Grounded

by Constance Sharper

  Avery pressed her back against the wall and held her breath. The tears kept threatening to come. Too much stress too fast. Avery couldn’t take this now.

  “Rafael! How are you?” Leela’s blurting voice came out bubbly. Rafael swung around, surprised by her appearance but the harpie didn’t lash forward in attack.

  His brown eyes sized her up and he double took.

  “Human girlie? Still alive?” He quirked.

  “No thanks to you! I can’t believe you let them take me off that island. I want to talk to Mikhail now.”

  Avery leaned forward and stole another glance. Leela faced away and her expression was invisible. But the tone sounded sincere and it stung badly. A pause lulled in the conversation after Leela’s demand and Rafael took his time considering an answer.

  “Mikhail has better things to do right now little lady.”

  “Yea, and what’s that?” Leela snapped back. The jolt in her tone didn’t bother Rafael. To talk to a killer like that was just insane. And then it got stranger. “Avery and Mason are already long gone.” Leela added.

  Rafael’s brows shot up under his black hair.

  “Do you know where they’ve gone?” He quizzed immediately. His wings twitched with intrigue.

  “Yea, they were going to the airport. And they actually wanted me to go with them to Florida. Can you believe that?” Leela hit every note perfectly and said the lie so smoothly, it could have duped Avery.

  “They left to go to the airport?” Rafael asked again but his face had lit up. Rafael fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

  “Yea, I mean you better go catch them or they’ll be out of town in the next hour. Now can I talk to Mikhail?”

  Suddenly preoccupied Rafael turned away from her. His attention went to the south hall, probably where the rest of the Band members lingered, and he ignored Leela.

  “Not now kid.” He waved her off and with that, took off down the hall in a hurry. After a minute, Leela slipped back into the room.

  Avery had half a mind to slap her. Hand twitching at her side, she didn’t.

  “What was that?” Avery demanded frantically. Standing up, she joined the girl’s side.

  Leela’s cheeks reddened and she offered, “Me saving you as payback for being stupid?”

  A grin stole over Avery’s face and Avery wiped at her burning eyes. She’d thought she’d lost Leela yet again and that emotion washed through her before dissipating.

  “He could have seen right through that.” Avery still pointed out.

  To be fair though, Avery had barely seen right through that.

  “He didn’t though. Now let’s beat it before they go to the airport and realize that I lied.”

  Avery nodded automatically. Catching Leela’s hand again, the two continued down the hall. Each step farther, the green gas cleared but it wasn’t comforting. With no fog, they were in the open. The halls had few alcoves to hide behind and though pressed close to the nooks, they weren’t hidden. They were vulnerable.

  “Quickly.” Leela pointed out. Stalling here wouldn’t help any. Avery picked up the pace, using day old memories to lead the way. At the end of the hall was a polished wood grandfather clock-- there they took a left. Floral wallpaper and overly bright fluorescents followed them. Right at the first corner by the glass nightstand. Only the metal exit door remained in the last hall.

  Avery stopped when she spotted it, held her breath, and listened for sound. Her ears still buzzed and her hearing stayed fuzzy. But she heard nothing besides the hissing of the heater and their heavy breathing.

  Outside that heavy steel door were the grey muddy field and the perimeter wall. Almost a hundred feet outside of that was the first hint of asphalt and road. No trees or coverage to be found, they’d be at a disadvantage.

  “Let me go first.” Leela suddenly whispered. “If no one is there, then I’ll wave you out.”

  “Don’t be stupid.” Avery held her back, digging her fingers in Leela’s jacket until her knuckles turned white.

  “Look, I just walked passed Rafael, right? I can do it again. Besides, I’m not the one they’ll kill on sight.”

  Avery pressed her lips together until they formed a thin line. She wasn’t willing to bet that every other Band member was as forgiving as Rafael, but it did seem like their only option. Lingering here someone would inevitably sense the magic and follow. Like Mikhail. Avery couldn’t do that.

  “Just a peek. Be careful and if you get a bad feeling-“

  “Yea, yea.” Leela waved her off. They snuck to the door. Avery pressed her back against the dry wall to stay out of sight when Leela turned the latch. The knob cried out loudly from rusted hinges. The sharp noise echoed down the hall. Leela stepped out fearlessly. The door swung shut in her wake.

  Avery let out a shaky breath. Her limbs were freezing and her muscles burned. She tried to keep the magic awake in her chest but doing so continued to drain the strength from her body. She’d be running on empty soon and they needed to move quickly.

  A minute had ticked by and Leela hadn’t resurfaced. Just before Avery could move, the door clicked. Frozen in place, Avery got ready for anything. The magic surged down her arms and sparked in her hands. The door opened and Leela’s head popped in.

  “I don’t see anyone. Like anyone anywhere. Not a trace.” Her eyebrows had vanished under her bangs.

  Avery didn’t ask questions. Standing up, she joined Leela on the outside. The sky, still overcast, drizzled and threatened snow. The wind whipped through the courtyard with a breakneck speed and the temperature dropped ten degrees.

  Lacking her sweater, Avery curled her arms around herself while too distracted to do more. Leela had spoken the truth. The outside was absolutely empty and unusually quiet. Mud heavier due to the rain, they sloshed forward and their steps couldn’t stay silent. Then Avery heard a voice. Sliding to a stop, Avery caught Leela’s elbow and helped her whirl. That’s when she saw the harpies.

  A group lingered on the rooftop. They all wore the bronze plated armor with the swirling insignia. Short spears and long blades dangled from their hands but the group’s attention was turned away. Avery scanned the crowd for less than a second. Seeing no familiar faces, she didn’t lose the opportunity. Hand on Leela she maneuvered the girl through the exit of the outside perimeter wall. The door fought but they opened it quietly. Springing outside, they took in the new surroundings.

  The pond and steel benches where Avery had gone on the date with Patrick sat waiting. The rich green forest rested behind that. Water falling from the sky made it hard to pinpoint motion, but the area looked empty.

  “It can’t be this easy.” Avery voiced her thought aloud.

  “How was this easy?” Leela’s voice shot up with frustration and disbelief. Avery ignored her in favor of keeping her eyes sharp and maneuvering them to the forest.

  “It doesn’t make sense. They storm the place, nearly avoid killing us, and then just chill? No guards, no danger? Rafael may be stupid but Mikhail certainly isn’t. He wouldn’t take your word on it and then turn his back to let us walk out of here.”

  The logic rang so disturbingly true, it made Avery queasy. Leela stole a glance backwards before they reached the tree line.

  “That’s the thing. I don’t think Mikhail is with them.” The girl whispered.

  Shoving branches out of the way, Avery ducked and avoided the awkward forest clearance.

  “How would you know that?” Avery asked as she marched forward.

  The forest must have been built into uneven land. Combined with torrential rain, the area became mud city. Her shoes lost with each step, Avery found herself trudging forward through sick smelling muck. She certainly hoped that Portland wasn’t home to any poisonous snakes.

  “I don’t. It’s just when Mikhail’s around the Band doesn’t act like that. They don’t stand around. They fidget and stuff.”

  “They’re afraid of him.” Avery piped in but let Leela continue.

  �
�I just don’t know what the purpose of them coming was then.” Leela said.

  Following the day light, Avery made way for the clearing. The forest wasn’t huge so the thicket of trees ended. Just clearing the last of the tree line, it was visible what was out there.

  A few cute, small houses sat in a cul-de-sac. The neighborhood was probably gated, and by the looks of it, had paid extra like Samuel to be far away from the business of the city. Avery’s eyes were drawn to something more important. At the curb hovered a yellow and black taxi that was probably one second past dumping off its prior occupants.

  Their luck was unbelievable. Avery couldn’t grasp it. Her feet stayed glued to the ground when Leela rushed to the taxi. The driver had a mouth full of mushy green and brown food, halfway in the middle of his lunch, and he looked up. Knocking a sub off his lap, the condiments scattered on the rug of the cab.

  He bumped a beefy finger into the ceiling indicating the unlit sign on the top of the car.

  “Out of service!” His muffled voice yelled through the window. Leela didn’t back down.

  “How much money do you want?” Leela answered smoothly. Suddenly, her hands were in her pocket pulling out a shiny black card that Avery would have bet had Nate’s name on it.

  The driver’s eyes went from her face to the card. Finally the car’s locks clicked up and he bumbled out of the door. Yanking open the back door, he waved them in like an eighteenth century knight.

  “After you.” He spit out the words with some crumbs from his lunch.

  Avery happily slid in after Leela. Her shoes were muddy and soaked, and her jeans dripped but the taxi driver never noticed. Sliding into the driver’s seat himself, he gave them one more look with saucer-sized eyes. The black card Leela had held his attention and after dusting spare lettuce off the gear shift, he kicked the car into drive and offered to take them anywhere in the state., Avery sunk back into her seat. Outside the overcast sky and rain killed the visibility but no harpies showed in the skies. The car kicked into gear and rumpled into a cruise. The woods and Samuel’s compound rapidly disappeared in the rear view mirror.

  “I know why he did it.” Avery suddenly said. Her mind had been spinning for awhile and now it made sense.

  Leela’s head shot up and her brow knotted.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I know why he sent in the Band. Why Mikhail didn’t come himself.” Avery clarified. “You always send the pawns in first. He’s got us on the defensive. Now it’s time for his next moves.”

  Avery could only hope that they were ready for it.

  Twenty-Three

  “Here.” Avery said when she recognized the street.

  It’d been harder to find than she’d expected-- there were about eight nearby streets and a dozen buildings with a similar wooden design to that of the hotel. She squinted through the tree coverage and rain dashed window until she finally recognized the familiar coffee shop. Dim yellow lights from the shop glowed through the storm and lit up the painted white mug on the glass.

  Leela squinted through the window too.

  “Aren’t we going to a hotel?” She whispered just out of the driver’s ear shot.

  Avery shrugged.

  “No use in making it easier for them to find us.” Avery said. It was wet and cold but they couldn’t get any worse off than they’d been at Samuel’s compound. Avery scanned the sky and grabbed the handle while Leela paid.

  “You girls sure are generous.” The driver plucked off a flimsy receipt from the machine and gave them a toothy smile. “If you ever need a ride again, gimme a call!”

  He slipped a business card in with the receipt. Ready, Avery opened the door. The rain soaked her before she even made a step, and moving quickly she cleared the sidewalk and stood under the nearest canopy. Leela joined her side.

  The cab driver left, tires squealing over the slippery road.

  “Keep your eyes open.” Avery warned her.

  Leela bit her quivering lip but Avery couldn’t tell if the girl’s reaction came from fear or the cold.

  “Do you really think Mikhail will come chase us here? I mean, what did you do exactly?” Leela asked, turning her attention inward.

  “I should clarify everything actually.” Avery mentioned, now thinking about it. Leela had only gotten one version of the story and it wasn’t the right one. Filling Leela in on everything wouldn’t only put the girl on the right track but give Avery someone to vent to.

  “Yea, you have a lot to explain.” Leela pointed out.

  The rain slowed, clouds being blown through the atmosphere quickly. Using the opening, Avery beckoned Leela to run across the street together. Puddles splashed up soaking their legs, but the water falling from the sky wasn’t nearly as severe. Hitting the sidewalk, they cut through the lawn of some business to arrive at the hotel’s parking lot. They reached the brick overhead canopy and slid to a stop. A hotel valet stood by the entrance. Perking up when they arrived, he gave them a long look.

  “Checking in?”

  “Uh, not yet.” Avery trembled, and wrapped her arms around herself. Sopping wet, her makeup had run and the black mascara now left splotchy lines beneath her eyes. Blood still marred her clothing from the attack and she had bruises galore over her face. Combined with raggedy hair and the radical tattoo on her arm, she probably didn’t look like the average customer. “We’re waiting for someone.” She added before the valet could call the cops. “Can you tell me if he’s checked in yet?”

  The valet’s face lit up and the young man strode behind a podium. A short amount of digging produced a white sheet full of printed text.

  “We haven’t had anyone new arrive since eight this morning.” He surmised after scanning the list.

  Avery shot Leela a sideways look and their eyes met. Mason didn’t make it yet. The Band had been on the rooftop at Samuel’s compound. So where did that put everyone on Avery’s team? Either gone or dead. And if they were gone, then they should be heading here.

  “It’s okay.” Leela said quickly. “The storm probably slowed them down. He’ll be here. It’ll just take a while longer.”

  Wanting to believe that, Avery nodded. Leela suddenly stepped up and freed the shiny black credit card from her pocket.

  “Alright, then we’ll get a room.” The girl headed inside and left Avery to follow.

  They got a room disturbingly quick and within ten minutes, they were in a room with the deadbolt on and the curtains tightly shut. The room had the heater blasting and while warming up, they dried off. Avery dragged a towel over her face. Her eyes kept burning and muscles felt the weight of fatigue. Drying her face, she plopped the towel down in a pile at her feet. Her eyes went to Leela where the girl worked her hair into a messy bun and fixed her ski cap.

  Without a fresh pair of clothes, there was only so much they could do. Avery just looked like a soggy version of a college student.

  “You should take a nap.” Leela mentioned. “You look like you’re about to collapse.”

  Avery shook her head.

  “I can’t sleep until Mason gets here. You know he should have been here by now. It’d take a harpie half the time to arrive.” She gestured to the clock. An hour. A full hour since the incident, since Rafael and the Band members stood on the top of Samuel’s compound, and there hadn’t been a single sign of Mason yet.

  “I mean, you don’t think he ran into Mikhail do you?” Leela clearly didn’t intend for her question to blindside Avery but it succeeded.

  “I hadn’t thought of that. Oh no.” Avery raked her hands through her hair. Eyes shimmering and cheeks red, the panic attack couldn’t be stopped now. She let out a gurgled gasp. “What if he died? You know the last time I got to see him is when Patrick was talking about us making out. What if that’s the last thing he ever got to think about? What if he thinks that I don’t care about him anymore?”

  “Avery, he’s not dead.” Leela reached out and grabbed Avery’s shoulders as if anchoring her to Eart
h. “And he won’t think that. I’ve seen him and you. He’s smarter than that, Avery. He knows.”

  Avery sat down on the bed but didn’t calm down much.

  “Yea, I guess so…” She tried to reason that Mikhail didn’t confront them at Samuel’s compound for a reason. Avery tried to remind herself that they had time.

  The minutes kept ticking by and Leela finally approached her again.

  “Take a nap. I’ll be awake. And when he shows up, I’ll get you.” Leela offered. This time the offer seemed more tempting. So she gave in.

  Moseying over to the bed, she collapsed into the starched sheets. The hot room combined with the soft bed worked her over. Her mind still spun with heavy thoughts, but exhaustion won out. Avery fell asleep quickly but didn’t anticipate the vivid dreams to come.

  She took a breath of smoky air and recognized the bitter thick stench immediately. She’d been here before. The world around her remained the same. She stood in a warehouse, the barren building that rusted at the edges with decaying paint and splintered wooden floors.

  The ice cold feeling of absolute panic followed. Every sensation disturbingly real, she let them move her. Feet pounding, she raced for the exit. A door waited at the end of the hall but just as she made a swipe for the hot metal knob, a voice called her out.

  “Jericho.” The voice hissed.

  Whirling in place, she faced the harpie. Soot smudges stained his face and long wiry hair threatened to cover his narrowed black eyes, but Avery recognized Mikhail. She knew at that exact moment she stood in one of Jericho’s memories again, looking through the man’s eyes to an incident that played out long ago.

  “I trusted you.” Mikhail hissed, darkly intent on his focus. “I trusted you, and you betrayed me.”

  She backpedaled for the door but couldn’t turn her back to open it. Instead, she hit the wood and raised her hands.