Chapter 54- Whispers In The Wind

The sun had set, and the sky had become dark and ominous. It further exacerbated her predicament, and she was filled with rage that seeped into every pore of her body. The moment the door closed behind them, and they were back on the run-down street, Crystal began punching and shoving Levi in the face. She was afraid and enraged on the inside. He held her in a vice-like grip with his arms, and she crumpled in his arms as a result. Everything had become too much for her, and she couldn't handle it any longer.
Her eyes welled up with tears, which were followed by sobbing. As she sobbed onto Levi's chest, his arms grew increasingly tight around her.
"It's going to be all right," he assured her in hushed tones. Her tears had come to a standstill, and her face had become gloomy. She looked at him with a mixture of despair and rage in her eyes.
"How are you able to say that?"
"Crystal, believe me," he said as he stroked a stray hair behind her ear, and she yanked herself away from him as he continued to brush the hair.
"Believe in you! Why? Every time I place my faith in you, awful things happen. First there was a jailbreak, and now, finally, the seer will arrive to collect payment. I've summoned a demon to my aid. Who, without a doubt, will be on his way to get me? "God knows what my mother has in store for me, and let's not forget Drake," she cried, realizing how far she had gotten herself into trouble. She couldn't fight them all at the same time. Her desire of living a normal life had been dashed by the difficulties she was experiencing from the supernatural world. She had a powerful desire to run. Run as fast as she could without looking back.
What was the point? Her mother would find her and only have her people drag her back. Why? Because she needed her, not that she wanted her. She had never had the best life and had waited for so long for things to get better. Yet they only got worse. Now she was drowning in her own sorrow and mess. Was it her fault?
“It is all your fault!” she yelled at him she needed someone else to blame. The burden she carried was too much for her.
“Crystal….”
“Don’t you’re the monster everyone claimed you to be. You are pure evil!” she spun around and ran. She could hear Levi call her name behind her. But she didn’t stop. She had to get away from him. From everything wrong in her life, she stopped on a street bursting with night clubs. The music spilled out into the streets along with drunks. Putting her head down, she walked around the corner and spotted a bus stop. She checked the timetable and her purse.
The bus back to her hometown would arrive any minute and she had enough money. At least that was one good thing. She wouldn’t have to hitch hike home. Or worse ask Levi.
The sky opened up and rain began to fall. It soaked her clothes within seconds and her teeth clattered from the cold.
The headlights from the bus almost blinded her. As she stepped onto the half empty bus and paid the driver. She had a sinking feeling. Her life had completely lost control. Could she handle what was to come? Fighting a demon wasn’t something she was prepared for. All could do was give it everything she had. Crystal promised herself she wouldn’t go down without a fight. She had overcome so many dreadful things. What was a few more?
***
Levi watched her run. He should have gone after her. Tried to make her see he was trying to help her. Yet all he did was call her name and hope she stopped.
He was in over his head. He should have paid more attention to her. Instead, he had turned his back to deal with the insane homeless man. It had only taken a split second and the damage was done. She had woken the demon and been marked.
He had no doubt that what Drake had been promised was Crystal. He had to find the key to Athens before Christmas day. He had no idea where to look and the problems were mounting up. He followed Crystal’s scent and when he came upon her, he hid in the shadows and watched her climb onto the bus heading back to town.
Whether she wanted his help or protection, he would be there for her and do what he had too. Something told him she would need all the help she could get.
***
The sign Devon Falls came into view. The name of the town, that Levi lived in and was home to the wolves. The bus shook and veered off path with a screech and titling to one side. The driver swerved as he lost control. Screams erupted as it rolled to a stop. The driver got from his seat and turned to the passengers.
“It’s okay just a flat tire,” he got off the bus and a young girl around the same age as Crystal stood up. She walked down the bus and when an old woman asked her if she was a mechanic, Crystal had to hide her smile. The girl looked high school age. Defiantly not a mechanic.
“I am busting,” she exclaimed holding her stomach as she scuttled down the aisle and out the bus door. The bus was silent for a few minutes as they patiently waited to get back on the road.
Unnatural sounds echoed around them, Crystal looked out of the window but could see nothing but shadows, it was too dark. Demonic growls and grunts drew closer sounding like they were just outside Crystal’s window. Her stomach dropped as the driver rushed back onto the bus.
“Where leaving,” he muttered starting the engine.
“No wait. There is someone out there!” Crystal cried making her way to the driver. The sounds from outside grew louder followed by a loud tearful scream.
“GO!” Another passenger called.
“We can’t just leave her,” Crystal begged as another scream ripped through the air. Something was happening and the girl needed help. What was wrong with these people?
“Sorry girl,” the driver said starting the engine.
“Cowards,” she muttered as she exited the bus pulling her coat closer around her. No sooner had the doors closed the bus sprang to life and was on its way down the dark road. She couldn’t believe that people could be so cruel. To leave someone helpless and in danger, all to save themselves. They were selfish.
Slowly she walked into the nearby trees. Into the forest she feared the most. The paralyzing fear mixed with dread spread through her body like icy liquid metal. She clenched her hands into fists as she hesitantly took each step, she noticed that her feet trembled, and her legs twitched to turn around and run down the dark road chasing after the safety of the bus. The noises and screaming grew louder. Then suddenly all was quiet. Pure terror surged in her veins, icy daggers straight to her heart. The fear she had felt only moments before was nothing compared to how she felt then.
Picking up a large stick she made her way deeper into the woodland. What she came upon made her scream. The young girl was propped up against a tree trunk. Her lower body gone, taking slow steps back she spun around when she heard a loud grunt.
A shadow dashed by her. It seemed to be everywhere, moving so fast she couldn’t focus on the shape.
“What do you want from me!” she yelled into the darkness.
A child’s face came out of nowhere. In an innocent voice it said, “You,” and was gone.
Crystal was left trembling. The demon had begun its rampage and it was her fault. Guilt crippled her as she made her way back to the road and set off on the long walk home. It was her fault that the girl was dead. The demon wanted her but had taken the girl instead. How could she live knowing the girl had died because of her? A heavy cloud of depression hung over her casting a shadow on her thoughts and soul. Like a silent killer it whispered words of doubts into her ears. The emotions were too hard to cope with, so Crystal switched herself off from what she was feeling. It was a coping mechanism she had learned while young.
When she reached her own town, her feet felt raw, and her muscles burned and ached. She knew that her feet would be blistered and sore for the next few days. However, the pain she was feeling was a good sign. Inside she was emotionally numb, and the pain reminded her she was still alive.