Chasing Chaos

Chapter 13

13.

Throughout the next week I continued my training. It was still hard and brought me to my knees at times but I was getting stronger. Even Danny commented on my strength from time to time. It made me feel happy and safe. After training Austin and I would sit outside or talk. He was my best friend, my only friend really, but I loved him more than anything. If a time came for me to put my life on the line to keep him safe I would do it in a heartbeat.

On Friday I was put in the room that twisted my memories into nightmares. I did better and my arm was stronger. There were different memories from the first time. They were worse but I didn't break down as bad as before. My arm made me strong. My arm kept me safe and I was learning how to use it in the best ways possible. On Saturday Danny had to go to a meeting about the data and creatures. He let me have the day off with Austin.

We were laying outside on the lawn looking up at the clouds when I remembered the letter. The letter I had found in my mother's room addressed with my name. I had forgot all about it with everything going on. Until now. I sat up and looked over at Austin. His eyes were closed and his breath was steady. He looked so peaceful as he slept.

I quietly got up and snuck into the house and to my room. The letter was in the bottom of my travel bag were I had hidden in. I carefully retrieved it and sat on my bed cross-legged.

The envelope was tinted with yellow from not being touched in so long. I traced my cursive-written name and imagined my mother writing it. Excitement coursed through my body at the thoughts of what she had written to me. It had to be something special.

My fingers shook as I carefully separated the sticky tape from the envelope. Inside was a paper folded over itself. I slid it out and slowly opened it.

I closed my eyes and with a deep breath opened the paper. When my eyes opened shock filled the inside of me. It was blank. The paper was blank.

In a panic I searched all over the paper, just one sentence, or word, or even one letter? There was nothing, just white paper. All I could think to do was show Austin. I carefully folded the paper, placed it into the envelope and sprinted back to Austin to show him.

He was still sleeping as I pounced on him and shook him awake.

"WH- WHAT?!?!" Austin jumped up and grabbed my shoulders, "are you alright?! What's going on?!" His mind was still groggy from sleep but his eyes were wide open and his breath quick.

My voice was panicked and confused, "when I went back to see my father and get my stuff I found this hidden in my mom's dresser." I showed him the letter and started to open it, "but when I took the paper out there were no words on it." I showed him the blank paper and stared into his eyes. "I know my mother would never hide something with no meaning." My insides felt heavy.

Austin gently took the paper from me and held it with one hand, with the other he felt along the lines. I watched his fingers move as if he felt letters. He looked back up at me and gave me a reassuring smile.

"There are words on this paper." He took my hand and placed it on the paper, then his fingers guided mine through the lines. I felt pen marks and words but still saw nothing.

I looked at him with confusion and he chuckled, "here come with me. I'll show you."

He stood up and I followed. Confusion whirled around in me but I pushed it away. Austin led me down to the basement and left me on the couch with the paper. He walked over to a picture frame and lifted it up the wall. Behind it was a keypad. He pressed the buttons and a tiny door swung open off the wall. He retrieved what looked like a small flashlight and walked away from me. He went to the lights and flicked them off. Instantly I was on guard in the darkness. Austin's footsteps were soundless and I wondered if he was playing some type of joke on me.