The Unveiling - Modern Magic: Book 1

Chapter 30

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Chapter 30 - Fear

Left shocked by the events on TV, I had forgotten what had been my wake-up call earlier that morning.  I finally looked down at my cell phone, bringing up the text message from Tim.  I typed my response, deleted, and then typed it again until I finally settled on 'Jeeze, that's NUTS!  Boston is turning into Nazi Germany!'

'I know what you mean.  It's like everyone lost their minds.'  Tim's reply came through shortly after.

'Got plans for the fall?'  It was the least obvious way to ask when Tim would be able to get out of there.

'I do, but I'm not sure anymore.  Have to think about it.'  I could only hope that meant he was working on transportation back to his home in Atlanta.

'I don't blame you!  Let me know what happens.'  I knew he would need to scramble to balance his own safety with not ruining his future.

'You got it.'

I set my phone down on the arm rest of the couch, looking over at my grandfather.  His gaze was distant with worry.  "How do we get them out of there?"

Alistair blinked, pulling out of his worried imaginings.  "Letter.  We'll send it priority delivery.  They'll get it in a couple days."  It was the only way to be able to say everything we wanted without fear of monitoring.  At least I didn't think they would have implemented any mail screening system just yet.  Either way, we would need to risk it.  I just wish it wouldn't take so long.

Knowing neither of us would be going to sleep, Alistair started making breakfast while I grabbed a pen and paper.  I wrote letters to Aki and James.  Those were easy.  I asked Aki about any plans to evacuate and if there was anything I could do to help.  To James, I asked him to stick with his roommate and follow any directions Aki gives him.  While writing, my mind was whirling.

Should I try and book a flight back and help?

Was it better to stay here and offer a refuge for anyone who wanted to come?

What if those same security protocols were in place at air ports and train stations?

I found all these overwhelming, unanswerable questions were plaguing me, leaving me indecisive and angry with myself for not deciding.  Angelina's plan seemed  so perfect.  Even with James leaking the attack details and no clear video of magic being used back in April, her plans were still going exactly as she wanted.  What if these letters or plans to leave Boston led my friends and family to get captured by the very people they were trying to get away from?

I finally got to the letter to my mom.  I found myself begging her to find a way to leave Boston.  If she hadn't told my dad about everything yet, she could just make something up.  Maybe she was suffering from Empty Nest Syndrome and needed to visit her son?  It would be far better if she had already told him.  They could easily book an early anniversary trip or something.  I couldn't believe I actually took a moment during this whole craziness to focus on the fact that their 30th Anniversary was going to be in a couple of months.

I focused back on the issue at hand with a simple thought:  I didn't know how, but I needed the people I cared about out of Boston as soon as possible.  More than once while writing the letters, I found myself wanting to write one to Diana.  She was one person I didn't have to worry about.  No matter what security measures were put in place, she wasn't Magi.  That fact made me feel even more distant from her, even if I should be happy and relieved that it meant she would be safe.

We got the letters in the mail, and I was left with probably the longest two days of my life.

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