Hunted

Chapter 26

Blaise, wake up. I gently shake the black cat next to me. His death eats at me, and I know we have to get out of here.

What? He groggily raises his head and looks at me, confusion and concern spreading from him.

We have to leave immediately. The prophecy. I found out what it means. Death for everyone here if I stay. I send him the worst images from my dream, and I see them flashing in his blue eyes.

I don't think that's the prophecy, Lizzy. It's just a bad dream. He tries to comfort me.

You can stay here, but I'm leaving. I choke the words out.

No, if you're going, I'm going with you. I won't be able to live without you. He stands up, then sits down.

Thank you. I hug him and he purrs. But we need to leave before they can stop us.

Here, I'll go get you some paper and a pencil. I know you won't leave before you say goodbye, even if it's in a letter. Blaise jumps onto the window and slips out a crack.

I don't know how I'm going to do this. How will I leave Isaac? I've known him my whole life, and now I'm willingly leaving him behind. My heart aches painfully and I know I have to do this if I ever want to see him again. Blaise quickly comes back with a couple of papers and a pencil in his mouth.

Thank you. I kiss the top of his head and quickly start writing.

Dear Isaac, Mason, and Ms. Keefe,

You are probably wondering where I am, and why I left. But I can only tell you that if I stay, the prophecy will destroy everyone here. I watched all of you die, and if that really happens, I don't know what I'd do. It would tear me apart.

Isaac, you can keep all of the books in my room. Try to distract yourself once and a while with a good book. It'll do wonders for you. You know I wouldn't leave without reason, so you're just going to have to trust me. I'll eventually be back. I love you.

Mason, you can keep... Well just find something that you like. I wrote this note really fast, so I didn't have time to ponder the things I have that are not books. Sorry. You will eventually see me again, but I have no idea when. Keep yourself out of trouble. I love you.

Ms. Keefe, I need you to know that the prophecy will come true if I stay. I saw you lying on the ground as ash covered you, and your blood flowed down the street. I cannot let that happen.

I care about all of you too much. If you're ripped away from me, I'll have no one left to love. I would go insane with grief. So I have to leave and stop it. Please don't go after me, but if you absolutely need to find me, figure this out.

Where the dogwoods grow,

And blood freely flows,

I will be there,

But do not despair,

When the time is right,

And the news is right,

I'll be back.

I love you all,

Sincerely, Lizzy.

With trembling hands, I fold the note. I don't get it out of tear range in time and a nasty red blotch falls onto the outer edge of the letter. Oh well, nothing I can do about it now. I put the paper on my pillow and look at Blaise, who's staring at me with solemn eyes.

Ready? I ask.

As ready as I'll ever be. He sighs and leaps off the bed. I open the door, but it squeaks, so I quickly shut it again.

We need to get out the widow, but I won't fit. An idea crosses my mind. I hope this won't hurt as much this time.

I imagine a sleek red coat and white legs. A tail longer than half of me. Big ears. A muzzle. Suddenly I fall to my knees, and wait for the pain to come. My fur sprouts and it stings, but not as bad as last time. Everything is dulled and when I'm finished, I'm a fox.

That didn't hurt as much as last time. I remark as I jump onto the windowsill next to Blaise.

It will continue to go down until it's painless. That'll take about ten total shifts. He slips out the window and I quickly follow him. It's only a first story window, so it's only about a four foot drop.

I land gracefully and I run after Blaise, who's sprinted ahead of me. The air has so much smells I realize. I can smell food from different restaurants, and so many more unexplainable odors. How do you learn to tune out all the smells?

I used to live in a trash can. You learn pretty fast. He snorts. I guess I have to agree with him.

I look around campus as I slink through the shadows. It seems so peaceful compared to my dream, where fire licked from the top of the buildings and screams came from everywhere. I shudder and try to forget.

I race out to my car, a silver Toyota tundra. Right before I hit the car, I shift and open the door. Blaise hops in before me and I quickly close the door. Realization hits me, and I almost bang my head against the horn. I forgot my keys.

Oh well, I always carry a spare underneath the seat in case there was an emergency. I grab it and put it in the ignition. The car roars to life and I gun out of the parking lot, leaving behind everyone I love. Except for Blaise.

Silent tears drip down my face as I leave the city and everything I know.