Chapter 20
I didn’t even wait for him to answer the doorbell. Opening the door I headed straight for the stairs with my friends right behind me, unsure if they should even follow.
Courtney tried to stop me, “This is breaking and entering!”
I waved my hand as I kept walking up the steps, “I don’t care!”
Ashley tried, “But we could get in trouble!”
I snorted, “Oh he’s going to be in a whole lot more trouble if he doesn’t give me answers.”
Without another word we made it to his room where I saw him through a slightly ajar door sitting in his chair and reading a book.
He jumped as he heard me slam open the door the rest of the way. I didn’t even give a chance to speak, “How do we stop them?”
He looked taken aback, “Stop who?”
I put my hand on the top of his chair, putting my face near his, “You know very well who. Now start talking.” I felt the eyes of my friends staring into the back of me, afraid of what I might do.
His eyes looked up at me, “The Shadow Seekers?”
I spun his chair, making him grip the sides to stay on, “Yes the fricking Shadow seekers.”
He stuttered, “Well, yeah…” He mumbled the rest.
I crossed my arms, “What was that?”
He spoke louder, “They’re afraid of the light!”
I shook my head, “What kind of bull crap is that? One came last night and the light orbs were on!”
His face went pale, “Then that wasn’t a normal shadow seeker.” Opening his book he showed us a picture of what we saw last night, “That was the oldest one of them all, the leader I guess you could say. It’s resistant to light and almost impenetrable armor protects it.”
I looked him in the eye, “Where can we find these things?”
He looked confused, “Find them? I don’t think anyone could find them.”
I held my hands out at my sides while they glowed white from my anger, “Well you better find a way! They took my brother!” With that I used my left hand to throw a shot at the wall which left a huge black burn mark.
Levi held up his hands, “Okay, okay! Give me a second here.” He flipped through the book until he found the page he was satisfied with. He pointed to it as he spoke, “It says that they like dark areas with little grass.”
I started thinking of places around, “The gorge?”
He shrugged, “That would be your best bet. The disappearances have only been going on here for a while so that’s probably where they’re settled. There’s a map down in the dining room. Go look at it and you’ll be able to know which direction to go.”
I shook my head, “I know where to go.”
He looked at me, “Then go get it so I can have it back up here.”
Sighing in frustration I turned to leave the room. As soon as I did a crash of thunder rocked the house and the lights went out. I shouted, “Courtney, Ashley, hold Jenn and Aaron down under you.” I heard them crash to the floor.
There was some scuttling in the hallway and I took a step closer to the door where my friends were. An arm went around me and I heard Michael, “I got you.”
The sound came to the door and went to the ceiling. I wanted to make some light but I’m afraid it’d end up attacking me. Remaining still my heart beat quickened as I heard the quick ticking of the claws continue across the ceiling, and then it stopped.
Hearing nothing but our breathing I tried with everything I had to keep my breathing steady and listen through the pounding in my ears. Before I realized what happened there was a scream behind me, then it stopped.
Putting my hands in a cup form I made a ball of light to glow the room. Turning around I saw that Levi’s chair was empty.
Before I could say anything the lights came back on. With a dreaded feeling I reached down to help my friends up. Pulling Aaron up to his feet he gasped when he saw the empty chair, “He’s gone too, isn’t he?”
I nodded silently.
Michael looked at me, “You can’t be serious about going after these things, are you?”
I shrugged, “How could we not? They have my brother and I need to get him back.”
He put both hands on my shoulders, “They could kill you. We don’t even know what they’ve done to Josh.”
I took his right hand and held it in both of mine, “That’s where I need to find out.”
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