We got to the front door when Ethan stopped me.

"Rose." He said quietly.

"Yes?" I turned to him. Hearing him say my actual name and not a funny nickname made everything more real. It was too hard to hold everything back now. Water filled my eyes, and everything got blurry.

He didn't say a thing. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me tightly against his chest. This time I truly needed a hug from him and no one else.

He stroked my hair as I cried onto his shirt. The rain had stopped and around us was a mist accompanied by the dark grey sky.

Neither of us said a word. I wonder if Brody had passed him while running. I don't know what he knows, but none of that mattered right now.

After a few minutes, Ethan loosened his grip, keeping his head still above mine as he softly said;

"Now go inside, take a shower and make coffee, and if it's okay, I will come by tomorrow."

I didn't say a word. I hugged him tight one more time and nodded.

I turned to the door, took a deep breath, and opened it.

Inside I saw Henrietta sitting by the kitchen table, as usual, drinking tea.

"Rose?" She lifted her head, and instantly, her face turned to worry.

"Dear, what happened? Look at you; you're all soaked." She said as she walked up to me.

"I just tripped and hurt my wrist." I sniffled.

"Let's take a look." She lifted my wrist.

At first, she seemed confused, like she saw something more than the redness. She turned my wrist and pressed on specific points while seeing how I reacted.

"Let's get you an ice pack, and in a couple of days, it should be good. Try not to strain it." She said and let go.

"If it's okay, I'll take a shower first," I said lightly, sobbing still.

"Of course." Henrietta looked at me with a worried look.

I forced a slight smile and made my way to my room. I walked straight to the bathroom and locked the door.

I sighed deeply. Finally alone.

I turned the water on, got undressed, and slowly slid under the hot water. My body was so cold the water felt as if it was burning my skin as it ran down my back. I sat down on the floor.

I kept repeating what had happened. My mind couldn't comprehend it. Why did that happen? Did I do something? What if that wolf hadn't shown up.

What if, What if, What if? That was all I thought of.

"The wolf!" My eyes flew wide open as I yelled out loud.

What was that? I wondered. He made me feel safe. Did that even happen? Maybe I just imagined it?

I lifted my wrist. It was still slightly red and hurt when I twisted it. Somethings I didn't imagine for sure. I felt myself tear up again. I just froze. All I wanted to do was scream and punch something. I could've defended myself; I have been training for years. I'm not weak. These past weeks have just made me lose all sight of reality.

After my shower, I got dressed in sweatpants and an oversized hoodie. I walked downstairs to make coffee. When I turned the coffee maker on, I realized Henrietta wasn't there.

"Henrietta?" I yelled out. No response

I peeked outside and saw Henrietta's car gone.

I sighed and went back to get a cup from the cabinets. I lifted the pot and flinched. Let it rest. I reminded myself. I put the pot down and picked it up with my other hand.

Ethan was right. I sat down on the couch, placed my cup on the coffee table, and leaned back. Now and then, id pick up my cup and take a sip. This was precisely what I needed.

I sat there in silence when the front door opened. I saw Henrietta stumble in with two boxes and a plastic bag hanging off her arm.

"Rose! Would you please help me a bit?"

"Oh yeah, of course."

I got up and picked up the boxes from her. The smell of pepperoni and cheese met my nose, and I felt my stomach growl.

"I felt a little lazy today, and you had a bad day as well plus, it's Friday, so I thought id surprise you with pizza!" Henrietta said, smiling.

"Henrietta, you nailed it. This is perfect." I chuckled.

She grinned happily and set down a bag on the kitchen table. She had picked up two bottles of soda and a couple of energy drinks.

She started laughing at my visible confusion holding a can of energy drink.

"I drink those quite often, and since it's , the weekend, why not relax a little and get to know my niece! I can't be an authority figure all the time!"

I laughed and gave it to her.

"I guess that's fair."

"The other ones for you, if you want."

Now I was shocked. I would've been yelled at so hard for having an energy drink back home.

"Thank you!" I replied

"Cmon, let's eat. It's getting cold. She said and grabbed two plates and a box and walked to the living room.

I stood still, staring at her. It's an entirely new side of her. I guess she's not that much older than me, she just has a mature aura to her, but now it feels comparable to hanging out with a friend.

"We're eating in the living room?" I asked.

"Well, duh, how else will we watch a movie while eating." She said in a goofy voice.

I smiled, followed her lead, and sat down on the couch as she worked the tv.

"I thought about this one movie at work today, and I thought why not watch it." She said as she typed in the name.

"So, how have you been adjusting to the new school?" She asked as she got it ready.

"It's been okay, I guess. Ethan's been a lot of help." I said while placing a slice on my plate.

"I'm glad you met Ethan; he's a sweet kid." She said, mouth full of pizza.

"He is but a total ass sometimes." I felt a slight smile appear as I said that.

"That's just who he is; He's a natural goofball."Henrietta paused; "I have to ask, are you guys just friends ooor?"

"Henrietta! I screamed. "Oh, my goodness, of course, just friends!" I felt myself turn red like a tomato.

"Well, I had to ask! It has been eating me alive here!" She laughed.

"Let me put your mind to ease then." I laughed. "We're just friends."

"Well damn, I was rooting for you two, you know."

"I saw the looks, I know," I said, laughing.

We laughed about it for a while, and Henrietta pressed play on the movie, and we spent the evening laughing, eating, and exchanging theories on who the killer was.

When the movie ended, Henrietta turned to me.

"So tell me, what's with the blue hair? I mean, why blue?"

"Oh, I like it. It sets me apart from others, I guess." I shrugged.

"I like it. I like that you're not scared of being yourself despite everything. I can imagine living with your father must've been very strict."

"It was."

"I'm surprised you were allowed to wear that ring." She said and took a sip of her drink.

I looked down at my chest. I had a ring on a silver chain hanging from my neck that I've had since I was 10. I never take it off.

"What do you mean? I got this from mom as a birthday gift." I held the ring in my hand and looked at Henrietta.

"That ring is more than a gift. It was your moms before you."

"More than a gift?" I asked.

"I'll tell you some other day. Anyways, wanna go grab a smoke?"

"What?"

"Oh, don't play dumb I know you smoke." She laughed. "So do I." She lifted a finger on her lips, suggesting it was a secret, and winked, followed by a smile.

"Well, hell, in that case, let's go." I laughed.

We went out on the terrace and sat down on the steps facing the ocean. Henrietta reached under the steps and pulled a jam jar that she used as an ashtray.

She rolled the lid open and placed it between us. Then reached into her pocket and pulled out a pack of smokes and a lighter.

"I can't believe you smoke," I said as I reached to take one.

"There's a lot that you don't know." She giggled.

"Okay, like what?" I was intrigued.

"Hmm, well. For starters, I'm dating a woman from work." She said and stuck her tongue out.

"A woman? damn, Henrietta didn't think you had it in you." I laughed, and she looked at me, shocked, and started laughing.

"You got some sass in you, don't you." She poked my arm as she dropped ashes from the tip of her cigarette into the jar.

"I do indeed," I said as smoke came out of my mouth.

We slowly quieted down as we stared at the ocean. There was a slight breeze, but other than that, it was a beautiful night. The sky was rid of grey clouds, seeing the moon and stars.

"Don't you just love the stars?" Henrietta said.

I smiled and stared at the sky.

"I do."

"I gotta tell you, hun. I needed this after the week I had. Work has been insane, there's been reports of wild animals, and someone even got torn to shreds by one." Henrietta sighed.

I froze. Wild animal.. tore to shreds? All of a sudden, I saw the wolf in my head.

"Do they know what type of animal it was?" I tried to keep my cool.

"No idea, The claw marks I saw suggested something massive like a wolf or something."

"A wolf?"

"Yeah, we get them sometimes, but they never attack anyone, until now. I wonder what happened." Henrietta took one last puff, rubbed the filter on the edge of the jar, and dropped it in.

I sat quietly. I stared at my cigarette as it burned slowly.

"Hey, you okay?" Henrietta asked and touched my shoulder.

"Oh yeah, sorry, I just zoned out a bit. I didn't know you guys get animals like that here."

"There's nothing to worry about. They stay up in the woods, and mostly they pass through here." Henrietta assured me.

"Okay," I mumbled as I took a puff.

"I'm going to head in. I'm beat. You okay out here alone?" Henrietta asked as she stretched her legs.

"Yeah, I'll be fine; good night."

"Good night Rose." She stroked my shoulder as she got up and went inside.

The door closed, leaving me alone in the night. My mind was racing. A wolf? could it have been the same one? And one question screamed in my head.

Was Brody alive?

I tried calming myself down. Of course, he was. He ran back towards the school, and the wolf went in the opposite direction. There's no way. No way.

"Ouch"!" I said out loud. I dropped my cigarette on the steps. I held onto it for so long that it burned my fingers. I picked it up, put it out, and dropped it in the jar. I looked out to the ocean one more time.

I stood up and went inside, trying to forget everything Henrietta said. I'm sure it's just a weird coincidence, and it was some hiker that got attacked. That's usually how these things go.

Henrietta had cleaned everything up, so I went straight upstairs to bed.

The following day I woke up feeling fantastic. I glanced over at my clock. It was 10:23 AM.

Damn, no wonder I slept so well... I thought to myself. I finally got to sleep in.

I stretched in my bed and rolled around for a few to relax. The sun shined through my curtains, greeting me.

I lay in my bed for a while, and when I got up, I walked downstairs in my pajamas. I was worried about going downstairs in shorts and a shirt since my bruises hadn't healed, but Henrietta seemed to know more than I thought, so I figured I'd be okay.

Once again, there was that blue note on the coffee maker, but it wasn't work-related this time.

I chuckled to myself as I read the note;

"Morning, Rose! I loved getting to know you better. I'll be back Sunday night! It's date night. - Henrietta"

I flipped the coffee maker on and took a few steps to the fridge. I grabbed a bag of bagels and blueberry cream cheese.

Henrietta had left her iPad in the kitchen. I picked it up and opened the music app; I put on some music and went to put my bagels in the toaster.

The coffee maker made its announcement that my caffeinated savior was ready, and when I made my way there, I noticed myself dancing a little.

I felt relaxed; I felt my brain finally take a break. I turned up the music and let it course through my body as I moved.

I slid through the kitchen floor as I buttered my bagel. I danced around completely deafened out to everything around me; all I heard was the music.

I danced to the fridge with a bagel in my mouth, the bag and cream cheese in my hands. When I turned around swinging my body, I saw Ethan staring at me, smiling.

I dropped my bagel as my mouth flew open, and I slid behind the island to hide my body as much as possible. I peeked my head behind it and saw Ethan smiling, covering his mouth with his hand to keep from laughing.

"WOULD IT KILL YOU TO RING THE DOORBELL? I screamed.

"What and miss all this?" Ethan said, smiling.

"No, but I did ring it a couple of times, but considering I heard the music from outside, you did not hear me, plus I did say I was coming by today."

"How long were you standing there" I kept my head hidden. I felt my whole body heat up from sheer embarrassment.

"Not long, I promise! Just long enough to see your little dance." He giggled as he said it.

"Stop laughing!!!"

"I can't help it. I just keep seeing you sliding in my head." He was now laughing so hard that he was about to cry.

"It's not that funny!!"

"Oh yes, yes it is," Ethan said and calmed down, wiping tears from his eyes.

"Why are you hiding behind there?" He asked, noticing I was still crouched behind the kitchen island.

"Ethan, I am half-naked."

"Oh, cmon, I don't care. I already saw your little pajamas; I think it's okay."

I was worried. I didn't need any more questions about my legs, but they are pretty faded, so maybe he won't notice them.

"Fine." I slowly raised my head and saw him instantly start smiling, which embarrassed me.

I got up and put my bagel on the counter.

"Um, hey blues." Ethan started. "You have a little blueberry cream cheese on your cheek there." He tried his hardest to keep from laughing but burst out laughing anyway.

I ran to grab a paper towel and wiped my cheeks so aggressively that it left slight marks on my already red face.

I turned back to him and had a stern expression.

"Better." He giggled

I rolled my eyes and cleaned up my mess.

"Tea?" I asked while wiping cream cheese off the floor.

"Yes, but I can make it myself." Ethan walked behind the counter and picked up the kettle.

I put everything away and poured myself more coffee as he made his tea.

"I didn't remember you were coming today," I muttered as I grabbed an ice pack from the freezer.

He chuckled. "I sort of guessed that."

He looked over as I placed the ice pack and furrowed his brows.

"How's your wrist." He said, his tone now calm but stern.

"Henrietta said it was no big deal, just need to ice it."

He turned to me entirely, and I saw his eyes go to my arms.

"What the hell are those?" He grabbed my left arm softly, and his eyes gave me a worried look.

"Oh, it's nothing. I took martial arts back home and had my final class a couple of days before moving." I explained. That was my favorite excuse because it was the closest to the truth.

Mom got me interested in many physical hobbies, and martial arts were my favorite.

"Did he do this to you?" Ethan's voice was almost a whisper.

"Ethan. No. I-" I staggered. "I promise these are old." I held his hand and tried convincing him.

He paused for a moment.

"Okay. But you tell me if anything ever happens. I have your back, okay?"

"Okay," I responded with a slight smile.

I walked to the living room with my coffee and trusty ice pack and sat on the couch. Soon Ethan followed me with his tea.

"So, today I thought we go surfing." Ethan changed the subject but eyed my legs and arms as he sat down.

"Oh, cool."

"Do you have a board? If not, there's a rental place on the beach."

"No, I have my wetsuit, so I'll have to rent one. Thanks!"

"Of course. And um, I don't know what happened yesterday, but I passed Brody, and he said some stuff... And seeing you. I don't know. I guess I just connected dots, but we can talk about it when you are ready. If not, I won't mention it but know that I'm on your side.

I stared at him, not saying a word. I felt a rock in my throat. I wasn't going to cry again.

"Thank you, Ethan." I managed to get out.

He smiled. And I smiled in return.

"So surfing?"

"Yes!"

"When do you want to go?"

"Oh, I'm just waiting on you as always. I have to make sure you get your morning coffee after all."

"Well, of course." I laughed.

After we finished our drinks, I went up to change and get my wetsuit as Ethan waited downstairs after pleading to get a peek of my room. After that, we headed out to the beach.

I rented my board, and we changed into our suits in little huts on the beach.

"I don't know, Ethan. The waves look pretty disappointing." I said as we waxed our boards.

"Don't you worry, that's what the ocean wants you to think. When we get there like magic, the waves appear."

"Okay, I trust you." I chuckled.

"I'm serious, just you wait."

The beach wasn't as crowded as usual, but I quickly noticed that people started pouring in when the clock rolled around 12:30, including kids from our school. The weather was perfect for surfing. I was so excited to get back on the board.

"Ready?" I rushed Ethan.

In my head, I was already running.

"Yes, let's hit it!" Ethan said and started running, trying to get a head start.

I sprinted ahead of him and splashed into the sparkling water without a second thought.

Ethan laughed and yelled for me to wait for him as I had already paddled pretty far out. I stopped and sat on my board, staring into the horizon, waiting for him to catch up. I felt peace. The gentle waves rocked my board, and the water splashed higher up my legs as the waves passed. I felt my body relax completely. As if I was the only one out here. Just me and the ocean. Alone. In peace.

"Damn, you're fast." Ethan huffed as he swam by my side and sat on his board.

"It's so beautiful," I said, keeping my eyes on the horizon.

"It is. I love this moment the most." Ethan said.

"The silence before you see those waves in the distance, the rush that comes over you when you get to start swimming towards it." I felt like I could have gone on for hours and hours, but as I stopped, we both gasped.

"See. I told you."

"Wow."

There it was, a beautiful wave was rushing our way. We exchanged a look and started paddling full speed towards it.

We paddled on it, stood up, and let the wave take over when it was time. My wrist hurt as

I got up, but I didn't mind. As soon as I stood up it felt like everything slowed down. I listened to the water rushing, birds singing. It was incredible. I felt whole. Complete. The water splashed all over me. The wind grazed my face as I moved. It felt like I was floating. I swirled a little, showing off, and let the wave move me as I guided the board, flipping a few times. I saw Ethan for only a second until he fell off his board. I couldn't help but laugh as I rode the wave out.

I watched as Ethan swam to the shore where I was.

"I saw you flop." I giggled.

"Hey, I was distracted by miss professional here showing off!" He said in between, catching his breath.

"I told you I surfed back home. I just didn't mention my rank." I laughed.

"So I'm assuming pretty high?"

"I won a few championships," I smirked

"Pfft, well, I can tell!"

"Show off." Ethan rolled his eyes.

I giggled. I missed this more than I thought. The ocean felt like home. It was always the one thing no one could ruin. No matter what was going on, everything melted away when I got on my board. I was in my world.

"So, you ready to go again?"

Ethan smirked. "definitely."

We went out again, and as I was riding the wave, I saw something above the beach in the forest. I think it was a wolf. I squinted a little more

and then it hit me. The sharp pain. It shocked me, and I lost my balance, falling off my board.

I slammed under the rushing water and rolled around with the wave. It took me a second to move the right way up, so I didn't swim deeper. I opened my eyes and saw the surface. The wave passed, and I swam up. I broke the surface gasping for air. Thanks to the ankle rope, my board was next to me, and I yanked my upper body on top of it, coughing out water.

I looked around and saw Ethan by the shore waving at me. I waved back as a sign that I was okay.

I floated for a while, catching my breath letting the waves move me closer to the shore until I could start swimming.

"Blues! Are you okay?" Ethan shouted as I got closer.

"Yeah... I said as I took deep breaths. "I just got distracted."

"I saw you go under. It looked pretty bad; does anything hurt?"

"No, I'm good. I've been through worse." I laughed slightly.

"Okay then, well, let's take a break."

Before I could reply, I saw Jade in the distance. She was walking away towards the parking lot. My mind was clouded. Was it Jade I saw? But how did she get down here so quickly?

I watched as Jade disappeared into the parking lot and saw a group of people passing her coming down the beach. It took me a few seconds, but I noticed who it was. Chrissy, Clarissa, Jackson, Reagan... I didn't see Brody. I started panicking until they turned around and saw Brody running towards them. I felt my body start trembling for an entirely different reason now.

I clung onto Ethan, and he looked over where I was looking and turned to me.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" He asked and took my hand.

"No, I don't want to hide in my house all day," I murmured.

"How about the cliff? I can distract them, and you can sneak past?"

"You'd do that for me?" I asked, raising my brows.

"Of course. You're my friend, plus I don't want that freak anywhere near you." He said and smiled gently.

"Thank you."

I picked up my stuff and started walking towards the huts to change my wet suit. I changed as quickly as I could.

I saw Ethan run up to them and yell as they noticed him. Ethan turned them away from me, and I sighed in relief. I grabbed my bag and started walking carefully towards the parking lot to sneak to the coverage of the trees leading up the cliff.

As I got to the opening, I looked behind me and saw Ethan and everyone now right by the water setting their stuff. I counted 1..2..3..4..5 wait. Ones missing.

I panicked slightly and started running up the path. About halfway up, I slowed down to catch my breath. I took out a cigarette from my bag and as I was about to light it;

"Awe, you got to try harder than that to sneak past me." A painfully familiar voice said behind me.

I almost dropped my lighter as I turned and saw who stood there.

"I knew something was up when I saw Ethan run up to us, and you weren't with him." He continued.

"Please just leave me alone." I pleaded my voice started trembling.

"I'm not done with you, we got interrupted last time."

I can't go through this again! I thought. I just can't.

He took a few steps closer.

"I mean it, Brody. I'm not a goddamn toy for your amusement!"

He looked at me like I said something funny.

"But yes, you are? I want you to be. So that's what you are..." He stepped closer.

"No," I said and started walking away.

"Don't you walk away from me," Brody said, aggravated.

He grabbed my wrist he had already damaged. I flinched as he flipped me to face him. Once again, everything slowed down as I prepared for the worst.

"Excuse me. I'd appreciate you letting go of my date now." A semi-deep male voice said behind us, and I felt someone wrapping their arm around my shoulder. I tensed up immediately.

Brody let go of my wrist and took a couple of steps back, looking suspicious.

"Your date?" Brody scoffed.

I looked to my side and saw a muscular hand filled with rings hold my shoulder.

"Yes. My date, we agreed to meet here, and when I didn't see her, I decided to walk down a bit to see what was up and saw your sweaty palms all over her." The mystery man continued.

His scent crept to my nose and intoxicated me, I relaxed my shoulders a bit, and he tightened his grip on me. I felt safe for some reason.

"I think you saw wrong. She was practically begging me." Brody said with a smug look on his face.

Brodys face turned quickly from smug to slightly scared.

"I think YOU are mistaken. And you better be on your way now and stop harassing my girl here. Or I'll have no choice but to hunt you down and rip you to pieces." He snarled.

"Whatever. She's not worth it anyway." Brody tried hiding his slight fear and turned to walk away.

He turned me around to walk up the hill.

I felt a warm breath on my ear as he whispered gently.

"Keep walking. He's still suspicious."

I gulped as I kept strolling. I had forgotten I was still holding onto my unlit cigarette when he pulled out a lighter, stopped, and lit it.

"Here you go," He said a bit louder now, still soft.

I lifted the filter to my lips and leaned forward closer to the flame. He snapped the lighter back in his pocket when I pulled back, and we kept walking.

We got to the top, and he let go of my shoulder and swiftly slid past me. As soon as he let go, I froze and stood still staring at him.

"You can wait out here for a while if you want. I don't care, just don't bother me." He said as he walked closer to the edge. His tone was different now, cold.

He was significantly taller than me. He was visibly muscular and had black curly hair. He was wearing a white t-shirt with black jeans.

"T- thank you." I blurted out.

"Don't mention it." He kept his eyes on the view but raised his hand.

I watched as he sat down on edge and took a pack of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket that lay on the ground.

He lit the cigarette and turned his face sideways to me. His eyes pierced me, and I felt my stomach turn upside down.

"I'd appreciate you not staring at me." He said with a cigarette hanging from his lip as smoke came out with every word. He had beautiful golden eyes and a chiseled jaw. He looked.. beautiful.

"I'm sorry!" I staggered and turned away. I sat down under the tree and kept my eyes on the path leading down.

I took a few deep breaths.

Hopefully, now Brody leaves me alone, thanks to this stranger. I thought to myself.

I leaned my head back to the sky and watched the smoke rise as I exhaled. Should I go down and find Ethan? Or wait for him to come to get me...

"You know"

I snapped out and looked over at the cliff where the voice came.

"You ought to learn to stand up for yourself. You can't rely on someone to save you every time." He said.

"Excuse me?" I felt irritated by that. Who the hell does he think he is? Like I want to get assaulted?

"Practice self-defense. Or kick them in the groin, I don't know. Do something."

I started to get ticked off by this guy.

"He may not even buy that whole story I told. So if I were you, either stop walking alone or do something about it." The voice continued calmly but irritated as well.

"Hey, I know self-defense. I can handle myself just fine." I scoffed and clenched my fist in anger.

"Oh yeah? Didn't look like it, it's one thing to know it and another to do something."

"I tried," I said quietly.

"No. You did not." His voice got louder now, and he got up.

As a reflex, I did as well.

"You were hoping someone would come along eventually to find you." He continued and walked closer to me.

"What the hell is your problem?"

"My problem. Is that I'm sick of people preying on someone weaker. So don't give them the sick pleasure." He got closer. His eyes were cold.

"You don't know anything, and I tried telling him to stop!"

In seconds, he appeared in front of me and put both hands against the tree, locking me in place. He took my cigarette from my lips. I dropped it and stepped on it.

"Do you think words mattered to him? He saw you were easy. Hesitant. Weak."

I couldn't talk. My words got stuck in my throat.

"Are you so damaged and beaten down that you just accept everything without fighting?" He continued.

He maintained eye contact the entire time but kept a distance between us.

"No. I am not." I finally said.

"Then do something about it. Fight." He almost spits out the words. He seemed livid.

I felt my blood boiling. I am not weak.

I took hold of his left arm. Before I noticed, he favored his right one so that the left would be slightly weaker. I swung under his arm and twisted it behind his back.

He started laughing.

He purposefully let me do that.

"I guess you do know something." He said with a soft voice again.

Confused, I let go of his arm, and he turned around, took a cigarette out of my pack that was on the ground, and lit it.

I was so confused and angry that all I could do was stare at him.

"You be careful now and practice that." He gave a slight smile that, despite my anger, still made my stomach flutter.

He turned and walked away without saying another word.

What the hell is up with people here? I thought to myself.

I felt my wrist throbbing. I overdid it today. I stood still and was just dumbfounded over what had just happened. I figured I should go look for Ethan.

I lit a cigarette and started walking down the path.