The Weeping Willow

The Stranger.

Once I was feeling good enough I turn on my a.c and crawl into bed. I laid down and slowly drifted to sleep. This is the first time in forever I didn't dream. I was woken up by my phone ringing. I looked at my alarm clock and it was 9 am. I looked at my phone and it was Dr Milo. I answered him and told him everything. He asked how i was feeling and how my shoulder and ankle looked. I was tired but the wounds looked almost healed. Perks of being a werewolf. He said that there's a very small chance of me having anything then and just to keep an eye on my temp and to watch my wounds. We hung up and I was ready for a shower. I took a shower and got ready to finish unpacking. When i went to my car to grab everything, my car door was wide open. I run to it hoping nothing was taken. Nothing was but my battery was dead. Thankfully I don't have to go to work today. I then see the box that someone left for me at Henry's in the front seat. I grab it and head to the apartment. I set it on my kitchen counter and inspected it. No return address only my name and Henry's address. I grab a knife and opened it up slowly. There was a shirt in it. A dirty one. Men's large, Mike's garage detailed on it. "Okay then?" I set it back in the box and then was wondering why that shirt was sent to me. I grab my phone and looked up Mike's garage. It was a state away. Thankfully there was a number on the site. Looks like it's time to give them a call. I finally was able to reach someone after having to press 1 3 6 100 times to talk to someone.

"Mike's garage this is Ted speaking."

"Hello I have a weird question, I was wondering why one of your companies shirts was mailed to me? I live a state away and know no one there."

"That is a weird question but also a weird situation. Are you sure it's ours?"

"It's dark blue with the company's name on it."

"Dark blue? Those are from 2 years ago. We wear red now. Boss changes the color every few years."

"Okay I was wondering if you or your boss could tell me who worked for you around that time?"

"Yeah i can have him give you a call but he's on vacation for 2 weeks."

"That's fine just have him call me back on this number please."

"Absolutely have a wonderful day ma'am."

"Thank you you two bye."

Well that was weird indeed. A couple days go by and no incidents happened like that night. I was working and Becky was gossiping to me like always. "So how's the new apartment?" "It's alright. Neighbors are always gone so no noise complains from me yet." I finally finished an order and the desk was finally empty. "Had any parties yet?" I snickered at that question. "Its a small 1 bedroom. I have a small kitchen and im surprised the bathtub fits in the bathroom. There would be no space for your type of party." Becky looks at me with pity. "Well then come to mine. It's tonight." "No thank you I have nothing to wear anyways." She looks at me up and down. "You and I are in the same size. I'll loan you something or even give you a few things. God knows I have enough clothes anyways. It'll do you some good to get out and hang out with people your own age. Plus I heard that some other pack members will be there!" She gets excited telling me like i should be also. Then again, getting out and unwinding does sound pretty good. "Meet me at my place with whatever it is you want me to wear." She jumps with joy. "Pack an overnight bag. You can crash in the pool house." She left to go on her break. Then a man walks in. He is dressed like he belongs in the big city and not some run down shop. He walks up to the counter. "I would love a blueberry muffin with your... Ill sleep when I'm dead coffee extra cream and extra sugar please." I run up his order. "Cash or card sir?" He hands me his card. I was about to punch in the numbers when he speaks up, "$25 tip for you also." I look up at him surprised. He lowers his sunglasses. Holy crap does he have dreamy blue eyes. "Thank you very much. Is there anything else i can get for you?" He then takes off his glasses. "I over heard that there is a party going on tonight. My friends and I are bored. Give me an address?" I turn and yelled for Becky. Becky comes to the front and sees the guy and starts her flirting instantly. "He was wondering if he and his friends could join your party." She leans on the counter, "of course you can. Got a number so i can text you my address?" I rolled my eyes and head back to the back to start cleaning for the next shift. Becky came in all bushy. "Oh my GOD!!" She squeals like a middle school snob. She comes up to me and grabs my arm. "Holy hotness he and a few of his friends are coming to the party!! Now we have got to find you an outfit. You could pop that cherry of yours finally!" Really?? I can't believe she said that. "Oh come one ots tattooed on your forehead." I let out a grunt in frustration. After our shift is finally over we head to our cars. Mine has a ross on the windshield. I look around to see if i can find anyone watching me. Becky looked and got a little upset. "Maybe mine blew away." There was no wind. I grabbed the rose. No note or anything. Just a rose. I get in my car and see that Becky is looking all over the parking lot for her rose. I drive off and wave when I pass her. After a few minutes I'm back on the back road where I was attacked. I come up where exactly it happened and decided to look around. I get out and instantly regret it. 100° with 108° real feel. I walk over to the field and step into the grass and move the tall grass away. I look around and didn't find anything at it first. Then I see it. Foot prints. Some obviously werewolf and regular feet. Who ever this was stinks. I head back to my car and blare the A.C up to the highest setting. I sit there admiring the cool air when I see something in my rear view mirror and screamed. He put his hand over my mouth. "Shut up, shut up! Drive. We go to your place, now!" I shake my head yes. He lets go of my face and I drive. I instantly start questioning him. "Are you the one who attacked me the other night?" He opens my bag and finds face cleaning wipes and starts washing his face. "Yeah, sorry about that. I thought you were one of them." Oh great hes running away from some. Probably police. "What's your name?" He pauses. "546." Great hes a nut case. I make it to my apartment. I lock the doors thankfully the lock button on the back doors are busted. He starts to panic. "Look at me and listen. Obviously you need some form of help. Maybe you lost your meds and have been on some form of crazy trip but when we get into MY home, you keep your hands off of me get in that shower fast. Your smell is enough to knock a horse on their ass." He stares at me annoyed. He shakes his head yes. I unlock the car and grab my bag. He gets out. The only thing on him is ripped up pair of shorts. We walk to my front door and he rushes in. He goes to the window and gently moves the curtains and looks. I turn around and lock the door. If he wanted to kill me he would had the opportunity plenty of times. I set my bag on the counter and walk near him. He starts to back up. "Who are you, who are you running from, why do you keep coming after me?" He stands there looking at me. I cant see his eyes since his hairs long and covering his face. "I already told you, and these people who keep trying to kill me and you're the only one who stops there not once but twice." He got me there. We stare at each other for a minute. Then I point to the bathroom. "Shower, now!" He turns to the bathroom and then looks at me. "What?" Then he looks a little embarrassed. I walk in there and start running the water. I have him feel the water until he find the temp he likes. I go under the sink and grab the body wash, shampoo, and a wash cloth. Thankfully I like basic stuff and not girly stuff. When I turn around to leave he was already naked. "Oh wow umm yeah have fun." I walk out and he walks in. He shuts the door behind me. "Every inch of you and I mean it. After I can trim your hair." I wait and hear the shower curtain rings slide. I get on my phone and look up anyone missing anyone. Let see, male, early to mid 20's, hair? Greasy is not an option, skin is white... I think. Crap, no results. I'm shocking myself with how calm in being. I mean he could have killed me on the way here. Yeah he did try in wolf form. I don't know. I walk to my coffee pot and start making some. It's gonna be a long night. Its been about 20 minutes. I need to check on him. I knock on the door and hear the water running. I walk in and see him standing infront of the mirror dripping wet. He has only a towel on. He snaps back after hearing me open the clearing my throat. "Sorry i don't know how to turn it off." I step behind him and turn it off. I have him walk to my room across the hallway. Thankfully I wear guy shorts to bed. I laid them on the bed and shut the door behind me. He came out and he smelled so much better. I walk up to him and get a better look. "Do you want me to trim your hair or do you want a hair tie?" "Hair tie please." I take the one off my wrist and hand it to him. He puts up his hair and he actually looks handsome. I see a scar on his check. "Was that from me?" He covers it with his hand. "Im sorry but you did try to kill me that night. So you have no idea who you are or where you came from?" He starts to shake a little bit. I guide him to the couch and have him sit and i sit on the chair. "I have no idea who I am or where I came from. My parents gave me up when I was a baby. There are more in my situation. Locked up, tested, not seeing sun light sometimes months, not eating for days. Some of us are lucky and are able to be out of the cage but that means one of them needs... To be taken care of." As he is explaining what happened to him made me sick. He goes on with more gruesome details. He stops when he's about to flip. "I bet a pizza sounds heavenly right now." He looked at me so fast I swear he was going to get whiplash. I turned on the a.c and head to the kitchen and call for a pizza. Once I placed the order I sat back down. "Listen, during your time with the others, at any point have you come across a guy named Brandon? He was kid napped 14 years ago after his sister Jamie was killed. We've all looked for him for years, well i have." He looks at me. Then he looks at the floor. "Yes." My heart fluttered with excitement. He then continued. "He died. About 3 years ago." My heart shattered. I was told not to get my hopes up. I couldn't help it. I start to cry. "What... Happened?" I tried asking. "I don't know. He was there one day then the next he wasn't and I haven't seen him since." I get up and walk around. My whole world was just destroyed. My best friend is gone and I wasn't there to help him. I didn't even get to say good bye. I'm going crazy a little bit. "Did he ever talk about his life before getting taken?" He stands up next to me and looks at me in my eyes, "Everyday. Especially about a girl named Harper. I take it that's you. You are what has kept him alive for so long and help everyone be hopeful. He talked about you right up the very end." I started sobbing hard. He reaches his arms out to see if i want a hug. I have no idea who this man is but he is the only way I'll ever be close enough to Brandon again. I take the offer. His hug was actually quite the hugger. We hugged for a few minutes then there was a knock at the door. I walk up to the door and it was the pizza. I paid and handed him his pizza and I set mine on the counter. I wasn't hungry anymore. He stared at it then looked at me. "I want to go change anyways go a head and eat up. You deserve it for giving me closure about Brandon. I walk to my bedroom and shut the door. I fall to the floor and quietly start sobbing. I remember Brandon and I were planning our life together. We didn't like other people since they didn't understand us so we agreed to marry each other when we got old enough. He even found his dad's old pocket knife and put our initials on the old weeping willow tree that was by his house. He took me fishing by the lake one time and we dug deep to look for worms. Jamie threw up. He helped make a tire swing on my parents farm and pushed me all the time. I miss him. I always had but more now that I know about what happened to him. I have to pick myself up and carry on. I got up and got dressed in my pajama shorts and a baggy shirt. I head out to the living room and see him sitting there still. "Thirsty?" I walk to the kitchen and grab him a soda. I handed it to him and seen that he ate all but one slice. He chugs the soda like a champ then let's out this earth breaking burp. I couldn't help but laugh. I don't know if it was that funny or I'm losing it. He gets up and takes care of his mess. He sits back down. "I can leave now. Thank you for everything." He was about to stand up when I take his arm. "You're not going anywhere. Not until we find whose looking for you. How did you even get away?" He sits backs back. "When one of the main guys wife needed some... You know... I knocked her out and ran. I ran as far as I could for 2 days. There were times where I almost got caught by them. Day 3 is when I ran into you, well your car, almost." "Let me get the guest bed pulled out. He gets up and I pull the hide away bed out. I get sheets and blankets and pillows out of the linen closet by the bathroom. Once it was all made, he laid down and let out a huge sigh. It was almost 9 and I had to call Becky and let her know im staying home. I head to my room and gave her a call but it went straight to voicemail. "Must to have gotten lucky already." I went back out to the living room and he was passed out. I covered him up and shut off all the lights besides the stove top fan light. I made sure all the locks were locked and secured, windows also in hopes he might have one night where he feels safe.

3 days later

He's settled in nicely here. We decided to name him Josh since he has no idea what his real name is. He made sure the apartment was clean while i was at work. I took him shopping yesterday and got him some clothes and his own bathing stuff. I might talk to the landlord about him getting apartment next door since they're moving out already. He has no family that he's aware of and since he has no name or any other information he can't get help through the government. He doesn't want the police involved since he thinks they're apart of whatever it was that he got away from. Becky, I guess from what the girls at work were saying is that she met Mr right at her party and ran off with him. Its been nice at work. I just hope shes okay. After my shift I grab Josh some muffins and myself a coffee. When I got home I seen that he made dinner. Eggs and toast. I was very thankful. Since he has been keeping himself cleaned and not psycho looking, he looks very handsome. I might need to call the landlord. He's gonna find a girl in no time. "Any updates on your friend Beck yet?" I grab my phone, yeah she actually posted a picture of her and her knew guy this morning." I found it and showed him. He turned pale and jumped right up. "What what's wrong?" He was so scared. "It's him! The one who took me!" I looked at the photo and then at Josh. "I thought you were taken as a baby. How would you remember?" He runs his fingers through his hair trying not to go into an extreme panic attack. "He's been there a lot. He always told me how much I've grown." I start to panic inside. He starts hyperventilate. I walk up to him and I set my hand on his face and made him look at me. "Hey, hey look at me. Its okay. As long as im here, those assholes wont get near you. Im not letting them take Any more of my friends." I don't know why, but I started to get those butterflies. I barely know this guy and apparently my stomach and heart don't care about that. Those eyes man! There's something about them. I wish I could just make it stop. A relationship is the last thing I need right now. Between work, Josh, trying to find my way after finding out about Brandon I need to heal mentally before I get myself into something that could end up in another heart ache disaster. I can feel my cheeks start to get really warm. Oh my god! Am I blushing? Jesus is going on? I take my hands off his face hoping he didn't realize what I was feeling. I can't do that to him and I. We both have so much to work on with ourselves. For starters he needs to find out who he is and where he came from. For all i know, he could be hiding something so big that I would have no choice but to call off everything and he will need to leave. I'll help him and help keep him safe as long as he is actually in danger from being killed by some guys because he did get away from bad guys, and not because he is a bad guy who is on the run from bigger bad guys! I don't think he is though. There's something about him but makes me believe him. He grabs my hands gently and holds them. We're still making eye contact. He takes his thumbs and starts moving them, rubbing my hand. He takes a step closer to me and my heart is doing what feels like cart wheels. He then pulls me in and hugs me. His warmth surrounding me, made me feel like I could sleep from the comfort. I can feel the warmth from his breath on my head like if He were sniffing my head. I can't believe I'm going to admit this, but I don't want this to end. I've never felt such comfort and security in a very long time.

Josh's POV

As i stare into her beautiful eyes. I fell for her more. I need her. All i want to do is stare into these eyes until my last day on earth. I've known she was the one since day one. I just don't know how to tell her. It's hard to explain. I have to tell her everything. Later today she will know. I can't loose her over this secret. I need to come clean tonight. I just hope she will understand and not freak out or push me away by me lying for this long. She has saved me in so many ways. I lift my head and then she does the same. I couldn't help but give her a kiss on her forehead. I can tell she was getting tired. Her eyes said it all. So I let go of one of her hands and lead her to her bedroom. We both crawl on the bed and start to cuddle.

Harper's POV

I put my head on his chest and he starts to play with my hair. "Josh?" He moves a little bit so he can see me. "Yeah?" He starts to caress my face. My heart is so full and fluttering. I can't believe it. I freaking fell for him. This wasn't suppose to happen, and I don't regret it. I want this to happen every night. "Please, stay with me." Well I have officially became one of those girls. He stops playing with my hair. "I have to explain something first to you. I'm not ready just yet." I look at him. "What do you mean? Why can't you talk to me?" He looks up at the ceiling and you can tell he wants to. What is it that he is hiding from me? What could it be that he is nervous to tell me? Maybe he is a bad guy. "I really care about you Josh, but i need you to be honest with me, are you in danger because you're a victim or because you've done something bad? I need to know now. I can't deal with anymore heart aches so in order for me to feel safe about this, you need to tell me." He starts to sit up. I start to panic thinking I did something wrong. "Im sorry, I'm just scared that it's to good to be true. The only good things that had come into my life besides you, are my adoptive parents. I can't keep living in secrets if I don't know how extreme they are." He sits up and faces the wall away from me. I gently put my hand on his shoulder. I can feel tears starting to form. "Please?" He didn't say A word. Now I'm starting to get upset. "So, I guess you must to have done something in order to shut down. If you can't tell me then there is no point on continuing this. Obviously i haven't shown you that you can trust me. Apparently I can't trust you!" He ignores me some more. I scoffed. I get up and I head out to the living room. I'm so frustrated that I shown any sign of wanting him. Now it's going to be awkward from here on out. I can't believe I let my guard down. I need to do something before I lose it. I head yo the kitchen then I start doing the dishes. After a few minutes I hear him coming out of the room. "Harper please.." I ignored him, finished cleaning the last dish, then I head to the bathroom. He tried following me then I shut the door and lock it. "Harper please. Don't do this. Not right now." What the hell? Me not do this? Wow! The freaking nerve of him! I opened that door so fast i though I was going to break the knob off. "You know what no, im done. I trusted you Josh. Even though you tried to kill me once, kidnapped me once, I still let you in. I did everything for you. I actually fell hard for you even though I didn't want to! I've been honest with you since day one. Even though it was hard for me to do, I got attached to you. So you know what, Fine, I understand you needed a place to lay low and I just happened to be at the right moment for you. You saw a woman and took advantage of the opportunity. Don't worry I won't kick you out, I know you're still in some trouble I THINK but don't think for one minute that if I find something out about you that isn't good, you're gone." I can literally feel my heart break into a million pieces from heart break and embarrassment. I went to walk away when he grabbed my arm. "Let go." I try breaking free from his grasp but it got tighter. "You're hurting me! Let go now Josh!" The grip got tighter. I started to get scared. I take my hand and tried to pry his hand off me. He must to have seen the panic on My face because he loosened his grip. "My name's not Josh." He said that so calmly I started to get scared. One good tug I was finally free. He was looking down. He looked like a freaking psycho ready for the next kill! I started to back up when he lifted his head up to look at me. He turns and walks to the couch and sets his head in his hands. He started to cry. What have I gotten myself into! Gripping on my hurt arm I get closer to him. By the time I got near him He then pulls me in and hugs me sobbing. There's something going on and I need to know now what that is. "My name's not Josh." He explains to me again. "I know that. We don't know your name." He starts crying more. "I know my name." Well, at least we're getting some where. That's a start. He lets me go, and in hopes of him telling me more I sit next to him. "What's going on? Please talk to me. If you know your name just tell me. I rather you give me something then nothing. I need you to trust me and I need to trust you." He looks up at me. His eyes are so full of hurt I don't know if I should be worried or feel bad. Of course i feel bad because I really care about him. He quickly takes my hands again and brings them up to his chest, "It's me..... Brandon." I about near s**t my pants. The room went silent. You can hear the crickets outside. "You.. Um... What?" I can't even think straight let alone speak. He moves in closer to me. I rip my hands away from his. I just look at him. I can't help but feel anger. "Look, Harper I didn't have a choice. They're after me. I had to lay low." I got up and just stood there. I couldn't make any face expressions. I can feel my body shake from the shock. He gets up and looks at me. "I wanted to tell you so badly. I didn't mean to hurt you in anyway." My face is on fire from the shock. I was finally able to speak once the adrenaline started, "You have no idea how long I was looking for you. I spent every penny I had from when I was 16 all the way until I was 20 for leads that turn into dead ends, bodies that were not you, locations that lead me no where! How could you not have told me that night when you snuck into my car? Why did you tell me that you have died?" I was now pissed. Yes i am happy he isn't dead but he lied to me! "I told you the truth to an extent. I had to play dead after I got away. I was a state away I found your name online and sent you a hint. I worked at some run down garage. I hoped you would of gotten the hint. By a year of hiding I ran again. Thinking you didn't care enough I didn't want to bother you again. Then I found out the shirt was lost in transit. I wanted to come home. I saw Jamie's grave and mine. I thought i had no choice but to stay dead".