“We have to move!” I tell him. He grunts and we start crawling towards the study.
I turn us invisible as the door crashes down in the living room. Orders and footsteps fill the silent air. My heart races, wondering where my family is. I enter the study and as I close the door to the room, my eyes lock onto a figure that is running in my direction. Mr. Blake! He can see me! He must have the same gift Candy did. I never questioned what his original power was before he injected himself with my blood.
“I will get you, Willow!” he yells as I slam the door.
Using my power of strength, I push a metal cabinet in front of the door. I throw a chair through the window, hoping to divert their attention to where I’m really headed. Then I pull Michael with me through the secret passage, into Dr. Hastings room, and down into the tunnel beneath the floor.
***
“Willow!” I hear my name being called in the distance. A stinging pain hits my cheek. “Willow, are you okay?” I can hear the voice a little closer now. It’s a man. “Willow,” he asks worriedly. My cheek is hit again and I snap my eyes open.
Michael is leaning over me. His face a mask of concern. I gasp as I look up into the pre-dawn sky. “We have to go back now!”
Michael looks relieved that I’m okay but not happy with my order. “No, we need to go check out the base,” he tries to urge me.
I sit up carefully and lean into him. I’m about to say okay, but then the vision comes back to my mind. I shoot my shield up and the strange pull is released again. “No! I have to go back now! They are coming for my family. I have to get back there,” I yell at Michael.
His eyes widen and a look of pure conflict crosses his face. He looks towards the camp and back at me a few times. His look is torn. I don’t waste any time grabbing his hand. I’m going to have to utilize two abilities if I have any chance at getting back to the house in good time. His face contorts a little as he watches my eyes swirl with silver and yellow.
“We’re going to run, Michael. We’re going to run very fast.” Before he has a chance to question my motives, I whisk us off with ample speed in the direction of the house. I don’t bother utilizing the tunnel. The open air keeps me grounded and focused. I hear a yelp from Michael as his legs struggle to keep up with mine. He puts his hand up to guard his face as if he’s going to run into low-lying tree branches.
“Michael,” I say to him calmly. “Put your hand down. I’m not going to let you hurt yourself.”
His arm shakes just a little as he lowers it—his eyes wide with fear. The trees whip by us as I lead us through the woods and back to the house. I don’t go as fast as I can, for fear Michael may pass out. I could take him piggyback style but it doesn’t seem very ladylike.
We make it back to the house in half the time. I slow our run as we approach. The house is just as we left it. Crickets are chirping in the background and I breathe a sigh of relief—we still have time. I utilize Connor’s gift again and get us through the locked front door.
I tiptoe over to where everyone is sleeping—only to find everyone gone. My breath catches in my throat and I realize my worst nightmare is coming true. I turn towards Michael and at the same time, the picturesque window behind us is shattered into a million pieces. Guns begin to fire in all directions as Michael leaps on top of me. He lets out a grunt as we land on the floor. He grabs his arm in pain and I see the blood pooling from his hand.
Realizing my vision is coming true, I know the door is about to come crashing in. Healing will have to wait. I grab his good arm and pull him with me. We crawl on all fours to avoid being hit by more flying bullets. As soon as we reach the hallway, the door has officially been blown in. I instinctively turn us invisible as we crawl the rest of the way to Dr. Hastings’s secret room. The house is a sea of commotion as dozens of black clad men armed enter the house.
We crawl through the bookcase and come out on the other side. Michael collapses on the floor, writhing in pain. He grips his shoulder tightly where the blood seeps through his fingers.
I turn his face towards me with my hands, making him look at me and not the floor. “You are going to be okay. I’m going to fix it—just sit still.”
Michael’s face is one of confusion as I place my hands on his shoulders and focus on my healing energies. Within a few moments, he stops groaning. The bullet falls into his hand as it’s pushed from his arm. He stares at it in disbelief.
The sound of screaming orders and furniture being overturned sounds off in the adjacent room. As I wipe Michael’s blood off my hands by rubbing them against the carpet, a thought invades my mind. It’s a horrific one. I look up swiftly at Michael, who still sits in stunned silence. “We have to find everyone. What if they’re hurt? They may still be in there!” I leave Michael on the floor and rush back over to the wall.
Just as I’m about to go through it, he tugs me back. “Stop!” he demands of me.
“Are you insane?” I whisper harshly. “My family and friends are in there. They may even be dead!” Tears rush to my eyes and cloud my vision. My logical thinking is gone and all I can think about is the need to be near them, regardless of what may be happening on the other side of this wall.
Michael looks at me sternly. “No, Willow! You can’t help them, but you can help yourself. It’s what they would want.”
I look at him incredulously. “How the heck would you know what they want? You don’t even know me or my family!” He flinches ever so slightly at my words.
I’m about to use my strength to break free from his grasp when a calming sensation runs through me. I can’t tell if it’s from Michael or what but I invite it in. Something deep down is telling me to go—to get to safety. I nod my head at Michael and he understands.
We rush to the door in the floor and pry it open. With my energy spent from emotions and from healing Michael, I can barely grab hold of any of my abilities, let alone use them. I get on the ladder first and Michael follows closely behind, closing the latch behind him. We hasten our descent, taking the rungs one by one. When I reach the bottom, I let go of the rung and drop to the floor. A few seconds later, Michael drops down next to me. I can hear the distant sound of feet thumping in the study above us. It leaves me with a sick churning in my stomach.
I hear Michael fiddling with his lighter as he attempts to light our path. Neither of us took the time to grab the torch in our quick getaway. I see the first spark of the lighter and then a small glow emanates from his hand. He shines the lighter in front of us and I almost scream. My family and friend’s faces stare back at me… and so does a gun pointed between my eyes.
My dad lets out a heavy exhale and drops the gun to his side. “Willow! Thank God you’re okay.” He makes a gesture with his eyes upwards, saying a quick thanks to the Man upstairs.
I look past my dad to Marya and Alec. My heart starts racing as horrible possibilities cross my mind. “Where are they? We have to go back to get them!” My voice chokes on the last part when images of my baby brother, Tony, and everyone else still in that house come flooding in. I turn quickly to run back in that direction but my dad grabs my arm.
“They’re safe, Willow. Carrie, Connor, and Claire kept going in the tunnel with both of the kids. Connor is leading them to safety,” my dad tells me.
“What about Tony?” I ask, still shaking from the adrenaline that’s coursing through my veins.
“He is trying to find you. Both Tony and I had the vision in our sleep. We woke up and found both Michael and you missing. Then when we realized that we both saw the same vision, we quickly got everyone down here. Tony went out to find you. I’m not sure where he is. He saw your coat missing, so I’m sure he’s outside somewhere,” my dad says, his relief turning to worry when he sees my expression. I don’t even have to say anything. He quickly adds, “Then we are coming with you.”
“It’s not safe, Dad,” I tell him.
“Nothing is safe anymore, honey. We’re going with you anyway.” He pulls me into a hug with
his arm that’s not holding the gun.
“He left through the front door but I think his plan was to double back above ground, towards where this tunnel leads out,” Alec informs me.
“Okay, let’s get a move on.” I don’t wait for their replies. I barrel forward through the tunnel. I want badly to use my speed but I also don’t want to leave my father and friends behind. Not when there is a crazy madman and his blood-hungry loons on our tails.
We reach the end of the tunnel several minutes later. I help everyone out and into the freezing dawn. Snow is falling heavier now and while the sun is rising, heavy grey clouds are blotting it out. Part of me is grateful for the added protection that the snow provides and another part realizes that it will make it harder for me to find Tony or vice-versa.
I look around to see Connor running out from behind a grouping of trees. Then I see Sabby’s head peeking around the corner and he comes barreling for me.
“Wello!” he yells before he clasps his hands over his mouth with wide eyes. “I sowry. I suppose to be quiet as a mouse,” he whispers and tiptoes the last few steps into my arms.
“I’m just glad you’re okay. I love you,” I say in a whisper. I look over at Connor. “Have you seen Tony?” The concern is clearly etched on my face.
“Not yet,” Connor answers sullenly.
I swallow, trying to stave off the nausea that ensues with my panic. “Tony!” I try to yell inside my head several times. We can’t scream aloud. We have no idea how far away the enemy is.
“You need to take them to safety,” my dad tells Connor.
“Where should I go?” Connor asks. None of us are completely sure of our surrounding area. We should have staked this place out better.
“Head north east,” Michael tells him. “You should be able to find shelter along the way.”
“No!” I stare at Michael incredulously. “We have no idea where those lights are coming from. You can’t send them that way.”
Michael shakes his head and a look of pure confusion crosses his features. Almost as if he can’t comprehend why I would be worried about heading in that direction or sending my family there. “I wouldn’t send them that way if I didn’t think it was safe,” he tells me. I bite my lip, trying to figure out if I believe him.
“You saw lights?” my dad asks, interrupting my thoughts.
I nod my head and Michael says “Yes, sir,” at the same time.
“How far away?” Claire asks. Lillie is hugging her leg and Carrie’s leg with the other arm.
“Several miles but still!” I retort.
“We could just head in the direction and find a suitable place to take cover,” Connor tells me.
I take a deep breath. No visions, signs, or feelings are alarming me that this is a bad move, so finally I relent. “Fine—but, be safe! Make sure to keep a lookout for us.”
“We will,” he tells me.
Claire gives me a hug. “You be safe too, Willow.”
“Always.” I give her a wry grin. I look over at Michael and consider sending him with the others, but I don’t. I can’t tell if I trust this man just yet and I’d rather have him close to me and not with my little brother.
As Connor, Claire, Carrie and the kids run off, I begin frantically calling for Tony again in my head. “Tony!” I need him to hear me.
Please let the vision be true, I think to myself. He has to be okay. He’s going to ask me to marry him… My thoughts trail off as I try to make a connection with Tony.
Alec, Marya, Michael, and my dad stand with me, not sure about what to do next. I cock my head to the side and they follow me into the brush. At least this way we won’t be in the middle of a field and vulnerable to an attack.
Think Willow, think. Alec, Marya, and my dad start leaning in towards me. It’s kind of creepy and they’re definitely invading my personal space. I raise my hand at them. “Give me a little room, please,” I whisper. It’s like they didn’t even realize they were leaning towards me as they blush and look away. Okay, that was weird. Michael crouches about two yards in front of us, looking at us all huddled together awkwardly.
I give him a stare that says, You better not start too. Thankfully, he obliges and keeps his distance.
We stay huddled together for what seems like forever, Michael taking point. As the minutes tick by and with no sign of Tony, nervousness courses through my veins like tiny steam engines. I try to fight the anxiety but find it hard to just sit here and do nothing.
“Psst,” I say, trying to get Michael’s attention. He stealthily bridges the gap between us. Alec, Marya, and my dad have again allowed themselves to become plastered against my side. I kindly try to push them away so I can get some air again. Thankfully, Michael doesn’t mention it.
“I can’t stand to wait here any longer,” I whisper to the group. I feel like ants are crawling all over my skin. I’m about to come unglued. Not being able to communicate with Tony or know if he’s okay has my stomach in knots. Michael nods in understanding.
Michael pipes up into the silence. “We have to be smart about this. We can’t let our emotions get the better of us.”
I nod my head. The simple act of standing and running in the direction of the house full force wouldn’t be a good idea for any of us. Still… don’t think that thought hasn’t crossed my mind. I rub my chin, trying to think.
“I think we need to split up,” I say. “We’ll cover more ground that way. I know it isn’t ideal but I can’t just sit here and hope Tony crosses our path.”
“I agree,” my dad says. The others nod their heads in affirmation.
“I’ll take Michael with me and you three stay together.” I can’t mention that even though Michael saved Tony’s life, I still don’t trust him completely… Well, at least not enough to leave him alone with one of my friends or family. His intentions are about as clear as muddy water to me. Thankfully, the others agree.
“We’ll go to the left, as far as the river, and stake out that area. You three go to the right. With any luck, one of us will find Tony along the way. We can meet back at the river below the cave that we stayed in before we found the Hastings’ house.” I shiver at the name but continue. “We need to be especially careful as we stake out the house. There’s no doubt that these guys will have left a surveillance team in the hopes that we decide to come back.”
I look over at Michael and see the agreement in his eyes. Marya is almost in my lap and I not so kindly push her away arm’s length. She begins to lean towards Michael, making Alec slightly irritated. Removing Michael from the equation might be a good idea, considering the murderous look on Alec’s face right now.
I pull my dad in for a hug. “Please be careful,” I whisper, hugging him tight.
He pats my back, a soothing and comforting gesture. “I will,” he whispers back. He pulls me back at an arm’s length and looks me in the eyes. “Don’t do anything to risk your life, Willow. And I mean it. I know you love him, but we need you too,” he says in his stern, fatherly voice.
I nod my head that I heard him… I just can’t make that kind of promise though. I would do anything to keep Tony safe. But, right now, my dad doesn’t need to know that.
We all say our goodbyes and part ways. I watch as their figures fade into the early dawn light before Michael and I leave. We comb the area, looking for Tony. I bite my nails as we walk, a gesture of nervousness I thought I had outgrown.
“You know, biting your nails is not a very good habit,” Michael says, pointing out the obvious.
I give him a look that says, Leave me alone. He chuckles and shakes his head but keeps his comments to himself.
“He’s obviously not around here. We are going to need to get closer to the house,” I tell him, feeling frustrated after walking circles around the perimeter of Dr. Hastings’s secret exit for over twenty minutes.
“I guess we have no choice then.” He doesn’t look happy about it, but he straightens his shoulders and nods his head in a ‘move out’
kind of way.
We don’t talk much throughout the mile walk there. Mostly because we don’t want to give away our position but also because we have nothing to say to each other.
The knots in my stomach begin tightening as we near the house slowly and carefully. I try not to think about all that is at stake here.
Michael starts moving to higher ground above the house and I follow his lead. We’d have a better vantage point of the area from up there. We make our way to the top of a small hill and look down. We can see the home about a quarter mile away.
“We should go invisible and make our way closer to the house,” I say to Michael, breaking our silence. “My only worry is they have someone stationed at the house with light blue eyes, able to see through my abilities.”
Michael scratches his chin, contemplating this. He nods and I grab his hand, noticing how not like Tony’s his hand is. We take one last look down the hill and then we go invisible.
Stealthily, we make our way down towards the house. I notice Michael looking down every now and again, obviously surprised to not see the rest of his body. It looks somewhat silly for someone like me, who can see him clear as day. He examines his other hand, turning it this way and that.
The sweat in our hands meld together and I can only hope that if Tony sees us first that he understands why I’m holding onto Michael’s hand. With the house about a hundred yards ahead of us, we crouch down behind a fallen tree.
I bite my lip, trying to sense if someone is near us. I let go of Michael’s hand now that we are safely out of view.
“I don’t see anyone,” I whisper to him. I want to try to make my way back inside the house. Perhaps Tony is still in there.
Michael pulls out a pair of binoculars from his backpack. He scans the area, looking for anything suspicious. I do the same minus the binoculars. I find a small raccoon wandering over by the house and I watch as it leads her babies over the forest floor, foraging for food.
Michael taps me on my arm, hands me the binoculars, and points towards something. I put them up to my eyes and it doesn’t take me long to register a man. I am shocked that Michael even found him.
Ending ELE (ELE Series) Page 13
