To The Love [Elemental Series] [Darkness Edition]

Chapter 12

====Kasey POV===

I had made a horrible decision which got me into more trouble than I imagined.

And it all started when Chaos decided to disappear on me.

I looked back to where Chaos was standing, and saw that he was staring at the ground in front of me. Suspecting something, I looked there as well.

Nothing interesting appeared for me, so I looked up to Chaos again, but what was in his place...was a dark blue gem.

I had no idea where it came from. I picked it up, and oddly enough, it was cold to the touch. I had suspected that Chaos jumped and left me with this, but...I looked around. "Chaos...?"

No response from anywhere.

"Chaos...Did you leave me?" I asked, worried. I know and I feel that he should be nearby...but he isn't responding.

I felt betrayed. Maybe I was dead weight to him.

Maybe he'll come back, My inner voice tried. But I'm too tired to listen to that. I can't stay optimistic when I'm not even in the same city, heck, in the same state as before! And I still feel sick to my stomach, and I feel clammy and hot.

I tried to take a breath, and act casual. I stuffed the gem into my back pocket, wishing I had brought my backpack with me, and stepped out of the alley way.

I blended into the crowd quickly, pretending like I'm looking into some of the busy shops and restaurants nearby.

My stomach growled, and I cursed at myself. I just vomited, there is no time for snacks. So I followed some crowds, trying to find a lead on what city or state this might be. I'm not even sure how hot it is either, since the closeness and my already clammy body seems to dictate it may be a little over 90 degrees fahrenheit, but who knows, it could just be a barely survivable 85.

I tried to keep my mind off of Chaos, I really did. He did just leave me there with nothing but a small gem. What was I supposed to do? Wait? Wait for what?

I felt my stomach growl again, and I ignored it again as well. Looking at some advertising signs, I assumed that I was in Arizona. Somewhere there, anyway. Maybe Phoenix? There's a youtuber I know that lives there! He was sort of hilarious, I wonder what happened to him.

Oh, and also a Great Aunt as well, on my father's side. Maybe she could help me? But I'm not even sure if she lives anywhere near here.

I doubt it, there's probably a very small chance of me meeting any sort of familiar face.

Despite the heat and my exhaustion, I was able to go into some sort of store that had air conditioning. I didn't care what it was, I just wanted to cool down.

I tried to stay inconspicuous by browsing around the clothing isle, not sure what exactly I wanted to look for anyway. Tank tops, maybe? Wait, I don't have my money with me, dang it!

So now that I was unfocused on the clothes, I could start thinking. Why Arizona of all places? If this is Arizona.

Then, something clicked in the back of my head. I tried to reach to the thought, but a vision crossed my mind. Or...was it really a vision?

Fire.

I stared at the clothes, watching it catch aflame. I panicked and backed away, only to bump into another person.

"Hey, watch it!" Said the woman with long black hair. She wasn't much taller than me, but her cold eyes were kind of scary.

"Sorry," I mumbled, walking away quickly from her. But then I turned back to warn her about the fire...and it was gone. I just saw her shake her head and continued to browse clothes.

That...wasn't real? I asked myself, now moving across the store to avoid any sort of contact with her.

Why does she look familiar?

I couldn't tell why.

After I felt a lot better and colder, I exited the store. I felt bad about not buying anything. There was a small little clay turtle that seemed adorable.

I take a breath, and continue walking, now thinking about solutions to my problem.

I could probably try and ask someone to use their phone and I can call my mom and dad, but I'm sure that they'd hate me for being, suddenly, in Arizona with no warning.

I could potentially walk around and try to find a police station, but I doubt they'd help me. Suddenly a girl shows up, in rather decent clothing, probably smelling like trash asking if they could find my parents. Where would they be? Florida, sir! I was kidnapped and brought here in a single day!

And they have to catch some criminals and whatever, I doubt that they'd even find the kidnappers. Maybe they'd think it's a scam and I'd go to jail. They wouldn't believe me.

Pausing my trail of thought, I looked up to see some sort of commotion up ahead. A sort of street performance, I guess.

I decided to walk past it, see what was going on. And I my curiosity grew a little at seeing it. People dancing with each other, maybe a dance competition? Whatever it is, it looked fun.

I sighed, and continued forward.

Then, I felt something on my back pocket. I frowned, and pulled out the cold gem.

It was glowing a very faint blue. Does this mean that Chaos is close by?

I wasn't waiting to find out as I continued forward, the pulsing beat of the glow encouraged me to find him. I'm not even sure if that's what was supposed to happen, but as long as I find him, that's all that mattered.

I was taken down the busy streets of people, past crowds and vehicles, and I think I had traveled half a mile or so before actually making it to a building.

An apartment complex stood high in front of me, and the pulsing was a bit faster now.

I entered inside, hoping to avoid finding security ready to ask for an ID of sorts.

But I didn't need to worry, because I felt the lurch again, and once I stepped within the building, I felt myself go upwards. I think I just jumped through several floors...because my stomach started feeling bad again.

Shuddering, I stare ahead, feeling the gem in my hand grow colder as I take a few steps forward. I guess it's hot and cold, but cold means closer.

I took another breath, focusing and looking to each room number.

610, 612, 614, 616...

By the time I got to 622, I felt the gem warm up again. So I probably missed the door. Taking a step back, I looked at the left. Still warm. The right. It grew colder.

I stepped towards the door, and put the gem against it, and I was surprised to see it glow twice. Like a heartbeat.

Do I have to knock on it? I knew the gem couldn't answer me, but it kept doing it twice, like: Yes! Yes! You knock on the door!

Asides from my growing fear, I also had a suspicion that the door was going to not lead me to Chaos.

Other than that, I decided I might have to explain myself to the owner of the complex...

Before doing anything, I lied on the floor and tried to look under the doorway. I cursed myself for not being able to see anything within there. So I stood up, and put my ear against the door.

I held my breath. I heard the shuffling of papers on the other side, as well as someone talking on the phone. And some weird sort of beeping. Like a low frequency sort of stuff.

I pulled my head away from the door. "Alright..." I whispered to myself, "I can do this..."

But what if I can't? Logic reasoned, but then I responded back, If I can't, then screw it. I was led here and this person might have some sort of answer.

So, sucking it up, I braced myself to knock...but before I did that, I decided to test the door handle.

Locked. Right, of course.

I lifted my hand and knocked, stuffing the gem into my back pocket, and waited.