Signs of a Storm

Chapter Forty-Seven

Chapter 47: Off To A Not-So-Great Start

I screamed and ran over to Zyra.

She coughed and touched a hand to her stomach, which was bleeding badly. I shouted to Nico to get a nurse or a medic. He came over and put a hand to my shoulder. I stared up at him as tears filled my vision.

“What are you doing?!Get a nurse! Get ambrosia! Anything!” I shouted to him.

“Tara, she’s dying, she’s only holding on by a string. It’s too late to save her. The Fates are about to cut her string. She has a few seconds.” he answered.

I yelled in frustration, and hugged her as she mumbled gibberish. “What? Say that again, please, hang on.” I said through tears.

“The- boy.” she coughed, “In…trouble. Get him- before birthday…he will die.” Zyra’s eyes fluttered shut. Her breathing slowed, and before it knew it, she had passed away right in my arms. And it was a feeling I had never experienced before.

~*~

There were about 6 days before my birthday, and if I didn’t rescue Leo by then, apparently he’d die. But I wouldn’t let that happen.

I was sitting in my cabin, doors shut, blinds closed, and tears streaming down my face. I had ignored everyone’s knocks and voices outside of my door. Nico had even tried talking to me about it, but I ran away and locked myself up.

When I had a moment of peace, and my tears weren’t so heavy, I managed to write down a note to whoever may find it;

Things have changed.

I am not the same little girl that came here searching for a home.

Now I am a girl who’s seen death, and life. And now I’m going to save one.

By the time you read this, I’ll be long gone. Probably somewhere in California by now.

I’m going to Mount Tam to save Valdez, and I don’t expect to be returning soon.

And unless you wish to help me, don’t follow me.

To Nico, I only wish to say that I have let you down, and now I’m going to leave your life before I crush it with my clumsiness. I think that I was wrong to lead you on, when I only brought you sadness. I was a mistake. But it’s alright now.

With love, Tara Evelyn.

Before another wave of emotion hit me, I grabbed a small bag, stuffed a few necessary things inside, and went out to the back of the cabin, which opened up to the water. I whistled once, and immediately saw wave rippling not too far off.