Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Ninety-Seven

*Warning: This chapter contains heavy emotions, mild depictions of violence and bloodshed.*

Sebastian's Perspective

"Rach. Rachel. It's ok. We'll find them. Rach! Look at me, please. I need you." I begged her. My heart feeling utterly shattered at failing to protect my family. She wouldn't look at me. Her eyes searching the sky. Searching her very soul.

This was going to be bad.

Her eyes changed first, glowing a deep dark red. Then her whole body began to glow. It was a different glow than I'd ever seen. Such a dark red, almost black. Wisps of it were coming off her skin in tendrils.

An ear-piercing, soul shattering scream rent the air. Everyone covered their ears. Rachel was losing all control.

"Rachel! Don't, please." I cried. "Let me help you!" I tried to reach out to her, but a shockwave flew from her body, pushing me back. I fell down onto my butt.

I got up slowly. She was huffing air, her whole glorious body radiating power, danger, evil. I didn't care. This was my WIFE!

"Rach. Please. Let me go with you. Please don't leave me behind!" I begged her. I knew what she was going to do, but I couldn't bear the thought of her doing it alone.

She growled at me. Like a feral beast. I didn't know what to do. If she went down this road, I might lose her forever.

Just as I reached out to grasp onto her, not caring if I got hurt, she disapparated in a sharp snap, leaving behind tendrils of smoky black power that blew away on the wind.

"No! Dammit!" I screamed.

There was silence for a few moments as everyone collected themselves.

"Wow. Sebastian, are you ok?" Anne had come over slowly.

"NO! I am NOT the fuck ok! My children were taken! My wife is... an evil force with extraordinary power bent on destroying the world! I am NOT. FUCKING. OK!" I screamed at my sister, who immediately burst into tears.

I hadn't meant to make her cry. But I was losing it... this was lower than rock bottom.

What was I going to do? What do I do?

Ominis cradled Anne in his arms and shushed her softly.

"Have you ... ever seen... Rachel like that?" He asked, tentatively.

"Once. Not exactly like that... this was... worse."

"What happened the last time?"

"She killed her brother."

They both gasped a little.

I turned to the guards. "We need an investigation. I need clues to follow if I'm to find my wife and children. I'll pay you whatever you want if you help me! Get Justus. Go!" I screeched at them.

They disapparated together.

"Is everyone else ok? Mum? Archie?" They nodded, all still rubbing their heads.

"What was it?" Anne said quietly, not wanting to incur my wrath again.

"I think... Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder. Coupled with Confundus Charms. That's why we were all so disoriented... That's the only way they could... take them without us fighting. I need to hear everyone's perspectives. I need... to find clues..." I was looking on the beach for footprints or anything I could find.

Down by the table, where the twins were playing, there were footprints. The twins small, bare feet prints where they were standing. And two sets of unfamiliar boots. The rest of us had bare feet. A large set. And a small set. A small set. A woman. A man and a woman took my children.