by E. S Night
Eventually, we made it through the entrance and I could see that the gym was different now from when I was here. The hall was much bigger than the old one. Someone must have spent a fortune on the new equipment. I remembered my little brother last summer going on and on about how
thrilled he was about having the new space for his basketball team, now I see he wasn’t exaggerating.
I could see Headmaster Thorne standing in the corner at the top of the hall, going over his cue cards in his head. I didn’t even understand why that tongue-tied idiot was speaking in the first place. The four of us stuck together like glue, I tightly gripped Logan’s T-shirt from the back, afraid of losing him in the crowd. Luckily, we’d arrived early so there were still seats available in the front. We watchfully sat down and inspected the people in the hall. I was aware of the possibility that members of the Lasair were positioning themselves here.
The gathering of people in the gymnasium was overwhelming, most of them – I’d known my whole life; others seemed to be either prying tourists enjoying the commotion or reporters afraid of missing the next big story. Moving my head, I glanced over to the far right of the wall; I saw a man in his fifties glaring straight ahead, folding his arms. He seemed to be engrossed with the disturbance on top of the podium; the police were arguing about something and everyone could see that it was getting heated.
“Can you hear what the police are saying?” I turned to ask Grayson.
“Yes. How did you know I could hear them?” He smiled.
“Dogs have good hearing, don’t they? So, I just thought you’d have super hearing or something.” I realised that I’d insulted him, big time.
“We aren’t dogs Abigail.” Isaac smirked at his brother.
“I didn’t mean that.” I rolled my eyes. “Keep your voices down.” I urged, frightened of Logan overhearing our discussion.
“They’re talking about whether they should go into the extremities of what happened to the four men. They’re disagreeing, that’s all, and it’s nothing we don’t know.” Grayson lowered his voice to my ear. Isaac bowed forward, hearing something that concerned him.
“Did you hear that?”
“Yes, so Abigail was right.” Grayson spoke, looking at his brother.
“I was right about what?” I was tormented with the fact I couldn’t hear the police.
Grayson twisted his head to the side and shifted in my direction, his forehead pressed
against the side of my face. “One of them let slip – all the men’s bodies had multiple broken bones, suggesting they’d fallen from a great height.” He confirmed that what I saw in the woods yesterday was real.
“So – I saw them fall in the forest. How did they not tell you about this Isaac?”
Isaac scanned the room as if he was looking for someone. “I don’t know, I couldn’t have known that from just seeing their bodies, I mean they were a total mess as it was. I’ve no clue why they would leave that out of the initial autopsy report. It didn’t even make sense in the bloody conversation they were having; the officer just blurted it out – almost like he’d been forced.”
“What do you mean - someone forced him?” I spoke.
“They’re here, they have to be – they’ll be watching us now, controlling stuff.” Isaac scared me. We knew there was a chance that the Lasair would be here, but thinking it and knowing it are two different things.
Logan pushed forward. “What are you three whispering about? I’m getting sick of it – I’m here, you know?”
“I’m sorry bud, it’s nothing, it’s about to start
now.” I spoke indicating for us to watch the stage.
“We can’t stay here, it was a stupid idea – let’s go!” Isaac was freaking me out.
“What’s Isaac saying?” Logan asked, puzzled at our behaviour.
“Nothing Logan, he’s just being impatient – he wants the meeting to start.” Grayson tried to put my brother at ease.
“Isaac, can we at least stay for the first speech – I want to know what they say. Even if they are here, they will hardly make a scene at a town meeting.” I said quickly.
He sighed. “Fine, we stay for ten minutes and then we go.”
The headmaster paced forward on the stage reaching the podium. “Thank you for coming this evening, we know how terrifying it is now to even step outside your homes.” He shuffled through his cards. I glanced around my shoulder to see my mum and dad walking in through the doors; I waved to them signalling my parents to come over. There wasn’t any seating left available; half of the people in the hall had to stand. Grayson and Isaac noticed their arrival and graciously gave up their seats for my parents, whilst the
brothers stood at the side of our row watching the stage closely.
“What have we missed?” Mum asked, shuffling around in her seat.
I smiled. “Nothing, it’s just started.”
The Headmaster was clearly anxious by the amount of people listening to him. “I just want to say, that although the events from these past few days are devastating to our Isles, we will get through this and we will see those vicious animals stopped.” The police chief sensed the Headmasters’ nervousness and headed towards the podium to end his baffling talk.
“Thank you, Headmaster for your words of comfort. I am Police Chief Johnson; I am the one that initiated this meeting today in response to another unfortunate incident on the island. I felt it was necessary to let you all know we have had four more killings.” Johnson led the crowd to murmur and exhale noisily at his frank approach.
“I know – I know, what you are feeling because I am feeling it. The men that have been murdered are Mr Timmins, Mr Deacon, Mr Norris and Mr Potter, there will be funerals held for each man accordingly but as of now, I have no more news on that. It is devastating; five
members of our close-knit community have now fallen prey to these killers. This is an ongoing investigation so we can’t put forward all our information to you. The new information that has arisen from further examination is that we are dealing with something else entirely. We have reason to believe there could be human involvement but, we cannot tell you anymore. We can only ask you to remain watchful and stay on your guard and if any of you see anything strange, please inform us. I understand all of you want to know more, but this is a peculiar case and we are working day and night to find the killers. We just thought you all should be told in person that’s all I can tell you at the minute. Wildlife specialist Christina Yen will now speak to you on safety precautions and then we will open the floor to any questions you may have.” Johnson spoke, choosing to shy away from the gory details of the murders.
I shifted my gaze to right side of the sports hall again and saw the same man as before sniggering to himself as he watched the police chief come down from the stage. He uncrossed his arms and turned to look straight at me, I scrambled over mum and dad to tell Isaac and
Grayson.
“I don't know how I know but I'm sure he’s one of them.” I whispered to the brothers, pointing at the man at the other side of the room.
Grayson was confused by my insistence. “How can you be sure?”
“Just trust me, he is!” I assured him.
Grayson and Isaac rushed through the hall, barging through the crowd to get to the man. I saw the stranger smile at me before pushing through the side door in the gym as the brothers chased after him. No one even noticed the disturbance; everyone was too occupied paying attention to the safety instructions.
“Mum I have to go, I’ll ring you – I’m sorry.” I said, distressed.
“Why? What? Abigail!” She shouted as I darted off after Grayson.
I dived through the side door of the gym noticing that all the lights in the corridor had been turned off. I couldn’t see or hear anything, this part of the building was new, and I didn’t have a clue where I was. Suddenly, a faint light flickered through the shadows; someone was in here with me.
Chapter Twenty-Four
&nb
sp; The Arrival
Standing in the darkness was sending my imagination into overdrive. I tiptoed towards the light, breathing heavily with every step I took. I could still hear the faint sounds of the crowd next door; their voices were comforting me.
I presumed that Grayson was far ahead of me by now; I don’t know why I even continued in my pursuit, other than everything in my body told me to go after him. The light was helping me; it led me to another hallway. I could see an emergency door exit open, leading outside. I took a moment to look around, but I couldn’t see anything that could have caused the light. Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced down to find a small piece of mirror on the floor, this could have been used to reflect the light my way, but who did it? There was another room leading from the right side of the corridor, I wondered if my helper had run in there.
“Hello?” I spoke, afraid that someone would answer me back. There was only silence, if somebody was hiding in there, they didn’t want
me finding them. I rushed through the corridor to the emergency exit, grateful for the daylight that now surrounded me. Stood in the sea of cars parked next to the school was Grayson resting against a lamppost.
I ran towards him. “Why are you still here? Where’s Isaac?”
“He’s gone after that man, we think you were right, he’s Lasair. How did you know before we did Abigail? We surveyed that whole place, we couldn’t detect them – but you did – how?” Grayson said edgier, I couldn’t understand if he was complimenting my instinct or implying something more insidious.
“What are you getting at Grayson? I noticed him, I thought he was strange, that’s it.” I was angered by his subtle accusation.
“But – that’s not it, is it? I could tell that it wasn’t instinct, you knew he was Lasair and I want to know how?” He yelled at me, grabbing my arm.
“I don’t know! I just did! What the hell has gotten into you?” I attempted to shake him off.
“Tell me how you knew and I’ll let go!” He petrified me.
All at once, a car came speeding around the
corner of the school and was heading straight towards us, it was Grayson’s car. It skidded to a standstill as the car doors opened.
“Get away from him Abigail!” I couldn’t believe my eyes, it was Grayson and Isaac.
“How are there two of you?” Isaac pulled me around to the back of the car.
“Now, now wolf – bad dog!” The doppelgänger scoffed. The man slowly began to morph back into another form.
“Joseph. Nice trick with the car.” Grayson whispered, recognising the man’s face.
“I’m flattered you remember me and yes it was, you can thank my son for that. I only wanted a little alone time with your girlfriend here."
"Don't talk about her." Grayson commanded.
"Whatever you say. It’s been a long-time boys. The last time I saw you was at your uncle’s funeral.” Joseph said, challenging Grayson’s willpower to risk a confrontation outside the sports hall.
Grayson’s eyes grew brighter; I could see that he was struggling to keep his wolf at bay.
“I remember all of you, where’s your brother? Isn’t he usually the one doing all the stalking and
impersonating?”
“He’s otherwise engaged in another activity now.” Joseph, said, chuckling to himself.
“How did you find us here?” Isaac interrupted.
“We always find your kind, eventually; you must have known it was only a matter of time Isaac. Child, what are you doing bothering yourself with these futile creatures? It seems beneath you Abigail.” Joseph was now directing his awfulness at me.
“How do you know my name?” I said, moving Isaac’s arm away from me.
“I know most things about you Abigail, although I do take a particular interest in a girl my son seems to be fond of, he’s quite besotted by you. You remember Leopold, don’t you?”
Joseph laughed. “I’m feeling generous today so I’ll make you an offer princess, you can either side with these beasts and almost certainly die eventually or you can come with me now and I promise nothing will happen to you or that darling family of yours.”
The meeting seemed to be finishing as people were already making their way out into the car park. I knew there was nothing that the brothers could do to Joseph whilst we were all in
public; they would have to let him go.
“I’ve heard all about you! What you’ve done in the past and I’d rather die than ever take your side in anything!” I roared, bringing Joseph down. “And you can tell that son of yours to keep away from me.”
“That can most likely be arranged my girl. Well, as fun as this little meeting of yours has been, I had better be going.” Joseph headed into the crowd of people, a few seconds later he was gone.
“Let’s go home, we can wait for the family to come back.” Isaac instructed.
I caught a glimpse of my parent’s silhouettes coming through the metal door; mum spotted me and rushed over to make sure everything was fine. I had just made a scene in there.
“What the hell happened? Why did you run off? – You scared me half to death?”
“It was me, Mrs Lawson, I was going to be sick, so she was just rushing after me, but I’m fine now.” Grayson smiled at my mum.
“Okay, as long as you’re all right, I guess. I'm not surprised to be honest; it almost got a little too much for me in there. Where are you going now?”
“I’m going back to Grayson’s house, his family have really warmed up to me now, is that okay?” I noticed mum’s apprehensive face.
“Oh really? Have they now.” Mum almost shouted, still angry at how Grayson’s family treated me.
“It would be fine Abigail but I was just going to ask you if you could watch Logan for us, I was hoping me and your mum could salvage some of the date that I’d planned.” Dad guilt tripped me into doing a favour for him.
“Logan can come over to our house, if it’s not a problem with you? I’m sure he’d like to see Ella, anyway. I can even drop him back off at home at nine if that’s okay.” Isaac blurted out. I was still struggling with the idea that Isaac was now being nice.
“Aww yes! Please mum.” Logan pleaded moving towards us, as if standing nearer to Isaac would convince mum to let him come with us.
Mum sighed. “I guess that would be okay, but please no later than nine.”
“No later than nine, got it.” Isaac assured her.
“Okay, well have a good time, Abigail watch him – please.” She told me.
I smiled. “I will, bye guys.”
“Right, let’s go.” Isaac shouted, as we all climbed into Gray’s car.
We were in the car twenty minutes before we reached the Hale manor; the traffic from the town meeting was horrendous on our small, meandering roads. As Isaac pulled up to the house, we all noticed another car in the driveway, the family were already home. We didn't expect them till much later. Kaleb must have heard the car pull in because he was outside as we arrived. We all got out of the car as he came rushing towards us. Grayson straight away hugged his dad. Kaleb then hugged Isaac and held his face as a sign of respect. I was anxious to know how Kaleb would react to mine and Logan’s presence at his home, even though if the man said one wrong thing to Logan – werewolf or not, I’d take him.
“Abigail – Logan, it’s nice to see you. I suspect you’ve all had a good time while we have been gone, no?” He asked.
“It’s been fine.” I snapped, thinking Kaleb was mocking us.
Kaleb sensed my resentment towards him and shifted closer. “I meant nothing by that Abigail, guys can you leave us for a second,
please get Logan something to drink.” I didn’t understand what Kaleb had to talk about; I wasn’t going anywhere, so any stupid attempts to persuade me away from Grayson would only be ignored. Grayson was unwilling to leave me with his father and hovered at the top of the drive. “Grayson go inside please, I won't say anything bad to her.
” Kaleb assured him causing Grayson to reluctantly step inside the house. “I’m sorry for how myself and my family reacted to your relationship with my son, we were animals that night and that’s not how I want you to think of us. I understand if my apology means nothing to you Abigail because we were beyond awful to you, but from my personal perspective, I am truly sorry for letting them act that way.”
“I accept your apology; does your wife feel the same way as you?” I was still angry at Maria’s appalling behaviour.
“Unfortunately, Maria has not moved on her stance, but you can leave her to me. I must warn you right now about more pressing matters. I know Grayson has told you all about us and what we are and I understand how much he loves you. Having said that there are two members of the counsel, McKentire and Connell,
they are inside this house and they will not approve of you and my son together, you must prepare yourself for their opinion.” He cautioned me.
“I can deal with it.” I told him.
“I’m sure you will, although there is one more thing Abigail, Faelyn is also here. When the counsel heard about your relationship with Grayson, they schemed to bring her back with us, but that has nothing to do with this family, not even Maria had her hand in that. We now know the Lasair were intimidating you - not Faelyn, but make no mistake she is a wolf, don’t let your guard down around her.”
“Let’s go inside.” I urged him, seeing how this time he was being protective of me.
Kaleb linked my arm kindly as we wandered into the house together; everyone was seated comfortably in the large reception room. I could see my brother staying close to young Ella and an attractive girl around my age staring right back at me from her chair, I knew it was Faelyn. I noticed immediately that Colton was sitting on one of the tables with his mother, thank God; Colton was safe. Anna and Aidan waved happy to see me with Grayson again. I hadn’t been in
