Hurricane (The Charmed) (12 page)

A nagging discomfort woke Chase. He opened his eyes and it was still dark on Sunday morning. Something was wrong, he was uncomfortable. His marked arm was aching. Chase looked down, unable to see anything in the dark except shapes moving. He flicked his light on. The shapes on his arm were moving in a slithering pattern up and down his arm. Chase stared for a moment and that’s when the pain started, it was an ache at first, then it became a full-out roar of agony. Chase screamed.

Jaden threw his door open. “Chase?”

Chase jumped out of bed and held his arm. “Aaaaah!” Chase screamed. The lines were moving at a more frantic pace all up and down his arm from shoulder to wrist.

Mr. M ran into the room, his hair askew and he was blinking around the room. “Chase? What’s wrong?”

“She’s gone! Lyla! They took her!”

Mr. M pulled his phone out and dialed a number. The voice on the other end was in a state of panic.

“We’re turning around Sam, oh god we’re sorry. We didn’t know.”

They could hear screaming in the background. Chase stood up and punched the nearest wall. He began pacing the room, waiting for them to return.

As Lyla’s family got closer, the marks settled down. Finally the movement stopped all together and Chase put his head in his hands to wait, sitting on the edge of the bed. Lyla had been in pain and he couldn’t stand for that.

Mr. M motioned for Jaden to follow him out of the room.

“Jaden, I need you to do some research.”

Jaden ran a hand through his hair. “Ok.” The dark circles stood out on his normally sun-tanned cheeks. This had been hard on everyone.

“I’ll tell you later, let’s get ready for our guests.”

Jaden shook his head and walked into the living room while Mr. M walked into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. Twenty minutes later the front door banged open and Lyla walked straight in and directly to Chase’s room, shutting the door behind.

Mr. and Mrs. Bleu were standing on the front steps, heads bowed.

Mr. M opened the door wider. “Come on in, we’re all awake now.”

The four of them sat at the kitchen table staring into mugs of coffee nobody was drinking.

Mr. M ran a hand across his face. “So you tried to run?”

“Yes.” Lyla’s father spoke up.

“How far away before she started to scream?”

“About twenty five miles.” He set his mug down and rubbed his eyes. “I’ve never heard anything like it, ever.”

Lyla’s mother placed a hand over his. “We’re putting our daughter in danger by being here. We need to go.”

“But you saw what happened….” Mr. McCown stood up.

She placed a hand up to stop him. “No. Not Lyla. Frank and I are on the counsel’s radar. Lyla isn’t. We need to draw them away from this area while this takes place. I’m sure this isn’t the only change that’s going to happen, nobody knows she exists. Not yet anyway. So far everyone knows that the next person has to do with us. We have been hunted and watched for years. I’d like to kill every one of those people who predicted it. Lyla has never been given a normal upbringing because of it. Maybe if we draw all the eyes away from here, she might have a shot at a normal adult life.”

Mr. M seriously doubted it. Power sought out power. It was all over the history books, so were the mistakes.

“How did you keep her a secret? Any hospital would have alerted someone.”

“I had her at a convent. The sisters took me in. Frank wasn’t even allowed to be there. We left when we knew it was safe and that if we were stopped I could fabricate her birth, which I’ve had to do on multiple occasions. We cut and dyed Lyla’s hair so she would look different. I don’t know if that even worked.” She smoothed out her hair that was neatly pulled into a very tight bun. “This is such a mess we tried so hard just to fail.”

Mr. M softened. “Nobody is blaming you for this, Constance.” He put his hand on hers. “Maybe now it’s time to get some help.”

She shook her head with resignation and looked up at her husband Frank. “We have to lead people away from here, at least until they can get this thing under control.”

“I do want to warn you both that, if things go bad, you may never see Lyla again.”

Frank stood. “I trust you will keep that from happening Sam. We’re placing the care of our daughter in your capable hands. You are the expert on this subject, are you not?”

Mr. M began to squirm. “Of course you can trust Lyla in our hands.”

Frank and Constance stood and walked toward the door. Constance turned and glanced toward the bedroom door. “Say goodbye to her for us. Tell her we love her and we’re doing this for her.”

“Don’t you want to tell her yourself?”

“The screaming was so bad Sam. Chase will take good care of her.” That was all she said as she turned and walked hastily out of the house.

Frank turned and spoke quietly to Sam. “Call if you feel we need to come back quick. Keep me informed, alright?”

Sam shook his hand. “Of course, you have my word.”

As they drove away Mr. M turned toward Jaden. “God, I’m glad they turned around.” They walked back into the house. Mr. M looked at Jaden. “Why don’t you try and get some more sleep?”

Jaden’s eyes had bags, his hair was wild and his shirt was sideways. “That’s probably a good idea. G’night.”

He watched his son walk down the hall to the door next to Chase’s. He didn’t envy his youth. Inexperience caused stress and in the months to come, Jaden would need his help. He wondered how much of this current problem they would go through alone.

Mr. M noticed Chase’s light on. He walked down the hall and knocked on the door.

“Come in.” Chase said.

Mr. M opened the door. Chase and Lyla were sitting on the floor, backs against the bed. Both looked so tired it hit him in the gut. Chase had Lyla’s arm, he was massaging up and down where the pain had been. Mr. M sat on the carpet opposite them.

“How bad was it?”

Lyla started to talk, stopped. Her face crumpled and tears started. She hid her face in Chase’s chest.

Chase held on to the back of Lyla’s head. He looked up. “Like that.”

“Was yours as bad?”

“Yes.” He leaned down and kissed the top of Lyla’s head.

“Is this permanent?”

“I don’t think so. I heard of one case that lasted longer than the two months. I’m going to have Jaden research it a little more.”

“How long ago?”

“The most recent one.”

“What happened?”

“It was around the seventh month, she was used for experiments. I’d rather not go any further than that.”

Chase swallowed hard. “So a normal life is probably out of the question.”

“Time will tell. We have a lot to plan. Why don’t you two get some sleep. We’ll talk when everyone is rested.”

Chase nodded.

Mr. M left the room. He wouldn’t be sleeping, he would be making plans.

Nine in the morning came fast. Jaden was pouring himself coffee when Mr. M came into the kitchen. He took stock of his son and made a mental note to try and get him alone to talk. Chase and Lyla entered the kitchen. Lyla sat at the table while Chase poured them each a cup of coffee.

Mr. M looked at Lyla over his mug. “We should get to your house today and get your things.”

Lyla shrugged okay. She looked just as tired if not more so than everyone else. He would have forced everyone back to bed if he actually thought they would sleep but he knew the answer to that one.

“Lyla, your parents are going away.”

Lyla stopped scooping sugar into her coffee and looked up. “What? Why?”

“They’re worried about drawing attention to you. I think they felt guilty about last night and want to make amends. By being away they will make sure all eyes are off this community.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Lyla, they are the ones who have been tracked. Nobody knows about you. The predictors out there know your parents are going to produce a child on November first. According to records, you haven’t been found out yet. But it’s only a matter of time. So your parents are leaving town to keep you safe. You and Chase should have a few good months to learn your skills and from what I saw yesterday, Chase is getting them in droves.”

“What’s next?” Chase finally sat at the table with everyone.

“We have a lot of research to do. I thought I knew everything there was about this, come to find out, I don’t. First we get Lyla’s parents out of here. Next we hit every spell and history book we can find. I’d rather not make you two go on the run.”

“Dad, you asked Lyla to un-cloak. What about the others in town? She’s going to have to register, isn’t she?” Everyone looked at Jaden he had become so silent lately it was almost easy to forget he was there.

“No, that’s too risky. For now, it’s to school and home as long as she hides in the car, it should be alright. Unless you would like to continue homeschooling?”

“No. I don’t want to be two miles away from Chase if that’s okay.”

An unease spread through everyone at the table. Nobody wanted a repeat of last night.

Lyla looked at her watch. “Maybe I can catch my parents before they leave.”

“I’ll drive you.” Chase stood up, placed his coffee mug in the sink and headed out the door with Lyla.

Lyla and Chase said good-bye to her family and spent the next three hours gathering her things and sitting on the porch that overlooked Lake Morton. The swans given to Lakeland by the Queen of England years ago were protected by the city and it gave Lyla great joy to watch them.

“Chase, do you think we’ll make it?”

“Make it in what way? Old age? Another two months? Together? Into a nuthouse? To Norway? I need specifics.”

Lyla looked over at Chase who beamed a wide smile at her.

Chase sighed. “I don’t know. I’m hopeful though.” He squeezed her hand and they settled into silence looking out over the lake. A loud noise ruined the peaceful chatter of ducks. Chase looked down at his phone. “My parents want to see me. They must be leaving again and want to say good-bye.”

“What do you mean; again?”

“My parents travel a lot. That’s one reason why I live over at Jaden’s. I don’t think Mr. M likes them. Well, I guess we should go. I’ll drop you at Mr. M’s and head over.”

“Better make sure your marks are covered.”

Chase looked down at his arm. His hand was the trickiest part. Even with a cloak of some sort, the ring finger may not cloak as well. He made a mental note to keep it hidden if he could. His parents weren’t that observant, but it was better safe than sorry.

Lyla watched Chase leave then turned to go into the house. She sat in the front room staring into the cold fireplace.

“How are you holding up?”

Lyla turned to see Jaden walking into the room.

“I’m okay. How about you? Ever since I got into town your entire world went upside-down.”

Jaden smiled. “Yeah well, sometimes a world needs a little shake up. Ours was a bit complacent anyway.”

“Nobody needs imminent death as a shakeup Jaden.”

“No. But having a pretty girl enter it is fun in its own way.”

Lyla’s face turned red, she put a hand to her cheek.

Jaden smiled. “I like you and Chase together, you fit. Was it a shock? Yeah, but we’ll find a way through this. We have to.”

“Jaden, I’ve wondered. Could you see me the whole time?”

Jaden looked down then back up. His eyes were big and brown and looked a bit mischievous. “Yep.”

“So when your car door hit me….”

“Yep. It was hard not running out to see if you were okay. And before you ask, yes, it was me who pushed you into Chase in the hallway.”

Lyla’s eyes widened. “That’s what started everything. Why?”

“Chase is my brother. We grew up together. When my mom died he was the only person I could count on.

“Your Dad…”

“My Dad kind of went off the deep end, he wasn’t really around for a year. So when Chase could feel you around, I saw a pain in him that wasn’t unlike what my dad went through. My Dad and I are like family to him but you, you’re his. I could see it before Chase could, it’s one of my gifts.”

“What about his parents?”

“Chase will come back later and tell us they’re going away for a few months. It’s his senior year, most likely he’s going away to college and they’re leaving. Welcome to the Fountaine’s. The most selfish people in Lakeland.”

“I’m grateful he’s had you then.” Lyla smiled at him. “Jaden, will Kayla come around at all?”

Jaden leaned against the couch and flicked his finger at the fireplace. A flame erupted and overtook the logs. Jaden had a smart academic look like his father. Tall, broad shouldered and dark brown hair just as messy as Chases’, he wore glasses over big eternally sad eyes and had dimples that winked at you when he smiled. Nobody would guess he was one of the best football players on the team.

“I’m sure eventually. I just hope she doesn’t say anything she can’t take back.”

“I’m surprised you never held it against Chase.”

Jaden looked over at Lyla and contemplated his next words. “That would be ridiculous. Chase has never played with her emotions which is the only reason I would ever have of disliking him.”

Lyla instantly liked Jaden.

An hour later Chase walked through the back door to where Mr. M was teaching Lyla how to throw someone with her mind. Poor Jaden was the guinea pig. He picked himself off the ground and cracked his neck. He stood before them, flashing Chase a smile.

“You really like that punishment?” Chase smirked back.

“I can handle it. Bet you can’t throw me as well as Lyla.”

Chase raised his eyebrows. “Oh? Step aside, everyone.”

Lyla rolled her eyes. “I’m going in to make some sandwiches.” Lyla walked past Chase flashing him a smile.

He winked back.

Lyla went into the kitchen and watched the guys through the window being all macho and getting nowhere. Chase could barely get Jaden a foot off the ground, let alone make him fly. Lyla made the sandwiches, put them on a tray with some pickles and walked out. The minute Lyla was within sight of Chase. Jaden was thrown through the yard over the fence and past the neighbors. Hard. He landed in a soft heap of dirt from the beginnings of a pool.