Insight (Web of Hearts and Souls #1)(68)

After an onslaught of arguments erupted from everyone, they finally calmed down. Brady convinced Clarissa that it didn’t matter who went Drake would take us, and we’d definitely come after one of our own.

As they continued to discuss a way of getting the three girls, I ventured out, looking at the waterfall and the tall overhanging trees. There was thunder in the distance, and you could feel the humidity in the air. Sweat drenched my dress, and my eyes were misty.

All at once, I felt the horror again. I looked back quickly to see if the others were in danger. I’d managed to walk almost fifty feet away from them. They were still discussing options. Their mood was tense, but no horror was with them. A look of confusion was covering my face as I looked back to them, then forward again. I took a few more brave steps toward the worst emotion I’d ever felt. The trees covered the gray sky, giving the illusion of darkness. The branches swayed with the wind, causing a light whistle and drying the sweat on my face. No animals could be seen, and the forest looked as if it had been abandoned.

When I looked back at the others again, Landen was staring at me, no longer listening as everyone pleaded their case to him at once.

“What is it? Do you see something?” he asked.

“I feel something, this way,” I responded, pointing to the forest.

Landen pushed through the others and made his way to me. As he got closer, I could feel it through him, too.

“I bet there’s an image in there,” I thought, looking into the dense darkness.

The others came to where we were. Landen glanced back and firmly told them, “Guard your emotions.” Then, looking squarely at Marc, he said, “And your intent.”

We made our way into the forest. We could hear the sound of rain on the canopy of leaves that shielded the ground. When the darkness was all around us, three figures came into my view—Hannah, Olivia, and Jessica. They were all dressed in white gowns, and their hair was up and decorated with jewels. Lines of mascara streaked down each of their faces. They trembled as they gripped each other. Hannah was the only one not screaming. It was hard not to rush in to touch them, to help them.

“I found them,” I said, swallowing hard and feeling the nauseating sensation of guilt overcome me.

I felt Landen's arm go around me. “This is not our fault,” he thought softly. I nodded and fought back the hopeless emotion that threatened to overtake me.

The others stared into the darkness, trying to see what I saw.

“How is this going to work? I mean, if they’re in the string, won’t Willow pass by them?” asked Chrispin bravely.

“I don’t think they’re in the string. I can feel the intent of several people,” Landen answered, looking at all of them.

“Can you see around them?” Clarissa asked calmly.

“Not until I touch them,” I said, staring at the three of them yearning to help.

“Regardless, she has to touch them, at least one of them. Two of us can grab the others,” Landen said. “We’re not going to have time to lead them. They’re going to have to be carried.”

“To where?” Marc asked.

“We can’t take them to their home, not in this condition. Jason is going to need to look them over,” Landen said with a bit of disdain in his voice. He was furious at Drake and whoever had helped him hurt my friends.

“So who wants to go with us? We need two of you.” No indecision came from any of them. They all stepped forward, even Dane. Seeing their eagerness, Landen made the decision for them.

“Okay. Brady and Dane, flank me and Willow. When we’re back here, Chrispin, you grab the girl Willow is holding. Clarissa, Marc, you lead us back to the string. Dane and Willow are the only ones that need to talk. If they struggle, we’ll never make it back to Chara,” Landen finished.

A serious mood came over us all. Everyone seemed to be very clear on their roles. I knew I’d have to calm these girls as much as possible before the others carried them. I circled around so their backs were to me, trying not to worry about what had captured their attention.

Landen took his place behind me, and Brady and Dane held on to him. I felt a pull come over me. When I reached my trembling hands out, the charm on my chest hummed, and the sensation brought a calm over me.

Olivia was in the middle. I laid my head on her back, then wrapped my arms around Hannah and Jessica. When the green haze passed, taking the tingle with it, I moved my arms around Olivia’s small frame. The room they were in was dark and damp, and the only light came from an open ceiling, with a gray sky as a canopy, adding a degree of eeriness. An altar was centered in the room, and un-lit candles lined the table. Black roses served as a centerpiece. Chants could be heard from all around the room. Assuring myself that the other two were secure, I pushed back the haze of green, and a warm tingle rushed passed me.

The forest replaced the dark room again. Chrispin took possession of Olivia the moment we came into sight. In the blink of an eye, we’d passed through the forest and were in the string again. Jessica was screaming. I pleaded with her to calm down, but she screamed louder.

“Willow, is that you?” asked Olivia.

“Yeah, you’re fine, I promise. Is Jessica hurt? Why is she screaming?”

Tears streamed down Olivia’s face as she leaned into Crispin’s chest, not caring that she didn’t know him. “She can’t hear you. They took it.”