DUCHAS (The Drive Within, Book 2 in Baile series)

Chapter 3 Foresight

Isla

White clouds blew from my mouth as I ran, picking my way down the path that was hidden beneath a foot of snow. Winter always hit hard in Uisneach, trees and lakes freezing solid, not to mention the migration of large wildlife such as deer and owls. I had kept my distance whenever I came across a deer but because my mind was preoccupied I bumped into the backside of a huge buck.

"Oh shit." I breathed as a hoof collided with my stomach.

I dropped to the ground as the deer pranced away through the snow.

I leant my back against a tree for support while I clutched my stomach. "Crap." I breathed shallow breaths as I tried to block out the numbing pain. I gazed up at the icy canopy above, yearning for the pain to cease.

I waited for about twenty minutes before I could stand.

Lifting the hem of my shirt I grimaced at the purple bruise. It would fade, I told myself. By the end of the day I was sure there would be no trace. I walked back to school, taking my time up the stairs before changing into my uniform.

I was buttoning my shirt when April emerged from the bathroom.

"Guess what was taped to a window downstairs?" She asked.

I approached April and she handed me some sort of flyer. The colour left my face as I read what it entailed. Missing! Sixteen-year-old girl. Last seen in Uisneach. Below was a photo of Charlotte and her parent's contact details.

April noticed my reaction. "They are searching high and low, literally. Police are looking in Scotland."

"Highland Games." I breathed.

"Newspapers are all over it and I am already being harassed by all my exes about it." April sighed in annoyance.

I sat the flyer down on her nightstand, shaken.

True to April's suspicions people were not afraid to stare our way as we passed through the hallways. Well, they might have been scared of April, but no one was scared of me.

Our table felt empty as we sat to eat breakfast. I pushed food around on my plate with my fork, not hungry after being kicked in the stomach.

"Hi, April? And Isla?" Constance appeared at the end of our table, tray in hand. "I hope I got your names right. I just wanted to say how sorry I am for you both, I heard nice things about Charlotte." Her green eyes were sincere.

"Thank you." I spoke before April could snap at her.

Constance left with a parting smile, taking her seat with Eliza and some of her friends.

"She smells like hand sanitizer." April wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"She's a nice person." I defended her.

April gave me an incredulous look. "And when did you two become buddies?"

"Oh yeah we like to drink tea and talk about our missing loved ones together." I replied sarcastically.

"I don't recommend getting too close to her."

"Because of a supposed 'vibe'." I made bunny ears with my fingers for vibe.

"I can smell a bitch from a mile away." She answered confidently.

I shook my head at her. This was why April only had three friends, because she hated everyone else with a burning passion.

I left the dining room with a few minutes to spare before my first period. I took a stop by Riley's office. He stood on the other side of the door, smiling as if he had expected my arrival.