Hurricane (The Charmed) (17 page)

Mr. M staggered over to them. “They’re leaving.” He collapsed on the ground.

Jaden inspected him. “It’s a spell. He’ll be okay in a minute.”

Kayla came over and placed a hand on his chest that left a glowing impression. The print sunk into his chest. Mr. M opened his eyes and stared up at Kayla. “Thank you. It’s nice to know someone was paying attention in my class.” He looked around. “Where’s Chase? Where’s Lyla?”

“Dad, that boom was Chase. They’re gone.”

“What?”

“They’re gone. We don’t know where.”

“Not dead.”

Everyone looked around at each other. They couldn’t say for sure. Kayla spoke up. “I don’t think so Mr. M, I was watching, I think he just kind of teleported somewhere. But I don’t know about Lyla, she was pretty lifeless.”

“Without Lyla there wouldn’t be a Chase.” Mr. M stood. “Let’s get back before police arrive.”

They loaded the car and pulled out of there. They entered Mr. M’s house around two a.m. All of them sat around the table and went over it again.

“You said you found no sign of them? Just a black outline?”

Harley took the lead. “Yes. I don’t believe they’re dead. I think they’re just gone.”

“Then this is what we’ll do. We hold a funeral for both of them.” Mr. M had to stop and wipe his eyes. “Then as soon as you can, I want you to scour the books.

“No.” Harley stood in front of everyone staring at Mr. M. “It’s enough of the books, we leave.”

“It’s too dangerous, Harley!”

“Do you think what Chase has been through these past few months isn’t? We owe it to him and Lyla to find out where they went. Lyla was in bad shape. What happens to Chase if Lyla dies? Death?”

Mr. M looked up. “Yes.”

“Then we leave as soon as possible. Where is the closest Charmed help-house?”

“Tallahassee.”

“Then we start there.”

The funeral was one of the largest Lakeland had seen. Mr. M knew it was because of the word spreading about their powers. Curiosity brought enough Charmed to the city to overload the tiny community.

The caskets were closed. Mr. M didn’t think he was fooling anyone but it was worth a shot.

Chase’s parent’s went up to the casket and made a show of grieving. Mr. M met them on their way back to their seat. “I suggest you two exit Lakeland. Tales of what you’ve done are spreading. If we weren’t in front of so many people I’d kill you myself. Right now.”

Mr. Fountaine swallowed hard. He took his wife by the arm and steered her away from Mr. M.

The next day, the four of them made preparations to leave.

“You’re sure you have everything? The locator? Tent? Food? Car?”

“Yes Mr. M, of course we do.” Brendan was trying to ease his stress but it wasn’t working.

They filed into Jaden’s truck. Jaden lowered his voice, “Dad, I’ll bring them back.”

Mr. M looked up, patted him on the shoulder, tears in his eyes. “I know. I can’t help but worry.”

“I’m glad you’re here in case they show up.” Jaden broke off, tears forming again. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

“Take care Jaden, call in Tallahassee, after your meeting at the house. Remember not to give anything away. How is your arm?”

Jaden looked down at his bandaged shoulder. “It’ll heal, it wasn’t that bad. I’ll call as soon as I get there.” He hugged his father, got into the truck, adjusted the rearview mirror and looked at everyone. He put the truck in gear and got out of there.

They didn’t know what they would find but all of them held out hope.

“Alright guys, to Tallahassee.” Jaden looked around him, these people were family and with any luck, he would find Chase and Lyla and they would be complete again.

“S
ir, there’s someone at the gate.”

A large man with warm eyes the color of honey rose from his place by the fire.

“Are they friend or foe?”

“A man and woman, the woman appears to be hurt.”

“Well for heaven’s sake, let them in.”

The large man stood, towering large frame in the cozy space. He took the paper he received about the death of the young couple and threw it in the fire. It’s a pity, he thought. They could have turned the archaic world they all lived in upside-down. It was needed. He looked at the picture of his own partner, Madeleine, they could never marry. It would mean death for her. Children were out as well, but it had been a good life because they were together.

The young man returned. “Sir, I put them in the closest room.”

“Thank you, Sebastian.” He watched the young man go down the hallway, his long hair moving with his walk. He would have to talk to him about cutting his hair.

He walked to the room they reserved for the sick. He stopped in the doorway. A young man was sitting on the bed cradling a woman who was clearly hurt. They couldn’t have been more than eighteen, he thought. His eyes flashed to the young man’s arm, the wicked lines running up and down that matched his partners.

He came into the room with a fluid motion that belied his size and shut the door quickly. He held his hand out. “Tom Henderson, at your service.”

The young man shook his hand. “Chase.” He looked down at the girl in his arms. “Chase and Lyla Fountaine.”

Dianne Nutting grew up in the Pacific Northwest, but now lives in sunny Lakeland, Florida with her family. When she’s not carting kids off to various sporting events, she does voiceovers for companies from her home studio. For upcoming stories and to see what she’s up to in Florida, follow Dianne on:
www.dnutting.blogspot.com