The Legacy

2- Leaving home

"I'm getting help," I said firmly and tried to stand up again.

"Isla, no," she said louder, and then closed her eyes and took a deep breath as if it had pained her to speak. I dropped to my knees and looked at her, confused and frightened. Why didn't she want me to get help? I couldn't lose her. She was all I had left.

"Look at me," she whispered. I leaned in close and slowed my breathing. 

"I need," she paused and started coughing. It took everything I had in me not to disobey her and run for help. She finally gained control of her breathing and then grabbed my hand in hers. "I need to tell you something." A single tear ran down her cheek.

My lips trembled. "What grandma?" I whispered.

She started shaking her head. "I'm sorry," she took a deep, croaky breath. "I'm so sorry I - I didn't tell you. Your parents," she talked so slowly, taking a pained breath in between each word. "Were supposed to teach you. But then, it was for your own safety."

I shook my head, confused. She was shaking, so I smoothed the sweaty hair off of her forehead, out of her eyes, trying to calm her down.

"I know you felt like you never belonged, Isla. It's because you don't. You're special," she said as she stroked my hand. Suddenly, she cried out in pain.

"Grandma!" I shouted as I put my hands on both sides of her face. "Look at me, please," I said, desperate for her to keep her eyes open. Tears started streaming down my face. Her eyes finally focused back on me.

"Isla," she whispered so lightly. "Go to Santa Monica. Find Farrah."

"What? Who's Farrah? How do I find her?" I asked frantically as her eyes drooped closed.

"Find Farrah," she whispered again.

"Grandma," I whispered and wiped my tears. "I need to get you help." I tried to stand up but she grabbed my hand to keep me from getting up.

"Please," her lips trembled and her eyes opened. "You need to listen to me. You're special, Isla. Your parents wanted you to be safe. That's why we hid it. Your mom and dad," she looked at me with sadness in her eyes. "They didn't die in a car accident. They were killed, Isla."

I sucked in a breath.

"Who killed them?"

Her eyes closed again and I was frightened they wouldn't open again. "You need to get out of here," she choked out.

"What? No, I'm not leaving you."

"You're not safe here anymore. I never had powers like your mom, but I had enough to protect you ever since your parents died."

"What do you mean?" I asked. She wasn't making any sense. Powers? Protect me? From who? 

"They will be threatened by you, by your abilities," she said quickly, as if she felt a sense of urgency now. "If I'm gone, I can't hide your powers from the world. They will sense them. They will come for you."

"Who?" I asked desperately.

"Isla, Isla," she said slowly, patting my hand gently. "Listen," she closed her eyes and took a slow breath. "Listen carefully." she opened her eyes and looked at me. "Pack a bag and leave." I opened my mouth, but she cut me off. "In my office, there's a safe in the closet. The code is 30-46-23. Then look behind the books in the top shelf of my bookcase. Take it with you," she said.

"I'm not leaving you," I choked out. Non of this made any sense. 

"They're coming for you. You can't trust anyone. You need to find her. You need to learn." She shook her head. "I should have told you sooner," she whispered.