Damn, infuriating man. Papa also informed me that Natasha’s funeral was booked for four days from now. It had been five days now since the crash, and while the media continued to speculate, the Feds remained tight-lipped.
Vortex and I ate dinner, watched some more Michael McIntyre, and then I fell asleep. I stirred as Vortex carried me to bed, but I was too tired to say anything. When I woke the next morning, I heard swearing. Sleepily, I blinked, wondering what the hell had happened now. When I entered the living room, Vortex was staring out the window, cursing rapidly into his phone.
I headed for the bathroom and used the toilet, brushed my teeth, and washed my face. When I came out, Vortex faced me furiously.
“What now?” I asked, resigned.
“Someone leaked your name.”
“What?”
“Brave girl, you’re all over the networks. Some asshole outed you as a survivor.” Vortex’s expression shifted. I steeled myself for more bad news as he continued, “They also know that Natasha was with you at dinner and you survived, and she didn’t. The story is top news: the tragedy of two friends who were seated inches apart.” The disgust in Vortex’s voice couldn’t be clearer.
“There’re fuckin’ reporters outside, and they keep coming,” Vortex stated. I dashed across the space and peered through my curtains. A throng of people gathered, their numbers increasing as I watched.
“Oh, no!”
“Your picture is all over the place. Gotta get you out of here. Pack a suitcase; you’ll stay at the clubhouse. The club can protect you better there,” Vortex said.
I sat down heavily on the sofa. “Mari must be devastated.”
“I’ve spoken to Phil. He and Duke are heading over. The media are also outside her home.”
“Why can’t they leave Mari to grieve!” I exclaimed angrily.
“Because they’re asshole pond scum who feed on people’s grief and misery. Let’s get you packed and out of here,” Vortex urged.
“I’m causing more trouble than I’m worth. This is crazy.” I shook my head.
Vortex straightened. “Amy, look at me.”
I did because something in Vortex’s tone made me.
“You didn’t cause any of this. You’ve not sought attention or the drama. Believe me when I say that you’re worth far more than this. Now, brave girl, so pack for at least a week.”
“We’ve got Tash’s funeral. What if the press attends there?” I whispered.
“Do you trust me?” Vortex asked.
“Yes. Ever since the moment you found me,” I replied.
“Then they won’t upset Natasha’s funeral,” Vortex promised.
Aurora-Victoria
The feeling hit me with such force that I staggered back. Luckily, I wasn’t alone in the shop; otherwise, this might have been very nasty. Lowrider’s hand shot out and grabbed me.
“Aurora?”
“Vision coming, big one,” I stammered out.
“Shit!” Lowrider exclaimed. He released me, thinking I had my balance, and yanked his phone out. I had mere seconds before the vision hit. I reeled backward and slammed into the counter.
“Crap!” Lowrider shouted as I went down. He caught me before I hit the floor and lowered me gently.
“I see a man in a cloak, I can’t see his face, he carries a scythe. I think he’s the Grim Reaper. He’s stalking the fire in the sky. He feels cheated, that it wasn’t pure, the survivors tarnished it… he’s searching.”
“For what?” Lowrider asked.
