Chapter 163
The following morning we had breakfast at the usual time and then Justin wanted us all to meet him in the shooting gallery.
Ben and I were walking behind all the others but we weren’t holding hands this time.
We weren’t really allowed to fraternize with each other. It was one of the big rules around here so we needed to be careful.
“So, how old are you anyway?” I asked.
“19.” He said.
“Wow. I actually thought you were older than that.” I said.
“It’s the size. Everyone always thinks that I’m older. What about you?” He asked.
“Almost 17.” I said.
“When’s your birthday?” He asked. And I looked at him for a moment, hesitating.
“I’m not actually sure when it is. I was raised by some people for the first couple years of my life before I was sent to that base. I lived there for most of my life and none of them celebrated my birthday. So I don’t know when it is.” I explained.
“What about your parents?” He asked.
“I never knew my real parents. I was just told that I was left at a fire station.” I said.
Ben looked at me really intently like he was holding on to my every word. I didn’t know that guys actually did that.
When we got to the shooting range Eric and Jesse went first, so Ben and I were told to wait in the office where it wasn’t so loud. And neither of us hesitated.
“So, what’s it like actually growing up on an army base?” He asked.
“It’s not as great as people think. From the time I can remember, they had me training in hand to hand combat. I used to get so beat up.” I said.
“Who were you training with?” He asked.
“The trainer. And he didn’t take it easy on me. Even if I was just a little kid. I don’t mind though. I mean, it’s made me a stronger soldier.” I said.
“But you were never given a choice to be anything else. Aren’t you a little pissed about that?” He asked.
“Honestly, I’ve never really thought about it. Being a Hunter is all I’ve really known. All I’ve ever been taught.” I said.
“There’s a whole world out there that you haven’t seen.” He said. And I nodded my head.
“I won’t argue with you on that.” I said.
“Good.” He said.
“Can I ask you something?” I asked. And he looked at me in anticipation. “What is that cologne you wear? It’s so unique but I can’t quite figure out what it is.” I said. And he started chuckling.
“I don’t actually wear cologne.” He said.
“Seriously? So, that’s just what you smell like? Well, damn. It’s pretty good.” I said, looking away as I said it.
He didn’t laugh or say anything, but I knew that he found that amusing. I mean, why wouldn’t he?
I felt embarrassed after even asking that question but it had been on my mind and I was really curious.
I should just learn to shut up and keep my mouth shut.
“So, does anyone sneak out around here after lights out?” Ben asked.
“Not that I know of. I haven’t been here that long.” I said.
“Okay. I guess we’re going to have to test that theory.” He said.
At first I thought he was kidding, but that night after lights out. I was woken up at
about midnight by Ben standing over my bed.
“Come on. Let’s go.” He said.
“Are you serious? We’re actually doing this?” I asked.
“Yeah. Why not?” He asked.
So I thought about it for a second and then I got a smile on my face and I got out of bed and put my boots on.
We snuck out of the bunk house and as soon as we were outside Ben grabbed my hand and we started running across the field and I was starting to worry that we were going to be seen by the guards.
Ben assured me that he’d already checked the place out and that we were safe. We were going to make it.
We got to the perimeter fence and
Ben had found a hole in the fence
and he pulled it back for me and we snuck off of the base andh
grabbed my
he
hand again as we fan
straight into the forest that was surrounding the base.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“I know this place up ahead. It’s not far.” Ben assured me.
“Are you sure you didn’t just bring me out here to kill me?” I asked. And he started chuckling.
“I promise.” He said.
We reached a clearing in the woods.
It was only a small clearing, and
there was only a little bit of the sky that we could see that wasn’t
covered by the trees, butit was
peaceful and beautiful here.
The moonlight was shining straight into this clearing and it was gorgeous.
I walked to the middle of the clearing, staring up at the sky and I started spinning around while staring at the moon and stars.
I looked back at Ben and he was just leaning against a tree looking at me with a smile on his face.
“Everyone has always told me that my fascination with the moon is weird.” I said. “Why?” He asked, confused.
“Because the werewolves apparently worship the moon or something like that.” I said.
But he walked closer to me and he looked up at the moon as well.
“They don’t worship the moon. They worship the moon Goddess. She’s the one that brought them into existence. She created them.” Ben explained.
“A Moon Goddess. I guess that’s pretty cool actually. It’s usually people worshiping God. You never hear about a Goddess.” I said.
“It is pretty cool.” He said.
I looked up at the sky again, marveling at its beauty and how peaceful it was.
“It’s so beautiful.” I said.
“I know.” Ben said.
I looked back at Ben who was now standing right in front of me and he wasn’t even looking at the sky. He was staring at me.
I started to feel my heart speed up a little bit and I got butterflies in my stomach when I realized he was talking about me.
He reached forward and he grabbed my hands in his. He intertwined our fingers and
I looked back up at him.
He took another step closer to me, closing the gap between us before he finally started to slowly lean down and he kissed me.
It felt almost electric. Like it was meant to be or something. Like we were meant to
be.
I felt like I had found the person that I thought I was going to spend the rest of my
life with.
How could I feel like that after only a couple of days and one kiss?
I am being such a stupid hormonal teenager right now.
I was getting way too ahead of myself, but really liked him so I had to be careful what I said and did here. I didn’t want to scare him off. I didn’t want him to think that I was starved for affection or anything like that so! was going to cling to him. But I also couldnt help the way that I felt.
It was amazing and I didn’t want it to end.