12 years Later.
"Good bye Miss!" Kendra smiled as she waved the last of her students on the bus. Walking back inside the school as the bus pulled away she couldn't help but dream of the long weekend coming up. She loved her 3rd graders with a passion but Bracken had promised to take her to see the fairy gardens and spend the whole weekend together. Only two days left she thought as she stacked some papers and threw a crumpled wrapper away. Dreaming of the beautiful gardens she was lost in thought as she continued to tidy the room and pack her bag.
She was startled when a men suddenly walked into the room. Dressed in a suit he looked rather fancy for an elementary school but, she thought, he must be a father. "Can I help you?" She asked. "I was hoping you could Miss Sorenson." He replied moving towards her desk. "One of my children is in your class and I was recently informed that he has been having difficulties." "Oh, which student would that be?" Kendra tried to think of which student it could have been. "Let me pull up the files real quick and we can have a look. Just give me a minute to get it up." She turned to the computer and began pulling up her students records. "I haven't seen you at any of our parent events or student activities." The man moved behind the desk and leaned over to pear at the computer. "Well I am a very busy father so I don't often attend any events here, my wife does all that." He replied, his breath on her neck.
Kendra was suddenly very aware of how close this man was and a shiver ran down her spine. Pushing away from him she forced the computer towards him. "Which student did you say it was?" She asked. He turned to face her and another chill ran down her spine. Why was she suddenly afraid of this man? Was it just that he was so close? He probably just couldn't see from very far, he was just a father concerned about his child so why did she feel apprehensive? "I can't seem to find him on your list her Miss Sorenson, maybe we could go out to my car and I can show you his report card." He stood up and offered her his hand. No matter what she thought of him she didn't want to take his hand but didn't want to appear rude.
Standing up she ignore his hand, "I will just follow you out if you'll allow me to grab my things?" Without waiting for a reply she quickly packed her bag, smiled at the man and walked swiftly to the door. He followed just behind. They walked through the empty hallways and out into the parking lot. I shoudn't be freaking out so much she thought. And besides, she reassured herself, he is perfectly human and I don't feel any magic coming from him.
As he took the lead towards a black sedan in the far corner Kendra glanced about. There sure are more cars her than usual, and who is the guy on the bike? I haven't seen him before. As she looked over the man sitting on the bike seemed to be watching her but with the darkened helmet she couldn't make out his face. Geez, she thought shuddering again, everything is setting me off right now. They reached the car and the man opened the door and leaned in to grab the report cards. "Hold on Miss they're here some where." His voice muffled by the door. A loud bang came from the far side of the lot and Kendra whirled around. She saw nothing but felt cold hands wrap around her head and torso. Her screams muffled by the man's hand she flailed and kicked trying to break free but his strength was surprising. "Now now Miss, get in the car really nice like and nobody has to get hurt. I may even leave you untied."
He began pulling her towards the car. Kendra fought and jerked her head managing to open her mouth and slam her teeth together on his hand. Shouting he momentarily let go of her head. Gasping for breath Kendra reacted instantly by slamming her head back. CRACK! She felt a warm liquid run down her hair and knew she had broken his nose. Grunting in pain he let go of her and grabbed at his face. Kendra dropped and without pausing began running as fast as she could. Desperately she tried to undo her bag's clasp to get at her phone. Hearing a shout from behind she glanced back.
The man had somehow pulled out a small handgun and was aiming at her. Fear took over and she raced towards the nearest car. Shots fired and concrete blew apart behind her, she wasn't going to make it! A roar of an engine fired and she saw the motorcycle guy driving straight towards her. Was this guy with the other one? How was she going to make it out of this? Pumping her legs as hard as she could Kendra changed direction towards the school. If she could just outrun this guy and make it inside there would surely be someone who could help! Right as she heard more bullets fire behind her a strong arm grabbed her waist and flung her through the air.
Gasping Kendra suddenly found herself on the back of the bike. The revved the engine and turned the bike away from the school. Looking over she saw two more men in suits had joined the first by the car. Blood streamed down his face as he raised his gun again. One of the other men was standing behind him and he was huge. A beast of a man he raised a curious staff and began mouthing words. Kendra could see magic building up around him. The bike jerked forward an Kendra nearly fell off when instinct had her grab at the man driving. He sped through the parking lot, dodging bullets.
Kendra was fairly certain that after this she would never allow Bracken to get the bike he wanted. Her stomach felt sick as the bike swerved and dodged around cars and bullets. On one turn it felt like the bike was completely sideways. She held on for dear life as the man drove out of the parking lot. Kendra looked back as the men got into the black Sudan's and began to chase them. Why was this happening? Who were those guys and why did they want her? And who was this guy who had helped her and how did he know this was going to happen?
She wouldn't get any answers now though. The cars gave chase as the bike pulled on the highway. Wind whipping around her, her hair flying everywhere Kendra shouted at the driver. Her voice was lost in the wind he sped up. She was pretty confident they were going way beyond the speed limit but that didn't seem to stop anyone in this situation. Flying down the highway, they dodged cars and trucks, keeping amid the crowd. Suddenly the man swerved the bike in front of a semi and off the road. Kendra screamed as the went down a short jump and under a bridge.
The man stopped and turned the engine off, keeping silent. Holding her breath Kendra watched as the black Sudan's raced past missing them. Her hands shaking Kendra managed to let go and fell off the bike. She sat there as the man got off and turned to look at her. "Th...thank you for helping me." She stammered, "I don't know who those men are or what is going on though." SHe looked up but the man stayed silent, he hadn't even take off his helmet. "Standing up she brushed off her jeans, "For that matter I don't know who you are." She stated pointedly and stepped back.
The man lowered his head but still said nothing. "I appreciate your help." Kendra tried again, "But I am going to leave now if you don't tell me who you are." She waited a few seconds but still nothing. Sighing she turned to walk away. "Wait." A voice spoke up, it was a man's voice but it didn't sound familiar. It was full of sadness and very hesitant. Turning back she look at the man. He had raised his arm towards her as if to stop her. Lowering it he once again looked at his hands. It was as if he were unsure of himself. "I mean you no harm." He began. "I just don't know what to say...'" The man seemed to shake as he drew in a breath. Sighing heavily he simply stated, "Just...don't run...Please." Unlatching his helmet he slowly pulled it off. Pausing a moment he took another deep breath and raised his eyes to hers.
For a moment she had no idea who he was. Then her eyes began to pick out small similarities. The dark hair that remained forever unruly, the small scar by his left ear he had gotten while wrestling the satyrs, and those eyes. Those blue eyes that she could always read and instantly know what he was planning. Now they were full of sadness and regret. Gasping silently she found she couldn't move. It reminded her of standing in a dragons gaze but without the magic. How was this possible? No it had to be a trick! Someone was playing a cruel trick on her. He must be with the others and this was all part of a plan to kidnap her and get some sort of information out of her. Steeling her mind with these thoughts she broke the paralyzing feeling and stepped back. "How dare you come to me like this!" She said with fury in her voice, "What do you people want?" The man flinched as if she had struck him. Hanging his head he looked ever the picture of dejection. She had to admit that he was a pretty good actor, these people must have studied her family and trained him well.
Again she asked with her voice raising, "Tell me what you want with me! Information? Power? You aren't getting anything from me!" Reaching down she tried to open her bag only to realize it wasn't there. The man shook his head and held up her bag. "I don't want anything from you except to hear me out." He said this time looking straight at her. Breathing slowly Kendra held out her hand, "Give me my bag and phone." The air seemed to crackle with tension as neither side moved. Finally with another sigh the man tossed her bag to her gently. At first she was shocked, why would he so easily give her a way to get away from him? Curiosity overcame her, she knew she shouldn't, that t was dangerous but he looked so pitiful and he had helped her. "Ok I'll listen for a moment but try anything and I'm warning you." She said as she pulled out her phone, ready to call for help.
He nodded and looked relieved. Pausing again he started by saying, "I understand that you want to know everything now. I get that. But it is highly dangerous for you to be here right now and it would be a lot easier to explain everything to everyone at the same time."
Kendra thought about this for a moment. "I get what you're trying to say but how can I just let you take me home? How am I supposed to trust you?" She stated defiantly. The man nodded as if he expected this, "I can't force you to trust me, in fact there really is no reason that you should." Pausing again then continuing slowly. " But... If you want I will answer a few questions now if it will help. We really only have time for a few though, those men will be searching everywhere for you." He stared at her waiting for her reply.
Kendra turned away for a moment and tried to compose herself. Only a few questions? How could she choose from the millions of thoughts running around her head? Breathing deeply she tried to think of something only her brother would know. What could she ask him that she knew for certain Seth knew? She reflected on memories and experiences, missions from the Knights, days at the preserve, what would Seth know if it was really him?
Turning around suddenly she walked back to the man until she was just a few feet away. He looked at her, apprehension on his face. Kendra crossed her arms and said, "I'm only going to ask one question, if you can answer it then for now I will trust you. But if you can't then I am gone and you had better not follow me or try anything." He nodded slowly and waited. Right, Kendra thought, here goes. "The very first summer Seth and I stayed at our Grandparents was the first time we found the magical world. How were our eyes open. And be specific." She rushed the words out and waited with bated breath. Would he know? They had never told anyone exactly how and who found out first.
The man looked down and Kendra saw a smile slowly build across his face. Looking up he softly laughed and said simply, "You tricked me into drinking the bowl of 'fresh, unpasteurized milk' that had been sitting outside under the flower bush." He smiled wide, "I started seeing fairies but you didn't believe me at first, took you a bit." Kendra felt her heart skip a beat at his words and for the first time she thought it could be possible. Seth was a alive and he was sitting right in front of her. Feeling tears well up in her eyes she gasped a little. "Seth?" She whispered. Noting tears flowing down his cheeks she didn't resist as he reached towards her. "Yeah." He said, "I told you it was me." Falling into his arms she sobbed as they embraced. "H..how is this possible?" She stammered. "How are y..you alive right now?" He hugged her tight for a moment but then stepped back. "Its a long story. I promise I will tell you everything but right now I need to get you out of here." Kendra nodding and wiped her sleeve across her eyes. She wanted more than anything to just stay in this moment for awhile but she new the danger they were in. Seth handed her a helmet and they were off.