Free Reveal (Cryptid Tales) by Brina Courtney

only one that we know of that is made up of entirely cryptids. Pretty much everyone who lives in the village is from an entirely pure bloodline. This also makes us an extremely small tribe.”
     
    After Hugh finishes talking I‘m still confused about some of our discussion, not to mention I think I’m slightly offended he’s telling me I’m part animal. Also how could he and Jeremy be related? I mean Jeremy’s family just left him here. But then it dawns on me that Jeremy hadn't really mentioned a sibling, but that didn't mean he didn't have one. If she (or he) was younger than him that would explain how Hugh was related. I still had to ask.
     
    "How are you related Jeremy?"
     
    He looks deep into my eyes, "Like I said before he’s my great uncle."
     
    I shake my head from side to side, "I understood that part but I still need a better explanation."
     
    "It’s complicated, and it’s late. We’ll talk about this more later.” He was starting to get agitated and I needed to stop pushing.
     
    I resign to just a nod to show my understanding.
     
    Now that I knew what he was, what we are, I can’t lose him. There is this cord tying us together now, one I will never sever. And to be honest, I only want to make it stronger.
     

Chapter 15
     
    We walk through the night, my flashlight showing us the way through The Darkness. The only things we hear as we arrive at the road are the sounds of animals and crunching dead leaves. I now see the beat up pickup truck parked in the trees; I don’t know how I missed it before.
     
    “ So are you really a security guard?” I ask, still trying to feel out who Hugh is.
     
    “ Yeah, I got the job as something to do on the weekends. My parents live too far away to visit a lot and the extra money is nice, not to mention the company.”
     
    I laugh as I say, “Yeah I guess your friends are pretty cool.”
     
    He smiles and says, “ Our friends.”
     
    “ Well I guess I’ll see you around.” As I reach for the handle of my door he says, “When?”
     
    “ Huh?” I say quickly spinning around.
     
    “ When will I see you again?”
     
    “ Oh, I dunno.” I blush. He’s standing so close to me I can feel the heat coming off of his body. I try to keep my knees locked so I don’t fall over.
     
    “ How about later today?”
     
    “ Later, today, like today, today?”
     
    “ Yeah, I mean unless you want to wait until tomorrow, but then you have school and I…”
     
    I interrupt him. “Today is great!” Well that sounded overly enthusiastic, but he is the one who suggested today.
     
    “ I’ll text you. And this time I promise, we’ll get together. Goodnight Shay.” He reaches around me to open my door and I get in.
     
    “ Bye Hugh.” I smile as I start the engine. He closes the door and walks away from me in the glow of my headlights as I begin to reverse. I stay until I can’t see his shadow outlined against the trees anymore.
     
    As I’m driving I realize I am totally ridiculously in love with a boy who is part cat. I am surprised I can even drive I am so freaking excited. I should be freezing in this weather, but I’m practically sweating because my skin feels like it’s on fire. I turn on the radio to keep me company on the fairly short ride home. Ke$ha’s Your Love Is My Drug is on and I’m singing at the top of my lungs when I turn onto my street. I look down at the clock and see that it’s almost four a.m. Whoa, Mom would freak out if she knew I was out this late. I quickly turn off the music and headlights. I enter my driveway at a super slow pace and park as quietly as I can. I close the door silently and head to the back of the house. I left the window in the living room open so I could get back in. After I climb over the windowsill I close the window and tiptoe up the stairs past my mom’s room. I can hear her snoring so I know I’m safe. I get to my room, silently close the door, and slip into bed. I hug my pillow and close my eyes