It's been three days…
Three bloody days, and I still haven't been able to reach anyone.
"The number you're trying to reach is not available at the moment, please try again later. Thank you." The automated voice rang out again.
I squeezed the phone with more force than intended, then looked at the blue sky.
A loud shriek drew my gaze from the matter at hand to Rosalie and Evan talking.
I rubbed my palms over my face.
For fucks sake Vince, you knew this job was going to end up being so fucked up.
And still…
1 billion was going to set me for life.
With that money I could move to a small town.
I'd heard there was a place created specifically for non-gifted users.
And I'd thought of going there.
I stared at the phone in my hands with determination.
I wasn't about to give up just yet.
I'll try a last resort, and if the results come back negative, I was going to leave the girl to fend for herself.
"Evan," I called, he excused himself from Rosalie and jogged towards me.
"What's up?"
"I need a bird," I began. "I need to send a message to Stone, it's been three days and I haven't been able to reach anyone."
"Seriously?" He scratched his hair in annoyance. "I'll get you a sheet of paper, just write down what you want, lemme prepare a bird."
He squeezed my shoulder. "You'll be fine Vince." Then went inside.
He came back a few seconds later with a pen and paper and I began scribbling.
By the time I was done writing what I wanted, Evan came outside with a bird on his fingers.
"I already told her what she needs to do." He said, rubbing his bird affectionately.
He took the paper from my hands, folded it softly then placed it in a small compartment on the bird's leg.
"Fly Stella." He cooed, immediately the bird began its ascent.
"I need to get some rest, call me if anything comes up." I said, walking back to the house.
The moment I stepped in.
"Hey…" Rosalie called, "has there been anything yet?"
"No." I replied, walking towards my room.
"Umm… what would happen to me if no one reaches out?"
"I'll try to know if your parents are alive."
"And if they aren't?"
I stopped in my tracks.
"Let's hope they are." I replied, walking into my room.
I slammed the door behind me forcefully, plopping on my bed.
"God.. I need to sleep." I murmured, just as darkness led me into a deep slumber.
******
I shot up in bed, sweat trickled down my face like water.
My eyes scanned the room in a wild panic, then settled on the door.
Or rather… the screams that echoed through the door.
I got up immediately, twisting the door open.
Then it hit me.
Blood curdling screams.
"What the hell is going on Evan?" I asked, rushing to where he knelt down close to Rosalie.
"I don't know…" he stuttered. "I don't… she just held her head all of a sudden and began screaming."
"Move." I ordered, coming to kneel in front of her.
"Rosalie," I screamed.
As soon as my fingers came in contact with her skin, a blinding light pushed us back.
One minute I was kneeling in front of her, the next…
My body lifted suddenly, an invisible force slammed me to the other end of the living room.
A piercing sound had me covering my ears in anguish.
I raised my head up with as much force as I could muster.
Glancing at Evan, he was crouched on the floor holding his ear too.
Suddenly—
It stopped.
I stood up on shaky limbs.
Something dribbled down my ear.
I touched the liquid, bringing it to my face.
Blood.
"Vince," Evan shouted.
My gaze immediately snapped to Rosalie…
She stared ahead, expression blank.
Eyes a blackish hue, devoid of it's usual striking green.
Her lips moved fast, as though she were chanting something.
I moved closer to her cautiously.
"Rosalie?"
Her gaze snapped to mine sharply.
For a moment, I stilled.
Fear racking over my body in waves.
It was like I was thrown back in time.
Back to that helpless state.
And I hated it.
Her lips mumbled something.
This time faster…
Like the words were trying to escape her.
Louder…
Harsher…
With a certain intent behind it.
I crept closer, kneeling down right in front of her.
I brought my ear close to her lips.
Listening.
"They're coming to kill us…" she chanted fervently.
"Vince," Evan called, snapping my attention from Rosalie.
His eyes stared at me with deep sadness and anguish.
"Someone killed Stella." He whispered.
Shit.
I jumped to action immediately.
"We need to move Evan,"
"Stella…" he croaked.
"I'm sorry about Stella, Evan, but we need to move. Now."
His eyes glistened with unshed tears.
He slowly stood up, dusting himself.
"Pack your shit, we leave in five minutes." I ordered, moving towards my room.
I opened the door forcefully, eyes landing on my vest and I began strapping up.
I was done in under three minutes, and began making my way back to the living room.
Rosalie sat still in the chair.
Her head lolled to the side, probably worn out by her gift.
"What do we do about her?" Evan asked.
"She said, someone was coming to kill us. I think she had some sort of premonition." I said.
"Take my bags, I'll carry her." He took my bags from me, and headed to his car.
I opened the back seat door, lying Rosalie carefully.
Then I moved to the passenger seat, Evan took the driver's seat.
Soon enough, we began moving out.
The car rumbled down the rocky road efficiently.
No one should have been able to find us here.
Was it the same team from before or another?
"Your animals?" I asked.
"They all left as soon as they sensed danger."
"Seems like they're much smarter than you."
"My house is ruined Vince," he groaned.
"I'm sorry about that, you're a gift user… I'm sure you can appeal to the bureau or something…" I racked my brain for anything.
"Don't you have an insurance plan or something."
"Seriously Vince, insurance doesn't just magically work like that, we're talking about my whole freaking house."
"We're in a world of magic, I'm sure insurance is pretty much easier these days, I mean… it wouldn't take more than a day to fix a wooden house."
He grunted in annoyance.
I glanced at the back seat, Rosalie was still asleep.
"Do you think she'll be alright?" Evan asked worriedly.
"I'm sure it's nothing—"
A strong force slammed into the car, sending us flying towards the forest.
Shit.
I forgot to put on my seatbelt.
My body lifted into the air for a few seconds.
The words flipped.
Once.
Twice.
Carrying my body with each thrust.
Then slammed me back to the car.
The force from the impact meddled with my consciousness.
And before I could stop it.
Darkness took me.