Running From Time

Chapter 22

"WHAT?!" I bellowed, grabbing the small man by his shoulders. How could someone have taken Thalia? I felt myself shaking with fury as I tried to stop myself from doing something stupid. After taking a few deep breaths, I walked quickly out of the room and headed to the nearest bathroom. My hands gripped one of the sinks as I slowly calmed down. I raised my head and looked into the mirror above the sink to see my own angered expression.

Something moved on my face.

I jumped back from the mirror almost instantly and brought my hand up to my face. My fingers touched the skin and I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe I was seeing things. I got closer to the mirror and stared again, checking carefully for movement. Then I saw it. Scales slowly started to appear on my left arm and I looked down in horror.

This was not happening.

It rippled slightly before disappearing back into my skin. For a minute there was complete silence. Then an ear splitting scream came from my mouth. I screamed so loudly that I swore I was going to burst my own eardrums. Shakily, I looked back at my arm again, but nothing happened. Guards suddenly rushed into the room and started to ask me what was wrong, considering I had just screamed out. As I was escorted out of the bathroom, I could've sworn my eyes became yellow for a split second.

I broke free of the guards, who didn't bother to chase after me, and sprinted down the many flights of stairs to the bottom floor. As I ran into the Central, I could already see the damage from the fire. The entire left side of the bottom floor of the facility had been burnt to a crisp, and soil was pouring in. I became confused for a moment before I realised that this place was underground. As quickly as I could, I ran over to the damaged area and looked at where the soil had accumulated. A huge hole started at the side of the facility wall and led all the way up to the surface. I gaped as I looked up, seeing the blue sky at the top of the hole.

"Who did this?" I growled, whirling around and looking at the guards, which were gathered here and there. They all looked scared and my expression softened slightly.

"We don't know. All we heard was Thalia's scream and then she was gone." I shook my head in anger. It must've been Serpius or Lydia. There was no other option.

Chris, I can sense your anger. What's wrong?

Sam suddenly popped into my head and I had to compose myself before I punched a wall or something. 

Go away. You lied to me.

He hesitated and I rolled my eyes. He was definitely not to be trusted.

Why would you say that?

His voice in my head sounded sad and genuine, and I frowned. Either his father had been lying or Sam was just a really good actor.

Your father told me that you tried to kill him.

Another hesitation.

No, no, no! He's deluded Chris, trust me. He's bad news.

I thought about it for a second, still not being able to trust him.

I want to meet you.

I said firmly and he stayed quiet for a few seconds. This needed to be sorted out, once and for all.

Okay. Meet me at 212 Gurnsey Drive, Southampton this time next week. We can discuss things then.

I nodded before realising that he couldn't see me. Then I felt the connection die away and I was left standing in the middle of the Central.

I ran all the way up to the Control Panel on the top floor of the building and barged into the main room, looking around wildly for Lucas.

"Ah, Christopher. I assume you've been to the bottom floor?" He said softly, emerging from behind one of his desks. I nodded quickly and opened my mouth to say something but no words came out. "Look, I know you want to go and save her, but you don't know where she is. Or who's taken her." I closed my mouth as he said that and I realised that he was right.