“Ollie, I won’t ask you to promise not to come get me again, but please, don’t come unless you know I won’t make it if you don’t,” he says, “and even then …”
I sigh and turn away from everyone. “I’m coming if you need me. Nothing will stop me, Mason, not even you.”
The frustration in his voice has lessened from what it was earlier. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I will.”
I expect his next words to be a mournful goodbye, but he surprises me by saying, “Look, I want you to be careful around Robin, too.”
“What? Why?”
“It’s just something the Parkers said about her. They’ve known her family for a long time and they weren’t thrilled to find out she was involved in all of this. I got the impression that they don’t trust her very much,” Mason says. “Just watch what you say around her, okay? Just in case.”
Biting at the bottom of my lip, I debate adding to Mason’s concerns. Will it do any good to make him even more suspicious of Robin? I don’t know, but at this point, I’m hesitant to leave anything to chance. Stepping out of the room and walking down to the hall until I know I am out of earshot, I still keep my voice low.
“Robin is… she’s afraid,” I say.
“Afraid of what?” Mason asks.
“Afraid of being left behind. Really afraid.”
Mason is quiet for a moment. “You’re worried about what she might do?”
“I don’t know.” I tuck my bottom lip between my teeth as I think. “I think Eliana’s death really did impact Robin, and I’m sure it made her grow up pretty fast, but I think her desire to help us comes just as much from saving herself as it does saving you.”
Sighing, Mason says, “I hope not, but it’s a possibility. Just be careful for now.”
“You too.”
After hanging up with Mason, I walk back to the living room slowly, wishing the list of people I could trust would stop shrinking.
Chapter 19
Who or What
(Olivia)
I fall into my seat in the cafeteria and immediately drop my head to the table. Yesterday, when I saw the warning, I felt physically fine. I knew it wouldn’t last, but I hoped it wouldn’t come so soon.
The squeal of an empty chair being drug back from the table sends a stabbing pain through my head. I groan and wrap my arms around my skull to block out the noise, if not the pain. Quietly hoping that the rest of the lunch hour will pass in silence, I squeeze my eyes shut. Unfortunately, Robin is generally incapable of being quiet. The screech of metal chair legs on linoleum as Robin trips over her chair is followed up by the clatter of her lunch banging into the table.
“Robin, please,” I whine.
“Huh?” Robin asks. Her noisy entrance quiets after a few seconds. She finally notices my condition, and says, “Sorry, Olivia.”
She sits down much more quietly, but the bubble of peacefulness doesn’t last. A strange stillness settles over the table. I consider lifting my head. The effort seems too much, so I don’t.
“You’re sick,” Robin says quietly.
I have to hold back a nasty comment.
“Sick like, the stomach flu,” she asks, “or sick like last time?”
“Which one do you think?” I growl. I wish she would just stop talking. Every word feels like someone is chucking rocks at my head.
“What’s happening?” Robin demands. “Can you tell how soon Mason is going to be in danger? Do you know if the Sentinels are truly coming for him? Is he still okay? Where is Mason right now? Can you tell?”
Forcing my head up from the table, I try very hard not to throw up. My words come slowly, and not very nicely. “I don’t know anything other than I feel horrible.”
The disbelief on Robin’s face makes me want to smack her. “But, you have to know more than that!”
“Well, I don’t. It might be the Sentinels. It might not be.” I slowly let my head fall back down to the table. “Considering the warning I got yesterday, it’s probably the Sentinels. I have no idea if they’re coming for him today, tomorrow, or a week from now. I just know he’s in danger and I think it might literally be killing me not to go to him.”
Robin’s hand clamps down on my arm, as if she thinks I am going to run off to find Mason right this second. Well, I might if I didn’t feel as if I’d pass out the moment I tried to stand up. I try to shake her off me, but I don’t have enough strength behind the movement.
“Olivia, you can’t go after Mason. You’ll lead the Sentinels right to him!” she snaps. “You already know they’re watching you. Don’t be stupid!”
“I didn’t say I was going to run off. Give me some credit, Robin.”
Her fingers slowly uncurl from my wrist, but she doesn’t say anything. I close my eyes again as she settles back in her chair. I can feel her eyes on me, though. I want to be annoyed by her mistrust, but in all reality, I have every intention of going after Mason as soon as I can stand up straight.
I jump as another hand brushes against my skin. This one, though, is not forceful or harsh. I recognize Hayden’s touch immediately. I try not to sigh as his calming influence seems to take away a little of the pain, but it’s hard not to.
“Hey, are you doing okay?” Hayden asks softly. “Do you need to go to the nurse?”
“She’s fine,” Robin snaps before I have the chance to answer. I don’t bother to lift my head, but I scowl at her all the same.
I’m not the only one who takes offense to her words. Hayden puts a protective arm around my shoulders and pins his stare on Robin. “She doesn’t look fine.”
“It’s just a headache. She’ll be fine,” Robin quips.
“Forgive me if I don’t trust your assessment over someone who’s actually qualified.” Hayden’s arm tightens around me.
I want them both to stop talking, not only because it really hurts to listen to them, but because I’m tired of their fighting. How is it that these two are my only friends?
Once again, I force myself up to sitting. The slow movement sends my stomach roiling, but I manage to keep everything settled where it should be. “You’re both right,” I say. “No, I am not fine, but I will be. Please stop arguing about it. You’re making me feel even worse.”
Thankfully, that does the job. Robin turns her attention to her food looking rather put out and Hayden does the same, minus the sour expression. That’s probably because he fails to remove his arm from around my shoulders and I am too miserable to bother with him.
I think I must doze off for a few minutes, because the next thing I know, I am nearly jumping out of my chair at the sound of another screechy chair. Hayden apologizes immediately, and then takes our trays to the trash.
“Olivia,” she whispers as soon as Hayden is far enough away not to hear her.
“What?” I whine.
“You have to tell me if anything changes with Mason.”
“Why?” I ask. “Are you going to help me go find him if it does?”
Her annoyed growl would bother me more if I weren’t so sick. “Stop talking like that. We are not going to go after Mason. That scary Sentinel watching you would be right behind us the whole way.”
“I thought you were desperate to go home with him. What if that’s the only way to make sure he survives their attack?” My words are a bit muffled as I’m talking half into my arm, but she gets the gist.
“I do want to escape,” Robin snaps, “that’s why weren’t not going after him. Just keep me updated, okay?”
I groan and bury my head deeper into my arms. “Fine.”
I barely get my thoughts calmed back down by the time the bell blares through the lunch room. Slowly, I push myself up from the table, praying Mason is safe and this doesn’t get any worse.
***
It got worse. It definitely got worse.
I only make it halfway through my next class before my teacher demands I go to the nurse. As I drag myself down the hallway, I debate fo
llowing through with his demands. I’d rather just go home. Stopping to lean against a wall, there’s a major flaw in my ditching plan. There’s no way I can drive myself anywhere like this. Realizing this leaves me with a new problem… who to trust.
Robin is at the bottom of the list thanks to her comments at lunch. For a brief moment, I consider texting Evie. It’s a very, very brief moment. Our few short tries at teaching Evie to drive in the hills outside of town left both Mason and I fearing for our lives. I shake those kinds of thoughts away.
Straightening, I know I only have one option. By the time I reach Hayden’s classroom, I’m ready to collapse. I risk peeking through the window in the door to try and catch his attention. The way his eyes are half closed isn’t surprising. He doesn’t see me.
Leaning against a row of lockers, I slide down to the floor and let my aching head rest on my knees. There’s only ten minutes left in this period. When the bell finally rings and releases the bored students, I mean to stand up so I can grab Hayden, but that proves too difficult. Luckily, Hayden spots me as he leaves the classroom.
Hayden crouches down next to me and asks, “Olivia, are you all right?”
I shake my head. “How much would your parents freak out if you ditched the rest of your classes?”
A little surprised by the question, Hayden only hesitates for a moment. “It’ll be fine. I’ll just tell them you were sick and needed me to drive you home and stay with you until your mom gets home. They’ll understand.”
“Um… this may take a little longer than that.”
Hayden rightly seems confused, but he takes it all in stride. “We’ll figure it out. Come on.”
Gently, Hayden helps me back to my feet. I can see the worry in his eyes and I know he is only seconds away from scooping me into his arms like the Prince Charming that Robin is so certain he isn’t. As much as it hurts to stand up straight, I force myself not to rely on him too much. I need him to save Mason, not me.
The walk out to Hayden’s car is slow and torturous, but eventually we make it. I slide into the passenger’s seat and take a deep breath as the pain edges down a notch. Glad whoever or whatever it is that’s in charge of this whole Aerling rescue business is in agreement that I’m taking the right step, I sink down in my seat and prepare for step two.
With all the practice I’ve been doing, calling up my ability to sense Mason only takes a few seconds. By the time Hayden is settled in the front seat, I have an idea of what direction we should be heading. Hayden starts the car and heads for the parking lot exit.
“Where are we going?” he asks.
Banking on Hayden’s devotion to help me outweighing his confusion, I say, “Hayden, I can’t really explain this right now, but I need you to trust me.”
Sighing, Hayden squeezes my hand. “I do trust you, Olivia, but you’re going to owe me a lot of basketball time after this.”
I smile weakly as the delay causes another round of pain. “It’s a deal.”
Hayden shakes his head. “Which way, then?”
“We need to head west for a while.”
One of Hayden’s eyebrows rises, but he holds back any other questions for the time being. I know his curiosity will get the better of him eventually. Hayden is the master of patience, though. He would have ditched me a long time ago if he wasn’t.
Miles pass by slowly as the sun inches ever closer to the horizon. The chill the setting sun inspires in the car forces me to sit up and open my eyes. I plan to ask Hayden if he’ll turn the heater on, but I catch sight of the clock on the dashboard and panic.
“I forgot about Evie!” I exclaim.
Startled, Hayden jumps. “What do you mean? Where is she?”
“She’s at school. I’m supposed to give her a ride home. She’s not supposed to walk anymore with that creep hanging around!” I rub my forehead as panic starts to set in. What was I thinking? How could I just run off and forget to tell her I wouldn’t be there to give her a ride home? School will be out in twenty minutes!
Shifting, Hayden pulls his cell phone out of his pocket and presses his finger to the screen, saying, “Call Matt.”
We both know that Matt should still be in class, so it’s not surprising when the call eventually goes to his voicemail. After Matt’s invitation to leave a message, Hayden puts the phone to his ear.
“Hey, Matt. I need you to do me a favor. A couple of favors.” Hayden glances over at me before continuing. “Olivia needed my help with something, and I’m not sure when I’ll be home. I need you to grab Evie after school and take her over to our house. Tell Evie that Olivia is fine. She just needed some time away from everything. Evie also needs to call her mom and tell her where she is and that… uh, that Olivia and I are with you guys. I’ll explain everything when I get home.”
“Hopefully,” Hayden mumbles after hanging up the phone.
I expect Hayden to put the phone away after that, but he doesn’t. He presses the voice activation button again and says, “Call Evie.”
It starts ringing right away, but I ignore it in favor of a question. “Why do you have Evie’s number in your phone?”
Hayden glares at me. “For emergencies or weird situations like this.”
Anything I might have said to that gets cut off when Evie’s message ends and Hayden starts talking. “Hey, Evie. I’m guessing you might have a better idea about what’s going on with your sister than I do at this point, but basically, she needed me to drive her somewhere, so I am. My brother, Matt, is going to give you a ride to our house after school. Tell your mom where you are and that we’re at my house, too. I’m guessing you won’t have a problem with that, given all your sneaking around with Aaron. If you have questions, call your sister.”
Hayden starts to pull the phone away, but thinks better of it. Before hanging up, he says, “Oh, and by the way, Matt’s single.”
He does hang up then, and drops his phone in an empty cup holder. I am trying not to laugh at his last comment. The icky way I’m feeling helps considerably with that. “Thanks,” I say.
“No problem. Every weird request just adds more basketball time to this deal.”
Groaning, I look away, but I have to admit he deserves a lot for going along with this. I settle back in my seat and wait for some indication that we need to change directions. More than an hour passes before I sense a change. I sit up and look out the window as I try to gauge where we are. It takes a few minutes before I pick out buildings I recognize from the many times we’ve headed out of town on vacation. Silently, I consider the pull toward Mason. I know we need to turn slightly north, but the road we’re on continues west for quite a while.
“Hayden, we need to start heading northwest, but I don’t know what road we should take.”
Either Hayden has given up trying to figure out what is going on, or he’s just quietly adding more basketball time. He doesn’t question my vague directions. Instead, he just nods. “There’s a turn off that goes through some little run down towns about three minutes away. We can take that.”
“Thanks.”
Hayden flips down the visor to keep the low hanging sun out of his eyes. “Any idea how much father we’re going to go?”
I hate to admit it, but I say, “I don’t know. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Hayden says.
I think he’s just happy to be spending time with me where I can’t run away or get mad at him. Smiling just a little, I turn to look out the window. I hold onto my ability as tightly as I can, waiting for it to tell me something and hoping it will come soon. It doesn’t come soon enough to keep me from drifting off. I fall into a sleep filled with dark images, fear, and pain.
Even asleep, I can feel my body curling in on itself. A whimper slips from my lips as I struggle to pull myself back to consciousness. An image of Mason running through a dark hallway makes me cringe. The heavy weight of the nightmares presses in on me. Panic rises in my throat. My breathing picks up as I see Molly cornered by a Sentinel with
a blade. I reach out, trying to stop the knife from falling. Yelling rings in my ears, but the words are buried beneath my terror. Lashing out, I go straight for the knife, but something yanks my hand back. I cry out as I struggle to get free and reach Molly in time.
“Olivia!”
I gasp as my whole body shudders in agony.
“Olivia! Wake up!”
My eyes snap open and the dream vanishes, but as soon as it does, I wish I was back in the nightmare. Searing pain rips through my body. Hayden reaches out for me, but I slap his hands away. My arms curl around me as I cry out, barely noticing the tears streaming down my cheeks.
“What is happening?” Hayden begs. The panic in his voice only amps up my own terror. “Olivia, please! What should I do? I don’t know where the nearest hospital is. What is going on?”
“No!” I beg. “I don’t need a hospital. It’s Mason. I have to find him.”
The car slams to a stop, jerking both of our bodies hard against our seatbelts. Hayden throws the car into park. I jerk forward again and slap my hand against my mouth in an effort to keep myself from vomiting. By the time I manage to pull myself together and sit back up, I find Hayden glaring at me with fiery eyes.
“Did you say we’re on our way to find Mason? Your kind-of boyfriend, Mason? Are you serious?” he shouts.
“I have to find him,” I whisper. “Please, Hayden, please.” Tears that have nothing to do with the pain course down my cheeks. “He’ll die if I don’t get to him in time.”
The fight holding Hayden’s body rigid doesn’t leave him completely, but it fades somewhat. His balled up fists spread flat against his thighs as he breathes out very slowly. “What?” he asks without looking at me. “How could you possibly know that?”
“Mason… is special. I know he’s in trouble. I’m the only one who can save him.” Forcing my body to uncurl enough to look up at Hayden, I say, “I can’t do this on my own. I’m sorry I had to drag you into this, but you’re the only one I could trust enough.”
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