Witness: See Series (Volume 1)(39)

“How the hell did he know that?” I mumbled as Madison came to my side.

I texted back: “Stalker tell me how you know that.”

I looked at Madison with accusing eyes. She raised her hands defensively. “Told you we needed to go to yoga. I want to meditate, learn to figure out what they know.”

“Like one class is gonna make a difference,” I argued.

“It’s a starting place. I just need someone to show me how so I can figure out the rest.”

I rolled my eyes as I looked down at my phone again. He had answered: “Your energy is so strong you leave a trail – not hard to see where you are – where you have been.”

I texted back: “We need to talk – face to face today. I’ll text later.”

I looked at Madison. “Yoga it is, and then while you’re having lunch with your mom, I have some other conversations I need to have.”

“You’re not talking to him alone.”

“Watch me,” I said shortly.

I went to the closet to get my clothes, then take a shower. I kept my phone with me - like it would make a difference. I knew if Britain wanted to talk to Madison, he’d find a way; in fact, I knew that if she wanted to talk to him, I couldn’t stop her.

I won’t lie: the idea of them being together as couple was starting to invade my imagination. Maybe that was a good idea; I mean, who could stop two people that wanted to be together?

The fact that Evan and everyone else had alluded to the fact that Draven and Britain were just like my dad made me think that I was right all along: that I could save Britain. I actually thought if that happened, then maybe we’d be stronger with him on our side - but I knew that if that were to ever happen, there would be hell to pay with Draven and Aden. I didn’t care, though; my only worry at that moment was Bianca, specifically what I’d say to her when I found her. I was gonna make her pay for the thought of even taking Draven away from me…I just didn’t know how.

Once my hair was dry, I pulled on my favorite jeans and layered on a few long tanks and a long sleeve T-shirt before sidling my arms through my hoodie; it was Draven’s black one with a Celtic cross on the chest. I never gave it back to him, and now he smiled every time he saw me wear it. I grabbed my shoes, phone, and my bag and raced down the stairs.

I found Monroe at the kitchen table with a lady I’d never met; I assumed it was her tutor. Kara was baking something that filled the house with the aroma of pumpkin and cinnamon. When I walked in the room, hopping on one foot from putting my shoes on, Monroe stood up quickly with wide eyes.

“Morning. How’s school?” I said in a calm tone.

Of course, she didn’t answer me; all she did was stare. “That good, huh?” I said with a smirk. “Listen, I have a few things to do – but I’ll be back later.”

Monroe took a step closer to me and slightly shook her head no. I stared back at her, feeling the tutor and Kara watching us closely. As I peered into her eyes, I asked just one question: what are you afraid of? As I finished the thought, I was no longer standing in the kitchen; I was in a field. It was dark, and I felt the wind blowing my hair back. Lightning was crashing above me, and thunder was rumbling. Before me stood my worst enemy: Bianca. I was staring at her so intently that I barely noticed Draven to my right and Britain to my left; they were facing each other, and all of us were standing in a perfect square. I didn’t have to look at either of them to feel the anger seething from them.

Then all of a sudden, I felt a calm – but it didn’t belong to me; it belonged to strong arms that were gently pushing me back. It took all I had to break my stare with Bianca to see who it was. I was expecting to see my father, but I couldn’t have been more wrong: it was Silas. My eyes grew wide as I looked up at his captivating profile: strong shoulders, lean body. Why was he here? Then all at once, the thunder crashed above and lightning brought the darkness to its knees. In that light, I watched as Draven and Britain turned to face me; it was as if the three of them were against me and Silas was my only line of defense.

I lost my focus, and as the world around me crumbled, I found myself staring at Monroe in my kitchen. I let out a short breath as I let my shoulders fall.

“Well…,” I finally said, “it’s daylight - and the sun is shining...no worries.” I reached to tighten my bag that was across me as Monroe stepped forward and reached for my arm.

“Listen…I’ll make a deal with you: you sit down and do your school work, and the moment you’re done, text me and I’ll come back for you. I’m not gonna be far – promise.”

Monroe’s tutor stood quietly and walked to Monroe to guide her back to the table. Monroe didn’t fight with her; she did as I asked. I felt Kara’s eyes on me and nodded for her to follow me outside.

When I stepped into the garage, I heard something odd: silence. I furrowed my eyebrows as I searched for my keys. “Have you seen Madison?” I asked half-heartedly. As I said that, I saw Madison pacing behind the garage, talking on her phone. “Never mind,” I said as I looked back at Kara. “What about mom? Have you talked to her?”

Kara was staring at me with that ‘proud of you’ look she was famous for. “What?” I asked

“It’s fun being the big sister, isn’t it?” Kara said.

“I’ve known her for a total of one day – not a sister; just a very…complex girl that I get.”