The Fate Of The Marked

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Emma still wouldn't answer my calls. Jane and Derek were debating if we should go back home, due to the fact that no one had broken in since we left. I couldn't decide if I should leave or not.

The hounds hadn't been back, but I had noticed other stuble things lurking just beyond the trees. People, to be exact. It terrified me, but I knew they couldn't get past the ruins. Jane and Derek didn't seem to see them.

I dialed Emma's number again and waited.

The person you are trying to reach is not avabible at this time. Their mailbox is full. Please call again later when-

I slammed the reciver back down. I was more than convinced that something was wrong. There was no way she would just leave without saying a word.

Unless she had changed her mind, a little voice whispeared to me. I told it to shut up and leave me alone.

I laid back down on the bed with a sigh and focused. Ellias had told me that I needed to get to the Otherworld, put the fire of Enico out, and find Zelphia. All of it seemed impossible. I had no clues, no where to start. I thought over his words again.

He had told me to focus, but on what? On anything I wanted to know?

That obviously hadn't worked.

I closed my eyes and exhailed. If I thought hard enough, I could pretend that I was where no one could touch me. The cabin had been silent all day. Derek had hovered near me, going as far to sleep in the chair next to my bed for the last three nights. Jane had hardley slept at all, and had gone to take a nap some time ago.

I had locked myself in the room with the phone and the knife at dawn, mind racing.

I touched the kinfe in my boot. It was maledictus. Cursed. Just like me. A cold shiver ran through me.

After pacing for another few hours, I made my mind up.

I snuck into the kitchen and shoved some canned food into my bookbag, along with some water bottles. I threw as many warm clothes as I could into my bag and waited.

Derek came up to check on me. Guilt overwhelmed me as I saw his worried expression. Thats all I had done to them over the last few weeks. Worry and scare them. Put them in danger. They might even be a little revieved to see me go.

"Hows everything?" He asked as he sat on the edge of my bed.

Terrible. Horendious. Terrifying.

"Fine." I said as evenly as I could manage, kicking my bag further out of view.

"Get any homework done?" Derek asked.

I smiled and nodded. It was blantant lie. I hadnt even thought about school.

"We'll be back in the city in a few days. Just as a precaution." He said, looking around as if he wanted to ask something, but wasn't exactly sure of himself.

He deserved some kind of answer before I disapear, I thought. So does Jane.

"Derek?" I asked hesetantly.

He looked at me full on. I took a deep breath.

"Why did you freak out over the scar behind my ear?"

"Because somethings going on." Derek said, sighing. "And I know what it is."

I froze. He couldn't know. He didn't look angry, or the least bit upset. He hadn't even said anything about it since that night. He-

"It's not your fault, kid." Derek said, reaching out to touch my arm. "I know-"

I didn't find out what he knew.