Moonlit Shadows

Sounds of Grief

Jaci fiddled with the doorknob. "I can't just leave."

"Why not? Go, hurry."

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

"When did you start questioning me so much?" he growled. Taking a deep breath, he shifted his stance and lowered his head. "Just...please, go get your things. We don't have a lot of time."

"Why? I told you I can't just leave. I'm on the verge of something amazing here, and I can't leave without thanking my hosts. And what kind of danger am I in?" Jaci slowly took another small step back. Something about Derrick Fenton was very off, and while she couldn't quite put her finger on what that was, she felt much more nervous with him than she expected she would.

Derrick's brow furrowed, and he glared at Jaci from under his eyelashes. "Jaci Aigle, I swear if you don't get your stuff and come with me now, you will regret it!"

"I am not coming with you when you're like this. You're not yourself, Professor." Jaci backed up more and managed to step behind the door. She began to push it closed, feeling frustrated because she was confused at her own reaction. This was her Professor, for crying out loud. Why was she feeling fear and anger when she saw him?

His hand shot out just as she was about to shut the door. He gripped the side of the door with so much strength that several cracks formed under his hand. Jaci gasped and took several steps away from the door.

Derrick pushed it open and stomped into the cabin. His nose curled, and anger was seething from him in waves. "Listen, I'm not playing games. I know who lives here, Jaci. I can smell them all over the place. You found your creatures, great. Now, let's go."

"I can't trust you right now," she whispered, the backs of her knees hitting a kitchen chair.

"Good grief, Jaci!" he shouted, making her startle. "I'm trying to save your life!"

"But these people don't want to kill me," she said softly.

"I never said they did! But they are bloodsuckers and overgrown dogs. There's a reason horror stories about them exist, Jaci. But I'm not here to save you from them today. I'm here to save you from something worse. Just please, for the last time, get your stuff. Come with me. I will protect you." His eyes were soft and pleading. His hand was outstretched, waiting for Jaci to grab it in return.

But she didn't. Instead, she took more steps away from him, shaking her head slowly. "I don't want to go. I promised I would stay in the cabin. Plus, you're scaring me."

Derrick closed his eyes and stood straight, dropping his hand down to his side. "Fine. Where did they go? We will go to them and explain and then leave."

Jaci shook her head. "I can't trust you. You're a-"

Derrick's nostrils flared with anger. "A what, Jaci? I'm a Hunter, is that what you were going to say? That's right. I'm a born member of the Hunter Society. And right now there's a Hunter with more power than me on the trail of the creatures you've been hobnobbing with. He won't have any mercy on you or them. So right now, I need to save the person who means more to me than anyone else, and that's you. I can't stop him, Jaci. He will find them, and if he finds you with them, he won't hesitate to kill you all."

He stepped closer, his gaze begging Jaci to believe him. "C'mon, Jaci, you have to believe me."

"I do believe you. But I know my friends won't let any of that happen."

"They don't have a choice here! They aren't calling the shots! Now, listen, we don't have any more time to waste!"

Heavy boots stepped onto the porch, plunking against the wood. "You're right, my pitiful accomplice, you don't have any more time."