beside me and yelled, “Get in the house!” I hadn’t even heard him run up to us, so I jumped when he yelled.
I started to protest leaving, but Bret picked me up in his arms and started running. I tried to fight Bret, but he was a lot stronger than me. I twisted in his arms so I could see the wolf as he watched us leave. Darren raised his gun and aimed at the wolf. I screamed, “NO!” and pushed myself from Bret’s arms. He stumbled as I made him lose his balance and I ran to Darren. He had his finger on the trigger, gun aimed at the wolf. I ran as fast as I could into Darren making his gun go off high in the air and he fell to the ground. I jumped up and looked to the forest hoping the wolf was fine and smiled when I saw him standing proudly in the clearing. The other two wolves from the lake came to him and together they ran off into the forest. I turned on Darren. “What the hell are you doing?! That wolf didn’t do anything!”
Darren snarled. “That wolf is dangerous! He needs to be killed!”
I shook my head. “You were the one that taught me that predators are not always dangerous and shouldn’t be shot just because they might harm your animals. He was just sitting there!”
Song of The Moon Artemis Lupine Page 3
