Looking for the Light Through the Darkness

Chapter 87: Check In

Loaded into the car, I tuck myself into the blanket wrapped around me for warmth. The heat is on but it doesn't reach the backseat that Victor and I are curled up in. Owen didn't want to take the chance of not hearing someone over the open line that we had set up between both cars.  Victor, Sean, Raven, Marc, Axel, and Owen in this car with me. North, Luke, Gabriel, Silas, Kota, Nathan, Cory, and Brandon in the second. North and Brandon had managed to get vans for us to travel in which I was thankful for. At least we were all together. 

We had been on the road for about an hour now and the unease of moving our positions was starting to melt away. Luke and Gabe could be heard talking through the car speakers and Raven was snoring in the seat in front of us. I had been trying to sleep for the past thirty minutes but it was still useless. Every bump and every turn put me on edge. Victor did his best but there wasn't anything that couldn't be done.

"Sang?" Sean whispers and I feel a gentle caress. Managing a small smile, I relax into his touch. "Not able to sleep?" Nodding, I shift slightly from Victor's chest sitting up. 

"Would you like to listen to some music Sang?" Marc asks turning in his seat and my eyes widen. Nodding quickly I shift the blanket reaching for Marc's phone and head phones. Once in my grasp I smile and place them quickly in my ears and relax to the music. Allowing myself to drift, I listen to the soft music notes happy for a little distraction. 

Eventually I must fall asleep because the next thing I remember is a gentle hand rubbing my side. "Sang?" Pulling out the ear phones, I let out an exhausted breath as Raven lifts me up and into his arms. Breathing in the fading scent of gun powder, I wrap my arms around him as he moves me to the front seat of the van. 

"The others?" I whisper in a groggy voice and his hand gently rubs my back. 

"They went into the gas station to get food. The others are a head of us. They will stop another hour into the journey so that way it doesn't look as strange." Raven whispers and I nod rubbing my face slowly. 

"Good idea." I whisper and Raven places his hand on my forehead guiding me back to his chest and wrapping my blanket around me. 

"You are still warm." He whispers and I nod tucking into his chest. I wasn't comfortable in the car. The last time we were in the car, I had been tossed around like a bunch of potatoes... Silas had been- Feeling my breathing hitch, Raven's arms tighten around my sides and I grab at his shirt. 

"Silas... Please can I talk to Silas?" I whisper airily trying to ground myself. That was the past. It wasn't now. Everyone was safe. Everyone was okay. Hearing the sound of a phone ringing, I reach for it and place it to my ear. Please let everyone be okay.

"Raven?" Cory's voice comes through the speaker making me feel a little better. He didn't sound like he was distressed if anything tired. If he had been asleep that means that everything and everyone must be okay... right?

"Corey can I talk to Silas?" I whisper trying hard to push away any other thoughts that come to mind. Unfortunately that isn't helped when I hear a  sharp breath taken from the other side of the phone. Maybe something was wrong? Maybe it wasn't tired? 

"Silas... Hey sorry its Sang." Corey whispers on the other end of the phone which apparently can be heard by everyone because everyone starts shouting. Panicking I take a sharp breath myself until Silas's clear Greek accent takes over the phone. 

"Angelle mou?" Silas states his voice even and calm drowning out the background noise. 

"Silas." I whisper trying my best to calm down as Raven shifts me in his lap. I hold tight to the phone as he presses my head into the crook of his neck his hand slipping under my shirt to my side. 

"Love are you okay? What's wrong?" Silas whispers and suddenly I realize I am on speaker. 

"Is everything okay?" I whisper in response and there is a sudden hush on the other side of the phone. Almost instantly, I begin to panic until a voice takes over the phone.

"Everyone check in." Kota commands and instantly I can hear the voices of the others. 

"Nathan here." My chest slowly loosens.

"Silas here."  I let go of Raven's shirt.

"Gabe fucking here." I allow my body to relax.

"Luke here." My shaking stops.

"North here." A small breath escapes my lips.

"Brandon here I guess." I curl closer into Raven's chest.

" Corey here." I am able to take my first full deep breath.

"Kota here." Kota finally responds. "Everyone is safe and accounted for Sang. How about you? Are you okay?" I can't help but smile. 

"Tired and missing you all. Thank you for checking in with me. I was worried that..." I tense a little and Raven cuddles me. "I am glad you are all safe." I recover and manage a small smile.