Dissolve (26 page)

“Vienna, it is great to meet you, but we are on a time schedule. Do you think you could buckle up so we can get going?” Shane interjected.

“Yeah sure, where are we going exactly?”

“We are on our way to Spokane to meet another person that Stephan has messed with named Liam. We need to be there in less than four and a half hours. In the meantime, we will answer any questions you may have, just as long as we are hitting the road,” I explained.

Vienna brushed a smudge of mud from her cheek and I felt pity for her. It wasn’t that long ago that we had to go through this exact situation. I tried to ease her into the conversation as Noah started the car back up and continued to Spokane.

“So Vienna, what questions do you have for us?”

This time it was Nessa who spoke up. It was clear she was reading Vienna’s mind because she was prepared with an answer. “We all have special abilities. That is why we are still alive. At least seven states have been decimated that we know of. One more is going soon according to the letter we got from Stephan.”

“What kind of abilities?” Vienna asked with curiosity in her brown eyes.

“I can read minds and Cora can dissolve into particles. Shane has the power to heal others as well as his own self, and Mia has superhuman reflexes. Noah here can mimic other people’s images. His is kind of scary actually,” Nessa replied.

“Geez, those are cool abilities. What about this Liam guy we are going to meet?”

“He has the power of possession, the creepiest power I think,” I chimed in.

“This is a lot to absorb. Forgive me if I am slow getting on the bandwagon.”

“We understand it is a lot for anyone to take in. It sounds insane,” I said.

“That it does, but you are the first people I have seen since it happened. I am just glad to find other people.”

“Well Vienna, welcome to our merry band of misfits,” Shane said putting out his hand to shake.

Vienna shook his hand and responded with a “Thank you.”

“I guess this will be a road trip I will never forget,” Vienna said.

“Sit back and relax, we have about four hours until we reach Spokane,” I told her.

“Alright, thanks again for picking me up,” she replied before sitting back and looking out the window at the quiet destruction.

We had passed the bulk of the damage from the tornado and were back to seeing abandoned cars all over the highway. The ride went smoothly as we all relaxed and settled in for the rest of the trip. Nearly another hour went by before anyone said anything. It was Noah who spoke up. He was peering over at me with a slow smile.

“We just passed a sign saying we are about twenty minutes from Missoula, Montana. How much further is it until we reach Spokane?”

“According to the map that I managed to hang on to, Missoula is about three and a half hours from Spokane. That means we need to pick up the pace just a little if we are going to make it in three hours. We are forty five minutes behind schedule and we don’t know what we will find crossing into Idaho. For all we know, it could be the eighth state to become decimated,” I say.

“Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we are almost out of gas and we all need to eat something at this point,” Noah pointed out.

“Ugh, alright we can stop in Missoula and find a gas station. Maybe there will be a diner nearby we can invade. Pie sure would taste awesome right now.”

At the mention of pie, Shane focused his attention on us. “Did you say pie? I would kill for another piece of apple pie right now.”

“Don’t get your hopes up yet, we were just speculating,” Noah said.

“Fine, but I am starving. If we don’t eat, I will be a total bear. Trust me, you don’t want to mess with me when I am hungry,” Shane added.

“I could really go for some food too. I am hungrier than I thought,” Vienna said.

I gave her a small smile and added “it is settled, food and gas at Missoula. Let’s hope we find something good like a Pizza Hut or a diner off the highway.”

“I would love to find a place to wash some of this mud up and maybe change clothes,” Nessa said.

“I agree I am starting to see crusted flakes of mud all around me. It is pretty gross,” I replied.

“It’s so strange to see the state like this. I never realized how the presences of other people truly managed to mesh with our daily lives. It felt lonely without human life; I was thrilled just to find you guys. I know that sounds weird, but it’s just so true,” Vienna confessed.

“I agree I watched my entire family go up in flames and I was actually relieved when I saw these guys all standing, unharmed. It is an innate comfort having that knowledge of love and interaction,” Mia agreed.

Nessa finally perked up in the back and inclined forward to touch my shoulder. I leaned back to look at her and I could see the pity in her eyes. “I am sorry about Tom, Cora. I remember and I wish I didn’t. I love you and I am glad we are here together,” she told me.

“Thanks Nessa, I am glad we are here together too,” I responded before closing my eyes and taking a deep breath to compose myself again.

Then I looked up to see a green sign indicating that Missoula was the next three exits up ahead. “We are almost here, everyone keep their eyes out for any signs for gas and food.”

We passed by the first exit to find only a motel sign. The second exit showed a slew of restaurants and gas stations and I sat up, my eyes peeled. “Bingo, pull off at this exit,” I told Noah.

“Let’s pump the gas first, and use the bathrooms. Then we can get some food. I am pretty low on fuel and we don’t want to have to walk for gas. We are still on a ridiculously tight schedule.”

We all nodded in agreement as we pulled into the quick stop for gas. Noah slid his card and pumped the gas. I stepped out with the intention of changing my clothes but Nessa popped out too.

“I am going in with you, just in case. Plus, I can help you carry the bag,” she said with a bright smile.

Relieved to have the old Nessa finally back, I nodded and linked my arm in hers as we strode forward towards the convenient store entry. Nessa waited until we were inside to drop my arm. Then she pulled me around to face her. “I am having trouble reading Vienna’s thoughts. Her mind is going so fast and everything is all jumbled up. I can’t do anything but pluck random thoughts from her.”

“Well she is gifted with superhuman learning. She naturally will have a mind that processes everything faster. Are you worried about her?” I asked.

“I am not sure; I wish I could get a better read on her. It is just a little disconcerting.”

Nessa shivered and then continued. “I just have a bad feeling all of a sudden about this town. It is giving off a strange vibe and I just want to get some food and hit the road again. Besides, we still have a deadline to meet. I sure hope it isn’t a trap; we can’t afford to walk into one of those right now,” she replied gravely.

“Let’s just get changed and then we can exit this town faster. Hand me some jeans and my magenta tee. I know it is all dirty, but beggars can’t be choosy. I will stick with my flip flops and just rinse my legs off in the bathroom sink,” I said as I grabbed the clothes and shut myself into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, I stepped out dressed and semi clean. I nodded and Nessa let herself into the restroom behind me. I waited several minutes for her to finish and then turned my attention back on our situation.

“Okay, just help me get all the drinks for everyone so we can get out of here faster. Let’s get going.”

We grabbed enough waters for everyone and made haste back to the SUV where everyone was sitting in wait. Noah was just finishing pumping the gas and was placing the nozzle back in the holster. He gave me a wry smile and we all returned to our seats. Soon Mia and Vienna took a bag and entered the convenient store together to change.

After a few minutes, they returned and the guys headed in. I couldn’t help but gawk as I watched Noah disappear into the store. It didn’t go unnoticed, because Nessa was grinning at me. I just rolled my eyes at her and shook my head.

I waited until everyone was cleaned up and in the vehicle before speaking up.

“Hey everyone, Nessa has a bad feeling about this town, so let’s find something quick to eat and get the hell out of here,” I said.

“I spotted a deli just up the road and that would be fast and easy. I also thought I saw a car go by. It is probably just my imagination, but we should check it out,” Vienna replied.

Suddenly the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and I exchanged a worried look with Nessa. That sounded like trouble to me. “What color car?”

“A black car I thought, but I could just be imagining it,” she answered.

Noah turned the key and the engine came to life. He looked worried and I turned my attention to him. It was clear he was thinking the same thing, it was Stephan and it was time for some answers.

Sure enough, the black impala was parked in front of the deli. A shiver escaped and I noticed the deathly pale expressions on Mia and Shane. Nessa looked frantic and Noah was shaking his head in dismay.

“I guess it is now or never. Let’s get our answers and get the hell out of here,” Noah said as he pulled open his door and stepped out.

Vienna had clearly missed the memo, because she just stepped out with a confused look. I took the chance to fill her in before entering the deli. “That is Stephan’s car and he has been following us like some sort of creep. We are going to demand answers once and for all.”

“Oh, that is a good idea. I hope he isn’t too dangerous,” she replied meekly.

We all followed in step behind Noah as he opened the door to the deli. Just as suddenly he stopped and we all collided into him with a thud like a line of dominoes. Once the shock of the holdup was over, I peered over Noah’s shoulder to see just what had him stopping dead in his tracks. When I saw what he saw, I couldn’t help but feel sick as I saw Stephan.

Suddenly like twin reels, scenes of Tom and Stephan’s murder flashed through my mind on repeat loops and my stomach lurched as tears formed in the corners of my crystal blue eyes. I winced and turned away from the awful scene even though I couldn’t erase it from my etched memories.

“What is it?” Mia asked from the back of the line.

“No, we are not going to do this. Everyone just needs to turn around and get the hell back in the car as fast as you can,” Noah said trying to block our view.

“What aren’t we going to do, Noah what is it? I know that is Stephan’s car out there, don’t you dare lie to me,” she said with a quiver in her voice.

“It isn’t pleasant and it is a fresh kill. There is a killer on the loose and we need to get out of here like yesterday,” Noah answered shakily.

At the mention of kill, Shane pushed his way forward and nearly knocked Noah over as he toppled into the room and onto the scene. We all stumbled behind and into the room as well and the horror played out.

Stephan was seated up against the side of a blue sparkling booth, his neck slashed into crimson shreds. Blood had pooled everywhere and was seeping out of the booth and pooling on the diamond patterned floor. It was splattered in tiny scarlet droplets on his face and covering the light blue wall behind him, turning it a shade of sickening purple. His eyes were wide open and a look of shock had frozen on his face.

“I think I am going to be sick,” Mia said. “That is still my cousin. It is really hard to swallow, terrorist or not. Who would do this to him? It is an awful way to die.”

Ignoring Mia, I looked away in horror and something caught the corner of my eye. It was white and sitting amongst the pool of blood. It was another note and it was soaking up blood at the corners. “Oh God, another note,” I said as I pointed to it, the white turning crimson.

Chapter 24:

“I’m suddenly not hungry,” Shane said his face ashen. “Noah, you go get the note. Be careful not to touch anything else. Don’t step in the blood.”

Noah strategically walked across the room and gingerly lifted up the note, careful not to touch the bloody corners. He made his way back and looked up at us for confirmation before he opened it and read aloud:

A pawn like so many in a game of chess, the clock is ticking and time is almost up-

Everyone was silent as we took time to absorb the meaning. Stephan was not the key, but merely a pawn. He had served his purpose and been tossed out like yesterday’s garbage, to be made an example of. My thoughts became more jumbled as I added this new information to my already swirling mind. I felt as if I was on information overload and I blanched when Nessa spoke up.

“We are in way over our heads,” she said quavering.

Noah tried to keep a steady tone but it was clear he was shaken to the core. “And yet, the clock is still ticking. This one is not even signed.”

“What is going to happen when time is up?” Vienna asked meekly.

“I don’t know and I don’t want to find out,” Shane said.

“I agree, let’s get the heck out of dodge and we can discuss after we have escaped this nightmare. For all we know, they could be watching us,” Noah replied.

“That thought makes it even worse. I don’t want a murderer watching or stalking us. That just gives me an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach,” I said.