Back home and back into a routine, Cory remained focused on his studies. Yet, the evenings while in bed his thoughts were filled with Neve. Still determined to understand, Cory had not found the courage to call Neve. Five nights after their encounter, Cory’s hesitation to call brought on an anxiety that gnarled at him. The lack of control over his situation and his inability to find strength to move forward left him feeling inadequate.

As the night wore on and Cory continued to toss there came a point when his desire to understand outweighed his confusion over the kiss. Near midnight, Cory retrieved his mobile phone from the bedside table and dialled Neve’s number. As the call connected, and Neve answered, Cory's confidence grew.

“Hello?” Neve asked.

Cory paused before replying, “Hello, Neve.”

No reply followed but Cory heard movement. Someone in the background cursed, the sound of a door being closed and then quiet before Neve whispered.

“Why did you have to do this?” Neve sounded terrified.

“I want answers, Neve.”

Another pause, before Neve replied, “Don’t call me ever again.”

The line went dead.

Cory stared at the phone tempted to call Neve back but didn’t. Now aware Cory had the means to contact him, he hoped Neve was smart enough to call him back. Cory placed his phone on the bedside table and curled under the summer doona still on his bed. The cooler months approached and his mother would soon replace the summer bedding for winter blankets. The cool night didn’t bother Cory in the slightest. Even with a doona Cory often found himself too hot. Perhaps another trait associated with his condition.

These thoughts, as Cory lay in the dark room, fuelled his frustration and as the night grew later, Cory’s relentless turning in bed made it worse. It was almost two in the morning when Cory snapped. He reached for his mobile phone and once again called Neve.

Surprised Neve answered his call; his sleepy voice told Cory he’d woken Neve.

“Do you have any idea of the time?” Neve growled.

“I can’t sleep,” Cory told him.

“Not my problem,” Neve replied.

“Yes, it is your problem. You’ve been stalking me for weeks. I’m not some stupid kid here. Something extraordinary is going on with me and you're involved. You should at least take responsibility.”

Silence followed.

“Neve, did you go back to sleep?” Cory asked.

“No, I’m here.”

“I want to understand.”

“It won’t matter, so stop calling me,” Neve replied with resignation.

“It matters, damn it. If you don’t tell me, I will find you and make you.”

“Don’t even think about doing that? Geez. Fine. I’ll been there in three weeks.”

“Why so long? Where are you now?” Cory asked.

“That doesn’t matter. When the next full moon comes around, I’ll find you.”

“You better come, Neve.”

Another pause. Cory repeated, “Neve, you better come.”

“I’ll come.”

The line dropped out and Cory placed the phone down again.

As he stared up at the ceiling Cory wondered if Neve would come. Neve might change his phone number leaving Cory without answers. He didn’t know where Neve lived nor did he have any other way to contact him. Cory lacked faith Neve would come. Something about what Neve said had given him cause for concern. Twice now Neve implied it didn’t matter. Did that mean his condition was temporary? That perhaps it might run its course, and that was what Neve waited for? Too many questions floated around Cory’s mind and it was another hour before he fell into an exhausted sleep.

As the phase of the full moon waned, so too did Cory’s extraordinary abilities. Over the course of the month, the temptation to contact Neve often peaked during the small hours of the morning, especially when Cory couldn’t sleep. As hard as Cory tried to focus on his studies, there were aspects about his life that now interfered with day-to-day activities. Even at the new moon, with his abilities at their weakest, there were elements that gave Cory an advantage over other people. Cory overheard conversations or saw certain details that made him cringe. He’d surprised a few people with his murmurings under his breath or sudden shocked state when some instances occurred.

If his parents noted his anxiousness or strange behaviour, they said nothing. Cory continued to behave normally; although living with his parents made the situation difficult given Cory heard everything occurring in the house, all hours of the day and night.

Tuesday, four days before the next full moon, Cory received a text message from Neve. The relief Cory experienced was overwhelming. All the tension he’d been carrying around over the last two weeks vanished with that single message. Meet at the uni campus Friday afternoon, outside last lecture. Cory ignored the fact Neve knew when and where his last lecture took place, pleased he would get the answers he sought.

The moment Cory walked out of his lecture, the anxiety that had been building during the last hour vanished the moment he caught sight of Neve. He leaned against the wall, earphones in, dressed once again in black from head-to-toe. In the light of day his attire did not suit his small frame.

As Neve spotted him, his subtle touch against Cory’s mind was brief. Cory made every attempt to mask his feelings so as not to frighten Neve.

“Hey,” Cory said, as he came to stand in front of Neve.

Neve removed his headphones and replied with a nod. The anxiety inside Cory turned to anger. All he wanted was answers. How hard could that be?

“Let’s go,” Cory said storming away.

Cory didn’t need to see Neve’s regret – he felt it. Neve was transparent and his inability to control his emotional connection with Cory betrayed him.

Outside, the cool autumn day became the reminder that winter was around the corner. Clouds overhead heavy with rain predicted later that night.

Cory wasn’t taking any chances walking close to Neve as they made their way to the bus stop. If Neve thought Cory’s actions were strange, he said nothing. At the bus stop, Cory explained, “We need to talk in private. We’ll go back to my place.”

Neve blushed and the anger in Cory reacted to Neve’s response. He couldn’t help it. Cory kept his own feelings in check, knowing if Neve sensed them he would run again. Cory had difficulties with the situation. Had another man confessed to him, Cory was sure he would graciously declined – and that would've been it. With Neve, it was not the case. He was different. Cory was different. They both possessed an unusual power, and dealing with a person’s raw emotion became something Cory struggled with. What they needed was to talk but Cory struggled to raise the subject. It was awkward between them now and it would be difficult to move forward if they didn’t clear the air.

They waited silently for the bus and the ten-minute wait seemed much longer. Neve grew frigidity in that time and Cory checked his emails on his phone. At the arrival of the bus, Neve drew Cory’s attention.

Cory looked up from his phone, then at Neve as he pulled out his wallet.

Stalker much, Cory thought, as Neve climbed onto the bus first and Cory followed.

They sat at the back of the bus, Neve by the window. The ride home in silence gave Cory the time he needed to calm down.

What was happening was serious and Cory needed a clear head? As things were at that moment, Cory suspected they would end up arguing if he continued to be angry, and that would achieve nothing.

Cory turned to look at Neve, who appeared lost in thought. He didn’t look twenty-two. Neve looked young and naive.

Neve sensed Cory’s stare as he turned to glance his way.

“So,” Cory said, as he tentatively reached out his feelings to Neve.

“Don’t.” Neve flinched away.

“We have to talk about this sooner or later,” Cory told him.

“I’d rather not.”

Neve returned to staring out the window and Cory stared at the other passengers. Once again his anger boiled. If they didn’t talk about it, it would continue to create friction between them. It was the last thing Cory wanted when he sort answers that Neve might not give because of the misunderstanding.

Neve shifted uncomfortably next to him while Cory tried to control his emotions. Why did Neve make it harder than it needed to be? Now, more than ever, Cory had to keep himself calm. To do that, Cory tried drawing Neve back into conversation. As it stood, they would get nowhere if they couldn’t mend the riff that'd been created.

On a whim, Cory said, “You should know Mum will invite you to stay for dinner.”

Neve looked over to Cory, surprise on his face.

“You still live at home?” Neve asked.

“You should have known that, surely,” Cory responded.

Neve said nothing as he looked back towards the window.

Shut down again, Cory attempted a second time with small talk.

“You don’t live at home then?”

“No, I live with my two cousins.”

The way Neve said it gave Cory the impression he wasn’t happy living with his cousins.

“Are they nice, your cousins?” Cory asked.

“You’ve met them,” Neve replied.

“Oh, they were your cousins?”

“Yes, they’re good people but they take what we do seriously.”

“It was obvious the first night we met. They were scary. So, what exactly do you do?”

Neve ignored the question.

Cory let out a deep breath and Neve slouched further in his seat. It wasn’t going well but Cory had been able to quell his temper. One more glance at Neve, Cory thought to give it another attempt, this time opening himself up to Neve. Perhaps, if Neve understood Cory’s confused emotions, it might help him to understand why Cory needed to understand.

“So…” Cory sought to touch Neve mentally.

Neve flinched and growled. “No.”

The low rumble of his voice almost terrified Cory, and it was his turn to flinch.

Yet Cory’s determination grew, he had to clear up the misunderstanding. “Look, you took me by surprise.”

Neve stared furiously at Cory. “Sure, and you’re gay?”

“No,” Cory replied.

“Then this discussion is over.”

Neve turned in his seat, his back now to Cory as he stared out the window. Cory became somewhat defeated. The situation far from resolved and Cory hoped Neve was still willing to tell him what he needed to know.