The Moonlight Circle - Cheryl Anderson (popular romance novels txt) 📗

have put a big flashing yellow light on it.I almost said that to him but thought i better not give him any ideas.Hopping on my bike I head toward the woods.I know Tony will be waiting on me at our ussual spot. CHAPTER 5 Tony

 

"Son of a ....." I whisper to myself. "Alli is going to kill me. I can't believe I'm going to be so late." Running through the woods headed for the thicket I always meet Alli at. I can feel the burning sensation of the healing paste James put on my face. Always a good sign its working. Hopefuly the shadows will hide my face. Alli always freaks when she see's new bruises, from my P.O.S. Father. Thinking back to what happened after I seen James earlier.

 

I had walked back in my house hearing stuff breaking, knowing it would be a bad idea. Still he is my father I had to make sure he was ok. As I open the door a bottle wizzes past my head, landing in the weeds barely missing me and the door. Profanity's spewing out the door, mostly a garbled drunken mess, I'm barely able to make out half of them. Plain as day I understood the next words that came out of his mouth as I closed the door.

 

" God dammit Tony what the fuck was that asshole doing here. I warned you what would happen to you if I caught him near my door again." My dad screamed at the top of his lungs charging toward me. He stumbled a few times before he took a swing at my face. His fist connected with my eye causing me to see spots. I stumbled backwards a bit before he swung agian this time nailing my cheek. The next blow spun me around toward the door when he punched me in the jaw. I reached for the door and in full sprint high tailed it for James's house. I could hear the obscenities trailing behind me. My only comfort was knowing he wouldn't come after me. My dad was a firm believer in " Not airing our dirty laundry in public." One of the only things that stuck after my mom died in childbirth. Everyone always said my dad was a great guy before my mom past. I guess that man is long gone cause I've never met him.

 

As usual James patched me up, still wanting to put my dad out of my misery. I giggle at the way James always refered to it. "Focus tony" I think to myself. I know Alli is going to beat me to the thicket if I don't hurry. Just at that moment I feel a burst of speed as my legs start running faster. I almost feel like I'm flying as everything speeds past me in a blur. I start to slow as I realise at this speed I'm going to zoom right past the thicket. Coming to a stop at the edge of the thicke I scan the area. Alli is no where to be seen. She should be here already. I glance down at my watch wondering how late I am. Its only been 5 minutes since I left James house.

 

"How is that possible?" I say outloud. It ussually takes at least 20 minutes, even if I'm running. I'm still shaking my head in utter confusion. Something is going on with me, but im not sure what. Last month when we came out here, my eyes were different. I didn't need my glasses anymore. In fact I could see things more then clearly. When I took my glasses off, I could see things miles away. My peripheral vision was outstanding. At first I thought I was hallucinating. Until I started researching vision changes. Either I was some mythical supernatural creature or I have a brain tumor. I was willing to bet on the latter. Alli doesn't know about any of this. Nor does she know exactly how much I'm in love with her. No one does.

 

"Who are you talking to ,Tony" Alliona says as she pulls up on her bike, Looking like a space invader with all the getup her parents make her wear to ride her bike at night. "I thought we agreed we would come alone, you know the stories Tony..... If anyone finds out I could be burned as a witch." Her voice shaking as she looks around, totally freaking out.

 

"Nobody Alli I was taking to myself . I got here alot faster then I thought I would. Sorta caught me offguard." I say trying to reassure her that everything is ok. "Do you got everything you need? If so lock up your bike so we can head in." I say softly trying to get her mind off my crazy moment.

 

I grabbed her bag off her bike, keeping my head down hoping she wouldn't see my face. She finished clicking the lock in place. Stood up and put her arm through mine and tried smiling at me. Pulling me to a stop when she felt the tension coming off me.

 

"Tony, is everything OK? You seem really tense. Why won't you look at me? She says sounding deeply concerned. "Are you mad at me? I'm sorry I freaked out. I know I'm probably paranoid for no reason. But please don't be mad at me."

 

I sigh "I'm not mad Alli, I promise. Just thinking is all. Don't worry I'll always protect you." I shoot her a smile keeping the left side of my face to the shadows.

 

She smiles that beautiful smile that always warms my heart. The same smile I envision right before I fall asleep. Always hoping someday she will only smile like that for me. Lost in my thoughts I almost didnt hear her when she said "Good I'm glad. I always feel safe when your with me."

 

We slowed as we reached the edge of her moms property. She releases my arm and lights the sage. Walking clockwise around the circle stopping at each point marking the 4 directions. East,south,west,and north saying a little chant at each spot, before slowly walking to the center. Last night I came out here and gathered firewood and set it up in the pit. Hoping to have everything ready for her. As she got closer to the pit she stopped. Lifted her gaze to mine and she smiled.

 

"Did you do this? When did you find he time?" Her smile this time I knew was just for me. " Goddess I love you Tony, You know that." Oh if only she meant that as more then just friends I could die a happy man.

 

She bent down to light the fire. My eyes unable to stop staring at her. As I watched her go over to her bag I set on the natural table, made out of a tree stump by the firepit. She bagan setting everything up. Softly I could hear her begin to sing or chant. I began focusing on the sound and i swear my hearing sharpened. I could make out every pitch, every tone. Off in the distance I heard a rustling in the underbrush dismissing it as a rabbit, or some other nocturnal wildlife. I tried focusing back on the the beautiful music coming from the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. Alexa might look like a model but Alliona looked like an angel in my eyes.

 

There it was again the rustle in the brush but i couldn't quite make out if it was coming towards us or away from us. Tree branches broke this time I was sure it was to high up in the trees to be a rabbit. Something was out there chasing a smaller creature. Taking my eyes off Alli I reached up and removed my glasses. Focusing hard in the direction of the noise. I saw what looked like a rabbit first then what appeared to be a person hot on its trail. Cunfused I rubbed my eyes, Positive that blow to the head earlier must have knocked something loose. Focusing again in that direction, there was nothing there. Staring for a few more minutes about to shake my head. When my peripheral vision caught somebody walking back from the direction the creatures were headed. The person had long black hair, shaking their head and running fingers through their hair, trying to remove leaves and twigs. The person was petite about the size of Alexa. Stop it Tony she can be out here. I'm sure she is at home unpacking or sleeping it is late afterall.

 

I start to turn away when the person stops sniffs the air, and slowly turns to look in our direction. No freaking way. What the hell is she doing out here. Our eyes meet and she brings her finger to her mouth in the shhh fashion. I nod to let her know I wouldn"t say anything. She turns and disappears almost I can see the blur and th bend of the tree branches but to normal eyes that would look like the wind blowing.

 

I hear my voice being called gently at first, then louder and a bit more frantic. "Tony what is it? Whats out there? Are you ok?" Alli is trying to get my attention almost to a full panic. "Tony answer me." she screams.

 

"It was nothing. I thought I seen something. Maybe im just seeing things." I say as I put my glasses back on. "How goes the ritual sorry if i interupted or distracted you."

 

"Are you sure?" she says with that questioning look in her eyes. I nod in reply. "OK good cause we are done for the night the circle is closed. Now we can go." she walks slowly toward me pausing to look at me closely in the dying firelight. She rises on her tiptoes and kisses me on the cheek. "Thank you Tony for always watching out for me. Your the greatest." her right palm caresses my left check.

 

Oh my god do I want to kiss her and just as I'm abut to lean down to try. She jerks her hand back "Tony whats on your face? What happened?" she gasps as she see's the bruising on my cheek. "He hit you again didn't he? Tony I have to tell my mom. He's going to kill you one day if I don't protect you,like you've always protected me."

 

"It's OK Alli. Don't worry I'm going to crash with James tonight. Please don't say anything. They will take me away from you." I say pleading wih her. I'll be lost without her.

 

"But Tony I love you and I can't live without you. You are my world can't you see that." she turns away with tears in her eyes. I try to reach for her but she brushes my hand away and walks over to gather the last of her things.

 

"Alli wait, please." I hurry behind her. I reach for her hand and as I grasp it I spin her around. Knowing this could be the nail in my coffin. I can't stop myself. My other hand comes up below her chin. I tilt it up so I can look into those beautiful green eyes at least on last time. I lean