Chapter Three - Faced With Trouble

Whew, this has been a major update day! I've had lots of free time, so I took advantage of it, and I'll admit, I'm worn out! Once again, if you like the chapter, review it after reading! Three reviews equals the next chapter!

Mina's POV

I sit up in bed, trying to stifle a yawn. I'm exhausted. We've been at the inn for what, three days? It's been pretty simple though. Nix even managed to find a job. It doesn't pay a lot, but it'll help. I hop out of bed, beginning to dress.

"Mina?" Speaking of Nix, there he is.

"Ya?" I rub my eyes, blinking away my tiredness.

"You properly awake? I got you some breakfast." I can imagine his grin, and sure enough - after I'm dressed - I open the door to see him and his grin. "Come on out, it's at the table."

He's fantastic. I'm secretly relieved that I agreed to let Nix come...But I won't let him know. I'd never hear the end of it. I probably would've gone mad if I hadn't brought somebody. He's been perfect, helping with a cover story, getting money, and even making sure I'm actually eating food.

Nix sits at the table while I eat, and his company, once again, keeps me calmed down. A tether to sanity. That's what he is.

"Well, I need to go." He pats my head.

"Nix!" I squeak, batting his hand away, but he just grins.

"See ya!" On that note, he walks out the door.

You know, I didn't even think to wonder how he's getting along at his job. I'll have to ask him when he get's back. For now, I'm thinking that going somewhere, maybe to get coffee so I wake up, is my best chance. I walk downstairs after a few minutes, grabbing a few, crinkled one-dollar bills first. Can't forget money.

I end up just going to a cafe across the street. It's a nice, cute place, and I pick an outside table, to get fresh air. After some time, I get my cup of coffee, and take a sip. Good. Now I'm awake.

That's when I notice someone at sitting a table to my right. I set the cup down, confused. I've seen him somewhere. I just know it. He's pretty tall, with messy black hair. He's wearing a dark gray t-shirt, and jeans. His shoes are black. I try to catch sight of his eyes, but he's wearing sunglasses, so I can't. Deciding that I don't want to get caught staring, I glance down at my coffee, nervous.

How do I know him? From school? No, I would know that. A cop? I don't know any cops. That would make no sense. Although, I do need to keep an eye out for them. A cop could potentially drag me back to my home. After all, there's no doubt that my mom and friends will have reported me missing. On that note, I finish my coffee, carefully noting the fact that he keeps looking my way. Coincidence? I think not. I leave the money, and hurry back across the street.

As I enter, I catch a glimpse of what's behind me in the glass. The man. He's followed me to this place. Again, a coincidence? No way. He's tracking me. I'm getting a feeling that I know him, he keeps watching me at the cafe, and then follows me to this hotel? He's got to be tracking me. I need Nix to come back, and soon.

Something hits me as I pass the hotel owner at the desk on the way up. What if this dude tracking me is Fae? Butterflies show up in my stomach. How many Fae do I know that have black hair like that? Only two, and only one is able to be tracking me...I push myself against the wall in the hallway, listening to the man and waiting for him to speak.

"I'd like a room."

That's all I need to hear. It's him. It's Teague. No wonder he covered his eyes. Seeing those would've sealed the deal, and given away who he was. But surely he knows I'll hear him? Unless that's what he wants...

I don't bother to keep listening. I run up the stairs instead, to my room, and lock the door. I also push a table over it, so it won't be opened. I'm shaking. He found me. He found me that fast. Fear continues to bubble up in me as I call Nix.

"Nix! Nix, you need to come pick me up. Now! He's here! He's here, and he has a room!"

"Slow down! Who? Who's here?"

"Him! Teague!" I'm panicking even more.

"I'm on my way." The reaction is immidiate for him, as I shut the phone off, only to catch sight of the texts.

Are you alright? Why aren't you home? (Mom)

Gimp! What's going on? (Ever)

Is something wrong, Mina? I'm sorry for pushing you, I just am worried sick about you. Please tell me what's going on. (Brody)

This isn't cool. What's up? (Ever)

Mina, you get your butt home right now! (Nan)

Sweetie, what on earth is going on? We're worried sick about you! (Mom)

WILLHELMINA GRIME GRIMM! You'd better explain this right now! (Nan)

Gimp, I can't be your Fae godmother if I don't know where you are. SO TELL ME WHERE ON THE PLANE YOU ARE! I am worried, and when I'm worried, that's not good. So hurry up and answer my texts! (Ever)

Mina, we're worried sick about you. Is something going on? Are you in a tale again? Or are you just ignoring me? (Brody)

I tap Ever's text, and the bar, about to type a response. Maybe I should say I'm okay. Just so they know...

That's when the hand grabs me from behind me, covering my mouth. I scream instinctively, but the hand quiets it. Effortlessly, he lifts me into the air, and the phone slips from my hand, hitting the ground and sliding under the couch.

Ever's POV

I pace in Mina's living room, staring at the screen. My wings flap fast from anxiety, and papers in the room rustle around. In the room with me are Mrs. Grime, Charlie, Nix, Brody, and Nan.

I stop short, and my wings stop beating as well as I stare at the screen. A small "..." appears, and I look up.

"Hang on, I might have something!" I say, trying to keep my voice level. I probably already seem worried as it is - which isn't cool - and over a Gimp no less!

Mrs. Grime looks up from where she sits holding Charlie, her eyes puffy. Brody doesn't look up, his face in his hands, but his shoulders tense. Nix stops his own pacing, and Nan looks over at me, her eyes slightly puffy as well.

I glance back at the screen. The "..." is there...and then it isn't.

"Gimp!" I hiss the words, thrusting the phone onto the floor. It's honestly a miracle it doesn't break. "Stop being stubborn and stupid!"

"What happened?" Nan voices the words.

"She was going to respond. She was going to respond! And then she didn't!"

"But why?" Even if I get along with Nan, this is annoying.

"How am I supposed to know? She won't answer!"

"And what if that's not her choice?" Brody finally speaks up, his face still in his hands. He's been miserable and moping since we'd figured out Mina disappeared. "What if she wants to contact us?"

Oh no! Somebody is in her room with her...Teague? We'll just have to see.

~ Dagger