Haunted by the Immortals

Chapter 31

Cami

We waited behind the last pair of doors that were trapping us from the outside world. Perching up so that I could watch through the only window, I forgot that we were actually in Las Vegas and not in California. It was scary how much my mind was toyed with.

I looked down at Pat. "Are you okay?"

She had only realized that Angel wasn't going to be one of the people we were going to save from the bomb. Physically, the fact hadn't attacked her yet, but I was certain that it was assaulting her emotionally. She gazed up at me, half stunned. "I'm alright. It's just a little hard trying to let it sink."

I jumped down from the small window. "I know it is. Just remember he was a cold-hearted guy who didn't care a damn about you. It was just a way to lure us into their trap. Sam did the same with Stefan."

She made a face. "He was awful in bed as well."

I laughed and she laughed, and for a moment everything seemed normal. "See, it's not that hard to start thinking the negative. I'm not telling you to hate him, but just so that you don't hurt its best if you forgot about him," I explained.

Pat looked at me, wide-eyed. "I've been thinking a lot over these past few weeks when you weren't in Pasadena. About Xav," she said, shutting her eyes tight.

I really hoped she meant that she wanted to get together with Xav. They were so cute together and they didn't have anyone else. "And..." I wanted to know more.

"I like him more than a friend."

I jumped up and down in ecstasy. I couldn't believe she said it. "Oh my God, yes Pat. You go girl! Go get your love. I'm sure Xav wants the same thing."

She grinned. "I'll tell him. Just not here; when we get home," she spoke.

It wasn't long before the four of them arrived before us. Sharp, anxious and a little scared. I hugged Ms. Garcia again and she whispered a thank you for reuniting her children with her again. I said I was glad to. I also hugged Shauna and told her we wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for her defense help and Zed's. But she seemed to be okay about bringing Zed up. She almost seemed her normal bubbly self. It made me very happy.

I gave Edward a kiss on the cheek (which I noticed Nat glaring at him from the corner of my eye whilst I was doing it) and told him I forgave him for all that he did to me and that I really loved him as a friend and that if it wasn't for us meeting in that boring Molecular Biophysics class I wouldn't have found him remotely attractive. And then for that, I got a slap on the arm, but he was laughing.

The nine of us stood in a line, holding each other's hands, watching the sunset through the small window. This was freedom for all of us. We were only a few seconds away from it. It was amazing how it felt to be this close.

We all looked at each other as we stepped out into the open.

And then it registered: we were running. I was still holding Xav's hand so I let go, my eyes attached to his as he caught up with me and we ran together, following the others. Watching Nat – our leader – far out ahead, leading us to our freedom, to victory. I gasped for breath, but I didn't want to stop. I never wanted to stop. Not now.

My life had just restarted.