Kierra

Turning, I head back to the house to see Tristan on the porch waiting for me.

"Hey Ginger, you and I need to have words."

He snorts, looking bored as he leans up against the pillar.

"I would say. Holding out on me about some details of this place? Wild wolves? I know you like 'em an all, but you have to think of the safety of those who're inside. What if it was one of the kids who'd been cornered by that animal?"

Amused, I cross my arms and wait for the end of his ranting. Trying to keep a straight face but unable to help it and smiling anyway. I stand there barefoot at the bottom of the steps while he paces back and forth and complains, all doom and gloom like.

Cocking my hip, I wait for him to finish, but he still has a lot of hot air to blow it seems. Time to interrupt and save both of us some trouble.

"Dude, do you not know who you're talking to? Seriously. He was just curious and spooked. If it had been one of the kids, nothing would have happened because they know what to do. Each should know just from being in my home that animals are a big thing in my life. From taking care of them to re-homing. From nursing to fangs and claws."

Raising an eyebrow, I turn mocking.

"Why Tristan, you're not turning into one of those high and mighty pricks who thinks that they're vermin, are you?"

He glares at me, clearly unfazed.

"You push your luck Kie, too far at times. Just look at what happened to you a few weeks back. Big dog biting int..."

His voice trails off as he looks at me with accusing eyes.

"That was no dog, was it? One of the beasts from here made it close to your place, didn't it? Did you ever call anyone about it?"

Not wanting to lie, I just stand there and look at him, letting him piece what he can together.

"Dammit, Kie! You have a death wish, don't you? Jesus fuc..."

He starts pacing again, steps angry. Rolling my eyes, I make my way around the house. Having only seen the front half thoroughly and the back through screen doors, probably time I take a peek.

"Don't you walk away from me you pain in the ass, I'm not done with you yet."

Chuckling, I keep going, hearing his steps coming up behind me. Cerulean eyes are still sparking at me when I look over, but I just smile at him.

"You take the world too seriously, Tris. Loosen up. What happens will happen. Everyone's prepared and knows what to do if they walk into an iffy situation. Give them credit, they aren't idiots you know. Each of them has a background experience to draw on for what to do and what not to do."

Walking beside me as we pass the tall trees next to the house on towards the back, his expression is one of stubbornness.

"I take it seriously because it is serious. While you hide in your little house doing your thing, I'm out in the world and seeing what's going on. To you, nothing is serious because you've made up your own little world. Reality was that wild animal sneaking into your home and endangering everyone within, yet you chase it out and want to have a petting party?"

I burst out laughing, which just turns his face thunderous. Shaking my head, I apologize. A petting party. Yeah...

"Dude, nothing happened, nothing will happen. Do you really think the owners of the park would really let totally wild animals run about when they have campgrounds? People and tourists to protect? No. Each is tagged and known personally to the people who run the place. The animals know not to attack humans."

Spreading my arms, I turn and walk backward.

"The wolf was just curious at all the new smells intruding on its land. I mean, come on. People have houses in here. The groundskeeper or whatever you want to call him knows each animal through and through. Do you really think Ava would live here with a child if it weren't safe? Use your brain, man."

He's silent as he thinks over my words, meanwhile, I turn back around before I trip over something and really look the fool. The space that makes up the backyard isn't very big, smaller than what Ava has. The clearing goes all the way around the house, leaving a good eight feet across or so before the grasses go higher and lead into the trees.

The snow is all but gone, the air balmy. Looking down, my thin sock-covered feet touch along the surface of the ground, springy dead grass tickling along the underside of my foot. Moving further away from my human friend, I walk the yard.

While doing so, I think over what Gabriel's price was to keep the place. Still need to get the bulk payment to him first, then go from there. Not sure how any of us can help him with the place, I know nothing of upkeep on a state park. Don't know about the other guys, but I kind of doubt any of them know either.

The campgrounds are much further north, and last I knew, fenced off. Not heavy-duty stuff or anything, but signs and such warning others that they're way off course and need to go back or be fined. There's a main road around the whole place and a bridge that goes across Spider Lake, not counting the trails and roads within.

Need to get a map for the whole forest overall, it's so big. Tristan makes his way closer to me, so I slow and wait for him, hoping he's finally calmed down.

"Alright, fine. But why hasn't there been more coverage of them being here? On the news or articles in the paper? I forgot all about them being brought here."

Shrugging, I keep my face down as I walk.

"I'm sure they're there, just not as obvious as they once were. Not like you can hide something like this, their howls alone should remind everyone of their presence here. You'd have to talk to..."

Shutting my mouth, I look up, feeling eyes on me. When unable to see who or what it is, I nudge Tristan back towards the house. The sliding doors in the kitchen being the back door, I get him through them and follow after.

"Talk to who?"

"Huh?"

Tearing my eyes away from the glass, I look at him in confusion.

"You said I'd have to talk to someone, but you cut off and practically pushed me in here. What's wrong?"

Smiling and shrugging again, I look around for the others.

"It's getting late, we should get back and see how Ava's doing. Find out if I can go get my mom yet. Still want to show her the place before it gets too late."

Walking away before he can speak, I call out for the animals. Everyone once again piles into the truck bed and off we go. I don't ignore my friend, but I act as if our conversation never happened, keeping things light and playful.

Don't know who was there hiding in the trees, the wind not very helpful either, blowing the scent away from me. Didn't see any reflective glows, but that doesn't mean anything. If I'm constantly going to be peeped on, I'm gonna throw a serious fit.

Back at Ava's, the food's about an hour and a half from being done. Telling her my plan of showing mom the new place first, she waves me off. Catching up to Bastion in the living room, I ask him how he likes the new place.

"I like it, really big, lots of space. Will I have my own room?"

To be honest, I'm not sure, but I don't want to give an all-out no either.

"Dunno, you'll probably bunk with Maii. Did you want your own room?"

I hold my breath, and when he shakes his head, I can breathe again, relief spreading through me. Looking around the room, his blue eyes keep alluding mine.

"What's up?"

At his shrug, I give him a look. He forces a smile, the emotions coming from him all mixed up and confusing. He's quiet for a couple more minutes before he finally speaks up.

"Will we be sleeping like we do at home? In the new place I mean."

Blinking at him in confusion, I answer.

"I planned on it. If you don't want to sleep like that anymore I will be sure to get you..."

His shaking head really has me confused, so I wait on him some more.

"I like sleeping the way we do. It lets me know I'm not alone. Makes me feel safe. Was just wondering if I'd have a space of my own for other stuff."

Nodding to his steadily lowering voice, my head cocks to catch his eyes.

"Of course. Even bunked with someone else, you'll have your own space. If you need more than what's available then we'll work something out, how's that sound?"

His earlier words both warm my heart and break it. Flashing on how I found him, it's a miracle he's come this far in such a short time. He still has nightmares, probably always will, but with others around who can help and understand from their own experiences, I'm sure that's helpful as well. Another way of letting him know he isn't alone.

Blond head bobbing, I smile. Bedrooms will be full, that's for sure, but there's a whole lot of other spaces. From large closets to storage rooms. May sound weird, but when I was younger, I'd surround myself with fake plants while in the closet. It didn't have a door, but it calmed me and made me feel safe.

Ruffling his hair, Lily's call has him running off. Smile fading, I watch after him then stand and head out. Ava has all the guys busy, from cleaning something to stirring a pot, so I'm able to make a clean exit.