CHAPTER SEVEN
She woke and stared out the window. The sky was blue and bright, but the scattered clouds were gray. She knew it was cold again. She remembered coming back to her room, after she got too cold to stay out any longer. She nearly froze herself, before resigning herself to retreat to her warm room. Then, when she crawled in bed, it took forever for her to warm up.
A knock at the door made her jump. She heard the voice call out 'concierge'. She got up, pulled on a silky robe and opened the door. The kind man stood before her, holding out a piece of paper. Sara took it and opened it. There was a message on the paper that made Sara's heart thump fast.
Message for Sara Casteel/Descouedres: A Poppy North and Thea Harman are looking for her.
Sara looked up at the guy before her. She had checked in under Sara Casteel, but surely Thea and Poppy would have asked for a Sara Descouedres. The man simply smiled and nodded, turning and walking away. Sara smiled.
When Thea and Poppy had come asking for her, the concierge covered and denied knowing her. She was afraid they might have found out she was here and told..him. Just then her phone rang. She looked at the screen, but didn't really pay attention to the number. She wasn't thinking and answered the phone.
"Hello?" she answered.
There was a brief silence, then she heard the sharp intake of breath.
"He-hello?" she said again, quietly.
"Sara?" the familar deep voice replied.
Sara gasped and froze, No! No, no! Dammit, why did I answer?
She couldn't speak. She couldn't even move. She felt frozen.
She heard some background voices, then he spoke again.
"Sara? Please, answer me. Is that you?" Thierry asked.
She shook her head, as if he could see her. Her mouth hung open in shock, but no noise came out.
"Sara, look, I have to talk to you, please. Where are you?" he asked, his tone seemed begging.
Sara breathed deep, "I..I.." she felt her heart tighten, she wanted to tell him, but she was worried still, "I'm..gone..I'm sorry..I..I can't.." she stuttered out.
"Sara, wait! Don't hang up! Just tell me where you are! Okay? Where are you?" he asked, his voice raising, at the thought of her ending the call, "Sara? Sara?"
She closed her eyes. She dreamed of him last night. She dreamed of him and her together, and she wanted so badly for that dream to be real. But, it wasn't. She cursed herself, but hearing his voice was like sweet serenity. It was torture, but exquisite. He sounded normal, like before that night. When he loved her. She hated that she was weak, but she needed to hear his voice.
"Sara? Are you still there? Look, Sara, I have to talk to you! There's something you need to know. Please, just tell me where you are! Are you safe?" he was saying.
She sighed, "I'm alive. I'm safe. You don't have to make yourself feel guilty. I..I release you from your obligations." she said, though it broke her heart.
"No! Sara? Sara? Wait, please! I love-"
She ended the call. She didn't even let him finish what he was saying. She felt her heart thumping hard and fast. She quickly turned of the phone. That way if he called back, it would go straight to voicemail. She stared at the phone a moment, feeling her chest heave as the sobs built up quickly. Finally, her throat ached to much to hold back any longer. She fell to the bed and cried hard, clutching the comforter in her hands, messing up the made bed.
Thierry stared at the phone, then quickly dialed again. It went to her voicemail.
"Dammit! She turned it off." he said to James.
He didn't know what made him think of calling her. Her phone was at his house, in their room, but something told him to call her. When she answered, he was relieved. She had probably bought a new phone, since she thought he hated her.
Now, as he and Poppy kept trying to get her back on the line, he felt himself hating and cursing himself for what had happened. Even though it wasn't his fault. They were both victims of a cruel plot, set up by the Council to bring Thierry and his group down. It was part of a plan to destroy the most powerful couple in Night World. To make them weak. Though Thierry didn't know how they found out about him and his group.
But, this was the information that Blaise and Thea had gotten out of Salome. Then, when Blaise and Thea were leaving, Salome tried to attack them, leading to Blaise ending Salome's life, out of defense.
They continued their search all day, but they didn't quit. They scoured the city visiting Sara's favorite places, and any hotels that they thought she might be. It was well into the late evening, by now. Thierry continued dialing Sara's phone, not giving up. Though to no avail.
The group searched long into the night, not giving in. Finally, Thierry allowed them to return home. Wearily, the group entered the masion and paired off, each couple heading to their rooms. Thierry watched after them, feeling his heart shatter. He went to his office and stood in the doorway of Sara's darkroom. He was quiet a moment, a dark silhouette in the moonlight. He leaned his head back and looked up, seeming as if he was looking at the sky.
Please, he thought silently, praying, please, give her back to me.
Nothing, but silence, answered him. He sighed and backed up, towards his couch and collapsed onto it. It was a struggle but, Thierry let himself fall into a restless sleep.
The Daybreakers got a late start. They clambered into the dining hall for a late lunch. James frowned, wondering where Thierry was. He asked Poppy to help him look, and they searched his room, with no sign. They decided to check his office, which is where they found him. He had woken, but was just sitting on the couch, staring at his hands. james noticed he was absently twirling his wedding band, around his finger.
"What's up?" James asked.
Thierry shook his head. "You know..." he began, sighing, "even if we find her, would she even want to come home?"
James and Poppy looked at each other. They were unsure, too. Even if Thierry had been the victim of a spell, they knew Sara was broken-hearted, and probably scared of him.
"Well, we won't know, unless we try." Poppy offered, sincerely. "And, we won't give up. We'll find her, and hopefully, talk to her."
Thierry sighed, again and stood. "I'll go shower and change. Then, we'll go."
James and Poppy nodded, and headed out to inform the others. The rest of the group was ready and set, when Theirry came back down the stairs. They separated into groups again, and searched the city. Theirry kept trying to call Sara's phone again, hoping maybe he'd get ahold of her again. But, no luck. She still had it off. A few hours later, they were still searching and trying to call. It was late afternoon, and it seemed hopeless.
Suddenly, Thierry felt a wave of sorrow wash over him. So powerful, he almost started crying. Poppy heard Thierry inhale sharply and turned to him.
"What? Are you okay?" she asked.
"No...yeah... I think..I think I'm feeling her..right now." he gasped out, feeling the emotion sweep over him, "God, she's crying. She's hurting. I need to get to her." he said.
"But, how? Where?" James asked, from the driver's seat.
Thierry closed his eyes, and let the feeling overwhelm him. He reached out with his mind, knowing she had dropped her shield. He felt her! But, they were going the wrong way.
"Turn around!" he cried out, "Go back towards the strip."
James nodded and drove as fast, as he could.
I'm coming Sara, he thought, please, love, don't do anything crazy.
Sara hadn't changed out of her nightgown, the silky white one, she bought from the boutique the previous day. She'd spent three nights and nearly four days, away from the man she loved and now, her psyche finally broke. She couldn't take anymore. She had fallen asleep, after her crying spell, caused by the phone call with Thierry. And, when she slept, she dreamed of him. She dreamed of their wedding and honeymoon, their sweet moments together.
She woke from the dream in sorrow, and sat up in the bed. Everything seemed to be out to get her. Sights, sounds, smells, feelings..it was all out to tempt her. She felt all reason and logic leave her mind. She no longer felt..sane. She slipped her feet into the ballet flats, and wrapped the robe around her. She grabbed the card key and slid it into the small pocket of her silky robe. She opened the door of her room, checked the hall and saw it was empty.
She shut the door behind her, and walked to the door that led to the service stairs. She pushed it open and ascended them once again. She reached the door and went out onto the rooftop again.
She was like one in a trance. She walked slowly, sliding her cover down her shoulders, letting it fall behind her. It landed on the graveled roof and she kept walking.
She was so full of sorrow and pain, that she no longer thought reasonably, or logically. She approached the small one foot rise, that separated the edge of the roof and the nothing in front of it.
She closed her eyes and stood there, unmoving.
The Tahoe pulled in the parking lot of the hotel. Thierry jumped out, just as the other cars pulled in right after. He had called them and told them where to meet him, as soon as he relized where Sara was. Everyone jumped out of the vehicles, the parking lot filled with the Daybreakers.
"But, Thierry, we checked here. They said, they didn't know her.." Poppy was saying.
"Yeah, we even showed them a picture, and they didn't recognize her." Thea added.
Thierry shook his head. He felt her. This is were she was, he knew it.
"She's here." he answered.
James, Poppy, Ash, Mare, Lowell, Lupe, Gillian and David followed Thierry into the hotel, and as he rushed past the employees, and customers.
Everyone else stayed in the parking lot. Morgead, Quinn and Delos used their telepathic powers to knock out everyone that was in the lobby, giving Thierry and his group way to enter without question. They followed Thierry as he took the stairs, past the first floor, then the second, then the third and stoppping at the roof entrance. He hesitated.
"Brace yourselves, just in case." he said to the group behind him.
He pushed the door open, then gasped at the sight before him.
Sara had her head up, her gown and hair flowing in the wind, and one foot on the wall. Then, she heard the door swing open behind her. She stiffened and closed her eyes. Then, a voice called out, quickly.
"Sara, don't!" Thierry yelled.
Her eyes snapped open at the familiar tone. She breathed deep, feeling her body shake.
"Sara..?" she heard another voice call out.
Lowell.
She slowly turned and faced the crowd of concerned and worried faces behind her. She scanned her..friends(?) faces and then settled her eyes on Thierry. She was afraid at first, because the last time she saw it, it was full of hate.
Now, as she let her eyes roam over his perfect, handsome features, he had a look of..worry, concern..and..love. She frowned.
But, he doesn't love me, she thought.
Thierry shook his head, and took a step forwards.
"No, Sara. You're wrong. I do love you, I do. What happened the other night..it wasn't me. I mean, someone..a witch gave you a bottle of cursed..a potion. I was bewitched, Sara. What happened that night wasn't me. It was the spell, love. Please." he said, trying to explain it all and reach her.
He was scared for her. He knew she had snapped. She wasn't thinking clearly, she was full of pain and hurt. Sara just stared at him. The man she loved, the man she could no longer live without.
Did he just call me 'love'? He just said he loves me? she thought, in sad wonder.
Thierry nodded, hearing her thoughts, "Yes, Sara. You are my love. And, I do. I love you, with all my heart." he said, pleading.
Sara felt her body relax a fraction, and her breath caught in her throat. She wanted to run into his arms, her safety net. She wanted to feel his warm body against her's, and sink into his embrace.
Thierry spread his arms out, to his sides, "Okay. Then, do it. Come into me, Sara. Come with me. Let me take you home." he replied to her thoughts again.
Sara felt a tug in her heart, as if he was reaching out for her telepathically also. She hadn't moved her foot from the small rise yet, so when she saw a movement she backed up, quickly.
Lowell came forwards to try and just grab her, but he stopped when she stepped on the rise with both feet. She was on the edge of the building, now. Thierry's eyes widened with shock and horror. He didn't move his sights from her, but called to the group behind him.
"Stay back! Don't move!" he yelled.
They were all frozen, watching Sara's body teeter on the edge of the rooftop. Poppy, Thea, Mare and Gillian were scared. Lupe was tugging Lowell back, warning him off moving again.
"There," Thierry started, in a gentle voice, "They won't hurt you. I won't hurt you. No one will ever hurt you again. I swear. On my life, I swear. Just please, come down from there. Please, love." he coaxed.
On the ground, the rest of the Daybreakers saw Sara on the end of the roof. The girls cried out on horror, and the guys cussed out loud.
"What the hell is going on up there?" Quinn asked aloud.
"What is she doing?" Nilsson questioned also.
"Oh, my God!" Phil mumbled.
"Where is Thierry? Isn't he up there?" Delos asked.
Back on the roof, Thierry was still coaxing Sara down from the ledge. It was a windy day and he was worried a good breeze would blow her, right off the building.
"Please, love. You don't want to do this. You know you don't. You want to come home, right? With me? I want you home. I'll protect you. I love you, Sara. I'll prove to you that, I love you. You are my soulmate. My heart isn't whole without you. I'll show you. Just please, come to me." he said, gently.
As he talked, he moved closer. He took a small step with every word. He still held his arms out, showing that he wanted her to come into him.
Sara then felt a soft wave wash over her. It was Thierry. He was sending his feelings to her, showing her he meant what he said. Sara let out a quick breath and a sob. She wasn't sure what really happened to him the other night, but the Thierry in front of her loved her, desperately.
Her body shook and her composure fell. Her face scrunched into a small cry and her lips trembled. Slowly, she lifted a hand, fingers outstretched, reaching out to Thierry. He sighed, with relief, and moved forwards slowly, so as not to raise her defense again. He moved slow, but quicker than he was before. He wanted her off the edge, as fast as he could get her. His hands were mere inches from her's, their fingers almost touching.
Suddenly, just as Thierry feared, a burst of wind picked up and gusted hard. The force caught Sara's nightgown, and pushed her body right over the edge.
"Sara! No!" Thierry yelled, rushing forwards.
The rooftop and the parking lot filled with screams and cries. The girls covered their eyes or hid their faces. The guys rushing forwards on the roof and the ground.
Sara was falling and closed her eyes, ready for the end. Thierry had just poised himself on the edge, ready to hurl himself over the building also.
But, Sara's body came to a sudden stop in mid-air, and dangled, as if held up by invisible arms. The force of the sudden halt jerked her head, and rendered her unconcious. The groups, above and below, gasped, and watched in awe and shock, as Sara's body was suspended in air. The ground group looked around and saw, that all the passers-by were frozen, unmoving. Everyone and everything was still.
"What's going on?" Rashel and Keller whispered, in unison.
On the roof, Thierry and his group also noticed.
"Someone froze time.." Thea and Blaise said, at the same time.
"Wha..?" Gillian said, but then she stopped talking.
Her eyes widened and reached to pull on Thierry's shirt, pointing. Thierry focused his attention back on Sara's body, and saw she was floating back upwards. Something began glowing, brightly around her.
A silhouette started forming from the bright golden light. The form ascended, still holding Sara in it's arms. It reached the rooftop and floated towards the group, making them back up to the middle of the roof.
David suddenly grabbed Gillian's arm and gasped.
"Gillian, am I seeing things..or..is that..?" David stammered out.
Gillian gasped too and stared.
"Yeah, it's..it's..Angel-I mean, Gary!" she whispered.
His form had solidified, though he was still shining brightly.
His eyes landed on Gillian and he smiled.
"Hey, there, Dragonfly." he said, jokingly.
Gillian smiled, "Hey, Ang-Gary."
He held his smile, "No, it is Angel now." he answered, nodding to the girl in his arms.
"You mean..you..you're Sara's guardian angel?" Gill asked, incredulous.
"Yep. I got my wings." Angel answered proudly.
He turned to Thierry, and handed Sara over to him. Thierry gingerly took his love in his arms, relieved, at the electricity that came off their link, and shot into him. Thierry sighed and held her close. He looked up to face Angel.
"Thank you." he mumbled in awe.
"That's my job. Besides, it wasn't her time. That was an accident, it's my fault she fell. I'm sorry. But, it's the first time I got to use my wings. And, the landing is..a bit rough." he joked slightly.
Thierry nodded and looked back down at Sara's face. He didn't know how, but he was going to bring her back, from the pit of despair, that she sunk into.
Angel spoke again, "She'll be alright. She'll sleep it off. Then, when she wakes, tell her from the heart how you feel. And, tell her that her parents are proud of her, and who she is in the world. And, who she has in her life. Oh, and Calista says to remember: It's not what you've done in the past, that matters. It's what you do now, that counts." he said, with a smile.
Thierry nodded, still looking in awe. He'd heard that very advice before..from Sara.
Calista said..Sara's parents..Sara's mother..
Then, as they all watched, Angel started glowing brightly, his form dissipating into it and wavering.
"See ya, Dragonfly!" his voice echoed.
"Bye, Angel." Gillian called out softly.
The light got so bright, they had to shield their eyes. Then, a flash and it was gone. They all looked around and at each other. Thierry looked around the faces, then at the sleeping beauty in his arms. He kissed her cheek and hugged her close. He looked back up and nodded at the astounded group, around him.
"Let's go home." he said.
They all headed down the hotel, out the lobby and to the parking lot. The ground group rushed forwards and started asking questions. Thierry ordered everyone to wait for that, and get in the vehicles. They did as told, Thierry getting in with James and Poppy, holding Sara in his lap.
As they started the cars, the world came back alive, and people were walking and moving, like nothing happened. They were amazed, but Thierry knew it was Angel's doing. He leaned his head back, holding Sara close, as they headed home.