Chapter 21

"Remind me again why you decided that going swimming in a lake in winter was a good idea?" I asked, wrapping my blanket tighter around me as I sat down on the bay. The girls had decided that since a big storm was due that now was the perfect time to go swimming, as Ruby wouldn't have a chance to go before she left. Her logic was that if she went on holiday, she had to swim. It was one of those unwritten traditions.

"Because I brought my swimsuit and I'm making the most of it." Ruby replied, dropping her back pack and stripping her t-shirt and long shorts to reveal a baby blue bikini. Everyone wolf-whistled as she laughed and gave a twirl.

"Your boobs have grown." I commented to the brunette off handily, as she shrugged and smiled before looking up at the sky proudly. It's not like her boobs were small in the first place. They probably had the capacity to contain three of my boobs in each... if that made sense.

"I noticed."

"Girl, if I wasn't married I'd have you." Yvane commented, as she stood with Lucy smiling.

"How 'bout you baby momma? What have I got to work with?"

"Oh no I can't, I...." She tried to deny, causing us all to make sounds of encouragement

"Oh come on Yvane!"

"Yvane!"

"Yeah come on!"

"Well..." She trailed off, glancing at us all before sighing "Alright fine."

Slipping off her yellow dress, she revealed a blood red bikini underneath; as well as a surprisingly toned body for a mother. "Ta-da!" she said half-heartedly, causing the wolf whistles and laughter to ring out again.

"How old is Grace again?" I commented in amusement, causing her to hug her abdomen slightly in nerves.

"Shut up."

"Oh come on! You have to admit you look hot!" Ruby cut in, hands on her hips as she said it.

Sighing she looked down at herself before puffing out her cheeks, smiling slightly "...I do look good don't I?"

"Hell yeah you do!" Ruby replied, high fiving Yvane as she did a little pose for us causing a round of amused hollering.

Everyone in agreement Lucy suddenly piped up "Ladies ladies," She began, stepping up before removing her poncho and showing everyone the swimsuit underneath which slimmed her figure nicely; considering she was a busty lady. "I think everyone can agree I'm the one they'll be thinking about tonight!"

Laughing everyone cheered, Yvane grabbing a bottle of white wine from the basket and handing out plastic glasses from the house and pouring everyone a drink. Sipping mine we were all starting to relax and have a laugh. Well... almost everyone.

"Ugh my God you're all so disgusting." Tinsley declared, propping herself up on her elbows as she stared at them from behind her Gucci sunglasses on her towel. She was of course the picture of perfection with the golden hair, leopard fur bikini and sun kissed skin-- even though it was December. How was that even possible this time of year? It was winter no one was going to judge you for being pale.

"Oh what are you moaning about?" Lucy sighed, looking down at her along with everyone else except for yours truly; who had awkwardly turned her head from her sitting position in front of her to see.

"You shouldn't say stuff like that its ewe, a woman should be with a man, and that's the last of it. You're not even funny joking about it so stop. I mean God Yvane you have a mate, show some morality." She sneered, causing the woman here by mentioned to cock an eyebrow as well as a hip.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me loud and clear." She replied, before lying back down on her probably gold incrusted towel and effectively ignoring us. My eyes were wide with shock along with probably everyone else at her statement. Did she really just say that? A woman should be with a man? What kind of medieval bull-crap is this?

"We're just having a little fun Christm-- Tinsley. If you don't like it then don't listen." I replied, my respect for her lowering even more. Jesus what are these people like? Even werewolves are like this, is there no hope for the world?

"R-right, so anyway!" Ruby clapped, forcing a smile in order to lighten the quickly disintegrating mood. "How about that swim?"

Joining in on her attempt I smiled "How are you not freezing?"

"Cause we ain't a wuse like you." She smirked in return, before she nodded behind her where Yvane and Lucy had already run into the lake laughing loudly "You coming in?"

"Nah it's that time of the month, if you get what I mean." I winked, before snuggling further into my woollen blanket. My hair had been put up in a bun in order for it to stop falling into my eyes and I'd changed into my denim shorts, white shirt and blue cardigan.

"Ah tough break. How about you Barbie?" She suddenly called louder, looking over my head and at the relaxing blonde behind me.

Sighing in annoyance she didn't bother to move "Does it look like I want my hair ruined by that filthy lake?"

"I don't know it could be an improvement." She muttered in reply, causing Tinsley's mouth to gape slightly before she propped herself up once again on her elbows in order to look at my best friend.

"Excuse me?" She asked in disbelief, probably getting ready to ruin her newly manicured nails. Feeling the urge to laugh I held it back, knowing if I did anything it would only cause more trouble.

"Nothing." Ruby sang back.

After glaring at her she merely flipped her hair over her shoulder "Yeah, Not that it's any of your business or anything, but I have another reason for not going in there so, don't judge until you know my story."

"And what story would that be, sweet cheeks?"

"I'll have you know I drowned in there." She replied snootily, before lying back down. Furrowing my eyebrows in confusion I tried to make sense of her words. She drowned here? What?

'Drowned?' I mouthed to Ruby, making a silly face and causing her to stifle a laugh.

"Well ugh," She said, obviously trying not to laugh "Sorry I didn't think of that before asking. My bad."

"I should think so too."

"Yeah... hey Dan can I have word?" Ruby suddenly asked, looking at me before motioning for me to follow. Heaving myself up I took my blanket with me and waddled after Ruby who had stopped a while away from the girls next to the lake side.

"I don't want to worry you but.... I think we're dealing with a ghost." Ruby said seriously, before bursting out laughing and me along with her. How stupid can someone be? That was honestly one of the most hilarious things I've ever heard.

"Shhh, if she hears you she might come and haunt your arse." I gasped in-between laughter, sending us into another round of hysteria. Oh ghost Tinsley; you really need to learn the definition of 'Drowned'.

"Alright alright," Ruby gradually said, coming to an eventual stop. "In all serious now, how you feeling?"

Slightly out of breath from laughing I nodded "Yeah I'm good, why?"

"You sure? Cause last night you looked pretty pissed..." She replied, looking concerned.

After a couple of deep breath I smiled and nodded once again "Yeah. We sorted it out don't worry."

A night's rest and the majority of the next morning later, I decided that I would deal with this 'heat' when the situation arose. IF it even did. I had been reassured by countless people (Other than Chris), that there was a massive chance that nothing would happen considering I'm human; and I was counting on my lucky stars that it didn't. No offence to any girls out there that have done this, but three months is not enough time to have a baby. For me anyway.

I had asked them, and by them I mean Yvane since she seemed to know the most about all this, what actually triggered the process. She just said that no one really knows, and that even science couldn't deduce the reason. But they did know you had to have been in close range with your 'other half' so to say for a long period of time for it to kick off. And considering I'd been here for over a month now I'm pretty sure I'd been around him for a long period of time.

"Okay," She said, seemingly bringing the conversation to a close until she quickly looked back at me excitedly "So have you shagged him yet?!"

"What? No!" I cried, shocked by her sudden change in subject.

"Seriously? You must've done something come on! What's wrong with you? You're never this prude around guys."

Giving her a deadpanned look I narrowed my eyes "Is that really what you think of me?"

Shrugging she gestured towards my being "Prove me wrong."

"I don't shag every guy I meet okay! God..." I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest. Only Ruby would make me feel like such a slut in these situations. I mean yes, I was no stranger to the penis. Or the vagina, for that matter. But it's not like I've shagged a different person every night! I have morals.

"Alright fine! But there's something going on between the two of you, so if you don't tell me, I'll go after him myself." She declared, looking at me knowingly.

"Fine!"

"Fine!" She repeated back, effectively ending our conversation with a sulky silence.

After a few seconds of quite, a sort of paranoia set in and caused me to look up at my friend with worry "...You're not really are you?"

"Oh God no." She rolled her eyes, causing a slight wave of relief to come through me. It was totally because of me not wanting to trap her with a werewolf... and not... other... reasons...

"Oh good!" I smiled, rolling back on my heels. Yes, werewolves, of course.

"...You totally like him don't you."

"Ah crap I do." I muttered return, accepting the inevitable and causing her to squeal and hug me; bouncing around as she did. I liked him. I had for a while. And I think it was sort of getting obvious even for me. I was just too stubborn to admit it. I mean, what if this wasn't natural? What if I was being forced by the werewolf magic people to start to care about Chris? There were so many possible reasons for this that I was starting to doubt myself but... at the end of the day I liked him, and that feeling wasn't going anywhere fast...

"YES YES YES YES YES!" She cried, not letting me go for a second. "Finally! Your first love! I expect at least two babies to be named after me. Second names are fine but remember at least, two." She continued, causing my eyes to bulge out of my sockets and for me to pry her off.

"Wow wow wow, I've only just accepted that I like him. Love and babies are a LONG way away darling, so don't be too excited for them baby names. Besides, I'm pretty sure he hates him for what I've put him through." I trailed off to a mutter, wincing at all the shit I put him through. What if after all this he was the one who had rejected me? He mentioned something about rejection the first time I came here, so what if the longer I've been a bitch the more he's grown to resent me and has ended up rejecting me without my knowing? Can you even do that?

"Why? What did you do?"

Wincing I felt guilty while admitting, "... You know the limp?"

"That was you!" She gasped, and if I looked deep enough I could've sworn I saw a ghost of a smile on her face.

"Mostly... but it wasn't entirely! Plus I've been a right bitch to him right from the start so that can't be an exact plus." I muttered, feeling slightly guiltier the more I thought about it. Ah shit I'm--

"No more a bitch than that 'Tinsel Tree' over there I doubt. I mean honestly, what a freak. Who's that homophobic these days? Plus, did you hear her talking to Yvane earlier? She said mate! How weird can you get?" She replied, turning and glaring slightly at the ignorant blonde who was still sun-bathing in a sunless sky.

"Yeah weird..." I muttered, feeling bad for the fact that I knew why she said mate but thought it best not to mention.

Oh yeah she says mate cause she's a werewolf Rubs, not big deal.

Yes, big deal.

"But still I can't really assume with him, can I? I mean I'm not exactly pick of the litter--"

A loud laugh cut across my dialogue "Oh don't worry, he likes you. But seeing as you doubting, how about we ensure this, huh?"

Oh god, this isn't what I think --

"GIRLS!" Ruby yelled, calling over to the others "Call your girlfriends! We're going shopping!"

I sat down on the lone bench in the busy shopping centre, staring at my hand as I attempted to clench it repeatedly. I didn't remember having a bandage applied to my injured left hand but by the time I had woken up from my um, episode, it was already there clean as a whistle. Must have been Yvane and her weird, injury homing device.

"Danny, come on we're moving to the next store!" Ruby called, leaving the shop she was currently in and walking off to find the next one. She had made fast friends with Yvane and Lucy, along with Frankie who had been invited along for shopping. The nineteen-year-old, who had taken me to Chris on the day of the banshees, had a surprising sense of humour. Now that we were all relaxing and what not, I could start to get to know her better; along with all the women I met when I went dog racing...

Never thought I'd be thinking that...

Sighing I stood, grabbing my bags on the way with my good hand and following the group of women to what looked like a department store. I didn't really want to go shopping but considering that I now had to 'woo' the Chris, it was deemed mandatory by the likes of the girls.

And yes, that meant Yvane Lucy and Frankie knew.

The screams and screeches of joy still rang faintly in my ears.

Managing to find them next to the lingerie section I found the designated husband seat which I quickly claimed. My stomach had started to hurt again so I ran out of patience with shopping a while ago. We'd been out for hours now so I had given up.

"What do you think?" Ruby asked, holding up a deep pink bra with matching bottoms and panty-hoes.

"Listen, Rubs, I don't even care anymore. Can't we just go pick up some cake and then go home? I'm tired and have cravings." I whined, pouting up to her as I sat with my knees touching and ankles far apart. My lake clothes from earlier that day had gotten wet due to the fact that I was hugged from both sides by two, ecstatic werewolves. So, I had changed into a pair of skinny jeans and pretty top with heels.

Throwing her hands up in the air she exclaimed, "But don't you want to win over, 'The Christopher'?"

"Why is he known as 'The Christopher' now? What has he done to earn a title?"

Yvane smiled, looking at her knowingly "He won you, didn't he?"

Sighing I shook my head, smiling slightly "Believe me love, that isn't something to be proud of. I feel bad for him already."

"Oh shut up and pick something. Later we can go look at more of the fun things here, eh?" Frankie winked, gesturing behind her with her head. Furrowing my eyebrows I followed the gesture to find a rather large section filled with... rather adult things...

"Wait, where are we?" I asked confused, thinking that normal department stores don't usually have those kinds of things...

The mall we were currently shopping at was a little ways out of the town, which surprisingly (Not really), was a gated community. A large wall ran around the community miles apart. Even Chris's house was within this enclosed area. I had asked about it but my only reply was that is kept unwanted visitors out. All I could think of however, was that it kept the unwilling in.

"Anne Summers idiot, where did you think we were?" Ruby laughed, handing me the underwear before pointing at the changing rooms "Now go. You need at least three pairs--"

"--Three?!"

"Go!" Everyone suddenly chorused, causing me to jump slightly before falling into defensive mode.

"Alright, jeeze."

                                                                               *       *       *

"Hey, where's Lucy?" Yvane suddenly realised, causing us all to halt as we came out of the adult store five bags heavier. Glancing around, everyone came to realize that Yvane was correct, and the blonde Australian was nowhere to be seen.

"Was she in the shop with us?" I asked confused, trying to think back. I couldn't remember seeing her...

"No I don't think so... where could she have gone?" Ruby trailed off, continuing to look around in the hopes that she'd spot her new friend in the crowd.

"How the hell did we lose a 200 pound woman?" Frankie exclaimed.

"Don't panic she can't have gotten far; she probably just saw a puppy or something and wondered off after it." Yvane retaliated, trying to bring a logical order to where Lucy could be.

Considering it for a moment my mind came to the worse, "What if... Oh my God what is she's dead?"

She gave me a deadpanned look "Doubt it, we're in a mall. How did she die, fell into the fountain?"

"I'm serious! You we have to be realistic about this..."

Ruby nodded "She's right you know."

Frankie suddenly sniggered "What would you do if you saw her bobbing in the water now face down?"

"Oh will you shut up she's not dead! There's a higher possibility that she got abducted by aliens than be killed here." Yvane exclaimed, looking at us all with a slightly annoyed expression before sighing and starting to walk away "Come on! Let's go check the cafeteria. Chances are she's there."

Following the leader who was a few yards in front of us it suddenly clicked about what she said, "Oh crap you know what this means? We missed out on getting abducted by aliens!"

"Oh no! Shit now I'm sad." Frankie muttered, "Actually, she might've been kidnapped..."

"No offence to her but if you saw our group in the mall, I think she would be the least likely option to take." Ruby butted in, walking in sync with the two of us.

"Or maybe, it was a bunch of middle aged women thinking she was a teenage boy." She replied, looking at us both knowingly.

I nodded in agreement "Yeah that hoody did actually make her look a pretty manly..."

After a few minutes of locating the cafeteria we all came to the once again decisive conclusion that the Australian was nowhere to be seen. Sighing, Yvane slumped before turning to us in defeat."...when was the last time we definitely saw her?

Thinking about it, my last distinctive memory of Lucy that day was singing bohemian rhapsody with her at the Disney shop. So I went with it "Disney shop."

"Well then let's just go back there and maybe we'll find her bag and some other clues that can tell us where she is." Ruby suggested, looking at us all for confirmation.

"This isn't Scooby doo, you do know that right?" Yvane said, obviously trying to hide a chuckle.

"Yeah but either way, let's not split up. It never works out in the end trust me." I muttered, as we all went back the way we came and retraced our footsteps of the day.

"What would you do, if like, you found her corpse right now? Or her ghost?" Frankie suddenly suggested, causing for us to look at her weirdly. But in all honesty... what if we did?

Yvane passed us to walk ahead "Oh shut up she'll be fine."

Wait... Ghost,

Mysterious disappearance,

Blonde...

"Oh my God..." I muttered, coming to a standstill and causing all the girls to turn to me confused.

Ruby cocked her head to the side, "What?"

"Its ghost Tinsley! She heard me take the mick out of her back at the lake and is out for revenge! Picking us off one by one!" I said wide eyed, as everyone paused to take in what I said. Ruby and I had explained the ghost Tinsley story to everyone previously, so they were all aware of the story and had laughed at it at the time. But now...

After a few seconds of silence Frankie finally piped up "...I'm not walking in the back."

"Just," I began, quickly walking closer to the girls and linking my arms with theirs as we continued to make our way, "Stick together, she can't get us then."

"You're over reacting." Yvane commented, walking once again a few yards ahead of us.

"Am I? Am I really? Oh god poor Lucy's probably been dragged off to that lake by the deranged ghost with its manicured nails and drowned for a twisted plot of revenge." I said seriously.

"I bet Yvane'll be next." Frankie whispered loud enough for Yvane to hear.

"Yeah she's the furthest away right now." Ruby added.

"Imagine if a hand just popped out from behind a bench now and grabbed her." Frankie giggled slightly, imitating someone grabbing Yvane's ankle and losing her facade for a second before quickly pulling it back on.

"...I so tax her shoes if that happens." I said.

Ruby quickly jumped in, "Dibs on the baby!"

"Will you shut up!" Yvane suddenly exclaimed, turning and looking at us annoyed. We stared at her for a full five seconds of silence before bursting out laughing, our pent up energy since Anne Summers just letting loose.

"Look at your face!"

"Oh my god you actually believed it for a second didn't you?!"

"Oh where's my camera?!" I chortled, getting out my phone quickly to try and catch Yvane's livid yet slightly embarrassed face. But before we could she lunged for us, letting a laugh escape her lips as she did.

"I hate you all!" She cried, giggling along while pretend hitting us. After a further few moments of laughing excessively and gaining many a scornful look from passersby, we calmed down.

Laughing breathily I couldn't help allowing a few giggles leave my mouth before I fully quietened down. Glancing at my phone I realised I had a text. "Oh..."

Flipping open my phone I read the text and realised it was from Lucy:

'SAW AN OLD FRIEND, WENT TO CATCH UP. SEE YOU ALL AT NEW YEARS Xx'

"Well I think that solves the Lucy debacle." I sighed contently, holding the phone out so others could see.

"Oh, well that explains it then. Shame, kind of hoped she'd turn into a ghost." Frankie chuckled; shifting her bags into her other hand.

"Speaking of ghosts, we better get back. I doubt Chris can last much longer with Tinsley around the house. Mind if we stop to get cake on the way? I've still got that craving. I'm never this bad." I said, flipping my phone shut and stuffing it in my pocket before making my way to the supermarket built into the mall.

"Yeah I guess you're right. I need to get back to Grace anyway. I promised her I'd be back before bedtime." Yvane added, linking arms with me and so on until we were all walking along arm in arm.

"By the way Danny I never asked, what's with the flip phone? Didn't they stop making them at the turn of the century?" Frankie asked, causing Ruby to groan loudly with a smile.

"Oh god here we go..."

"Frankie my dear," I said, stopping just within the entrance to look at her "There is no greater satisfaction, than to angrily snap a phone shut after a dramatic/ passionate/ infuriating phone call. And you will do good to remember that. I've had this phone since I was twelve. And I will keep this phone until he or I die."

A silence fell amongst the group.

"... You are so weird." Ruby commented, causing us all to laugh in response.

"Yeah but you love me." I sighed, before making my way to the cake aisle. Gateaux' are waiting.

                                                            *                        *                         *

"No stupid bitch, don't split up! Stay together! It's obvious the ginger one's going to get kidnapped! I mean look at her! No... AW no you see! I told you! Goddamn stupid hoe." I cried out at the telly, pointing my spoon before going back to take a bit from the plastic container containing my whole double chocolate gateaux.

Curled up on the sofa with an entire half eaten cake worthy of serving 8, a blanket over my shoulders, a hot water bottle tied around my waist by a dressing gown cord and decked out in my fluffy PJ's and glasses, I was successfully getting over my period cramps.

And I loved it.

"What are you watching?" A voice suddenly piped up, startling me but not to the point of causing me to look away from the telly.

"Old Scooby Doo cartoons. Someone brought them up earlier and I felt nostalgic." I smiled, glancing at Chris as he sat down on the armchair in front of me on my right.

"I haven't watched this show in ages." He commented, looking at the telly with actual interest. After a few minutes of analysing his face I couldn't help but let a burst of laughter out before I could stifle it.

"What?" He asked, looking amused also.

"You? Watch Scooby Doo? I can't picture it." I replied chuckling, taking another bite of cake.

He lowered his head and shook it, still smiling slightly "Well contrary to popular belief, I too was a child once."

Looking up I spoke with a mouth full of cake, lifting my face slightly so gravity wouldn't claim the crumbs "I know that."

"Classy as ever Miss Perkins."

Swallowing I stuck out my tongue "Yeah well if you don't like it, go find another mate."

"Never."

Usually that sort of statement would have crept me out, especially considering I was joking. But in light of recent... events (Or rather, confessions), I found the word reassuring. Perhaps, even after all the shit I'd put him through. All the crap and fights and punches, he still kind of sort of cared for me. Even if only a little.

Returning my attention to the TV, about half an hour passed in comfortable silence. For me anyway, since I was eating cake in fluffy pyjamas and watching cartoons; I didn't really pay attention to him. But the gateaux was now finished so whilst I aimed to place the container on the floor, I unconsciously glanced up, and realized that Chris was in fact playing with the camera I gave him for Christmas.

"You never said if you liked it..." I stated, feeling slightly bad for some reason. Was it a crap present to give or something?

He shook his head, not looking up "I didn't."

About to apologise and offer to take it back to the shop I was quickly cut off by him standing up and walking towards me, his limp noticeably less noticeable. Yet still no cane, Idiot. I watched as he came nearer and stopped in front of me, leaning down before kissing my forehead, causing me to fight the urge to let my eyes shut. "I love it, English. It's the best gift I've ever had. Thank you."

"You're welcome," I smiled, as he sat down next to me on the sofa.

A thought popped into my mind "Why were you reluctant to take it? I mean, were you worried it was going to be shit or something?"

"No," He denied, grimacing slightly "And I'm sorry about that. It's just that, that was my first gift for a LONG time. I'm not usually one to receive them."

"What? You are joking? What about your family? Friends? Surely they wouldn't just, not, give you anything...?" I asked confused, thinking about the people I'd come to know. They're not the type to be mean...

"It doesn't matter. What does is that--"

"No no, why don't they give you anything Christopher?" I persisted, wanting to know why. Had he done something? Was he of a different religion? Oh crap that could be a possibility...

"I make them... forget." He said, sounding like he was trying to find the right word for 'forget'.

Trying to process what was just said I narrowed my eyes "Okay, why and how?"

"Why? ...Because they do so much for me already. Why, would I want them to spend money on me on top of that? And how? ...The same way I made your sister pass out the first time we met. I have abilities... the same as other werewolves do to mind." He explained, probably trying to dumb it down for me big time.

"Wow..." I muttered, thinking that there was more to Chris then I first thought. Who'd have thought he was... so like that. "By the way speaking of that first meeting, I never asked, how much did that cab driver rat me out for?"

"$50."

"Bastard." I muttered, thinking of the Jamaican's crap loyalty.

He shrugged "Well, I can't really agree."

Sighing I glanced down at the camera in his hands, an idea forming in my head as I looked at the shiny, high-tech piece of equipment. It couldn't be that hard to work could it...? "Hey, can I see?"

"See what?"

"Heaven... The camera dumb-arse." I rolled my eyes sarcastically, gently taking it from his hold and fiddling with it for a bit before turning it on. A weird beep sounded before it sprang to life. "Let's see who the better photographer is."

I heard him chuckle as I turned the camera around so it was facing us, concentrating in order not to break it "I'm pretty sure you're supposed to face it the other way, English--"

*CLICK!*

Moving my lips away from his cheek I smiled before pulling back, looking at the camera screen and seeing a pretty good picture of him smiling while looking to left, and me kissing his right cheek. "Nope! Happy late Christmas present, Chris. What do you think? Christopher camera worthy?"

Showing him the picture while still looking down, I heard a slight clearing of throat before he shifted to look "Y-yeah, its good."

Glancing up smiling at his reaction, I did a slight double take when I realized his eyes were pitch black, "Chris...?"

Squeezing his eyes shut he shook his head before sitting to face me, taking the camera back and switching so he was facing me "But let me show you how a real photographer works, eh?"

Frowning I looked at him with concern, but effectively I ended up looking at the camera "Chris, seriously are you alright?"

"English, just smile." He reassured, not moving from behind his camera.

Sighing I ended up doing a stupid face instead "No."

Either way I still heard clicking, so I just changed my face every time to another stupid one, which varied from sticking my tongue out to blowing up my upper-lip. Half way through I cracked up though so there were probably a few photos of me in there with the face of a dying walrus.

"Let me see," I chuckled, after calming down from a huge laughing fit. Chris' eyes had cleared and he too was now smiling along. At least that was avoided. Tilting the camera towards me, I pressed the button which allowed me to see all the different pictures. And I was right. I did look like a dying walrus.

"These better not go up on ANY social networking site, you hear?" I joked, continuing to run through them. Once I reached the kissing one I quickly skipped over it not wanting to cause anymore eye blackening situations, and expected it just to go back to the latest photo, but instead, it showed some from gardening on Christmas morning. As well as the present opening. Wow, he had been using this thing... how did I not notice?

Giving back his camera I smiled "Alright it was a close one, but I think you have a slight advantage over the photography area."

"Hey guys, how's it going?" Cody suddenly appeared, flopping down on the armchair next to us seemingly drenched to the bone.

"Oh my god!" I said, as water fell down from his face to his t-shirt and shorts.

"Wet outside?" Chris asked sarcastically, placing his camera down on the coffee table.

"Just a bit.

I blinked to try and take in the situation. I knew there was a storm outside (And a bad one by the looks of it), but why was he wearing summer clothes. "What are you wearing?"

"Spare clothes. I was on patrol, shift just finished. Hey is it alright if I stay here with the family tonight? That storm's immense." He replied then asked, before Yvane walked in with a sleeping Grace.

"Well if no, tough. I'll be upstairs with Grace." She said quietly, before making her way to the second floor to probably find a room. One thing I learnt about this place, it had a LOT of rooms. And tended to play lodge a lot of the time to members of the herd.

 "Oh your welcome," Chris called sarcastically "How about you just help yourself to my fridge while you're at it?"

Cody suddenly stood "Well since you're offering!"

I laughed as he quickly jogged out of the room, leaving a wet trail behind him. That family was so weird... I feel bad for Grace. Untying my dressing gown cord I decided that my water bottle was no longer needed, and therefore discharged it from my body and left it next to my gateaux container. Ah crap I needed to take that to the bin.

"I'll be right back I just need to--" I began, but quickly got cut off by all the lights and electrical appliances dying. The entire house went silent apart from the rain smashing against the window until a loud curse was heard from the kitchen before a clang of something falling followed.

My body suddenly became tense as I realized what was happening. I couldn't see anything. As in, at all. It was that dark. I felt my hands begin to shake as I think of the possibilities of what could be in that room with me at that moment. Things that could sneak up on me that I couldn't see. SO many things...

A few seconds later, over the sounds of pouring rain and pounding wind, someone staggering into the living room was heard "Power's out."

"Yeah no shit, Sherlock." Chris muttered, causing me to gulp slightly.

"Chris..." I whispered, feeling the shaking intensify. My heart pounded to the point that it hurt my rib-cage. My breathing was quick and short causing my lungs to burn. I felt as if my brain was being pressed tightly between two sets of hands as my fear took over.

A loud thunder and a flash of lighting suddenly illuminated the room, the loud noise causing me to jump out of my skin, and the brief chance of light causing weird looking shadows to dance across the room. Some looking like hands ready to grab me.

Oh god, what do I do?

I don't know what to do!

"F**k."