Seth clamped his hand over my open mouth and roughly whispered in my ear,"Shh! Dammit, Arielle! You shouldn't have looked."

I blinked and breathed rapidly. What the hell did he want me to do?! Keep my mouth shut and not show any remorse toward that dead body? The air in my lungs got blocked--What happened if that was Ash? Or Shadow? 

I flailed my arms around with desperation and looked at Seth with pleading eyes. His aquamarine eyes narrowed and he sharply shook his head. 

"Arielle, I'm not letting you go out there and Shadow wouldn't be so happy about it," Seth said, clutching me more tightly in his arms. "Just stay quiet and trust me. Okay?"

My hands fell miserably to my lap and I stayed quiet. Even though on the inside I was blaring with alarm and crazy thoughts. 

I just wanted to know who got shot and did not get shot. But really I just wanted to drown myself in believing that that was a false shot and everyone was okay. Yeah, I hated Sebastian, but I didn't want him to die. I wanted him in prison that's where I wanted him to be. He could rot there for all I care. 

More minutes stretched before us. Seth's palms by now were sweaty against my bare arms and they were already slacking. Our backs were stiff since they were pressed against the seats and time slowly (painfully) stretched before us. It was like time stopped and anything could happen at any second. 

It took us a few long seconds to realize the sound of quick footsteps since we were both lost in our own minds, bored of our empty surroundings.

Seth's arms immediately tightened around me and he brought me closer to his chest--if there was any more space left. I bit my lip with uncertainty and fear crawled at my stomach as the steps came closer and closer. Seth's body tensed up and I know it wasn't just because he was ready  to sprang up at the stranger at any time. He was scared. Just like me. 

My breath got caught in my throat as I saw a tall shadow cross my vision. It was outside the car door! Seth's jaw grew rigid and he silently place his hand against the door handle, ready to strike at any sort of alarm. 

My whole body was frozen and I found myself calm. The only thing moving was my eyes and they were set straight on the tall shadow as he bent over. 

My face went pale and my time started running out. As the car door opened and a blast of cold wind swooped in and pinched our trembling faces--Seth pounced in, unwrapping his arms around me. 

I reached for him, but he was already on the ground and he was grunting. And the other guy was cursing. I frowned at the sound of his voice and climbed out hesitantly, not really trusting my instincts. 

"Shadow!" I screamed, relief, but confusion flooding through me. I grabbed Seth's arm and pulled him away from Shadow. Shadow was covered in dirt and was cursing in annoyance. 

Seth scratched at his head with confusion and raised an eyebrow. "Woah. Sorry, man, but seriously who mysteriously tip-toes toward someone like that. I know; some type of murder. Sorry though."

Shadow stood up and brushed off some more dirt. I just kept staring at him with shock, not finding the will to wrap my arms around him with relief and love. 

Shadow stopped and stared at me. His blue eyes were duller than ever and they looked tired and stressed. He prodded me gently with his eyes and he walked softly toward me, gentleness clearly written on him. 

I looked down and shifted my weight to my right foot. He chuckled softly and gathered me lovingly in his arms. He wrapped his arm delicately around my waist and pressed his lips against my forehead. 

I sighed and tilted my head up. Enjoying the moment while it lasts. Forgetting everything and everybody. I'm especially distracted by his full lips near my face and his gentle eyes staring down at me with protection. 

He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. I crushed myself to him and gave him a second, longer kiss. I sighed and he hugged me hard to him. 

"It's over now, Arielle. We can all take a deep breath now," he whispered in my ear. Our eyes met and I was pretty sure shock and amazement was stamped in them. He softly nodded and he grabbed hold of my hand. I looked at our hands and watched with appreciation as he intertwined our fingers. I looked up and smiled shyly. He nudged me close to him and then started leading me away--where the last fight took place. 

Ash was talking to Seth--who I hadn't noticed had walked away from me and Shadow's secret embrace-- and relief flooded through me. Wait, then how--

I drew in a sharp intake of breath though my gritted teeth and looked away. Shadow squeezed my hand and said,"It's okay. Don't torture yourself with this. It's okay."

I nodded, breathless and looked back. It was Sebastian: he was the one who got killed. He was lying on the gritty ground--well, he looked more like just a pile of clothes so... Red stains covered his gray, dirty shirt and so I knew it was from gun shots. I paled as I trailed my eyes up to his face and sighed in relief that they weren't wide open with disbelief and anger. I had enough.

My eyes drew upward, away from the cold body, and then they landed to TJ... Who was sitting in a crate, twirling a black, long object in his hands, clearly in another world. 

My brow furrowed and then everything pieced together in my mind. TJ, killed Sebastian. After all these years of standing up to his destruction he had finally destroyed his only enemy. 

"TJ had enough of Sebastian yapping on and on and so he just...shot him. He said he was going to take care of the body. We would have helped him, but it really seems like he wants to do it himself and so we won't stand up to that," Shadow said, shrugging his shoulders, but his eyes were drawn and clearly showed a different picture. Not wanting to talk about it more, he steered me away from the ferocious scene.

"Where are we going?" I asked. 

Shadow looked back at me. "Home." 

______________________________________________________________________________

As we pulled up to the house--my house--different emotions engulfed me. First, will she be mad and banish me to some boarding school. Second, will she never talk to me and ever understand my decision by staying with Shadow. And third, or will she still love me and listen to me. 

Shadow turned off the engine and waited in silence. We took the time of observing the house for any sort of madness and such. Nothing so far. The roses were still fresh and blooming. Car was in the driveway. Everything was the same and cheerful. Welcoming. But something else....something was different. I couldn't put my finger on it though. 

I took a few deeep breaths and thought for the millionth time of what was I gonna say. I shakily clenched and unclenched my seatbelt in my hands and begged for the ground to swallow me whole. With Shadow of course. 

Shadow reached over and grabbed my hand, sending tingles along my arm. "Calm down. Just relax and tell her what you have to say. I don't care if you have to tell her my secret. Just tell her whatever you have to."

"Are you sure?" I asked, biting my lip. 

Shadow looked at me straight in the eye and nodded seriously. 

"Okay. Let's go now. Before I lose my mind," I said. 

We unbuckled our seat belts and got welcomed with the warm, fresh breeze of Oregon. The sun was setting which meant it was evening. Shadow met me in the front rear of the car and grabbed my trembling hand. 

I looked up at him and and smiled in relief. He had no idea how much I appreciated his company since I know I wouldn't be able to really tell my mom all that's happened. Yes, I could confront her, but I probably would only choke out the words. And the probably end up biting my tongue. 

We walked forward, up the small path, and into the porch. Sweet honeysuckle and oaks filled my nose and I took a big breath of home. I never missed home so much as those past three days I spent hostage and alone. 

Suddenly, the door opened and out came my sobbing, beautiful mother! She wrapped her arms around me and I hugged her back, but I was still in shock. 

She kept saying things about the calling the police for my sudden disappearance and of my friends, but people didn't I single thing. And she said more, but she said it on such a rush that I quickly got lost and confused. Also, my mind was like a tornado and so I was a mess as well. 

"Mom, Mom! I gotta tell you something," I said, grabbing her by her shaking shoulders and gently pushing her away from me. 

She blinked at me with slight shock and rapidly nodded at me, not really paying attention to me. I sighed as she grabbed my arm. "Yes, yes, sweetie, we'll talk later. Let's get you inside for some cookie and milk. Um, Shadow, I'll take it from here. Thanks though--"

"Mom!" I yelled at her. "I have to tell you something!" 

My mom finally looked at me. She frowned and pushed my hair back behind my ears. "Yes, sweetie?" 

I took a deep breath and looked at Shadow. He was leaning against the porch railing and half his face was hidden in the shadows. I could tell though that his eyes were both on me and my mother and now they were just waiting. Waiting... 

I nodded--trying to encourage myself--and took hold of his hand on mine. He gave me a gentle, calm squeeze. My mom looked at both of our faces and she said,"Arielle, what's wrong?" 

I looked at my mom and slightly smiled. I don't know if she would like this or not, but I really hoped so. Things were gonna change... I could feel it. And so fingers crossed this went well. 

"Mom, we have to talk." 

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Yep. :) A few more chapters left and this book will be done...Well, kind of. ;) Hope you enjoyed this and tell me so by voting and commenting. 

Peace! And much love. <3 :D