Omens (wattys2016)

Twenty-three.

I have been watching the clock for the last hour and forty-three, now forty four, minutes. I have watched each second pass, knowing what has to be done.

After Daphne left dinner resumed itself as normal. Liam and Jackson chatted amongst themselves about Asher and Petroff's arrival. Max stayed glued to his phone and from the smile on his face I assumed he was texting Daphne. Gabriel excused himself after the meal, barricading himself in his room. He had not spoken a word to me since our encounter at the door. Had not scolded me for our unexpected guest. Had not once mentioned the fact that I had so brazenly let her into the house. All my suspicions were confirmed, tomorrows meeting with the two ex-hunters was not going to go down as he had stated. While I was unaware of what was actually going to happen, I did not plan on being there to find out.

Another minute ticked by, the clock now ready two fifty-seven am. Everyone had long since gone to sleep. I had waited silently in my room, hearing their doors click gently into place. Jackson, or at least someone I assumed to be Jackson, had paused by my room on their way down the hall. I had stared at the knob, waiting for it to turn. It did not. There was a long sigh followed by another closing door.

That was three hours ago. The house had remained silent since then.

I open the door slowly, making sure it does not creak in the process. I sling my bag, packed with only the essentials, over my shoulder and make my way down the hall. My plan has to be executed perfectly. Step one: leave the room. Step two: make it past all the bedrooms without making a sound. Three: exit the house. Four: run like hell until I was far enough away to not be tracked.

I only make it as far as the third bedroom before a pair of hands reach out, pulling me into the darkened room. The smell of citrus and pepper fills the air around me and I look up into a pair of glowing green eyes. Moonlight filters into the room, illuminating his face.

"What the hell are you doing?" Jackson whispers angrily. I look away, unable to hold his stare any longer. This is not supposed to be happening. He is supposed to be asleep.

"I can't..." My words falter. " I can't stay here. Gabriel isn't telling the truth. Those guys aren't just coming to run some tests Jackson. Whatever they are coming here for, it isn't good."

"So what? You're just going to run?"

The anger boils inside me, spilling over into all my thoughts. Of course he doesn't understand. He's lived his whole life knowing what he is, what his purpose is. How could he ever imagine what it's like to not know if you'll even make it to see another day?

"Yes. I am going to run. I know how to control it now. I'll be fine out there. I can defend myself." I shove him away from me. I turn my back, turning the door knob slowly.

"And what about me?"

My hand freezes, unable to finish the motion. I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing he had not said that. I release my grip on the knob and steady my breathing. This has to be done, I repeat to myself. This has to be done.

"What about you?" I ask harshly. "Huh? You think just because we kissed a few times it means there's something there? I'm leaving Jackson, don't you get it? I am leaving and up until this moment I had no intention on saying goodbye."

I see it, the moment the words penetrate his thoughts. I see the hurt splayed clearly across his face as he realizes what I insinuated. That he is nothing to me. That he is so insignificant to me that I was willing to leave without so much as a word. I calm my shaking hands, knowing if he sees how nervous I am he will press the issue.