Sighted

Chapter 31: Plan B

Owen

"Bowden."

     The name shakes off the last vestiges of sleep from me. Forgetting I was just sleeping in an alley, a pretty far fetched scenario even for me, I'm watching my sister's hand tighten on the phone with a barely controlled grip. I'd heard her call for Alex so I know she was talking to the doctor before but now she's talking to my... my what? Murderous ex-boyfriend?

     I can't hear his voice over the line, and Gin isn't saying anything, clenching her jaw tight. My body is frozen as all I can do is wait. I know that Mom and Grandma must have been alerted as soon as the demon materialized at home. I don't know where Alex was or who was with him, and all I can do is hope that no one gets hurt before they can intervene.

     A sharp pain starts in my chest and grows but I ignore it, I have no right to feel that way. I have no right to feel concern and fear for that giant demon in my heart. He could be hurting my family right now.

     All too soon, Gin's hand drops, the call obviously disconnected. "Call Dad," she mumbles.

"Wha— okay." I scramble for my phone, punching in the call button for Dad's cell. I'm not sure if she means the home number or not, so I hope that Dad has his phone on him. I painstakingly count the rings, five before he answers.

"Dad, what's going on?"

Look, I, uh, I can't talk right now.

"Is he still there? What's happening?"

No, no he's gone. He spoke with Gin, where is she?

"She's right here, but is something wrong with Alex?"

Gin knows what to do, I have to go.

     Now, I'm left staring at my phone. That was strange, hopefully there isn't a problem at home. Turning back to my sister, I slip my phone away again.

"Gin!" I say strongly, jerking her attention to me. "What did Bowden say?"

"Is Dad okay?" she asks instead.

"Yes. He said you know what to do, please tell me what's going on?"

"Bowden took Alex. They have Dylan, too."

"What!"

"He said they found Dylan, that he'd begged Bowden to return and help us."

"When? Wait, whose they?"

     Determination replaces the shell-shocked expression on Gin's face. "Who do you think? DemGen. Bowden's working with DemGen, and he brought Alex to them. We have an hour to show up or they'll inject Alex."

"What?" Bowden actually went to DemGen? I assumed he'd go back to his family, but I guess its true what they say about the enemy of your enemy. We only have our backpacks with us, I throw mine on and shove Gin's at her. "Let's go! If we can't get a taxi this early in the morning, we'll have to run to make it."

     Standing up, we head out of the alley, Gin taking the lead. Its hard to keep up with her, but I force my weary body to cooperate, shoving any other thoughts out of my brain. Dylan fell into DemGen's hands sooner than we feared and the panic I'm feeling pushes me faster. The sun is slowly coming up as we race through the streets. Just when I think we're going to have to run the whole way, we come up to a busier intersection and Gin manages to snag a taxi.

     Throwing ourselves into the backseat, we can't relax. I already count out our fare, urging the driver to hurry to our destination. I hear Gin on the phone, it sounds like she's checking in at home and I wonder if she's getting more information than I was able to get from Dad.