My forehead still hurt, as we hit a bump that jarred me awake. Dax was lying beside me in the back of the SUV he drove to my apartment. I tried to remember how we had gotten here. Then it hit me, and panic ran through me. I rose and looked toward the front where the two Valks that had taken us were. Since when did these things learn to drive? I patted my side, and thankfully the blade I’d strapped to me was still there. I had to stop this vehicle before we got to wherever we were heading. Once there, it was no telling how many enemies I’d be up against. The army I’d just seen made my adrenaline pump. The numbers would increase soon, if we didn’t stop them. They would destroy Earth.
When I was sure they weren’t paying attention to us, I crawled over the seat. I took a deep breath. My next actions had to be fast in order to keep Dax and me from wrecking. Stealthily, I moved up. I simultaneously grabbed the back of the Valk’s head that was riding shotgun and inserted the blade into the back of his neck through the headrest and seat. They weren’t talking, so the driver never noticed his passenger’s death.
I moved over to his side with the intention of doing the same thing. As I was prepping to insert the blade, he jerked the wheel, trying to avoid something in the road, sending me flying to the door. His eyes shot to the back and saw me scrambling to regain my balance. He jerked the SUV off the road, making a car passing by honk its horn. I reached for the door handle to jump out of the other side, but it was locked.
“Damn, child locks!” I screamed. The door swung open, and he reached in to grab me. I saw the needle in his hand as he fought to find somewhere to stick it. I flung my arm at him and knocked it away. I then kicked him in the nose, which made a whizzing sound as it exploded. He blinked, as if trying to clear his blurred vision from the black blood pouring from his wound. Seeing an opportunity, I pushed myself up and locked my arms around his neck. I twisted until I heard the snap and felt his body slump against me. I pulled him into the backseat with me and shut the door. If I knew people around here wouldn’t freak out finding his body, I would have left both of them on the side of this little road.
I climbed into the driver’s seat and pulled back onto the practically deserted country road, looking for anything familiar. I saw a tiny gas station and stopped.
“Nice day isn’t it?” an older guy behind the counter asked. He stopped from saying anything else when he noticed all of the blackness soaking my clothes. At least it didn’t look like regular blood, or I would probably be getting the cops called on me.
“Yeah, it would be if I wouldn’t have had car trouble a little while ago and fell into this icky black stuff.” His body relaxed and his smile returned.
“You need some help?” He looked outside at the SUV with narrowed eyes.
“Nah, I got it workin’ now. I guess spending time with my dad under cars taught me a little somethin’. After I got it back workin’ I realized I had no idea where I was. I’m completely lost!”
“You’re in Silas. Where are you tryin’ to get to?”
“I’m tryin’ to get back to Jackson,” I replied.
“Oh, well you don’t have to do too much to get back there. You’ll just need to follow this road here until it dead ends and turn right. You’ll pass through two traffic lights on that road and on your next left, turn. That will lead you straight back to the highway.”
“Thanks for that. I thought I was gonna be out here all day.”
“Anytime. I hope you don’t run into any more car trouble,” he said, giving me a wink.
“Me either.” I walked briskly back to the SUV and followed his directions, which led me straight back to an area I was more familiar with. I pulled up at my apartment and found Shayla still lying on the floor of the living room. The stuff they gave us must have been extremely strong, but I guess that light ball took care of mine when it stung me in the forehead. I found Shayla’s phone and saw several missed calls from Fuzz. I immediately dialed back.
“Thank goodness,” he answered, breathlessly. “What happened?”
“Fuzz, we were attacked. Shayla and Dax are still out. They popped us with somethin’ in the neck.”
“How are you not out with them? How did you manage to get away?”
“They took Dax and me out to Silas in the SUV. Shayla’s in the same spot I found her earlier. I really don’t know how I woke up from it so quick, but when I did, I took care of them and got us back here. Their bodies are still in the SUV. I didn’t figure it’d be wise to just leave them lying beside the road.”
“I’ll dispose of the bodies, don’t worry about that. You should come out here for medical attention,” his voice was pleading.
“You can send someone to come pick up Dax and the SUV. I’ll take care of Shayla here … we can manage just fine.”
He let out a sigh. “Reese, I understand why you’re doin’ this, but I’d rather you be here.” I rubbed his necklace in between my fingers. The Valks that found me were dead. They wouldn’t be able to locate me as long as I had this on. I needed to stay put for now.
“I need a little more time until I’m ready to come back there, but the day is comin’. I’ll be back soon enough.”
We ended the call, and I sat and waited, with a sinking feeling that I would never be able to escape this nightmare.
Would the destroyed land I saw, be the fate of my world?
AFTER OUR ATTACK, Fuzz stayed at my apartment a lot more. He used the excuse of training me to keep a watch. I didn’t mind. He was the only one I trusted to have around me so much.
“Fuzz, do you think I’m ready to start training on my senses now?” We sat on the grass, around back of my apartment, taking a break. It had been almost four months since I left the training camp. I was getting tired of waiting. It was something I needed to learn.
He puckered his lips and squinted at me. “Close your eyes.” I did as I was instructed, excited he didn’t flat out reject me like the other times I asked. “Clear your thoughts. If you can sit and think of nothin’ but your surroundings, we can start.” I took a deep breath and leaned my head back toward the sky. The morning sun warmed my face. Someone’s wind chimes made a heavenly sound at a near-by apartment. The smell of bacon filled my nose. Suddenly, Steele face was there.
“Damn!”
Fuzz made a clucking noise with tongue. “Not quite there yet. Maybe you’re goin’ about this wrong.”
“What do you mean?”
He picked at some grass and gently tossed it to the side. “You’re so concerned with keeping those you love safe, but all you can do is think about them. Maybe you need them around.”
“Fuzz, I couldn’t live with myself if I ended up hurtin’ one of them.”
“They’re trained fighters, Reese. They can take care of themselves. Give them a little credit for what they can do. Just think about it.” He looked off in the distance toward the road. “So, I hear Shayla is plannin’ a big ass party for her birthday tomorrow night.” With Shayla’s birthday being the next day, she was determined her twenty-second was going to be a massive blowout. After all, a year ago I did ruin her birthday since I was too banged up from Wheeler to do anything.
“I tried to tell her it wasn’t a good idea.”
He laughed. “When has Shayla ever listened to anyone? I think it’ll be good for you to be with your friends. You need that. They make you stronger, even if you don’t want to believe that.”
“Maybe you’re right.” We walked back inside and finished training. Once Fuzz left, I wandered back to my room and picked out a bathing suit for the party. Despite feeling like I shouldn’t go, Fuzz’s words gave me a change of heart.
Shayla had vigorously decorated for the event. Thousands of lights hung in the trees and were woven into the flower-covered trellis to give it a romantic glow. The bar was stocked with tons of alcoholic treats. Foam was spread over the entire pool, making it look like a snow covered paradise on this hot Alabama night.
I went over early to get ready with the birthday girl. My bat
hing suit fit in all the right ways. It was a combination of light gray and dark gray. It was tiny and sexy, the perfect thing to make me look irresistible if Ollie showed up. After what I said to him, I highly doubted he ever wanted to talk to me again. I couldn’t say I’d blame him. I had just put on my black wedges when there was a knock at the door.
“Damn,” Payne said as I opened the door. My heart fluttered because if Payne was here then maybe Ollie was also. I gave him a big hug. It seemed like forever since I’d seen him. “Okay, I’m really glad I came now.” He smiled down at me and gave a little wink.
“Payne, I almost forgot what you looked like since you’ve been hiding from us. I’m glad you came tonight!”
“Me too. I was beginning to miss you girls, but you know, only a little bit,” he said, laughing. “Savannah sent me up here to tell you that you need to move your ass because there’s a shit ton of people down there.”
I followed him to the back door where the loud music from the band was flooding in. Payne was right; there were a ton of people in the back yard. I glanced over the crowd that was dancing, standing around the bar, and in the pool to see if I could find Ollie, but I had no luck. Through the mounds of people, I managed to find my way to Savannah and Lance seated on the sectionals.
“Lance, can you and Payne go to the bar and get me and Reese a drink?” she asked as she saw me walking up, clearly wanting some alone time. Lance eyed the bar that was slammed with people.
“You want me to go battle that junk up there?” She narrowed her eyes causing him to grunt, but he got up and went to get our drinks with Payne following.
“I know you’re probably lookin’ for him, but he isn’t here.” I couldn’t hide my disappointment. I felt like I had been gutted. I hadn’t talked to him in months. Him not showing tonight made me realize he really didn’t want me anymore. Why didn’t I just tell him everything? At least then he would have a legit reason to disown me. I was a non-human freak he would end up hunting one day.
Once Lance returned with our drinks, I got up to make a spot at the bar. I had a feeling it was going to be where I was for the remainder of the party. I didn’t need to act like the sour one of the group, especially since it was one of my best friend’s birthday, but it was hard not to. I watched the beads of sweat drip down my glass as I felt someone plop down next to me.
“That glass must be pretty interesting since you’ve been staring at it the last fifteen minutes,” Payne said. I didn’t say anything back. I couldn’t. The only thing I wanted to ask him was where his friend was. I didn’t want him to know how desperate I was to see him.
He sighed heavily. “Reese, I can honestly say I think Ollie is bein’ a dick for not showing up here tonight. Even if he is my friend, you are too.” I looked up at him with that. I never expected Payne to come out and tell me that.
“Thank you, Payne.”
Two hours later Ollie and Jace were still no shows. Shayla and I had officially drowned our sorrows in tons of alcohol. “I can’t believe things are really over with us. I thought he would have at least told me happy birthday!” she said.
“That dick could’ve at least sent a text message or somethin’.” She nodded and picked up her phone to see if she had missed one but found nothing. She started scrolling through her phone and her eyes popped open. “What are you up to?” I asked.
“I just found somethin’ I forgot I had. Jace doesn’t wanna come? That’s okay because he’s about to get replaced.” She started texting as fast as her fingers would allow and sent a message. I few moments later she got a response and started to smile.
“Who did you text?” I asked, thinking it was probably Tyler.
“I’m not tellin’, but you’ll find out soon enough. They’re on their way here.”
“Well, in that case, I’m gonna freshin’ up before these mystery guys get here,” I said, standing up to walk inside. I was glad I had locked the room I used to call my own that held a private bathroom because there was a long line waiting for the one in the hall. Once alone, I looked at my phone, hoping to see something from Ollie, but there was nothing. I retouched my makeup and went back to the party. As I made my way closer to the spot I had left Shayla, I saw her talking with three guys, their backs to me.
“There she is,” she shouted. The three Depot Demons we met at the gas station looked out of place here. Asher, the one who looked like a model, slowly turned toward me and gave me a sexy smile while he rubbed a hand through his short brown hair.
“Long time no see. How you been doin’, boo?” he asked as he slowly looked me up and down, taking everything I had to offer in. It made me a little uncomfortable.
“I’m doin’ okay,” I said, narrowing my eyes up at him. He looked down again and licked his lips.
“I’m glad Zane got me to ride out here with him then. I was hoping to run into you. Are you here with someone?” he asked. His eyes flicked toward the crowd for just a moment.
“I’m all by my lonesome,” I said.
“Good,” he said as he trailed his index finger down my bare side to the string on my hip. I moved away from him and focused my attention on Dax’s naked, drunk dancing in front of the band. I couldn’t help but to laugh.
Shayla giggled and I turned in her direction. She leaned against the bar. Zane had one hand resting on the bar behind her while the other moved down her back, his brown hair with blond highlights hanging across his face
“You want to dance?” Asher was very close to my ear. His voice gave me chills.
“Umm … no thanks. I’m actually about to get in the pool.” I didn’t wait for his response. I noticed out of the corner of my eye Shayla leading Zane to a chair nearby. He sat down as she slowly started dancing in front of him. His eyes were lit with eagerness.
I walked away from him, not looking back. I eased myself into the warm pool. The foam covered my head as I waded into my hiding spot near the wall. It was impossible to see anyone in this massive white cloud that floated atop the water until you were directly on them.
I waded for about ten minutes when I felt someone’s hands moving up my legs. Slowly, Asher came out of the water, his nose running from my groin over my stomach and boobs until he reached my face. “I want you so bad,” he said huskily. He reached down and put his hands on my butt, pressing me hard against the wall. I slapped at him. He was a lot stronger than me. I desperately tried to escape his grasp.
His hand started to make its way under the front of my bathing suit bottoms when suddenly he was ripped away from me and jerked out of the water. I looked up and standing on the side of the pool was Ollie, his face irate, screaming at Asher. I managed to climb out, avoiding the line of fire from the two of them, only to get bumped harshly as Jace tried to get to Ollie. Seeing Jace made my mind snap to Shayla immediately. I searched the spot I had last seen her and saw she was still grinding away, putting on a show for Zane. Holy shit! This isn’t going to turn out good.
“Cock fight!” Dax screamed, making his way around the pool still butt ass naked. I watched a few girls shove past him, knocking him down on the ground. “Ouch, I think I broke my dick! You stupid skanks!”
“Who the fuck are you?” Asher screamed as a crowd started forming thanks to Dax’s screaming.
“I’m the guy that’s about to kick your ass,” Ollie replied, throwing a fist and knocking Asher down to the ground.
“Ooh, shit! That fool just got laid the fuck out!” some guy yelled. Ollie walked over and began hitting Asher a few more times, making the guys in the crowd go nuts.
“Get off him!” Zane screamed. We all turned in his direction. Jace’s face started to turn red as Zane gently picked Shayla up by her butt and set her down. He walked around to us and helped Asher up. Neko, the third Depot Demon, appeared at their side along with Payne and Lance behind Ollie and Jace. “What’s goin’ on here?”
“It doesn’t matter about what’s goin’ on here, I think you and yo’ friends need to get the hell outta here,
” Jace said.
“I don’t think this’s your house to be tellin’ folks to leave,” Shayla replied, walking up to stand beside Zane.
“It’s okay, shawty. I think it’s time for us to leave now. It’s gettin’ a little crowded here.” Shayla’s face looked like she wanted to protest, but she said nothing. “Dream of me tonight,” he told her as he ran a finger down her face.
“Same to you,” she replied.
“I’ve dreamed of you every night since we met, and I usually cum when I do,” he said, turning in Jace’s direction with a smirk. Payne and Lance both grabbed Jace who had started to lunge forward, but they couldn’t keep his mouth quiet.
“You and me, right now motherfucker! I’ll tear you limb from limb, you scrawny ass bitch,” Jace screamed, desperately trying to fight his way to Zane. Zane just stared at him and started to chuckle, finding the situation humorous.
“I’m sure we’ll meet again and you can get your chance then,” he said as the three of them pushed past and left the stunned crowd. Doing crowd control, Savannah screamed at the band to start the music back up. I could feel Ollie’s eyes burning into me. Heat coursed through my entire body. I wanted him. I wanted him bad. Jace and Shayla were screaming at each other from the side of us.
“Now you see what it feels like to see the one you care about with someone else,” she said and turned to walk away. The hurt was obvious on his face, and it reminded me of the expression Shayla had the day she found Casey and him.
“Can you see that she gets this?” he asked, shoving a small box into my hands as he pushed his way out the crowd. I stared at the little package with a note attached to it when I felt Ollie’s grasp tighten around my upper arm. Pain shot through it as he guided me into the loft. Normally I would’ve protested this treatment, but I was too anxious to see what he was going to say to me. I let him guide me to the bathroom just as someone was exiting, before the next person could go in.
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