Mandryl Brave Mountain

MANDRYL BRAVE MOUNTAIN

by Tess Gregory

Published by Tess Gregory at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 Tess Gregory

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MANDRYL BRAVE MOUNTAIN

Chapter One

This town is strange. So much different than any other town we lived in, Ashlyn said as they were walking through Ridge Oak, the town they just moved into.

Why do you say that? Autumn, Ashlyn’s twin sister asked.

Can’t put my finger on it, it’s just a feeling, Ashlyn replied.

Stranger than our family? asked Autumn.

Shh, Ashlyn hushed her sister before she said anything more.

Yeah, see that guy up ahead? I think he can hear us, Ashlyn replied.

He can’t hear us; he’s over a block away. Man, Ashlyn, you are paranoid.

No I’m not, Ashlyn said through clenched teeth.

Come off it. He’s like two blocks away, Autumn said.

You know something’s different about this town. Mom and Dad said there were a lot of different kinds of people here, and that we’ll fit right in. Maybe this whole town is for people like us, Ashlyn reasoned.

I don’t care about what’s in this town. Having to hide what we are, all the time, is a freaking pain. Maybe here we won’t have to, Autumn said.

I just want us to fit in here, Autumn. I don’t want to move again. I want to be able to stay at one high school till I graduate, Ashlyn said.

You blame me for having to come here, don’t you? Autumn bellowed.

No I don’t.

Yes! You do! I just couldn’t take it anymore! Besides, Ellie got what she deserved! Autumn screeched.

I know she did, and I appreciate what you did for me, but it’s the reason we had to leave. Not that I was upset to leave that town. I’m just tired of moving.

Thinking back on that day two weeks ago Autumn was remembering what had happened…

She was walking home from school by herself; she got tired of waiting for her sister to come out. Ashlyn stayed behind to get help from her math teacher, when she walked upon a group of kids who always made fun of her and her sister.

When they saw her, Ellie started yelling, Oh look whose coming one of the freaky twins. Where’s your freak of a sister?

Autumn was sick of it. She walked right up to Ellie, the leader of the popular kids in school and said, You better shut your mouth about my sister, Ellie. Everyone is sick of you and your little group of friends saying nasty stuff about everyone.

Oh yeah? Are you going to shut me up? Ellie taunted. "I don’t think so! You and your sister are a bunch of...

Ellie never go to finish what she was saying. With a wave of her hand, Autumn shut Ellie and her friends up. She turned them into statues; the only thing they could move was their eyes. You could read the fear in them as they tried to move and couldn’t.

So, Ellie, dear what’s the matter, can’t open your filthy little mouth to ridicule some one? Did I finally shut that mouth of yours up?

Just then Ashlyn came running up; she pulled Autumn aside, What are you doing? Do you want to get us kicked out this town too? Ashlyn demanded.

I don’t care! I’m sick of them and they got what they deserved! Autumn yelled.

You need to change them back NOW! Ashlyn said through clenched teeth.

No. I don’t! and with a wink at Ellie Autumn vanished.

Just great! Ashlyn moaned.

Hello, Autumn you there? Ashlyn asked waving her hand in front of her sister’s face.

Yeah I’m here. I was just thinking about what had happened in the old town.

~~**~~

Logan heard everything they were saying. He wondered what Autumn did. He followed behind them to see what they were talking about. He knew Ashlyn was suspicious of him but he was curious to find out about them. He was more attracted to Ashlyn. Her long blonde hair was blowing in the breeze. Logan wished he could touch it to see if it was as silky as it looked. Her eyes, from what he could see, were almond shaped, and the most piercing shade of green he ever saw, her pert little nose turned up just a tad at the end. Her ears were small and he swore little points were sticking out of her hair. He thought she was the most exotic creature he ever laid eyes on. Looking at Ashlyn was like looking in the mirror of Autumn reflection, the only difference was Ashlyn’s eyebrow and nose was not pierced.

~~**~~

Look Ashlyn, she needed to be stopped. I was tired of her calling us freaks and freezing her into a statue was the best way I could think of to stop her. Besides you changed them all back.

No I didn’t.

What? Yes you did.

No, Aunt Savannah did. There were too many of them. I couldn’t change them all back and change their memories at the same time. I called Aunt Savannah and she did it. Ashlyn explained.

I didn’t know you called her, Autumn said. Why couldn’t you do it? You definitely have more power than I do.

Logan stopped his daydreaming of Ashlyn. What the hell was Autumn talking about?

I guess I panicked, Ashlyn mumbled.

You panicked! You’re the most powerful fairie I know. Why would you panic?"

I don’t know. I guess I thought it was beyond my ability.

Your ability? Geez, Ashlyn, you need to get a grip, you need to have more confidence in yourself. I didn’t do any magic beyond my ability, let alone your ability.

That’s what Aunt Savannah said. Oh, I don’t know I just didn’t believe her. She said she used to do the same thing to Mom when they were little.

Yeah what else did she say? Autumn demanded.

Oh, not much more. I just told her I called her to come since I didn’t want to get you in trouble with Mom, but she said Mom already knew and that you weren’t in any trouble. It was the night they were here in Ridge Oak looking at our new house. I guess one of the ladies that showed them the house knew what was going on.

I was complaining afterwards how you always do this to me, and that I was getting sick of it. Aunt Savannah told me she did the same thing to Mom, because she was mad at her. The magic came so much easier for Mom than Aunt Savannah. So to get back at her she would cause all kind of trouble that Mom would have to fix, Ashlyn explained.

Oh really, and you think I’m doing the same thing? Autumn asked sarcastically.

No. I hope not. I hope you’re not mad at me for that. I can’t help it. But, I wish I had your confidence, Autumn, your ability to just jump in and do what has to be done, no matter what the consequences are. Ashlyn explained.

Well I don’t do that! Autumns said walking ahead of her toward the house.

~~**~~

Fairies! Logan wanted to catch up to them and talk to them. He never met a fairie in this town that he wanted to meet, let alone talk to, but he definitely wanted to get to know Ashlyn a whole lot better. If only she wouldn’t be so leery of him. She did seem so much more proper than him, maybe it was better that he didn’t get too friendly with her. She shouldn’t be caught up with the problems surrounding him. His decision was made for him. She spotted him getting closer and ran into the house after her sister slamming the door behind her.

What he wanted to do was walk right up to that door and knock. There was some kind of strange attraction pulling him toward her, but right now was not a good idea to push her. He’d just have to wait till an opportunity arose for him to talk to her.

~~**~~

Inside the house Ashlyn couldn’t get rid of the feeling that, the guy following them heard everything they said. She admitted to herself he was really gorgeous, all that dirty blonde wavy hair hanging to his shoulders and those piercing light blue eyes. She stood just inside the door looking out to see if she could catch a glimpse of him as he walked by, but she didn’t.

Turning toward Autumn she said, I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just telling you what Aunt Savannah said. I never thought in a million years that you would be jealous like she was. I was right to think that way, right? Ashlyn questioned.

I’m not jealous, but sometimes when we would practice with Mom, you would get everything right away. I would get mad at you. I know it’s not your fault, but I still got mad. I don’t do magic to make you sort it out. I do the magic to get back the people that tick me off, Autumn replied.

Ok I get it, really I do. I didn’t think you would do that to me. But if for some reason you are mad at me, talk to me about it, you’re my sister, my best friend, Ashlyn said.

Okay. Now about this town… Autumn started.

Ashlyn cut her off, This town id different that’s for sure. It’s not like any of the others we have lived in. And I know that guy could hear us, Autumn, Ashlyn explained.

You know, you might be right. He was following us, but he was only watching one of us, Autumn laughed.

What are you talking about?

He kept staring at you the whole time. I wish I would have a guy stare at me like that. He was gorgeous and it’s about time you get a boyfriend, Autumn teased.

A boyfriend? Why do I need a boyfriend?

There have been many guys interested in you, but you blow them off. Why?

How the heck am I to explain to them that I come from a family of fairies?

Oh come off it. It’s not like you’re going to marry the first guy you go out with. They wouldn’t need to know, Autumn said.

That’s dishonest, besides I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I want to figure this town out.

Okay, groaned Autumn. What your theories?

On Cave Lane for instance, the houses on that street look like they were locked up. Not a one person was out, not a window opened, not even a curtain. How can you explain that?

Maybe they’re on vacation, Autumn mumbled.

The whole street! I don’t think so. It looked like they were locked up like we do at night, to go to sleep. I’ll prove it to you. Tonight we’ll go to Cave Lane when it gets dark, and I’ll bet people will be out, Ashlyn said.

Okay, we’ll check it out tonight, Autumn agreed.

The other thing, I still say that guy could hear us. When you let it slip that we’re fairies, I thought his jaw was going to hit the floor. Then when we got home and I turned toward him, he was hurrying to catch up to us. I ran in the house after you and slammed the door so he wouldn’t ask us any questions, Ashlyn explained.

I agree on that one. I think he was following us too, but not because of what we were saying. It had more to do with him wanting to meet you, Autumn giggled.

Ashlyn just glared at her sister.

Mom said we have to get the full story from Mareabella and Tekla, the ladies in charge of this town, BUT not till after the full moon. What the heck is up with the full moon? Ashlyn asked.

Don’t know, maybe werewolves come out that night and roam the town, and they have to protect it, Autumn snorted. Well on a more serious note, about that guy we could just go up to him and ask him what’s up?"

Oh yeah, right. I’ll just go up to him and say ‘Hi, I’m Ashlyn, by the way how can you hear us from over a block away’, real cute. I’d look like a real idiot, Ashlyn said.

Well we’ll have to work on that one, guess you’re right you would look like an idiot, Autumn said deep in thought.

Let’s get back to the things in this town. Some of the people we did see ran away from us like we have some disease or something. It’s like their afraid of us.

It’s not like they could know we’re fairies. No one in the other towns knew. Why should they? Autumn questioned.

You know I always thought Ellie knew more than she was letting on. That’s why she kept it up so long, and called us freaks. Ashlyn said.

How could she know?

Don’t know just a feeling I always had with her, Ashlyn replied. I’m going upstairs to try and sort all this out in my head. Call me when supper’s done.

While in her room, Ashlyn sat on the fluffy pillows she put around the alcove and stared out of the window. She was really confused with what was going on in this town and the strange vibes she was getting from different places in it. One minute she felt comfortable, the next street she couldn’t shake the feeling that something sinister was lurking nearby.

She knew the guy following them could hear them from a distance. How could she prove it? If she walked up to him and asked him, he would think she was a raving lunatic if she was wrong. There was no way to do it without looking like a fool.

Ashlyn stayed in her room for the rest of the afternoon trying to figure it all out. By the time supper was ready the only thing she had come up with, was to go to Cave Lane tonight and see if she was right about that street. The other was to ask Mareabella and Tekla about that guy.

Ashlyn didn’t notice, while sitting by the window, that Logan was staring at her from below. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. He had a job to do and he couldn’t concentrate on anything except her since he first laid eyes on her. She was going to big trouble for him.

Ashlyn! Mom said supper was ready? Autumn yelled from down stairs.

I could have done that, Autumn, Serena Gale, her mom, said. I wanted you to go up the stairs to get her, not yell the whole house down.

Sorry, Mom.

Ashlyn walked down the stairs, through the double doors, and into the dining room. The room had a cherry wood dining table that sat about twelve people. There was her great grandmother’s hutch, which took up the whole wall space between the two windows. Inside the hutch was the china that has been passed down from generation to generation. On the walls her Mom hung pictures from the forest where she and Dad had grown up. Her Dad had carved the frames for them many years ago.

Ashlyn sat down at the table and asked, Mom why won’t you tell us what’s going on in the town?

Ashlyn I told you, Mareabella and Tekla will explain everything to you once they have the time. Just be patient, there’s nothing to worry about.

Come on Mom, Autumn said. There are some weird things going on. It just doesn’t make sense. Like how can a really cute guy hear what we’re saying form blocks away.

What? Serena asked.

"Nothing, Mom, forget it. We’ll just wait for those two old ladies to explain. Ashlyn said nudging her sister.

Changing the subject Ashlyn asked, Mom can you tell us why we had to leave the old town so quickly? What did you see in the mystic pond of yours?

While I was packing up the mystic pond, it started to swirl and the image that came into was one of Ellie’s father coming to the house. He pulled up outside out old house in his car with a police car right behind him with two officers in it.

Mr. Sinclair got out of his car and walked up to the officers and said, Go get those two girls now! I know they did something to my daughter. Those two girls are going to pay."

Hold on a minute, Sir. How exactly do you know these girls did anything to your daughter? one officer asked.

All she keeps saying over and over again is ‘I have to be nice to Autumn and Ashlyn’, Mr. Sinclair said.

That’s not a lot to go on, Mr. Sinclair, the other officers said.

Look I put a lot of money into this city and if you two don’t want to do your job I’ll just call the Chief of Police and get him down here to do it!

That won’t be necessary. Jim, just go get the girls. We’ll see what’s going on. The office talking to Mr. Sinclair said.

He walked up to the door and knocked.

No answer.

He walked around the house. It’s didn’t look like anyone had lived here for a longtime, it was deserted.

The officer walked back to the car and said, It doesn’t look like anyone lives here. This house has been deserted for a long time.

This is their house I know it is, Mr. Sinclair yelled.

Well if it was, it isn’t now, the officer replied. There’s nothing for us to do here. Let’s go.

Mr. Sinclair got in his car and slammed the door, and yelled as he drove away, I’ll get those girls if it’s the last thing I do!

Then the pond cleared and I knew we had to get out fast. Thank God, we put that spell on the house to make it look old and dilapidate before we left, Serena sighed.

I am too, honey, Knol Gale, the twin’s Dad replied. Good thing we flew here as fast as we did. If we would have taken one more minute, he would have seen us leaving.

After supper the girls walked out the back door to go check out Cave Lane. Ashlyn wanted to see if her theory was right.

They saw their next door neighbor walking to her house.

Hello girls, I’m Ethel Trudeau, said their neighbor.

She was an eccentric old lady with short curly gray hair. She had a round pudgy face with a little pug nose, and she was slightly overweight. She stood just a little over five feet tall, so the girls have to look down to talk to her. But, it was her eyes that made Ashlyn wary; they just bored into you looking for something suspicious.

Hi I’m Ashlyn and this is my sister Autumn.

Is your family all moved in now? Mrs. Trudeau asked.

Yes we are. Autumn answered.

I can see your Mom has the dining room all in order. Not that I was being nosy. I just happened to be looking out my window and saw through you dining room window, Mrs. Trudeau explained.

Yeah it’s in order, Ashlyn said getting a little worried.

Amazing how your Mom has everything put away so quickly. She must be some kind of magician, Mrs. Trudeau eyed them suspiciously.

Mom just has the dining room set up so we can eat in there. The rest of the house isn’t finished yet, Ashlyn said hurriedly, trying to leave quickly.

Oh girls you don’t have any pets do you? she asked quickly before they walked away.

The girls stopped in their tracks, No we don’t. Why? Ashlyn asked.

Because strange things happen on the full moon around here, and the animals tend to go missing.

Oh we’ll remember that if we get any, Ashlyn said giving her sister a pointed look.

Just then Mr. Trudeau walked up from the garage, he was a tall older man, just under six feet tall, with gray hair, he had a long hooked nose and eyes that danced when you looked into them. Come in the house, Ethel. Leave the girls alone.

That’s ok, Mr. Trudeau, we’re just talking about how animals disappear around the full moon. Why do you think that happens? Ashlyn asked.

Oh girls, don’t mind Ethel, she has been upset ever since her little Poopsie ran off. She thinks something ate it. I think the dog got sick of Mrs. Trudeau and ran off.

The girls laughed.

Mr. Trudeau, you’re bad for saying that, Ashlyn laughed again.

You’ll see, my girls, you’ll see. I love her, but she can be a pest, Mr. Trudeau explained. She means well, but she’s a little nosy and listens to all the bizarre rumors.

We’ll have to hear all about those rumors someday, but for now we have to get going, Ashlyn said pushing her sister to walk through the yard.

~~**~~

As the girls left the yard Mr. Trudeau walked into the house. Ethel. Why would you say something like that to our new neighbors? Do you want to frighten them away before they even get settled in?

They won’t be frightened off Harold. There’s something about that family. I can feel it. How can their whole house be in perfect order? They only moved in two days ago. Ethel stated.

How do you know the whole house is in order? Were you snooping again? Ethel, how many times do I have to tell you to stop that? Harold said.

I wasn’t snooping. I went over to welcome them to the neighborhood and Mrs. Gale asked me to come in. I saw it for myself, Ethel retorted.

You went there to snoop. One of these days you’re going to be sorry you did, Harold replied. If you were over there then why would you warn them about the animals? You know they didn’t have any. Stop causing trouble. Harold said.

I’m not Harold. I actually like Mrs. Gale. She’s real nice and friendly, Ethel replied. But I saw that Logan kid hanging out around here today, and you know what he is. I just don’t want those girls influenced by the likes of Logan.

Just don’t go causing anymore trouble in this town. You know the trouble here, Mare and Tekla are working on it and it seems Logan is helping them. I was up there today and so was Mrs. Gale helping them, too. So just stop it. Logan is a good kid, maybe it will do him some good to be with the Gale twins, Harold said.

I won’t cause any more trouble for you precious ladies, Harold, Ethel said through clenched teeth.

Ethel, don’t go into that again. I married you and you’re the only one for me. I just want to live peacefully and helping them is one way of getting it. If you would work with me instead of against me all the time we could achieve the peaceful life sooner, Harold said giving his wife a kiss.

Chapter Two

While Ashlyn and Autumn were walking up to Cave Lane Ashlyn said, I told you strange things are going on!

Yeah, I think, you’re right. We’ll just have to figure it out ourselves, Autumn said.

We’re almost there. Let’s see if I’m right, Ashlyn said.

It’s not a full moon is it? Autumn asked nervously.

No, it’s tomorrow night, Ashlyn laughed. I thought you loved a mystery?

I like reading them. Not participating in them. Besides I feel an evil presence in this town. It’s just a feeling. I can’t see anything and I have no proof of it, though.

Really, I feel the same thing at certain places here, too. We have to be careful, Ashlyn replied as they turned onto Cave Lane. It was just like Ashlyn thought. People were out everywhere, some were talking over fences, others were cooking on open pits in their yards and the food smelled so good. Others were just sitting relaxing on their porches while the kids were running around playing games or splashing in ponds in their yards.

The homes were set back far from the road, blending into the woods around them. The homes were different from any others the girls have ever seen. They were carved right out of the trees, the biggest trees Ashlyn ever saw.

As they kept walking, one house at the end of the lane caught their attention. The girls stopped and gazed at the house.

The house was in a tree like the others, but this one rose two stories higher. The first two floors were carved in the trunk, but as it went up, the top two floors were built around the upper part of the tree.

On each floor the porches wrapped around the house. The porch railings were the most fascinating aspect of the house. They were made out of the thickest vines you ever saw. Smaller vines branched off to make an intricate design on each porch. The first floor had a diamond pattern, the second and third floors had twisting spindles from top to bottom, and the top porch had a complicated woven design. The stairs connected each porch as they twisted down the trunk of the tree.

The roof of the house was pointed and had the biggest leaves that over lapped to keep the elements out. They could not have been real Ashlyn thought. Could they? No normal leaf was big enough to shelter a house. Where did it come from?

The yard blended into the woods, with a stone path leading from the house to the street. The pond was on the left side of the yard, you could barely see it from the road. It was covered by all kinds of plants with big leaves and big flowers that only bloomed at night.

How strange, Autumn said.

What is, Autumn? Ashlyn asked.

But before she could explain a girl popped out of nowhere.

How dare you! the girl screeched.

What?! Where did you come from? Ashlyn stammered.

Never mind! Don’t come to my house and call it strange! she screamed.

I didn’t say your house was strange! Autumn yelled back.

Yes you did, the girl screeched.

Autumn stop it we don’t need any more trouble, Ashlyn pleaded.

The three girls stared at each other. Ashlyn noticed the girl had a rather broad nose and big ears under a full head of long brown hair. Ashlyn thought that if she cut it short on top it would stick straight up.

Listen, I think there’s a misunderstanding, Ashlyn tried to explain.

No, you listen, I’m tired of humans coming here making fun of our home, the girl shouted.

Did you say humans? Autumn asked.

I didn’t, I said people, the girl stammered realizing the mistake and started walking away.

Wait, Ashlyn said.

The girl stopped and turned looking at them with revulsion in her eyes.

Are you a troll or do you have troll blood in you? asked Ashlyn.

No! she screamed and with a poof vanished.

Wow! That was weird, Autumn said. Do you really think she’s a troll?

Yeah. I wanted to tell her that we’re fairies and that her secret was safe with us. I think she hates us. I just wanted to find out what I could about what’s going on here.

The girl was following them, listening to what they were saying. When she heard that they were fairies, she felt bad for the way she treated them. She would have sworn that they were humans not fairies. Even though trolls were not real friendly with fairies she knew they were not there to cause trouble or make fun of the trolls or their homes.

Actually, she thought they were very friendly. Maybe they could be friends if they would forgive her for the way she screeched at them. Her temper always got in the way; her father told her that she would regret it one day. Today looked liked that day.

Autumn what was so strange? Ashlyn asked.

Well not that house, Autumn clarified. That was really something to see. What was strange is that I could swear I saw that house somewhere before.

Where?

I can’t remember, she said trying to remember where she saw it. I think it was in a book Aunt Savannah had.

Is it still at the house?

Probably, you know how Aunt Savannah leaves all her stuff at the house, Autumn giggled. We’ll look when we get home. You know Ashlyn; I agree with you this town is strange. We just have to find out if it’s good or bad.

You finally believe me? Ashlyn asked in awe.

I always did, Autumn admitted. But….

But what?

It’s kinda creepy, I feel like we’re being watched and followed. I don’t see any one though, Autumn said.

They were indeed being followed and not just by the girl they just met. Logan was watching then from behind the houses, in the woods. He was really fascinated with Ashlyn and couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. He never felt that way about a girl before. Most of the girls in town were just a nuisance to him, throwing themselves at him, always trying to get his attention, asking him out on dates. Whatever happened to the guy asking the girl out? Well he’d just watch her for a little while longer. Then he had to go.

Yeah, I have the same feeling ever since we left that girl back at the house.

You believe me that I wasn’t making fun of her house, don’t you Ashlyn? Autumn inquired.

Yes, I believe you, Ashlyn said reaching into her purse.

What are you doing? Autumn asked.

Ashlyn stopped walking. She quickly turned around, pulled her hand out of her purse and flung a revealing dust in the air. It showed the girl following them.

Why are you following us? Autumn demanded.

Since she was caught following them, she had no choice but to answer.

I had to find out more about you. Listen to what you were saying, the girl replied. I had to know if you were a danger to us.

No we’re not a danger to you. We’re just trying to figure this place out, Ashlyn said.

I realized a little too late that you are not. Can you forgive my outburst back there? I didn’t realize that you’re fairies. I thought you were humans here to cause us trouble again.

What outburst? Ashlyn said.

The girl laughed, Can we start again? I’m Rina.

I’m Ashlyn and this is my twin sister Autumn. We didn’t mean any harm, just trying to put the pieces together here.

Didn’t you meet with Mareabella and Tekla yet? Rina asked.

No, not yet, Ashlyn replied.

Autumn asked, Why would humans make fun of you or your homes? They are very different, of course, but that’s what makes them so much more interesting.

Don’t know, but they try, Rina said.

Are they humans from this town? Ashlyn asked.

No, I have never seen any of them before, Rina said.

How would they even know about your house if they don’t live here in town? Autumn asked

I don’t know, they just come here and stare at us, calling us names, and making rude comments about our houses. I can’t stand it when they come here, and I refuse to be friendly toward them, Rina said. In fact, we are not that friendly with the other fairies in town.

Other fairies? Ashlyn asked.

I really shouldn’t say too much before you have your meeting…

With those two old ladies, Ashlyn interjected.

Rina laughed, You’ll see that they are not old at all. They know a lot about this town and what happens in it. So don’t get into too much trouble before you meet them,

Yeah sure, but can you answer some questions for us before we meet them? Ashlyn asked.

Depends, Rina answered.

The main question I have is about this guy who was following us this afternoon, Ashlyn asked.

What guy? What did he look like?

He was tall, about 6’ 4’’, very broad muscular shoulders, a slim waist, and powerful legs. He had thick wavy blonde hair down to his shoulders, piercing light blue eyes, and a set of lips that you just wanted to keep kissing, Autumn replied all dreamy.

Ashlyn just stared at her sister with her mouth hanging open.

Logan grinned at the way Autumn described him. He was interested in what Ashlyn thought. He knew it was vain, but he wanted to know her opinion of him.

Well you described him to a tee. How could you notice all that with one glimpse? Ashlyn asked.

Ashlyn, you know I always get the details of a good looking guy after just a glimpse.

Well in this case you are dead on with that description, Ashlyn said.

Sorry, I can’t answer any questions on Logan. That’s something you have to get from the ladies, Rina said. You certainly got his description down. No one in town fits that description except Logan.

I think he has the hots for Ashlyn, Autumn said. Pity, I would have loved to be his girlfriend.

Why would, you, want to be his girlfriend? Ashlyn asked sounding really jealous.

Come on Ash, just look at him. Really look at him. He’s gorgeous, strong, and well, just beautiful, Autumn said dreamily. And just enough of a bad boy air to him. He would be the perfect boyfriend, gorgeous to look at, with just enough excitement that it would never get boring with him.

Well maybe, Ashlyn admitted. A girl could get lost in those eyes, and what girl wouldn’t want those big strong arms around her.

Logan just smiled at what the girls were saying about him. If they knew he could hear them he’d be in a lot of trouble.

Just trust me on this. Logan isn’t boyfriend material. He just sticks to himself or hangs out with a rough older crowd. Not the type of crowd you would hang around with Ashlyn, Rina said.

Why do you say that? You don’t even know me, Rina, Ashlyn said.

I can tell you’re a different breed than Logan. He’s wild and no one can tame him, Rina pointed out.

I’d like to try, Autumn said. But he’s not interested in me. What a pity. He followed us home today and seems real interested in Ashlyn. That much I could tell. This afternoon, after we were home for a while, I looked out and he was staring up at Ashlyn’s window, Autumn said. He hung around for quite a few hours.

That doesn’t sound like Logan, but who knows. I would just keep your distance for now. I have to go, Rina warned.

See ya around? Autumn asked.

We’ll see, but I’d really like that. I still hope you can really forgive me for the outburst before, Rina replied turning back to them before she left.

What are you talking about, Rina, what outburst? Ashlyn teased.

Well got to run. Maybe I can catch up with you tomorrow? Rina inquired.

Yep, come to our house. I’m sure you know where it is, Ashlyn said.

~~**~~

The girls continued walking home. On the way, they saw Logan watching them from behind the houses. He walked out from the trees and stood at the edge of the woods.

Oh there he is, Ashlyn. Let’s go talk to him, Autumn begged.

No, you heard Rina.

You don’t know her. She could have made it up, Autumn reasoned.

Maybe, Ashlyn sighed. But just in case let’s wait till we talk to the ladies.

Why wait to talk to them when we can talk to him right now? Autumn urged.

I’m not comfortable talking to him right now, that’s why, Ashlyn retorted.

What the heck do you have to be scared of Ash? Autumn asked. I just want to go talk to him. Maybe we can get some answers from him, since no one else will give us any.

Ok, let’s go, Ashlyn gave into her sister’s badgering

They walked the rest of the way down Cave Lane toward where Logan was standing at the edge of the woods. She just knew he heard everything they said, and she didn’t want him to think she was scared of him.

As they walked up to him Autumn said, Hi I’m Autumn and this is Ashlyn.

Yeah I know, he replied.

You know? How do you know? Ashlyn asked.

I just do.

Well in that case, can you answer a question for us, then? Autumn asked.

That depends, he retorted. Who’s doing the asking you or her?

We both are! Ashlyn said. What difference does it make who is asking?

"Just wondering if you have the guts to, that’s all. I know Autumn does but wondered if