I plopped down to the floor, swallowed by the flowing fabric, and stared into the trunk. Connor stayed in the chair, his focus divided between the book and examining the cape. It was as though he were looking for some discrepancy. Something to show him that they weren't the same. He was looking for something that wasn't there. The creepy attic was silent. Too silent for my taste.

"What now?" I asked, awkwardly breaking the deafening silence.

"We figure a way to lure the wolves out of hiding and deal with them."

"Deal with them?" I asked tentatively.

"Yes. I'll kill them, and then you send them back to the story."

"You want me to drop dead wolves back into the story?"

"Why not?" he asked apparently seeing no problem dropping dead bodies on unsuspecting people and places.

"What if they end up in somebodies yard? Or what if the wolf bodies turn human when they die?"

As he was about to answer something caught my attention. I got up and went to the window facing the driveway, shushing Connor. The unmistakable sound of gravel crunching under car tires drifted up to the attic.

"Shit," I muttered.

"What?"

"It's Anna," I sighed rubbing my temples.

"Who's that?"

"My best friend from school."

"Oh, you don't sound happy to see her. Were you expecting her?"

"No. But that's Anna. She just shows up from time to time," I said.

"It bothers you?"

'Normally no. I love it when she does that, but sometimes it's inconvenient."

"Right now is one of those inconvenient times?"

"Yes, it is. With all the shit going on, now isn't the best time for a surprise visit."

I untied the cloak, and tucked it into the trunk with the book. As much as I liked Anna at times she was a gossiper, and this would give her fuel for weeks.

"Elysse!" came the bellowing voice from the first floor.

I began the descent down when I heard the girl's cheerful prater with my mom. Mom of course gave short, monotone responses.

"Awesome, Elaine. I'm going to Elysse's room!" the loud soprano voice sang up to me.

"Hurry down the hall. Last door on the right is mine," I whispered to Connor.

I blocked the top of the stair until he was safely in the room and out of sight, "Anna. Hi, what are you doing here?"

"Way to sound happy to see your best friend," she pouted.

"I'm always happy to see you, just wasn't expecting you to come over today."

"Does the surprise have anything to do with that shiny obviously-not-your-Volvo sitting in the driveway?" she asked smacking my arm.

I slowly closed my eyes and groaned, I had forgotten about Connor's car. There was no getting rid of Anna now.

"So whose is it?" she pushed.

"Not important," I moaned.

"Of course it is! It's a guy isn't it! Why are you hiding a guy from me?" she squealed.

"Calm down, Anna. He's just a guy I work with."

"The one you told me about?" she beamed.

"Yes, Anna."

"Why is he here?"

"We were working on things for work."

"Uh huh."

"Seriously, that's it. Just work stuff," I said.

"Is he cute?"

"He's not bad," I said taking quick glances down the hall.

"Well, where is he? Don't keep mystery man hidden!"

Sighing heavily I pointed down the hall. The ridiculous girl squealed than danced down to my room.

"Knock, knock, mystery man! Be prepared to meet the best friend!" she burst into a fit of giggles.

"Oh stop, giggle queen," I opened the door wide and let the friend in.

"Oh," she gasped when she saw Connor in all his glory sitting on my blue bed spread.

He sat on the edge of it leaning back on his elbows. His brown hair hung down in his face, and the long sleeved, stripped, button-down shirt hugged tightly in all the right places. He flashed his perfect teeth in an amazing smile while standing up awkwardly and extending his hand.

"I'm Connor."

"Hi, Connor, I'm, um, Anna."

"Nice to meet you," he said with a voice like melting chocolate.

Both Anna and I stood there staring at the man. My heart did a quick somersault.

Why does he have to be so damn good looking? I thought to myself.

"You work with that?" she whispered.

"Mm hmm," I whispered back.

"If you don't want him, I'll take him," she whispered again.

"You can go ahead and try," I said suppressing a smile.

"So, Connor, how old are you?" she asked.

"I'm twenty-one."

"And you work where Elysse interns?"

"I do."

"Girlfriend?"

"No, not at the moment."

"Ah," she smiled coyly while sitting next to him on my bed.

She leaned forward a bit, making sure he got a good view down her shirt, and just smiled. She was starting off using her best assets. The girl was serious; she wanted to bag this one. Her glossed lips slid into a sultry smile, and she gently bit at the bottom lip. I have seen her use this move a million times, and each time the guy turned to putty in her hands. But for some reason, Connor just seemed put off by it. It was very perplexing. He kept looking from me to her nervously. Anna put her hand on his knee and ran her hand up his thigh. Connor's face turned beat red. The harder she flirted with him, antsier he got. I sat down in a chair across from them, and observed as she tried to work her charms on the poor man. The entire time she got closer and touched, he slowly inched away. I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. I bit my lip, and enjoyed the spectacle as it unfolded in front of me. She eventually had him on the edge of the bed, put a hand on his shoulder, and walked her fingers down his arm.

"Are you interested in dating?"

"I suppose so," Connor replied hesitantly.

"What kind of girl are you looking for?"

"Um, I'm not sure. I guess someone who keeps my interest, isn't high maintenance, or talks a lot."

"That's cool," she said, not taking the hint.

I did feel a little guilty letting her go on and on. In my defense it was funny, and the first time a guy wasn't trying to hump Anna's leg after being near her for five minutes. She had these incredible green eyes that seemed to suck a person in, and fiery red hair that matched her personality. Her skin was creamy, flawless perfection with the right hint of natural pink in her cheeks. All of her shirts were low cut and her bras were push up. I could almost see the heat rising from her body. This was the first time she had to break out all the Anna charms and still not win. The frustration slowly took over her facial expressions. Her nostrils flared, and she pursed her plump lips into a fine line. She must have gotten tired of trying because she slowly backed off and became less interested in him. I couldn't really blame guys for throwing themselves at her. If I were a guy I would, which was why Connor not reciprocating the advances was a bit odd. She was definitely not used to being ignored. I was sure that after he left she would give me an ear full about it.

"It's getting late, Elysse; I think I'm going to head home," Connor said standing quickly and walking toward my door.

"Do you mind taking me to my car? I will sort of need it to get to work tomorrow."

"You're going already?" she turned her luscious, glossed lips into a pout.

"Yeah, work is bright and early."

"I suppose," she pouted a bit more, then looked at me, "Oh and Marsha sent a bunch of math homework with me for you. Miss Kent said not to forget about the English paper and Eric said there is a test on chapters eight through twelve on Friday, so come in to class when you finish with Miss Hexe."

"Awesome," I muttered.

Anna and I were majoring in the same thing, and the professors loved reminding her to tell me about all the other work I have to do. It may be the internship of the year, but I still have my college work to do.

"I guess I'll see you this weekend?" she asked looking at me, "And hopefully I'll see you soon," she winked at Connor.

"Sure," he said looking at the floor.

"Come on, Anna, I'll walk you to your car before you make him disappear into the wall."