The Survivor (Book 2)

Chapter 5

My heart beat faster than if there was a starving lion in front of me. I nearly left the group trying to search for Zack, but Gen latched onto my arm. I couldn’t hear Zack’s thoughts, and I didn’t know if that should make me more or less scared. I went with more.

Clutching onto Gen’s waist, I trusted he’d lead us in the right direction. But as minutes became an hour, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

“He’s gotta be dead by now,” Lionel said quietly.

“If you want to keep your hands attached to your wrists, you will never say that to me again. Ever. Got it?” my voice shook relentlessly. I didn’t look to see if Lionel nodded, but he was quiet so I assumed he did. “Gen,” I looked up at the demon. “Please don’t ever be a cop.”

“Why?”

“Because you suck,” I let go of him and stopped. “Shouldn’t I be leading? I’m the one that loves him. Better chance of finding him.”

“Please,” Gen nodded, and I took off the opposite direction. Within minutes, I found him.

His back was pressed tightly against a tree, and he was hugging his knees as closely to his chest as physically possible. Quiet sobs escaped his throat, and I dropped to my knees in front of him, tilting his chin up. Upon seeing me, he backed further into the tree, sobbing louder.

I pulled my hands away from him, taking a quick step back, “Zack-”

“I don’t have a soul!” he cried.

“Zack, it’s me,” I said softly. “Really, sweetheart. You’re safe.”

“It’s not you. It’s not real,” he said quietly, voice no louder than a choked whisper. I looked at Gen behind me, and he shrugged anxiously. “If it’s you, then where’s my tattoo?”

I pointed to where his tattoo was, using myself to demonstrate rather than touching him. He nodded quickly.

“When’s my birthday?” he asked.

He never told me, but I could hear the answer echoing in his head. “September ninth.”

“Who was I?”

“You claim to have been no one, but I don’t believe you for a second,” I shrugged. “Did I pass?”

He nodded, swallowing me in his arms. His face was buried in my shoulder, and I rubbed his back between his wings. “Not there,” he choked out. I quickly moved my hands around his waist.

I wanted to ask if he saw it, but knew that was a really, really bad idea. “Let’s go back to the house,” I kissed his temple.

He shook his head, whacking me with his hair. “We’re not safe. Not in the house, not in California, and most certainly not in these damned woods.”

“There are more of us in the house, though,” Gen stepped in. “We’ll be safer there until we can figure out how to get rid of this thing.”

Zack nodded, and I helped him to his feet. How the hell do we get out of here?

“Not sure,” I answered honestly. “We’ll figure it out.”

He squeezed his hand around mine, but that was the only contact between us. I gulped, wondering how long he’d be in this state. Genesis sent me a puzzled look, and I didn’t know how to sooth his curious mind. Mine was just as curious, and only Zack would be the one to speak. Er…If he spoke of it.

“Is your twin telepathy working?” I asked Zack quietly. He shook his head. Shit. I could sort of hear Taylor’s disgusting thoughts, but I couldn’t tell where they were coming from. Eros’s weren’t quite so dirty, but they were still pretty bad. I thought it was best to stay on the patio when we did get back. “Av, do you have a spell?” She shook her head. Double shit.