Fateful Signs (Ballad of the Seer, Book Three)

Chapter 34 - Lost

After climbing out of Hilary's bedroom window, Lily dropped to the ground - with a little help from telekinesis to cushion her landing. She dressed in a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and her pink hoodie that she had in the Range Rover. If something was going on, she didn't want to be running around in pajamas.

        She drove back to Bianca's house, where the party was still going strong, at nearly two o'clock in the morning. She pulled off to the side of the road and ran up to the house, into the garage. She ignored the raucous beer pong enthusiasts and ran up the stairs.

        She immediately ran into Dianna's little brother. His arm was draped over his girlfriend. Lily had to dip into Jonathan's mind to get the girl's name - Gabby is how his thoughts referred to her.

        "You're a little overdressed." Jonathan said, looking her up and down. Lily internally cringed when she felt his disappointment. He wanted to see her in her bikini. So, apparently, his crush wasn't completely crushed, after all. Gabby also seemed to get his meaning. The tiny girl stared daggers at Lily.

        Lily ignored the angry thoughts flying at her. She focused on Jonathan. "Have you seen Jack?"

        "Sorry," He shrugged. "Not since him and Dianna left our house."

        "Thanks anyway." she replied. She would just have to find him on her own. "See you later." She weaved her way through the crowd of half-naked bodies thrashing around.

        "Hey," Caitlyn Forrester stopped Lily when they crossed paths. "Weren't you wearing a bathing suit earlier?"

        "Yeah," Lily said. She stuffed her hands into the pockets of her hoodie. "I left and had to come back." Sometimes the truth was easier.

        "Well, don't let Bianca see you." Caitlyn warned before she became distracted by her boyfriend.

        Lily slipped away to find Jack. Following the trail of memories of him, it only took a few minutes to locate him in the kitchen. "There you are. Have you found him yet?"

        The look on Jack's face told her everything she needed to know. Duncan was still missing. "I'm so sorry. I tried to follow him, but I started to turn."

        Lily squeezed his shoulder. "It's not your fault." She looked around the room at her classmates. They were all so blissfully unaware. She envied them. "I just wish I knew what happened."

        "How can I help?"

        "I don't even know."

        A shrill scream rang out over the music. Lily's heart skipped a beat. She was afraid something terrible had happened.

        She and Jack ran toward the source of the sound, to find out who screamed and why. She followed Jack's lead, as he had much better hearing. They ended up outside. Some little freshman girl was standing at the edge of the terrace looking out into the yard down below. Her hand covered her mouth. I think he's dead, she thought. Lily clutched her stomach, wanting to throw up.

        People were gathering at the railing to see what had frightened the girl. They were all whispering about it. Lily steeled her nerves as she approached the railing, afraid of what she would find. "Duncan!" she screeched, seeing him splayed out on the ground below, not moving.