The Vanishing

Chapter 22

Every day gets a little harder. Every day without answers means another day that another kid could go missing. Supposedly I have all of these powers, but most of the time I feel pretty useless. I've been fumbling around in the dark in this strange new world I've been living in. The sense of belonging I've yearned to feel my entire life still has yet to come, no matter how hard I've tried. My mind has been spiraling into the abyss all morning, feelings of anxiety and self-doubt threatening to consume me.
I shake off the unease and get ready for the day. After a quick shower, I pull on an oversized sweater, leggings, and boots. I grab my jacket and head to the stables.
When I arrive, the stables are empty as it's still pretty early on a Sunday morning.
"Hey Zorro." I say to my favorite black horse. He snorts back at me and comes up to the door to his stall for pets and food.
"So, I had an idea, a pretty crazy one. You won't judge me, will you Zorro?" I ask him as I absentmindedly brush his coat.
I looked around to see if anyone was around, but thankfully the place was empty.
"I have like half a plan, but it's stupid and I don't think it will work." I blurt out as if the horse could understand me.
"Basically, I'm thinking Artemis is using kids' auras to decide who to take. I've seen a few kids let their auras show sometimes. I had no idea there were so many supernaturals at this school." I chuckled.
"Anyway, my half-baked idea is to let my aura show and see if I get kidnapped." I blurted.
Zorro made a snorting noise that almost sounded disapproving, as if horses could understand English.
"Kind of a problematic plan, but it's the best one I've got." I sighed.
"And what will you do if you are unable to get away?" Rhiannon, the equestrian instructor, came into view with an amused but concerned look on her face.
"Rhiannon. I didn't hear you walk- how much of that did you hear?" I stammered.
"Enough. Enough to know that is a horrendous plan." She stated matter-of-factly.
I looked at her for a moment, deciding whether I should run and promptly withdraw from her class, or stay and see how this plays out.
"You know, horses are very intuitive. They can sense your feelings, sense when you're about to make a grave mistake." She warned.
I'm sorry, I don't remember asking for your opinion horse lady. Doesn't seem like something I'd do. I thought.
"Okay, I need a better plan. What should I do then?" I said instead of what I was thinking.
She thought this over for a moment. I just looked at her and tried not to look like I was uncomfortable. I guess we're just not going to talk about the fact that she might be a supernatural? Cool.
"Well I think it's a decent start. Risky, but it's a start. Get your friends involved. Make a plan that plays to each of your strengths. They can help you. Each of you have your own special abilities. Use them." She said with a knowing look. Zorro snorted as if to back her up.
She patted Zorro's nose before leaving me to ponder what she had said.
For a moment, I was completely stunned.
Well, if I wasn't sure before, I definitely am now. Rhiannon knows about us. Or is one of us. Or both.
I sneaked Zorro an apple before I left to find Nina and Morghan to tell them what happened.
I pulled out my phone to check the time. It was around noon, which meant they were probably grabbing lunch together.
~~
"Hey guys." I said as I sat down at our usual lunch table.
Morghan waved and smiled while Nina stared off into the distance.
I followed her gaze and saw that she was trying to burn a hole into the back of some guy's head.
"What are you looking at?" I asked.
"Who's that guy sitting with Gemma?" Nina asked.
I started to ask why when her look of concern shut me up. I looked again and realized it was Damien and that Gemma looked very uncomfortable.
"We should go over there." I said.
Nina was already standing up.
As I sat down I saw the color drain from Damien's face. Oh, how the tables turn.
"Damien. How nice of you to keep Gemma company until we got here." I said, my voice dripping with disdain.
He gulped and I smiled menacingly.
"I'll see you around Gemma." He said as he got up.
I glared at him as he walked away from the table.
"Thanks, Arden. Hey guys." Gemma said with a small sigh of relief.
"Don't mention it. If only I could keep my skeevy ex-boyfriend away from every girl on the planet." I said with a heavy sigh.
Eyebrows went up all around me.
"He used to be cool." I said quickly.
Gemma let out a low whistle. "That guy is a total dog. You could do so much better."
Like, say, a werewolf? Wolf trumps dog right?
"That sets the bar incredibly low. Like buried underground low." I said.
"Well, you have Patrick now. Well, at least you would if you'd make a damn move already." Nina said with a grin. I shoved her arm and tried to hide my embarrassment.
"Anyway, you will not believe the conversation I just had with Rhiannon, the horse instructor." I said as everyone leaned in. I relayed the conversation about my half-plan and was met with looks of uncertainty and concern.
"So is she like us, then? A supernatural?" Gemma asked.
"Seems like it." I said.
"That actually makes sense." Morghan pointed out.
"How?" Nina asked incredulously.
"Lots of supernaturals name their children based on folklore related to their powers. My parents did." Morghan shrugged.
When we all met her with looks of confusion, she continued.
"My whole name actually. Morghan Regina Byrne. Morghan is a variation of the Morrigan, goddess of war and death. Regina is a rough variation of the Latin word for queen. My last name just so happens to mean raven." She shrugged.
"Anyway, etymology lesson aside, I figured Rhiannon's parents just liked horses a lot. A coincidence. " Another shrug.
"I wonder what she is." Gemma mused.
"Who cares?" Nina grumbled.
Morghan brightened a little, then looked sad.
"Evie's here." Morghan said softly.
Gemma wore a look that mirrored my usual confused face, but only for a moment.
Morghan looked aghast.
"What is it? What's she saying?" Nina asked.
"Apparently Evie has been following Owen. She said that he's become ill in the past few days. His behavior has become erratic and he's been sent to the infirmary for observation." Morghan relayed.
"Okay, so what does this mean?" Gemma asked.
Nina looked grim. "What if whatever they did to me to take some of my power makes me sick too?"
"I think we're well past that. You haven't had any symptoms, so you shouldn't worry." I offered my most definitive nod and patted her hand, trying to hide my worry.
"So about this plan..." Gemma chimed in.
"It's actually not a bad idea." Morghan added.
"It's just missing a few details." Nina said.
"Like what?" I said, feeling hopeful.
"Us." Morghan said.
~~~~~~~~~
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