Hunted

Chapter 27

... Isaac ...

I'm so excited. Today, Lizzy is able to go back to her normal routine. But she doesn't know that yet. It's going to be a surprise.

"She is going to be so happy." Mason smiles next to me.

"I wonder what she's going to do." I clap him on the back and we enter the building. We walk down the hall and open Lizzy's door. For the second night in a row, she's gone. But there's a note.

I quickly get over to it, and almost puke. On the envelope, it says, Goodbye.

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.

My eyes sting and I collapse on the bed, despair whipping me like a belt. "What is it?" Mason grabs it out of my hand and quickly reads it. With every line, his eyes get bigger and bigger.

"Why would she leave?" His voice quivers.

"She must have had a dream. A pretty terrible one at that." I sigh and sit back up. "We need to figure out the poem and find her." Ms. Keefe chooses that moment to walk in.

"Where is she?" She freezes and glances at the note.

"Gone."