Chapter 3:
I walked with Zoey after 5th period as we both headed in the same direction. She had equestrian studies and I had Tae Kwan Do class with Stevie Rae. I would talk to her then but she was not my partner and we couldn't change who we were with.
"Did Erik talk to you today?" I asked after a few minutes of silence.
"No, why?"
"Oh, I asked him if I could join the Dark Daughters and Sons."
"That's great, Heath. I have to review all requests, then the council votes and Neferet has the final say. So you should know in a few days."
"Thank you. Is there anything that I have to do in the mean time?" I wasn't too sure about protocol for this kind of thing.
"To join or stay in the Dark Daughters, you have to be authentic for air, faithful for fire, wise for water, empathic for earth and sincere for sprit." wow, she really was doing a great job at the leader.
"Nice. I think I can be those things. Well, cya later"
"Cya."
We split at the path that leads two ways and I hurried to my next class, eager to see Stevie Rae.
Class had not begun when I arrived so I had a few minutes to at least say hi to Stevie Rae, I scanned the room looking for her but she was nowhere. I looked again, she was definitely not there. She was never late to this class because she loved it so much. When class started and she was still not there I began to worry. When the warm up's begun I walked over to Prof Chen - he was a really great teacher, though very strict and he would make you do something over and over again if you did not get it right the first time.
"Professor Chen?" I waited until he turned and looked at me
"Yes? Heath, is it? What is it?"
"Yes sir, umm I was wondering if you knew where Stevie Rae was." I tried to use a monotone but when I said her name my voice cracked a little bit.
"Stevie Rae, huh, that's odd. She is always here. Do you know where and who is her roommate?" now that he noticed her absence he seemed as worried as I was.
"Yes, Zoey Redbird, she has Equestrian Studies now."
"Go get Zoey and find Stevie Rae, I have a bad feeling about her. Tell Lenobia to excuse Zoey from her class so she can help find Stevie Rae." He ordered and sent me out the rec hall.
The walk to the stables was short, although I had to go the long way. It was short because I was practically running. When I reached the stables I saw Zoey and Lenobia trotting around the yard, looking very elegant I must say. I stood on the edge of the yard and waited for Lenobia to come past
"Professor!" she came to a halt in front of me and jumped down of her horse, she was small and petite, but still strong and fit.
"Yes? Why are you out of class?" I was a good two feet taller than her but she still intimidated me.
"Professor Chen sent me to get Zoey. Her roommate is missing and he wants us to find her." I rushed through the explanation, dying to find Stevie Rae.
"Oh dear. Zoey! Come quickly!" she yelled as Zoey came closer
"Zoey, you must go with Heath, now. Stevie Rae is missing." She stared at Zoey while what she said sunk in
"Thanks Lenobia, uh can you fix up Persephone?" she asked and handed the rope thingy to Lenobia, but before she could answer, Zoey grabbed my wrist and pulled me away.
We ran down the path that leads back to the main hall, when she stopped and ducked under the closest gas light.
"What?" I asked stunned that she could just stop looking when we had not even started.
"Wait and be quiet." She ordered and closed her eyes. I had no idea what was going on, I was about to ask her but she began talking.
"Earth, I call you to me, find my friend Stevie Rae. Tell me where she is; tell me if she is she hurt." She said to no one in particular, I still had no idea what was going on. Suddenly, I could smell freshly mown grass; hear the rustle of tall wheat plants blowing in the wind. Mesmerized, I closed my eyes and let the smells and sounds of Earth fill me.
"Thank you Earth. You serve me well." Broken out of my trance by Zoey thanking Earth, she grabbed my hand and ran, again, to the girl's dorm.
We got to the common room, it was empty, we only stopped long enough to see that, then we bolted up the stairs to their room, I let Zoey lead because I had never been up there before. We came to their room and Zoey walked in. I planned to wait outside for them but when I heard Stevie Rae cry out for Zoey when she came into view I could not just stand there. I threw the door out of my way and found Stevie Rae crying in Zoey's arms, in between was a photo frame and pieces of paper.
"Stevie Rae! What's the matter?" I walked over to them and kneeled in front of them.
She didn't say anything, she just handed me a piece of paper that she was holding; scrunched and tear stained.
To Miss Stevie Rae Johnson,
I am sorry to inform you that your mother and younger brother Stan have been murdered by an unknown killer. They were murdered two nights ago outside the local shopping centre. There was no witness to the crime.
Your older brother Kyle has been placed in the capable custody of your father. Others have expressed their concerns for Kyle but I assure you that he will be well looked after.
I am deeply sorry for your loss.
Yousr sincerely,
Mark Downy,
State Police, Henrietta
Oh god. I was speechless. That was terrible. How someone could kill two innocent people I don't know.
"That's not all." Stevie Rae said and handed me another piece of paper. Hell.
To Miss Stevie Rae Johnson,
I have more terrible new I'm afraid.
Your father and younger brother Declan has been murdered. The death of your father and brother is similar as your mother's and brother's so we are assuming that the same killer is responsible.
Once again, I am so sorry for you loss.
All the luck for the future
Mark Downy
Oh my god, I could not believe that. I could not imagine how Stevie Rae felt.
She sat in Zoey's arms, on the floor, still crying. Zoey was now crying as well. I had never felt so helpless.