Chapter Twenty-Seven

The air was hot and humid. It felt like it was sticking to my body. A small bead of sweat made its way slowly down the side of my face as I pushed back a tree's low-lying limb. My heart was beating what felt like a million times a second. I looked around the tree-covered area. I had been here before. This place was familiar. Except, this time, I knew someone was watching me. I could feel their presence as their eyes lingered on my body, searching every part of me from my head to my toes. A sickening feeling came over me. Would I survive this time or die?

I wished I knew how to make time slow down. I could jump through time, but it was something that was always changing. At this moment, I wished there was a button I could press to completely stop time, so I could have a moment to really think about what was happening to me, to the team, to Theo.

The revelation that he might be the Hunter had left me feeling off. Memories of being thrown against the wall haunted me. I could still feel the pain in my arm as it struck the hard surface. Whatever had picked me up had wanted me dead. There was no doubt in my mind. It had come back repeatedly, and each time its main target had been me, except for in the hallway.

The Hunter had made his presence known, but he hadn't hurt me that time. He had killed one of Paul's guards. Had the Hunter changed? Maybe not. In the end, Paul and Dr. James had captured Audrina and me. Maybe that had been the Hunter's mission—to distract us and lead us right into enemy hands.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I should be resting right now, not thinking of the past, but all I could do was pace the empty room. I needed to take control of this team and lead it, so that we were no longer on the defensive but on the offensive. This was our time to show what we were capable of. I knew the team was powerful. Individually, we had only shown some of our capabilities. Combined, we were effective and lethal.

Suddenly, I felt his large hands come down on my shoulders. Theo was standing in front of me.

"What do you want?" I asked, looking at the empty space in front of me and trying to visually see him, even though there was nothing to see.

"I'm not sure. I just wanted to be next to you. It's the only time I feel real," he said, guiding me to the couch. "Just sit near me for a little bit."

For so long I had wanted him to talk to me like this, but now didn't seem like the right time. "Really? You think that's wise right now?" I whirled around. I wanted him to look into my eyes and see the hurt and confusion. I had trusted Theo, and for some reason things had taken a drastic turn over the past few days.

"Esa," he pleaded. "I promise, it couldn't have been me who did all of those horrible things. There has to be another thing like me out there. I'm not the only one. Dr. James created more of these things. You have to believe me."

"I want to. Trust me, I hate the idea that you tried to kill me. It's not something that makes me feel good."

"Esa, you have to trust me."

"Trust. That's funny. Do you even know the meaning of the word?" He had told me on several occasions that he hadn't trusted me, but now he wanted my full trust? It seemed so ironic. Had he forgotten all of the things he had said and done to me over the past few weeks?

Theo didn't immediately respond.

"Theo, are you still here?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you answer my question? It's frustrating that you get to pick and choose when you want to have a presence."

"Because I was thinking," he said softly. "Maybe you're right. Maybe you are all right. If so, there's something I need to do."

"What?"

"Goodbye, Esa."

"Wait! Don't go. We need you," I said, hoping he could hear the sadness in my voice. I didn't want him to leave again. I wanted him here...with me. "I need you, Theo."

Silence.

"Theo," I looked around the empty space hoping my eyes would see something that would bring me some calmness. "Theo, please answer me."

Silence.

"Theo, seriously, stop playing games," I pleaded, hoping he was just giving me the silence treatment, while he was thinking. Surely he hadn't really left me.

"Theo?"

Silence.

I walked backwards until I reached the couch, and sank into the soft leather as I looked up at the ceiling. It seemed like the entire room was spinning.

He was gone. I was alone in this room.

"Esa! Are you over here?" Audrina's voice cut through the quiet air as she suddenly came into view. "Oh, thank goodness. I was hoping you hadn't left."

"Why?" I said, closing my eyes. Theo's face filled my thoughts. I wanted to remember everything I could about him.

"Gave said he couldn't feel Theo's energy anymore. I wondered if the two of you had taken off somewhere."

"No."

Audrina studied me. "Are you okay? What's going on? Did Theo say something to you?"

"No. Everything is fine. Just like always."

"Seriously. What happened?" She demanded. "Where is he?"

"Theo was here. Then he said he had to leave. I tried to stop him, but he just left me. I'm not sure if I'm sad, surprised or mad."

"Hmmm. Did he say where he was going?" She asked, draping her arm around my shoulders to try and calm my shaking body.

I took in a deep breath and shook my head back and forth. "No, he just said he had something to do and then told me 'goodbye'."

"Something is definitely going on with him." Audrina pushed back a lock of white hair that had fallen into her eyes.

"Do you think he's coming back?"

She let out a soft laugh, "Of course he'll be back. Theo is a part of this team. He knows we need him. He can't leave us just yet. We're about to go on the attack. Besides, I've never known him to stay away from you. He loves you."

"Don't say that—"

"It's true. You're his entire world, but I don't think he understands his feelings. It's almost as if we are all wired weirdly. One minute we know how to love and the next we pull away. It's freaky, but Samuel does the same things to me that Theo does to you."

"Really? Speaking of my brother, have you talked to Samuel?"

"Yes. Samuel is working on some stuff. Like always. He is also the one who asked me to come over here and get you. It's time for us to meet."

"Okay. Can you give me about ten minutes? I need some time to myself to think and calm down. I just want to feel normal again, whatever that means."

"Okay." She rose. "Meet us down the hallway in a few minutes. Some quiet time may be good for you."

"I will."

As Audrina disappeared around the corner, I tapped my medallion. It was time for me to take a trip.