The Sun Will Rise (Moonlight 1)

Chapter 29-Split

'I think we should split up.' Calum frowned, his voice ringing clearly through my head.

'No way!' Michael protests quickly.

'Trust me, this will work.' Calum says, his eyes not moving from the man's as he thinks it. 'Get through the shopping complex, and meet on the other side back at the car. We can keep in touch through the bond.'

Michael frowns again, but nods. Ashton and I do the same. Like Michael, I wasn't sure about splitting up either, but if this was Calum's plan we had to go with it. With at least one hunter outside, we didn't have time to argue. We were in a small town, with lots of people. If something went wrong someone innocent could get hurt. If we stuck together, we'd draw a lot more attention as well.

That's what the hunters want us to worry about, getting innocent people hurt, I supposed. I wondered if the flat tire had something to do with them as well. At this stage, it wouldn't surprise me.

"We'll be back for the tire? Is that okay?" Calum asked, his voice suddenly nervous.

"Yeah sure, mate." The guy nodded, not seeming to notice anything different. "I'll have it here ready for you."

"Thanks." Calum nodded to him, and the four of us walked out the side door. We split as we make it into the corridor of the shopping complex. Calum and I head to the left while Ashton and Michael head for the right. I give one final glance at Calum who nods as he disappears into a department store. Suddenly I'm alone.

I take a deep breath, trying anything to ignore the furious beating of my heart. I cast my eyes over the shops, most of them seem to sell jewelry and dresses. I spy a comic store at the end of the level. I wouldn't be surprised if Michael had spied it up here as well. I look around at the vacant seats and the lack of people walking the level. There doesn't seem to be anyone following me. That means the girl could've followed one of the others. However, that thought doesn't make me feel any better.

I walk into the comic store, deciding to make sure I was truly alone. The windows were glass so I could watch the traffic outside. The shops here seem so quiet, it would be easy to spot a hunter. If they found me.

As I wait, my eyes scan over the various adventures of superheroes and other miraculous beings. I flick through a few of them, recognizing them.

My mind wanders as I browse, nothing's happened yet but I can't help but worry that Calum had made the wrong call by splitting up. What if one of us gets caught? Sure, we're better equipped now in this kind of situation but would it be enough? Michael's training had been starting to have an impact on the three of us. I'd even noticed Michael having to work against Calum and Ashton now that we'd worked out everyone's strengths. 

I was excellent at anticipating moves and had strong technique. Calum was great at dodging and Ashton was awesome at punching and defending. But we were separated now and that concerned me.

I came across a comic Michael had been talking about but he'd said he was missing the last volume of. He'd brought a few of them with him on the trip and we'd been reading them some nights. I felt in my pocket, finding a crumpled up twenty dollar note. Maybe it wasn't the best idea, to stop for a comic book and use the only money I had. But I knew Michael would be super excited when he saw it.

'I'm not safe quite yet.' Calum's voice came through, 'I'm working out how-' The bond seemed to fizzle on the last few words.

'Cal?' I think, my heartbeat racing, was he there. 'Anyone?'

No response. Bother, what an annoying time for the bond to fizzle out. I knew if I shifted into a wolf again there was a good chance it would come back but a wolf walking around the shops was not an option. I closed my eyes trying to sense him and the others but couldn't.