(Earthquake)
Adrian came down the staircase to discover all the guardians entering and exiting the house with bags. As he peered around to notice the flurry of activity, he couldn't help but wonder what was going on. The guardians seemed to be in a rush, their expressions filled with a mix of urgency and concern. Curiosity piqued, and Adrian approached one of them to inquire about the commotion.
Eddie came down the stairs, carrying a few bags. Adrian noticed that Eddie's face was flushed and his hands were trembling slightly, indicating that he was also caught up in the chaos. Adrian tried to ask Eddie what was happening. But Eddie didn't stop and kept moving forward to the front door.
Adrian made an effort to comprehend what was happening in Riley's home. Riley exclaimed, "Romeo!" as he descended the stairs. Adrian spun around to see Riley carrying a few bags as she descended the stairs. "You need to go upstairs and pack." Riley added, "We need to leave before the next ten minutes," as she looked down at the watch. Adrian questioned, "Why?" "Remember that vision in the gym about a week ago?" Riley remarked, peering up at Adrian. Adrian nodded, the incident fresh in his memory. He answered, "I do, indeed." "Then, let's not waste any more time."
"Good thing I already packed your bag for you," Riley retorted while giving Adrian a smile and showing the tips of her fangs. Adrian reached over to take his bag out of Riley's hand. Mason and Christian turned the corner and found Adrian and Riley together. Mason moved forward, reaching out and taking her bags, and said, "Guardian Belikov has returned from taking your parents to the airport."
As Dimitri rounded the corner, Christian approached Riley and took hold of her upper arm, yanking her away from Adrian. Christian commanded, "Keep away from her." Mason and Dimitri noticed that Christian was once again guarding Riley. Christian's antics drew a raised eyebrow from Dimitri, and Mason laughed and said, "Looks like things are getting interesting around here." Adrian was left standing there, looking perplexed, as Christian stared at him before turning to walk away with Riley while Mason followed behind them.
Adrian was peering over to the kitchen to notice Tatiana, Mrs. Ozera, and Yeva had exited the kitchen. He noticed that, speaking in hushed tones, they seemed to be discussing something serious. Adrian's curiosity piqued as he wondered what they could be talking about. He debated whether to approach them and ask or to discreetly listen in from a distance. Adrian decided to subtly move closer, trying to catch snippets of their conversation without being noticed.
Mikhail approached Tatiana, Yeva, and Mrs. Ozera and said, "Are you ready to leave?" Tatiana turned to face Mikhail and answered, "Yes." Mikhail grabbed Tatiana's arm and helped him with Riley's SUV. Mikhail guided her to the front door so they could leave Riley's house. Adrian experienced a wave of dread as he observed the urgency of their actions. Adrian trailed Great Aunt Tatiana.
As he reached the front door, he looked out into the street and saw Riley holding the back passenger door and extending her arm to assist Tatiana inside Ridley's SUV. Adrian became very uncomfortable when he noticed Riley was assiduously helping Tatiana into the car. With a determination to ride with Riley, he rapidly caught up to them.
He climbed into the backseat next to Tatiana, who looked equally puzzled by Adrian's actions. Adrian couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, but he decided to trust Vasilissa and wait for an explanation.
Christian, Mason, Riley, and Mikhail looked questionable at Adrian, and Tatiana said, "Adrian, don't be alarmed. We have a plan, and everything will make sense soon," she reassured him with a gentle smile. Adrian relaxed slightly, still unsure but willing to trust his friends as they embarked on this mysterious journey together.
Riley walked around the SUV to the driver door while Mikhail got in the passenger seat. As Riley settled into the driver's seat, he adjusted the rearview mirror and started the engine. Mikhail reached over to turn on the radio, filling the car with music as they prepared to hit the road. The familiar tunes of their favorite band played softly in the background, creating a comfortable atmosphere for their journey ahead.
With a quick glance at each other, they shared a smile before pulling out of the driveway and onto the open road. Christian and Mason climbed in beside Tatiana and Adrain. Riley looked over at home and knew that she would never see it again. The earthquake would make sure of that. Christian said, "Everything will be alright, Riley." "We're all in this together, and that's all that matters." Mason added, placing a reassuring hand on Riley's shoulder as they drove off into the unknown.
Riley took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of fear and excitement for what was to come. Mason could feel Riley feeling a sense of unease, so he gently squeezed her shoulder to remind her that he was here for her. Riley turned her head, peering at Mason with a nervous look in her eyes. Mason smiled and nodded his head at Riley.
Tatiana, Christian, and Adrian realized Riley and Mason were speaking without using words, just like Vasilissa and Rose. Adrian could see Riley's aura and see that worry, fear, sickness, darkness, and determination were all swirling together in a colorful display. Tatiana smiled knowingly, recognizing the bond between Riley and Mason that went beyond mere friendship. Christian silently marveled at the connection they shared, understanding that sometimes words were not necessary to convey deep emotions.
Tatiana smiled, while Adrian looked surprised at the bond between Riley and Mason. Christian, on the other hand, simply observed in awe as the unspoken communication between Riley and Mason unfolded before him. The intensity of their connection was palpable, leaving Christian with a newfound appreciation for the power of nonverbal communication.
Riley turned back around to the wheel and started the engine, pulling away from the curb to the forway, turning right, and traveling down California Street, heading to Park Presidio Boulevard, to get on the highway. Dimitri followed Riley's SUV with Rose, Eddie, Yeva, Mrs. Ozera, and Vasilissa.
While traveling down California Street, Mason, Mikhail, and Christian observed that the route was rather empty of cars. The lack of traffic allowed them to enjoy the scenic drive through the city, with Mason pointing out landmarks along the way. As they approached Park Presidio Boulevard, Christian couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was about to happen on this journey.
Vasilissa peers outside the passage window to see the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance, forgetting about the earthquake that will soon be happening. The iconic red structure stood out against the blue sky, a symbol of hope and adventure. As they approached closer, Vasilissa's heart raced with excitement at the sight of such a famous landmark. The sunlight reflected off the bridge's vibrant color, casting a warm glow over the surroundings. Vasilissa couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty before her.
Rose began to see the trees rustling in the wind, the birds taking to the air, and the ground beginning to move. The window was exploding and hurling glass across the street when Rose noticed it. Rose uttered, "Comrade, The seismic activity has commenced. As Dimitri trailed Riley's SUV along the highway, Yeva, Mrs. Ozera, Eddie, and Vasilissa understood Riley's vision had come true. Eddie, Rose, Vasilissa, and Yeva began to construct, then began to fall apart. They understood they had to move quickly to avoid the approaching catastrophe.
Riley and Dimitri applied the brakes as the cars ahead of them started to slow down as they got closer to the bridge. Riley was excited to carry on with their excursion and honked his horn to grab the guy's attention. However, the man stomped on his brakes and stopped. That is, until Dimitri realized that people might be in pain in the ass when Riley swerved around the automobile in front of her.
Dimitri recalls that Riley was protecting herself, Tatiana, Christian, Adrian, and Mikhail from harm. Dimitri recalls that he must defend Eddie, Yeva, Mrs. Ozera, Vasilissa, and himself. He expressed his gratitude to Riley for his fast thinking and cautious driving, as well as for his commitment to protecting Rose and everyone else on the road from harm. Quickly following suit, Dimitri made sure that no one was hurt and the car was safe. Riley's actions may have saved their lives, and he was filled with a deep sense of gratitude for Moroi and his companions for always prioritizing their safety.
Meanwhile, San Francisco's streets were bustling with activity, but Dimitri remained focused on the task at hand. As they continued their journey, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, knowing that they were all safe and protected. Riley's SUV started pulling away from his car. Dimitri started pushing the gas plate down, trying to keep up with Riley and others. The adrenaline rush was palpable as Dimitri maneuvered through the busy streets, determined to stay close to Riley's SUV. Despite the chaos around them, he remained focused on reaching their destination safely.
Vasilissa had realized that Riley Vision had come to pass and they would have an earthquake shake the world. Rose peered into the back seat to find Vasilissa holding hands with Mrs. Ozera and Yeva. Vasilissa's eyes were filled with determination as she whispered to Mrs. Ozera and Yeva, "We must prepare for what's to come." Rose knew that they were all in this together, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Turn back to see the way her sister Riley is handling the situation, Rose saw her calmly steering the SUV through the crowded streets. Riley's composure gave Rose a sense of reassurance that they would make it through the chaos unscathed.
Until they left the Golden Gate Bridge, all their nerves made them feel on edge. But as they crossed over the bridge, a sense of calm washed over them, knowing they were one step closer to safety. The bond between the four women grew stronger with each passing mile, solidifying their resolve to overcome whatever obstacles came their way.
Dimitri and Riley kept driving away from the chaos, their eyes locked on the road ahead, determined to reach their destination. The trust and unity between them only strengthened as they continued on their journey. Their shared experiences on the road had forged an unbreakable connection, a silent understanding that they were in this together. With each passing mile, their determination to emerge victorious grew stronger, propelling them forward towards their ultimate goal.