Awaken (Awaken Series Book 1)

by Jaime Guerard

  She didn't say anything else, just stepped aside and motioned for me to leave. Taking a deep breath, I passed her and hurried down the hall, not once glancing back to see if she was following me. I didn't want to be too obvious. Back in the crowd downstairs, I ran up to Stephanie.

  “Steph, where's Austin?” I interrupted her conversation with Katie.

  “If it isn't Miss―” Katie started.

  “Not now, Katie,” I cut her off. “Stephanie. Austin?”

  “I think he's over there.” She pointed to the sliding glass door, and there he was talking to Kyle.

  “And Beck? Where’s she?” I asked quickly, searching for her.

  “Not sure,” Stephanie said.

  Leaving them, I pushed through the people and finally got to Austin.

  “We need to leave,” I ordered. I checked behind me to see if Eve was there, and she wasn't.

  “Why?” Austin asked, confused. “Is this about the thing you saw?” His full attention was on me, not taking what I saw outside in the woods lightly anymore.

  “No.”

  From beyond the kitchen, I heard hooting and cheering. Then one person yelled, “Go, Rebecca!” Uneasiness ran through me.

  “Come on,” I ordered, running into the kitchen. I stepped in just as Becka downed a drink, everyone near cheering her on.

  Eve glanced at me and curled her lips up into an evil smile, her dark, black eye's burrowing into me. Something’s not right.

  “Beck, what’re you doing?” I gasped. The counter was covered with beer bottles and hard liquor. I picked up one bottle with a label that said, Caution do not drink excessively. Alcohol content 75.5%.

  “What is this?” I asked one of the guys next to me.

  “Eve got it. It’s illegal here in the United States.” He offered his cup to me. “Try it!”

  I took one whiff and jerked back when the smell burned my nose.

  “That’s horrible!” I coughed. I looked at Rebecca, as she took another big swig of it.

  “How much has she had?” I asked the same guy.

  He shrugged. “Dunno. About three of these cups, but she’s also been drinking beer.”

  “Ready for another one?” Eve asked Becka, pouring more alcohol into her cup. Eve glared at me, pleased with herself.

  “Eve, where did you get all this?” Pointing to the alcohol on the counter.

  “Oh, I have friends.” She looked around the room at all the faces I didn’t recognized and then back to me.

  “Beck, don't!” But she downed another whole glass.

  “Br-Brree...” Becka slurred, trying to speak. Her eyes were glassed over. “Don't beee...such a...” she started to sway and it looked like she was going to collapse but she grabbed hold of the end of the counter and pulled herself back up. “What was I s-s-saying?”

  “She needs to stop!” I yelled at Eve. But she just stared at me.

  “Again, Beck!” Eve hit her hand on the counter top.

  Reaching for Beck’s arm. “Rebecca, you need to stop.” But she downed another.

  I glowered at Eve. “Stop this right now.”

  “Or what, Bre?” she retorted. Her face was hard, pure evil.

  “Rebecca, let's get you home.” Austin tried to take her arm but she yanked it away.

  “No! I'mmm not leaving. I'm having...I'm...Hav...” Becka's eyes began to roll back and she was shaking her head like she was trying to wake herself up.

  “Beck!” I screamed as she gave out and hit the floor so hard you could hear her body smack over the loud music.

  “Beck!” I fell to my knees and shook her. “Austin, she's not responding!” I felt so helpless.

  “I'll call for help.” Austin started for the house phone, but Eve grabbed it before he could.

  “No, you won’t.” Eve’s tone was callous as she walked away from us, opening up the back of the phone.

  “Eve, what the hell?” Austin scowled, running over to her. He grabbed her arm and threw her against the wall, but she had already ripped the guts out of the back of the phone, wires dangling from it.

  “Austin...” Megan said next to me. Her face was white. “My older brother almost died a year ago from alcohol poisoning. I was there when he blacked out, this looks like the same thing.”

  I started to panic. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my cell phone. No signal.

  “My phone doesn't work way out here.” I stood up and yelled over the crowd, “Does anyone have a working cell phone?” One by one each person shook their head no.

  “Austin, what do we do?” I was shaking, tears budding at the corners of my eyes. I couldn’t imagine something happening to Becka. I looked back to Eve but she wasn’t there. “Where'd she go?”

  “I don't know, but we need to get Beck to the hospital now.” Austin bent down and picked her up, cradling her in his arms. “Everyone out of the way!” We plowed out of there.

  Outside the fog had thickened and it was hard to see anything. We were about half way when I saw a black car parked up against the truck, blocking it. It looked like Eve's car, but from this far away it was hard to tell.

  “What do we do now?” I looked around frantically. “We can take Becka's car.” I dug into her pockets for the keys, finding them in the second one.

  “Yes...here they are.” I ran over to the car and unlocked to doors. Opening up the back, Austin slid her in, fastening her to the middle seat belt and laying her down gently. He grabbed the keys out of my hand and thrust the driver’s side door open.

  Coming around the back, I heard something in the bushes. It slithered and moved quickly past us, rustling the leaves. I pressed up against the car, clutching the door handle, but didn't see anything.

  “Bre, let's go!” Austin yelled, the car's engine roaring to life.

  I threw open the door and shut it just as he stepped on the gas and rushed us down the driveway. Fastening my seatbelt, I glanced back at Becka who was motionless. Had she been breathing? I couldn’t remember checking.

  “Whoa.” The car jerked to the left, forcing me to look forward.

  “Maybe you should slow a little. I can't see anything.” The haze over the road was bad. Austin was squinting and the intensity in his face was unsettling.

  “Austin, what if we’re too late?” I began to tear up.

  “We won’t be,” he spit the words out and concentrated on the road.

  “Austin, LOOK OUT!” My heart plummeted to my feet as a huge boulder, the size of a small car tumbled right in front of us. Austin slammed on the brakes, squealing the tires to a halt.

  “What the?” Austin said, breathless. “Where did that come from?”

  Still gripping the door handle, I redirected my gaze. There it was, the dark figure again, glaring its cat-like eyes upon us, then it darted into the bushes.

  “Austin, that thing is out there again.”

  He hit the gas and sped around the boulder.

  “Bre.” Beck’s car tilted as he hugged a turn. “Look out for anything in the road. It’s really hard to see out here.” His words were quick and stern.

  “Alright.” My body burned with fear.

  I widened my eyes, letting them sweep over the narrow road ahead. Even if something else came out from beyond the forest again, we wouldn't be able to see it until it was right in our path. I gasped and my stomach dropped as we bounced over a huge branch.

  “What’s going on?” My nails dug into the leather of the door.

  We were at Queens Branch Road now, and I was thankful. It was a wider stretch of road. The speedometer was at seventy-five and climbing.

  “Do you have cell reception yet?” Austin fixing his tense eyes on the road ahead.

  “No,” I sighed, looking back at Becka laying limp on the backseat.

  Austin accelerated when the road straightened out. The houses were flying past us so fast that I felt like I was on a roller coaster at a theme park. The lights were streaking by, one after another after another.

&nbs
p; “Um...” I squinted hard. A large tree in the distance was swaying back and forth vigorously. “Austin, do you see that tree up ahead?”

  He slowed down a little and leaned forward.

  The tree was still far away, but it was teetering dangerously.

  “Yes,” he responded nervously.

  As we came closer, there was something black and spinning at the base of the tree. Fifty feet away from it, my heart stopped. We heard a loud crack as the tree started falling toward us.

  “AUSTIN!” I held my hands over my head. Austin hit the brakes hard and I lunged forward, my seat belt locking in place, saving me from slamming into the dashboard.

  The car came to a halt. I looked up at the tree hovering over us, motionless, stationary. It snapped in half and appeared to be completely detached. Impossible. Then, with one swift motion, the tree launched in the other direction, slamming into the ground, rumbling the earth beneath us.

  I gasped for air. I couldn’t move. Was I dead and didn't know it? If I was, then it wasn't painful at all. I felt a hand rest on my shoulder and Austin's hot breath at my neck.

  “You alright?” His hand was trembling on my back. I didn't look away from the tree lying on the ground. “Bre...what just...?”

  “I don't know…I don’t know.”

  Austin pulled me into him, holding me tight. “Bre, look at me.”

  I glanced at Becka to make sure she was still in her seat, and then turned to Austin.

  He cradled my face in his warm hands, completely silent. He searched my eyes before bending forward and kissing my forehead. My eyes slipped shut as his lips touched my skin.

  But the moment was over before I could analyze it. Austin threw the car back into gear. “Let's get Beck out of here and to that hospital.”

  It wasn't long before we were out of Wimer and Rogue River and on I-5 heading for Grants Pass. The fog had eased up the moment we got into town. The roads were clear, and it was easier to speed up.

  I tried my cell again. Now it had four bars, so I called 911. On the second ring, I was getting impatient. “Why isn’t anyone answering?” I glanced over my shoulder at Rebecca’s lifeless body.

  “Hello, this is the emergency line. What is your emergency?”

  “My friend she’s, she’s blacked out and she won’t wake up!” Tears welled in my eyes.

  “Okay, stay calm. We’re going to help you. What is your name?”

  “Breanna.”

  “Alright Breanna, where are you right now?”

  “We’re on I-5. We’re coming from Rogue River.”

  “Tell me her symptoms. Is she breathing right now?” The lady asked calmly.

  “I don’t know, she’s in the back seat and not moving. She looks pale and her lips are a light pinkish color.” I took a hard breath looking back to the road ahead.

  “What happened before she blacked out?”

  “We were at a party and there was a lot of alcohol. She drank a lot. I told her not to, but she wouldn’t stop. Then blacked out and hit her head.”

  “Okay, where are you now?”

  “We just got off the freeway and we’re on Grants Pass Parkway.”

  “Good. You’re close. Do you know how to get to the hospital?” The lady asked.

  “Yes.”

  “It sounds like you’re doing the right thing for your friend. I’m going to alert the hospital now so they’ll be ready for you. Drive around to the emergency entrance and the hospital staff will be there waiting for you. Stay calm. You’re doing the right thing. I’m going to stay on the phone with you until you’re at the hospital.”

  “Okay.” I paused, “Is she going to be alright?”

  “I’m sure the medical staff will take good care of her and she’ll be fine.”

  The emergency operator stayed on the phone with me as Austin sped down the road. Rounding the bend, we saw the flashing sign indicating the emergency entrance to the hospital. The car sped forward and we finally came up to the entrance where the medical crew waited for us.

  The nurses and medical staff ran out to the car, pried the door open and put Becka on a stretcher. They didn’t waste any time running her into the emergency room.

  We sat in the waiting room for hours with no word on how she was doing. No one would tell us anything, because we weren't family. It was driving me crazy not knowing.

  “Austin, why didn't I see this coming? Why?” I was drained. I buried my face in my hands. I couldn’t stop wondering if we were too late.

  “Don't blame yourself for this, Bre. She’ll be alright,” Austin softly spoke, rubbing my back.

  “Breanna?” a women's voice came from behind the counter.

  I looked up and saw Lisa, a nurse who was good friends with Rebecca’s family, place a purse on the counter and unraveled a scarf from her neck.

  “Lisa!” I shot out of my chair as she came around from behind the front desk. “You have to help me. No one will tell me what's going on or―”

  “Breanna, slow down...is your father okay?” Lisa’s face was concerned.

  “No, it's not my Dad, it’s Becka,” I frantically answered.

  “Rebecca? Rebecca Adams?” Her eyes widened and she grabbed my hand tightly.

  “Yes. They took her in about an hour ago and they won’t tell me anything. And I can't get a hold of Ronald or Cindy because they’re on a cruise.”

  “Calm down. I’ll be right back.” She jaunted away, heading down the hallway and out of my sight.

  Austin came up behind me and tucked me into his arms. I laid my head gently on his chest, closing my eyes and listening to the sound of his heart beating. It was fast and loud, but he hid his frantic emotions well, not showing any signs of worry, just calm.

  “I'm so glad you’re here. I don't know what I would’ve done,” I whispered.

  His hand brushed over my hair. “Me too.”

  “Where is she?” I said getting impatient after a few minute went by.

  “Bre, she hasn’t been gone long.”

  “Breanna,” I finally heard Lisa. “Come with me.” We followed her back to an empty room. She closed the door. “Okay, so I tried to call Ron and Cindy also. I couldn't get a hold of them so I left a message. I'm not supposed to tell you anything but―”

  “Please,” I begged.

  “But…I will, because I know you and Rebecca, and I work with Rebecca's parents sometimes, I’m sure it’ll be okay. Rebecca has alcohol poisoning. We had to pump her stomach. She’s in ICU right now and we’re monitoring her, but she’s in stable condition. You both did the right thing by bringing her in. That was some quick thinking there.”

  I threw my arms around her, tears flooding down my face. I heard Austin take a relieved breath.

  “Can I see her?” I tried to get control of myself, wiping my wet face.

  “Um...yes...but don't say anything to anyone, and it can only be for a second. She’s heavily sedated now and needs to rest.”

  “Thank you, I appreciate it,” I said and we both followed her lead.

  She took us back through two large double doors and into the ICU rooms where the lights were dim and it was extremely quiet. We walked around the big circular, gray desk before I spotted her. She wasn’t moving. Cords were hooked up to monitors and the first thing I saw was the heart monitor beeping. My own heart skipped a beat, but then relaxed as I realized she was breathing and her heart was beating normally. I came around the bed and sat down beside her. I took her hand in mine and held onto it tight, never wanting to let it go. Her face was pale white. She didn't look like herself at all.

  “She’s very lucky,” Lisa told us. “I don't know how she’s still alive, but she is. Most people who have that much alcohol in their system don't live to see the next day.”

  Lisa’s forehead was puckered with worry. She’d known Rebecca since she was a little girl. Lisa looked at me, with a silent question.

  I swallowed. “I wasn’t drinking, and I tried to stop her, but she just wouldn't.”


  “Bre,” Becka faintly whispered, moving a little. She opened her eyes slightly.

  “I'm right here,” I tried not to cry, but it trickled down my face anyway.

  “Bre...” One tear fell from her tired eyes. “I'm so sorry,” she mumbled in a horse voice.

  “Beck, don't. All that matters is that you’re okay. We’re both here with you.” I tried to smile but my quivering lips were fighting me.

  I could tell she was very weak, but she tried to lift her head. “And…my parents?”

  “I can't get a hold of them, but I’ll keep trying,” I told her.

  She looked to Austin, who was standing in the doorway.

  “Austin...”

  He walked around the other side of the bed.

  “Thank you,” she croaked.

  “You don't have to thank me. I’m just glad you’re okay.” He bent down and rested his elbows on the edge of the bed. “We were really worried about you.”

  Lisa broke in. “I'm sorry Rebecca, but your friends have to leave now.”

  “Bre, will you come tomorrow?” Becka asked, weak and frightened.

  “Of course, soon as visiting hours start. Rest now. I’ll see you first thing in the morning.” Austin and I met at the foot of the bed, and I smiled. “I love you,” I told her, and she lulled back to sleep.

  The last couple of months were a blur. Most of my free time was spent with Austin. Becka's parents grounded her for over a month so I was thankful to have his friendship.

  I made many attempts to see Rebecca, but her parents only gave me updates. ‘She’ll be fine,’ they would say, ‘she’s recovering great,’ and nothing more. I knew they didn’t blame me, but they weren’t too happy with me either. When I finally managed to get a hold of them to explain why their only daughter was in the hospital, they were really upset with me. Her mother yelled at me as though it was my fault, but I put myself in their shoes and didn’t take too much offense. Eventually, life went back to normal.

  Waking up this morning was bitter sweet. I had an entire week off of school for Thanksgiving, not that I had very much to be thankful for with my mother being home full-time. She’d found a local job here and was home every night. Consequently, my Dad and brother were home less. I tried to ignore her when she was around, but it was difficult.