Lost

Nadia (Ch. 5)

"Agggh," touching my head, the throbbing feeling doesn't ease. Prying my eyes open, my vision is blurred. Wiping at my eyes, blood coats my hands. My body feels like it's been torn to shreds. With the help of a tree, I slowly pull myself up, "Ahh," leaning back on it. I try to catch my breath. Once everything stops spinning, I take in my surroundings. About ten or so feet from me is the car dangling from the icy cliff, with my parents still inside. Leaning forward, I try to take a step in their direction, my legs are so shaky that I end up falling on my hands and knees. Since walking is proving to be difficult, I crawl to them.

It's only until I'm about three feet away do I smell smoke. "Mom, *cough*", "Dad, *cough*". Please, let them be okay. Dragging myself closer, the smoke is so strong. "*Cough, cough*, MOM—DAD." Tears start rolling down my face. Sitting, I use my shirt to cover my mouth and noise. I can't get any closer. "Mom—dad, please." Sliding back a few feet. I see them clearly. They haven't moved, not even an inch. Pushing off the ground, I try to stand. Swaying a bit, I catch myself before I fall again. Taking a shallow breath, I slowly walking forward.

Finally, I make it to the car, "Mom," pulling on the handle, it won't budge. Slaying the glass, I try to wake her up. "Come on mom, please," pulling at the door desperately. Coughing, I move to my dad's side and try again. As I'm pulling on his door a flame erupts from the hood of the car. Using my arm to block my face, I stumble away from the car. Walking around the back of the car, I notice why they weren't answering me, the metal from the guardrail is slicing through both. Gagging, I trip over myself to get away from the car, hitting my back to a tree.

"AHH," I spin away from the car, as it explodes. Looking over my shoulder, the tears don't stop as I watch my parents burn. Moving deeper into the trees, I start to feel faint. My vision beings to blur again. Slipping on ice, a pile of snow cushions my fall as everything around me starts to get black. Before I completely black out, I feel my soul reach out for help.

The sound of voices and emergency vehicles, pulls me back to consciousness. Snow falls on my face as I lay there under the trees. I'm alone, all alone. Sitting up I see lights and people milling around. The fire has been put out. Clutching my chest, I gasp for air. Their gone. What am I supposed to do now? Squinting I notice the police walk up to two men standing off the side. Staying out of sight, I crawl closer to get a better look. Hiding behind a tree, I get a better look at the men. They are tall with broad shoulders, dark hair, and full beards. Something grabs their attention. Following their line of sight, I see a firefighter pulling out two duffle bags. It looks like the officer is asking if there is more, but the fighter shakes his head. Scanning the wreckage, I don't spot my knapsack or my duffle. Turning around, I spot where I originally woke up at, behind the tree is my knapsack and a few meters to the left is my duffle. Glancing back at the road, I crawl over to them.

Dragging my duffle closer I check everything I need is inside. Closing it, I double check my knapsack. Everything looks in place. Using the tree for support, put my sack on my back, grab my duffle and start to head deeper into the woods. The sound of a deep voice causes me to pause, "The footprints lead into the forest."

Making sure to not make a sound, I turn around. Leaning on the tree, I look around and see the two men head toward me; backing away I keep my eyes on them. I don't know who to trust now that my parents are gone. They would've known what to do. I wish I could just disappear. No matter what direction I walk in they'll be able to find me, my footprints will be in the snow. I might as well give up. Stepping out from behind the tree, I'm about to give myself up when one of the guys say "They're gone. The footprints end at this tree."

He's standing right in front of me, looking right at me he tells the older man, "There's nothing over here, Derek." Walking around the guy, I wave my hand in his face. Nothing, it's like I'm invisible. Huh, this is new.

"What do you mean, the trail just ends. Tracks just don't disappear Ralph," Derek says as he comes over. Crouching down he touches the snow, "Do you smell that?"

Sniffing the air, Ralph says "Yeah, smells like vampire, but not completely. There's another smell attached to it. I just can't place it, but it's mixed with the vampire smell."

Standing back up, "What would two Fae being doing with a vampire?" Derek questions.

"Better question is how does the fae king's son have to do with this."

"I wish I knew, but my only concern is getting these fuckers out of my territory."

"Whatever you say Alpha."

Keeping them in my line of sight I start heading away from the crash site and deeper into the woods. I must have developed a new power or something because that's the only reason I have for them not being able to see me. Hobbling away, I take one final look. I let the sorrow consume me for a moment longer. With each step I take the feel of my body mend back together, gives me strength. It doesn't take long before I don't hear anymore commotion or emergency personnel.

I'm all alone. It takes a while to sink in, that I'm all I have left. But I can't dwell on it, I need to keep moving forward. Find a way to stay ahead of Tobias and figure out how to get in touch with Marcel. Things are about to get dangerous, and I'll have to start preparing myself for all the different outcomes.