Chapter 5: In the Woods

My mother would always tell me I was just like Alex Hunter; we were both stubborn as a mule. I didn't believe her then but I do now, as he tries to console me every morning. But every time he tries he just hurts me even more. It builds up more questions.

Why is he so caring now?

Where was he when I needed him?

Or when my mother needed him? I had a spiral of questions swirling through my mind each day they were the same.

Days began to pass by in seconds, and my birthday was near, it was on a Saturday this year. But looking thinking back it felt strange. I can almost remember what day my birthday was on each year, and even what I did on them. Somehow I felt like I was missing birthdays but that couldn't be possible.

Could it?

Things began to slowly change. The notes had stopped since I confessed about them. Logan doesn't acknowledge unless we were alone. I wasn't sure how I felt about him yet, but I couldn't escape him either. I started having nightmares or dreams; I'm not even sure what they are. But one thing was consistent, my mother would always appear in them. She says "it's almost time", and then begins to slowly cry.

She begs me to forgive him. When I ask her who, her voice begins to fade away before she could ever answer. It feels like something pulls her away.

After waking up, shaking from the same recurring dream, I get ready for school.

It was finally Friday, and it was a very long week. I still couldn't shake off the strange feeling about today. My mother's voice seemed to be glued inside my head like a recording left on reply. When I got downstairs I noticed the empty house yet again. I was relieved, but part of me was a bit concerned.

"Hey? Mia?" Rebecca startled me. I was so lost that I hadn't noticed her or my ride here. I've been forgetting a lot of things lately as if the memory seizes to exist.

"I'm sorry I was just... lost in thoughts." I noticed on my left was Gabe. He caught up to Rebecca as Liam fell into steps behind Gabe.

"So, today is Friday and..." Gabe cut her off.

"Gee thanks, Sherlock. Any new discoveries today?" Gabe teased. I couldn't help but laugh. I hadn't really seen much of Gabe and Liam since the cafeteria incident. Rebecca told me to give them time, that they'd come around. I guess they finally "came around".

"Are you okay." Gabe asked sincerely as his touch brushed against my back. His hand reached my face, I hesitated at first. He began to wipe away my tears. That's when I understood. In seconds I felt warmth cover my face.

"My turn!" Rebecca cheerfully said. She snatched me away from Gabe's hug and took me in her arms. He slowly released me. We began to walk towards the school, I turned back to look at my motorcycle to see it safe and secure. I glanced around to find Logan's eyes heated with anger. He scowled and I looked away quickly.

As I took my seat in homeroom, I felt a tap against my shoulders. Then I looked to see who it was, Scott Cruz. He was another school jock, he was fairly cute. Light blue eyes brought out by his golden smooth hair. He was another small town poster boy. Scott is a huge flirt; he dated almost every girl in the school including Rebecca. When she gave me the brief summary and details of almost every kid in school she included the fact that she dated many guys. She was her brother's sister alright; she was as popular as him.

"Hey." He said playing with a strand of my hair. I nodded and gave a slight smile hoping he wouldn't read into it too much. He started talking about some stupid party he was having at his house, I wasn't interested one bit. Not only because he was messing up my hair, but the fact that Logan continued glancing at me from the corner of his eyes. His heated glares towards Scott made me shiver.

Logan finally noticed me watching and realized what he was doing. He stormed out of the room, just like that not even a word. The teacher shouted a few times to get his attention but it seemed impossible, and he seemed to be oblivious to the fact someone was calling after him.

"So are you coming?" Scott said with a tug on my hair.

"Umm...I'll get back to you" Just then the bell rang, and I practically sprinted out of the room.

As time passed by, classes ended fast. Rebecca and I went to lunch as usual and sat at our usual table. The only unusual part of lunch was the amount of attention our table received

"What's with all the attention?" Gabe and Rebecca looked oblivious to the whole situation.

"Because Scott's trying to get laid this week and his target is Mia. I heard that after we left Logan started saying things about how if he touches you or even looks in your direction he'll kill him. Scott must have said something and look"─ we all turned to look at Scott at the same time. I saw him hold an ice pack to his bleeding nose, his black eye stood out most on his light smooth skin.─ "That's what he did."

I turned back to face Gabe this time.

"Logan did that?" I was eager to know.

"That's what James told everyone. Logan wasn't even in the lockers, well not that I would know or care... But in all fair Scott deserved it he trash talks all girls." Gabe began to hesitate, I looked with a questioning look deciphering if there was more to the story.

"You should go to the party... with me instead." Liam and Rebecca both start to crack up. I could tell he was embarrassed, friends don't let other friends get embarrassed.

" Why not I'll go to the party." Everyone turned to see what the loud blast was, I found myself staring into flaming green eyes, filled with hate and disappointment. Logan marched out the doors. Makayla called after him like a stupid lovesick puppy. He was gone for the rest of the day missing every class we shared.

I couldn't sleep all night; I laid on my bed thinking about Logan. I couldn't figure him out, or what his problem is. My life was simple and peaceful, and now it's a battle zone taking place in hell.

"Eunomia?" Mr. Alex Hunter asked with concern.

"Honey tomorrow is a big day for you and me. So you better get some sleep, your mother..." He stopped talking and looked away from me. How dare he speak about my mother? Alex Hunter was a stranger in my life and still is.

"My mother what...what about her? Don't you feel a bit of regret or guilt by even mentioning her?" My words were colder then I intended them to be.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to let you know tomorrow you will stay home and we'll celebrate."

"I'm going to a party tomorrow." I said fighting back tears of betrayal.

"Well cancel, it's your 18th birthday, and your last birthday was...tragic. I know I haven't been the best father. But I want to be the father I couldn't be in the last few years. Please I'm trying to work things out, it's not only hard on you but on the both of us." I let out a snort.

"Tragic, well that's an understatement. You wouldn't know what my last birthday was like you were never there, for any of them. I'm still stunned you remember when it is. My last birthday wasn't tragic it was hell and it's entirely your fault, my mother died because of you! YOU'RE THE REASON SHE'S DEAD! YOU ABANDONED US! ─ I wiped away my tears and spoke louder and more infuriated ─ When we were in trouble you weren't there, when my mother needed you, you weren't there; you were and are never there! I hate you, because of you I lost my home, my life, and most importantly, my mother! ─I stood up, moving towards the frozen Alex Hunter─ I can't believe you remarried a week after my mother's death, what were you having an affair before─"

"THAT'S ENOUGH! Say what you want but never doubt my loyalty towards my wife. For god's sake, I loved the women and I never loved after or before her. I still do"

"Oh my god, how do you sleep at night knowing you're full of such crap? You've never loved my mother because if you did you wouldn't have left her when she needed you the most. " I stood up not knowing what else to do, but I wouldn't let him get the best of me.

"Don't dare call her your wife you lost that right the day you walked out on us." Before I knew what happened I was out the front door running, as my tears rained. I didn't know where I was going, all I knew was that I had to go someplace far, far away.

The world was dark and empty. I stopped my bike back in the same woods. My mind was far from my body, as the anger began to shake every nerve in me.

"Can you help me?" I heard a female's voice in the dark, but I saw nothing but fog.

"Hello? Who's there?" I spoke with a bit of a panic in my voice. I walked towards the direction of the voice.

"You have to help me!" The voice got louder and more demanding, I jumped back a few steps. My skin began to crawl with creeps.

"Who are you? Where are you? I can't see you..." Before I could finish, a person appeared right before my very own eyes. I tried to grab her hand before she could turn to leave, instead, my hand went right through her as if I was touching nothing but thin air.

"What are you?"

"Dead." She said coldly

"What..." I turned my head and found myself looking at a familiar blue Volvo. Before I could even take in the situation, I'm being yelled at, by a pissed off Logan.

"Get in the car, now. And you leave her the hell alone." He barked in a commanding tone. It took me a moment to understand who he was talking to. But the woman was long gone, could he even see them?

"Damn it, Logan!" I spat out. I was scared, and I thought I was going crazy because I was just talking to a woman who's dead.

I spoke too soon.

The car came to a quick stop. I looked out the window at a pack of shirtless guys, not that I was complaining but it was strangely odd it wasn't your typical sight in this small town. I look at Logan for, I don't know...an explanation. All I saw was fear and ire, fear was something I thought Logan never felt.

"If I ask you to do something will you do it, please." He said with a concerned tone. I tried to speak but nothing came out, so I nodded. I watched him slowly close the door mouthing lock it with uncertainty. I did as I was told.

He walked over to the group of guys. It was the same guy I saw in the woods on the first day of classes. I couldn't make out what they were saying but I can tell that Logan was to shouting since that's all he ever does whenever he's around. But within in a blink of an eye, Logan took a swing at the woods guy.

That's when my world turned upside down, the guy was no longer human he was this hairy thing. All the other guys began to hold him back not an ounce of fear. Logan said one word and raced back to the car. I unlocked it for him to come in, the minute he closed the door.

"Drive damn it." I screamed.

Logan drove about twenty minutes straight without a word but looked at me from time to time. I didn't glance at him once, my eyes glued to the window looking out to a world I thought I knew. Soon after darkness found me as my eyes slowly closed.

"Honey I'm sorry this happened. You should've stayed home with him." She scolded me.

"Mom where are you just come out, please. I need answers, no more bullshit, please. Haven't I gone through enough." I began to cry, and just when I was about to lose hope my mother appeared. She was glowing in her white silky smooth dress. She took me in her arms and held onto me like a newborn baby.

"Honey you'll soon get answers. But you must listen to me now, I don't have much time so no questions." I nodded unable to speak and hoping to process whatever the hell is going on real or not.

"Tomorrow is your eighteenth birthday it is the day you get your powers, fully. I see you have already begun to speak to the broken spirits. You are so unique, your father must be proud. Let him guide you please-"

"He abandoned us. He-"

"Don't be stubborn Mia, your father did everything he had to. He didn't choose this no one did, it was meant to happen. For god, sake hear him out he is your father. He mourns and grieves just like you, but acts strongly in front of you. I love you both, please try for my sake. " She starts walking out of reach.

"On a happier note, Logan is cute, angry but a sweet boy. He'll protect you, always remember you are unique... I have to go...be careful... find your...father...it was meant to happen..."

"This isn't real..."

My mother was gone and I woke up in a nice warm unfamiliar bed. I take the soft blanket off and notice my clothes were changed. The last thing I remember, which I think was real was being in the car with Logan. My head started spinning again with questions.

"This isn't possible. This isn't real." I repeat it a few times hoping, it was true. But my thoughts are interrupted as someone clears their throat.

My head shoots up looking into the same captivating green eyes I was mesmerized by when I first arrived to this small town. Logan walks towards me and sits by my side. He leans in close enough for me to smell the delicious mint from his breath. At that moment I almost forgot everything.

He whispers a quiet "hi" in my ear. His lips inched closer teasing me. He slowly reaches for a piece of my hair and pushes it behind my ear leaving no barrier between our lips. I bite my bottom lip unable to take the intensity, he smiles with pride and whispers softly against my restless lips, "I might kiss you." Instead of giving him my answer in words I grabbed his soft face and kissed him. I felt myself hover in the air for a minute but we both broke away for air.

This time I spoke softly teasing his lips "I might kiss you again." He answered the same way I answered him. We both broke away again not for air, but because we were interrupted by an unhappy Alex Hunter.

"Eunomia we need to talk." He says with a serious tone I've never heard him use, and I was worried now. Logan and I followed him into the living room where Laura stood pacing back and forth uneasy. The room was filled with more tension than a courtroom. We were all victims waiting for justice or simply to be heard.

"Okay is someone going to tell what is going on? Why do I have dreams of my mother who's dead but so alive? Why she said I can talk to broken spirits whatever that means, or when she says tomorrow I get into my powers fully?" I paused for a second to allow answers to flow out like a river. All I got was concern looks and guilty faces. Logan left my side and stood beside Laura with concern and scared face, not an I-kissed- and- liked-it-but-first-I'll-answer-your-questions face.

"It's fine if you don't know, but at least you could tell me why or how I saw a really gorgeous man become something that's not a man? Or how I spoke to a woman who I put my hand threw? Or why my mother keeps telling me dad is actually a good man and a good father?" I guess I triggered something because Alex Hunter walked towards me and before I saw his arms near me I was in a bear hug. I can hear him mutter "You called me dad."

"I'm sorry sweetheart, you deserve better but all I can give you is answers." He said sincerely as water began to build up in his eyes.

"That's all I need dad." My father nearly glowed hearing the word, dad. I reached for his hand trying to give him hope.

I hadn't realized how good it felt to even say the word, dad. But part of me wasn't ready for the answers that I desired, part of me was still that scared little girl who watched her mother's death.

Part of me was dying a bit inside.