Snatched (On Going) I'm Sorry---have Been Extremely Ill---will Update Soon

NINETEEN.

The air seemed to go out of the room. My body felt heavy. My thoughts were working slowly. I was in a daze. I was staring at his face watching for any sign of lying, or misgivings. "Yes, or at least I know what they call themselves and what they wanted" He said gently, a fatherly look crossing his features before they returned stony and more reserved. I gulped a large breath of air into my lungs. I was trying to fight back the tears stinging behind my eyes. "Okay. Tell me what you know."

He was quiet for a few moments and then he began to speak again. "The people who took you call themselves The Knights of the garden. They are what is left of my followers, along with some new ones. I do not know who commands them anymore, only that they want to eliminate our bloodline. They want to destroy the remnants of the OSF. They seem to think we have some secret they want. They are based off of legends and half truths. Once I was pushed out they focused on taking out your grandfather. They wanted him gone so they could steal his archives-"

I cut him off mid sentence. "They tortured me for weeks about the OSF, and up until then I had never heard of it. Grandfather never told me. Perhaps, he planned on telling me when I was older but he died bef-" I broke off. Sudden comprehension dawning on my face. "They killed my grandfather and grandmother didn't they?" I didn't have to ask. I knew the answer already but I did anyway. He sighed and placed his hands on his face. "Yes, I believe so." I nodded. My eyes filling with tears and brimming over. We sat in silence while I cried for my loss, their loss, my family's loss, the worlds loss.

I felt extremely overloaded with information. My mind was cloudy. My head felt dizzy. "I think I need to take some time to digest this. I really am overwhelmed." I said flatly. He studied me for a moment and then nodded. I looked down at my untouched food. I wasn't hungry at all. I motioned for the waitress and reached for my purse to get my wallet. Elliot reached across the table and touched my arm, "I'll pay for this, it's the least I can do." I tried to smile but I think it must have been a grimace. He stared at me for a long while and then I decided I should go. "Can we meet again soon, once you have had time to understand what is going on?" I nodded. I stood up to leave and he said, "Before you go, Emerson, I want to tell you... go back to your grandfather's study. Read his files. I think they will help." I nodded. "Okay, goodbye." I said stumbling to the door. My head was starting to hurt again.

I grabbed the silver gleaming door handle and stepped out into the sun. My head felt as though it would explode. My body was aching. I fumbled with my car keys and got into my voltswagon. I reached into my purse and pulled out some Tylenol for my head. I swallowed the pills and took a sip of hot water from a bottle in my cupholder.

I decided against going home, for now. I needed to be alone. I had to sort this out. I decided to head up to Wysteria Peak. It was just outside of town and people usually stayed away from there during the middle of summer due to the extreme heat and long hike. I knew a short cut to the top. I pulled out my phone and texted my mom where I was going. Ever since I got home I have kept someone in the loop of my travels for fear of being taken or lost again. The peak had no service anyway, and I didn't want her frantically trying to get ahold of me.

I played some music as I drove. My mind seeming to replay the conversation with Eliot. My head began to ease off. I took a left at the end of town and started my climb up the high mountain road. The road is very winding, has lots of pot holes, cracks, and bumps. I drove slowly around the curves and bends. After 10 minutes I reached the stop with the short cut.

I pulled off at the picnic area, put my car in the parking space, and turned it off. I rolled up my windows, grabbed my phone, cigarettes, lighter and keys. I clicked the lock button on my key fob twice as I walked away. The car gave a beep and I walked toward the well beaten path by the water spout.