“We go where she exited—obviously that tunnel is out of commission until they get the scanner fixed, so we have to sweep the perimeter until we find the door,” I tell them, and they all seamlessly nod their heads.
Our group stays tight, all our heads continuously rotating as we analyze the perimeter and find the door.
“She probably went that way.” 356 points to our left. “She could be halfway to the Forest of the Forgotten by now.”
“Fuck, I don’t want to go in there,” 701 comments. I take inthe two paths she most likely would have taken, as they are both shrouded in trees, perfect for concealing her from wandering eyes. She’s not dumb. She wouldn’t have gone straight. The likelihood of someone spotting her would be too great.
So, where oh where did you go, Princess?
Taken aback by my own thoughts, I wait a moment to collect them, to put them in order.Princess.I’ve used that before, called her that before.
No, I haven’t.
Yes, I have.
No, I haven’t.
Shaking my head, I listen to the breeze brush against the trees, almost like a calling. Then a scent lingers a little longer than all the rest—one that my body holds onto like a vise.
Vanilla.
Without another thought, I point in the opposite direction. “She went that way.”
“How can you be sure?” 356 asks.
“I justam.”
TEN
Kallie
Odeyssa left a little bit ago, saying she had been gone way longer than anticipated. And if her dad catches her, she will “be with the whirlies.” Whatever that means.
Atticus waltzed back into the house at the same time I walked out of the bathroom. We stood there awkwardly before he went inside what I’m assuming is his room and hasn’t resurfaced.
I’m vegged out on the couch, watching the sun slowly go down out the window, relishing in the amber glow settling over the living space. For the first time since I’ve left the facility, I’m alone with my thoughts.
Closing my eyes, I feel my heart rate even out, beating in tandem with my breathing. There’s a small light at the end of the tunnel, calling out to me. My chest heaves, and I let out an audible gasp when the singular word penetrates the endless void.
“Firebird?”Uncaring of the tears that spring in my eyes, I letthem fall while trying to decipher if this is real.
“Voraxis?”I hold onto the bond like a lifeline, and it glows brighter with my response.
“Where are you?”his gruff, ancient voice asks in earnest. But I can’t bring him into this. Not yet.
“Don’t worry. I’m safe.”Am I, though? Atticus could be working for the people who took me. He never took the serum.
“I will worry! You’ve been missing, no contact for a very long time. I’ve torn apart this realm in search of you!”Guilt weighs me down at his admission.
When I don’t respond, he continues,“I will find you, Firebird. I promise.”The communication ceases, and I grapple onto it until the light dies out.
Wiping my face dry, I sit up and regain my composure. It’s then I notice Atticus leaning against the doorframe. Startled, I jump in surprise. For such a big guy, he sure moves around like a mouse.
“You scared me,” I admit.
“Yeah, I got that. Sorry.” Annoyance grates in his tone, and it makes me a bit uncomfortable, knowing I’m infringing on his space.
“Thanks for, uh…letting me stay here,” I say, picking at the hem of my shirt.
