Tonight is the night we die

Chapter Seven

I stay in the parking lot, stuck here, panic preventing my body from going anywhere. Why would Jake call me ? It is not good, he is in danger, maybe the whole group is dead, maybe this is his pursuers, they got him. I left for too long and now I am too late. I fight through the terror and answer the call, ready to witness the worst :

" Ja... " I start but I am quickly cut off but a voice, an angry, Jake's voice. I could fall on the ground right now :

" What are you doing in Duskwood ?! Did you just go to the waterfall with Alan ? Alone with him ?! Are you out of your fucking mind Gloria ? Do you have a death wish or something ?! " He snapped, furious. Terribly pissed. I am in so much shock that I barely hear what he is saying. Everyone is safe that's all I get. I must look like an idiot. Him being mad at me, barking at the phone and me on the other side just looking at him, with wide eyes, my mouth opened, speechless. This is the first time I am seeing him, hearing him, no disguise, no voice modifying, just him. Jake.It gets quiet and Jake seems to realise what he just did. His green eyes lightened and we look at each other through that screen. I look away and clear my throat as I compose myself :

" I'm fine. It's all good. Let me get back to my room. " I say softly to him, scared to see him disappear " Don't go anywhere, please " I almost beg him, I don't want to lose sight of him anymore. I walk fast to the motel, hoping to not encounter anyone on the way. It's a struggle to open the door, my hand with the key is shaking too much. And during all this time, I can feel his eyes on me. I manage to get in after multiple attempts, turn the bedside lamp on, sitting on the bed before passing out. I report my attention to him. I let a big breath out :

" Hi ! " I say to him, feeling my cheeks burning.

" Hi ! " Jake answers. He clears his throat, lay his back against his chair, brushing his brown hair with one hand. They are just as messy as I imagined. He quickly fixed his hoodie. He is biting the inside of his left cheek, crossing his arms on his chest.

" I'm sorry " I start, putting in so much effort to control my voice, I feel so shaky, being overwhelmed by all that just happened " I should have told you I was coming here but... Well I knew you would not agree with me so... " I can't finish my sentence.

" So you did not tell me and then decided to go on a little stroll in the forest with the chief of the police, is that right ? " He asks, the anger still resonating deep in his voice, raising one of his bushy eyebrow. Jake sighs and add " When did you even arrive in Duskwood ? "

" After the blackout at the cabin, I got scared for them and... I needed to be closer, ready to take action. So I got on the road right after that. I didn't tell anyone, figuring it was for the best to just do it on my own. When I got to Duskwood, Jessy called me and she heard the bells or whatever and asked me to stay away from the cabin as long as they don't have news from Michael. So I got to the motel instead. " I explain calmly, under Jake's gaze and I am surprised about how I kept my cool during my speech.

He passes a hand on his face and leans closer to the screen, his elbows resting on the desk in front of him.

" That is insane Gloria. You are not safe anymore, you do realise that ? " I see fear in his eyes, I can't look away. I am afraid to blink and see him vanish. His voice is softening now, sounding more worried than angry. He is calming down and his tone is calming me down too at the same time and it's a feeling that's more than welcome.

" I know but I can't stay hidden in a corner anymore Jake. I should have told you, I hated not telling you what I was doing but I couldn't let you get distracted by me like that " I hope he knows I am sincere. I get up from the bed, walk towards the little sofa I was sitting on while texting  Alan. I sit on the ground, putting the phone down on the coffee table, managing to keep my phone standing up thanks to an ashtray and a book about the town of Duskwood.