A Hero in the Dark: 2nd Edition

Chapter 36: He Heard My Thoughts

Night has passed into early dawn. We were lucky enough to find an old motel, two hundred odd miles east from the mountain, though none of us were able to sleep except my brother.

I managed to communicate with Ella; I heard her in my head, and I knew it had to be telepathy. I had no idea she even discovered it. It made me jump initially, but every time after, it got clearer and sharper. I've caught myself looking around wildly to see if she was nearby countless times already, sneaking up on me, trying to have fun—that's how real it feels.

"What's going on?" dad asks. It's the most common question they keep throwing at me, but I've told them everything I could. I told them about the Loric, Mogadorians, and threat to Earth. Even of Pixie. I haven't explained it all, only the vaguest details, which is probably why dad doesn't believe me. He hasn't said so, but I can tell by the way he watches me, responds, reacts. He wants me to tell him more, to tell him the truth, but that is the truth, and I don't know how much more I can tell them. They've already been held as leverage. I can't let that happen again.

As if that's not enough, they won't stop looking at my wrists. I haven't said anything about it, and they haven't either, but every time I meet their eyes, their eyes aren't on mine—they're on my scars instead, so I try to keep them hidden. I don't want to explain or burden them with my shit.

We're here, Ella thinks in my head, startling me back to reality.

It's still dark outside, and quiet. There isn't much near the motel apart from the forest and a small lot enough for a dozen cars. A white sedan idles at the entrance. If it weren't for John and Henri waiting outside, I'd be suspicious of it, but they help calm my nerves.

John's hugging me in seconds as tight as a sloth, nose in my hair. "I'm glad you're alright," he says. I'm more than a little flustered with his sudden affection, especially with dad here, but after a moment, I hug back. I introduce dad to John and vice versa. He and Henri talk a little. Pixie flaps her way onto my shoulder as a little robin and I rub a finger over her soft belly.

"So, you're going?" asks dad nonchalantly.

"I have to," I tell him. "I have to help them stop the Mogadorians from hurting anyone else." But dad doesn't look approving. I try to assure him that I'll be fine, but he lets out a deep sigh anyway and tells me to be safe. I tell him I will.

It's not easy, leaving the people I love (again!) to help fight a war no one seems to know exists. I don't even know how I manage to do it. One moment I'm hugging dad, watching mom in the upstairs window, and the next, I'm watching them in the sedan's side mirror.

I'm only sparked to life when they disappear and John slinks an arm around me. "You okay?"

I nod numbly. "I'm just so worried about them..."

John tilts my chin up, kissing me diligently, taking me by surprise. "They'll be ok," he says when he pulls away. "We'll be ok."

"I hope so."

"So... where to, Johnny?" Nine butts in. "Can't exactly go back to Chicago now that the Mogs know where my penthouse is, now can we? Where're we headed?"

Although he doesn't show it, I know Nine's disappointed about losing his two-story luxurious home. I feel bad, and can't help but feel it's all my fault, which of course, it is. I could've never responded to those messages. I could've chosen to ignore them. Deep down, I know I could never, but still, I could've. I should apologize, but what do I say? I'm sorry, Nine? It's my fault they found us? I could've never checked my phone? I shouldn't've. I wish I didn't—I wish they didn't find us? No. That all sounds terrible. I need something more...

Nine's smiling a stupid grin. I'm about to ask what's so funny when he intervenes: "Doesn't sound so terrible, Emily. Top-notch apology, in fact. But it wasn't your fault, so shut up about it. It's no big deal."

I stare at him. It's like he heard my thoughts. My cheeks heat. "How'd you—"

"Heard you in my head," he says coolly. "Emily, I think you're developing another Legacy."

"Telepathy!" Ella shouts. "You have it too!"

What?! No, he can't be serious. John takes my hand and gives me another swift kiss on the cheek. We're normal now too?! Whatever happened to being a plentiful guide?

"That's amazing Emily," alien boy says.

"So... we're going to...?" Marina goes on, bringing us back to Nine's inquiry.

"Head to Alabama," Crayton answers over Henri's phone. "Yellowhammer. It's our best bet."