Obsession

Chapter 52

Leo

"Where are we going?" Anna asks as I drive like a bat out of hell in the direction of Kai's house.

"We're going to figure out what's giving Kai all these abilities. If we can keep him from going back to it, he'll return to normal and we can finally get rid of him."

"Okay, but we have no idea what this magical source is," she scoffs.

"You know, I'm getting really sick of your sarcasm. Mara and I have been going through hell and you think this is funny," I snap.

She looks at me in surprise, but I keep my eyes straight ahead, focused on the road in front of me. "Geez, sorry. It's just this is all really overwhelming and being light-hearted is my way of dealing with it."

"You want to know what's overwhelming? Watching the person you care about most slowly spiral out of control until all that's left is a shell of who she used to be. Looking into her eyes and seeing nothing but fear and anguish. Knowing that you can't do a God damn thing to fix it because you don't have the slightest idea what you're really even up against!"

Anna stares at me long after I'm done ranting. I may sound crazy to her, but I don't care anymore. I needed to get that off my chest. Mara is drowning and I feel like no matter how hard I try, I can't save her. So instead, I'm forced to watch her fade away into someone else- someone she didn't have to become.

"You really love her," she finally says.

I nod, fighting back the sudden tears I feel coming. "I do. Which is why I'm going to do everything I can to save her."

We pull up to Kai's house and notice his mother's car in the driveway. We can't just walk in while she's here and I'm pretty sure she's already suspicious of Anna and me.

But I'm desperate.

And crazy.

I just want this to be over.

So I get out of the truck and start for the front door.

"What are you doing?!" Anna calls out, chasing after me. "You know she's not gonna just let us in!"

"Where's Kai's father?" I ask.

"Uh, I think he died a few years ago. Or maybe he moved away?" she shrugs.

"So it's just his mother, right?"

She nods. "Yeah, I think so. Why?"

"Any pets?"

"None that I know of, but seriously...what are you doing?" she asks.

I don't answer. Instead, I knock on the door. Anna stands beside me, tensed up as if she's afraid of what I'm about to do.

She should be.

When Kai's mother answers the door, I can tell by the look in her eyes that she knows exactly why I'm here.

But I don't give her a chance to feed us little white lies like she did the last time we were here. I grab her by the shoulders and push her back into the wall, growling like a wild animal.

"Leo, what the hell are you doing?!" Anna shouts.

"Where is Kai?! I know you know what's wrong with him! If he hurts Mara, I swear to God, I'll kill him right in front of you!" I shout, just inches from her face.

She shudders in fear, squeezing her eyes shut. "I don't know!"

"Bullshit! You know and you're going to tell me!" I say, grabbing her tight and pulling her up against my chest.