The mother's mouth opened in a hushed gasp while the rest of the crowd simply stared in utter silence. My fingers twitched wanting something, anyone to break this tension yet my wishes were not met.

I was hoping that my confident attitude would help to ease the people in my town but it didn't. Instead they seemed unsure and startled.

However, someone did break the silence.

"A woman like you shouldn't go wandering around in the woods alone."

I turned to the voice to be met with a man around my age. He seemed tall and had a little build. He had thick eyebrows, yet they weren't necessarily bad. Instead, they complemented his facial features like his eyes that stared at me, his emerald eyes. His chin and cheeks had bristles that still seemed clean enough. And he looked a bit rough with his darkly tan skin and intense figure. I had to admit, he did look attractive but sadly he was part of the crowd.

"It's too dangerous." He took a large step towards me and I noticed how his wet clothes clung to him like a second skin and his wet messy brown hair that hung down.

I did my absolute best to look unfazed by his charging appearance and my eyes narrowed indignantly, "Have you ever been in the woods?"

"As a matter o'fact I have." He countered with a playful smirk, "And I can tell you what I've experienced out there."

I shook my head and waved my hand dismissively, "No need, I've heard plenty of things."

I don't want to make a scene...I noticed how everyone was watching us closely. Even the mother stared at us both in an expecting way, though her face was pink and swollen from her crying, she still made me shudder in a creepy way.

"I'll go back into my house and then look for the kid as fast as I can." I quickly said to ensure the crowd and the mother as well.

I needed to end this conversation with this man. I didn't need to argue with the whole town right now, much less get them angry with me since they all knew where I lived. If I can go find this kid and come back totally fine then maybe this will motivate these people to actually get off their asses and search.

Arms crossed, I began to walk back to my house as a smile teased my lips. I thought about how I will never have these crowds in front of my house anymore. The screaming will stop and I can sleep soundly every night. Though, I understand how they can fear a missing child but that doesn't change anything because they simply stood around like they were waiting for something to happen.

Nothing ever happened.

I was pulled back and a surprised squeak left my lips when I was snapped back to reality. I was forcefully turned around to be met with green, blazing eyes. He had has hands on both of my arms and I didnt try to fight back because I knew I wasnt going to win.

"I'll go with you." The dominant tone he gave made me know that this wasn't a question or something I could say no to. He was telling me what he was going to do.

I felt my blood begin to boil as I snapped, "I can handle myself. I don't need a man helping me."

His grip tightened and I winced, "Well this man knows how to get around these here woods."

I glared at him but became silent when I realized he was right. I didn't know much about the woods. When I was outside or even inside I felt this strong need to explore these dangerous woods. This missing child was something I wanted to use to quench my curiosity which I knew was selfish. However, a guy is a guy and  if this total stranger came then he might try things...

My face twisted in disgust and I pulled against him, "I'll take my chances with the beast!" I glanced behind him to see the crowd was beginning to dissipate while others were talking among one another. Thankfully, nobody paid much attention to us.

Without warning he let go and I stumbled backwards with a cry before falling down on my rear. Pain slithered up and my hands instinctively rubbed my lower back. I stood back up hesitantly but he didn't show any sign of leaving. He kept watching me curiously and in return I gave him a sneer, but he followed it with a mocking smile.

I sighed he isn't going to let up is he.

Arms once again crossed I huffed, "Whatever, just don't get in my way." I stomped away and felt a headache begin to build. I rubbed my temples in an attempt to ease the pain but it just kept growing.

I glanced behind me and jumped startled to notice this random stranger was practically right up my ass.

"You're not coming into my house." I made the statement final, however he didn't seem to care. No, instead he walked right past me and I became baffled.

Who the hell does he think he is?

I growled beneath my breath and grabbed the back of his shirt when I finally caught up, "Hey! Are you even listening to me?" I was becoming irritated now.

The man stopped almost in an instant to glower down at me. His eyes were narrowed as the whites of his eyes diminished some and all I was left with was the bright, glowing green pupils, "I heard what you said but sadly it just went from one ear and out the other."

Now my body felt like it was cooking from how hot my blood was. I was almost enraged, no, I was furious. It was my house, not his, and for him to think he could be welcomed into my home for acting like someone who has a large stick up their ass...well I wasnt having any of it.

Still, I was exhausted since I cleaned my house earlier and stayed up quite late. I sighed outloud hoping he could hear me. I wanted him to know he was being such a nuisance. I peeked at him and he seemed unaffected.

I approached my front door and twisted the knob hesitantly. I didn't want him walking in my house with me. A few episodes flashed through my mind of worst case scenarios which all of them ended terribly, and I shuddered right before entering my house.

Surprisingly when I looked behind me he was standing outside the door. A surge of relief filled me when I closed it on him. It felt nice and I made sure that I took my time. I changed, took some aspirin, and filled my backpack with necessary items. My backpack bulged a bit uncomfortably from being packed so tight but I was satisfied.

When I departed from my house and was met with the stranger he just eyed me carefully and smiled, "Do you really need all of that?" He poked the backpack and chuckled, "That looks like your whole house could be in there, sweetheart."

I stiffened up, "What did you call me?"

"Sweetheart, why? What about it?" He cooed as I began to growl again.

This arrogant asshole...

I shook my head, not wanting to pick a fight with this man but instead focus my energy in finding the kid and go back home. Explore the woods even and see what could be out there.

Where should I enter the woods from? Maybe I should go where the kid was last seen...how do they even know if he is in the woods?

Questions rambled my mind and I felt almost at war with myself. What am I going to do if I come up empty handed? Will the townsfolk punish me?

I huffed, well if I'm getting punished then I'm taking Mr. Arrogant with me.

I nodded in agreement with myself and a smile played at my lips. I felt a tad bit better but it soon dissipated when the stranger stopped me by putting his hand out in front of my body.

He pointed towards the tree line, "Over there is a trail that can lead to the creek. We should start there until we find something."

I thought before agreeing, "That's a good idea because we can follow the creek when we reach it. Or maybe the kid might've dropped something if we're lucky."

"We would be lucky if we didnt have to go into the woods for a missing kid." He then coughed, but he made it obvious that it was fake, and roughly patted my back, "By the way, as for introductions...my name is Adonis."

I chewed on my lower lip...I don't want to get too comfortable....But if something happened I'm sure I don't want to be yelling "hey one guy!!" or "stranger!!".

"My...name is-"

"Adeline." He spoke before I could tell him, "I know, everyone in the town knows each others name. We knew yours because Trevor told us."

My landlord? Of course he would...He was never very secretive or at least it showed from how much he would constantly talk but he was an honest man.

I could see the trail ahead and a sense of unease creeped into my mind. What happens if this is a bad idea?

I began to shy away from the woods but the hand on my back kept me going. Adonis seemed so sure about these woods and even eager to go in. But why? I thought the townsfolk hated these woods and thought there was evils lurking...something didn't sit right but maybe it's just all in my mind.

I decided to push that unease in the back of my mind as we entered the woods. A smile crept on Adonis' face.