Chapter Six

Nathan stood with his hands shoved deep in his pockets.

"Nathan I-" He held a finger to his lips silencing me. I waited patiently, not knowing what he was waiting for. Nathan motioned for me to follow him. We walked down the block in complete silence. We were at my house in no time, even though it felt like forever. A few lights were on, meaning dad was home thankfully. I walked up the pathway, half expecting Nathan to just leave.

"Ava wait" Nathan said quietly. "There are some things you need to know." He motioned towards the bench on the porch. I sat next to him. A little green light appeared in the middle of his chest. He didn't seem to notice it. I rubbed my eyes, but it didn't go away. "There are things in this town, unnatural things."

"I know" I said staring at the green light, distracted by its glow.

"You know?" He asked surprised.

"I remember what happened last night as much as I would rather not. I feel different, like something has changed inside me. Like everything has changed."

"You? Ava you're human." Nathan gave me a confused look.

"Then I'm crazy" I said. "Cause believe it or not, but there is a green light shining in the middle of your chest." I poked him in the chest. He looked down even more confused, clearly not seeing it.

"I don't see anything" He said pulling on his shirt. "There's nothing there"

"You want me to believe what you're telling me, then I need you to believe me. Nathan I don't know who I can trust with all that's going on. If I'm just human then you're a pancake."

He laughed a little. "Alright, so there's a shiny green light coming from me, what else?"

"That's it." I laughed to myself. "I know it sounds silly, but I just see colors. Some are just these tiny little things in the center. Other times it like a big bubble surrounding people. And it's all different colors, but I have no clue what they mean."

"That doesn't sound like any species I have heard of.." He trailed off in thought. "Although, you don't have a scent so maybe you are something new."

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"There are five different species. A few you already know such as werewolves and witches. Then there is vampires, scythians, and of course humans." Nathan said.

"Already know?" I said.

"Well, my family are werewolves, actually the head of the pack. Miranda and the twins are witches. It's curious that you can't tell any of us apart. I mean the wolves and vamps can smell different species and the witches have like a sixth sense about it or something. You would have to ask Miranda about it." He had a frustrated look on his face, like he was trying to do math.

"What about the scythians?" I asked looking down at my hands. "I can put two and two together as to what the other species are but I've never heard of a scythian."

"We don't really know." He rubbed the back of his neck and shifted. "We've never had one alive long enough to find out." I looked up and caught a pained look on his face before he turned away. "Look Ava, I'm not saying I think it.." He took a breath before continuing. "But, scyths don't have a scent… like you don't have a scent."

"I could be a… monster?" I whispered. The idea shook me to my core. I hadn't really done anything bad in my life and now? Now I could be a horrible thing. The monster Shane wanted me to turn into? How could I be anything like him?

"Ava?" Nathan lightly touched my shoulder. I jumped. "Hey, it's gonna be okay. We will figure this out together."

"Yea until your brothers kill me." I pulled my knees to my chest, feeling like there was a crushing weight on me. "Nathan if I am a scyth then how long will it be before they come for me?"

"Look, we don't have a way to track the scyths, like I said. Their appearance in similar to humans but it's more so. Eyes become an unnatural color, skin becomes icy cold. They are dangerous creatures that kill people for no reason." He grabbed my hand. "See you're not cold and you're eyes are still green. As long as those two things don't change you have nothing to worry about. I promise."

"Thank you" I said. "I know you're trying to make me feel better." It wasn't working. I had one to many things to deal with right now.

"But there's something else bothering you?" He leaned back on the bench, arm laying across the back. "You're worried about your friend? The blonde one?"

"He's not my friend." It came out a little sharper than I wanted it. I looked down at my hands, fidgeting. "Not anymore anyways." I could feel the tears building. The pain crushing down on me. I turned away hoping Nathan wouldn't notice.

"Ava what did he do?" Nathan slide over and pulled me closer. He was like the big brother Shane was supposed to be. But why did I trust him so easily? I had learned my lesson once already.

"He was like family, always watching out for me." Tears fell before I could stop them. "Then one day we went out to the lake with some friends. We were the first two there so we jumped in right away. He dragged me under the water and… and tried to kill me. Luckily my friend Amber showed up in time and I made it to the hospital. I died… three times before I recovered from it." I realized how ridiculous it sounded saying it outloud.

Nathan hugged me tight. "I won't let him hurt you." He whispered. I wasn't sure it he meant for me to hear it or if he was telling himself that. But it was a promise he wouldn't be able to keep.

"I appreciate that, I really do." I swiped away some tears. "But, if he wants to get to me, he will."

"I'll do everything I can. You should get inside." He got to his feet and offered me a hand up. A bright pink haze appeared around him. I felt connected, like I could trust him with anything. "My brothers are on their way back and they are not happy least to say." That meant they didn't find Shane.

I nodded quietly and headed for the door. Nathan kissed my forehead and disappeared. I knew he was still there in the darkness, watching and waiting. I went in the house, locking the door behind me.

"Avery?" Dad called from the kitchen.

"I'm home" I called back, pushing the curtain aside to peek out the window. The Hale brothers had already turned away and were headed home I hoped.

"You're out late." Dad was leaning against the door frame. "Making friends?"

"I uh, yeah actually I did make a few." I checked the door lock and double checked the deadbolt.

"Everything okay? You seem a little jumpy." He was watching me. There was a pinkish orange glow around him. It made me wonder if he was a supernatural too. He didn't have a solid light in the middle of his chest though. I shook off the thought. This was crazy.

"I'm fine dad, it's just been a long day." I dropped my bag on the coffee table and headed for my room. "Gonna call it a night."

"Ava wait" He stepped forward then stopped, nervously fidgeting.

"What is it dad?" I asked.

"Nevermind, we can talk about it later." Dad turned down the hall and entered his room. I was a little confused but headed to bed anyways. Dakota pushed through the door beside me. Leaving the door open a crack, I kicked off my shoes. After changing into sweatpants and a shirt I crawled under the comforter. I was about to drift off into sleep when my phone buzzed. Another message from the same unknown number. TELL NO ONE. YOUR SECRET IS NOT SAFE. I read the message over and over. What secret did I have? Who was it not safe from?

I set my phone on the nightstand and rolled over. Dakota was fast asleep by my feet. Eyes closed, I fell asleep quickly. Thankfully the night went with no dreams.

Morning came as the sun shined through the windows. Dakota was gone from my room now. I pushed off the comforter and sat on the edge of my bed. In only two days my life has been flipped upside down. If I was a supernatural did that mean my dad was too? He could tell me what I was then. But if he knew then he would have told me already. This was all too much to handle.

I got dressed to go for a run. I didn't see dad as I headed for the back door. There was a cool morning breeze that made me shiver. I started jogging through the woods. It wasn't long before I heard footsteps behind me and coming up fast. With a quick glance I saw it was Derek. I smiled and waved.

"I was hoping to find you." Derek said, keeping pace with me.

"You were?" I asked. I thought it was odd since he knew where I lived. He could find me at anytime.

"Yeah, I didn't know how else to get ahold of you."

"Well you know where I live." I said following the path to the right.

"So you wouldn't find it a little weird if a guy you just meet showed up on your doorstep?"

"I guess it would be" I picked up the pace as we headed toward a hill.

"So how about we start with a phone number?" He smiled at me.

"Now that would just be too easy." I said.

"Fine, I'll earn it. There is a lake about a mile up this path. If I win I get your number."

"You're on" I broke into a full run, leaving him a few paces behind me. He was gaining on me as I reached my limit. We came around a bend and I could see the lake up ahead. Derek nearly caught me when we reached the tree line. I skidded to a stop on the muddy shores. Derek crashed into me, sending us both into the mud.

"I'm really sorry" Derek said wiping mud off of my face.

"It's fine, really" I grabbed his hand, causing him to pull back. He smiled again.

"Let me make it up to you." He said. "Dinner and a movie? Tonight?"

"Hmm, that depends." I said. He raised his eyebrows, clearly asking what. "What movie?" I laughed a little and his smile grew bigger.

"I'll take that as a yes. Now come on, let's wash this dirt off." He took my hand and pulled me towards the lake. The water was cold with the morning air. I scrubbed the dirt out of my clothes the best I could while staying close to the water edge. Derek was a few feet away doing the same. He swam out further. "Come on" He called back to me.

I waded out till the water was waist deep. It was one of the first time I had been in water like this since the incident with Shane. My hairs were standing on end just thinking about it. Everything about me froze. From my feet in the mud to my voice in my throat. I couldn't breathe or even move. This must be what it's like to be petrified with fear.