The Pearls

by Michelle Farrell

  “I am not a waitress anymore so ya’ll get to get your own drinks.” She smiled at them and sat down.

  Zoe shook her head and got up to get her drink. Gabe grabbed Justine’s cup and she told him what she wanted. Kaiden got up with Zoe and had Blake’s cup in his hand. As they came back to the table the food was there. Justine handed them their burgers and fries and they all ate in silence.

  Once they were all done eating they all took a bathroom break. They all got back to the car and Blake climbed in first then Gabe. The others waited till Blake was secured by Gabe.

  “Can you let me lay down and then tie my feet?” Blake asked

  “Yeah man, lie down and then I will figure out how to do this.”

  Blake laid down on his side facing the seat in front of him. Gabe clamped his feet together and then to the floor clamps. He left a little room for Blake to shift in his sleep. Blake put the headphones back on himself and put his pillow in place. He was all covered and eyes already closed when everyone got back in their seats. Zoe turned his music back on and caught a brief smile from Blake.

  Justine was on the road again and heading east. Gabe grabbed a pillow and blanket and closed his eyes in the passenger seat. Kaiden and Zoe had a little harder time getting situated. Finally Kaiden decided to put the pillow against the window and angle his feet towards the driver’s seat. He was still sitting but at an angle that was comfortable to him. Zoe decided to ditch the pillow and lay her head on his lap and curl in next to his legs.

  Kaiden put one hand on her hair and his other on her hip. He loved the feel of her body against his and he felt her relax. He stroked her hair and it felt like silk to him. She had the softest hair he had ever felt. He felt her falling to sleep as they drove on and on. “I love you Zoe” Kaiden whispered into the air and closed his eyes to join her in sleep. Soon after he heard he whisper “I love you too Kaiden” and then they were asleep.

  Justine smiled to herself. She finally heard the words come out of Zoe’s mouth. She finally admitted she loved the boy and that brought and overwhelming joy to Justine. She glanced over at Gabe with a silly smile on her face and noticed he was looking at her. “I love you Gabe. I am so lucky to have found Zoe and then you. I never thought that this day would come for me. I never thought that I would meet someone and fall in love. And the fact that my sister, my best friend, is falling in love at the same time just makes this all that much better.” She beamed happiness

  “My love it brings me such joy to see this happiness in your eyes. I found you about a week before Kaiden found you. I watched you and it broke my heart to see the constant frown you had. Then that boy shows up and overnight you are beaming with hope. I thank him for brining that joy to you. And I hope that I can make every day from now on your happiest. I want to make all your dreams come true. I love you with all my heart.” Gabe leaned over and placed a kiss on her cheek.

  “Get your rest baby I am going to try and get as far as I can as fast as I can. I love driving at night I can see everything.” She giggled

  “Take it easy baby you are going to hit lots of mountain turns and semis, and the occasional dear. Just drive safe and don’t kill us.” He joked.

  She just smiled at him and focused on the road ahead. Justine loved to drive and especially at night. She had the freedom of the road and all the hope of a good future ahead of her. She worried about finding the others though. She hoped there was going to be an instant friendship like there was with Kaiden and Zoe.

  Justine knew Zoe was about to have it the hardest. She was probably the only one of all of them that had a parent alive. Justine just hoped that Zoe was going to be able to handle what was ahead of her. There is a chance that her father may die during the upcoming confrontation. Would Zoe be able to handle seeing that? Justine thought. She let her mind wander around all the possible scenarios that are about to occur. Justine vowed to keep Zoe safe and help her through everything that was about to occur.

  Justine decided to focus her thoughts on something else and thought about what was in the package. Her parents now had names, Monica and Bradley Sherwood. Her mother had written her the most beautiful letter. In the letter she explained that she went into hiding in the human world soon after a man named Aldrich lost his mind. Her mother and father had ran together right after Aldrich killed their king. They shifted only when the pain got too much and they refused to fly. They would just go out on a very foggy night and shift for a while. After the pain subsided they shifted back into human form and left where ever they were at the time.

  When her mother realized she was pregnant they moved a lot. They came up with the idea to put her up for adoption early in the pregnancy. Her mother knew they were not going to be safe for much longer. Her mother explained that the day after she was born she had a lawyer come to the hospital and take care of everything. When he left she felt the half-bloods in the building. She wrote the note as quickly as she could and gave it to the nurse to give to the lawyer.

  Justine was thinking about the apology in the letter. Her mother had to leave the hospital before she was ready. Her mother wrote how much she loved her and how sorry she was that she couldn’t be there. She hoped and prayed that when she found out who she was that she would embrace it and accept it. And that they were going to try to get to Ireland. Her mother told her in the letter that if she had this letter to get to Ireland, that hopefully they would meet there if they were not dead.

  Justine let out a silent prayer that her parents made it and they were safe and alive. It was a farfetched hope and she knew that, she knew they were probably dead, but hope was still there. There was a chance and she was going to hold onto that sliver of hope.

  Justine was so lost in her thoughts and on the road she didn’t even notice when the sky started to lighten and the sun was peaking up. When the sun was completely blinding her she put down the visor and noticed the state sign. They were now in Utah. Justine let out a squeal of delight and then remembered her sleeping passengers. She clamped her mouth shut. Justine’s tummy rumbled its hunger a short time later and that seemed to wake Gabe up.

  “You hungry my love?”

  “I didn’t realize I was till now, but yes I am baby, shall we stop for some breakfast?”

  “I think we should my love. I know I could stretch my legs and then we can let Kaiden drive for a while. Then I get to cuddle with you.”

  “Sounds like the perfect plan to me.”

  It took about an hour for her to find a restaurant that was open. She parked the car and woke the others. They all got out stretched their legs and walked into the restaurant.

  Chapter 24

  Kaiden was now driving through the tip of Utah. The drive was beautiful and the heat was nice and not too hot. Zoe was beside him in the passenger seat and she was soaking in the scenery.

  “Do you like this area?” Kaiden asked her

  “Yes I do a lot. I have never been out of California so this is absolutely breathtaking.” She said in awe

  “Wait till we get into Wyoming. This is beautiful yes, but a summer in Wyoming, nothing can compare to that.” Gabe beamed pride

  “We should be approaching Wyoming in about an hour or so.” Kaiden said.

  “Ok well that gives me time to enjoy what I have in my arms, but when you get into Wyoming, I want to take over at Rock Springs.” Then it will only be about 5 hours until I get to see Mary again.” Gabe smiled and wrapped his arms tighter around Justine.

  Zoe looked back and smiled at Gabe. She was incredibly happy to see Justine this peaceful and relaxed. She couldn’t think of a time before that she had seen Justine like this. They liked to goof off yes but this at ease. She has never seen this in Justine. Zoe wanted to think happy thoughts right now. She did not want to dwell on the past. The past was now exactly that the past. All she had ahead of her was a future.

  Gabe and Justine were quietly whispering to each other and Zoe didn’t want to intrude on them so she turned the music on to drown them out a
little bit and have some privacy. Kaiden looked focused on the road ahead of him, but she wanted to talk.

  “Kaiden what did you like to do for fun before you started looking for me?” Zoe asked

  “Wow I don’t know really, it’s been so long. Lately it is mostly getting lost in TV or a movie, but I only do that to get my mind off the frustration. I still like to watch movies especially curled up with you. I guess we are going to have to figure out what I like to do.” He was thoughtful for a minute. “What do you like to do Zoe?”

  “Way to throw it back on me. Well I am usually so busy with school and work that all I really do is play my guitar. So I guess we can learn what we like to do together.” She smiled at him

  “Well onto movies then, what are your favorites?” Zoe asked Kaiden

  “Anything really but I am not too fond of western movies. The whole cowboy thing never appealed to me.”

  “We will have to watch some of your favorites I don’t watch many. What is your home like?” Zoe knew she sounded like an interrogator but she was trying to not think about her dad and knowing Blake was in the back wasn’t helping her. Talking was all she could think to do, plus she needed to get to know what Kaiden liked.

  “Our home my beautiful, what would you like to know about it?”

  “Well the house is built on a mountain right? What are the views like?”

  “Well when you drive up the mountain you see can’t see the house, you would have to know the entrance to the driveway or you would drive right past. But the mountain itself is full of trees and there is a waterfall not too far from the house. The house itself is huge. There are four different wings of the house and in each there is a master suite, three smaller but huge rooms. Each has a kitchen and living area. In the middle of the house there is the central kitchen and a great room. There is also a movie room and a library. There is a huge dining room with a huge dining table that could seat about thirty. My parents renovated the top floor themselves it is the biggest area. It is upstairs and has my bedroom and five others. My parent’s room is almost all windows and balconies. There are also bout four stories, the top is will be ours, since it was my parents, then the third floor is all suites, as is the second and first, but the first floor is where the central area is.”

  Zoe is watching Kaiden talk and she is in shock at what she has pictured in her mind.

  “My parents wanted lots of children, but they only got me. The fourth floor also has a living area and a kitchen. We spent most of our time up there. The house was built for many people Zoe. It was never supposed to be empty and right now it is. We will all live in the house until the others are ready to have their own place or they can always choose to stay. I am going to leave that up to them. But beyond the house there are several other houses, small of course, they are built into the mountain also. Those belong to the half-blood families that have remained half-bloods. There are the Barracks, that like I have said, are more of a huge apartment complex.”

  “There is a barn and a workshop they are both quite large. My favorite things are the caves that are hidden in the mountain. There is one that has a natural hot spring pool in it and there is quite a large ledge above it. When I was about five my parents found it and my father let my jump in. I had a blast that day. My parents used to turn and then put me on their back and give me rides.”

  “Your Parents sound wonderful Kaiden. I wish I could have met them.”

  “They were and I also wish you could have, it was horrible watching them get murdered. I was on my mother’s back you know.” Kaiden looked grim finally talking about that night. He didn’t want to talk about it but he wanted Zoe to know everything about him.

  “Oh Kaiden I am so sorry. You don’t have to tell me the rest.” Zoe whispered. She could feel that Kaiden was calm and intent on telling her the full story.

  “I want you to know, I want to tell you.” Kaiden looked to Zoe and saw the small tear in her eye. He opened up to her emotions then and felt her weariness but unconditional acceptance. “It was my fifteenth birthday. We had just gotten to the town you were born in and rented a small cabin that wasn’t far from your home. Well it was a tradition to give me a ride on my birthday. So after the gifts and dinner we went out to a clearing. My dad shifted first and in front of me. He was so big and beautiful. He was a perfect pearl color and massive. My mother went to a large bush to shift. She was almost identical to my father but slightly smaller and a little more feminine looking. My father has eyes just like mine. My mother had blue eyes. Anyway, it was always my choice to pick who I rode. and the year before I chose my father. This time I chose my Mother. My dad took off while my mother was still helping me get on her back.”

  Kaiden let out a breath and then began again.

  “My mom caught up to dad and then we went right and he went left around the mountain. We heard shots ring out as soon as we turned. I saw my dad just spiral to the ground and when he hit the ground he immediately turned to ash. I was stunned I didn’t know what to do. My mother roared and that brought me back. She tried to turn us around again and then more shots rang out. She was hit, but she managed the turn, and took us to the trees. She paused in front of a very large tree. She talked to me in my mind and told me to jump to the tree. She was so calm and so strong. Another shot rang out as soon as I got hold of the branch. She fell straight to the ground. She must have known she didn’t have long but she never told me she was in pain. In my mind she talked to me. She told me that you were here and that I needed to find you. She also told me that there are others, all in hiding, and that I was now their king. Before she could tell me your name or anything else, men appeared around her. They were trying to stop her bleeding with something, but mom kicked them away and turned to ash. Those men never saw me up there. They never looked up and I stayed up in that tree for three days. I was starving and weak and I pretty much fell out of the tree instead of climbing down. I found the cabin and quickly cleaned up and ate. I am so glad my parents taught me how to drive because I had to go into town to call Charles.”

  “Charles wanted me to come home right then and there. I told him what mom told me and he agreed to let me stay. He set up a bank account in my name and got me some ids and made me eighteen so that I could look for you. I went straight to Sacramento. Those men were near the cabin and I did not want them to find me.” Kaiden took another deep breath and wiped a tear from his eyes.

  “Mom would be proud of me now, I found you” Kaiden whispered

  “Damn Kaiden, I didn’t know you actually witnessed their deaths. You are a lot stronger than I gave you credit for” Gabe said

  Zoe had just then realized that everyone but Blake was listening. The car was silent but for the music.

  “Kaiden I am so sorry, I don’t think I would have been as strong as you.” Zoe told him grabbing his hand.

  “Beautiful, don’t be sorry. If you knew growing up know what you were and knowing that there was one person out there that was made for you. That would have pushed you to be strong too. And thanks man. I am not sure if that was a compliment or what.” Kaiden laughed and kissed Zoe’s hand.

  “Well I think it is sharing time. Let’s all get to know each other a little bit better and the trust could just grow from there.” Justine said

  “Good idea baby.” Gabe replied to her

  “I will start.” Zoe said and prepared herself for the feelings she was about to feel. “Well I was found on a door step. That family turned me into the police and I was placed with the Camden’s. I actually miss the mom and dad, they were really good to me. It was the perfect little family I thought. My sister was a little sullen girl and really only played with me. The brother he was older and played a lot of games with both of us. At night when it was bedtime I would hear the brother go into my sister’s room. I was jealous at the time I thought he was reading her stories and left me out.”

  “After my sixth birthday I found out it was not stories he was reading to her. He came to my room one n
ight and wanted to play doctor. I am not going to go into detail, but when he undressed and went to turn the lights off I bolted out the window. I went to my school and slept in the playground tunnel thing. They found me the next morning and took me back. That night and every night for a week they found me at the school. I tried to tell them about what the brother was doing but they wouldn’t listen. They sent me to a new foster home after a week of me running away. The next home was probably ok, but if I heard someone walk to my door when everyone else was asleep I ran.”

  “I just had this feeling inside me that told me to run and I listened to it. When I was nine, they sent me to a house that had a lot of other kids. I met Justine there and we were quickly attached at the hip. She kicked some poor girl out of the room they placed me in and she moved in. We didn’t talk much though. Thinking about it I don’t think we really ever talked, we were just together. That pull was there, but I didn’t understand it then, it was just like we had to be together. Anyway one night I heard the footsteps. They went to the room that Justine used to be in.”

  “I was scared and that little thing inside was telling me to get ready. I always had my backpack packed and slept with it next to my bed. I also always chose the bed by the window. Well the footsteps left her old room and went to the bathroom. Then they quickly came to our door. I looked over at Justine and she looked so scared. She just whispered to me to close my eyes and not look. I think that was the first time she talked to me. I flinched because she said it so mean, and I knew she was scared, I could see it in her eyes. But as soon as I heard that door knob shake, I was at the window on my way out and Justine was right there with me. She didn’t say anything she just jumped with me and we ran. They found us a couple days later. I always ran to the school I was enrolled in at the time. I didn’t know where else to go. They kept us together though after they tried to split us up once, we found each other that night.”