Nightfall. I sat on my bed watching the stars, trying not to fall asleep. I summoned Kyle and Liz.
"Chloe," they smiled. "It's been a minute."
"I'm sorry," I said to them. "I got picked up by the Edison Group again and they were blocking my powers. I couldn't really do anything."
"But you're safe now," Kyle said looking around the room.
I shrugged, "Yeah."
Even though I couldn't feel it, Liz tried to give me a hug.
"I'm so sorry," she said. "I would have helped if I could."
"It's ok, its not your fault," I told her. I didn't want her to go blaming herself for something that she couldn't do.
"What's your plan now?" Liz asked.
I shrugged, "Never sleep again so I never have to face the nightmares."
"Chloe," Kyle sighed. "That's not healthy."
"I know," I said and I got up from the bed.
"Where are we going?" Liz asked.
I went downstairs and outside, careful not to talk as we crossed through the house. I didn't want to wake anyone up. I sat down on the steps.
"I just need some fresh air," I told them.
I closed my eyes and scanned the area for anything to summon. I wanted to practice for the next time I worked with Matt.
I let out an annoyed sound, "There's nothing around here."
"Venture out further than the steps," Kyle said.
"Don't be an instigator," Liz frowned at him. "Chloe, don't leave the house without someone knowing."
I stood up, "You two know."
"Chloe," Liz gave me the frown now.
I walked out to the middle of the field and searched, ramping up my power a little more for a wider search. I caught something a distance away, a deer or something?
"Come on," I said and started walking.
"This isn't a good idea," Liz said. "You shouldn't go out here alone at night."
"She's not alone," Kyle said.
"He's right, I'm not alone," I smiled.
There was a cough behind me, I wheeled around thinking it was Derek. Jeremy stood about fifty feet back from me.
"Who've you been talking to?" He asks.
"Who do you think?" I retorted. "Ghosts."
Jeremy rolled his eyes, "You're technically still alone then. What can a ghost do to help you?"
Liz picked up a stick and threw it at the newcomer.
"Don't," I told her. I didn't like him either but I wasn't going to be held responsible for his eye getting poked out.
Jeremy chuckled at the stick being through at him.
"Fair enough, you have some special ghosts on your radar."
He walked up to me.
"So where are we headed?" He asks.
"Nowhere," I said.
"Come on Chloe," he pouted. "I'm here to help."
"Ugh fine," I pointed in the direction that I felt something. "There's something out there, I want to practice raising and controlling bigger animals."
Jeremy nodded and started walking, "Lets go."
We walked in silence for some time. Liz carried a stick, ready to whack the newcomer if needed. I finally got in close enough range that I felt comfortable with raising, I wanted to make sure I could still do it from a distance if need be.
I stopped and closed my eyes, picturing the shape of a larger animal rising up from the tall grass. Something started moving in the grass.
"You're doing it," Jeremy said.
Something started moving in the grass behind us.
"How many are there here?" Jeremy asked.
"One," I said.
The dead deer started walking over to us, we were disgusted how its insides were trailing behind it. Something had gotten into it and started eating not too long ago.
Movement behind us again. We slowly turned around, two figures stood in between us and the way back to the house.
"Chloe," Liz said. Staring at the figures. "Run."
Both Jeremy and I were frozen though.
"Run!" Liz shouted and shoved us.
I pictured the deer going after one of the figures and it did. I didn't stop to watch what the deer was doing to the figure but the screeches were inhuman as it fought back. We ran.
Jeremy and I ran until I tripped over a rock, landing hard face first. Jeremy grabbed my hand and yanked me to my feet. We looked around, where did they go? The screeches had stopped.
"The hell was that?" Jeremy panted.
"Arizona vampires," I said.
Jeremy's eyes got huge.
"You're joking."
I shook my head, that had to be it. They had tracked Matt like he was afraid of.
There was a hissing sound coming from somewhere to our left. Jeremy grabbed my arm and we ran.