"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand;They listen with the intent to reply." -Unknown

The moment Carter released Nora's wrist she immediately went over to Valerio. Zara crosses the room to him to watch this exchange.

"Jealousy doesn't suit you well Carter." Zara said while leaning to whisper into his ear.

He rolled his eyes "come on, we got twenty minutes to speak."

"Of course dear." Zara said winking at him while leading the way outside onto the Peir.

"The reason I'd like to speak with you is because you're an outsider. And a special one at that. Because you're the infamous Finch's grandson." Zara started off the conversation.

"I didn't realize that. Thanks for pointing that out." He said sarcastically.

"I'm serious about this Carter. I know your grandmother doesn't really like me all too well. And if she found about this conversation she'll probably bring hell loose on this town." Zara chuckled.

"Why is my grandmother so protective of me?" He asked.

"You're special Carter, you must realize this. You have something inside of you that was passed down from generations to generations. I also wanted to ask why you have come here." Zara said stopping to sit down on the bench they have neared. Carter joined her looking out into the sea.

"I don't think I can say anything about my past once I know what's going on here. Why are you guys so secretive, what are you guys hiding here? All these questions would leave me restless. And I've come to start a new life, my father wanted me to come here so that my grandmother could get me back on my toes again. Find a better life." He said

"Yes, I agree they will leave you restless and that's why we cannot speak about what our town is to outsiders. I'm sure Alessia will eventually speak about it yes?" Zara said

"I'm sure she will. But I feel a deeper connection. Why is that?" He asked.

"Alessia will tell you about that when she's ready. I can't speak anything about the connection, but I know of it." Zara said dodging answers again. It was really frustrating  how they keep dodging answers. When they must be on the tip of their tongues.

"This conversation is going to go no where. Am I right?" Carter said. Cocking his head to the right assessing her emotions. But only to find nothing from her, no hints whatsoever.

"It can go in many directions Carter. The reason I'm so interested in outsiders is because many of them have stories to tell. Many of them want to discover what our town secrets are. It's not a pleasant one I can tell you that. I may be our mayor of this town, but I can tell you their is a much higher up than us."

"What's the higher up?"

"It's our console they have strict laws to hide our town. Rarely any outsider comes this way. If a problem arises up in town, like someone finding out our secret. Then issues will grow a lot more. And you don't want to ask anyone about their secret." Zara said.

Carter sighed. The conversation was going no where. If he found out little information then he won't find out what's so special between him and Alessia or what's so special about his grandmother or himself! It's frustrating to say the least. And this hidden console that practically tried to keep this towns secret hidden? Is quite unnerving, he remembers that Alessia had mentioned something dear to them being taken away. Is it their identity? Their special ability? It must be something.

Maybe when senior year starts, he'll find out more about this towns history. When this day is over he decides that he will go to the library. To begin his mission.

"I know that you're wanting to get to the bottom of this secret of ours, but it'll be ugly. And I can promise you wouldn't want to be here any longer than you have." Zara said he noticed the emotion in her eyes were sadness, as if remembering a distant memory.

"So who is Valerio to Alessia?" He asked

"That's her story. You'll have to ask her." Zara answered.

He felt someone coming up towards them, making him turn around along with Zara. Finding Nathan standing behind them.

"Ok you two. Times up, Alessia needs to get back home before dark. As well as you do Zara. You know that much... in fact all of us do." Nathan said

"Yes, of course. I understand. It was nice to finally meet you Carter Finch. I hope to see you around town more often." Zara said giving him a wink before walking off to meet up with the men she was with. He saw from a distance that Alessia was still speaking with Valerio. He noticed that she didn't want to leave him. But she had to let him go for the night.

He sighed. He didn't understand anything about how weird this town is. He wanted to make sure that Nora got home safely.

"Alright Nathan, lets go." He nodded to the kid and got up to stretch. He met Valerio's gaze as he came up to the group.

"Protect her with your life Finch. Or I swear to god that I will harm you." Valerio said his eyes challenging as if he would go against his request.

Carter just nodded to him, not too sure what to say to that. He knows that he will protect Alessia, not sure why yet.

"Val, I'll be fine. I don't need protecting. I hope to see more of you. Now that you're back." Nora said as she stepped back to Carters side.

"I make no promises Sia. But I hope to see you soon as well." Valerio agreed with her.

"Very well. Hope you have a goodnight then. Let's go Valerio." Zara said commanding them to follow her. He glanced over at Nora, who looked longingly towards Valerio. He could tell that there was a deeper relationship that she had with him in the past.

"Nathan would you be a gentlemen and take Carter home? I'm sure his grandmother wouldn't want him staying out late." Nora said glancing up at the sky. He did the same noticing the sun starting to ascend into the sea the salty air bathing his nose, making him sneeze a little.

He glanced at Nora once more until Nathan said it was time to go, to let her get inside before dark. Nathan and carter walked down the streets of Union Valley, the sun slowly starting to go down, people retreating to their homes before dark.

"Why do we have to be inside before dark?" He asked breaking the awkward silence.

"Because. It's for our safety." Nathan said. And that was all we said to each other, for the rest of the walk to my grandmothers house was silent. The weekend was almost over and tomorrow would be the last day of summer and the day before the first day of school. He wasn't too sure what to make of this town yet. He wasn't sure on the people of this town. He didn't like how they were keeping secrets from a newcomer or "outsider" as they say like him.

He was concerned and feeling almost homesick of leaving his hometown in New York.

" Carter Finch. Glad you could finally make it home." Grandmother said breaking into his thoughts. He was startled to find his grandmother sitting on the porch on the wooden bench.

"Mrs. Finch. Lovely to see you too." Nathan grinned.

"Nathan, my boy. Thank you for taking my grandson home." She said.

"Not a problem. I should get going now that I know that he's safe and sound in your hands grandma Finch." Nathan said as he glanced up at the moon starting to awake in the sky. It was a full moon tonight shining bright in the sky. There was no need for lights in the dark if it was this bright.

"Of course. I understand the night, but if you would like I have some lasagna waiting on the table if you're hungry before you leave." Grandma said.

"I would love to, but I should really get going. Since it is full moon tonight. And you know my kind." Nathan said he started to back away from the house and said his good nights to them.  Carter turned to face his grandmother.

"Such a shame. I cooked a really great meal tonight." His grandmother sighed.

"Grandma I'm always up for your lasagna." He said as he went around the house to the stairs that led to the porch.

"Of course you are my boy." Grandma chuckled and they both walked into the house together, while being greeted by the smell of cheese and spices and the glorious smell of delicious food. Waiting patiently to be stuffed into stomachs on the kitchen table just the two of them.

Once he gathered his food and his garlic bread and his beverage he joined his grandmother at the kitchen counter where she was watching him help himself.

"So, what do you think of the town?" Grandma asked.

"It's interesting. And there's something quite off with this town." He said as he blew off the hotness of his piece that he took from his lasagna.

"I'm sure you'll find out soon enough. Did you meet with any interesting people?" She asked.

He wondered if he should mention Zara, but what she said to him at the pier about his grandmother. He knew that he shouldn't speak anything about that conversation. They must not have a very great past.

"No not really. Though, Alessia did introduce me to Ana and Doris. And of course Nathan who you've met." He said trailing off.

"Ah yes, Ana and Doris are very dear friends of mine. I've known them my whole life." She sighed.

"They seem very kind people." He agreed. He noticed his grandmother stiffen when she glanced at the clock. Which read 9:30 pm, the sun was completely gone and the moon was shining through the kitchen windows. It was then he didn't know why his grandmother was acting strange at all.

"We must be quiet for the remaining hour. Until 11:00 pm. Do not ask any questions." She said. He nodded and continued to chew on his lasagna. It was like holding his breath that he couldn't talk or do anything except for twiddle his thumbs until the clock chimed 11 pm.

His grandmother seemed scared, nervous about staying still for at least another hour. He was concerned about staying here now. If every night was like this. His grandmother had turned off the light when she mentioned this to him. Just to keep whatever was listening to them away from their home.

He thought how weird this town was. How weird the people that he met was acting. There's something wrong here. And he was going to find out tomorrow.

A/N
Ooooh cliffhanger!

Why do you guys think that they have to be quiet until 11 pm?

What is wrong with this town... it seems sooo mysterious. What do you think he'll find out tomorrow? Let me know in the comments!

Enjoy the new chapter! It's pretty long. ;)

-Hannah