Surviving the Dark

Chapter 27 - Prevention

Days go by. Then a week. One week turned into two, soon enough it had been a month. I was starting to doubt is it was a Black Eye that I saw. They would have made their move by now. Wouldn't they?

"Isa, stop being so hard on yourself. If it makes you feel better, I've seen a few of them around."

My head snaps up.

"Zae I know you are trying to help, but what makes you think that is the way to go to make me feel better? It does the opposite actually. Why didn't you tell me you saw them?!"

"Isa, please stop shouting, people are starting to stare."

I look around the preserve and sure enough people are giving me funny looks. A lot more people have started coming to the Quelia Nature Preserve recently. When we finally came up with a plan, a few days after I saw the Black Eye in the shop, we put the plan straight into action. It was mainly trying to block out the sun within the preserve without causing harm to the plants.

The only way we could block out as much of the sun as we could without affecting the plants too much, was to get the biggest tarp we could find and set it up in the centre of the preserve. We got a few smaller ones too and set them up on the outskirts of the big one.

Because of the added shade in the preserve, people have been coming and having picnics and such. It's been good for the preserve, if people are utilising the area then the council have less of a chance of turning the space into some form of apartments or other kind of development.

"Izzie, can you give me a hand? One of the tarps is starting to fall." I look over to see Jamie standing at the entrance of one of the moderate nature trails.

"Sure Jamie." I follow Jamie down the trail until we reach the Grove. Now that the others know who I am and why I freaked out that first day, it's a little easier to be in Quelia's version of the Grove. Today, not so much.

As soon as I stepped foot into the Grove my breath caught in my throat. Jamie must have noticed because I soon felt his hand around mine, gently pulling me further into the Grove.

"J-Jamie, I-I c-can't." I shake my head, trying to pull my hand out of his grip so I can find Zae or Liv to help him.

"Izzie," He tugs again on my hand, pulling me towards him. "No more running. I know its hard being in here for you normally. Even more so in more recent days." I nod slightly. "But I am not going to let anything happen to you. We have a plan, and that's even if they actually make a move."

I bite my bottom lip and look to the ground.

Jamie takes a step closer and lifts my chin up with his index finger so I am looking into his eyes.

"It's been over a month since you saw them. They would have done something by now. And even if they still do something, we are ready for them. You are not alone anymore."

I sigh and advert my gaze.

"What we have isn't much of a plan. All we have is basically blocking out the sun with the tarps so they can't change forms, and then trying to talk to them."

Jamie shrugs and flashes me his lop sided grin, dimple and all.

"Hey, I think it is a great plan."

"Of course you would, you came up with most of it." I take a step back and offer him a small smile.

"Okay, what's up?" I give Jamie a puzzled look. "I've known you long enough now to be able to tell when something is bothering you. So what's up?"

I stare at him wide eyed, taken aback.

'When did he start paying so much attention?'

"N-nothing. I-I'm fine."

"Bullshit!"

I jump back, scared by his outburst. I open my mouth to reply but shut it when Olivia and Xavier walk in.

"Isa you're gonna break that thing if you keep playing with it." Zae points to my hand clasped around my Rainbow Moonstone.

"What's got you so worked up Is?" Liv questions and shares a look with the boys.

"I'm fine. Must be all this anxiety of the Black Eyed Soulless Shadows."

Liv and Zae nod. Jamie on the other hand narrows his eyes at me.

"Bullshit Izzie. You want us to get to safety, especially Xav, and do this all on your own. Don't you?"

I take a step toward him. "Jamie I-"

Jamie steps away. "No Izzie. How many times do we need to tell you that we are in this together. I'm not-" Liv clears her throat. "I mean, we are not going to let you do this alone."

"I don't want to see you all get hurt. If I left when I got here or didn't stop in the first place you would be safe."

"And you wouldn't be Isa." I see Jamie tense at Zae's words.

"If you didn't stop, or left when you first got here then you wouldn't have found Xav. You would still be running for your life. You wouldn't have a home. A family." Liv comes up to me and places her hands on my shoulders gives them a slight squeeze. "We are not leaving you to do this alone Is. You are family and this is our fight too."

I press my lips into a line and turn to face Zae and Jamie.

"Isa, don't start okay. I'm staying. You're my sister and this is our fight. We just found each other, I don't want to loose you already by you sending me away. I'm not the baby mum and dad hid away to protect me. I'm fourteen now. I can help."

I sigh. Zae and Liv smile, knowing I am giving up on the argument because I know I can't stop them from staying. Xavier turns to Jamie and taps him on the shoulder.

"J, come on, don't be mad at Isa. We all know you would do the same thing if you were in her position."

I feel the corner of my lips twitch up. Jamie's shoulders slump and he slowly turns around. His face blank of emotion.

"Come on, the eclipse is going to start soon and we need to get this tarp fixed."

Zae goes over to the tarp and attempts to fix it himself. Liv gives Jamie a pointed look. He glances over to me before turning away and goes to help Zae.

Liv comes and links her arm with mine.

"Come on. Lets go get the supplies for us to watch the eclipse."