Steel: The Transformation

Chapter 34

Chapter 34 

Jackson POV

I woke up with a blistering headache and as I moved over to the other side of the bed I felt slightly nauseous. Before I could think I had grabbed my old stash of painkillers in my nightstand drawer. I threw two in my mouth and swallowed them dry. The chemical, dry taste of them cottoned in my mouth.

I pulled up my phone and stared at it for a minute before pressing Cleo's name and putting it to my ear. I listened to the signal as the call went through. I knew that she might not pick up but I hoped she would. I let the tones ring as I waited with baited breath. The call rolled to voice mail. I pressed the call button again and got up, starting to pace around my room in the clothes from last night. Voice mail again.

I changed quickly into something that wasn't so slept in and tried calling her again. Voice mail again.

I found myself walking towards her house, still calling her phone with even intervals. The sun had just started to rise and my head was pounding. In my mind there was a small flicker of hope. I was reasoning with myself that since yesterday was only the first day of Easter break Cleo may not have left yet. Maybe she was leaving this morning, maybe if I went to her house now I would be able to talk to her before she left. I needed to know why she had encouraged Dessie and why she had tried to warn her about the wolves. I stomped quickly towards her house.

The house looked sleepy, a white body of wood towering over the green lawns. The last few strands of dusk created a light mist. I scanned the windows, no lights where on. I quickly climbed the porch steps and knocked on the door. There was nothing. I knocked again, harder this time. Still no reply.

I paced up and down the length of the porch while calling her phone again. I stopped at her living room window. Did I see some movement in there? I peered trough the window and stared in at the dark living room. I spotted a small flashing light on the kitchen counter, flashing in time with the call tone in my ear. She had left her phone behind. I started incredulous at the phone, that I could just about to make out on the breakfast bar.

I moved over to her porch steps and say down on. I pushed my head into my hands and felt helplessness wash over me. I knew that Jake had told me that she was going away for Easter but now that I had seen it with my own eyes it felt even worse. How was I meant to confront her about Dessie or get her to talk to me again if she wasn't even here?

I stared bleakly out across the street, still sleepy with no signs of human movement even though the sun had now risen. I noticed some movement at the corner of my eye. My mind knew it wouldn't be Cleo but I still hopefully turned my head in the direction of the movement. It was Dessie. She was running in a pair of pink running trousers and a tank top. Her ponytail was bouncing behind her as she ran.

She stopped and looked at me, "Hi."

She put her hands on her knees leaning forward as she panted, trying to catch her breath.

"Hi," I replied glumly.

"Hung-over?" she asked gently.

I nodded and instantly felt the throbbing pain in my head.

"Want to go and get a cup coffee?" she asked lightly.

"Sure," I might as well eat breakfast.

The waitress placed two large cups of coffee in front of us and left us to our own devices at the little table on the outside of the coffee shop. Dessie took a deep sip of coffee and let out a little sigh before looking at me.

"So why were you sitting on Cleo's porch?" she asked innocently.

"I needed to talk to her."

"Why didn't you just call her?" she asked.