Sinister (Lethal Fear: Book One)

21 - Teenager

I woke up in the morning, almost surprised by the fact that I was in a warm bed again. It had seemde like ages ago since I'd been home and I almost smiled knowing that I wouldn't be leaving anytime soon. However, then Lexi crying in the night came back to me and my satsifaction was gone.

Lexi was still sleep so once I was dressed, I made another mug of tea for her, setting it by her bed stand.

I kept thinking about Elena and why I hadn't seen her anymore after she took David. However, I remembered what she wanted; for the barrier to be let down. So the Sixth wouldn't have to be 'slaves' to humans any longer. The thought made my blood curdle.

After locking the door to our house, I made my way to the Recovery Center. When I was halfway through the Square, I ran into Conner. He had a huge smile on his face, munching on a sandwich. "Where ya' going, Alina?"

"The Recovery Center." I said.

He frowned. "You have family in the Recovery Center?"

"No, I'm visiting a friend." Well, more like a friend's mother. Dylan's mother seemed to know everything about Elena before I even knew myself. I was confident she would know what I should do.

"Oh, can I come?" He asked excitedly.

I hated to say no so I gestured for him to come along. Not many people were out at this time in the morning but Conner said he had been on his way to one of the cafes. Jeff was busy at the hospital so he had been glad to see me. "So wheres your other friends?" I asked as we walked.

"I don't have any."

"Why not?" I frowned, looking at his innocent face.

"Not everyone wants to be friends with the deaf kid." Conner shrugged.

"Oh."

We got to the Recovery Center which seemed calm today. I checked in for visiting hours with Dylan's mother whose name was Sarah. One of the helpers led me to her room and I was relieved to find that Dylan wasn't here. I didn't want him to know I was visiting his mother.

Sarah was sat up in her bed, looking at a TV that hung on a ceiling. Merri-lee was making the morning announcments. She informed everyone that there were only five survivors from the freshman Hunting trip and our Hunting Academy school photos flashed across the screen.

Conner seemed puzzled by Sarah's distant expression and decided to stay outside with his sandwich.

"Sarah?" I asked.

Sarah turned sharply towards me, seeming dazed.

"Its me, Alina." I said slowly. "Do you remember me?"

Her face lit up and she gestured toward the chair adjacent to her. "Oh, yes, have a seat dear."

I sat down, wincing as Merri-lee began to talk about those who were dead with another reporter. Maddie and four other Hunters I didn't know appeared on the screen. Maddie's school picture seemed perfect, she had a smirk that seemed to say, 'You-don't-know-what-I-know'.

"Why are you visiting me again?" Sarah asked as if she'd forgotten our last conversation.

I clasped my hands together. "Its about my mother, Elena." 

"You've seen her again, haven't you?" She asked, a crazy glint appearing in her eyes. To my surprise, she grabbed my hands, nearly falling off the bed. "What did she tell you?"

I was startled by the cold icy feel of her hands. "I - uh- yes." I worked my hands out of her grip and put them behind my back. Sarah leaned back. "She took my friend."