When I got downstairs Nate was nowhere to be found and Cooper was talking with Sean at the bar so I went to the library looking for Colin. Anna was there with Ben and Mel occupying their usual corner. Ben stood when I walked in. “Jemma, you look a little flushed. Is everything alright?” He was grinning again.

“Shut up. Where’s…”

“Nate?”

“Shut up, I said!” Anna turned to stare at me. I lowered my voice and directed the question at her. “Where’s Colin? Cooper said he wanted me.”

“He went to speak with Fletch and Celia,” she said. “I think he might be trying to convince them to leave again. I know where their rooms are. I’ll show you.” I nodded, anything to get away from Ben’s ridiculous smirking, and followed her out of the room.

We headed for a door at the back of the bar. As we passed Sean and Cooper, I kept my head down. Anna led me into a narrow hall with no windows then turned and smiled kindly at me.

“You shouldn’t let Ben get to you. He likes it, getting under people’s skin.”

“Yeah, I noticed.” I mumbled as we started down the hall.

“The only people he doesn’t bother are Mel and Colin. I think he’s afraid Colin will boot him out of the house, and I’m pretty sure he’s in love with Mel.”

I snorted. “Seriously? I mean, I thought something, but isn’t he a little old for her?”

She laughed, and shook her blond head, “Can’t account for taste, I guess. Mel seems to like him enough too, I guess.” She suddenly sounded more serious. “You can’t help who you love.”

“No, I guess not.” We emerged from the hall into a large open area with long, low windows. I watched the distant woods as we walked. I knew the others would warn us if anyone was out there, but I didn’t enjoy being so exposed.

Anna didn’t seem to mind. “So, I heard you had a heck of a night when you changed. And that ability you have is very useful. I was out in the open when it happened, so I didn’t cause much trouble and I knew right away I could see in the dark. It’s not like being bulletproof, but still....” She shrugged. “Nate says I’m like a cat. I had a cat, but I had to leave her at home with my mom and dad.”

I looked at the back of her head as she moved across the room. She was nervous about something. Had Nate said something to her, or Cooper? I laughed quietly at myself. I was being an idiot, thinking anyone had the time to care that Nate may or may not have wanted to kiss me. Of course she was nervous. There was probably a team of FBI agents on their way here to kill us all!

“Anna, everything is going to work out tonight.”

She’d stopped at the door on the other side of the room. There were tears in her blue eyes as she turned. “Do you think so? Really? I get so scared sometimes, and I don’t know. Sometimes I feel like nobody tells me stuff because they think I’m too scared. I’m not like you. But I can’t help it.”

“Anna, you’re a big help. We couldn’t have gotten out of that mess earlier without you.” Ok, maybe that wasn’t true, but she was crying out right now and I figured the compliment would make her feel better. Evidently I was wrong.

“I just want to go home, and I’m so tired, and Nate…” She dissolved into sobs.

“It’s alright Anna...”

But she was too far gone. She just stood there with her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with sobs. I sighed and rubbed her arms awkwardly.

“I really do think we’ll be ok Anna. You just need to get some sleep.”

She shook her head and mumbled around her hands. “No, we have to be ready if they come back…”

“Everything is as ready as it is going to be. There is nothing to do now but wait so we might as well get some sleep while we can. I was thinking about doing the same.” It wasn’t a lie exactly, I had thought about it.

She sniffled and looked up at me. “No, no. I’m sorry. I can still help you find Colin, at least.”

“It’s ok Anna, I’m sure I can find him myself. You need some rest. Why don’t you go lay down for a bit? I’ll come get you in an hour or so.”

She nodded and wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. How did she still look so perfect? “I am tired. Maybe you're right. You’ll get some sleep too?”

“Yes.” Ok, so that was a lie, but it was the only way to make her stop crying and go to bed, so it was worth it. She nodded again and then hugged me. She finally let go and walked back the way we had come.

Once Anna was gone, I looked around the big room. It was completely empty, no furniture, lighting, nothing. The only illumination was from the big flood light outside. I could see two other doors leading to other parts of the house. Despite what I had told her, there was no way I could find Colin without Anna. I headed back to the library to wait.

Colin wasn’t back when I got there and I didn’t want to give Ben the chance to rattle me again, so I went to join Sean at the bar. Thankfully, Cooper had left. Sean looked up when I sat down next to him.

“Can I make you a drink, angel?”

“No, and you’ve probably had enough, too. I need you to be straight tonight.”

“I’m good.” I looked at him skeptically. “Honest!” He held up his tumbler. “Still on my first.”

“Fine.” I looked back toward the library and sighed.

“What’s bothering you?”

“To be honest, if they are going to come, I just wish they would already. I want this to be over, however it goes.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Ha. Be careful what you wish for.”

“I just don’t like waiting, that's all.”

He leaned in and placed a hand on my thigh. “I can think of some interesting ways to pass the time.” He gave me that grin.

He was an enigma. How could anyone be so beautiful and so disgusting at the same time? I pushed his hand away and scowled. “No, thank you. I think I’ll manage on my own.” I got up and walked away.

I headed for the AV room. If I had to wait, at least I could watch too. But I stopped just inside the door. Nate was sitting quietly talking with David. They looked up when I came in. I thought about leaving, but between Ben, Sean, and Nate, I would pick Nate any day. But Nate stood up quickly, obviously surprising David. “I had better go find Collin.” He walked past me without meeting my eyes. I walked over and sat down next to David, who was still staring after Nate.

“Have you seen anything?” I asked.

“What? Oh, no. No, it’s been quiet.” He rubbed his eyes. “It’ll be daylight soon. I don’t know what they’re waiting for.”

“Yeah. Me either.” I looked at the monitors covering the grounds. Everything was still. The big flood lights all around the house caused everything to glow eerily. Even the neat little garden with its maze of hedges looked foreboding lit like that. I felt better here, though, more like I was doing something. David and I sat quietly for a while, staring at the screens and listening to the radio chatter.

“I don’t want to hurt anybody.” David said out of nowhere. He was still looking at the screen, but he wasn’t seeing it.

“I know. Hopefully It won’t come to that.”

David scoffed. “Maybe not this time. Maybe. But do you really think they’ll stop? Even if you talk them into leaving tonight, they’ll be back, eventually.”

“What did you do before you changed, David?”

He looked surprised by the question. “I was an interior designer.”

“Really?”

He was grinning a little now. “Yes! What, you think a middle-aged fat guy can’t be an interior designer?”

“No, no. It’s not that. I wanted to be an interior designer when I was a kid. It was kind of my dream job. And you’re not fat!”

He grinned. “What happened? Why didn’t you do it?”

“You know, life, I guess,” I shrugged. “I have always loved art, but eventually you have to grow up and do what you have to.”

“Nah, you might have to grow up, but the only thing you have to do is what you love. Otherwise, you're not really living at all.”

I don’t know why, but his words made me sad. “Maybe you should have been a philosopher?”

He laughed. “Maybe, maybe.”

The door opened, and Colin stepped in. “We should probably start trying to get some sleep. We can go in shifts.”

“I always hated shift work.” David had gone back to watching the screens.

“Jemma, if you don’t mind, there’s something…

“Wait…” David hissed. “Colin, I see something.” David was pointing to the screen. Colin and I crowded in to look over his shoulder.

“What?” I saw nothing but shadows.

“I swear I saw someone out there.” He was pointing to a line of trees just out of the light.

“Where is that?” I asked.

“East side of the drive, out front.”

“There are probably more.” I looked at the other screens that showed the front of the house.

David was still watching the trees. “Maybe I was just seeing things. I’ve been in here forever.”

“No, there!” I pointed to a monitor that showed half driveway and half trees. I could just see two figures moving along the drive. “What are they doing?”

Colin moved to watch the screen I’d indicated. “I’d say they are placing men around the house. They probably think we’re asleep now.”

“I need to go now, then.” I stood up

“Wait.” Colin put a hand on my arm, “Jemma…”

“Colin, we have planned all we can. They’re out there and if I’m going to talk them out of starting something, I kind of need to start talking before they do the something.”

I ran to the front hall. “Sean!” He came sauntering into the room. “Change of plans. There are already guys in the woods. You and Stephen will have to hide on the porch? Is that close enough to do what you need to? If you have to, I mean.”

His eyes widened. “Yeah, if you get them into the drive, at least.”

“Ok. Follow me out, but stay hidden. Ben, I don’t think you should come with me.” Everyone started arguing at once. I had to raise my voice to be heard. “I can’t protect him from what I can’t see! Those guys in the woods could take him out before I knew it was happening!”

Ben stood up. “My choice. I’m going.”

“Ben, that's stupid…”

“You’re not going without me. So unless you feel like standing here arguing until they bust through the windows, I suggest you drop it.” I glared at him, but he just glared back. I considered getting Sean to knock him out, but I didn’t figure that would go over well with Mel, who was scowling behind him.

“Fine! Is everybody ready, then?”

“What, we’re going now?” Stephen looked startled despite it having been his idea to come.

“Yes! Now! There are men wandering around out there and we need to go before they try to break in.”

“And she doesn’t enjoy waiting.” Sean said.

“Stephen, it will be fine.” I tried for a calm I definitely was not feeling. “You’ll stay on the porch with Sean and if anything happens, get back in the house.” He didn’t look convinced.

David and Colin were moving around the room, talking to the others. Ben came over to join me and Stephen hesitantly followed. Nate broke away from Colin and came to stand in front of me.

“Jemma…” He looked like he was struggling. “Jemma, please be careful,” was all he said in the end.

“I will. Promise.” I wanted to reach out, touch him, but I was too embarrassed and maybe a little afraid he might pull away.

“Well…” Ben started.

“Shut up, Ben. Oh, and someone should go wake up Anna.” I turned and walked toward the front door.