Tommys POV
      Nick and I ran into the woods, and I ran for a few minutes before stopping. "Well, I suppose we should-" I began, before realizing that there was no Nick in sight. "Split up..." I finished with a sigh. I looked around, and I began sniffing the air, searching for a scent. I twitched my tail slightly, angling my ears for any sounds. I heard a small tap on the leaves near me, and my head shot in that direction. I saw a small squirrel sniffing the ground, but it noticed me immediantly, and ran off in a split second.

     I huffed, I would've been able to catch that if I wasn't such a failure. I thought bitterly, Things are so much easier to catch when you're in your cat form. I continued as I slowly walked through the forest, alone. It's too bad that getting INTO my cat form is freakin' agony. I continued thinking, but paused as I saw another squirrel. Just like the last one, it saw me immediantly, running away without a second thought. I bit my bottom lip, Why do they keep running away? What am I doing wrong? I wondered.

      I thought for a moment before realizing the reason. "Oh, yeah...My mask." I mumbled. I looked around carefully, assuring that Nick was nowhere to be seen. After I was sure he wasn't around, I slowly slid my mask off. I glanced around, then slid my mask into one of the large pockets of my trenchcoat. I then crouched a bit, sniffing the air as I slowly crept through the forest. That's when I caught a delicious scent. Deer... I thought happily, creeping towards the scent. I paused as soon as I saw the deer. It was nibbling on a small patch of grass in the forest.

      I watched it carefully, licking my lips as I stared at it. I crouched lower, creeping towards the oblivious animal. I felt my long, cat-like claws unsheath, and my ears went back. My tail stayed still, twitching slightly at it's white tip. As soon as I was close enough to the animal, I paused completely. I prepared myself, then I pounced on the unsuspecting creature. I landed squarely on it's back, protruding my long, sharp claws into it's flesh. It let out a pained noise, nearly falling, but it managed to attempt to buck me off. I growled, sinking my teeth into the back of it's neck. I tasted the warm, metallic blood as it hit my tounge. The deer cried out.

      It tried to walk forward, but I quickly shifted my weight left, and the creature stumbled before crippling to the ground. I smiled through my bite, then I slowly released my teeth and claws from the creature. I removed myself off the animal, and stared down at it. It's eyes were closed as it laid on the ground, and It's breathing was heavy. I crouched down by the front of it's neck, and pulled out my machete. I was about to slit It's throat, but the deer opened It's eyes, staring at me, almost expectantly. I felt guilty, "Oh c'mon, don't look at me that way..." I muttered. I sighed, lifting my other hand up and gently covering the creatures eyes, "You shouldn't have to watch this..." I whispered, slitting the creatures throat, killing it instantly.

       I slowly stood up, staring down at the deer. "That was quite the attack." A voice suddenly suprised me from behind me. I gasped, pulling my mask out of my trenchcoat quickly, slipping it over my face. "Thanks, were you, uh, watching?" I questioned, turning around to face Nick. He was smirking, "Well, you could say that. I figured you wouldn't want me to bother you while you were hunting." He explained. I wore a confused expression, "But I didn't sense you anywhere...Where were you?" I asked. Nick shrugged, "I've been educated in the art of hiding in shadows." Nick said, shutting his eyes simply. "I'm a vampire, remember?" He said, opening his eyes to reveal glowing red ones. I chuckled, "Well, Mr. All- powerful- vampire, why didn't you use those wonderful powers to do something useful. Like, I don't know...HUNT!?" I questioned. Nick chuckled, "Whatever. Let's just get the deer back to camp." Nick said, walking over to the deer.

He picked up the back legs, and I picked up the front legs, leading us through the forest. As we walked, Nick suddenly spoke up. "Hey, Tommy... Why do you never take off your mask?" He asked me, and I thought for a moment. "Because I'm different. I USED to wear the mask as a disguise, but now it serves a more important purpose." I explained. "But you've known us for awhile now...You've known me for awhile now...Why are you still nervous to show your face? Do you not trust us?" Nick asked. "Of course I trust ya!" He exclaimed. "Then, why?" He pressed. I shrugged, "I guess I'm just not ready yet..." I mumbled. Nick said nothing, so we continued to walk through the forest.

     When we finally made it back to the clearing, everyone was suprised about the deer. "Wow! I wasn't expecting that!" Cory exclaimed. I chuckled, "Wow, thanks for believing in me." I joked sarcastically. Cory quickly skinned the deer, and we allowed Jon to prepare it. As we all sat around, chatting and waiting, I couldn't get what Nick had said out of my head. Maybe they do deserve to know...

                        Nick's POV
        We all sat in a circle, eating the deer and talking amongst each other. I noticed that Tommy had been strangely quiet since we got back, and I eyed him with curious worry. He was staring at the ground, he seemed deep in thought. I hope it isn't because of what I said earlier... I thought worriedly. Then Tommy suddenly looked up, "Hey, uh, guys..." He said loudly, getting everyone's attention. Everyone quieted down, looking him. "Yeah, Tom?" Cory questioned, and Tommy took in a deep breath.

      "Well, I've decided that I should probably show you guys under my mask. Since we've known each other for long enough now...." He said slowly. It WAS about what I said earlier! I screamed in my head, but I couldn't help feeling a bit excited. "Really?" Ashlie said, seeming happy. Tommy nodded, "Yeah, I guess I could let go of a few trust issues..." He muttered. "Let's see then!" Cory cheered excitedly. Tommy took in a shaky breath as he grabbed his mask, slowly taking it off, and I was slightly suprised at what I saw.

A/N Welp, I guess this kinda counts as a cliffhanger...SORRY! But ima start updating more, BECAUSE THIS BOOK IS ABOUT TO GET SERIOUS! I'm excited! I've been planning the next few chapters since before I even started the first book lol. And as always, I HOPE YOU HAVE AN AMAZING DAY!!! AND GOODBYE PEEPS!!!