Left in the Dark

Chapter two: In the Night

                                                                           Max P.O.V

 I answer my phone before the first ring finishes. "Everett, unusually punctual of you. What did you find out?" I murmur as I begin to pace the small motel room. The dingy little motel was the only place with a room still available this late, and I can see why. The curtains seem like they had been bought white, but are now yellowed and stained with spots of brown. The carpet is crisscrossed with dirty shoe prints. I didn't even want to know what the bedsheets look like under the disgusting comforter.

    "Her name is Amelia Lynn Bennette. Twenty-two years old. Owns a '94 Subaru Legacy. Lives in a single bedroom house at 6312 N. 15th street, with only a hamster for company. I know more, but I want to know why you woke me up at one a.m. just to dig around on some random girl." Everett's curiosity is burning him, he knows I Don't demand information on people for no reason. 

    "Alright." I sigh "The girl's an Empath. This could be huge, you know what happened to the last one. This i***t doesn't even know what she is, or how much danger she would be in if she pushed on the wrong person." Indeed, the last time an Empath had been found a witch had drained him of his power, and subsequently his life. She had then turned her sights on destroying every pack around her. It was only by luck that she was taken down. Empaths are rare, born only to humans, and the power inside of them is astronomical. Many creatures would stoop to extreme lows to get one. I might be an asshole but I don't think the girl deserves to die. Plus, this could be yet another power boost to my already strong pack. I just can't pass up this opportunity.

    Everett lets out a low whistle as he digests the news. He knows how huge this is.

    "So what's the plan then?"

                                                                    Amelia P.O.V.

    I wave goodbye to my coworker, Debbie, as I race out the door. I finally have two days off and I refuse to waste the first by getting much-needed sleep. I drive home with the radio blasting, despite being tired I'm in a great mood. Plans for the day whirl through my head dizzyingly as I pull into the driveway. 'First, cleaning. Then, a shower. After that I'll head out to the Bayside and see where the day takes me!'  the first rays of the sun greet me as I step out of the car, promising a glorious day ahead.

    Its only ten in the morning when I step from the shower. My tiny home has been scrubbed to perfection. Wrapping a large towel around myself, I happily bounce over to my closet. I already have an outfit in mind; dark blue Jean shorts, a plain light grey T shirt, and simple black flip-flops. I'm not much for daring or flashy clothes, I prefer usability over fashion. I also grab a matching bra and panty set, light blue with cute pineapples all over them. My favorites. For some reason the knowledge that I have on matching underwear makes me feel confident. I can't explain it. 'Matchy  matchy'  I sing-song in my head as I put on my clothes.

    The breeze coming off the bay caresses my pale skin and gently lifts my long blonde waves from my shoulders. I had spent the day wandering the beach, feeding the seagulls. The beach is getting crowded now, though, so I decide to head to a spot only the locals know. A quiet dock, gently hidden away between two huge sand dunes comes into view. Four Men are already there, fishing and drinking beer. I sit on the edge of the dock at the mid-way point quietly, not wanting to disturb them. It's a perfect day.

    A shock of excitement from the men causes me to look up. I cheer along with the men as one struggles to pull in a fish. He fights for fifteen minutes before netting a huge sheepshead. The men measure the fish, to make certain its of legal size, and proclaim in astonishment that it's a whopping two feet. They toss it in their full cooler and clap each other on the back, joy flowing off of them in bright waves. As the sun sets they make their way back their near-by truck, giving polite nods to me as they pass. I can feel their happy contentment fade into the distance with their truck.

    The stunning sunset gives way to a moonless night. I close my eyes and enjoy the soft sounds of nature around me. The waves gently lap against the shore as the breeze carries the salty scent of life to my waiting nose. I bask in the tranquility for a few more hours before I tense. Even though I can't detect anyone around me I can feel eyes watching from the darkness. I take a deep breath and exhale slowly, forcing myself to relax, whoever it is can't know I senses them. All I have is the element of surprise.

    The self-defense moves my dad taught me as a kid run through my head in a loop. I stand up, casually stretching the tension from my arms and legs in the process. I deftly pull my hair up into a messy bun to broaden my hearing and keep my eyesight clear. Adrenaline crashes through me causing my senses to heighten. I begin the long walk back to my car. The lack of moonlight works against me, even with my eyes open wide I can't see much in the inky darkness. I clutch my keys tightly in my left hand, leaving the right empty just in case I have to use it.

    At five foot two, I know I looks like an easy target. My slender frame hides its strength well, giving me a slight upper hand. My feet hit the sand at the end of the dock before two strong arms tightly trap me against a hard chest. I can feel the power in them. One is around my arms to keep them pinned while the other is firmly around my neck. I know if I fight fairly I hold no chance of escape.

    I drop, the sudden change in weight allowing me to slip out of the man's grasp. As I go down I twist towards the man, putting all my force behind my right fist as it collides directly with his groin. He falls to the sand with a pained groan and I take off at a dead run. My car is still yards away when I feel my keys slip from my left hand due to the sweat. I turn and search frantically for the gleam of metal in the sand.

    A glint catches my eye and I sprints towards it, skidding in the loose sand as I lean down to grab the keys. I almost collide with the man when I straighten myself. On reflex my right fist darts out and punches him forcefully in the throat before he can grab me again. He lets out choked gasp as he once again hits the sand, hands clutching his neck in agony.

    I make it to my car this time. Throwing open the door to leap inside, locking it behind me. I jams the key into the ignition and peel out, throwing sand from the tires and almost careening into a sign in my haste. I sob as my body shudders uncontrollably from the adrenaline coursing through it. I escaped.

                                                                          Max P.O.V.

  I kneel in the cool sand, hands clutching my throat as I try to breathe through the pain. Twice! She took him down twice! I hadn't expected her to fight back so easily and especially hadn't expected her to fight dirty. The poo aim subsides and I finally get some blessed air into my lungs when Everett walks up, cackling hysterically. 

"That was the funniest s**t I've ever seen in my life!" Everett chuckles, wiping a tear from one emerald green eye. He reaches down to help haul me to my feet, ignoring my furious face. "Still not want my help?" He teases, knowing that as soon as I can catch a full breath he's going to get an earful.

    "f**k you. You saw her take me down and didn't move a muscle to help. Obviously you can't be trusted to do any of the work. Shitty excuse of a beta." I snarl. My wounded ego causes me to lash out at my best friend friend. I'm not Hurt, not physically at least, but I'm furious that a mere human was able to drop me, and a female one at that!

    "f**k off, Max. I followed your orders, don't be a baby just because were dropped by a girl." Everett's tone is more serious now, his brows furrowed in annoyance.

    "Maybe I should kick your ass to make myself feel better." I grumble to myself, not really angry. We trudge to the black hummer hidden behind a dune. Everett pauses, puts a hand firmly on my shoulder and sighs deeply.

    "Oh, Max. I don't think your pride could handle three loses in a row."  He takes off for the car before I can actually attack him, laughing. I laugh as well, giving chase. Everett jumps into the passenger seat, chuckling."I can't believe she crushed you so smoothly, though. What a little fighter!" His voice betrays his newfound respect for the girl.

 I nod and slide into the drivers seat to smoothly drive away. We stop a bit away from a small house, a white 94' Subaru sitting in the driveway. This time, with teamwork, we won't let her escape.