Fight With Me

Chapter 9

Hope's POV

I opened my eyes to see Mr. Dorian and Dr. Saltzman staring at me.

"Arlington National Cemetery," I said, voice hoarse. "They're still in Virginia. A man took them. He said he wants me to come rescue the twins so he can... kill me. Said my family ruined his life. But they're okay, bound to chairs, but otherwise unharmed."

Dr. Saltzman let out a short breath, relief flickering before the tension returned. "Arlington is four hours away. Let's prep."

I went to my room, packed a suitcase, and put on music. "Someone You Loved" came on, and I couldn't stop thinking about Josie. I still had her hoodie on, the scent of her still lingering, and I didn't have the heart to take it off. Finished packing, I met Dr. Saltzman downstairs.

"Kaleb, MG, Raf, what are you guys doing here?" Dr. Saltzman asked.

"Super squad," MG replied with a grin. "Here to help."

Mr. Dorian arrived last. "Alright. Let's go."

I jumped in the front with Dr. Saltzman driving. MG and Kaleb took the back row, Rafael and Dorian in the middle. Dr. Saltzman looked at me. "Try to sleep. You won't get much rest for a while."

I glanced back at the boys, all asleep. Dorian was reading about the Peryton on his phone. After forty-eight hours without proper rest and the energy I'd burned with the pink crystal visual teleport, arguing was pointless.

"Wake me if you need me," I muttered, leaning against the window and putting on HOLD YOU DOWN by X Ambassadors. Sleep came fast.

⸻

Alaric's POV

About two hours into the drive, it was 1 AM. Hope finally drifted into deep sleep. She'd been through so much, I didn't doubt she needed it. Dorian and the boys were asleep in the back, music low to keep me awake.

Minutes later, she muttered something. I caught, "Josie..." Her voice was soft, almost pained. Dreaming of Josie again, no doubt.

We arrived at a hotel within walking distance of Arlington National Cemetery. "Hope," I said lightly, and her eyes snapped open. "How did you sleep?"

"Fine," she murmured, rubbing her eyes, leaning against the window.

"Alright, guys, we're here. Let's get inside, get some rest." I got out, Dorian helping check us in. Two adjoining rooms, two queen beds, living spaces, enough for everyone.

The boys and Hope brought up suitcases. "Keys for your rooms," I said. "Sleep as much as you can. Long day ahead."

⸻

Hope's POV

I woke to MG still asleep on the bed next to me, Dr. Saltzman on the pullout couch. A quick shower later, I grabbed my phone, 8 AM. Stepping outside, I took in the view: Arlington National Cemetery. So many graves, stretching endlessly. Somewhere across this expanse, the twins were trapped.

Inside, Dr. Saltzman stirred.

⸻

Dr. Saltzman's POV

Hope and I drove while the others slept.

"What are we looking for?" I asked.

"Second-story window facing Arlington," Hope replied. "House across the street, huge tree in the front yard."

"Got it. Let's start searching."

We drove, scanning houses. Then she signaled.

"There," she said, pointing at a yellow house. Confident. We couldn't just barge in, had to watch first.

⸻

Hope's POV

Stakeouts on crime shows looked fun. Sitting here, bored, no snacks, no soda. Hand finally healed. Mr. Dorian and I waited, forty-five minutes.

A man exited the house, tall, nondescript, just as Josie had described.

"Dr. Saltzman, that's him. That's the guy who threatened me."

He looked up from his phone, and my heart pounded. "We found them," I breathed.