I was heading downstairs, all dressed up, teeth brushed and ready for the day. While taking slow steps, my hand was patting my right pants pocket, where my iPod was settled. I ought to admit that thing does do wonders for giving me something to do and killing time, including killing some after I got home from Rachel's yesterday. But I don't use it too much, it was only because I was afraid I'd have gone deaf if I did use it a whole lot, which that is the case for some people.

But this morning, I'm about to use it again.

I made it to the bottom step and made my way to the dining room. I figured I start the day off with me walking out in the woods, with my earbuds stuck to my ears and listening to loud music that I love. After all I have done something like that before, only in my old neighborhood at Pittsburgh, always walking on a sidewalk and not out on a street. It was something I pretty enjoyed doing back in the city, and I thought I finally do it here for once. The woods may not be the city streets, but perhaps it'd feel the same, and maybe perhaps that familiar feeling would help me accept this house more quickly...Maybe.

In the dining room I went for a window to peek out. I was seeing the nice, morning sun shining over the woods and the front yard, even mom's car sitting out there too. I reared back from the window, confused. Huh...Mom told me she'd be working today. She didn't leave yet? What's going on?

I trotted out of the room to start searching for her. I went for the living room, and just stood to gaze around. I didn't see her in here. I glanced towards the kitchen, but she wasn't there either. I called out, "Mom?" There was no reply throughout the house. I turned my head towards the front door. She must be outside. I strolled for it, put my shoes on, then went outside. Upon stepping on the porch I caught sight of my mother sitting at the picnic table, her form facing towards the woods and her back leaned against it with one of her legs crossed over her lap. She wasn't dressed up in her uniform, that I noticed right away. She was still in her PJs.

I hollered at her from where I stood, "Hey!" I can tell mom twitched like she didn't expect anything to cut through her quiet time. She shot her gaze at me, and I was giving her a chuckle and a wave while strolling off the porch.

Mother was smiling at me before she uncrossed her leg and her foot planted on the grass. I stopped near her, and she said, "Nice way to say good morning."

I remarked playfully, "Thought I try it a different way today."

"Well good morning to you too, honey."

I inquired when I frowned a bit, "What are you doing here?" My hand motioned at her car far behind me, "I thought you were going to work today."

She shook her head, "Don't have to right now. The sheriff called me earlier and told me that I'm working nightshift tonight." She dropped her gaze to the ground and let out a sigh, probably wasn't in the mood for that.

I reformed my smile on my face, "Oh, I see." The word 'nightshift' practically clicked in my brain. From accepting Rachel's invitation to go to this house party with her and Andy, I was wondering more than once on what kind of excuse I was gonna give to my mother for leaving home tonight. Knowing her, she doesn't like house parties, judging by how she talks about them from her own standpoint as a cop, and she probably wouldn't let me go there. Even if I didn't tell her I was going there, I was totally certain she'd be suspicious about me leaving the house late, and it was difficult to make up a real good excuse since she ain't stupid. Cops aren't, and she is one. I seriously wanted to go to that party, and I knew I had to make up a very good one. I've thought hard before I went to bed last night and a bit after I got out of it today.

But, since mom popped that relieving word out of her mouth, I luckily don't have to make one up.

Mom spoke when she raised her eyes to see me again, "I really love my job and all, but I hate nightshift, but I also don't have much of a choice. Looks like you'll be having the house to yourself tonight."

I shrugged, "Ain't the first time."

"So, in the meantime, I'm just enjoying myself before I have to get ready to go."

"Well you've got enough time for that."

"Yep." She smiled back, "Anyways, what are you doing? Wanna sit with me?"

I shook my head and replied, "No, no thanks." I glanced at the woods, "I was thinking about having a walk in there and listen to my iPod at the same time."

"Ohhhh...I kinda forgot about your iPod." A deep chuckle emitted in her throat, "I don't think you've used it since we were packing up and leaving Pittsburgh and started living here."

I looked to her, "Well I used it a bit yesterday."

Mom stated, "Figures you did since we don't have television here yet."

I groaned, "Yes...I wish it'd get here already."

She giggled playfully, "Oh it will, just give it two more days."

"I hope so..." I took in a deep breath before strolling off towards the woods, not taking my eyes off mother yet with each slow step I took, "Well anyways, I'm gonna go."

Mom got off the table and asked, "Want me to go ahead and make breakfast? I didn't make it yet."

I gave her a nod when I was about a couple feet away from her, "Sure. Make me some sausage and eggs okay?"

"Alrighty." She warned as she was starting to move herself away from the table, "Just be careful! Don't trip over a log and break a leg or anything in there."

"I will." My voice carried behind me as I picked up my pace and was digging my iPod out of my pocket, "See you when I get back!" I got it out along with the earbuds, and began putting them on as I was getting closer to the trees with each stride I made. After putting them on and walking several first paces on a dirt trail upon entering the woods, I turned the little device in my hand on. My finger touched the little screen, and I was swiping it down as I was now on the list of songs I have on it.

I found a good one, and pressed my finger on it. Then the moment when I put the device back in my pants, the rock-hard song 'Animal' from Def Leppard was playing very loudly in my ears. I finally looked up, seeing the calm, wooded scenery around me as I just kept walking on the trail.

*****

A tall, hairy, menacing looking creature roamed through the trees and shrubs, feeling satisfied as it had its fill from a hunt it'd made. Blood caked its muzzle, but it was on its way to a huge lake that was somewhere around here to wash it off. A frustrated growl was made to itself, showing a bit of teeth. That is if it can find that body of water already! It feels like it's been going around in circles from walking around in these woods, for like a long time.

It thought it was stupid. It'd hunted in this forest more than once, practically for years, not to mention had strolls in them too, so it should know every inch of them by now, like every normal, stupid critter living in them! But this was happening to it...AGAIN!!!

The angered creature stopped for a minute to close its eyes, take a deep breath with its nose and let it out through its muzzle to calm its nerves. Oh there was no point in getting angry about it. Can't expect to remember EVERY inch. Besides, most parts around here look the same.

It opened up its eyes as its tail made a swipe behind it. Better get going. It's tired of having blood stuck to its mouth. Its nose twitched as it was taking in short, quick whiffs. Even tired of the stench of it stuck near its nose also. The creature's form went through a bush and ducked below a low branch as it resumed to searching its destination.

The creature made a few steps...Before its nose caught something. A curious look formed up in its eyes when it stopped again, then quickly started sniffing the scent in the air. It's sure it wasn't smelling the blood on its nose. It is PRETTY sure that it's smelling something else. That didn't smell like a normal critter, nor like the other creatures like it that it knows dearly well.

It smelled like...

Fire erupted in its irises, as it recognized that kind of scent. A scent it so very much despises.

Human.

The nose belonging to the creature took in another whiff, and shot its black and white gaze off to a direction. It's not far, must be in the woods too, and it was coming from that direction. It decided to hold off on cleaning its face and began to follow it, curiosity pretty much tugging to it. It growled, and it was deep, like that hatred toward humanity welled up inside it.

Human...A human hasn't been in this forest for like a while. It really hates it when humans come roaming around here like the woods belong to them. They don't! They belong to something else! To it and creatures like it! While questions swirled in its mind, the creature angrily swiped a weak tree branch away, breaking it off and sending it flying. Was there more than one around here, or just one? And what are they doing in the woods, in this time of the day? Taking a walk through its territory? Smoking dope here? Or...Something?

Well it's going to get to the bottom of this...

The creature wandered through the bushes, quietly, as it continued to follow that scent. Finally, it found the source. It can see a lone, young boy moving along on a trail. It stopped to spy from a good distance, seeing that the young man hadn't noticed he was being watched. With good hearing, it can also hear some kind of...Distant music. The creature came to a conclusion:

One human is having a walk in its territory, and apparently listening to music with a portable player while at it.

That was the answer it found.

The narrowed eyes of the menacing creature didn't stride away from the striding human. He should've went for a walk some place else. Who does that human think he is? It began to follow that young person now since he was a bit further away from it. It'll keep an eye on him for a bit...See what he'll do later on.

*****

Music still blared loudly in my eardrums, as I still wandered further down the dirt trail within the forest. I was listening to another song now, which it was one by Maroon 5, but I wasn't exactly moving my head a bit up and down, jamming it like I was doing that to 'Animal' earlier. I do like it, only a bit, I think it was because it wasn't really a jam-jam kind of song.

Like I said before...Def Leppard is my favorite band.

I shot a glance upward, seeing a couple blue jays flying overhead, one chasing another. Walking in the woods like this did seem nice, like it was back in the city. After a long moment this stroll finally felt that, in a way, I was walking on a city street. I know I wasn't strolling on a sidewalk and instead I'm stepping on dirt, and I'm only seeing rows of trees at both sides instead of houses, but it was starting to feel like I was.

I sucked in some air and sighed. I remember when I had my first walk out here, especially without my iPod and only with my dog, things felt very different. But now since I'm doing this with my trusty music player, for the first time since living and staying around here, I feel a bit normal. That was a start anyway. I still felt that I didn't fully accept the house in the woods as home, but it was still a start. And I hoped that small normality I was feeling stayed with me after my walk was over with.

I looked behind me past my shoulder. Frankly I didn't pay attention to how far I've gone in the woods, how long I was walking in them. I totally lost track. Which that was unusual considered that I usually do when I have walks like this. I guess it was the feeling in the moment that pretty much distracted me. I shook my head, bringing my gaze back towards ahead. I guess I didn't care either. If I'm having a fine time walking here and feeling normal, then I'll relish it a bit more. Besides, mom's probably not done making breakfast yet...So I'm not gonna rush myself now.

The song I listened to finally ended, and during that moment of silence before another from my iPod would start, I heard a loud snap.

I stopped myself before I made another move, frowning from the noise. While another track began to play in my ears, only my face turned and gazed at where I thought I heard it, somewhere off the trail. I didn't see anything, but I could've sworn I heard something.

It sorta sounded like SOMEBODY stepped on a stick.

I looked behind me for a sec since I wondered if anyone was standing on the trail with me, then I did the same at my front, but I didn't see nobody on the trail with me, behind me nor in front of me. I shot another glance towards that spot somewhere off the trail again, before I pulled the iPod out of my pants and turned it off along with the new song playing. Then when I put it back in there, I yanked my earbuds out of my ear sockets and stuffed them into my pocket too. After my whole body faced off the trail, I hollered, "Hello?"

Nothing answered back but the sounds of birds in the area.

I did it again, this time with a name, "Hello...Mom? Is that you?" I made a grin and chuckled, "Hey, are you watching and making sure I didn't trip and break my leg?" But then I had a thought. That can't be mom. She's supposed to be at home making breakfast.

Then...Who...?

My grin melted away when I called out again, only a bit more louder, "Hello? Is someone there?

Still silence.

I walked a bit closer to the edge of the trail, trying to get a good look deeper into the woods. I made my eyes concentrate at every part of the area as they swept slowly to my left, but I didn't see any sign of a person out there. I let out a breath. It was probably a deer or something making that noise, and that stick it stepped on must've scared it off. I giggled at the thought. Scared by a stick you step on...That's silly. I huffed. Well, time to get back to what I was doing.

When I turned away from the trees and bushes, and was about to head onward on the trail and resume my walk, I jumped back a bit and gasped with a hand held to my heart.

Another person stood in front of me on the dirt trail. A familiar one I didn't expect to see smiling at me, "What's wrong with you now? I told you I don't bite."

Cat. I spoke to her while letting out some air, "Geez, I didn't hear you making any noise."

The blonde girl giggled, "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to scare you. I thought you heard me coming."

My hand took off my torso when I replied, "Well I thought I heard something else, but I guess we're both wrong about something." My eyes formed curiosity, "Didn't expect to see you now. What are you doing here?"

Cat with her gaze held upward strolled up till she stood beside me with her hands cupped behind her, "I'm out for a walk..." She casted her eyes on me with a playful smirk on her lips, "But I'm not the only one apparently. I had a feeling I'd find you around here."

I finally smiled back, "Why, were you also trying to find me since you know where I lived?"

"Nope."

I let out a tiny chuckle, "Yeah, I didn't think so." Then I made another frown, "Now you've got me wondering. How come you aren't having a walk of your own in Fall Creek? I mean seriously, I didn't think you were going to walk on this trail like me! Do you live in the woods too?"

Her lips lowered down a bit when she hesitated, but her smile went wide again when she answered, "No. I just like having walks in them." Her hands spread out wide and swung around a bit, "They always seem so peaceful and quiet. They don't give me much to worry about. You know, like cars, and looking left and right before you cross a street."

I cracked, "Also dumb boys crashing their own bikes while riding them."

She apparently got the analogy by laughing, "Oh you're not dumb! You were just having trouble." Then Cat raised a finger, "By the way, thanks for giving me something else to worry about. Now I'll have to make sure to keep an eye out for somebody riding a bike when I'm walking in town...Don't want anyone crashing into me."

I shrugged my shoulders in agreement, "Probably a good idea."

Cat asked shortly after that, "So, how is your morning?" Before I would answer, that's when her smile wiped off and her eyes were holding apology, "Listen, uhhh...About yesterday...I'm sorry I ran off without saying goodbye."

My face held some concern, "Well...It's alright, but are you doing ok? After you left me, I somewhat wondered if you were feeling sick or something."

Cat actually giggled at that, then shaked her head, "Oh no, I feel great...Actually I felt fine the whole time."

I stared at her eyes for a bit before I pointed out, "Didn't look that way when you disappeared behind my back."

She lowered them to the ground, sighing, "I know...It's just...I didn't feel comfortable with the thought of talking to your friends. That's why I didn't want to walk up to Rachel's door and knock." She looked back at me now, admitting, "Remember that I told you that I didn't socialize much and don't have a lot of friends? Well here's why...I'm very shy."

Gosh, no wonder she ran off like that. Huh...Now that she brought it up, why isn't she like that to me? I nodded slowly at her confession, "I figured you were nervous. I admit I did see it in your eyes...But I didn't figure that was why."

"Yeah..." She looked away, "I'm very good at talking to a few people that I know, but when it comes to people I don't know...I'm good at keeping distance from them, and at times when they're close to me...I mostly just keep to myself." Her eyes trailed back to me, and apologized again, "Matt, I am sorry I left you like that. I probably should've told you before I took you to that house, but I was afraid I'd ruin your chance to talk to them."

I gave her a comforting smile and waved her off, "Hey, it's fine. Really."

Cat smiled at that, "...Thanks."

I giggled and said, "Heh heh...You talk about being very shy at new people, but you really don't seem shy around me...We don't know each other well, right?"

"Yes."

My head tilted to the side a little, "Then...How come you are talking to me?"

She explained, "Well...I think it was because you tried to help me after you bumped me near the girl's restroom. You didn't seem to be a scary or rude person to me...You seemed alright."

I gazed at her for a bit before I slowly shrugged with my arms, accepting it, "I guess that's good enough for an explanation."

"Well that's the only one I can come up with, so glad you thought it was." Me and Cat shared a giggle.

I kept glancing to where my home's at, then asked her, "Say um...Do you wanna walk home with me? It's just my mother's making breakfast and she's probably almost done, so I'd better get back now."

Cat accepted the offer, "Sure. Let's go." Then me and her began to walk side by side on the trail, heading back for my house. The birds in the forest were still tweeting as Cat spoke, "Hey Matt. I want to thank you for not being angry."

I looked at her confusingly, "Mad at you for running away yesterday?" I shook my head when I smiled reassuringly, "Ah, forget it. Besides...You outa thank me that I noticed you were nervous and didn't grab your hand and forced you to walk up closer to that house with me. That's why I didn't question you at all when you didn't want to do the honors. I am a kind person after all."

She chuckled deeply, "Yeah glad you didn't, thanks."

"And I was also hoping while I knocked on the door that you would've build enough confidence to come up when I hollered for you."

Her eyes rolled at that statement, "Well I ruined that, but it doesn't really matter now does it?"

I shook my head, "Not anymore." Another giggle was shared between us.

*****

The creature with the blood-stained muzzle was hiding behind a tree since there kinda was a risk of being spotted at the moment. Its pointed ears were erect as they listened to the voices in the distance. A pondering frown was shown upon its face still, as it already recognized one of them. Finally, after it heard one of them saying about 'walking back home', and since they were silent for several seconds, it peeked around the corner, and saw two young people strolling off together. That boy it stalked a bit before it had to hide being on of them, who happens to find out his name is Matt from all the eavesdropping, and a girl was with him.

When it was curiously sniffing the air and caught her scent, it knew who she was right away. So its ears heard correctly when they recognized that voice of hers.

That girl was Catherine White.

The menacing creature came out from its hiding spot, and narrowed up its eyes, fury lit up in them. Ears drew back, growling rumbled in its throat, and claws on both hands clenched so tightly, they would've accidentally pierced its palms and drew out blood. This scene it was watching made it want to cut it with its sharp teeth and claws. Seeing it made it SOOO angry.

It was about to run over there to where those people are and do something like that, but when it made a step forward, it stopped itself. It was taking in a deep breath, pushing that fury down. No...It ain't going to do that. Its angered eyes watched the two humans walking farther and farther away from where it was at. There is no reason why it should do something like that...FOR NOW. The creature's nose let out a snort, then it whirled around, facing away from that trail. It's gonna head back home...That is all it is going to do now. With that, it began to stroll on back home without looking back.

*****

Cat asked while we continued to stroll back home, "So how do you like this house you're living in? Is it nice?"

I dipped my head when I shrugged and answered, "Eh, it's okay."

She made a playful frown, "That doesn't sound like it."

I said after I brought my eyes to hers, "Well it's just that it's a new house and..." I gave my own chest a light pat, explaining some more, "Also I lived in a city for all my life, and I'm not really a redneck in the woods kind of guy...And that kinda bothers me." I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck, "Honestly, I do wanna live in Fall Creek. You know, a house on a street like Rachel and...You." I gave her a tiny smile, "You're lucky, Cat."

"I'm lucky?" Cat giggled, "Matt, I'd be lucky if I was living in the woods like you. I do like the quiet."

I replied, looking ahead, "Well, I have few reasons to not like it here, and I think I have another...I probably don't like the quiet."

Her hand clasped my shoulder and gently rubbed it, "I think everything will be alright." I looked back at her happy, consoling face, "You haven't been here that long, that right? Well, give it a little more time and you'll be hating the loudness in no time."

I chuckled, "You're sounding like my mother. She practically tells me the same thing."

"Then she's telling you the right thing like me."

I lowered my eyes again, admitting, "I'm trying...Just trying as best as I can."

"It's good you are. I don't want you giving up so easily." She got her hand off me and I looked at her as she gave me a wink, "You'll like it here...I know I do. You'll see....Trust me."

I was smiling at her again, "Alright...I trust you."

Her hand swatted my arm in proudness of me, "Okay!" My face made a wince from the tiny pain, then I was rubbing it with a hand. Owww...That hurt a little. She noticed what I was doing and started laughing, "Daw, I didn't hit you that hard!"

I just giggled with her as the pain quickly went away, "I guess not. Thanks for that."

"No problem."

Then we both went into silence, and my hand went back to the side it was at. And while we were, I was thinking about that party I was going to tonight, and it gave me an idea...Especially about her social problem. Hmmm...Maybe I could ask Cat to come to the party with me. I mean I know she's shy, but maybe if I help her out with that, she'll be as social as Brendi. I remember how shy that bug-eyed little girl was to me when mom brought the little dog back to our house in the city after she bought her from someone and met me for the first time. That chihuahua would scamper away from me, and did the same to mom also since Brendi didn't know her as much as she didn't know me, until we both fed her almost every day and began to see we were family and liked us...Well, liked mother the most, but nevertheless liked me too!

Yeah...I think that's a good idea. Help her shy away the shyness! Heck, if Cat meets Rachel and Andy and see how good they both are, then it'll be a great start! Then the four of us can party together! I gazed at her with a questionable look. I wonder if she likes to party? Well...I'll ask her.

I took in a deep breath, and said, "Hey Cat. I got a question to ask."

She looked at me, "What?"

"Do you, um...Do you like to party?"

We both stopped as she looked taken aback by the question, "Party? You mean like partying in a house with a bunch of loud-mouthed idiots and get drunk with laced punch?"

I stared at her for a second before I told her with a shrug, "I...I guess."

"Oh." Cat mentioned with a bit of a disgusted face, "It's just I know some guy in town hosts something like that at his house, and I kinda know he's a bit of an asshole. Also...I wouldn't do that sort of thing anyway, because-"

"Say no more." I let out a huff and said, "I know that you wouldn't like being in a place like that and all." I formed a huge smile, "But, thanks to Rachel, I'm actually going to a house party tonight in town."

Her face went wide, "What? Are you serious?"

My head gave her a firm nod, "Yup...And I actually want to invite you to come."

Cat's eyes were showing that nervousness like before, "...You're kidding, right?"

My head shook, "Not really. Look, I know you're nervous-"

She was shaking her head a few times in a quick manner, "You have no idea."

"I get it, I get it." I sucked in some air and went on to try to convince her, "But, I actually want to help you out with your shyness. I mean, you seem like a good girl to hang with and I think maybe you deserve to have more friends."

Cat seemed unsure of that, "I don't know..."

I placed both hands on her shoulders, "Hey, Rachel and Andy are going to that party too, and trust me, they are really, really nice. I mean they wouldn't hurt you or humiliate you..." But then I shot my head to the right, "Well, I don't know them all that well, I haven't hung with them throughout my whole life, but I kinda believe with a gut feeling that they wouldn't do that...Maybe not even Andy. I don't think he'd hurt a fly."

She glanced away with a nervous hum, "Mmmmm."

"But the point is, I want to help you, and I think a little socializing would do you a lot of good. That way you wouldn't run away from Rachel and Andy or anyone else while I'm talking to them."

Cat gazed to me with that look in her eyes still around, "I don't think it's that simple."

"I know...I understand what that's like."

She wrinkled her brow, "How come? Were you shy before?"

I just smiled, "I was, and that was years ago. Now you understand why I want to help you?"

"I..." She giggled deep, then nodded, "I think I understand clearly."

"Right. And you've been feeling that way for how long?"

A thoughtful hum was welled up in her throat, "My whole life, probably since I was four or five."

Goodness. I made a nod, pulling my hands off her shoulders, "Well...I think you being...How old are you?"

Cat replied simply, "Eighteen."

"Well I think you being eighteen is the time you broke out of that shell...Or any year after that. In all honesty, you don't deserve to feel that for the rest of your life." I waved my hand, "And listen, if you don't want to go to that party with me, you don't have to, that's fine. I'm only just trying to help."

Cat chuckled nervously, "Thanks, cause I don't really want to."

"I understand, and I won't force you. Scouts honor. But if you do want to, then meet me at Rachel's house tonight. We'll all meet each other there. Ok?"

"Got it. Still not very sure of that, but got it."

"Good." I glanced down the path to my home, another idea actually popping up in my head, "Mmm..." I looked at her again, "Well...Maybe right now, I can help you start making a friend with someone easy."

Cat let out a laugh, "Gosh, you're very committed to help me. And let me guess...Your mom?"

I giggled, "Read my mind."

"Well..." She looked off that direction herself, thinking about it for a moment. She finally went back to gazing at me after putting some thought about it for a moment, "I guess I can at least talk to your mom...I remember seeing her in the restaurant and I think she seemed okay."

I beamed, "Great!" I grabbed ahold of her hand and began to drag her down the trail, "Then c'mon let's get home already, she's probably wondering what's taking me so long."

"Ha hah! Matt! Let go!" She laughed a little before she yanked her hand off mine. She didn't run off or anything, only keeping her pace beside me. I was quietly giggling to myself. Well, I think having her talking to my mother would have been a better start than Rachel and Andy. I was very certain my mother wouldn't scare her off easily...For a cop, according to her, she was good at keeping somebody calm in a nervous, and also stressful situation.

Cat seems committed to that so far...I hope she doesn't quickly change her mind and back off from it.

We both wandered along the trail till we finally made it to the edge of the woods and near the edge of my front yard, my house in view. When I stepped onto the grass of my yard, I caught Cat had actually stopped just RIGHT at the edge of both yard and forest, fidgeting. I turned my body to her. Oh no...She's backing down.

I walked up to her and asked, even though I already knew, "Hey...You okay, Cat?"

A trembling sigh escaped her lips, "I...Don't know about this now."

I gave her a comforting smile, "Come on Cat, my mom's not that bad. She's a freakin cop." Then I teased her, "Unless you're afraid of them."

She stopped fidgeting with her fingers and gave me a glare, "No, I am not. I know they protect and serve."

"But did you ever talk to one?"

That point I made got to her, and it showed when she lowered her eyes, "No."

I exclaimed, "Well there you go! I mean, what if you were in some kind of trouble? I mean like deep trouble, the kind of trouble that had you absolutely needing help, and you couldn't talk to the cops because your shyness is holding you back? Do you kinda see the point?"

"Uhhh." Cat's eyes only darted back and forth before she replied with her head nodding, "I do, but I ain't planning on getting into trouble."

"But what if you were one day? You probably know there are some things you can not handle on your own, right?"

"Course I know that." She sighed, "But Matt...I really don't want to see her now." Her form backed away a couple steps, "Maybe some other time....It feels too soon."

I had my hand cupping my own chin when I was putting thought into this, "Hmm." Well, I don't want to force her to talk to my mother, don't want her feeling so frightened. Maybe I outa let that slide for now. Then like the last two ideas, another one practically popped in my brain out of nowhere. Now this one shouldn't be too hard for her to do. It'll be as easy as all get out! I said to her with a raised hand and a finger, "Well, I have another idea."

Then the blonde haired girl playfully frowned at me, "No wait, let me guess this one...You have a little brother that I didn't know about and you want me to meet him, right?"

I laughed at that, "No!" I shook my head as I stated, "I don't have a brother." I went up and held her hand, slightly pulling her out of the forest and out onto my yard, "But I have a man's best friend who would like to meet you."

I let go of her as she looked curious, "A what now?"

I clarified, "Dog. I have a dog who would like to meet you."

Her hand shoveled some of her hair off her face as it showed me a small grin, "Oh...I see."

I pointed at my house, specifically the back yard, "He's at the back yard chained up to his doghouse." I gazed at her, smiling sincerely, "I think he'll be a good candidate for starting something off easy. Have you ever met a dog before?"

"Umm...No."

I frowned in a bit of surprise. Good god, she doesn't talk to people a lot. Cops too. And now I find out she hasn't talked to a dog before! She really is shy.

Cat frowned also and yapped, "What, it's the truth. I never met a dog before....Never had one for a pet also."

I smirked, "Well this is your lucky day. You'll get to meet your first canine. And don't worry, he's just a dog. He wouldn't judge you or anything. He's as friendly as all get out, and he'll be your buddy like he is to me. Just follow me, I'll take you to him." I beckoned her as I began to move forward on my yard, "C'mon." Cat was a little hesitant to follow at first, but her legs did push her slowly to come. I continued to stare back as I led her across my yard. Nice...That's a start.

As me and her were about to wander to the side of the house, Cat complimented with a little smile on her face as she looked at it, "By the way, you do have a nice place...Sorta like I imagined."

I chuckled in amusement as me and her paced alongside it, "Thank you, but you haven't seen the inside yet."

She shot back in a playful tone, "Well I imagine the inside isn't bad also."

I looked back at her, "I'll tell you what. You make your opinion about my house after I give you a grand tour of the inside one day, alright?"

"Fine...Only I am sure my opinion I gave you now will be the same then."

Me and Cat made it to the back yard, and I found Tobey was on his stomach, napping outside his doghouse with his head resting on his paws. I pointed at my dog, "There he is. That's Tobey."

Cat concentrated her eyes right on him...And said shortly, "He looks a little big."

I giggled and remarked, "Sure he is, but he ain't as big as a Great Dane...I think." I patted her back, "Okay...Let's go see my friend."

Cat seemed nervous as usual, but she held her fear down that time I think, "Alright." I nodded, and guided her slowly towards my black Lab. When we got closer to the dog, Tobey raised his head and looked at us, since he must have heard us by our feet rustling on the grass. He got up on his four feet and turned to literally face us. If I was alone, Tobey would have been wagging his tail by now, but apparently he was more focused on the person he's never seen before with me. I'm surprised he didn't bark at her yet, since I know for a fact that back in Pittsburgh he'd bark at any stranger he saw non-stop. That didn't mean he wasn't friendly to them. It's just he likes to bark at them from a distance, and I really know that for sure cause more than once when he got loose around my old neighborhood, he just greets the strangers in a friendly manner.

Tobey really is a friendly kind of dog, and that's what I like about him.

I instructed the girl as we got about a couple feet from him, "Wait here a second." Cat nodded in a timid way. I strolled up to my dog, crouching and petting him with both hands, "Hey there, bubbi. I'm back from my walk. Did you miss me already?" But Tobey did not pay attention to me...He was doing that to Cat, not taking his eyes off her at all. I wrinkled my face in mocked offense. Thanks a lot you jerk. I stood upright, and told Cat with my hand motioning towards me, "Alright, come over here."

She didn't move a muscle. She was only standing with her arms nervously crossed.

I smiled reassuringly, "It's okay, he ain't gonna bite you. He's just like you...All bark and no bite." I giggled at my own joke.

"Yes...Okay." The girl went up with slow, tentative steps. I can understand that she was meeting a dog for the first time and she was nervous about it, but she can do it...I know she can. I peered towards the back door of the house. I wonder if mom's watching us now? Don't think so. She probably doesn't know we're out here yet. I brought my attention back to Cat, seeing she was getting to us more closer by each step she made. She reached out to Tobey as she was almost at reach to pet him.

Tobey to my surprise actually whimpered, and backed up a step. I looked down at him, "What's the matter, boy? She's just a girl, like mom and Brendi." He never did that before...Is he alright? I saw Cat stopped at where she was when she saw Tobey acted that way, holding her hand back. I insisted, "It's okay...Keep going. You're almost there." Cat did what she was told, and went up more closer with her hand stretched out.

But then, when her hand was near his face, I think I heard Tobey growl. When Cat was about to touch him, that's when it happened.

Tobey tried to bite her.

"YEAAAIII!!!" Cat screamed when she yanked her hand back before the dog could snap his teeth on it.

I jumped back from my dog a bit, and yelled, "TOBEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" My dog was just barking viciously at her, as he tried to attack her again by coming at her. Cat screamed again and did manage to back away fast from the dog, till she fell to the ground on her back. Luckily for her, the chain holding Tobey stopped him from getting at her anymore. The terrified girl scooted back as far as she wanted even though Tobey couldn't reach her now.

Tobey kept barking, baring his teeth. He yelped when I slapped his behind very hard. I scolded him with a scowl on my face, "NO! BAD DOG! BAD DOG!" That finally stopped him and he looked up at me with a hurt face. I ordered him when I pointed at his doghouse, "GO LAY DOWN, NOW!" He lowered his head and tucked his tail between his legs. He did do as I told him, padding off to move more closer to the side of the doghouse.

My concern came at full force when I looked at Cat, breathing in and out in a fast rate, her face all pale and a very terrified look was in her eyes. Oh no. I jogged and helped her off the ground, asking in a low, worried tone, "Are you okay?"

Cat held up the hand that was almost bitten off, gazing at it, "My...Hand doesn't have teeth marks, so I am." She looked at my dog, confused and frightened at the same time, "I don't understand...I thought you said he was friendly."

I protested, "He is!" I glanced at him too, confused also, "I don't know what got into him. He barked at strangers before but never attacked them. This is the first time this has happened." I moved my form in front of hers, held her sides with my hands, and looked her deep in the eye, "Cat...I'm so sorry about this. I don't know what's going on."

Then we heard a voice interrupting this, "What's going on out here?" Me and Cat looked and saw my mother standing outside near the back door.

Cat was sounding breathless when she saw her, then looked at me and said, "Look...I'm gonna go now. I'll see you later." With that, she got out of my grasp and ran off.

I called out, "Cat! Wait!" I dashed after her as she already sprinted around the house. Surprisingly, as I went down the same path as her, she was faster than me, and already a lot further ahead of me too. As we both ran past the front of the house, I yelled again, "Cat! Stop, you're not in trouble!" But that didn't stop her from running. When she went in the woods on that dirt trail, I decided to let her go, my chest heaving in and out.

Cat...

My mind was also racing about Tobey's behavior. My god...What the hell was wrong with him? He never tried to bite anybody before! Tobey's never like that!

Why? Why Tobey? Why?

"Matthew!" My mother's voice cut through my thoughts, and I peered back, seeing her jog up to me. A worried frown was on her face other than her hands planted on her hips, "What happened? And who was that girl?"

I sucked in a calm breath, turned to see her, and answered, "That was just a friend I met in town. Her name's Cat."

"Okay...And what's going on? I heard a scream and Tobey barking and-"

I just blurted it out, "Tobey tried to attack her."

That had her eyes widen up in shock, "What? Why?"

I was shaking my head, "I don't know. Cat was trying to pet him, and the next thing we know he tried to bite her."

I can hear Tobey's barks from where he was while mother pondered over it with her head down, "Jesus...He never did that before." She looked at me with eyes full of concern, "Are you okay?"

I was more wondering about what Tobey was barking at now than answering her question, since he was doing that non-stop, "I'm fine." I began to walk past her, "Listen, I'll be back with you in a minute. I'm gonna go see what he's barking now."

Mom grabbed my arm, trying to stop me from doing that as her voice held that emotion, "Matthew, I don't think that's a good idea to go near him now."

I yanked it away, "Mom, he's fine. After what happened, he's calm now. I'll be right back, okay?" I didn't wait around for her to reply, I just went on ahead for the back yard, hearing Tobey continue on with that irrational barking of his. I made it back there and found him doing the same thing still, facing at the path all of us used and left here. Just barking at nothing really. I said to the dog, "Tobey, calm down." But he didn't, he let out another bark as I advanced towards him.

I bent down to pet him, trying to calm him down, "Calm down, there's nothing going on." He whimpered and whined...And that had me very concerned, "Tobey...Hey." I softly grabbed both sides of his face and had him look at me, "What's the matter, huh?" I comfortingly stroked his face twice with one hand, "What's wrong? Why did you attack Cat? What's going on with you? What's the matter buddy?"

As I looked into his eyes staring back at mine, they looked like they were trying to tell me something. I pressed him in a whispery tone, "What is it?"

I didn't have any idea what he was trying to tell me, but I honestly admit that I had never seen him hold that look before. I can plainly tell what it was.

Fear.