The Flare

Chapter 15

Estelle's POV:
The door opened and Jace and Clary walked out looking annoyed. I ran to Jace and bear hugged him. I felt so relieved to see him, but I pulled away and started my interrogation.
"Why were you in dad's room?" I asked hastily.
Jace rolled his eyes and replied, "The door was wide open so I went in, closed the door, and started looking around. Dad's gone." His face went straight, even being eight, he knew dad never goes out if his room unless he has a really good reason to.
I let go of his shoulders and ran into his room. There was dinnerware every where.
He's such a pig, I thought.
I walked around the room looking for anything, he took all his cloths and the mini fridge in his closet was completely empty.
"Uh Estelle. I think you would like to see this." said Jonathan. I turned around to find him holding a folded piece of paper. The outside read To Estelle only. I walked over and took the paper from his hands. I turned it in my hands and went to sit on the bed. Carefully, I unfolded the paper.
It said:
Dearest daughter,
I know that I'm a horrible dad, and I don't want to hurt you anymore. So I've decided to leave you and Jace. I can't stand to hurt you anymore, but if you ever need me put the purple flag on the flag pole. I will communicate by notes, I'm too ashamed to show you my face. Do not tell social services about anything, I don't want you and Jace to end up like me. It may have seemed that I just locked myself in my room out of sorrow, but that's not it. I've been researching a cure for the government, for what I call The Flare. I've heard you call it that so, I used it. I have a lab in an alley way, yet I can not tell you where. Instead I'll give you a math problem that I believe whole heartedly you'll solve when you need to. This problem will tell you the street this alley is on. I will not tell you it because it is already hidden in the house. You've past it everyday after your mother passed, yet never noticed it. I have faith you'll find it. Proud of you fox.
I love you,
Dad
I lowered my hand into my lap, and let it go limp. My dad was working for the government this whole time. I felt my face get hotter, and my hands formed into fists. My hand was around the paper, making it into a crumpled mess. My other hand, I felt something trickle down. I looked and red blood was running to the floor. I felt numb, and I couldn't move. Someone was calling my name, but I couldn't tell who. I felt hands holding my shoulders, and, looking over, they were Jonathan's. He was facing me, and I could tell he was the one yelling my name.
I felt faint and light headed. I was tilting forward and everything went black.

I woke up to green wall paint. I tried to lift my head up, but pain rushed to it and I let my head fall back down on to the pillow. I tilted my head to the side and saw a glass of water sitting on the bedside table. I sighed and closed my eyes again. I was almost asleep... when I heard whispering.
My eyes bolted open. I stayed quiet and listened. They were both male. I strained my ear to listen.
"-can't just do this with out you! They're only kids and you're suppose to be there for them." Said the first voice.
There was a sigh and silence.
"Jonathan will take good care of them. And, plus, I trust Estelle. Now let's go before she wakes up."
Foot steps followed, becoming fainter as they got farther, then the door slammed.
I laid in my bed longest time, and more foot steps came, but faster. I opened one eye and turned my head to the door. It was Jonathan.
"Oh thank God," he said when he saw me. He ran over and pushed his lips to mine. Pain rushed through my head, but I didn't want it to stop. It's the happiest I've been in a couple of days. To see someone this relieved to have me wake up, was the best feeling. The pain got irritating, and I pushed Jonathan off.
"Glad to see you too, but my head hurts," I said smiling. "How long have I been out?"
"About a day and a half," he said out of breath from running up the stairs.
"Aw man. What did I miss? Did anyone come to the house?"
He bit his lip and his pupils got smaller. "No."
Liar.