Unfamiliar (Unfamiliar Series #1)

Chapter 23

Finn's scream worms under my skin like barbwire as I clap my hands over my ears. The scream is too much like the one I had heard before I found him dead. 

He's going to die again, you're going to see him die again. 

My breath is coming in sharp gasps, each one tearing at my throat as I swallow the horror curling through me and threatening to burst. I clamp my eyes shut for a moment before I open them, as Finn has now turned his head towards me. Terror is bright in his eyes and for a second I feel so deeply sorry for him. 

This was a mistake. 

I don't get to dwell on it for long as Astrid is the only one who springs into action. She snatches the black moonstone and seems to whisper to it as she cups it in her palms. Finn's scream cuts off abruptly, a siren cut short. I flinch at the sudden change, stunned as he falls back onto the tray with a loud clatter. I can't move as I watch his eyes roll up to show the whites. 

He doesn't move again. 

Astrid doesn't hesitate as she snaps her fingers and the dust from the cracked bones disappear. She doesn't seem fazed as she repositions him, maneuvering his arms so they lay flat against his sides. Working quickly, she flings the sheet over his head before she slides his tray back in and shuts the door.

"We have to get out of here, someone's coming," Astrid urges as her eyes focus on something else past us. 

None of us get to do anything about it, the sound of nearing footsteps in the hallway being far too close to risk leaving the room. I freeze, Tessa's hand suddenly grabbing mine as her nails dig into my wrist. Astrid's face tightens as she reaches for her wand and does a quick twirl with it. The air suddenly becomes cooler and I press up against the wall, tugging Tessa to my side as the doors to the morgue burst open. 

I look over at Astrid, who is standing with her hands planted firmly on one of the tables in the center of the room. She stares blankly ahead, her face abruptly pale as she breathes with her mouth slightly open. 

A police officer strides in, the lights of the morgue flicking on as he flips the switch for them. His hand hovers near the gun that is clipped to his belt his fingers tremoring. He has a shock of gray hair on his head and his face is marred by wrinkles. His dark eyes scan the room, skipping right over Astrid, who is standing statue still. Her breathing is light as I notice that sweat has begun to roll down the sides of her forehead. Her eyes flick over to me before she squeezes them shut and opens them again. 

Just a few more minutes. 

Luke is standing on the other side of the doorway, his back pressed against the wall as he stares up at the ceiling. His mouth forms silent words as he looks down and clasps his hands together.  His eyes widen when the police officer walks further into the room. I hold my breath as the officer takes a step toward Astrid.

We're invisible, not non-existent as he takes another step and Astrid takes one trembling one backwards. He could still feel us if he bumped into us and we can still make noise.

We're going to get caught.

Next to me, Tessa suddenly reaches down and takes off one of her sneakers as she holds onto my arm for balance. She then leans around the doorway and hurls it into the hallway. There's a loud clap as the sole of her sneaker makes contact with a wall before it thuds to the tiles. 

The officer's head whips around at the noise, his eyes narrowing. He grunts and jogs into the hall, letting the doors fall shut behind him. Astrid slumps with relief for a moment, her hands shaking before she draws herself up.