Broken Nightmare

Chapter 22

  Nathan pulled up as far as he could go until he was blocked by numerous trees. Derek's sleeping face was slightly illuminated by the radio's blue light, peace emanating from him. I pushed a lock of his too long hair from his eyes and took another look at the innocent boy passed out on my lap.

Nathan turned around in his seat after cutting the engine. "I will carry him up to the house and into your room. You should go with him in case he wakes up, I don't want him to be scared."

No way! My mind screamed and I opened my mouth to protest, but remembered Claire was probably in there. I could leave him with her while I speak with the rest of the pack about this.

Nathan climbed out of the back, moved his seat up, and reached into the backseat to carry Derek. With effortless ease, he lifted him gracefully into his arms and cradled him to his chest, Derek not stirring from his slumber.

Junto got out of his seat so I could climb out. I ascended from the cab and shut the door, Nathan waiting for me to go first.

The climb wasn't as hard as it was the first time I had to do it, now that I'm starting to get used to the higher altitude and rough terrain. The illuminated house came into view as some dark figures emerged as silhouettes.

"What happened?!" Stephan yelled as we got closer.

I pressed my finger to my lips and looked back at Derek in Nathan's arms. Spencer, Jules, and Lydia were at his side, staring at the young Foreseer defenselessly lying in Nathan's arms. I shoved past them, ignoring the stares and jaw-dropping looks they gave us. Climbing the stairs, Nathan followed me to my room at the end of the hallways upstairs.

"There you are! Oh my gosh, I can't believe how late you are. When you say after six, that does not mean three hours after six!" Claire started yelling as she rose from my bed and circled around it to face me. She froze in mid-step when she saw Nathan.

I pointed to my bed and Nathan gently placed the boy down on the left side. He grabbed some pillows, using them as a buffer to keep his frail body in place. "Claire, I need a favor," I whispered.

Claire's demeanor was lost, looking to me for answers. "I promise I will tell you everything, I just need you to stay with him while I go sort everything out."

"Is he okay?" She whispered, taking a step towards me so we could lower our voices even more.

"I think so, I just don't want him to wake up and freak out because nobody is here. I'll be right back up, okay? Just stay with him?"

I waited for Claire to nod before following Nathan out the door. He didn't say a word all the way down, knowing I will have a hard time persuading Stephan that yet again that I was right about this.

Everybody had left the porch and was now gathered in the family room. Nathan placed his hand on my back, offering his own strength as soft tingles shot through my body. I nodded, taking a deep breath, and pushed the door open and stepped in.

Everybody was standing, not a sound coming from their mouths. Trysten and Blake seemed to have joined, rubbing their eyes and still dressed in their sleep attire.

Stephan stepped forward. "Elana, Nathan. Who was that? What happened?"

I took a deep breath and prepared to speak when Nathan did. He spoke of everything that happened, every last detail. From his horrible parking job to the conversation in the truck. Every person in the room was hanging onto every word, including Junto.

Nathan ended his story and all eyes turned to Stephan, waiting for his response. He stayed silent for a few seconds, which felt like forever. "He can't stay here," he bluntly said.