Hidden Gifts

Sixteen

Ashton wrapped his arms around a wheezing Damie as she sobbed unconsolably on his shoulder. Carter just sits there feeling uncomfortable.

He couldn't deal with the fact that he might be the reason she's missing. He heard that most people that worked there always quite after a few days and some even go missing. There were dangerous people there and maybe her stubbornness had gotten her in trouble.

"Um, Miss Damie Russo, our search team has gone all over town and we still haven't found her. You said she was seventeen and there has been no response of a seventeen years old black girl named Talia Russo leaving the town in the time span of this week. In cases like this we can only conclude that she's... Dead." A black male officer says and bursts into more tears.

"I'm sorry to say this right now but... The family of the girl who had died the day before, I think her name was Natalie, were found dead in the hospital room Talia Russo was in along with two other officers. I do not wish to say this but.. we presume she might have been the cause of their death's then fled." He continues and Carter gets up.

"I think we've heard enough." He says and closes the door on his face not waiting for a response.

"I'm sorry, baby." Ashton says as he kisses Damie's head.

After what seems like thirty minutes or more there's a knock on the door and all of them share the same curious look. It was already ten and they all wondered why the police would still come back here to question them or ask them something.

Damie had finally calmed down and she made hot cocoa for all of them.

Carter had volunteered to get the door and he dropped his drink as he saw who stood in front of the door.

"T– Talia?" He says.

"What?" Ashton asks and Damie runs to the door pushing Carter out of the way.

"Talia." She hugs her tightly her tears returning for their sequel. "Where were you? I was so fucking worried." She cried.

"What happened?" Carter asks.

Talia does not respond. She just looks at them unable to concentrate. Memories of the field and how she had just killed Mike and TJ and how she had just lost Joseph.

"Say something Talia." Ashton gets up too.

"Why– why the hell are you so bloody? What happened Talia?" Damie holds back tears.

Talia's head was spinning and she need to just sleep. She couldn't concentrate and she felt nauseous. Suddenly, she lost her balance but Carter had caught her before she hit the ground.

"I'll take her upstairs." He says and carries her upstairs. He drops her gently on her bed. As he is about to leave she wakes up and calls his name.

"Yes?" He turns to face her.

"I– I need you to lock the windows and all the doors. Please." She falls back on her bed.

"Why?" She doesn't respond, he looks at her for some minutes before leaving.

~~~
"You don't have to go to school today until you feel like. So just sit down and try to recuperate and get some rest." Ashton offers her some pancakes.

Ever since Damie and Ashton started dating the house had felt more like a home. They had never furniture and it was becoming less empty. Ashton was nice, she gave him that, and Damie really seemed happy with him.

Talia does not respond and she does not collect the pancakes.

"I'm sorry Ash, I don't know what happened to her and she hasn't said a word since she got back. Hey Carter, did she say anything to you?" Damie sits down at their new dining table.