The Haven

Chapter 17

Flying over the ocean felt like it took a lifetime, but after hours of scanning the sea and land, I finally found camp.

Or where it was supposed to be.

I land on the solid ground and let my father climb off my back, before scanning my surroundings. I know this is where camp was, because everything is still here. All except the people. River, Willow, Illia, Rose, they're all gone.

"So this is it?" My dad asks as he walks toward the trailer.

"No. Its not safe." He stops dead in his tracks and turns to look at me confused.

The charcoal in the fireplace still has glowing embers inside, and a fresh-cooked squirrel is sitting on a plate. Either they had to leave in a hurry or were taken, but either way, they didn't leave very long ago.

I hear a twig crack behind me and spin around. A small figure emerges from the shadows and I sigh in relief when I see it is Illia. A smile grows on my face, but instantly disappears when I notice all the scratches and bruises on her face and arms.

"Illia! What happened?!" I ask, frantic. I scoop her in my arms as she sobs and tries to tell me what happened.

"J-Jake made me t-trick them and now they're g-gone!" She sobs in my arms. Who is Jake?

"Illia, honey, where are they?"

"The t-takers have them." No, that means they are going back to the Haven!

"Illia, stay here. This is Jackson, my father," I tell Illia, then turn to my father, "Dad, protect her and don't let her out of your sight. I'm going to find them."

I bolt into the sky and search the ground for them. The big bunches of trees make it hard to see, so I drift lower to the ground. I hear a motor of some sort buzzing in the distance and fly toward the sound. A white van is driving at a high speed along the coast line, headed away from the Haven and to somewhere worse. The Blaze.

I angle myself further downward and send myself bolting through the wisps of clouds and past the tall trees. My feet slam onto the top of the van with a crash, leaving a huge dent in the ceiling. The van instantly stops, and I cling to the top of the van. Someone steps out of the drivers seat and leaps onto the top of the car with me.

Its the guy from the Dome. The one I fought with.

His face is hot with rage and an evil smirk is plastered on his lips. He lunges forward, and I thrust my foot forward, making him fall. He jumps back to his feet and lands a jaw crunching punch to my right cheek. His fist comes back again for another punch, but I block it and punch him instead. Suddenly, my foot finds the edge of the van and I fall back. My hands grip his t-shirt and I bring him flying to the ground with me.

We both crash against the hard sand and I hear cracks crunch up my back. I see the guy's shadow tower over me and push myself up. A treacherous ache radiates over my body and I fight to push it aside. I leap into the air and slam my foot straight into his knee. The bone cracks and I can hear the vibrating crunch as he falls back on the ground. Seizing the oppertunity, I land the hardest punch I could manage into the side of his head and watch him go unconscious.

My heart is thundering in my chest and I stumble as I walk away from the guy. I did it. I did it! I rush to the back door of the van and see it locked with an inch thick chain and lock the size of my palm. I take a few steps back, then run full speed at the door. At the last second, I jump into the air and barrel into the door, sending it flying open. I hadn't realized I was this strong until now.

Rose is sitting in one corner, covering her head and River is sitting in the other with Willow in his arms. All their eyes are as wide as saucers as they stare in shock.

"Aaliyah!" Willow screeches and sprints toward me with tears in his eyes.

My eyes turn wet and he leaps in my arms. I hug him as tight as I can and lightly sob into his shoulder as he does the same. My baby brother. I kiss his forehead and set him back on the ground. Rose hurries over and hugs me, then sees the guy laying in the sand. She instantly lets go and rushes to his body. Ok, now that's strange. I turn my gaze away from her and meet the most gorgeous hazel eyes I've ever seen. The ones I almost forgot because of how long its been since I've seen them. A silent tear rolls down his cheek and we crash into each other in a needing hug. I didn't realize how much I actually missed him till now.

"I thought you were gone." He whispers into my neck as he snuggles deeper. I curl into the shape of his body and shut my eyes tight.

"I did too, I am so so sorry I left. It was the worst mistake I've ever-" He wouldn't let me finish before planting his lips on mine.

"Your already forgiven."