Hey guys!
Thank you for your continuing reviews! I really appreciate all of the comments and love. I hope that your answers will start to be answered as you continue reading the story. I hope to have more followers and favorites! Please share and conitue to review!
Love y'all!
-Heather
Chapter 8
The ride to the guest house was short and Riley took in the comfort of Lucas. She didn't know how she was going to get through everything. Her hand fidgeted with the locket around her neck and she knew it was important. Lucas squeezed her hand and she looked up at him and smiled. She truly would have been lost without him, Maya, and Farkle. When they got to the guesthouse, they filed out of the car and put their suitcases away in the bedroom. Maya and Riley shared the pink room that was on the second floor. The homecoming dresses were slightly wrinkled from being in the car, but it wasn't anything major.
"Well, we need to get ready for the game. I have to be there early for cheerleading. This is so frustrating," Maya said plopping down on the king size bed. The room was decorated in a n theme and had a large bay window that viewed the woods.
"Yeah, we're going to need to leave in a half hour and you're going to barely make it on time," Riley said plopping down besides her. "You think this is frustrating? How do you think I feel?" She couldn't help but laugh at Maya's frustration. The girl was going to be homecoming queen, but was worried about helping Riley find a long lost book.
"Do you think we'll find what we're looking for in Washington? I mean I've always wanted to go to DC, but this is beyond cool".
"I don't know. I really hope so, but I don't know what we're looking for. A watch maker? Does anyone wear a watch anymore or own clocks?" Riley asked and Maya looked at her confused.
"What do clocks and watches have to do with anything?" Maya asked sitting up and taking her gym bag in the bathroom. They had to get ready for the homecoming game that night. Riley got up and took out jeans and a sweatshirt from her suitcase.
"Well, the riddle talks about the person who turns the wheel. Do you think the reference to Infinity is a coincidence?" Riley asked as Maya bounded out of the bathroom in her cheerleader uniform. She set her makeup on the dresser and began to apply it. Riley wondered if the secret files she had found on her computer were ones that Elle were referencing.
"First of all, are you planning on wearing that? I know you have your man and what not, but you could try to look hot for him. Second, no I don't believe there are coincidences in this situation. Your grandmother probably knew something about Infinity," Maya said and Riley looked at her complexion in the mirror. She looked exhausted from the stress of the load she was carrying.
"You're right," Riley said picking up the foundation and Maya took it from her.
"Here let me. You've been through a lot lately," she said doing Maya's make up in silence. Riley could feel herself drifting off to sleep. Sleep hadn't been a friend to her lately and she knew she was running on empty.
"Hey, don't fall asleep on me". Maya laughed finishing Riley's makeup and braiding her hair. The girls were like sisters and nothing could separate them.
"I'm sorry. My mind just doesn't stop thinking about the book, my family, our people, and what my grandmother was trying to tell us. I guess we'll find out more next weekend," Riley said with a heavy sigh as Maya finished doing her hair.
"Hey, tonight let's just be sixteen. No more worrying about a book or our people. You can't dwell on it all the time," Maya said giving her a hug before getting her purse. Riley followed her out the door and watched Maya transform into the peppy cheerleader that was queen bee of Murphey High School.
As they came down the stairs, Farkle and Lucas were waiting to take them to the game. Farkle gaped at Maya with his mouth open and she rolled her eyes at him. He could gape all he wanted to, but Maya had bigger fish to date. Riley knew that Maya didn't really like any the guys she dated. She couldn't help but wonder if one day she would give Farkle a chance. He wasn't ugly by any standard, but he wasn't popular. Riley shook her head as she said bye to her parents and walked out with Lucas to the car.
The car ride to the high school was filled with loud music and lots of energy. Maya was being her normal teenage self and she forced Riley to join in with her. Lucas was grateful that his sister looked out for Riley. Too often, Riley looked out for everyone else but herself. They arrived at the high school stadium earlier enough for the tailgaters to be out, but late enough for the marching band to be going into the stadium.
"Man, coach is going to kill me!" Maya said sitting at the edge of her seat waiting for Lucas to park. They laughed at her anxiety and told her to break a leg.
"This isn't theater. I definitely do not need to break a leg". Maya ran off to be with her cheer team and the rest went to the concessions before going to the bleachers. Riley thought comfort was an order for her tonight. Farkle stayed with Riley and Lucas and Riley was grateful. She didn't need to have any glowing PDA that would draw attention from others. They sat in the bleachers listening to the pregame show. There was a lot of excitement, because it was homecoming and they were playing their revival team.
"Do you miss it?" Riley asked eating her nachos and getting it on her chin.
"Here," Farkle said handing her a napkin before Lucas could wipe it off. He sent him a glare and Farkle shrugged. Riley let the tension of the boys go unnoticed, because she knew Farkle was protecting them.
"Yeah, sometimes. I mean I am on the Ole' Miss football team," Lucas said with a wink as the cheerleaders were about to do a routine. Riley couldn't help, but smile at her friend who was the best cheerleader on the team. Riley didn't know how she could stand the girls or the outfits, but she was good at it. If only Maya would channel some of that energy into her school work.
"She's great," Farkle said and Riley laughed at him. He couldn't help but roll his eyes. He really would be perfect for Maya, because she was sassy and intriguing. At the same time, Farkle was smart and chose to ignore the social hierarchy of high school. His sandy blonde hair looked like it was woven out of silk and his eyes were a light shade of blue.
"I won't overanalyze that statement at all," Riley said as the cheerleaders went off the field and the marching band played the fight song. The crowd stood to its feet as the football team came onto the field. Lucas light up with excitement and Riley couldn't help but mirror those emotions. Farkle didn't seem to care either way, but was enjoying himself.
"Me and the entire male population think she's gorgeous," he said and Riley gave him a smirk. She knew her best friend better than anyone and knew that one day Maya would be over the popularity. Right now, she felt that she needed to live in the moment. She didn't want to end up like the high school students in Alabama did. Riley didn't want to end up like them either, but she felt that it was happening in a different way.
"Well, you'll just have to step up your game". Riley settled into the bleacher next to Lucas as the game started. It was a chilly evening and the air was crisp. She enjoyed fall and all the festivities it brought. The game continued with much gusto from the crowd and the marching band. The football team was leading the way 32 to 16 by halftime. The 12-minute half time consisted of the homecoming winners and Riley was nervous for her friend.
Riley waved down at Maya who beamed up at her with excitement and nervousness. They watched as the homecoming court was announced and everyone looked great. Riley saw the quarterback of the football team stand next to his new girlfriend, Sheressa with her green hair stylishly pinned up, and two other girls styling brightly colored updos. Riley couldn't help but laugh at the fact her and Maya's plan backfired on them. Maya stood next to another well-known jock. It was interesting pairing, because Maya was almost taller than her partner. She really hoped that her friend won after all of the hard work she put into it.
"This year we had a lovely group of students represented on our homecoming court…" the principal started to announce the winners and everyone waited on the edge of theirs. This year's race was going to be close and everyone knew it. It would establish the social rules for the rest of the year. No one liked to have a bossy, snobby queen that gave orders. So, if Maya didn't get the crown it would be hell for everyone. Her arch rival was the devil reincarnated and a third generation nominee.
"It's my pleasure to announce our very first Peregrinus homecoming queen Maya and her king Ryan Conley," the principal said and Riley let out the breath she had been holding with a squeal of excitement. Farkle was equally excited and couldn't help but squeeze Riley tight. She looked up at Lucas who was a proud older brother and mirrored his enthusiasm and happiness.
Maya couldn't believe that she had actually won the crown. She had been so focused on helping Riley that she hadn't done a lot of campaigning. Although, she knew that the way to win the people was to know the people. Even though Murphey High School had its social boundaries, she was liked everyone and tried to hang out with all of the groups. Lately, she had been focused on her best friend's needs and was glad she did because she may have been too focused on winning in the past. Sheressa gave her an evil glare and Maya couldn't help but smile. It was her moment and she wasn't going to let anyone ruin it.
"I knew we would win. We're the power couple," Ryan said leaning into Maya and she leaned back.
"It's been over Ryan. Have fun with Samantha," she said to him as they got into the horse drawn carriage that rode them out of the stadium for pictures.
"I'm king. We have to be together," he said desperately to her and she gave him smirk.
"Everyone knows the queen trumps the king any day and I have more power than you. Just enjoy getting to be by my side as a second hand," she said and rose to get out of the carriage. Riley, Lucas, and Farkle met her with excitement and she left Ryan there to be with Sheressa.
"Congrats! I so knew you were going to be crowned queen," Riley said giving her friend a tight hug.
"You're not going to take Ryan back?" Farkle asked looking over at Ryan and Samantha who were having a heated argument.
"Lord, no. That guy has too much ego for one person," she said shaking her head and letting out a laugh. Riley poked Lucas in the side and they shared a smile. The marching band began to play and it signaled the start of the third quarter.
"Well, kick some butt out there!" Riley said to her friend as she bounded off to her cheerleader squad that embraced her with excitement. It was cliché and Riley knew it, but it was one of those Friday nights she would always remember. She knew that there wouldn't always be moments when they got to be normal teenage. Lucas threw his arms around her shoulders and Farkle gave them a scolding look.
"Why do I feel like he's the older brother?" Lucas asked rolling his eyes and Riley laughed leaning into him.
"Oh, he's just over protective. Doesn't want us to be glows sticks," Riley said not looking over at Farkle who was standing right next to him.
"Hello, right here. FYI you're not glowing, but your eyes have changed". Farkle walked past them and into the bleachers. They looked at one another with astonishment and realized he was right. They shrugged their shoulders and followed him up into the bleachers not caring. Riley knew that no one would be paying attention to them anyways.
The rest of the game went by fast and Murphey High School won the game. It was a night filled with excitement and joy. There was an after party that was thrown indirectly for Maya and they all went. The house party was filled with sweaty teenagers with raging hormones. Drugs and alcohol were just two of the many things their classmates would participate in. No doubt some sad girl would find out she was pregnant six weeks later. Farkle had meandered off to dance with Maya as Lucas and Riley enjoyed the night sky away from the crowd. They sat on the edge of the grassy hill stargazing.
"It's good to be with you like this doing normal stuff," Lucas said with his arms wrapped around Riley. They were probably glowing, but everyone was either too drunk or distracted to care. This had been one of the only times they had gotten to be alone.
"I know. I've missed you," she answered leaning against his chest and looking up the sky. For the first time since she had learned about her family, she felt peaceful and relaxed. She could feel the stress release from her body as she observed the comfort Lucas gave her.
"Me you too vauva hain," he hummed in her ear and she closed her eyes. She could feel herself drifting off to sleep as he stroked her hair. The braid had come out long ago and her hair cascaded in waves down her back.
"I'm going to fall asleep," she said stifling a yawn and Lucas chuckled too content to move.
"That's fine with me, but we should probably get going. Round up my sister and Farkle. Wow, that is a weird pairing".
"You think so? I don't. He's athletic, rich, handsome, and smart. Plus, he's not an egotistical lion," Riley said as Lucas shifted to get up from where they were sitting. He took her hand in his and brought her to him.
"I'm not an egotistical lion," Lucas said his deep voice resonating through her. She couldn't help the smile that plastered her face.
"You're my egotistical lion," she said with correction and he smiled down at her.
"Ew, why must I be subject to such torture?" Maya said with a wail coming down the walkway to where there were with Farkle hanging by her arm. They were quite the sight and Riley knew that they had drank too much.
"Are you drunk?" Lucas asked the obvious question and Maya gave him childish smile.
"No, are you snubbing my best friend? I think there's some sort of rule against that, but I can't remember. Farkley pooh do you remember? Did you know he's like a genius and is great at beer pong? I think he's my soul mate. Do we glow?" Maya said rambling off a bunch of nonsense as Farkle stood there gaping at her with a dumb look. She pulled him in for a sloppy kiss and Riley didn't know what to do.
"Okay, you two. You've had enough fun for one night. We'll have to sneak you into the house somehow or our parents will flip out," Lucas said walking up to Maya and Farkle with annoyance. Riley couldn't contain the giggle that rose up in her throat and Lucas gave her a questioning look.
"Ah, yeah y'all glow like those lightning bugs it's pure magic," Riley said and helped Maya walk towards the car.
"No, we don't," Farkle said with a slur as Lucas helped him to the car. "However, we could make magic".
"Yeah, magic baby magic," Maya said and Lucas gave Riley an annoyed look.
"Thanks for the help vauva hain. Now they're going to start singing some oldies song about magic," he said and no sooner than he said that the two burst into song. Riley couldn't contain the laughter and bent over crying. Lucas got them into the car and shut the door. He wasn't as amused as Riley was, but finally joined her.
"Oh, I told you they were perfect," Riley said standing up straight and wiping the tears from hers.
"I think you're perfect," he said and Riley hugged him before getting into the car. The way home was filled with singing of two drunken teenagers. Luckily, Farkle and Maya had fallen asleep before they got to the house. They were able to wake Farkle enough to get him inside, but Lucas carried Maya to Riley's room.
"I'll see you in the morning. You better keep a bottle of water and meds for Maya. She's going to have a killer headache tomorrow," Lucas said as Riley stood in her doorframe.
"Thank you for coming. I guess you'll need to be my date for tomorrow's dance then. Since Farkle will be escorting your sister," Riley said with a small smile.
"Are you asking me to the homecoming dance?" Lucas asked putting a hand over his heart and faking shock.
"No, I'm telling you," Riley said with a laugh and pretended to swoon as he went to his room. Riley couldn't help but chuckle to herself as she looked down at Maya's sleeping form. She helped adjust Maya so she would be comfortable in the bed. Then for the first time in days Riley slept through the night without nightmares.
The next morning was as Lucas predicted. The two hung over teenagers were bears to be around. They demanded the shades to be shut and to be left alone and to be waited upon. At noon, Riley was tired of playing mom to her best friend. They need to do things before the dance that night.
"Get up! I don't care if you need to eat crappy fast food, you are getting out of this bed," Riley said pulling back the shades and Maya winced at the brightness. She had taken four pain relievers and drank two bottles of water. Riley knew that Peregrinus had a higher tolerance level than humans. So, Maya had to have drank a lot in order to have gotten as hammered as she did.
"Uh, why are you so happy? Didn't you drink at all?" She asked burying her head in the pillow and Riley took it out from under her head. "Hey!"
"No, I played sober sister. Get up," Riley said and Maya looked like she would kill her. Riley made Maya a bath before going down to check on Farkle.
"Thanks," she grumbled walking into the bathroom and shutting the door. Riley sighed as she went down to the boy's room and knocked on the door. She was surprised Farkle opened the door with bright eyes and a contagious smile.
"Oh, Maya didn't take whatever Lucas gave you. She's a bear," Riley said with a warning and his smile didn't falter. Lucas walked around him with a smirk.
"This boy faked it all night," Lucas said and Riley gasped in surprise. She hit him in the stomach and bent over a little.
"How dare you take advantage of her?"
"I didn't take advantage of her. I just didn't get smashed like she did," Farkle said rubbing his stomach and giving Riley a glare. Lucas laughed and patted him on the back. Riley let her initial anger diffuse as they headed downstairs to wait for Maya. Their parents had already left and left them a note on the table.
Gone grocery shopping and to check on the house. We plan to be out all day, so have fun at the dance and don't stay out as late as last night!
-Your parents
"That's unusual," Riley said reading the note out loud and sitting at the kitchen bar. Lucas took the note from her and looked it over. Her parents usually were the type to stay home until she woke up and then they would leave. Considering it was noon, she couldn't blame them for leaving but it still struck her as odd.
"You're right this doesn't seem right. Have you talked to Josh?" Lucas asked and Riley shook her head no. There hadn't been much time to talk to anyone since the events that happened on Friday. She had left her phone in her room and she went to retrieve it. When she got inside she was happy to see Maya ready to leave and in a better mood.
"Feel better?" Riley asked and Maya gave her a smile.
"Of course! Are we ready for a day of pampering?" She asked linking her arm with Riley's while grabbing their purses. Riley wondered what had her in such a good mood and tried not to over analyze it.
They went downstairs to get the boys and Maya saw the exchange between her two friends. There was definitely something there that wasn't there before. It made Riley happy for her best friends. She took her phone and dialed Josh's number, but it went straight to voicemail. This worried her and she closed her eyes to think about him. She tried telepathically communicating him, but it was like he wasn't home.
"Guys, I can't a hold of Josh". Riley was starting to panic and she could feel Lucas's soothing emotions trying to calm her. It didn't take away the feeling of something was wrong. Lucas came to her feeling her distress and put an arm around her.
"I'm sure he's fine. You said that he has a harder time reading you since our bond showed up," Lucas said trying to give her a logical explanation.
"I'll call my parents," Riley said dialing her parent's phone number but it went straight to voicemail too. "There's something wrong I can feel it. We need to go my house". Riley grabbed her purse and walked out of the house while the others followed after her.
"Riley there's nothing wrong. I'll call my parents," Maya said sensing her friend's anxiety. At this point they knew they needed to expect the unexpected. Maya's parents didn't answer their phones either and she looked at Riley in silence.
"Let's go to the house," Farkle said as Lucas unlocked the car and the four of them got inside. It was a short drive to the main house from the guest house, but they rode in icy silence afraid of what could be. When they arrived they weren't surprised to see the house just as they had left it. They had ridden in Riley's smart car, but hadn't turned on Eze.
"Sometime is wrong!" Riley said again getting out of the car and running into the house. There was a strong odor that struck her and she took a step back. Blood soaked the main entrance of the house and Riley's heart beat wildly in her chest. Lucas came up behind and stopped next to her. Maya and Farkle came up behind them unable to form a sentence. Riley began shaking and vines started growing on the walls of the house.
"It's not their blood," Lucas said for more of his sake than Riley's. They stepped around the pool of blood and entered the house. There were bloody footprints throughout the kitchen and the refrigerator was opened, but instead of food there was entrance. The four looked at each questioningly before entering.
"Do you think we should check the rest of the house?" Maya asked and Riley thought abount before answering.
Riley began to panic and couldn't her body from shaking. "We should call the police," she said as Lucas led the way through the rest of the house. The blood trailed didn't go beyond the dining room and everything else looked like it had Friday morning. That gave Riley hope that they hadn't killed her parents, but they did see a lot of blood.
"We need to go through that entrance," Farkle said as they were heading back towards the kitchen. No one had answered Riley about calling the police and she felt like a storm was raging inside of her. Lucas took hold of her arms and looked into her eyes.
"We can't call the police, because they could be Hunters. If Farkle's parents are Hunters and they're in our government then who knows who all is involved," Lucas said and Farkle agreed with him stating that he knew a handful of police and FBI agents that were Hunters.
They stood at the entrance discussing what they should do and Maya started to pout.
"What about the dance?" She asked and the group looked at her. Then she slapped hand to her mouth not believing that she had spoken them. Their parents could be dead and the only thing she could say was what about the dance. The shock had made her dizzy and the windows opened from her powers.
"What about our parents?" Riley asked and hoped that Maya would be responsible.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to say it! I'm just in shock Lil and I don't know what to think or do. I don't want to drop my whole life for this mission! It's not even my life," Maya said and Riley looked at her in horror.
"Do you hear yourself? Stop acting like a spoiled baby. None of us want this," Lucas said taking her by the arm and she pulled away from him.
"No, Lucas. I don't want to waste away the best years of my life, because of some unresolved issues with our people". Riley couldn't believe what she was hearing and didn't know where it was coming from.
"It's not between the humans and the Peregrinus. It's the history of our people," Riley said calmly trying not to think about the fact that their parents were missing and she was unfazed by the fact. Maya looked at her briefly her eyes showing a fleeting understanding.
"Plus, our parents are missing. When don't you love an adventure?" Lucas said looking at Farkle for help, but he stood there speechless like Switzerland.
"I can't miss that dance. That would be giving up the throne I have worked so hard to obtain," Maya said tears threatening to come to her eyes. Lucas threw his hands in the air and walked into the entrance.
"I give up!" He said and Riley followed after him. Flood lights gave them some light to show where they were going. After long moments of walking, they began to incline and the lights became brighter. They came to another open doorway that was covered in blood and Riley's heart raced.
"Guys, wait up!" Maya yelled running up to the group with Farkle at her heels. Riley couldn't help but smirk at the two. She wondered how Farkle talked her into coming.
"Good to know you're not such a selfish brat," Lucas said and Maya punched him in the arm.
"We have to back in time for the dance," she said with a command and we just nodded in agreement. Riley didn't know if that would be possible, but she understood where her friend was coming from.
They entered the doorway and found a series of doors. There were blood prints on one of the doors that were ajar and they entered it. Inside was an observation deck that showed a laboratory, gym, and garage below. The group looked at each other in awe, before heading down to the lower level.
"This is insane," Farkle said looking around the room unable to take it all in. There was a car missing from a space and Riley knew that her parents had taken it. She had no idea where they had probably flown off to, but she knew they had to find them.
"Do you think they're coming back?" Maya asked and they were surprised to hear Josh answer.
"Not likely," he said coming down the stairs and standing next to them.
"Why didn't you answer my calls? Where are our parents? What's going on?" Riley asked all at once and he wiped his brow that was creased from stress.
"The hunters were here when you're parents came to check on the house. You can see it on the surveillance footage here. There's a safe house that no one knows where it's located unless you've been there. A few of the cars were programmed to take you there if an emergency arose. I think that's where they've gone," Josh answered and they looked at him even more confused.
"Why didn't they take us?" Maya asked and Josh gave her a duh look.
"How would they have survived to get you? I have a really good hunch that the safe house is where the book is hidden and we can find it then we'll find them". Riley thought about what Josh said and that there were some key points he was ignoring.
"You're not telling us everything," she said and he looked at her with empathy.
"When I came home from work yesterday they told me everything that had happened. I knew about this place, because they showed it to me. I didn't know about it until yesterday. How they were able to shield thinking about it is a mystery to me. Anyways, they gave me very vague answers. I was instructed to help you find the book and that would lead you to them".
"If they knew where it was at then what's the secret?" Farkle asked and the group nodded in agreement.
"It can't be opened by just anyone. They have to have the correct DNA and Riley is the only one that has it," Josh answered and there were more confused looks.
"So, ok. I'm going to play along with all of this even though I don't understand, but how are we going to get out of school? We can't just quit school and go on this quest," Riley said and the group agreed with her.
"I know. Tonight after the dance we'll take one of the cars and fly to DC. I don't know who or where the person is located. You have the knowledge Riley". Riley felt the weight of their situation upon her again and Lucas instantly came by her side.
"We don't have a lot of time to waste. The hunters know about this place," Josh said going to one of the desks filled with computer screens. He initiated a program to shut down the house.
"What did you do?" Lucas asked and Josh told him he had shut down the house. He said it wouldn't accessible from the outside and they would have to take one of the cars to the guesthouse.
"Doesn't my car fly?" Riley asked knowing that she was going to need Eze. There was a lot of information stored in the car's hard drive.
"Eze? Yes, I believe he does but it's a small car. Do you really need it?" Josh asked and Riley nodded. That car was her lifeline to the past and she needed it like breath.
"Okay. Well, let's go to the ground and get your car. Then you can go to that dance that Maya won't shut up about," Josh said and Maya looked at him in horror. She had forgotten how useful his mind reading power could be.
"To the race against time," Farkle said pumping his fist in the air and they all laughed. They knew that they didn't have a lot of time to spare, because they had to find their parents and who knew was a Hunter. Until they knew their next move they couldn't hide.
