Dark Days (The Childe Series, #2) (46 page)
“It’s going to be okay, Cat, I promise,” Sam said quietly.
Cat stayed home from school that day with the reassurance from Dr. Bane that she would be able to make up the test she would miss. Between the lack of sleep from her night’s vigil over Dr. Bane, and the emotional scenes that followed, her parents had declared it a “Cat needs a break at home” day. She was alone in the house. Taylor was at school, her mom and dad at work, and Cat lay in her bed going over the events of the last few hours. She couldn’t sleep. Spying the little brown journal on top of her dresser, she got up and retrieved it. Opening it, she began to read.
I don’t know what day it is. We are still running and hiding and I am getting so very tired. The barns we stay in are drafty and John tries his best to keep us warm but we are both miserable. I am worried about my mother and what my father has done with her. John knows I cry at night. I am silent when I cry, but he looks at me with pity in his eyes the next morning. I told him today that maybe I should just give up and face THEM. He shocked me with how upset he became at my suggestion. As he paced the moldy old barn from one end to the other, he informed me that over his dead body would I do that. He was responsible for my safety and that was that. No more arguments. I had to bite my lip from laughing at his attempt at an angry frown. He wouldn’t cease until I promised him I wouldn’t do anything rash.
John caught some rabbits and roasted them in a pit he dug in the earth. My mother would be proud of the person she chose to protect us. Today we are going to travel along a river that John says will lead us to a small village he knows of. He’s hoping he can find someone who will help us leave the country. I don’t want to leave without my mother, but I do not say so out loud.
Next Day
We have made it to the village and John found someone who gave us the name of a woman who could possibly help. John wanted me to stay outside the village, but I was adamant that I go with him. We made our way to a huge house on the outskirts. The sun had barely set as we arrived at the door. Upon knocking, a strange-looking small man answered and ushered us in. I didn’t quite trust him, but John grabbed my hand and pulled me through the doorway. The hallway was dark, so dark that I stopped walking, making John stumble into me. The little man lit a torch on the wall, with what, I do not know, as I saw no fire in his hands when it was being lit. John gently nudged me forward and we walked down the now lit hallway to a pair of closed large wooden doors. The little man knocked and a voice called from within to enter. The first thing I noticed was the lovely roaring fire and was instantly drawn to it. John stopped me from moving forward and I noticed he was staring off to the side. I moved a little to see what had caught his attention. I gasped as I saw the most beautiful women, besides my mother, I had ever seen sitting in a thronelike chair. Her long hair was silver. Her eyes were smiling as were her lips as she studied us. She welcomed us in and told us there was nothing to be frightened of. She led us to the roaring fire encased in a beautiful ornate fireplace. She called the little man “Dun” and told him to fetch us hot cider to warm us. She told us her name was Gretchen and she assured us we were safe. I felt a slight twinge of distrust, but it was immediately gone as Dun came back with a tray filled with heavenly food and the most delicious hot cider.
Next Day
I don’t remember much from last evening. I remember eating and drinking, but I have no idea how I ended up in a wonderfully soft feather bed with silk sheets. Now it is daylight. I am sitting at a pretty writing desk putting down these words. I have bathed, and a fresh set of clothes that miraculously fit are now on my body. I peeked out my bedroom door but the house is quiet so I decided to write. I wish my mother was here to share this with me. I feel so alone. Where is John? I wish John would come for me. I don’t feel right about exploring the house by myself. In the daylight that nagging feeling that something is not right plagues me.
It has been a couple hours since I wrote last. I was interrupted by a knock at the door and a tall, thin, pinched-face woman with matted hair carried a breakfast tray into my room and placed it on the desk, all without saying a word. There was so much food. I fear I made a pig of myself and now am pleasantly stuffed. I peeked out the door a few times, but the halls are silent. There is still no sign of John anywhere. I can’t believe he has stayed away so long since we have been together all these weeks now. It is afternoon and the sun is low on the horizon. I think I will go and explore. I can’t stand being alone.
I don’t have much time. I have barricaded my door with the ornate heavy wooden chair by the desk. What I fear has happened. I have been betrayed, by John no less. I heard him talking to Gretchen and they are waiting for someone to come take me away. My guess would be my father.
They’re here! My father and his followers have entered the house demanding my return. I must try to escape. I hope someone reads this and can help me. I don’t know what my father has planned for me, but perhaps I will be reunited with my mother. I hear them coming up the stairs. They are pounding on the door. I guess this is
“Revelus Indiedroman!” Cat announced, clutching her moonstone. The village entrance did not appear. “Revelilus Androgormen!” she said with slight frustration while holding onto the stone, but still nothing happened. “How could I forget the words again?” Cat asked out loud, her Jeep idling on the forest road. “I know you’re there, Wedgewick Village,” she groaned and placed her forehead on the steering wheel. The hair on the back of her neck suddenly stood up as she felt someone staring at her. Slowly lifting her head, she yelped at the wizened face looking at her through the driver’s window. Grey wiry hair sprouted from underneath his tall, floppy cap. His ears were
pointy
, yeah
pointy
.
He looks like one of those garden gnomes in Maude’s front yard,
she thought, giggling. He broke into a huge smile and motioned for her to roll down the window. Cat hesitated, but then felt foolish as the little man seemed to mean her no harm, so she pressed the button.
