I got up. “Stop it!” I yelled at Rosetta. “You're hurting him!”
She looked up at me now and I could see her irises were pitch black, no traces of her murky greeny eye colour.
She looked at me angry and frustrated, her brow creasing.
“Layla, get down and cover your ears!” I heard someone yell.
It was Hunter.
So I listened and dropped to the ground, pressing my hands to my ears as hard as I could, then I squeezed my eyes shut. That didn't help. I still heard a shrill high pitched scream come from Rosetta.
It sent a shiver down my spine.
I looked up and she was on the ground, unmoving except of course for the occasional twitching. So I looked away and closed my eyes again, I couldn't stand watching it. It was frightening.
I still had my eyes closed when something touched my hair, I re-opened my eyes and it was James.
He helped me up and I hugged him frantically. “Are you okay?” I asked, nearly in tears when I was finished hugging him.
He laughed. “Yes I'm fine,” he said as he returned the gesture. “Just a bit sore.”
We walked over to Hunter and Fredric. Fredric was sitting up on the ground taking deep breaths and Hunter was standing, looking straight at Rosetta, he looked like he was concentrating really hard so I didn't interrupt. It is almost impossible that she could have a Supernatural ability too, only I could find this many dangers in a small town.
I went and sat by Fredric on the cold ground and James sat by me too.
“Are you okay?” I asked Fredric, concerned.
He smiled. “Yeah, it could have been worse. She got me when I was moving around the corner.”
“I'm Fredric Bale,” Fredric leaned over me so he could offer a hand out to James.
James nodded, shaking Fredrics hand. “James Archer.”
It was silent for a minute after they introduced themselves, none of us knew what to say, so instead, I asked.
“What's he doing?” I asked, inclining my head towards Hunter.
“He's keeping her concealed in the box. Remember we told you about this the other day? Nothing with power can get in or out of that shield,” he said mockingly with a smile.
“Oh,” was all I could say, how could I miss the obvious.
He chuckled. “Yeah, if you are using your ability and your eyes are black you will actually be able to see the shield around her a lot better.”
“Huh, I wish I could see it,” I said quietly.
“James, Layla!” Someone shouted, sounding deeply relived.
We looked up. It was Elane and Jane.
They rushed over to us and kneeled down, asking us if we were okay and so on.
“Oh, I believe we havent been introduced,” Elane said as she looked at Fredric.
He smiled a rather flirtatious smile and then spoke. “Hi, I'm Fredric Bale and thats my brother Hunter.”
“Hello Fredric, I am Elane Archer and this is my sister Jane and my brother James as you probably know,” she smiled back, introducing everyone.
I rolled my eyes and looked at James. He grinned at me and made a gagging noise at the back of his throat when Elane had her back to us, trying to hustle Fredric.
We were both snickering and Elane turned to glower at us, so we stopped, but couldnt wipe the smirks off our faces.
I looked at Hunter, and then at Rosetta. She was now sitting up cross-legged and staring at everybody. I felt a chill run down my spine and it wasnt from the cold, it was the way her scary gaze pierced through me like ice. I think James saw it because he put his arms around me, trying to be comforting.
“It's okay,” he murmured to me. “We won't let anybody hurt you... ever. I know this may seem strange, but in time I would like for you to think of us as your siblings.”
“Annoying ones?” I asked jokingly.
“Hugely,” he said, exaggerating the word a little.
I laughed and so did he. I sat for a minute with him hugging me and then I laughed all of a sudden.
I think I now had three brothers and two sisters when just last week I had nearly nobody.
“What's so funny?” he asked.
I laughed again. “My family is growing bigger in such a short amount of time,” I said appreciatively.
“And now you are not alone, and never will be again,” he said kindly.
“Thank you.”
He let me out of his hug to stand up. “We need to take her back to Peter and Summer, maybe they will know what to do,” James said, speaking to everyone.
“But how exactly are we suppose to manage?” Jane asked, looking at her brother. “She will most likely compel us to rip our faces off.”
I shuddered at the thought of that happening, it was horrifying to imagine.
James sighed unhappily. “We need to find Sam.”
5. Abilities
I stayed with Hunter while the others left to go find Sam and convince him to help us get Rosetta back to their house.
I sat silently staring at nothing, just thinking. Within less than a week my life had changed so much. I was seeing things, listening to things that didn't look real, that I barely understood. All these things happened in a chain reaction to Adam leaving and I was having difficulty grasping the subject. Why did he go? He could have stayed and we could have worked whatever he was going through, out.
My thinking was interrupted when I heard Hunter start to breathe out of his mouth loudly and fast, it almost sounded like panting.
I got up and went over to him, putting my hand on his shoulder but staring at Rosetta.
“Hunter, what's wrong?” I asked, worried but still not taking my eyes off of her.
“I'm so tired,” he said in a strained voice.
I looked over at him and he now had one hand outstretched towards Rosetta, who was now smiling darkly.
“What do you mean? Didn't you sleep well?” I asked, confused.
He laughed a short strained laugh. “No, it's not that. It tires me when I do this, I wont be able to hold it much longer. Shes trying to attack both of us through my shield,” he whispered. “I hope they come soon.”
As soon as he said that Elane, James, Jane, Fredric and Sam came jogging around the corner.
Relief flooded through me as I saw them return.
“Hurry, he's getting tired, we have to do something,” I called to them.
Elane nodded at Sam, who walked forward until he was a few feet away from me. He pulled something small and black from his pocket and held it in the palm of his hand.
It was a blindfold.
I watched as it floated gently but swiftly from his palm and into mid-air.
“Hunter, close the walls in around her,” Fredric instructed.
Obviously while they were gone they had thought out a plan, lets just pray it works.
Hunter concentrated even harder now, but I could tell the walls were around her after a second because she wasnt moving.
“They're closed,” Hunter called.
“Sam,” Jane said.
Sam nodded and then turned his attention to Rosetta. I watched as the blindfold moved closer to her, it was only inches away. Then I saw Rosettas arms rise at her sides, her expression was horrified. Sam now had one of his hands extended towards her, palm forward, projecting light.
“Now Hunter!” Fredric ordered.
And sure enough the blindfold was over Rosettas eyes and everyone was moving towards her swiftly, except for Sam and Hunter.
Her arms were still raised but her expression on her face was enraged, even though I couldnt see her eyes, I could tell as James restrained her arms behind her back.
Hunter fell to the ground instantly and I caught him, but barely.
Oh, whoa he was heavy!
He looked exhausted. I felt so bad, everything is always my fault.
“It's okay, I'm okay,” he muttered, out of breath.
“Come on, just… let… me…” I struggled sitting us both down carefully,
but when we did he started slumping towards me. I let him lay down with his head resting on my lap as I stroked his brown shaggy hair.
I felt wretched inside, like my stomach was going to implode.
Hunter was hurt because of me.
“I'm sorry,” I lent down and whispered in his ear.
I felt his hand touch mine and start to pat it soothingly just for a minute. “It's alright, I just need to close my eyes for a minute,” he mumbled quietly.
I sighed and started stroking his hair again with my free hand. As I watched everyone huddle around Rosetta I noticed Sam hadnt moved an inch. I wanted so bad to talk to him, to reach out and take his hand, but I was just too frightened and intimidated by him.
The bell rung and by then everybody had decided what was going to happen. They were going to ditch school and take Rosetta to the Archer house. Hunter and Fredric needed to follow because they could help too, so it would just be me left alone at school. I felt sad about that and I think Jane guessed it.
“Layla,” Jane said softly.
She came and sat on my other side because Hunter was still resting as peacefully as he could.
“Yeah,” I answered, looking up.
“Would you like to come, this involves you too now.”
“Okay, yeah,” I said easily.
“Alright, do you want to ride with me, or Fredric and Hunter?” she asked, her tone still soft.
“Hunter and Fredric.” It was a definite.
“Okay, well it's time to go.” She rose fluidly and went over to the others, and I waited until she was gone to speak to Hunter.
“Hunter.” I shook him lightly.
“Hmmm,” I heard him answer.
“Come on, we have to go now. Dont worry, you can sleep on the way, and at the Archer house too, I'm sure,” I said to him a little quieter than before.
I felt like a horrible person, I didnt like it when people got hurt, especially when I knew them and cared about them.
I helped him stand up and supported him with one arm around his waist, and the other holding onto his arm that was over my shoulders. I looked at his face and his eyes were barely open. I sighed and shook my head in disgust towards myself yet again.
“I feel dead,” he said from beside me, making me scorn myself inside.
“You need help?” James asked slyly.
I could see a smile play around the edge of his lips.
“Sure,” I said.
He came around and supported most of Hunters weight so I was only burdened with barely any of it.
“What did you use to tie Rosettas arms together?” I asked.
He grinned. “My belt.”
We walked to the Mustang and I realised that Hunter was the only one with a license. I slid in first and James helped Hunter slide in next to me. Then, to my surprise, James climbed in after us.
“What are you doing?” I asked, surprised as he closed the passenger door we had climbed through, and then he pulled the seat back.
He rolled his eyes. “I would rather ride in a car with a little less tension, and I think this car is pretty... sweet,” he added, grinning while putting his seatbelt on.
“Okay, but who's going to drive?”
Fredric jumped in the drivers seat and looked back at me in the rear view mirror.
“That would be me,” he said, answering my question.
“But you don't have a license,” I objected.
He grinned but didn't say anything else, he just started the Mustang and pulled out of the parking lot.
I heard Hunter sigh sleepily.
I still felt like this was my fault and I pulled his head down softly so he could lean on me. I absent mindedly rested my hand on his hair. Nothing in this world ever makes sense, and if it does, it isnt very clear for me.
“Hey Lays?” James asked.
“Hmm?” I didnt turn away from the window as I answered.
“Do you want to know a secret?” he asked, a smile in his voice.
“It depends what the secret is about,” I said warily, watching the trees and houses pass by.
He smiled. “Well obviously it involves you.”
“And who else,” I asked suspiciously.
“Sam,” he said indifferently.
It took me a minute to compose my face and turn towards him. “Go on,” I said, a bit hostile.
His smile got even bigger, he seemed to be amused by my reaction.
“Nah, I have decided I am not going to tell you because I am pretty sure he will mention it himself.”
“What!” I nearly shouted.
I felt Hunter jump.
“I'm sorry Hunter,” I apologised to him and he patted my hand.
“What do you mean you're not going to tell me, after you just waved it around in my face,” I whispered, enraged.
He smiled playfully. “Hey, it is my job as a brother to annoy you.”
I glowered at him, but he just kept smiling, so I turned away to face out the window, annoyed and agitated.
We were on our street now and Fredric was right behind the yellow SUV.
I had to admit he could drive really well, considering he had no license, but really, what did I expect.
We followed them through the iron gates and up the long driveway to the Archer house. They pulled up out front of the house and we stopped behind them. James got out first and he helped me get Hunter out through the two door car.
As we lugged him upstairs I saw Sam staring at Rosetta intensely, and Jane and Elane were talking to Peter and Summer in the living room.
Sam looked at me, and at that moment my heart just melted because he was looking at me kindly, not a hint of rage or disgust or anything ravenous. I looked away feeling stupid, why should something like that make me react this way? How could I even comprehend how he made me feel? It was ridiculous to feel this way. My cheeks were hot and my head was dizzy so I kept walking up the stairs, trying not to trip. I didnt want anybody to seeing me looking so ridiculous.
We made it to the top of the stairs before we heard Jane shout out for James.
He looked at me. “Will you be alright, just until the guest bedroom?”
“Yeah I should be, go on,” I said, trying to be reassuring.
He looked at me doubtful for a moment but let it go, and then left me with Hunter.
We made our way up the hallway and into the upstairs living room, then we walked towards the second door in the room which was the guest bedroom.
“I could have got here myself,” Hunter protested quietly, his eyes half open.
“Mm hm, sure you could have. I would have found you asleep on the stairs knowing you.” This made him laugh a little.
I got Hunter to the queen sized bed and plopped him down as softly as I could. He laid down and sighed sleepily with his hair covering his face slightly. I looked at his peaceful face and thought of what I would do without all these wonderful people.
I took his shoes off for him and placed them next to the bed. As I began to walk out I heard Hunter murmur something. I went back over to him so I could hear clearly.
“Lays,” he said quietly, with his eyes closed.
“I'm here,” I answered, taking his hand.
“Layla, youre like a sister I never had.” He smiled, and I smiled too.
“Likewise, you're like another brother to me,” I whispered.
I swept his hair back and smiled again, then I left the room quietly. I made my way downstairs and when I reached the living room I couldn't find anybody. Then I heard a tortured scream echo throughout the empty house and I jumped.
It came from the office.
“Don't walk towards the screaming Layla, don't do it,” I said to myself quietly as I slowly walked over to the huge oak doors and opened one of them slightly.
When I peered my head through I saw everyone I knew, pinned against the bookshelves on the walls.
I looked around and saw Rosetta was standing in the middle of the room smiling deviously, her
hair was down now and her short figure only just allowed me to spot her.
I started panicking, she looked at me with her pitch black eyes and her expression suddenly turned innocent.
“Layla, let's talk now,” she said coolly.
I heard Elane scream, “NO!”
I looked at Elane and stopped walking towards Rosetta. I could see she was in horrific pain and as I glanced around, everybodys faces were identical to hers.
“Pedicabo vos!” Elane spat, in Spanish or Latin I think.
Elane screamed again, but it was one of those screams that would make your stomach churn because they were in tremendous pain, it was ear splitting.
“Elane!” everyone shouted in concern, but with difficulty.
Then, like a chain reaction they all screamed or yelled in horrific pain. What was she doing to them? Squeezing their brains?
I gritted my teeth together as my ears began to hurt and I wanted to vomit.
“Layla, come sit down, you dont want me to hurt your friends anymore, do you?” Rosetta gestured to one of the office chairs.
I looked at Elane but obeyed silently and sat in one of the chairs, not wanting her to hurt them again.
Wait, where was Sam?
As I was looking around I saw the office was a mess. I didnt think it was like this before Rosetta came in here.
“Well Layla,” Rosetta said, snapping me out of my investigating. “What do I do with you now?” she asked.
I had a feeling she wasn't actually asking me so I stayed quiet. I kept trying to figure out in my head why she was doing this. We had been friends for over a year, so why was she doing this now? She was hurting the only people who cared for me right now… besides Adam.
I looked at her, her Blondie-orange hair was a mess and her usual murky green irises were still black like the rest of her eyes, probably like her heart at the moment too.
“Well, I guess I could tell you why I'm doing this,” she said. “You see Lays; Layla, when you came to high school last year I knew there was something different about you. Did you know beings with abilities can detect if other people have them too? Interesting, isn't it? So I decided to hang around with you, make you trust me and so on,” she explained slowly, rolling her eyes. “I didn't find out how powerful you were till this lot came to town, so I figured they were here for you. But anyways, I was planning to get rid of you someday, it was only a matter of time, I just didn't think it would be today,” she said lightly, all of a sudden turning serious as she spoke again. “I have to get rid of you, you are too powerful. I can feel it radiating from you now... I wish it was all mine.” She smiled cruelly. “Well, back to business. How should I kill you? Slow and painful, or quick and fast?”
The Hidden Revelations: First Light Page 10