Lonely

Chapter 69, Hanger

The guys and I were sitting on the hood and roof of the car, watching Sadie through the glass window of the store that looked like it had been shut down fifty years ago. Arianna had said that this was a hard task, nearly impossible. She obviously didn’t know Sadie as well as I did. We watched as Sadie approached the young guy at the counter. Arianna and Jasper were looking at a map and ignoring us. The young guy looked up as Sadie walked in and took a double take. Why did she have to be so damn beautiful?

“The approach.” Boomer said as if we were watching a documentary back at Arianna’s. Sadie went up to the guy and said something to him. He shook his head.

“Oh, now for the eyes.” Liam said. I knew just the face she was giving that poor sucker. The face that could make the president nuke his own country if she asked. And no, this was not the look she gave when using her ability. It was when she looked into your eyes with her melted chocolate brown eyes. The guys held up his hands and shook his head, more vigorously this time. He was cracking already, but the guy had grit.

“Oh, this one’s a tough one. Arianna was right.” Nicco said. We all knew the power of that look. She stepped closer to him and looked up at him through her lashes, a look that made me melt. I could see the tight lines around her mouth, her irritation at having to do this. I wished she were doing it right now to me. He paused before shaking his head this time, and looked apologetic.

“Now it’s go time.” Levy said. We leaned forward to watch. We could see, even from thirty feet away, that she was giving a look almost impossible to refuse, one that made you think she might kill you. She still wasn’t using her ability. He shook his head, looking a little scared.

“Oh, and the hand goes to the hip.” Dodger said. Max nodded. “You know what that means.” He said. We did know what the hand on the hip meant. She did it when she was pushing you. Now she was using her ability. The guy rocked back a little, and his eyes glazed over. He paused before handing over a brown leather sack. Sadie smiled pleasantly and waved good bye.

She came out of the store, holding the bag over her head in triumph.

“Nice going. We need these to pay the toll to get into Lonely.” Jasper explained, dumping the bag of golden coins into his hand. On one side they had large building that sort of looked like a sky scraper in New York, but it had the face of a sleeping man and wings coming from the top. On the other side, there was a picture of a woman with a solemn look on her face, as all people on coins do. Jasper put them back in the bag and put the bag in his pocket.

“These are called Markies. They are the only type of currency used in Lonely, and every other town like Lonely.” He said. Arianna smiled at us. “Time to get back on the road.” She said, clapping her hands. We all groaned.

“On the road again, can’t wait to get on the road, again!” I heard Boomer warble as the guys went back to the van. No one said anything.

“C’mon, everybody now!” he cried, launching into another verse. There was a thud, and an oof! And Boomer went silent as they all crawled quietly into the van.

“I’ll drive this time.” Sadie said, jumping in front of me to get into the driver’s seat. I went around and got in the passenger’s side. Sadie was already in the driver’s seat, smiling at me.

“You’re in a better mood.” I observed. She shrugged as we pulled out of the dusty parking lot behind Jasper and Arianna. “I’m just glad we had some place to stop.”  She sat back in the seat.

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We were still driving through the desert, as we had been since we left the gas station three hours ago, and Sadie was once again grumbling about the long ride. She glared at the dash board of the car as if it were the cars fault. 

“What do you think Lonely is going to be like?” she wondered out loud.

“I don’t know. I hope whatever Arianna is planning for us there works out though.” I said. She stroked my arm.

“After, I think you and I need to go somewhere.” She said. I looked at her and raised an eye brow.

“You know, not forever, as fun as that would be, but just for a little while.  Somewhere where Dodger can’t hear us and Jett isn’t hiding under the bed.” She said dreamily. I nodded.

“I love the kids and can live with the guys, but a break would be nice.” I said. 
She smiled dreamily and sighed.  

“I wish it was just you and me.” She murmured. She suddenly sat up and pushed the hair out of my eyes.

“What if it doesn’t work?” she said hurriedly. I knew what she was talking about.

“We will win. The monsters don’t stand a chance.  We can do this, and after we won’t have to worry.” I said, a little panicked by her sudden worry. Her brown eyes probed my face. I glanced at the road. Paying attention to it really wasn’t necessary because it was just a plain, flat road going straight for as far as I could see. The only thing that was close to us was Arianna’s car in front of us with Jasper, and the van behind us.

Sadie sat back in her seat and leaned against my shoulder. I noticed for the first time that she had more freckles than when I had first met her from being out in the sun for so long. She ran a hand through her hair.

“Well, I hope we get there soon. I don’t know if I can stand it much longer.” She said. The sun was setting, painting pink and yellow streaks across the desert, making it look more like an intricate portrait than a barren landscape. I peered forward, past the car in front of us. There was a dark line on the horizon, and as we got closer it took shape with a jagged top to reveal its self as a forest. Once again, I was puzzled by the sudden change in landscape. Sadie looked just as confused.

We drove straight into it, and it got so dark that we had to turn on the dim head lights. The trees were woven together like a tightly knit blanket. Sadie scooted closer to the window.

“Hanger, look. I swear, I just saw a tree move.” She said. I looked out the window at the trees. At first, I saw nothing abnormal, but then one moved. It shuffled away from another tree, much to my amazement.  They tore the ground up where they moved around, but the ground quickly pulled its self back together. I had to admit it was pretty cool, until one of the branched swung out and almost swiped our car off the road.

“Oh, and they’re grouchy.” Sadie murmured. “You know, this reminds me of a scene in The Wizard of Oz.” she said, peeling her face from the window.

I was fascinated by them. Two of them had their branches locked together in a grappling hold, one tree bowing under the others weight. Some of the tree shad fallen and moss was growing over. Around the fallen trees stood willow trees, there branches swing in the wind. They all looked like they were trying to run from something, with all of their branches on the side facing the fallen tree and their trunks bent. They looked like mourning people, and I realized that’s what they were. Well, mourning trees, that is. Sadie seemed to notice to, but didn’t have time to say anything because just then we came out of the tunnel of trees, and were greeted by a welcomed sight.

Hope you liked it, vote and comment, if you would!!! xx Lydia