Convergence - The Last Science #2.2 - Heroes and Villains

B2: Chapter 30 - Four Days Later - X

  Everyone converged on Hailey as she walked in. Natalie slipped away, her hawk perching on her shoulder again as she fled into one of the corners. Hailey walked straight forward, ignoring everyone, heading straight for the front, where Beth and Malcolm were waiting.

  Hailey walked right up to the casket. It was a simple handsome lined wooden box, which Cinza had provided. No hands or tools had carved it; it was made by magic, which was perfect for her. Slowly, Hailey lifted open the top.

  Jessica was inside, wearing a nicer dress than she'd ever worn in her whole life. Her face was so calm, so peaceful... so pale. They'd put her hands up on her chest, clasping a flower. Hailey smiled slightly. Jessica had never really liked flowers. She would have protested the little white lilies, but Hailey thought they looked nice. She reached down and stroked Jessica's hair, then planted a kiss on her forehead.

  She turned back to the group, who had all taken seats in the pews. She knew they'd all been talking until only moments before, but the social atmosphere was gone. She'd arrived, and she'd brought sadness with her.

  "...Hi," Hailey said aloud. Her voice carried far in the near-silence of the room. She scanned through everyone there, grateful that they'd all come to see her. Come to see Jessica.

  "She would have been happy you all came today." Hailey glanced back at the casket again, where Jessica's face was just barely visible. "She was... she always liked people coming together. I know most of you never got to talk to her, but she would have really liked this."

  Except she really wouldn't... Oh god, look at us.

  Beth and Malcolm Silverdale in the first row, both quietly sobbing, huddled together like they were in the midst of a storm.

  Jeremy and his sisters, all solemn-faced.

  Rika and Ryan, united and not even arguing for the first time Hailey had ever known—but Rika was hard-faced and as angry as ever, while Ryan was still jumping at the slightest noises.

  Cinza, Ruby, Nikki and Yusuf, a tight quartet with their hoods down. Ruby was crying on Cinza's shoulder. Yusuf had his hands together, like he was praying. Nikki was sniffling, eyes red. Hailey hadn't even realized she'd known Jessica that well.

  Kendra, sitting alone, upright and proper, not a single person within a dozen feet.

  Hailey's mom, crying near the back, and her dad a few feet away, looking equally melancholic.

  Meg, all joy and mirth long-gone, angry and miserable, totally out of place in the group.

  Josh, watching the ground in front of his feet near the front, still as stone.

  Natalie, all the way against the wall in the back, scarred and haunted, staring at Hailey like they barely knew each other anymore.

  I can't do this.

  "I'm sorry," Hailey choked out. "I screwed up."

  The crying stopped. Nobody had expected her to say that. Hailey hadn't meant to say it. But she couldn't stop herself.

  "Jessic—" Hailey stopped again, her throat refusing to let breath out. She felt like she might throw up. "I wasn't paying attention. I wasn't there when she needed me. She..."

  Oh god, Jessica. I'm so sorry.

  I need you back. I can't do this alone.

  "She was murdered," said Josh, standing up.

  The room itself seemed to turn to face him. Everybody shifted in their seats, the rustling and the rain filling the little church.

  "Jessica was murdered. It wasn't self-defense, it wasn't fair. It was awful. She deserved better."

  Hailey nodded, as the tears started to fall down her cheeks again, but she felt the sadness ebbing away. She was still in pain—she was in so much pain she felt like she might crack and shatter into a million tiny pieces—but the despair was dissipating.

  "She was taken far too soon," said Cinza, also rising to her feet, Ruby still clutching her hand. "Jessica was one of the best of us. I admired her. I admit I envied her some days. She was a wonderful, loving soul, and every precious minute we spent together is a memory I won't soon forget."

  "She was really nice," said Meg, getting up too. "Jessica and I used to pull pranks on Hailey sometimes when she came over. She knew how to have fun."

  Their words overwhelmed her. Hailey took a step back, nearly falling over. She could feel her heart beating up into her throat. Along with it came a few embers—just kindling at the moment, but a single spark could erupt into a roaring fire.

  It's not fair. She shouldn't be gone.

  Kendra stood up, and for the first time Hailey could remember, she saw some real emotions on her old professor's face. "Jessica saved my life. When Jackson came for our heads, she cast the first spell to drive him back. I would have died that day if not for her."

  Rika got up, and her hard voice carried far. "Jessica Silverdale was the best fucking person in Rallsburg, and they murdered her in the street. None of this is fair. She deserved better."

  They murdered her.

  Hailey straightened up, and the flames roared in her chest. "They murdered her." She cleared her throat, speaking louder. "Viper murdered her. And I'm not gonna let that stand."

  Everyone fell silent. Jeremy took a step forward. "...Hailey..." he started.

  They murdered her.

  Kendra spoke up. "Hailey, what do you intend?"

  They murdered Jessica!

  "I'm going to find him," she growled.

  The windows all burst open simultaneously. Wind howled through the room, blowing the curtains in a wild display of rage. A torrent of rain from outside began to splatter against the floors. Hailey opened her wings wide, and a huge gust carried her into the air, blowing through the church like a tornado. Kendra's hat flew into the air. Percy huddled against Natalie's head as she shielded him, blocking Hailey's wind with her own magic.

  Hailey didn't care. She summoned her bag from where she'd set it down next to the casket. Another huge burst of wind from her wings, and Hailey shot out through the front double-doors of the church. Her dress fluttered wildly in the sky as she rose high into the air, soaked by the rain in an instant. She was freezing, but the pain sustained her.

  They murdered Jessica Silverdale.

  She didn't care. She knew exactly where she was heading. Against the clouds rushing past her on every side, Hailey swung out wide and turned toward the east. It would be a long, difficult flight, but she had a pile of gemstones in her bag, along with her phone, food, and all the supplies she could need. She'd find him, and his employer. She'd hunt them down, one way or another, and she'd tear apart everything they held dear, brick by brick.

  Hailey Winscombe was going to London.