Look At Me Now

Chapter 27

When I was finally able to return to my room Gabriel was not there. Of course. Instead sitting on my bed was a piece of paper ripped from the notebook on my desk written on very messily in black ink.

Avia,

Sorry. Didn't want to get caught. Clint Mr. Porter wants to talk to you. I'll be parked at the end of your street at midnight. Come alone and don't be seen. This is private and important.

—Gabriel

P.S. Don't worry Clint isn't going to kill you

P.P.S. Destroy this so your mom doesn't find out. Rip it up, burn it, soak it—you get it.

Even though I was excited about going back to HQ I wasn't excited about this meeting. I had no idea what Mr. Porter would want from me—or why Gabriel felt the need to put the "don't worry" part in his note, because it definitely didn't help. Either way I followed Gabriel's instructions by simply ripping the note into little teeny tiny confetti sized bits before sprinkling it into my trash can.

*

At 11:56 p.m. I flipped the lock on my door. I placed a small note on the bed for my mom—just in case. "Had to step out for a bit. Important and didn't have a choice. Don't worry I'll be back soon. Nothing bad. Love you." Simple and undoubtedly nothing near good enough to keep her from freaking out.

I slipped out of the house and made my way to Gabriel. He was sure enough waiting for me when I got there. "Why does he want to see me?" I asked immediately once I'd gotten into the car.

"Oh hello, Avia, good to see you. I'm doing great. How about yourself?" Gabriel replied sarcastically.

"Sorry," I said with a smile. "I'm just a tad bit concerned."

"Didn't I tell you not to worry in the note?" he asked me.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah I saw that part. Unfortunately, a meeting with Clint Porter, the man who authorizes the kidnapping of teenagers to be turned into professional killers, is something that goes hand-in-hand with worrying."

"Someone's in a foul mood tonight." Gabriel's eyes stayed trained on the road.

"I'm not. I just feel so..." It took me a moment to find the right word. "Suffocated. My mom is smothering me. I'm trying to be sympathetic—I mean the woman lost both of her children. Having one of them back is a miracle for her. She's not about to let go again. But for Christ sake I'll be lucky if I even get to go away for college in the fall."

"Avia," he sighed. "She's just trying to keep you safe."

It was that moment when I realized how stupid I'd been. Here I was complaining about how over bearing my other was acting in front of a guy who lost his mother. "Gabriel, I'm so sorry. I wasn't even thinking."

"I'm okay, Angel," he gave me a soft smile. "I'm not that sensitive about it." He took a deep breath before speaking again. "She's lost everyone, your mother. Your father left her. You disappeared. Her son committed several murders and then got himself killed over it. You coming back to her is everything. You're everything to her. She loves you and she would do anything for you. Just remember that."

"I will."

The rest of the ride was mostly silent. There were a few things we talked about here and there—random people that passed us, how school was, what was happening at HQ. Simple small talk.

*

Standing outside of Mr. Porter's office made my heart pound harder. I couldn't understand why he wanted to see me here. Especially since he knew how my mother felt about this place. Something wasn't right about it.

"Avia," Gabriel took my hand. "Before we go in there can I say something?"

"Of course." The hesitation in his voice was odd. He seemed worried about this.

He kissed my cheek before looking me in the eyes. "I love you, Angel." Breath left my lungs as soon as I heard him. What's worse is that I couldn't remember how to breathe in again. "You don't have to say it back; I just need you to know that."

There was a full beat of silence before I was able to actually say something. "I—I love you, too."

I expected him to smile or laugh or kiss me or something. Instead he looked like he was in pain. He kissed my forehead before opening the door to Mr. Porter's office.

When that door opened hands reached out and dragged me forward. "Gabriel?!" I gasped. What the hell was this? It was two of the security level agents. Their grips were like iron clasps around my arms, I could already feel the bruises forming. They forced me into a medical chair, tying my hands to the armrests. "Stop! What are you doing?!" My eyes found Gabriel standing across the room, his jaw clenched and eyes on me.

"I'm sorry, Avia," Mr. Porter stood in front of me. "Your mother requested your memory to be wiped."

"No! No! Please, Mr. Porter!" I cried out. "Don't do this! I don't want to forget. Please!"

"I'm so sorry, Avia," he said again.

"Gabriel!" I screamed. "Help me! Please don't let them do this!"

"I'm sorry, Avia." His voice broke slightly when he spoke.

I tried to pry my hands out of the restraints but it was no use. One of the agents grasped my arm, holding it in place. The other brought a large syringe to me. It was filled with a cloudy liquid. The needle was large. I let out a shriek as he brought it closer. It sank into my skin with a shark prick of pain.

I could feel the serum snaking its way through my blood. It was warm and slow, bonding with my blood and seeping into my bones. My eyes stayed locked with Gabriel's as my body started to shut down. My eyes were the last things to give up on me. Then I was gone, and so was everyone around me.

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Hey,

So I am kinda sorta somewhat back a bit. I'm writing more lately and I actually read through this book myself and found myself getting back into it so here is chapter 27. I'm going to keep writing and hopefully more will be up soon.

I am busy with school, you can look on jazzsnook.blogspot.com to see my generalized schedule and it'll give you a better idea of what's going on.

Thank you so so much for reading, I absolutely appreciate it and hope you keep with me. 

Enjoy!

Jazz