Authors: Mary Ting
Chapter 32
It was almost afternoon, and the ominous clouds got darker and thicker. The wind howled, tossing Skylar’s hair, blocking her view. Holding an umbrella, Mason walked beside her to her dorm. Upon entering, Skylar let out a huge breath, relieved to escape the awful weather. Mason stood by the doorway, looking like he didn’t want to come in and make himself at home. “So…this is your place, huh?”
“Yup. Small and cozy. Nothing fancy like your place.”
Mason looked like he was blushing, but Skylar couldn’t be sure. He glanced down and then up again, meeting Skylar’s eyes.
“Do you want to…umm…come in for a while?” Skylar asked hesitantly. She wasn’t sure what Mason had in mind.
“Actually, I’m not staying.”
“Oh.” The little bit of hope that she could spend some time with him vanished.
“I meant,
we’re
not staying. I’ve brought you here so you can pack your bags and come back with me.”
“What?” Skylar didn’t know whether to feel elated he wanted her to go with him or feel upset he didn’t ask her. “You didn’t mention this to me before. And what if I refuse?”
“Then—,” Mason started to say, but he was interrupted by a voice.
“Hey, Skylar,” Emily greeted, descending the stairs. She looked well put together, wearing a thick red overcoat. Skylar had on the jeans she’d worn yesterday and Mason’s sweater that was way too big on her.
“Emily.” Skylar beamed a nervous smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Ummm…this is Mason. Mason, this is Emily.” Though Mason had met her informally last night, he pretended that it was their first meeting.
Extending his hand to her, he shook. “Hello. Nice to meet you.”
Emily stared a bit too long, producing a gorgeous smile. “Hi.” Looking at Skylar, she asked, “So, you guys dating?”
Skylar’s face flushed with heat. She couldn’t believe Emily asked such a question right in front of him. “No…we’re…he’s…so where’s your boyfriend?” Skylar asked, directing the attention back to Emily. It was the only way to get out of the awkward moment.
“Oh, Dex. He’s on his way.”
On cue, the doorbell chimed. Emily turned the knob, but just before she pulled the door to open it, she turned to Skylar. “Oh...by the way. Some guy was here to see you. He was tall, cute, with dirty blond hair to his shoulders.”
Looking confused, Skylar asked, “Did he leave a name?”
“Nope. I didn’t know where you were so I told him you would be back today. I’m sure he’ll stop by.” Then she walked out the door.
Mason’s face was blank. Skylar didn’t know why she was worried what Mason would think of her having a guy visitor, but she was concerned by the description, which was too similar to the guy that had been gawking at her at the mall.
Did he follow me here? A stalker?
It was something to be concerned about.
“So…making friends already?” Mason asked flatly.
Skylar heard a ring of jealousy in his tone. Smiling inwardly, she wondered if she should tell Mason about the incident at the mall, and the shadow of a male she’d seen next door to Kayla’s house. Was she being paranoid? “Am I forbidden to make friends?”
“No, of course not. You can do whatever you like.”
It was not the answer she wanted to hear. She noted they were still standing by the door. “Should I get my stuff?”
“That was the plan.”
“You mean your plan,” Skylar snapped. “Next time, I’d like to be included in your plan.”
“Fine. I’d like for you to hurry. You just need warm clothes, possibly for a week.”
A week?
Skylar went upstairs to her room without a word. She knew deep down that being with Mason would be safer, but not for her heart. The more time she spent with him, the more attached she became to him, and that frightened her more than facing Alena.
Opening up her duffle bag, she shoved in some jeans and sweaters from her dresser. Afterward, she went to the restroom and placed her toiletries into another small bag. Needing to change from Mason’s sweater, she put on her favorite pink sweater and another pair of jeans. Then she slipped into a waterproof gray jacket. She was just about to put Mason’s sweater into her bag, but she thought otherwise and left it inside her closet, then headed down the stairs.
Holding onto Skylar’s bags, Mason opened the door, then opened his umbrella that was big enough for two. Pulling Skylar closer to him, they headed out as the pitter-patter sound of the rain continued to get louder and heavier with each step. Skylar was glad she’d changed into her boots. The raindrops were now pounding on the ground furiously, splashing against her boots. Surely if she had worn her tennis shoes, they would already have been soaked by now.
Mason opened the door for Skylar and put her bags in the trunk, then closed the umbrella and put it in the back seat. Just before he entered, as he always did, he scanned the perimeter. Those seconds he was exposed, his hair was drenched, dripping pearl-like droplets down the side of his cheeks, and water spotted on his gray sweater. He looked so hot and alluring she had to turn away. She focused on the window splattered with water, since it was difficult to see anything else but that.
“Sky, I know you’re not happy with this arrangement, but it’s just until things die down. Then you can go back.”
Disappointed by his words, she didn’t turn when she responded. “Sure. I can get my notes online. It’s a good thing school just started…I guess.”
After a mile, Mason entered the freeway. The heavy rain made it difficult to see, but the windshield wiper temporarily gave a clear path. Mother Nature was unforgiving today, adding a hurricane-like wind along with the roaring thunder. Shortly after, lightning cracked across the puffy black clouds, flashing in and out, striking upon the world with beauty and danger. Silence filled the air in the car until Mason started driving faster, curving in and out of lanes speedily.
Skylar sat up straight. Worriedly, she looked at him. “Mason, don’t you think you’re driving a bit too fast?”
He didn’t answer. He looked at the side view mirror, then the rearview mirror, and switched lanes again. “We’re being followed.”
“Are you sure?”
“I didn’t want to worry you. They followed us from your dorm. I think your boyfriend is not happy with who you hang out with.”
Boyfriend? They?
“I don’t have a boyfriend,” Skylar huffed, narrowing her eyes on him though he couldn’t see what she was doing.
“The dirty blond. He was at the parking lot, trying to hide out with his friend.”
Skylar turned to look, but it was difficult to see with all the rain. All she could see were the headlights.
Noting what Skylar was trying to do, Mason spoke, “They’re in the white truck, behind us, trust me.”
Skylar was too busy trying to see the driver. With no luck, she turned forward and froze in place with alarm. “Mason,” she mouthed. Too stunned to speak, she could hardly get the word out of her mouth that was caught in her throat.
Skylar wasn’t sure what she was seeing, but if her vision was correct, there were three huge trucks, one in each lane, heading straight toward them from a distance. She rubbed her eyes, thinking she wasn’t seeing clearly. Surely, the rain was affecting the view…this wasn’t possible. But when she confirmed what she thought she’d seen, her heart hammered faster than the raindrops.
Luckily there weren’t many cars on the highway, but the cars that were in front of them swerved to the far left or the right as they tried to avoid collision. Other cars honked their horns while braking, but those that did were hit dead on. The cars tumbled, flipping multiple times, only to hit other cars trying desperately to move out of the way.
“Mason, Mason, Mason,” Skylar panicked.
“I know. Skylar, hold on tight. I’m going to brake.”
“But…but there are cars behind us.”
“We have no choice. Don’t worry. I got this.” Pushing down on the brake pedal forcefully, the car hydroplaned to the right. “Hold on,” Mason yelled. Skylar gripped the first thing she could place her hand on tightly. The water from the road jetted up into the air like a water show, but the car kept gliding sideways, until finally it spun a full circle and stopped. With no time to waste, Mason turned the car toward the right and accelerated, hoping to dodge what was coming toward them.
Out of nowhere, a long piece of ice, taking the form of a spear-like shape, darted through the trucks’ tires and punctured some of them. More ice spears came soaring out of the rain, but this time, ten or more sphere like ice balls followed, denting the sides of the trucks, and one went through a windshield. With flat tires, the trucks now glided as if on ice, maneuvering from side to side.
“Did you do that?” Skylar asked excitedly.
“No…must be Poseidon’s kids. Where the hell are they?” Mason spread his right arm in front of Skylar, as if to protect her. “Bend down, Sky.”
One of the trucks hit another and swirled, hitting the other adjacent to it. The crash caused the trucks to flip and tumble, heading straight for Mason’s car. With a look of shock, Skylar held her breath. With no time to move, think, or get out of the car, she closed her eyes and prepared for the crash.
Just seconds before the impact, Mason’s car flew up into the air, over the trucks. Somehow, magically, the water created a liquid bridge, guiding the car safely over, and then it thumped hard on the ground on the other side. Without looking back, Mason sped away as the sound of screeching brakes and metal impacting on metal blasted behind them.
“What just happened?” Skylar yelped. “Did you do that?” Everything had happened so fast, and adrenalin had flushed through her body so rapidly, she’d had no time for fear. Now that it was over, she was simply amazed, stunned; there were no words.
“No, I didn’t. Poseidon’s kids…it’s the only explanation. They can manipulate water. I had it handled. There was no need for them to show off. Now many civilians are hurt.” Mason sounded irritated, perhaps because he wasn’t the hero this time around, or perhaps he truly did care for those people he didn’t know.
Amazed by their abilities, wherever they were, Skylar was grateful they were there. Though Mason spoke as though he’d had the situation handled, Skylar thought otherwise, but kept her opinion to herself.
Looking behind them, she could see fire and heavy smoke escalating to the sky. The trucks had mostly slammed against each other, except for one. Guilt consumed her, thinking about the poor, innocent people who’d happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But her remorse was soon forgotten when she saw the same white truck, and now a black truck tailing behind them. “It’s the white truck again, but there’s another one behind it.”
“I see them,” Mason said with a sly tone, looking in the rearview mirror. “Let’s see if they can follow.”
Chapter 33
With a jerk, Skylar fell back into her seat. Mason pressed down hard on the gas pedal, making the car accelerate much faster than it had been a second earlier. With a loud screech of the tires, he exited the freeway and turned a fast right. The rain continued to pour with no mercy, but it didn’t seem to affect Mason’s vision.
Swirling in and out of lanes, other drivers honked loudly with irritation as Mason cut them off. He ignored a light that had just turned red and punched the gas even harder. Luckily, the cars on the other side were at a complete stop.
“Mason,” Skylar snapped.
“We’re almost home,” he said, concentrating on the road.
When he turned a sharp left, a gush of water caused him to veer sideways to the right and sent a massive wave onto the sidewalk, splashing pedestrians. They cursed and flipped him off.
“Sorry,” he murmured under his breath.
Mason was right. Skylar noted that they were close to his house…she recognized the streets. If they had turned right she would be headed towards Kayla’s house. How she missed her cousin. Looking behind them, the trucks were nowhere to be seen. “You can slow down now. I think we’ve lost them.”
“I don’t see them either.”
Mason took the long way home, changing lanes and going through numerous small streets instead of staying on the main roads. When they pulled up in the driveway, the rain had died down to a drizzle. Heaving a sigh of relief, Skylar sat there looking at Mason, trying to comprehend all that had happened.
“Ready to go in? We should find the others,” he said calmly, getting out of the car. Vigilantly, he placed his arms around Skylar’s waist and scanned the perimeter. Turning the corner toward the entryway, they paced quickly. The narrow walkway forced Skylar to stride behind Mason. With her hand on his back, she focused her eyes on the ground, not wanting the raindrops to fall on her face. Then “bam!” She bumped into Mason.
Skylar looked up to see the back of Mason’s head as rain trickled down her face. She felt his arms reach behind him protectively. Wondering why he was acting this way, she peered over his shoulder and gripped his biceps in absolute terror. Five vultures were guarding the front door, staring back with their revolting eyes, hissing and snarling, preparing to attack. Slowly, dragging her feet, she backed away, matching Mason’s steps.
“Where are Nick, Everett, and Amanda?” Skylar whispered, concerned for their lives, hoping they weren’t in the house.
“I don’t know, but I need you to listen. When I say run, run to the gate, okay?”
“Okay,” Skylar whimpered. Her body was so stiff from fright she was unsure if her legs would budge.
A few seconds later, Mason yelled, “Run!” He snatched her arm, tugging, running as fast as he could with her by his side. They were close to the gate, but stopped when they saw two guys heading straight toward them.
Skylar recognized the dirty blond right away. How the heck had they gotten there? There was little time to consider this as she regarded them with fear. With impassive facial expressions, their hands were moving in a circular motion near their chests. What were they doing?
Stuck in the middle, Mason grabbed Skylar’s hand and turned sideways, with one eye on the vultures, and the other eye on the visitors. “When you get a chance, I want you to run. Run toward the trees and hide.”
“No. I won’t leave you,” she retorted, holding on to his arm, noting the odds if she ran; but what could she do to help?
“Do what I say!” he demanded.
Mason pushed Skylar out of the way when the vultures leapt toward them. Just before the impact, she saw a sharp icicle-like spear, like the one she’d seen on the freeway, headed straight for the nearest vulture. Though the spear punctured its gut, it continued to charge forth.
Strategizing, Mason purposely allowed the vulture to pick him up by his waist so he could place his hands on its shoulder. With his power, Mason zapped electricity through the vulture’s entire body. It sizzled, juddered, then dropped to the ground.
The dirty blond moved his hands around his head and pushed through empty space. A massive body of rainwater copied his hand motions and plowed into two of the other vultures, knocking them down with the pressure, away from Skylar. More icicle spears soared and penetrated the remaining two, then Mason finished them off.
Without acknowledging the strangers, Mason grabbed Skylar’s hand and ran to the front door that was already ajar. He kicked the door open but remained by the entrance instead of charging in.
Sitting in the center of the large foyer, with their hands bound behind them, were Amanda and Everett. Standing behind them was Alena, with a few other people Skylar didn’t recognize.
“Welcome to our party,” Alena said calmly. “What took you so long? Actually, I didn’t think you would make it past the door, but then again, I see that you had help. No, no, no, boys. Don’t even think about moving your hands,” she said to the strangers, pointing out the revolver in her hand that was pointed at the back of Amanda’s head.
“Don’t do anything foolish,” Mason said to the strangers. “She has special bullets.”
“Do you even know each other?” Alena continued. “Let me speed the introductions. The blond one is Noah, and the one with the short hair is Tim. Aren’t they the cutest?”
“Just shut up and let my family go,” Mason demanded. With a look of fury, he tightened his fist into a ball. Dim light glowed, seeping out between his knuckles. “I’m giving you one last warning. I’ve told you we come in peace. We just want to be left alone. Let them go, and you can walk out of here.”
“You want me gone, then Skylar comes with me.” Without waiting for a response from Mason, Alena gestured her head. Understanding her nod, the guy standing to her left placed his hand on Everett’s head. Light flicked from his fingertips, sending electricity through Everett’s body. Everett cried out, a loud painful sound, and shuddered as if he was having a seizure.
“Stop it!” Amanda yelled.
Alena raised her hand and the guy pulled away.
Everett slumped over, looking unconscious.
“Poor big guy.” Alena bent low to see his flaccid face. “It was just a little shock. Oh…by the way, these are my new friends. They have special abilities like you. Now we can play fair.”
“Lure them out,” Noah whispered to Skylar, standing behind her.
“No whispering sweet nothings in her ears, Noah. Don’t make me jealous now. Maybe we can kiss and make up,” Alena remarked with a sinister laugh.
Noah rolled his eyes.
“Don’t tell me you dated her,” Skylar grimaced.
“I didn’t know who she was or what she was like a year ago…never mind. Skylar…do it.”
Skylar understood. They could only manipulate water, and there was no water inside. She didn’t know where this courage came from, but she knew she had to do something. Knowing Mason, Noah, and Tim would protect her, she knew she had a shot at her plan.
“Alena, I’m the one you want. Let them go. I’m coming to you right now.”
“Sky.” Mason pulled her back. “What are you doing?”
She turned to him and winked, hoping he would get the message. “I have a plan,” she mouthed.
“No!” He pulled her back again, but as she pulled against him, he finally seemed to realize he had no choice. Mason let go, and growled when Noah placed his hand on his shoulder.
Lifting her hands in surrender, Skylar carefully paced to Alena. Triumphantly, Alena grabbed Skylar by her arm. Inching backward, Alena pointed the revolver to Skylar’s back. “Don’t even think about following,” she sneered at the guys as her men stood protectivey by her side. They stepped outside and the door closed behind them.
Outside, the rain started to pick up again. Without a choice, Skylar ran with Alena about half way to the gate, and abruptly halted when Alena turned to face the front of the house. “Stop! Don’t move. I told you not to follow.”
With a swift motion, Noah guided the rain droplets. They swirled in an endless circular cycle, forming into one enormous sphere of water. Alena pulled the trigger. The bullet went right through and headed for Noah. He lost control of the water ball when he ducked for cover. Just before the impact, Tim twirled his hand and created a water wall. The bullet bounced and landed on the ground.
Alena’s men protectively stood in front of her, but not for long; more vultures appeared at the gate. Now, clearly, Skylar and the others were outnumbered, and terror emanated from her core.
With a mischievous grin, still holding onto Skylar, Alena stepped from behind her protection.
“Go get them, boys,” she gestured with a swing of her arm. Growling, the vultures charged in full force with deadly looks on their faces.
Extending his arm to the sky, flashes of lightning not only shot outward from the tips of his fingers, they bolted from the sky as well, as if Mason had called upon them. Simultaneously, the wind howled fiercely, making it difficult to stand as the rain droplets pelted in the direction of the wind.
Thunder roared in pounding anger and the clouds rolled with incredible speed. Multiple rumbles of thunder echoed again as they seemed to mimic Mason’s anger and more lightning burst out of the clouds. He carried that energy and directed it toward the vultures. Upon getting hit, some of the vultures blistered in flames, convulsed, and sizzled to their deaths with only one hit.
Still captive to Alena and drenched from the rain, Skylar witnessed all of this with her mouth open. She already knew what he was capable of, but never would she have imagined this. He was not the showoff type to begin with, but being able to call upon the lightning from above as if he was God himself? She was utterly in awe.
Noah and Tim continuously shot icicle-like spears, but Alena’s men used their power and broke them into pieces before they could do any damage. It was like hot against cold, as they zapped each other with their special abilities. Continuing to fight the vultures, Mason ducked a blow from one and leapt over its head, then zapped him from behind. Quickly he turned and dodged a swing, then ducked to avoid another.
One of Alena’s men broke away and shot out silvery light at Mason. It nicked him across his shoulder, cutting through. Crimson liquid stained his sweater and marked the ground where he stood. When another volt came at him again, he sidestepped and twisted his hips to avoid it. While flashing his light to the vulture on his left, Mason fired back with his right. The brilliant lights from each of them met half way, crackling and fizzling. The energy and light between them was building, intensifying, radiating like a great firework, and blinding everyone around. It was beautiful and deadly at the same time.
Mason looked up and called upon the lightning from above again. Suddenly, the shimmering flash shot through him, causing his body to illuminate just as bright as the lightning, blinding everyone around him once more. He projected that energy out from his hand, and the immense power traveled through his light to the opponent’s light, blasting him as if he was shot by a cannon. Then Mason slumped over, as if the power had drained out of him.
As more vultures continued toward them, Noah extended his arms and swung them around, over his head, calling upon the powers of water. The water from the fountain ascended skyward, creating a continuous waterfall behind him. It cascaded to the ground, flowing like a stream, turning into a vast sea of ice. Unable to run on ice, the vultures slipped and landed flat on their backs.
Tim extended both of his arms into the air, causing the ice to liquefy. The body of water rose and covered the vultures like a blanket. They were trapped inside and had nowhere to run. Mason then shot his electricity through the water. The remaining vultures and Alena’s men were electrocuted.
“Let her go, Alena!” Mason bellowed. “You can’t win. This is your final warning.”