The Book of Gemma -Apocalyptic Fantasy Romance-

CHAPTER 19: THE INTRUDERS

"I'll be back in a few weeks when I get rotated again. If you need to find me, you still have my coordinates in your map."
Franco kisses the top of Annie's head and leaves the room. She spins in the office chair, rolling it towards the camera.
"Well folks... after years.. We got her." She rubs her cheeks to massage her strained smile.
"Now I just have to get this wristband wiped so the-.." She turns her head back to the door.

"Hello?.... Jack?" She stands up from her chair and walks to the doorframe.

"Jack? ... did you forget something-.. hel-AHHHH!"

Her scream blares through the speakers, making me and Deecon shove our palms into our ears.
Annie races to the other side of the room to open the window.
Three men with masks enter the room, grabbing her arms. Tearing her away from the window and begin strapping her to the chair. She cries out for Jack. She cries for anyone to hear her. The man socks the side of her jaw and blood begins to ooze from her mouth. Her head falls and her eyes roll back.
The man approaches the camera, snagging it off the desk and bringing it closer to her face.

"Did you think we wouldn't hack into your data and see the videos?... You two are smarter than I realized... fooling Knox into your game actually worked... but..." He grabs the back of her hair, pulling her head up to face him.
"... simple blackmail to get you the largest house.. Unlimited credits... permanent status?... that's just too small."

The other man begins to tape her mouth, bounding her arms and legs.
The camera is flipped around to the man's masked face.

"We've got something bigger planned... and your tribute will help us... See you soon... Knox."

I drop the remote onto the marble floor.
They froze Annie for a week to plan the bombing. They cut her arm off and threw her body down the river. They planted the wristband for me to find. They knew I would come running at the news of a body being found.

I was a fucking fool.

Being in my pendant state left me so blind to what was happening around me.

"We need to leave.. This house isn't safe." Albi begins gathering his belongings. "Gemma, grab your stuff.. We leave in ten minutes."
I turn to him, standing my ground. "I cannot hide when the stake of Sky is too high. What if they begin attacking the city? They are here. They are wolves hiding in sheep's clothing through the streets."

He sticks his finger in my direction. "They know our house inside and out.. They could come in the dead of night. Sky has no hope of survival if you aren't focused."

I take a couple steps towards him, my hands glowing as I bring them towards his face. "They have seen what I can do! They wouldn't risk coming near me! They are smarter than that! They will risk the lives of the people before me! They know it's my weakness!"
Albi slams his stuff against the kitchen island, pointing a finger now to Deecon.

"He is your biggest weakness and your greatest strength! They will come for Deecon first! ... For years I have watched this monster torture you and you ordered me to keep my mouth shut! You ordered me to watch as he throws you across the room and spit in your face! My family has protected you for centuries and you ordered me to do nothing!.. Nothing! Now?.. Now I have to protect this cretin because him dying.... Will make you consume everything around you-"

Albi steps closer to me, unfazed at my strength against him.

"-Because you have bonded to him... His disappearance would not just consume Sky.. it will consume you and I don't think anyone but him could make you stop!" He shouts at me.

He was right.

I turn to Deecon as he stares at the ground, his head lowered in shame. Deecon has been the only one to make my body ice over but also the same one to bring me back from the brink of death.
Deecon doesn't even have the guts to look at Albi as he replies to his shouting.

"If they can plan an attack on the outer wall, they know this planet inside and out. Where would we hide?"

It was silent for a few moments but we all knew the answer.
Lower Valley.
We would need to hide off of Sky completely.
Albi alerts Sky patrol of the break in security. Telling them to keep a close eye on any suspicious activity. I don't want the citizens to know I am leaving. We lock up the house, leaving the lights to turn on and off on timers, our transports placed in the driveway to give the illusion we are inside. They thought I was still locking myself inside, why would they have reason to believe I would leave?

We all grab our essentials and cover ourselves. We put medical masks on to hide most of our face, hoods up and sunglasses as we begin to walk through my backyard.