The General's Son w***e

XI

I had no idea where I was headed, all I knew was the scent was overpowering and I liked it.

My mouth drooled as I sprinted through the front door on all fours. I felt a certain desire, a need to find my source of attraction.

Honestly, it felt as if I was a stranger to my own body. It was like I was a passenger in my own skin, watching my body moving as if it was on autopilot. My bones ached, my mind was exhausted and my soul just felt empty.

Looking around, I felt my heart jerk as I was aware that this neighborhood seemed familiar. It was a quiet night, not a human in sight, which I was sort of thankful for, mostly because of my hideous features.

Just because I wasn't in charge, didn't mean I didn't know how ugly I was.

Who was I kidding? Ugly was an understatement.

I hid in the bush in the backyard, which was the only one big enough to hide my ginormous stature. Although it wasn't wide enough to cover my frame, I decided to upgrade, which happened to be a tree stationed near the house.

I jumped up, scaling the tree as if the task was easy like a second nature. I crept across a limb, to my surprise, the branch actually held my weight. I knew I was large but I wasn't sure of how heavy I was, surely the size was enough to make a difference in my weight.

My eyes scanned the housing as I waited for a light to turn on; it took some time before I saw the light illuminate the upper corner room.

I couldn't see beyond the curtain and I began to grow increasingly annoyed, mostly because of the hunger brewing inside me.

To pass time, I lazily sat in the tree wanting to entertain myself. I wasn't sure entirely if I could reach my powers in this form but surely was it worth a shot?

Closing my eyes, I scouted my soul reaching for any sign of my true self. I could sense a change resonating off me like a charge to my skin, sending tiny tickles inside my body. It was quite calming, really.

Once I had channeled my focus to my powers, I opened my eyes to see the curtain behind the glass shift.

Like the dumbass I was, I stayed there waiting for the reveal … to which obviously was I.

I nearly jumped out of my own skin when I saw McKenzie open the curtains to her room. She shrieked as her eyes found me. Immediately opening up her window, she yelled, “What the f*ck!” She paused, making her head out further, “Amora?”

I raised a brow, was I in human form? I wondered, slightly inhuman? Then suddenly stripped of my thoughts as I remembered where I was.

Oh God, how I wished to turn invisible right now.

She crossed her arms across her chest, which my eyes involuntarily stared where her arms rested. My eyes flickered to her waiting ones, which she appeared to look, conflicted and slightly embarrassed, most likely due to my staring.

She spoke, “What are you doing here?” she shook her head, “Scratch that, more importantly … why are you in my tree?”

Blinking multiple times, I began to feel sweaty, looking anywhere else but her. My heart was pulsating faster than ever, and I knew that she was still looking for an answer. But to be honest, I didn't really exactly know why the beast brought me here.

“I'm the new hire for the town; my job is to inspect all trees over … ” I thought about a reasonable height, “Six feet tall.”

My eyes flickering back to hers, “Yeah … ” I trailed, biting my bottom lip.

What a stupid reasoning I got here.

She raised a brow, “Is that so?” She uncrossed her arms, placing her hand on her hip, “So you just happened to get a job as a tree inspector, most specifically, the tree that happens to be right outside my window?”

I smiled; she’s so cute when she's sassy. What an adorable missy.

“Yes ma'am.” I gave the tree a few taps with my palm, “Got you a good tree here, McKenzie.”

A smile tugged on the corners of her mouth, “Glad to know it meets the criteria.” She paused, “But does it pass the sturdiness test?”

I bounced on the limb I was sitting on, which held in place, “Appears so.”

What she did next was surprising to me, if anything, I thought she would have called the authorities on me, which I sort of expected from creeping on her.

As she made the transition from her room to the limb I was stationed on, I helped her over so she wouldn't fall. It wouldn't have mattered if I fell, I mean I still would most likely shatter my bones and would hurt like hell, but I'd heal … eventually.

As she got situated on the same limb I was on, I wanted to explain that I had lied but I couldn't conjure up a single word. When our hands made contact, she quickly retreated hers, causing her to nervously laugh, which I returned.

Now, I felt awkward.

I side glanced at her studying her face for any sign of disapproval or anything that could resemble something negative. I couldn't find any emotion that seemed like I was unwanted but something more along the lines of sadness, she just looked so lost?

I spoke, “Everything alright?”

She nodded once, “I'm fine.”

The tone in her voice led me to believe that was a lie. I wasn't sure if I should press her for more information or just drop it. What now, Amora?

“Are you sure?”

Turns out my mouth had a mind of its own.

She stayed silent, leaving me to stare out into the starry sky with my own thoughts.

I truly wanted to know what was bugging her, I didn't like when she was sad because it felt like it mentally hurt me as well as if we shared an internal bond.

She spoke, “It's about David.” She said in small whisper.

It was almost too quiet to hear but I still managed to obtain what she had mentioned. I didn't like what I heard but nonetheless wanted to help her through her hard time.

I raised a brow, “What about him?”

She played with her hands in her lap, “I'm not sure how I feel about him.”

I know how I feel about him.

“What do you mean?”

She sighed, “I think I love him?”

My eyes rolled in the back of my head as I felt my body go numb. Going completely limp, I rolled backwards and crash-landed on the ground with a hard thud.

I vaguely remembered anything that had happened from her last words to me falling out of the tree as I slipped into a dark abyss.

I think I love him.

When I came to, McKenzie was by my side slightly afraid to touch my aching body. What she didn't know, although the fall broke most likely a few bones, I'd recover in a mere moment, or so I hoped?

She brought herself to her knees, “Amora, if you're still in there, tell me what hurts.”

I literally wanted to laugh. I wanted to answer her that it hurts when someone plays with my emotion, but I knew I couldn’t. Why? Because I really liked her, though I won’t ever win to David. It hurt me to see you with him whenever we were at school, and I see you smiling as you hold hands down the halls, even though I know it's fake, I wished to make it real. I wanted to be the reason you make a fool out of yourself, letting out the most ungodly honk of a laugh, the reason you cover your mouth because of something stupid I said. I wished to be the first and the last one you called to tell me about your day, whether it was as simple as I got a B on my tes. I wanted to be that person who listened.

I know David didn't.

I sighed, “My heart.”

She clicked her tongue, “I meant with your bones, weirdo.”

I didn't care that it didn't faze her with what I said, I kind of expected it, but I did like the small smile I got from the response.

I groaned as I sat up, of course, in fake pain, “Ouch.”

“Oh God, what's broken?”

She took the liberty to actually roam her hands over my body in search of the broken bone, I didn't stop her. I seriously enjoyed having McKenzie's delicate hands scout my body; it felt more of a massage than anything.

She started with the upper part of my torso, shoulders, neck, etc. I couldn't help but enjoy the contact as my bones healed; it felt right, for me anyway.

After she had examined all of my body, all except on that one area, I stared at her, “You forgot a spot,” I pointed.

“No, I didn't.”

“Yes, you did.”

She shook no, “I already know that bone is indeed not broken, Amora.” She said emphasizing the word not as she rolls her eyes.

I smirked, “Is that so?”

She slapped me playfully, “Stop that.”

I pouted, “But … ”

“But no, now that I know you're okay and in fact not hurt, let's go inside.”

As she got up off the ground, I reached for her wrist, “Wait.” I pulled her back down to me.

She adjusted on my lap to where she was facing me, her legs swing behind my back. Placing her arms over my shoulders she spoke, “What? Can't come inside because you had more trees to inspect?”

I smiled, “What if I tell you that you are right?”

She pressed her lips together as she tapped her chin with her finger, “I guess I would be okay with it since it's your job after all.”

I raised a brow, “And if it wasn't my job?”

“Hypothetically speaking?”

I nodded, “Yeah, hypothetically speaking.”

“Well, I think you could inspect anybody's tree as you please.” She paused, “But, I also think you should be loyal to one customer and give them the proper service and care that they deserve.”

“So I should only inspect your trees?”

“Trees, grass … ” she hesitated, looking into my eyes, “Bushes.”

I found myself growing increasingly warm, not at her words, but rather from the way she had said them, mostly the last one. I didn't quite understand why it warmed my body, but McKenzie's face sure reads a touch of desire? I wasn't sure if I had misread her or if she was actually feeling something towards me.

I shook my thoughts off the blonde sitting in my lap, remembering we were outside, “Shall we go in?”

She bit the bottom of her lip, contemplating something in that little head of hers, “Of course,” she replied, nodding shyly.

As we headed back inside, McKenzie jumped on my back, which I quickly caught. I would have rejected her action if it wasn't for her adorable laughter as she covered my eyes.

I tried shaking her hands off, “McKenzie, I can't see.”

I felt her lips tickle my ear, “Do you trust me?”

My heart started racing, “I um, uh I guess.”

With my eyes covered by McKenzie's hands, she guided me through the night to her house. It wasn't until we were in her room that she had removed her hands from my face. I wasn't thrilled that I had to carry her all the way inside, not to mention trying to walk through her house practically blind as her dog Thor constantly ran around my ankles.

I spoke, “Can I turn around now?”

I heard snapping of elastic and a few grunts here and there. In case you wanted to know, she was changing into her pajamas but refused to use her restroom or allowed me to wait outside the door. My parents raised me with respect, so the last thing I wanted was to watch her change, I mean I wanted to, but I wanted to respect her privacy.

“I'm decent.”

I turned around, stumbling backwards from the sight in front of me.

If you were thinking she was indecent, shame on you.

She was fully dressed, but I hadn't realized how beautiful she looked in small athletic shorts, a tank top with her hair slightly tousled from changing, supporting a pair of glasses.

She tilted her head, “Ready for bed?”

I struggled to stand up from her floor, “Y—yeah.”

She covered her mouth from my reaction, letting out a few chuckles from my attempts to get up.

I seriously was struggling, “Would you quit laughing and help me, please?”

When she walked over to me, I was still smitten by her appearance. She was absolutely stunning.

She held out both of her hands, “Stop drooling over me and take my hands.”

I was so embarrassed that she had caught me staring at her in awe for so long.

Helping me to my feet, I spoke, “I wasn't drooling over you, and I was waiting for a sneeze.”

She smirked, “Is that so?”

“Yes. But it um, it went away. So I'm all good.”

As we made our way over to her bed, we pulled the blankets down in unison, far enough to slide in between them.

I took my side as she took hers, “Good night, Amora.”

I smiled, “Good night, McKenzie.”

I laid patiently in bed as McKenzie struggled to fall asleep, so I scooted closer to her, wrapping my arms around her. I stayed awake long enough for McKenzie to finally fall asleep. As soon as I knew she was in a deep slumber, I took the opportunity to gather my clothes. I made sure I was quiet enough not to disturb the blonde as I exited her room, it was better this way, or so I hoped.

I guess it was just me going to school today, apparently, Fayette almost had a near-death experience the other day and of course Perry almost never leaves Fayette's side. A thought came to my mind but I shrugged it off immediately.

From what I could tell you, it was a dearly damp and downright cold day today, nothing felt right and it felt as if I was being watched.

I was heading out to my vehicle when I saw a crow land not too far away from me. I didn't think much of it until it shadowed my movements. I stopped my track and so did the crow.

I shoved it away, “Go away.”

It tilted its head twice, and then flew away. I thought to myself, the creatures here were so strange.

On my way to school, I noticed a cluster of crows flying behind me as my gaze caught the rear view mirror.

This feeling was eerie and slightly unknown to me but I thought nothing about it, even if it didn't settle my stomach.

I disregarded the feeling of dread the crows this morning gave me as my eyes settled back on the road. I shifted uncomfortably in the driver’s seat, trying to maintain a reasonable demeanor.

I was still slightly embarrassed that I had been caught from ogling McKenzie on her tree. I was mostly glad she bought my lie, which helped bring my mind to ease that I hadn't had to explain why I had been there in the first place.

I thought for sure she'd call me out on my lie, but not once, so it had me questioning the girl’s intelligence. I chuckle to myself.

I arrived in school safely without any more interactions with wildlife, I retrieved the necessary materials for my first period and reluctantly trudged my way to class. Taking my seat, a mess of my classmates poured through the door all at once. I was happy to know that not a single one of them was McKenzie, for some reason, I felt uncomfortable with her.

When the final bell rung signaling that school had officially started, I noticed McKenzie wasn't here. I thought it was rather odd, seeing how McKenzie was usually here pretty early, that or we would walk here together. That thought had me thinking, I didn't see her in the parking lot and I didn't notice if she was with her friends.

There was a soft knock on the teacher’s door, Mrs. D hurriedly moved across the room to answer it.

Mrs. D spoke, “Glad you could join us, Ms. Grace.”

I patiently waited for the figure to emerge in hopes that it was indeed McKenzie.

The person opposite the door had been talking to the teacher for quite some time, and the anticipation was killing me.

I breathed out a heavy breath, hoping it was McKenzie but also hoping it wasn't her. I couldn't find the origin of why I didn't want it to be her, because deep inside McKenzie was always on my mind.

When Mrs. D let her through, I was alarmed when I saw McKenzie pass through the doorway.

Although today she seemed rather out of it, even her outfit was off. She had a sweatshirt on and her hoodie was pulled over her head hiding her blonde hair. She looked exhausted but never once did her eyes meet mine.

My thoughts went back to last night when she had caught me peeping on her in the tree outside her window. I knew there would be repercussions to my actions; I guess avoiding me was one of them. I heaved a sigh.

The teacher handed out our assignment leaving us to the paperwork for the rest of the period.

I couldn't focus on a single word, McKenzie's silence and strangeness took a heavy toll on my heart.

I poked her shoulder from behind, “Don't touch me, freak,” she responded coldly.

I tilted my head, why was she acting so mean to me? I seriously haven't done anything to her personally, well besides being in her tree-oh and her bush, but she didn't know that.

Should I at least mention it to her? Maybe she'd feel better if I told her exactly everything I touched that night.

I whispered, “If this is about the tree thing, that wasn't the only thing I was in.” I paused, waiting for a reaction but got nothing, so I proceeded to confess, “I was in your bush too.”

She stiffened, “Amora, please focus on the assignment instead of bothering McKenzie,” Mrs. D spoke from her desk in the corner.

“Apologies,” I stated.

I did what the teacher had asked me to do for the rest of the hour, mainly because McKenzie wasn't speaking to me.

As soon as the bell rang McKenzie practically ran out, leaving me to call up Fayette, which she picked up on the first ring, “I knew you couldn't handle that place without me.”

I ignored her, “How do you make someone who is mad at you, un-mad?”

“McKenzie?”

“Yeah she's pretty bitter and I wish to fix it.”

Fayette laughed, “How'd you manage to scare her off already?”

I shrugged, “I haven't the slightest inkling.”

As I exited the classroom, I was roughly grabbed at the shoulder and yanked to the side.

“Excuse me?”

I looked at my attacker and to my surprise it was McKenzie. She had a grip on me certainly intended to keep me walking without asking any questions, after she had rudely stripped me of my phone to end my call.

She aggressively shoved the phone into my front pocket, practically tearing it in the process, “Easy down there, these are my good jeans.”

Her pace quickened as both of us exited the building. Still hustling towards the parking lot, I spoke, “I can walk on my own.”

She stayed silent ignoring my statement and just kept on speed walking. She looked at me, “Got your keys on you?”

I shivered at her direct coldness, “They're in my pocket. You can grab them if you'd like.”

She didn't even react at my attempt to enlighten the situation I was in.

She brought me to my Mustang, “Get in.” She threw me to the passenger side.

My face contorted in confusion, like hell if I was going to let her drive.

I stared at her in disbelief while she held out her hand over the roof, “Keys? Give it to me now.”

I pointed to the car, “This is mine.”

She closed her eyes, “Give me the damn keys.”

I was about to argue back, that was until she opened her eyes her stone-cold green eyes staring me down. Everything about her screamed don't test me so I decided not to push further.

I held my hands up in surrender, “Okay, gees.”

I reached in my front pocket and fished out my keys, tossing them to her over the roof because I didn't want to get close to her.

She was scarier than the beast inside me.

She hopped in, yelling at me; apparently, I was too slow getting in my vehicle. I rolled my eyes as she started up the engine.

Driving to God knows where in my vehicle, using my gas, she could have the decency to at least talk to me. For starters, why were we skipping school?

In my head I played it out, she replied, because I been dying to kiss you, not David. Then I would be like, whoa girl, eager are we? She probably would yell at me to stop teasing her. I was rudely interrupted by my own thoughts when McKenzie spoke, “Get out.”

I cringed, feisty, should turn out to be a seriously fun make-out session.

Getting out, the first thing I noticed was a creepy unmaintained building of some sort. I was getting seriously strange and confused vibes from my time with the tiny blonde.

I stopped in my tracks, backtracking, and “I’m not going there”.

She shoved me forward, “You are and you will.”

I stumbled forward, catching myself before I took a digger into the gravel pathway.

I guess I didn't have a choice in the matter, so why not humor the girl. I proceeded to walk towards the disturbing off setting place, even the door made the cliché sound you hear in every scary movie.

When I turned around, that's when I finally felt the strange feeling I was having earlier as I felt a tiny syringe penetrate my neck.

I pulled it out before McKenzie could inject the liquid into my veins. Without realizing what I have done, I looked around to see McKenzie lying on the floor with a shocked look on her face.

Everything in the room became half frozen and half on fire. I touched the spot on my neck where the needle broke skin, “What did you do to me?”

She got up, unfazed by the half melting half burning room. Her face shifting as she approached closer, “Amora.” Then she began chanting something in a language that seemed seemingly familiar.

As time slowed down, I felt my body shift. I grasped my chest, falling to my knees as I struggled for a single breath of air.

Why was McKenzie doing this to me? Had some of the serum made way into my bloodstream? I wasn't sure of anything at this point as it was unbearable to breathe.

I held onto my neck as she continued to chant incoherent words, my vision going in and out as the words touched my soul.

I breathed out on my knees, “McKenzie.”

A strange and unfamiliar laugh echoed through the room. I cringed trying to cover my ears as I screamed into the floor boards. I just wanted everything to stop, and that's when it did.

I silently cried as I felt a pair of soft arms wrapped around my stomach, “Amora? What happened?”

Her delicate voice filling my soul with the same warmth as it always did. I couldn't bring myself to get up off the floor as I was still weak from the previous attack.

She repositioned us and held me in an embrace, which I allowed because she was so inviting all the time.

It was a bonus that she smelt good.

“Can I take you home?”

I shook no, “Can I stay with you tonight?”

She stroked my hair, “Of course.”

She helped me up and oddly I found myself falling for her harder than I had when I first met her. She was everything, physically and emotionally, I felt at home with her.

I felt safe. I was secured.

I made sure that my entire body was somehow touching hers as we made way back to my vehicle.

She drove us back to her place, in a more comfortable silence as I felt physically drained, which I was thankful for the silence.

After tonight, I just wanted to be held, for the first time in my life, I felt what dying was like. I gained a new sense of mortality and ultimately felt a great deal of pain for the ones that had to go through it.

I sat on her bed staring at her wall with a blank face; she stroked my hair, “Are you okay, Amora?” I nodded involuntarily.

She wrapped her arms around me, placing her chin on my shoulder, she whispered, and, “Are you sure?”

Her breath tickled my neck; she was making this harder for me without even knowing it. “McKenzie, please … ”

I felt her shake, “No. Let this happen.”

I wasn't sure entirely what she meant by letting 'this happen' was but I liked it.

Moments in McKenzie's embrace, she pulled back enough to look at me. I could tell she was conflicted but yet she displayed something else I couldn't read. The silence between us was comfortable not awkward as we challenged each other's daring eyes.

She placed her hand against my cheek, leaning in, but nothing happened.

She stood and shook her head as she moved about her room in search of clothes, handing me a pair of pajama bottoms I thanked her and changed into them.

After we had stripped ourselves of our daily clothes, I crawled onto her bed, a smile plastered to her face as I adjusted on my side of the bed.

“McKenzie?”

She remained silent.

“Did I do something wrong?”

There was slight hesitation, “What?”

“Are you mad at me about being in your tree, because I know you know I was in your bush too, so I wanted to know if you were upset with me?”

She gave me a horrified look while her mouth was slightly parted, “What did you just say?”

I raised a brow, “What part?”

She closed her eyes, speaking slowly, “The part about the bush.”

“Oh.” I snapped my fingers, “Right, before you caught me in your tree, I had been inside your bush.”

I waited for her to say something in return but as expected, she was silent, “I just wanted to make sure that you weren't mad at me for being in your tree or your bush. Don't worry, if you are, I fully understand but do know that you would never find me in your tree or bush ever again.”

She whispered, “Amora.”

She spoke breathlessly, “Please stop talking.”

I studied her as she shivered in her sitting position, “Is this a touchy subject for you? I will understand if you do not wish to proceed with our communication.”

Since she did not respond, I started to panic, “If it means anything, you have really nice bush-well foliage for the matter.”

She raised her voice with a hint of warning, “Amora, I swear to God if you don't stop talking right now, I'll shut your mouth for you.”

“Sorry.” I paused knowing I had spoken again,

“And sorry for the last time I spoke and this—”

Suddenly I felt a pair of warm lips press against mine. I was completely thrown off from her suddenness, but immediately responded back, my hands eventually finding McKenzie's sides as she got to her knees when she approached me.

Our mouths moved in sync with another's as if they had known the same dance routine for years. I felt the magic inside my soul swirl passionately throughout my body as it caressed my delicate skin. At this point, I wasn't sure if I was shocking her with my magic powers or simply feeling the spark from our lips making contact, but what I did know was she was actually kissing me.

I stirred in my soft sheets as I turned over to hold the warm body I was familiar with. When my arm didn't come in contact with the familiar body, my eyes shot open, panic spread throughout me.

If anyone were to see me right now, I probably looked like a frazzled cat that had way too much catnip as I frantically searched for the missing body.

And no, I didn't have a crazy obsession towards the tall brunette, I simply enjoyed her presence.

The best way I could describe my relationship with Amora would probably be a best friend whom I had lost contact with for several years but only to be reunited once again.