{20} Chapter

=Sapphire=

I've missed my flute dearly and sometimes, I thought I was going to go crazy. But not only that, Daniel and Darren didn't show appearances from the past few days. It's been weeks and somehow that troubles me. Especially because of the family issues that Darren had mentioned of them having.

Still, he kept contact through texting and Daniel did the same to Rosy as well. Even though they kept us company through our mobile devices, it isn't like the way when they're physically present.

It was already December 15, the temperature dropped and snow started falling since the last week. And besides that, I was dreading the day that'll be coming for me tomorrow. The sixteenth day of December is the day of my parent's death, it's also the day which I'll be turning seventeen.

Good thing the school holidays was in early. Our biology professor gave us some project so that we'll be doing something instead of relaxing.

Right now, I was sitting on top of my bed with my headphones on. I was listening to the music of Christina Perri to keep myself preoccupied, and I was also cradling my phone in my hands.

"Sapphire?" two, loud knocks followed. Aunt Farris' tone was filled with worry. I can sense it despite of how hard she tried to hide it. "I've cooked your favorite. Lasagna!" She tried to make her voice cheery.

Though with the blaring music, my stomach rumbled in complain. I sighed and hopped out of my bed, leaving my phone and headphones behind.

Approaching the door, I opened it wide and greeted my Aunt with a wide smile. Her lips stretched into a wide grin. "I thought I'd bring some dinner to your room." She told me, holding up a plate of hot, steaming lasagna along with a spoon and fork.

I took the plate in my right hand and used my left to give her a one-side hug. She gladly returned the gesture. We left ourselves like that before I decided to pull away.

"I'll be in the kitchen if you want some more." She said before turning and walking away.

Hearing her footsteps slowly fade, I closed the doors behind me and climbed back on top of my bed.

Sitting cross-legs, I took the spoon in my hand and sliced a small piece before biting into it. The taste instantly exploded in my taste buds and my eyes turned glassy as I devoured it in my mouth.

Aunt Farris sure did made the situation worse. Her lasagna reminds me of mom's cooking.

My phone beeped beside me and I checked it out to spot a new message from Darren.

'Luk out ur wndow.

-D'

My brows furrowed at his message. Why would I look out my window? Is there another fall? And by fall, I meant snow. I complied to his instructions and drew the curtains to see what he was talking about.

To my utter shock, he was there. Standing there. Staring straight to where I am.

My jaws dropped.

This is way better than snow!

I drew the curtains close and grabbed my coat the was hanging by the stump on the foot of my bed. I slipped inside and zipped it up.

My heart thudded inside my chest and I ran out of my room in a hustle. My stomach was forming knots, making me realize that I was a little bit too excited.

I took a deep breath and slowed my pace as I slowly padded my way to the back and grabbed my boots from the shoe-rack by the door.

"Where are you going?" I heard Rosy ask behind me. I spun around and faced her.

Jerking my thumb over my shoulder, I pointed at the back door and she nodded in realization. "Be back before dark, okay?"

I bobbed my head at her up and down and walked out of the door. As I closed it behind me, he was there...standing and staring at me.

A smile tugged on the corners of my lips and my heart fluttered inside my chest. Just seeing him smile made my stomach do somersaults. I slowly walked towards him, my boots dug from the thick snow and I can sense my nose going red from the temperature.

"Hey," he greeted as I stopped in front of him. "I'm sorry if we didn't show up from the past two weeks." He sighed, foggy breath released from his mouth.

Yeah, I forgot. They were gone for two weeks.

I slowly held my hands up and made gestures in the air. "It's okay," I told him through sign language. "I understand. How is everything going between you and your family?" I asked.

"Not so good," He took another breath. "But the problem's pretty fixed up." He paused and looked down at me. "I came here to apologize personally since I figured you'll think I am not sincere."

I shook my head and smiled at him.

"Well, that's my first reason." He beamed. "I also came here to take you somewhere. I thought I'd need to make up for everything." He grinned at me.

Extending out his hand, he offered me to take it. "So...can you come?"

I slowly slid my hands to his, accepting his offer. His grin got wider and goofier.

Tugging on my hand, he lead me towards the forest. I stopped at my tracks with hesitance.

He turned to me, "Relax, I know where we're going." he said.

I was reluctant.

"Trust me?" He gave me a pleading look, all I saw was sincerity in his eyes.

Glancing back at my house, I looked back at him and nodded in response.

He smiled and began to lead me in.

The forest looked completely different during winter season. Piles of snow settled on the ground, on top of the trees, plants, and everything with a flat surface.

I don't know if the plants would survive through. But for the animals, maybe they settled for hibernation already.

Darren seemed to know where we're going--like he said--because he kept his eyes at one direction and would shift only when necessary.

It wasn't long before we came across a clearing of a lake. Even in winter, the place looked really amazing. Though this time, the surface of the water was frozen.

The sign of life was completely absent because snow and ice became dominant. Still, I can see dead twigs with winter plants of blue leaves that added some pinch to the scenery.

I can't help but gape at the scenery, causing Darren to chuckle beside me. My knees have gone weak.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Darren said, and I nodded in agreement. He looked down at me with his silver eyes, and I noticed the very same glint that Darwin possessed.

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

He led me on an old tree stump and made me sit. I looked at him weirdly as he knelt beside me while staring straight at my eyes.

"There are more reasons why I came to your house. Third, was to show you this place. And fourth," He reached for his jacket and pulled something from behind his back.

My jaws dropped as a familiar silver object came to sight.

It was my flute!

He handed it to me and I took it from him with disbelief.

I was too busy looking at him that I didn't pay much attention to what he gave me.

My vision turned glassy and without hesitation, I jumped into his arms and engulfed him into a tight hug. We almost toppled over because he was kneeling, but he managed to keep his balance and hug me back. I closed my eyes at the comfort of his presence and let a few tears drop.

Pulling away, I wiped away the tears at the fear of having them frozen. Right now, I was kneeling in the snow beside Darren.

And it snapped.

How did he get my flute? It's just...impossible!

He must've sensed the confusion on my face and spoke as he stood up and helped me on my feet. "I know that you're confused." He said, sighing and hanging his head.

I scrutinized him closely. Regret was plated across his face.

"I lied," he blurted, making my brows scrunch up. "From the last week, I've been keeping everything from you." He began fidgeting with his fingers as he looked up and stared straight to my eyes.

"I lied, Sapphire." He whispered. "There are more about me which you don't know."

I placed my flute above the tree stump and waved my hands in the air. "What are you talking about? I don't understand."

He lied? About what? I'm more confused right now.

But that isn't the question I wanted to be answered. I want to know how. How did he get my flute? There are more 'hows' in certain situations which needs clearing.

"Sapphire, I'm not normal."

What?

"I'm not normal. I'm..." He took a deep breath. "I'm a werewolf." He finished.

I looked at him as if he had three heads. Somehow, I wanted to think that what he just said was a sick, pathetic joke. But my intuitions were telling me otherwise. His eyes showed truthfulness and honesty, no signs of humor. Even if I wanted to laugh, I stayed serious.

Darren's eyes penetrated straight to mine and I can see him searching me for any reaction. But all I had was disbelief.

Right now, I'm starting to think he'd gone nuts.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I flashed him a challenging look. He cannot be messing around with me now.

"I'm telling the truth. And I'll give you some proof." He took two strides back and I watched him intently.

He began removing his jacket, then next he unzipped his pants...he's stripping.

I gasped and covered my eyes...my poor eyes! I don't want to see anything unnecessary. Had he gone nuts? Why is he stripping?

Within the next few seconds, I didn't dare to take any peek. All I heard was shuffling of clothes and the next thing I knew...the sound of bones cracking and popping rang in my ears.

Placing my hand down, I witnessed a chocolate-brown form of a big wolf take Darren's place. Silver orbs stayed, but everything else had transformed into a body of those a wolf's. Paws, tail...snout.

And I instantly recognized who was in there.

Darwin.

Shock and bewilderment crossed my face at the discovery. Darwin and Darren is one! That explains the identical eyes and reactions around me. From the whole time...Darren was with me, too.

Yes, even if I didn't play anymore, Darwin continued to be around. Though he kept out of sight from Aunt Farris and Rosy.

I did not run, I did not show any fear...instead I stood still, glaring at Darren.

The wolf hang its head as if a child has been caught sneaking an extra cookie.

I wanted to lash out because of rage. I felt a sense of betrayal, but a new emotion pierced through me as he whimpered and flashed me a pleading look mixed with apology.

I approached the wolf and gingerly reached for its head. He responded almost instantly and brushed his head under my palm.

Upon realizing that Darren and Darwin was one made me...happy in some way. But I can't help but develop a sense of betrayal because Darren didn't trust me about this fact.

But it sort of made me laugh. Because I realized one fact: I'm falling--well, consider that word in past tense because I'm afraid it already happened--for a werewolf.

It did not make sense on how I handled it so easy when I would've ran away and go nuts about it all day.

But what I didn't understand is the feeling of comfort and protection when he told me the truth. Instead of scaring me off, everything felt neutral...as if I was born for this moment.

Darren was saying the truth...he isn't normal.