Fighting For My Undead Soul

Chapter 2

Lena's POV

I drove home in the dark of night, guilt consuming my body at how little I had seen of Artemis in the past week. No, in the past couple of months. I knew how my absence had affected her as she was still healing from the events that had occurred. I wanted to be there for her, but I hadn't figured out the balance yet of how to spend my time. I don't need to sleep as much, not even as much as Artemis or the rest of her family because of how "new" I still am. There's a hunger inside of me for knowledge and activity. I can't be still. Not right now. Especially not with the medical precipice her mom and I currently sit on. Besides, she isn't the only one still healing. When I stop, even for a second, I'm reminded of the sacrifices that were made for me to be here. Of the people lost. Of the feelings of despair I felt at the hands of the person I love most in this world. Right now, it's best for both of us if I stay busy.

Still, I bit my lip as I pulled into the drive, hoping not to be greeted with a fight. We should be in our honeymoon phase right now, newly engaged and living an amazingly long life together. But, like I said, I've been away a lot. Arguments have become a new norm, especially if I don't specify how long I'll be gone when I leave. I shut the engine off and sat in the car for a few seconds, bracing myself to whatever welcome I walked into. I listened for her movements inside knowing she could hear me out here. I watched the curtains on the sides of the door, waiting to see the typical swish letting me know she had peeked out to make sure it's me.

Nothing happened. No movements on the curtains, no sounds of footsteps coming to the door. I opened my door and stepped out. Confusion flowed through me, though it was quickly replaced with concern. I stared at the house, realizing it was empty. There were no lights or sounds from a TV, no lights on in general. Even if she was messing with me, I would be able to hear her heart beating from whatever room she lurked. I didn't bother shutting my car door as my feet dragged to the front door.

My own heartbeat quickened as the worst-case scenarios flashed through my head. The worst one being, she had left me. I knew she wasn't the happiest she could be right now, but I didn't think she was unhappy with us. I should've been with her more. Should've listened when she asked me to skip a day of work. I didn't have to unlock the door as the knob twisted freely in my hand. I took a deep breath and pushed it open. I tried to calm my nerves as I walked through the house, looking for her personal belongings that she may take with her if she was going to leave for good. Nothing seemed out of place, and I let out the breath I had been holding. She probably went out with Spencer, or maybe even Cassie. Though I felt slightly better as I rationalized her absence, I couldn't help the spike of anger that rolled through my body thinking about her being alone with Cassie. No matter how many times she reassured me they were together because of the circumstances, I knew Cassie felt something deeper and it made me sick to my stomach to think I might've pushed Artemis right into her waiting arms.

I pulled out my phone and clicked on Artemis' name as I walked into the bedroom, checking to see if any clothes were missing. Her phone lit up on the bedside table and it was the first thing that caught my eye as I entered the room. I ended my call and strode over to the table. Confusion once again filled my body. If she had left to go out for a bit, she wouldn't have left this behind. And if she had left for good, I know some of her things would be missing, but everything was accounted for so far. I finished searching the house for any trace of her whereabouts, coming up empty handed. The only thing I had to go on was the opened tube of toothpaste sitting on the counter, letting me know she had woken up and started her morning routine. Beyond that, I had no clue where the day had taken her, why she wasn't still here.

Fear gripped my body as I leaned against the bathroom counter, contemplating what to do. The only thing clear in this moment, was that I needed help. I called Spencer, who answered on the first ring. Thirty minutes later, I sat on the couch, my legs bouncing up and down anxiously as he and Cassie completed a walk-through of my house. They joined me in the living room minutes later.

"Tell me again about the last time you spoke to her," Spencer said, the look on his face intense with worry for his little sister. I ran my hands over my face, fighting back tears. I didn't know what was happening, but this felt awfully similar to years ago when she had disappeared. All the control that I felt in this new life was slipping through my fingers, reminding me just how much of an anchor she is in my life. "It was the night before last. I was about to go meet your mom and I didn't know how long I'd be gone. We argued. I left and came back briefly last night to change and freshen up. She was asleep," I cringed slightly at my actions over the past couple of days. Whatever was happening, I was to blame. If she had left me again, I had drove her to it. "I didn't wake her up. I left again and I didn't come back home until I called you."

Cassie moved next to me and grabbed my hand as she spoke, squeezing slightly in an attempt to comfort me. "So, she left then. Probably to blow off some steam," she looked at Spencer hopefully. I pulled my hand out of hers to wrap my arms around myself. I could feel the walls my new life had built shattering around me. If I squeezed hard enough, maybe I had the strength to hold them together. Spencer shook his head, the look on his face was one of confidence and knowledge. They were looks of deceit. For they were his way of preparing himself for what needed to happen. The words that exited his mouth left me with a feeling of dread that I swore might swallow me whole.

"She was taken."