Shadowed (The Shadow and Moon Series)

by Michelle Areaux

  Sighing, I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I have no idea. I mean, for sure we are friends, but we haven’t really talked about anything else. To be honest, other than tonight, I haven’t spoken this much to Cohen before. But, there is something there. It’s undeniable and I can’t explain it or wrap my head around it, but there’s a spark between us.”

  “I get that, I really do, but…” Amy trails off, unsure of what to say next.

  I sit up and give her a serious look. “Amy, just tell me what you are thinking,” I urge.

  “Henley, I know you like Cohen. I think he’s great but, he is different. Whatever is happening between the both of you can’t last,” she says.

  I feel tears burning in my eyes and I quickly swat them away. I don’t know why this is so difficult for me to comprehend. I can’t just let her words roll right off my back. I’m a person and have feelings. This thing between me and Cohen may feel like a fantasy, but I have feelings for him. And, I know he has feelings for me, too. I felt good being with him. For the first time in a very long time, I felt good. I felt like celebrating something new and exciting in my life.

  I want to spend time with someone that I don’t fully understand. That excites me and terrifies me all at the same time.

  “Why not?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

  “Because, Henley. Cohen is different. He said so himself. If what he said is really true, those government people will eventually find him. You will get your heart broken.”

  Why is the universe doing this to me?

  “But what if they don't? What if Cohen can finally be at peace?” I ask.

  Now that I have met Cohen, the thought of going back to life without him seems cruel. In one night, I learned that the government is hiding a painfully dark secret about what they did to a group of people in the 50’s and had the most amazing kiss and moment of my life. Now, I am just expected to act as though none of that matters? To just be ok with the idea that it can all be ripped away at any moment.

  No.

  I refuse to accept that. Cohen was brought into my life for a reason. I have to believe that. If I don’t, then what is there to look forward to?

  “Are you willing to risk your heart to find out?” she asks.

  I think about that for a moment. But, it doesn’t take long for me to make a decision. “Yes.”

  “Ok, then. If you are willing to take that risk, then so am I,” Amy says.

  I smile at her because, right or wrong, Amy always has my back.

  “Thank you,” I cry out, pulling her in for a hug.

  After a minute, Amy pulls back. “Maybe I will check out his brother, Colin,” she laughs.

  Laughing, we snuggle on the couch and turn on Netflix. We lay there watching movies late into the night. Not worrying about weird government groups or boys that might be zombies. We just pretend to be two normal teenage girls hanging out. Because, this just may be the last normal night I have left.

  ****

  After Amy had fallen asleep, I grabbed my laptop and began searching the internet for stories about Richland, Washington. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe Cohen. It was more that I needed to read the articles myself. I had to see the truth in another form. As I typed in Richland and Army, several news stories popped up in my Google search.

  The Hanford Site, which was a military base in Richland, Washington, lined the Columbia River. Now a decommissioned nuclear production complex once operated by the United States Federal government, the site was known by many names: Hanford Project, Hanford Works, Hanford Engineer Works, and Handford Nuclear Reservation. Established in 1942 as part of the Manhattan Project, the site was home to the B Reactor, the first full-scale plutonium production in the world. The items manufactured at the site were used in the first nuclear bomb. The most popular known bomb created with the chemicals created at this site was the Fat Man, the bomb detonated over Nagasaki, Japan.

  My eyes grew wide as I realized I knew about what happened in Nagasaki, Japan. We had learned about that in my social studies class last year.

  I continued reading until I found something that truly sparked my interest. Feeling my stomach drop, I leaned in closer to my computer screen, making sure what I was reading was accurate.

  Sometime after the site was created, it was documented that many early safety procedures and waste disposal practices were inadequate and potentially dangerous and life-threatening. Some government documents confirmed that Hanford's operations released significant amounts of radioactive material into the air and the Columbia River. Names of people infected have since been destroyed, but rumors and myths point that up to a hundred workers were infected with radioactive materials that could have caused genetic abnormalities or even death.

  Genetic Abnormalities.

  Death.

  Everything Cohen said was clearly documented here. His family is part of that group that was infected. How could this be possible? Images showed a desert landscape and barren areas where the compound once stood. It was eerie to look at the pictures, knowing that years ago, what happened in those very places, caused people to become...radioactive zombies!

  ****

  Saturday afternoon, I had just finished my shift at the cafe and was walking back inside my house. It had been a busier morning than usual. Several families came in with crying children and groups of kids from my school made their way in before weekend sports tournaments. I was ready for a hot shower, my bed, and a marathon of movies on Netflix.

  As soon as I stepped onto my staircase to head to my bedroom, my doorbell rang. Sighing, I turned on my heels and bounded down the stairs.

  Opening the front door, I just about had a heart attack at the sight before me.

  A hideous green zombie with blood dripping from the corners of its mouth growled at me.

  “Oh my gosh!” I screamed, jumping back and almost falling over.

  A loud burst of laughter exploded from Cohen as he doubled over, holding his stomach as he laughed at my reaction.

  He was wearing a mask, something he must have picked up at a Halloween or costume shop.

  “What is that?” I asked, now starting to laugh a little myself. Now that I realized I wasn't about to be eaten alive by a zombie, I noticed that the mask was quite hilarious.

  “I ordered it off Amazon,” Cohen chuckled, removing the hideous mask to reveal his beautiful face. “I thought it would be hilarious. I mean, when people think of zombies, isn’t this what comes to mind?” he asks, swinging the mask in front of my face.

  I swat the rubbery material away. “It’s so gross. I think I like your face a lot better,” I mused.

  “Oh yea,” he winked. “I really like your face,” he added, leaning in and placing a soft kiss on my cheek.

  I felt the heat rise in my tummy as Cohen stood looking glorious and I was-- oh no! I must look like a disaster right now. I was sure I had flour on my cheeks from helping make pastries this morning and I knew I smelled like a giant cookie.

  “I look disgusting right now. I just got home from work,” I groaned, checking myself out and dusting off my jeans.

  “You look perfect. And,” he said, leaning in and placing his nose close to my neck, “you smell divine.”

  I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped as he nuzzled into me. “Let me go get cleaned up and then we can hang out,” I offered.

  “Ok, sounds great. What do you have in mind?” Cohen asked.

  “It doesn’t matter. As long as we are together, I will be happy with whatever you decide,” I blushed.

  Cohen sat in the living room and chatted with my mom and dad who arrived home shortly after I jumped in the shower. They always went to the Farmers Market on the weekends. After I showered and dressed in a pair of black yoga pants and an oversized maroon sweatshirt, I met Cohen in the living room.

  “Do you want to go for a walk?” I asked. We could maybe head down and get lunch by the water.

&
nbsp; Suddenly, a loud rumble of thunder bellowed outside and my previous plans were washed away. Looks like a storm is approaching.

  “Not really, unless you are into walking through thunderstorms,” Cohen joked.

  “There really isn’t a lot to do around here. But, we could watch some old movies on Netflix,” I offered. “Maybe even something about zombies,” I laughed.

  “That sounds perfect,” Cohen chuckled, throwing his arms around me. “You know exactly what I like.”

  We sat down and spent the rest of the day bantering back and forth about old zombie horror flicks. With each movie we watched, I couldn’t help but realize that Cohen was nothing how a zombie seems. I guess it just goes to show, nothing is ever as it seems.

  Chapter 14

  The next Monday at school, I couldn’t focus on anything around me. Which, wasn’t such a bad thing. The other students in my classes had been acting terribly for the teachers. They were talking during instruction, throwing paper wads, and being disrespectful. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but still their behaviors were making me sick.

  I sat there in class, ignoring all of them, and doodling on my notebook paper. So much had transpired in three days-- none of it seemed real. Cohen and me kissing. Discovering his truth. I had kept a lookout for Cohen at school, but I never saw him. I assumed he was probably doing damage control with Callie. It still creeped me out that she acted so annoyed when she caught me and Cohen kissing, but I still hadn’t allowed that to damper the giddy mood I was in.

  But, all of that had to be kept hidden from the rest of the world. It might sound crazy, but I had even found myself somewhat excited to go to school. My parents were just as surprised as I was, too. They had gotten home late Sunday night and seemed almost alarmed at my good mood.

  I was so lost in thought that I hadn’t realized Cohen was trying to get my attention.

  Cohen turned to me and nudged my arm. “Hey, you want to get out of here. These kids, are kind of annoying,” he said, looking around at everyone like they disgusted him.

  “Yes!” I almost screamed.

  I glanced around and realized that nobody seemed to notice my outburst. “Meet me after class by the back doors,” Cohen whispered.

  I smiled and nodded and then went back to my doodling. I couldn’t control the strange smiles as I finished class.

  ****

  “Where are we going?” I asked, making sure we weren’t being watched by anyone.

  Cohen opened the doors by the back entrance of the building and motioned for me to exit. I had never skipped school before and something about it felt so dangerous and foreign to me. But, I had also never liked a zombie-esque boy before, so I guess I was opening myself up to new possibilities.

  Squeezing my hand, Cohen glanced back one last time to make sure no teachers caught us, and then we began to run.

  Together, we ran out of the building toward the back lot of the school. A small wooded area lined the back football field. There was a small pond nestled out here and I had heard rumors over the years that in the warmer months, kids would skip class and go swimming back there.

  Is that where Cohen was taking me? I had no idea and I honestly didn’t care.

  We ran through the grass and felt the wind hug and guide us on our daring journey. I laughed as we passed through the football field and made our way to the tree line. As we reached the tree line, I felt a sense of exhilaration pumped through my veins. Being with Cohen was dangerous and exciting-- a dangerous combination for a lonely girl like me. Once we stepped inside of the forest, we made our way through the thick underbrush into the shadowed area of the woods. We slowed our pace and when we finally came to a stop, I glanced around and realized we were in the heart of the forest. Lush, evergreen ferns seemed to swallow us. Various shades of massive pine trees scattered the dense forest. I noticed that it was cooler in here and I shivered as goosebumps appeared on my arms. I hadn’t grabbed my jacket, so I was cold.

  It was also quiet inside of here, and I found a sort of comfort and solace as we stood, catching our breaths.

  “When I was a little boy, I would sometimes escape out to this small wooded area by the house we were renting. Back then, we never bought a home. We moved a lot when I was younger. My parents fear of being caught caused us to move many, many times,” he said, shaking his head.

  I waited patiently; my hand still wrapped inside of his. Cohen was opening up again, and I didn’t dare do or say anything to stop him.

  As he continued, I watched him carefully. “I would find a large tree to sit under and I would just stay there. Sometimes, I would take toys, other times I would just sit and wait. For what, I wasn’t sure. But I grew to enjoy the peace. I didn’t have my parents or siblings constantly hovering over me. I could pretend that I had friends. I could pretend that I was a normal kid and not the… whatever I am,” he finished, shaking his head.

  His story warmed my heart. I knew Cohen was different, but I also knew more than anything, it wasn’t his fault.

  “Cohen, you are normal,” I said, forcing him to look in my eyes.

  He shook his head, but I squeezed his hand. “Not like other kids,” he argued.

  “You are. None of us are really normal, if you think about it,” I said, a slight smile appeared on my face. “I mean, look at me. I have only had one friend my entire life. Kids here think I am strange. Is there something wrong with me?” I asked.

  Cohen looked deep into my eyes as he responded. “Not at all. You, Henley, are perfect.”

  His words caused my cheeks to blush. I couldn’t comprehend what he saw in me. “Definitely not perfect,” I mumbled.

  Cohen placed his hand under my chin and forced me to look back up at him. “Perfect in every way possible. You may not see it, but when I look at you, Henley, I see absolute perfection. I have dreamed of finding you forever. I thought it was out of the realm of possibilities for me. I thought finding someone to care for just wouldn’t happen for me. Living such a secluded life keeps me from meeting people. But then there was you. I saw you and instantly I knew. I would disregard all the rules we had created, just to be near you,” he admitted.

  Again, I felt my heart take a massive leap as his words sunk in. It was strange that this boy, who was perfectly imperfect, could see so much good in me. But, the craziest part was, I felt the same way for him.

  Noticing my silence, Cohen gazed at me. “Am I upsetting you?” he asked.

  Shaking my head, I smiled and brushed the tears out of my eyes. “No. I find it so hard to imagine anyone thinking about me like this. But, I sort of like it, because…” my words trailed off.

  “Because what?” Cohen prompted.

  “Because I feel the same way,” I admitted.

  The smile that appeared on Cohen’s face seemed to glow in the dimly lit forest where we stood. Wrapping his arms around me, Cohen pulled me into him and held me tightly against him. Being in his arms made me feel like I was floating in the air-- weightless and free.

  We stood like that for what felt like an eternity, before we walked around the forest, talking and sharing parts of our lives that we had held onto from others. It was an amazing afternoon and we never returned to school.

  Chapter 15

  Later that evening, I still had a goofy grin plastered on my face. At dinner, my parents tried to talk to me about my day, but I couldn’t think clearly enough to give them any real answers. There was no way I was going to tell them about skipping school with Cohen. Of course, I had told Amy, but she was the only person.

  “Henley, your dad and I are going to go get dessert at the bakery. Do you want to go with us?” my mom was standing in my doorway, as I lay on my bed, mindlessly staring at the television on my dresser.

  “No thanks,” I stated.

  “Want us to bring anything back?” she asked.

  “Sure,” I stated.

  “How about a piece of that double fudge cake you love?” my mo
m asked, wiggling her eyebrows at me.

  “Sounds great,” I smiled.

  She nodded and then slowly closed my door behind her. As much as I loved to go to the local bakery, I wasn’t in the mood for a million questions from my parents about why I was in such a good mood. So, staying home alone seemed like the best option.

  ****

  At some point, I must have dozed off.

  Suddenly, I was awakened by the sound of my doorbell ringing. Startled, I jumped out of bed and looked outside my window. I didn’t see Amy’s car or bike, so I figured it wasn’t her. Plus, glancing down at my phone, I didn’t see any new texts from her.

  I made my way downstairs and then was instantly reminded by the strange car that had followed us. I slowly made my way to the front door and peered out the small peep hole. To my surprise, I saw Cohen on the other side.

  I quickly opened the front door and smiled as Cohen waved at me. He had one hand behind his back and a giant smile covering his face. I couldn’t help but giggle at him.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked. It was late and I knew Cohen didn’t like to be out at night.

  “I brought you something,” he said, bringing his arm out from behind his back.

  In his hand was a single, blood red rose.

  “What is this?” I asked, reaching my hand out and taking the cool-to-the-touch flower.

  “A rose.”

  “I see that it is a rose, but why are you giving me this?” I asked.

  “Isn’t that what humans do? A male gives a female a rose when he wants to date her,” he said with so much seriousness, that I almost felt bad for giggling.

  “What are you saying?” I questioned. My stomach was filling with butterflies, and I could feel my face heating with embarrassment. I had never been asked out by a boy before, especially, not like this.

  “I really like you, Henley,” Cohen said. “I don’t really know how to do this,” he began, nervously. “The way I feel about you is very powerful. I know that I want to be around you all of the time, know you, and say that you are mine,” he rushed out.