The 4th Subject

Chapter 31: Home...for Now

We rushed to the location, hoping to get there before the phantom did. Woods and I explained a bit more in detail what happened as he checked his head again.

"It's just a small gash, I'll probably put New-Skin on it."

"What?" Matt questioned.

"New-Skin." I said.

"Oh, like, the product." Sam said.

"Yeah, I'll just grow some new skin," Woods said sarcastically, earning a laugh from us.

"I mean, that is technically how that works." I muttered.

After a bit more conversation and a lot more driving, we arrived at the location. The gate in front of us was unlocked.

Crap.

"That can't be good." Matt mumbled as he and Woods climbed back in after opening the gate.

Matt tried to drive up the old dirt road, but...well, let's just say, his Tesla wasn't made for this kind of road. So we all got out and grabbed some supplies from the trunk. Matt and Woods grabbed some bats, Sam held the rig, and I pulled out my knife from my pocket.

"Whoa, where'd you get that?" Sam asked, pointing the camera toward my hands.

"It was a birthday gift from a friend."

"What kind of birthday gift is a knife?" Matt asked.

"A gift to someone constantly being put in these situations."

"Guess you're right," He replied with an awkward chuckle.

We trekked up the hillside to an old, abandoned structure. It looked like a silo or a water tower of sorts. Matt motioned for us to stay back as he investigated. After a quick walk around the silo, he waved us forward and pointed to the ground.

"There was something here."

Woods and I knelt down to see a small concrete-lined hole in the ground and shattered fragments of concrete, no doubt the cover. Matt and Sam spoke as I investigated further. A few test strips on the ground, a large footprint, nothing much. I picked up the smallest piece of concrete and noticed something engraved into the surface. It was just a angled line, like a point or a corner. But...

"Wait," I mumbled, picking up another piece and flipping it over. A curved line wrapped around a D. "These go together."

"Well, yeah, it was—"

"Shut up," I cut Woods off as I flipped the next piece. Another curved line and what looked like a W.

"Stop," Sam said, "is that what I think it is?"

"D and W." I said, rubbing dirt in the cracks to make them more visible. "Deb and Wesley."

"It has to be." Matt stated.

"What happened between them?" I muttered, squinting in the bright sunlight.

"Yeah," Sam spoke up, "I mean, it's pretty clear they were in love, but we have no idea what happened after all of this."

"They were hiding the serums together, until..." Matt started.

"Until they weren't."

"Why?" I asked. "What could've happened? Did...did Wes switch sides?"

"Or something worse?" Matt added. We discussed for a moment longer before Matt demanded Woods get checked out by a doctor. Woods begrudgingly agreed after much convincing. The four of us made our way back down to Matt's car.

What do we do now? How do we beat someone who's always one step ahead?

After a short drive, we made it back to the studio. Sam and I said our goodbyes and made our way to her house. Basically our house at this point.

"I'll send you an advance on my rent this week," I told her as we pulled into her street.

"Sarah, how many times do I have to tell you that you don't need to pay rent?" Sam replied with a chuckle.

"Sam, odds are I'm about to stay with you for the next four years. I'm paying rent."

She sighed. "I guess you're right."

We greeted Ryan on the way in and I immediately began packing. Well, finishing packing, that is. Tomorrow, I was flying home, where'd I'd be for the next 2 1/2 months. And I was so excited. Finally, seeing my family and friends face to face after almost a year.

Will things be different? Well, yes, of course they'll be different. But in what way?

The next morning, I flew from my bed. Ryan and Sam were already up with breakfast waiting. The three of us ate in silence, mostly because I was shoveling my food into my mouth. The faster I finished, the sooner I'd get home.

After going through TSA, we had a few minutes before my flight.

"We're gonna miss you," Sam said, a bittersweet smile on her face.

"Don't worry, I'll be back. By the time I leave for good, you two will be sick of me." I stated, an airy chuckle leaving my mouth.

"I doubt that," Ryan said.

"Have fun with your family, say hi for us." Sam said as my flight was announced over the speakers.

I hugged them goodbye and boarded my flight. It was 9 AM here, meaning it'd be noon by the time I got home. After what felt like an eternity later, I arrived in Florida. The only thing on my mind now was my family. I pushed through the crowded hallways and emerged into the main area. The giant flamingo statue welcomed me home, and the smells of fried chicken and coffee from the small food court awoke my dead senses. Suddenly, I heard someone call my name.

"Mom!" I called across the room. There was my parents, my little sister, and my best friends, all with tears in their eyes. I reached my mom first, practically jumping into her arms. My dad wrapped his arms around both of us while my sister squeezed her way into the middle.

"We missed you so much," my mom whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I missed you guys too." I muttered back, wiping my eyes.

Once we released our hug, I turned to my friends, Elijah and Leanne. They wrapped me into a hug and squeezed so tight I almost feared they wouldn't let go. But, just like old times, I never minded. This hug was just right, melting the problems of the past 8 months away. Momentarily, at least.

"I've been watching the videos," he mumbled, "how are you doing?"

"I'm ok," I replied, "better now. I don't even want to think about any of that this summer. I just want two months to feel normal."

"We'll do the best we can," my dad said, placing a hand on my mom's shoulder as we began to walk to the luggage pick-up. My family began discussing what we should do first as Elijah and I went to grab my luggage. I scanned the rotating belt for my 4-piece purple set.

1...2...3...

As the fourth one emerged, I noticed a small note taped on the top. I discreetly peeled it off.

"You can't escape this."

I didn't have to guess who it was from. And yet, my heart raced. Did the phantom follow me here? Does he know someone who works at the airline who could've put this on my bag? Or worse, is there another phantom here?

"You good?" Elijah questioned, a suitcase in each hand.

"Yeah," I said, shoving the note in my jacket pocket.

This might not be quite the vacation I thought it'd be.