"Zoey... Zoey, wake up. It's me, Stark." His voice grew ever louder as my consciousness broke through. Let me guess, he was waking me up; but, when did I fall asleep? My eyes flickered open to see Stark and Darius leaning over me. I quickly took in my surroundings to see that I wasn't in my room, but outside.
"What on Earth is going on?" I screeched, sitting up, while Stark let out a sigh of relief. I expected Stark, who was now staring intently at me, to answer but it was Darius instead.
"Zoey, we were hoping you could answer that question. When we found you, you were already unconscious. Can you remember anything?" His face seemed to tighten while speaking and he seemed to be reluctant to speak.
"No Darius, I don't!" I snapped in reply to him. I stood up and turned my back to Darius and spoke to Stark directly. "What is going on? Why do you seem so reluctant so speak to me? Where are the Twins, Damien, Jack, Stevie Rae and Aphrodite?"
As I said the names, a silent tear ran down Stark's face and I saw properly for the first time. He had scars down his face, dried blood in his hair and small tears in his clothes. I quickly see Darius and ask him what was happening, but he had already disappeared, through the closest door and into a building unknown to me.
"STARK!" I shouted, suddenly I felt flustered, agitated and worried, really worried. "WHAT IS HAPPENING?"
Stark swept me into his arms and rested his chin upon my head. "Zoey, they are going to be okay. I promise; we will make them better."
I quickly pushed him. "WHO? WHAT? WHEN?" I screeched while running to the door I had recently saw Darius disappear through. But Stark reached the door before me, blocking my way.
"Zoey, something went wrong. You killed Neferet and Kalona got annoyed. He, along with the Raven Mockers, attacked. You, Shaunee, Erin, Stevie Rae and Damien fought back with your elements. We were unsure about what happened, Aphrodite and Jack held back because they are both unable to protect themselves properly; me and Darius went forth and attacked, but you went missing. Shaunee and Erin were attacked by Raven Mockers and couldn't move, Damien got hit trying to save Jack and Aphrodite ran at Kalona.
"We all heard you scream, you were standing on top of the building at the time. Kalona saw you and took off after you. Then there was a bang. It came from where you stood, but when we finally reached were you had been; you had gone, and so had Kalona. I searched for you for hours. I'm so sorry." Silent tears were running down his face and I knew he wasn't finished... and I knew what was coming next.
"She's gone isn't she...? Grandma is gone?" Stark nodded solemnly and I sank to my knees wailing. She was gone. She was really gone...