8 months pregnant

Chapter 14:

The next few weeks were perfect which had Carter wondering why he had such a terrible feeling waking up that day. He shuffled around looking for Zia and jolted up when he realized she wasn't next to him.

"Zia?" he called out and from the bed.

There was no reply. Panicked Carter quickly left their bedroom and searched around the small apartment. She wasn't in the kitchen, the living room, or the bathroom. Carter's heart was racing as he checked Sadie's room last. He cracked open the door and peaked inside – elated when he saw Zia's sleeping figure next to Sadie and Trudy.

He had forgotten Trudy had slept over last night and guessed Zia had decided to sleep in their room after he'd fallen asleep.

Carefully he closed the door as to not wake them up and smiled from relief. It was strange having gotten used to Zia sleeping next to him so fast - especially so much so that it panicked him when she wasn't there.

Carter decided to surprise the girls with breakfast and hastily prepared eggs, French toast, bacon and freshly squeezed orange juice. Trudy was the first person to come to the kitchen by the beckoning smell of the delicious food.

"Yay breakfast," she said groggily, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"Eat up, your daughter's going to need a lot of nourishment," Carter served her a plate of his food. She looked up at him appreciatively before digging in.

Trudy had become a good friend to all of them recently. She and Sadie bonded quickly because they shared the same quirky humor. Zia and Trudy bonded fast too, Carter suspected both of them liked having a pregnant friend to share what was happening to them together. And Carter thought Trudy was a nice kid. She was 15-years old surprisingly – he had guessed she was only 13 at first – and it was her youthful appearance and personality that had gotten her into trouble after her brother's friend convinced her that he was in love. Which resulted in her getting pregnant and him denying it all. Her family had been completely unsupportive and made her live with her grandparents.

"What did you guys do last night? Have pillow fights? Do makeup?" Carter asked trying to end the awkward silence.

"We're not 7 Carter," Trudy said laughing.

Carter decided to let her eat in silence. Zia was the next to come out from the bedroom and into the kitchen. She was wearing shorts and a large t-shirt that barely concealed her growing stomach.

"I'm ready to just give birth right now," Zia stated. She kissed Carter before sitting down at the small kitchen table.

Carter served her a plate and she started eating. Her pregnancy was making her glow during the last few months. He found it hard to not stare at her. Her pregnancy was also becoming easier on her, she didn't get nauseous anymore and the mood swings were completely gone but she was tired more easily and her feet gave her issues. Carter tried his best to comfort her any way he could.

Sadie was the last person to breakfast and Carter gave her a hug – which was odd by itself due to her lack of pulling away and hitting him for being so touchy-feely. Anubis still had not made contact with her. She spent most of her time sulking while watching TV. That's why he was thankful when Trudy was around, knowing he could do nothing to help his sister was torture.

After the four of them were done with breakfast they cleaned up and showered before walking around town. Carter thought a trip would benefit all of them, especially Sadie.

They ended up going to the movie theaters after Zia and Trudy insisted go-kart racing wasn't the best activity to do when pregnant. They ended up watching an animated film. Afterwards they ate lunch at a small sandwich shop.

Carter noticed Trudy acting odd throughout the day. She would look at her cell phone, grumble, look at it again and then put it away.

"Is everything alright Trudy? You keep looking at your phone," Carter asked her.

Trudy looked at him surprised, "Yeah, sorry. I'm just a bit flustered. But I do have to go, my friend – I mean my grandma wants me to come home now." She left $7 on the table for her portion of the food and left without saying goodbye.

"I hope she's okay," Zia said after Trudy was gone. Carter shrugged and they ate their food.

Afterwards they walked back home. Right as they approached the apartment Carter heard a loud scream. He looked up at the roof of the apartment complex horrified. Trudy was suspended in the air dangling from the top story of the building. Tears were streaming down her scared face and she clutched her belly worriedly. It would be instant death if she were to fall. Next to her of all people was Ms. Kobes – their birthing instructor.

"Carter Kane and Zia Rashad, just the two magicians I am looking for," Ms. Kobes's voice was just as cruel as ever.

Carter knew the woman didn't like them for whatever reason but this was crazy. He had no idea what connection she had to them and what exactly she was but she definitely was not from the normal world.

"Who are you?" Zia yelled out, "And what are you doing with Trudy?"

Kobes laughed shrilly, "I was just teaching her a lesson."

"Let her go!" Carter screamed to Kobes. He wasn't sure but it looked like her skin was shining in the sunlight, "She's a normal mortal – an innocent! You can't hurt her!"

"You really believe that Carter Kane and Zia Rashad? You let your guard down. It was tough finding you, especially with Anubis trying to hide you. But he's facing his punishment as we speak."

Sadie screamed out this time, "What have you done with Anubis? !"

"Anubis is foolish to have fallen for you magician. Mortals and gods in relationships just don't work out. Besides, he knows his first loyalty is to Lord Osiris. His lack of obedience for orders will not be taken lightly. I doubt you'll see him again in your lifetime girl."

"You never answered my question, who are you?" Zia asked.

Kobes laughed and suddenly she transformed into a big snarling crocodile. Carter immediately took his sword out of his bag and got into a fighting stance. He ran the name Kobes through his mind until he had a sudden realization.

"You're Sebok!" Carter became angry at how stupid he was not to see it. Kobes backwards is Sebok. "You're the crocodile god right? My father sent you after us."

Zia and Sadie gasped in shock and Sebok laughed – which was quite a strange sight coming from an oversized upright crocodile.

"Very good Carter Kane. Your father did send me here, and I did promise not to hurt any of you, but he never said anything about hurting your friends," Sebok laughed and Carter's mind blanked and his heart stopped as Trudy's body descended to the ground.

"Go Carter, go Sadie," Zia whispered breaking him and Sadie out of their shocked trance. Carter and Sadie raced to where Trudy would land. Together they combined their magic and said a spell that would slow down her fall. Carter aligned himself underneath her and captured her in his arms. She looked like she would be alright, but she was unconscious probably from the shock.

Carter looked up to where Sebok had been standing only to find her gone.

"Zia!" Sadie screamed.

Carter turned around and watched in horror as Sebok grabbed Zia and teleported away.

AN:/

This chapter was sad to type.

At CheyRainAwesomeness: I've upheld my end of the deal, now you have to continue reading! ^_^

At Animal Charmer 11: Well this chapter explains what happened to Anubis… He's just all tied up and can't come visit Sadie right now. :P

At Chick With Brains: I like the mixture of them both. I just wish I'd started their relationship earlier so I could've written them more.

At Unkown: Julius is a good name, but I don't think Carter is liking his father too much right now lol.

Thanks for the reviews everyone! I enjoy reading them with each chapter.