07.

It's dark.

It's late out.

And I can't sleep.

I can't sleep knowing that my mother might have ran into some trouble and that same trouble, landed her in hospital. It worries me more to think that it might be the same kind of trouble that I ran into, not so long ago.

The more I think about it though, the more I find myself arguing with myself. The mere thought of being suspicious of my own mother makes me feel bad. Besides, she hasn't even said anything, let alone mention anything to do with the bruise she has.

I can't determine that my thoughts are the truth of what happened to her.

It's only been a couple of days since we moved to this town and already a lot has taken place. I have encountered warnings and threats from a stranger, who seems like the coldest and intimidating person to meet and have had me witness, the last things I want to witness. Being here hasn't been smooth sailing, when all I needed was a fresh new start, no, a quiet start.

I don't want to be paranoid but I think I might start soon.

This is not good for anyone.

What I need is to focus on my mom, school and on enjoying my time in completing high school, instead of worrying myself sick, over things that I can't explain.

I feel Ethan stir from under me, where half my body is laying on top of his. As I move to give him a bit more space, his hold on me tightens.

" You should be resting," I hear him say from above my head.

" Did they ever find out more information about the dead man?" I find myself asking this.

" No. Why are you asking?"

" Just curious," I shrug, moving out of his arms and off the bed.

This seems to wake him up now, where he shifts to his side, balancing his head against his propped up arm.

" Where are you going?" He asks.

" To get something to drink. Rest up, I'll be back." I tell him, walking out of my room and making my way to the kitchen.

Pouring myself a glass of water, I take a seat on the bar stool, staring out the kitchen window and admiring the beautiful night sky. The feeling of water in my throat, has me sighing out in contentment.

Gosh I didn't think I was that thirsty.

'I sure do miss my mom and though the thought of her laying in the hospital doesn't ease my worries, I'm glad that I arrived in time and that now she's in good hands.

A little smile touches my face when I think about my mom blushing like crazy, in the presence of that doctor.

Hmm I wonder if the doctor is single, he might work his doctor charm on my mom, who I don't doubt, wouldn't mind the doctors touch.'

Oh gosh what am I thinking?

I snicker at my own stupid thoughts.

Matchmaking, sure is not my strongest point that's for sure.

The beautiful night sky surely knows how to capture ones attention. It makes me think of all the times I'd spent in a foster home, staring up at the sky and wishing for a good day, more over, something to make me smile. Usually in my childhood, I was a child who didn't wander her thoughts to the future, more towards tomorrow. I looked forward to a better tomorrow and that it would not be like my yesterday.

Yesterday to me was the past, if bad, I did all I could for today to overshadow the yesterday. Looking back at my life, I never really complained about the challenges that came my way, I guess I was too busy surviving.

Out there, I can certainly say was all about surviving and nothing more.

Taking in the night and beautiful outdoors, I take a step to walk away but pause when right in the center of the trees is something, I can't make out its size but I can spot its eyes.

Correction, golden eyes.

I gasp out loud and the glass slips through my fingers, missing the sink and shattering against the floor.

I don't know what it is but looking at its eyes, I have no doubt it's something dangerous and wild.

'Gold eyes, gold eyes, the only gold eyes I had seen with my own eyes, were those belonging to......

No, it can't be, it just can't be.'

" Casey !" I hear Ethan call me , giving me reason to avert my eyes elsewhere.

Soon enough, Ethan comes rushing to the kitchen. " Casey!" He breathes out, coming around to where I'm standing.

He stops in his tracks, his eyes widen as they cast down to the floor. " Don't move. " He warns, already looking for the dustpan and broom.

Looking back at the window, I frown when I don't see anything, there's no more golden eyes.

Where is it? or Where are they?

" I - where is it?" I murmur to myself, confused as to what just happened.

Were my eyes deceiving me just now?

" Come on," I hear Ethan say before I'm picked up and carried over to the kitchen counter.

I can hear him move around, and him probably cleaning up my mess, but I can't really pay much attention when all I can think about is what I saw. I know what I saw, well, I think I know what I saw. The same golden eyes I had seen before, were present and were searching deep within my soul. It might have been dark out, but those eyes, that have haunted me in my dreams were there. They shun the brightest in the dark night and made it hard for me to look away.

" Casey?"

I look up at him, where he stands leaned against the fridge, watching me intently. " What happened?"

" I -I thought I saw something outside but it just disappeared, maybe it was a wild animal, I don't know. It kind of freaked me out and that's when I dropped the glass, " I tell him, trying to make him understand what happened, even I, myself, don't.

" There's nothing outside."

" I know, its ----------- " I stop talking , finding whatever I'm saying, sounding crazy now.

I hear him sigh before he pushes from the fridge and comes over, stepping between my legs that hang off the counter. I let out my own sigh when his hands touch my face. My heart slams against my chest when he stares deep into my eyes and says, " What's going on?"

" Something was out there," the words come out in a whisper.

The longer he stares in to my eyes without a word, the more I am starting to doubt my own words.

" I sound crazy." I say in defeat, pulling him much closer where I rest my forehead against his chest.

" No you don't," I feel him kiss the top of my head.

A moment of silence passes with us remaining in the same position, and I take this time to try and process everything.

I feel him tilt my head up so I am looking at him, and right then and there, he leans down to connect our lips. I feel so much emotion into the kiss and I too, meet him half way, pulling him even closer with the need for more of him. A moan escapes my lips while a groan comes from deep in his throat when I squeeze at his hair. I know how much he loves my hands in his hair, rough or soft.

All too soon, we break apart for air, foreheads against each other and chest breathing hard. " You want to talk about anything?" He whispers , eyes closed.

" Just hold me," I say.

Ethan pulls me into his arms and holds onto me tight, giving me what I need. The comfort from someone whom I love. Him being here, reassures me that I'm not alone and that whenever I need anything, he's here.

" I'm here, " he says, proving my words.

" Thank you," I say, wanting to let him know that I am grateful for everything.

Once we are back in my room, the first thing I do is to contact my mom, wanting to hear from her before I sleep. Three times, the phone rings with no answer and that makes me worry a little bit.

" What's wrong?" I hear Ethan ask, making it known that he has noticed my worry.

" Mom wont pick up."

" Maybe she's sleeping." He says.

He might be right but I am desperate to hear her voice and be reassured that she is doing okay.

" Let me try her one more time, then I'll stop."

I don't even wait for him to say anymore before I am calling again.

'Please answer.'

Relief washes over me when she finally answers.

Conversation, though short, flows between us and I make it a point for her to know that I intend to bring her home myself. I wouldn't want her to take a cab alone when I am right here. I have her as family and very few I consider family, and the thought of harm ever crossing my family's path, makes me extremely uncomfortable.

By the time I am done with the call and in Ethan's arms, I am the most calm. It's like the crazy events of today have been pushed back and the now, is most suitable for me.

"Are you good now?" Ethan asks, tugging me close to his chest.

I nod as exhaustion comes at me full force now.

" Good, cause I don't like seeing you worried or anxious. I like this ."

"Hmm," I agree, sounding half asleep.

" And it's better, knowing that you still are taking those meds. They have helped you so much, right?"

I tense for a few seconds, at the mention of my medication.

This is a reminder of what I have kept from him.

"They have helped you so much, right?"

"Hmm."

That's the thing Ethan, they haven't helped me at all, because I stopped taking them a long time ago. You just don't know it yet.