Witness: See Series (Volume 1)(71)

Another one came, then another – and my heart began to flutter as the thought that Silas was close came to me. I was instantly furious with myself; I felt guilty for wanting to see him again. I thought about running out the door to find him, to try once more to convince him to leave Draven alone or at the very least, tell me how to help him, save him - but I fought that urge. I didn’t want to leave Madison in the middle of this life-changing moment; instead, I walked to her side and nervously paced as the artist began to fill in the ankh.

“I guess she’s not still anymore,” the artist said with an awkward grin on his face.

Madison smiled nervously, then locked eyes with me. I saw something there that I hadn’t seen in a long time: confidence, a clear course in her mind. It was as if the tattoo were marking the path of her fate, leading her to where her thoughts would wander when she stared into space.

I asked the simple question: Who’s in your dreams? But, she was blocking me, keeping that part of her hidden away. One of the biggest fears that danced in the back of my mind was that her fate – the one that was haunting her – was far more dangerous than the battle I was about to face.

Once the artist finished her tattoo, it reflected the exact one on my wrist. I smiled slightly. “Guess it’ll be hard to ever forget you now.”

“I could say the same about you,” she replied with her predicable wit.

While she paid, I stepped outside, looking for my butterflies. As soon as I questioned where they may be, they appeared fluttering around me; there were only a few, but they were just as breathtaking as the thousands I’d seen last night near the pond. A warm calm eased through me, and I closed my eyes as I felt the ever growing addiction of Silas’ energy. He was Draven’s perfect opposite, placid where Draven was electrifying.

The door dinged as Madison came out. I felt her nudge me with her shoulder.

“Are you sleeping?” she asked in a teasing manner.

I opened my eyes to see that all of my butterflies had vanished. The warm sensation of Silas’ energy slowly faded from my soul.

“Just thinking,” I mumbled.

“Where to?” she asked.

I reached in my bag and pulled out the note Monroe had given me. “Here – to find Austin.”

“Do you have a backup plan if he’s not back? Maybe we should spend more energy thinking about Bianca.”

The sting in her voice told me that beyond her dreams, Bianca was the only thing plaguing her thoughts; that for some reason, she saw her as more of an enemy than I did. I assumed it was because she was developing feelings for Britain, even though deep down I knew there was more to it.

“I told you, one way or another I was going to find Austin. I’m gonna step into Wesley’s memories, go to this Chara place, and find someone – anyone – to come and find us.”

“Seriously?” she asked in a weak voice.

“You don’t have to come,” I said, trying to reassure her that I was positive this was what I needed to do.

“You’re not stepping into someone’s memories and leaving this dimension alone – end of story,” she said as she took the paper and ran across the street to my car.

I climbed in the driver’s seat and pulled my bandage back. “I want to send Draven a text show him this,” I said as I handed her my phone so she could take a picture.

She smirked. “Yeah – I’m sure he’s not gonna believe this.”

“Did you tell him?”

“Not in so many words – but he knew I was gonna ask you.”

She handed my phone back to me. I decided to leave off the bandage; the cool air felt good on my burning raw skin. I forwarded the picture to Draven and Aden and texted: ‘my first birthday present – not as amazing as what you guys are working on but still awesome.’

I’d expected an instant response, but nothing came as I entered Wesley’s address into the GPS. I picked up my phone and checked the messages anyway, thinking maybe my phone was on silent.

“They’re probably playing – full band now that they have Winston and Grayson.”

She instantly reminded me of the beat that I’d heard as those rocks moved in thin air. “I scrolled to Aden’s name and texted: ‘I have to go and meet someone – but I need to see you – only you – I have a sound I need you to make.’

“That will get his attention,” I said as I put the car in drive and followed the directions to Wesley’s house.





Chapter Fifteen


The address we were going to was only two blocks away, not nearly far enough for me to think of what I needed to say to this guy – or even Austin, if he was there. My anxiety started to plague my mind, affecting every part of my body. I hated how one thought – or several insane thoughts – could have such a physical effect on me. I told myself that I shouldn’t fear this – no, not this; more like what could happen if I faced an epic battle with Bianca or had to defend Draven from Silas. Those thoughts made me sick to my stomach and instantly made the uncalled-for anxiety I was feeling much more intense.

I took in a deep breath and let it out, then focused on what I’d seen at the pond last night: the beauty of those butterflies, the calm energy. Within the next breath, calm was coming back to me and I was turning on Wesley’s street.