The Chosen Ones Book 4: A New Enemy

Chapter 32

Shannon and Sierra were approaching the clearing. They continued to kill Gabriel's men on their way, despite Shannon being injured. Their determination to make it there and hopefully see their friends alive was their motivation. Sierra was winded from practically dragging Shannon through the forest. Her sister had lost a lot of blood.

The moment she stopped two more shifters appeared in front of them, and then two more behind them. Shannon threw a knife at the young blonde man but he disappeared and it stuck into the tree behind him. He reappeared and stabbed Shannon in the shoulder. She fell to her knees. Sierra shot him, killing him instantly, but was quickly disarmed by his younger friend. He had a muscular build and a chiseled jaw, definitely the tougher of the two. He aimed his gun at Sierra but never fired it.

A knife came flying through the air and stuck right into his back. He fell to his knees. That's when Sierra saw her parents, Ben and Mary come out of the bushes. Mary had thrown the knife with such force and precision that it could've only been matched by Shannon herself, whose skill with the blade had undoubtedly been passed down to her eldest daughter.

Ben and Sierra shot the two other shifters that had reappeared. The family stood in silence for a moment. The girls were processing the appearance of their parents. And Ben and Mary were both staring in surprise at the action they had taken and the sight of their daughters.

Sierra walked up to one of the dying shifters on the ground. She aimed her 9mm at the dying man's head and pulled the trigger. Then, she turned to her mom and dad and hugged them.
"What are you guys doing here?" She asked.
"We figured we have sat around long enough." Mary said.
Ben helped Shannon to her feet.
"What..... happened....to not interfering?" She managed to ask through her pain, her breathing unsteady.

"Maybe those old rules need to be rewritten." Ben said with a smile.
"We need to get you to Tyler." Sierra said to her sister.
Ben ripped a piece of his shirt off and wrapped it around Shannon's armpit so it covered the wound on her shoulder. Her face was pale from the loss of blood. She was already barely hanging on from the first stab wound, now with another she didn't have a lot of time.

The O'Hara's took off for the clearing. They heard footsteps running their way. Sierra readied her weapon but was hit with a sigh of relief. Out of the trees came Tyler, Phil and Sam.
"Mr. O'Hara?" Phil said in disbelief.
"Mary." Sam said. She hugged her. Just the sight of reinforcements eased her mind. Tyler hurried over and hugged Sierra.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" He asked her.
She kissed him. "I'm okay."
Phil noticed Shannon hurt and ran over. "Tyler!" He called.

He ran over and immediately healed her.
"That's twice now." He joked.
"Yeah yeah." Shannon said, smiling. The color in her face returned.
"Anyone see Gabriel?" Phil asked.
"No, but he's here somewhere." Tyler said.
"We have to get to the clearing, the others might be there. They could be hurt too." Sam said, thinking of Gavin.
Phil studied Shannon. "You good?"
"Yeah, I'm okay." She replied. She looked around at all of them. "There's too many of them."

Tyler looked down at the dagger. Gabriel was out there. He could feel it.
"I'm staying. I have to find him." He said to the others. "If we kill him we can still win this thing."
"I'm staying too." Sierra said.
"Ty, what if you're needed at the clearing?" Phil asked.
"I have to do this. I have to trust they're okay." He replied. "I want Gabriel."

Phil looked at Shannon. "Go with your family. I'll meet you there."
"What? No fucking way." She protested.
"Me and Sam will stay with Tyler, back him up." He persisted. "Please, do this for me. Get your parents there safe."
She turned her head away.
"Hey." He said. "I'm sure there's plenty more men to kill on your way there." He joked.
She smiled. "There better be. And you hurry up." She pulled him close and kissed him.

Tyler kissed Sierra. "Go with them. Take care of your parents. They came here for you and Shannon. Make sure they get there safe."
She nodded through her tears. "I love you."
"I love you too." He told her.
"Please be careful." She said.
They all gave quick good byes then the three of them watched as the girls led their parents toward what they hoped was the safe place.

"How much ammo we got?" Phil asked.
Sam checked her AR, then her 9mm. "Full mags in both, but that's it."
"I got my shotgun and whatever shells are in it." He replied. "But that's it."
"We won't need much more than that." Tyler said. "I plan on ending this pretty quick."
"I like where your heads at, brother." Phil replied.
"Let's find this fucker." Sam said, leading the way.

Shannon and Sierra led their parents to safety, reaching the clearing about half hour after leaving the others. They were disappointed to see none of the others were there. Soon after, the sound of approaching feet made all four of them aim their guns at the dirt path. That's when Casey came into view.

Shannon's smile at the sight of her friend quickly faded at the sight of Gavin and Milligan carrying an unconscious, bloody Matt.