The Riches of Power

Paige's Soulmate

POV Axel

We managed to get everyone back in the van. Lacey, the cashier, had fainted so we let her be, the other new guy was nowhere to be seen. I couldn't help feel guilty, she would probably get fired. If she saw what happened no one would believe her story. Then I realized just how bad it would look, there was Eric's blood all over the floor. We couldn't stay here though, that would definitely be worse.

The drive back was quite, except for a sigh that escaped someone's lips every few seconds. Tara was gripping my hand as if her existence depended on it. We pulled up to the cottage trudging our way inside. Chase, Carter, and Raven explored the cottage. From calls across the house I figured out that there was a bathroom, kitchen, and dining space. There also was a locked door that Carter and Chase attempted to break it down. Let's just say the door won this battle. Apparently there was a basement, containing another bathroom and eight small bedrooms, each with a small twin bed and a four draw, dresser.

I just sat on one of the two sofas, Tara putting all her weight on me. Paige acted as a nurse, taking care of the wounds. She wrapped gauze around Tara's arm. She hadn't said anything since we had left, and she was very still. She was staring at Kaitlyn on the other end of the couch. Carter had carried her in, Paige had brought a wet rag in, to clean her face as much as possible. She was black with the blood. "The only thing I can think of is that she was hallucinating..." Paige whispered.

"What makes you think that?" Tara asked, weakly.

"She drank the blood" She stated, wiping it away from the corner of her mouth.

"She shouldn't have attacked it..." Eric muttered numbly. He was sitting in the arm chair, bandages over both of his shoulders. Carter and I had to haul him inside. When that thing let my brother go, he happened to land on his ankle funny. We aren't sure if he broke it or if he just twisted it, but he can't walk on his left leg at all.

"We need to go home..." Tara announced quietly. I wish we could, but after what happened at Raven's I'm not taking a chance. The cafe was proof enough that we are being followed

"No. You know it's too dangerous." I finalized.

"No, not to stay... I know that's not the brightest idea, but we have to get clothes and other things. I need to shower and I don't want to put this back on." She gestured to her, blood stained, clothing. That's true...

"We'll leave Paige here with Eric and Kaitlyn. The rest of us can go and get our necessities." She nodded.

"Wait, Paige and Carter have to stay together..." she whispered. 'Right... I'm sure Eric and Kaitlyn can survive an hour alone.'

POV CHASE

We were in the van heading to Tara's house first. It was one in the morning, everyone should be asleep or at least silently sitting in their rooms by now. It was decided that it would be best not to come in contact with our families. They would just ask questions, anyway. Tara said that her sister would normally forget to lock the back door, so that's where she headed, we kept the lights off as we pulled up to her farm. About ten minutes later, she came out with a small back pack, she looked as if she just killed a hoard of zombies. Her clothes stained black, and her arm bandaged up. She sat in the front, Axel driving. We stopped at everyone's house. Tara got Kaitlyn's belongings, and Axel retrieved Eric's stuff. All that was left was Raven. She was reluctant, but knew she was going to have to go back at some point.

We slowly pulled up to the building. 'Caution' tape surrounded the premises. I gave her a hug, knowing that this was a lot for her to look at. I walked out with her, pulling the cation tape up so she could just slide under. Signs Where plastered on what remained of the exterior wall 'WARNING SINKHOLE' We stepped into the opening of her house, avoiding the still gaping hole that used to be a living and dining space. She walked up the steps which were still barely intact. Essentially her house had been cut in half. The chasm must have screwed up the foundation, half of the house was on an angle, now. Raven walked into her room which was fortunately on the more secure half of the crumbling mass. She quickly grabbed a large black backpack, filling it with clothing, and bottles with unknown uses. "Let's go." She mumbled numbly.