Chapter 29

Night Terrors

She was dying. I saw it over and over and over, from different angles. I tried to wake up and couldn't. And then, like someone had a remote, I was in Yosemite, hiking with Dad and Auri on the Mist trail. We're laughing and Dad's groaning about having to hike. Instantly, I felt better I could feel myself falling into a deep sleep. When I woke up, Dad was in a panic.

He shook my upper arm, "Crap! We overslept! Get your sorry butt up and get ready. I've got to make up an excuse for why you're late."

I looked over to see if Auri was awake, but Auri wasn't there. My head snapped back to look at Dad, "Dad? Where's Auri? Where's Auri?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Slow down!" He walked over and put a hand on my shoulder, "The FBI needed her, they called her last night and she had to go."

My heart was pounding and my skin was cold, I was scared, "But Dad! He's going to kill her; we can't let her be alone!"

"Honey, she's not alone. She's got Petrie and John. They're looking out after her."

I ran over to the window and looked down at the street, "No! She doesn't! They're sitting right out there! She's alone, you let her go alone!"

My Dad was genuinely surprised, "Both of them?" He asked as he was running to the window to look. Pulling back the curtain he winced, screaming, "They're both fucking here? Both?"

I was a little surprised at the 'f' word, but was glad to see that he was concerned. He hobbled along the banister and down the stairs, out the door and to the window of the car. He started throwing his arms everywhere, yelling and screaming. I couldn't make out what he was saying, but I opened the gate and could tell he was really worried about Auri. Dad was afraid for Auri and that scared me even more.

I didn't want to go to school, but Dad made me. It was hard for me to concentrate so I told the teacher I had a headache and went to the nurse's office so I could contact Auri. I tried to talk to her as I sat waiting to see the nurse.

Auri, Auri, are you okay?

Hi honey, yes, I'm fine. I just got called away. Are you okay? Any more mental intrusions?

None today. I miss you. Where are you?

Working hard honey…I'm at work.

Can you come home tonight?

Oh honey, I don't think so. I have so much to do…I'm really working hard.

When am I going to get to see you?

I'm not sure, but I'll try to get over this weekend, okay?

Okay, but please be careful and call my Dad. He cussed out John and Petrie for leaving you all alone. Bye.

She chuckled. Bye.

I didn't have a fever so the nurse sent me back to class. I was okay now that I knew Auri was alright.

Dad was waiting for me after school. On the drive home I told Dad that Auri was okay, "She's going to try and make it over this weekend.'

"Fine."

"Dad, you wanted Auri to stay, for good, didn't you?"

"Sure, I don't mind."

"No, I mean, you wanted her to stay."

He looked at me, wondering how much he could lie to me about. I gave him a look that said he wasn't going to get away with anything. He shrugged, "Yes, I wanted her to stay."

"So? We're getting married?"

Dad rolled his eyes, "I haven't asked Auri, so don't get your hopes up."

I couldn't help but smile, "Dad, you want to marry her, but even if you don't, we have to get her to stay with us or he's going to kill her."

My Dad was shocked, "Man, you're a buzz kill."

I didn't say anything, I just looked at him. The phone rang. Answering it, he talked for awhile before he hung up and looked at me, "I've got a patient with Uncle Jimmy. Jennifer is sick so I have to call Auri and see if she'll come and watch you."

But Auri didn't answer her phone; I started to worry. I tried to transmit thoughts to her, but couldn't. I didn't know if her gate was down or if she physically couldn't, but she wasn't responding. "Dad, I can't reach her."

Dad rubbed his forehead, but wouldn't look at me. "Are Mutt and Jeff still out there?" He motioned to the window.

"You mean Petrie and John?" I looked out, "Yeah, they're still here."

"Go get John."

I walked out to the sedan and John rolled down the passenger window. "Can you come in? My Dad wants to talk to you."

John grimaced and turned to Petrie, "Ugh, Dr. Jihad wants me. I'll be back." He got out and followed me inside.

My Dad met him at the door, "Have you checked up on Auri?"

"No, Dr. House, she specifically gave us orders to stay here and monitor your safety."

"I want you to locate her. Call around, do what you do, but at least find her. She's not answering her cell or home phone or my son's telepathic communications."

The agent exhaled as if he was annoyed, but nodded. A few minutes later, he came back, "We haven't located her; we're sending a patrol car over to her house to check up on her. When we hear something, I'll let you know."

My Dad looked at me, "I have to get into the hospital and I'm going to have to take you with me for now until I can get Wilson or someone to come and get you. Get your stuff."

I grabbed a backpack, juice, snack bar and my Ipod. When we got to the hospital, John and Petrie pulled into the spot three spots over, out of the handicap parking. John walked over and talked to my Dad. I heard him say that Auri wasn't answering her door, did Dad have a key?

I grabbed my backpack and rummaged through, finding the key at the bottom, "I have one."

John looked at me, took the key and handed it to Petrie. John walked with us into the hospital as Petrie took off, I guess he was going to Auri's. I was really upset now and my Dad could tell, because he kept his arm around my shoulders, even walking through the lobby.

I took his chair behind the desk so that I could play games on the computer. He went to see the patient and talk to his team. I stopped every once in awhile to try and talk to Auri, but no luck. John stayed with me in Dad's office, sitting and reading in the corner chair. He was a nice enough guy, loved to talk about tanks, planes, guns, things like that. But for now, we both kept ourselves amused.

I kept feeling something strange, as if there were cotton balls in my head. Everything was fuzzy. For a minute, I tried finding the killer, reading him, but all I got was a feeling of frustration from him. Something wasn't going his way…maybe he was having trouble reading me and that's why it felt fuzzy. I wasn't sure; all I knew was that I had to go pee.

Petrie showed up and motioned for John to join him in the hall. I went to the white board room, grabbed a coke out of the frig, put it on the table and went out the door to go to the bathroom. As I left the office I could see Petrie and John having a very serious discussion. I wondered if it would be okay to listen in? I knew I wasn't supposed to, but if it was about Auri, then I really wanted to do it. I couldn't help it, I ducked around the corner going into Uncle Jimmy's office and concentrated on them talking.

"She's missing, not answering her phone, not at her house and her cell GPS says that she's somewhere in this building. There was a few drops of blood on the kitchen floor. We're not sure from what. So don't let the kid know, he seems close to Agent Ferrell, but you can tell the asshole. If you don't he'll just go on one of his Jihads and we'll end up telling him anyway."

Auri was somewhere in the building, but not responding to me or her cell phone? I had to go find her. I knew I could find her if anyone could. She always said we had a strong link, maybe I could break through her gate if I was loud and close enough. I dodged down the hall and down the stairwell to the first floor, thinking I'd start at the bottom and work my way up. Looking through the rooms, I found the stairwell that lead to the basement. I had a bad feeling about the basement; something wasn't right. I started to descend the stairs and felt someone, someone who was very intuitive. The fact that the person wasn't answering me should have been my clue to run. But I was afraid that whoever it was, they might have Auri.

Dear Readers, thank you so much for reading. Let me know if you're enjoying it! Thanks, Gorby