Protecting Grace

Prologue

I had done it - I had somehow finished my A-level exams. I knew now the wait was on to see whether or not I would be able to go to university, whether my grades would be good enough to get into prestigious Cambridge University or whether I'd have to wait a year, working in my retail job at a sports store before reapplying for other universities. I had decided I wouldn't use my "gift" to get what I wanted.

I had been born into an elite family, all of which had special gifts. We were called Savants and had a genetic ability which means we could speak to each other telepathically, move thing with our mind as well as having one special gift. Mine was being able to remember everything that has ever happened to me - whether good or bad. Very handy in exams, all I had to do was read a textbook once and whenever I needed too I was able to recall that information.

It also meant that all of us Savants were doomed to a certain extent. We had a one-true partner, the person who would complete us. They would be around the same age as us, conceived at near enough the same time, but could be anywhere in the word. As you can imagine, it was finding a needle in a haystack. My older brother, Jack, was lucky. He found his Soulfinder in the hospital where he worked - a brilliant guy named Markie, who I got on amazingly with. They had already started bringing out the best in each other, and I could only hope and pray that one day, I would be able to find mine.

Unlikely, though.

Still buzzing that I had finished my last year at sixth form, I decided to indulge. I nipped into the local supermarket on the way home and bought some of my favourite sweets and a pack of chocolate too, as well as some chicken burgers. I walked home, happy and content.

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I rocked up home and no one was there - obviously. Jack was at work and would be staying in his own house thirty minutes down the roads. Mum and Dad were working until five or half five - I couldn't remember - and therefore wouldn't be home until six. I pulled out my phone, sending a quick text to my Mum.

'Just got home, would you like me to put you and Dad some dinner on for when you get home? x'

'How did your exam go? x' I got a simple text back and I smiled warmly at my mother's reply.

'It went alright, I think, no horrible questions! But I am done! No more exams until next year! x' I text back, flicking through some DVD's in the front lounge, picking out a classic Disney to put on.

'I am so proud of you, my little Grace. Dinner would be lovely, we will be home around six. Well done again, I'll see you tonight. x'

'Thanks, Mum, I love you. x' I replied back swiftly as the DVD loaded up, grabbing a pack of fruit pastels from my shopping bag.

'I love you too x' Mum text me back and I grinned, before kicking my feet up and playing the movie.

It got to half five and I got a text from Dad saying he and Mum were leaving work and he will see me in roughly half an hour. I got up, putting on a cheap and cheerful dinner of chicken, chip and beans, before sitting back on the settee, texting my friends about plans to meet up the following week at the pub for celebration drinks. I quickly text my brother, telling him my last exam had gone well and I hope his shift has gone quickly but I knew he would be asleep now, and I wanted him to call me when he woke up. At six, the timer dinged and I removed the dinner from the oven, leaving the plates on the side.

At half six, I frowned a bit, checking my phone for any updates on my parents - but there was nothing. I put the oven on the reheat setting and put their dinner back in the oven to keep it warm.

Seven rolled around and I checked the roads heading out of London. I didn't really know what they did for a job, my parents. I knew they worked in an accounting firm in the outskirts of London, but apart from that, I had no idea what their jobs actually consisted of. I knew they worked together in the same office, though, and therefore always drove to and from work together. There was a closed road leading out of London and I took a deep breath - they were more than likely stuck in traffic. I phoned their mobiles but to no avail. But if they were stuck in traffic, they might not be on their phones.

Half seven.

Eight.

Half eight.

I had started to panic; they were never this late. They never stayed this late without letting me know, or at least dropping a text they were in traffic. But I had heard nothing. I had called them hundreds of times, and my grandparents in case they had heard something. I was anxiously pacing my lounge, nibbling my nails until they bled.

Finally, I heard a car pull up outside and took a deep breath of relief, my chest feeling like it was about to explode. My parents had come home. I felt ridiculous for panicking. Everything seemed blurry, that's how panicked I was. I quickly ran into the kitchen, turning the oven back on so their dinner could warm up quickly again, before heading to the front door. I could see, through the frosted glass and the lamppost lighting outside, that they were near the front door.

Happily, I ran over and opened the door and my World came crumbling down.

Two police officers, face already filled with remorse, stood on the doorstep. I knew in that second it wasn't good news and I teared up, my mouth dropped. Time went slowly; the police officer on the left swallowed nervously, looking me in the face as his lip quivered. The neighbour who lived opposite me popped their head around their door, wondering why a cop car was now outside.

'Grace Williams?' The police officer on the right said and I turned my attention to him. I looked back into the house, wondering where Grace was - before I realised they were on about myself. 

'Yeah?' I said, my voice tight.

'Can we come in for a second?'

'What's happened?' I asked.

'I'm afraid it's about your parents. It's... not good news. May we come in?'