"This is your mom," I repeated. I checked if my mouth was hanging open, no it's not, thank god because that would be disrespectful,but it was from good reason.

The woman laughed and extended one delicate, pale hand at me and said in a soprano,tender voice,"Yes. I'm Shadowfax's mother and you must be..."

I shook the hand which was warm in touch and said shyly,"My name is Arielle ma'am. Arielle Martinez. A friend of Shadow." I smiled at her. Oh god, I thought, this was gonna be an interesting day. Wait, isn't everyday one? 

The woman laughed softly and said kindly,"Well it's nice to meet you Arielle and Shadow-" She turned her body toward her son. Shadow raised an eyebrow in return.

"Aren't you supposed to be in school with Arielle, Shadow?" finished a suspicious mother. I blinked in confusion at her tone. 

Shadow seemed to have noticed too because he said,"Um, well, mother we decided to take a break and nothing important is going on so we won't miss much." She still looked suspicious. I felt uncomfortable. 

"Shadow, what were you guys doing upstairs?" She raised an eyebrow. I did the same.

"Nothing, just talking out at the balcony. What's wrong mom?"

"Nothing just wanted to make sure that you weren't doing anything...wrong."

Shadow's eyebrow furrowed in confusion."Define wrong, mom?" I bit my lip and held my breath. I was like seriously uncomfortable and what came out of Shadow's mom later on shocked me to my core.

Shadow's mom glanced between us and she crossed her arms. "I might as well say it now...You guys weren't having sex were you?"

My breath came out as a shocked one and then for some reason (a stupid reason) I started laughing. What the hell is wrong with me, I thought. Now I lost it.

Shadow glanced at me sourly. That made me laugh more since this really was happening. 

His mom huffed. "Well there is no reason for you to laugh at me, but I just assumed you were doing it because of your wrinkled clothes! And I'm sorry that I assumed that since by Shadow's reaction, but mostly yours, nothing happened."

My laughing lopsided and I glanced at Shadow at the corner of my eye and surprisingly he had his eyes closed with his thumb and forefinger pinching the bridge of his nose, and he was shaking his head. I don't know if it was from embarrassment or incredulously, somewhere from in between I would say.

I took a calming breath while Shadow spoke through clenched teeth. "Mother...why would you think that? That's like ludicrous. I can't even..." I narrowed my eyes and avoided his mom's sharp eyes as they wandered over us and by our body language she figured out that this was not really okay. I mean that it was like really awkward and just uncomfortable.

Shadow's mom sighed and said in a apologetically voice,"Excuse me for being rude. Especially to you Arielle since you probably don't want to come here ever again because of that slip. Honestly."

I spoke out,"No, it was just unexpected and just...wow. I never thought a parent would have the guts to say something like that so...freely. It's quite admiring. And I mean well." I added with a smile.

"Tsk...I don't even know where that came from. Well, I'm glad you forgive me and Shadow--" She looked at her son.

Shadow had his arms crossed tightly over his leather jacket and looked straight at his mom. "Mother, you seriously have to watch what your saying, especially around people who you don't know! Just promise me you won't do it again." She quickly nodded since Shadow looked very...dangerous right now. 

Shadow sighed peacefully and said,"Well um I guess we...I mean I gotta take Arielle home now so bye now Mom!" He took my arm and led me toward the back door, but his mom blocked his path. 

She frowned at him and said,"Shadow, I barely just met the girl and I wan to know her so why don't you bring her later for dinner?" I gaped at her and I couldn't imagine myself sitting in their dining room and especially eating with them!

Shadow frowned and said skeptically,"Um mom I think we can do that another day-" He was cut off.

"Nonsense. Let's ask her then. Arielle, dear ,would you mind joining us for dinner," she said kindly. I pursed my lips and glanced at Shadow. He had an amused expression on his face. Probably at the idea of me in his dining room with a dress on. 

I looked at his mom's eager face and said confidently,"No, I wouldn't mind Mrs..." Now I had to ask for her name.

She beamed at me said,"Just call me Alexandria, dear. Well then I guess it's set. I guess like at 6:00 the dinner will be. Oh and thanks for joining us dear! Until then! Bye now!" She waved at us as Shadow once again led me, but at a faster speed toward the door. I waved at Eva behind me and stepped outside with Shadow who stormily closed the door behind us

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

Shadow breathed in the fresh air and whispered,"I just didn't think she would do that...I mean not that I don't want you here at dinner...it's just complicated." He picked himself off the stone wall and stared at the sun with narrowed eyes. He glanced behind me with a boyish smile that seemed to have lifted my heart. I took a deep breath as I took in how Shadow looked against the Sun's brilliance. Wind tugged at our clothes and I glanced at the sky. Hope it won't rain again, I thought.

"C'mon. I'm not actually taking you home, not until a few hours anyway. Let's go explore the woods a little bit and hope we don't pass some hungry bears along the way....." He stretched his hand out toward me and I looked skeptically at it and then glanced anxiously toward the woods.

Shadow laughed and said in a compelling voice,"I'm just kidding; you don't actually think I would let a bear eat you, would you?"

"Well..." He frowned and I laughed and punched him in the arm. "I'm just kidding! Let's go"

I took his hand and we walked away from the house toward a path that led to the deep depths of the green forest...

The grass brushed against our ankles and bugs buzzed near our ears. I cringed away from them and clutched tighter at Shadow's arm as we walked deeper in the woods. Overhead, the sun was hidden in the treetops that I could barely see it. I took another breath. The air is so fresh here and it's nice that it's away from all the traffic in town. I sighed peacefully. 

"So how does it feel like waking up every day with milions of trees surrounding you?," I asked. 

"Hmm...well it's interesting and very...green. One time I had the blinds in my window all the way up and I was greeted by a racoon when I woke up in the morning!" said an amused Shadow. I laughed.

"What did you do?"I asked. I would totally be freaked out if that happened to me. 

"Actually, instead of chasing it away, I said hello! I must have looked crazy to the creature since it scattered off in fear!" answered Shadow. He shook his head sadly at the memory. I laughed and he squeezed my hand gently. I felt the cool touch of one of his rings against my finger. We smiled up at each other. After a few seconds I looked away and hid my blushing face against my shoulder.

I saw Shadow reach toward me and in a hesitant way he lifted my chin, and looked straight in my eyes. I've neve been good with making eye contact, but somehow I was comfortable with Shadow to let him stare in my eyes. 

"Don't be so shy around me Arielle. Just so you know I like the way you blush, it's cute,"confessed Shadow.

I pulled away from him a bit and I saw disappointed flash across his face, but then it disappeared as quickly as it came. I blinked in confusion. Was that confusion is his face? 

"Um. I think you've cleared that a few times before Shadow," I replied. I blushed a deeper red. He relaxed and laughed. 

"Poor raccon what did it ever do to you for you to go scaring it off like that!" I said. Shadow snorted. I laughed.

After that we went venturing off deeper in the woods and a few squirrels crossed our paths a few times. One darted across me that I felt it's furry tale brush my bare ankles and it made me jump up in surprise.Shadow had a good laugh at that and mocked me by saying,"Poor squirrel what did it ever do to you for you to go scaring it off like that!" I shook my head at him and marched angrily away from him.

"Wow. You have a river! You lucky duck!" I complimented. Shadow smirked.

"Are you alright my dear blushing lady? You went through quite a frenzy over there,"asked a feigned worried Shadow. I glared at him wordlessly and walked away from the river, but he grabbed my hand and didn't leave my side.

It was pretty conforting since I could feel his body's temperature which was warm, but I could tell that wasn't his purpose. His purpose was to make sure I was in no danger since of the "frenzy" I had with the squirrel! The nerve.

Along our trip in the woods I glared at him. Sometimes I could see a smirk forming whenever he glanced at me. That cocky bastard, I thought.

It was disappointing that I wasn't able to get a good look at the river since I haven't been near a river for so long and it was refreshing to see one again. I wonder...I glanced at Shadow, but he looked distracted since he had a faraway look in his eyes. I silently shook my head at the thought. I guess another time I thought.

Shadow continued showing me around the place and the sites were just gorgeous. Time seemed to go slow when I was with Shadow... It was relaxing and not really focus on anything. It was just a simple walk through the woods...

Shadow coughed and said,"Well, um, I should take you home now since it's--" He pulled his cell from his jeans and checked the time. 

"It's already 1:30 P.M."

I frowned. We've been here for 5 hours? When did that happen? 

"Do you want to do something else before you drop me home. I mean it's still early so looking around wouldn't hurt." I asked.

Shadow cocked his head and said,"I guess not. Where do you want to go?" I thought of it for a few seconds.

"Why don't you show me your cabin? The one I took you me in," I suggested.

Shadow cracked his knuckles and thought for a minute and then replied back,"I guess that wouldn't be wrong, BUT-" My face dropped and a smirl started spreading on the edges of his lips. I blushed and cursed at myself for giving in like that. I mentally slaped myself. 

"But were gonna have to ride my motorcycle 'cause we ca't walk through all the thorn bushes, rivers, and fallen trees around the area of my cabin. You in?"

Instead of pouting I bit my lip and sighed in defeat. "Fine, but don't make us hit a tree! Also, is that motorcyele really yours?" 

"Yeah and no I didn't steal it! I got it for a cheap price. It didn't look like it does right now when I got it. Me and the guys shaped it up and just to say that it was a sucess."

I solemly nodded and he rolled his eyes. Then started walking back toward the house while mumbling randomly. I laughed and walked alongside him. Then for some reason we decided to race back to the house: a race. 

When I got started passing him, he accelerated and grinned behind his shoulder. We'll see who will have the last smile, I thought. With a mishcevious grin I jumped on his back. He let out a grunt as we fell on a pile of leaves. I laughed and wrapped my legs around his waist. Shadow cursed.

"Really?" Shadow said in a muffled voice since he's face was hidden in the leaves. I laughed some more and Shadow brought himself up and I slid lower into his back. 

"Um. Can you get off since your killing my back. Or I'll drive us toward a tree in the motorcycle," grumbled Shadow. I smirked and slid off his back. I didn't stand up.

I closed my eyes as the sun hit my eyelids and breathed in the fresh air as I layed on the pile of leaves. I stretched like I was about to make a snow angel. I faintly smiled. There was rustling in my left and I couldn't feel the warmth of the sun in my face. I opened my eyes and widened them slighly as Shadow looked sliently down at me. My breath was caught in my throat as he slowly brought his index finger to touch my face. He gently brushed it agianst my cheekbones. I concentrated on his face as he did this. 

Locks of his dark hair fell over his forehead and I could see the brilliance of his blue eyes. There was longing and curiosity drawn of his eyes. I felt the coolness of one of his rings brush against my cheek and I felt his cold breath against my neck. I drew in a shaky breath as he leaned forward. Our lips were just a few inches away from each other until something happened. His eyes that were so full of depth, flickered and changed. He quickly pulled back and swiftly got to his feet. Shadow nervoulsy turned away from me and ran his hands in his hair. He stayed like that for a few long seconds.

"We should go to the cabin before it gets too late," he said in a strained voice. I stared in confusion and I saw the muscles in his back relax a fraction. Did I do anything wrong? I slowly got up and followed him to the front of the house since we went out at the back door. Shadow carefully avoided my touch as he handed me the helmet. I could see he wasn't so eager to show me the cabin anymore. 

"Wait a sec." He jogged toward the house and went inside. I waited for a few minutes until he came out with a set of keys. He pushed them inside the front pocket of his jeans and got on his motorcycle. After a moment of hesitation I got on and set my helmet on top of my head. 

The motorcycle grumbled to life and I wrapped my arms around his waist. I could feel his body tense up, but he was already moving toward a narrow, dirt road beside his house. Trees shaded us from the sun and made us partly invisible. We ducked a few times when low branches came ahead. 

We stayed silent during the whole ride. After like 15 or so minutes we arrived to a vacant cabin. I got out and stared at the cabin with curiosity. This is where they took me? My eyes surveyed it and there wasn't much to. It was like half the size of Shadow's house, but only made out of wood with tall grasses surrounding it. It wasn't in the middle of nowhere it was like a mile away from his house I guess. 

I glanced at Shadow as he took out the set of keys he had earlier on and climbed the steps leading to the front door. I followed behind and went in with him. The blinds were drawn shut and so there was only small patches of sunlight seping through the blinds. I blinked as Shadow turned on a lamp set on nightstand nearby. I placed my hands on my hips. 

Shadow cleared his thraot and spoke up,"It's not much, but it has a lot of value to all of us. Me and they guys."

I replied back by saying,"Is this like headquaters to you guys?"

"We have a lot of places that are ours, but there is no specific place for "headquarters". This is more like a hideout since it's in the woods and it blends in with it's surroundings."

I headed toward a wall with pictures taped on it and old newspapers. Crinkling sounded below my feet. I looked down to see more worn newspapers around me. I bent down and picked one up. The title jumped up at me. It said in bold, stained letters:

LEAD IN UMPQUA BANK ROBBERY AND HOMICIDE. 

After the robbery and homicide in Umpqua Bank in March 7, 2008 in Oregon, Portland, police have been collecting evidence from the crime scene for the past week. And now they may have a lead and maybe a possible suspect. After intervewing the people involved in the scene, a young lady, who wishes to be anonymous to the public, went to the police to discuss of seeing figures fleeting the crime scene. The women said she was just taking a walk in Klamath National Park, which is near Umpqua Bank, when she heard the sound of gunshots overhead. She jogged toward the sound and hid behind a tree as she surveyed the scene in front of her. Before she could call 911, figures descended from the building, glanced behind them, and ran to the woods. The police said if she could describe the figures and she did. Said they were male, seemed to be in their late teens, faces hidden by dark hoodies, covered completely in black, guns hanging from the waistband of their jeans, and cautious around them.The woman said she couldn't see their faces, but said she was able to take a photo of one of them, who glanced behind. The image is very blurry, but the police could destinguish some features. The image will be looked futhered in when more evidence comes by....

The words went past me and I dropped it. It fluttered back in it's place. I slowly turned to face Shadow with a horrorstruck expression in my face as the words; robbery, homicide, gunshots, hidden faces went past me. Shadow noticed my expression and snatched up the paper. His eyes wandered over the words and he quickly looked at me.

"Arielle, it's not what you think! That wasn't me, it was Sebastian's gang," said a frantic Shadow. I flinched at the sound of his voice. I moved away from him, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me toward him.

"You have to believe me, Arielle. I have all these newspapers here because I like to keep tabs on Sebastian to know he doesn't leave destruction behind him so much."

Shadow slowly lifted my chin and whispered,"You have to believe me, Arielle. Why would I lie to you?"

I sighed and then whispered,"I do believe you. But why would you keep these?"

Shadow sighed. "Seb leaves destruction everywhere he goes so I keep track on him just to make sure he doesn't do too mcuh trouble. This is the lowest one I ever saw him do since robbing a bank is the oldest thing to do in the book."

"Why do you have to? I mean it's not your job to do that and he's not a kid anymore!" I cried out. I was pissed now.

Shadow sighed and let go of my chin. "I know, but sometimes he hints I have something to do with one of his troubles and I have to cover that up or something. Can we talk about this later I don't want this to destroy my mood and yours?"

"Fine." Too late for that.

We contnued to wander around and I glanced at some of the pictures hanging in the wall. It was only them, gathered in a circle, staring at an unseen scene in front of them. I lingered behind and let my eyes travel to every person's faces. There was Aiden, Ash, and TJ. There were ohters, but I didn't recognize them from any of my memeories. I stiled a laugh when I found Shadow along the group. He had blue highlights! I gigled since he looked pretty cute back then.

I heard a chuckle beside me. I turned to my left which made me instantly blush. Shadow laughed and said,"Well, it couldn't have been worse! I never did like my hair like that so after a few weeks of having blue highlights I went back to my original hair color: black. What do you think?" He glanced at my still red face and smirked.

I swallowed my pride and casually said,"You look good. Cute."

 Shadow started laughing and said,"Like I would believe that! Tsk! Thanks though. Yeah right..." He wandered away, mumbling in his breath.

I smiled and followed. I glanced back at the wall of photos including newspapers. I flinched as I caught sight of the newspaper and ducked behind a doorway.

"It's so dark in here,"I said, unsure. The bulb in the celling flickered. Light flooded from it. I blinked my eyes against it and looked around. I gaped in surprise around the room. This is the room!

Shadow let his fingers linger in the small bed's thin white sheet and he glnaced up at me. I just stared at him.

After a few seconds