Chapter 2: Moongazing

Amy

The woods wrap around me like a secret haven as I crouch down, fingers gliding over the settings of my camera. The sky is clear tonight, the moon glowing in the night sky, and as I set up my shot, I know my photography professor is going to go nuts for this. That is, if I can figure out my settings. 

As I adjust the exposure, I hear the distant echo of wolf howls. I smile to myself at the sound, brushing aside my long auburn hair to peer through the viewfinder.  As I twist the focus on my camera's lens, I remember my classmates' words that afternoon when I told them where I was going.

"You can't go out there alone!" one had said, eyes wide.

"Haven't you heard the stories?" chimed in another.

Of course, I've heard the stories -- everyone in the town of Shepherd's Range has. Even now it's as if whispers of folklore float through the shadows—tales of mythical creatures, monsters, and even werewolves.

I chuckle to myself though, shaking my head slightly. The stories have always amused me, and now, more than ever, I brush them aside as fairytales. 

The only creatures I need to worry about out here are the actual wolves, but they've never bothered me and I've never bothered them. I figure that's good enough.

I tilt my head down and look through my camera's viewfinder again. The sight immediately makes me hold my breath for a second. The almost-full moon is there in all its radiant splendor. Its silvery glow weaves a spell over the night, and finally I reach forward to click the shutter. As I lose myself in the rhythmic trance of capturing lunar beauty, a distant wolf's howl becomes a haunting melody through the woods.

Abruptly, the lens darkens, and for a second I wonder if a black cloud has suddenly obscured my view. When I pull back to check though, I gasp.

I must have been completely lost in my reverie because somehow I didn't hear the man approach. He's standing right in front of my camera and his presence is arresting—long, dark hair swept back in a low ponytail, black eyes holding the mysteries of the night, a strong jawline, and a physique that speaks of hidden strength.

For a second all I can do is stare, but then I catch myself and stand up to meet him. 

"Can I help you?" I ask, and I find my voice has come out as almost a whisper.

"I didn't mean to startle you," he says, and I see his eyes flicker over my body, even in the half-dark. "I just thought you might want to know it's not a full moon yet. In case that's important for your shot."

His voice is low, almost a growl and it sends a tingle up my spine.

"Oh thanks," I murmur, an inexplicable thrill racing through my body as I gaze at him. "But it's a series I'm working on - the title is Incomplete."

At this I see a wry smile break out on his face.

He nods, and I see a thoughtfulness in his eyes. "Mmm I think I can relate."

For a moment we just stare at each other, the air pregnant with silence and some sort of understanding, despite having exchanged only a handful of words. He's close enough that I can feel the warmth of him against the chill of the night. I should probably be scared, there's something about him that makes me want more of that warmth. 

"Do you usually come out here alone?" he asks suddenly, catching me off guard. 

He's still wearing that wry half-cocked smile though, and I can't help but smile back. I'm not sure if his question is a challenge or an invitation, but either way, I'm not going to back down.

"I do," I tell him, my gaze meeting his. "Do you...?" I leave the question lingering, and he grins, caught out.

"Elias," he tells me, extending a hand into the short space between us. 

"Amy," I reply, reaching out to meet him.

The moment my fingers graze his skin, I feel a jolt of something, almost like a spark of electricity, and the feeling only grows as he clasps my hand in his. It's as if a warmth is spreading from his hand into mine, and I feel it traveling up my arm until it reaches my chest.

I suddenly pull my hand back, unsure what's happening, but Elias must not have felt it because he only looks at me strangely.

"Um, electric shock," I mumble by way of explanation but he only looks at me, that half-cocked grin back on his face.

"So," I add, trying to recover from the momentary embarrassment. "Do you come out here often?" 

I know it sounds like a line, but that seems to be the game we're playing and a flirtatious energy lingers between us, undeniable now.

"Yeah, you could say that," he says, and I catch a hint of something in his eyes.

A distant cheer emanates from another part of the woods, and Elias acknowledges its existence with a tilt of the head.

"Were you at that party?" I ask, suddenly wanting to know more about this mysterious man.

Elias smirks, a glint in his black eyes. "I was, but let's just say it wasn't my scene. I went for a walk instead."

The thought of a secret party in the woods intrigues me and I'm about to probe further when a voice cuts through the darkness.

"Elias?" comes a man's voice, an older man if I'm not mistaken.

I glance back at Elias whose face is suddenly set with a frown.

"Sorry, I have to..." he begins, about to move off, but suddenly he stops and shoots me a strange look.

"Do you want to see something?" he asks, without further explanation. At first, I think he's going to invite me to the party, but I suddenly realise he means to move away from the voice that just called his name.

Whatever is happening, I know it has nothing to do with me, and I could just send him on his way and continue with my photos. But something in me can't help but be enthralled by the unknown and, before I can overthink it, I nod, smiling up into the eyes of a man I've known for no longer than two minutes.

"Sure," I tell him and to my surprise, he takes me by the hand.

Elias takes the lead, and I only just remember to grab my camera and tripod as he gently leads me into the woods, away from the sound of the party and the voice that called his name.