Chapter 13: Chapter 13

“We are not going hiking, Sydney. Don’t need to pack your bag. You are going to watch us hunt.” Noah teased me by seeing the bag which I’m packing for just some hours.

“Fine. I’m not bringing it.” I threw the bag on the couch and walked towards them.

“That’s the good girl.” Noah brushed my hair aside and gave an adorable smile.

“Time to go.” Jacen interrupted and opened the front door. That’s when I saw something bulged in his pocket. What’s that? Without thinking, I moved forward and put my hands inside his pant side pocket.

“I told you not to bring a blood bag.” I scolded him after throwing it away.

“You caught me. Are you happy?” he accepted. Even though there’s a chance for him to hunt, he still prefers a blood bag.

“See Noah. He carried nothing. Be like him.” I purposefully compared him with his brother. It’s fun to watch Jacen’s expression when I mention Noah’s name.

“I’m better than him. I’m his big brother.” Both started talking about this simple matter until we reached the forest. The forest entrance is so near my house that’s why I always go there to do some spells to see my parent’s souls. I never succeeded in it. Not yet. I will try again.

Birds are chirping. Silence prevailed all around the forest. The trees hid the sunshine and gave us shade. It feels like we are walking for hours and didn’t spot an animal for hunting. But this time in the forest, I was no longer alone. Jacen and Noah are there with me.

Finally, Jacen and Noah stopped in the middle of the forest. They said they are going to hunt here. They have very sharp ears to notice an infinitesimal moment around them. I’m not a vampire, I just watched their moments as a vampire. I have never been outside, so vampire hunting is a new thing to me. One day Jacen told me, some humans lost their path and ended up in Slateville or Ravewood. Those people are the only victims of vampires. But Jacen’s family isn’t interested in hurting humans. That’s why they hunt animals or use blood bags. They rarely drink human blood.

From what I’m seeing, they both are perfect for hunting. They followed a deer and caught it perfectly. Both are going in a different way to hunt. I can’t see both of their moments, but most of the time I can’t control my eyes, which is keenly looking at Jacen. Why am I always thinking about Jacen? Am I interested in him? No, maybe it’s because he’s the first boy I have ever seen in my life. I consulted myself by telling this. I don’t know how time got passed, but it’s already noon.

Now their hunting time is over. “Are we going home?” I asked while they are wiping the remaining blood from their face.

“Yes. Do you want to stay here? Our hunting is not an entertainment show.” Noah chuckled.

“Of course not,” I yelled.

“If you want to stay here a little longer, I have an idea, baby,” Jacen said, having some idea in his mind. I got no idea about it. But he should stop calling me Baby.

“Whatever idea you have to tell. Tell it without adding Baby.” I said, crossing my arms against my chest.

“Yes. Don’t call her baby. She’s not your girlfriend.” Noah said. If I let them continue this talk, they will argue until we reach home. I need to stop it.

“Leave it. What’s the idea?” I changed the topic.

“We are going to hide somewhere near you in this forest. Just find us.” are we playing hide and seek. We are not kids. Before I could reply, this is the stupidest idea I ever heard. Both disappeared from the spot they are standing a second. This is not going to be the hide and seek I expected. How can I find them while they have their vampire speed?

“I’m not interested in it. Come out, both of you.” I shouted while the entire forest was in silence.

“You don’t need to find me. I’m over here. Just come and get me. Simple right.” I turned around to see Jacen, who is standing ten feet away from me, leaning on a tree.

“That’s pretty easy. So can we go home after that?” I asked while walking over to reach him, but when I almost reached him, he just disappeared.

“Hey. This is not fair. You two are playing with me.” I complained after losing sight of Jacen.

“Yes, we are playing. It’s called the ‘Catch me’ game.” Noah’s voice ringed in my ears. Suddenly Someone tossed my hair back. I turned around, but there’s no one.

“That’s me. I was near you, but you missed the chance. Until you find us, we are not leaving the forest.” I heard Noah’s voice again from somewhere near to me.

“Uhhh...you two are raising my temper but I can catch you...with my power.” I lifted my hands and waited for their reply. But they stayed silent for a minute.

Suddenly someone touched my shoulder. I jerked back by the sudden touch and expected to see Noah or Jacen but what I saw his unexpected.

“You are...” a man in his forties looking at me like seeing a ghost. I don’t know why this strange man talking with me. I didn’t know him.

“Sorry. I don’t know you.” I said after a hesitation. He blinked for a few seconds and grabbed my arms.

“You are alive. Is that really you? Why are you still alive?” He harshly spoke and also hurt my arms having a firm grip. I can’t attack him with my power if he holds me like this.

“Leave me. You misunderstood someone. Leave me alone.” I screamed at him but he’s looking at me like he wants to kill me.

“I won’t leave until you answer me.” He stubbornly said. He started dragging me somewhere. Is he going to kidnap me?

“Back off, man. If you lay a hand on her again. I’m sure you will end up dead.” Jacen appeared suddenly at the right moment. He may have heard my scream. He pushed the man down with more force while Noah caught me when I stumbled to stand up on my feet.

“Don’t worry. You are safe now. Did you get hurt?” Noah concernedly asked while holding me. If I was alone in the forest, this man would surely kidnap me.

“No,” I said, finally feeling safe, but Jacen is so angry he may even kill this man. But why did this man ask me some weird questions? It’s like bad things are happening after leaving my house. I think my aunt has some reasons to protect me and I need to know that.