The Invisibles

Chapter 5

Jazz lay still for a few moments, trying to process everything that had happened. Her thoughts swirled, tangled up in the memories that had resurfaced and the reality she was now faced with. The calm she had felt upon waking was still there, but it was tinged with a new urgency, a need to understand what was happening.She decided she needed some fresh air, something to clear her head. Pushing herself up from the bed, Jazz made her way to the backyard. It was a small space, but it backed onto a mini forest, a lush patch of greenery that had always been a sanctuary for her. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the grass, and the air was cool, carrying the scent of mint and fresh leaves.Jazz walked to the edge of the yard, stopping just before the fence that separated her from the trees beyond. She inhaled deeply, letting the soothing air fill her lungs. The world felt quiet here, the silence wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. For a moment, she allowed herself to simply be, letting the calm of the surroundings seep into her.But then, she felt it again—that unmistakable presence. Her heart quickened, the air around her seeming to shift ever so slightly.She knew he was there, standing behind her. Slowly, Jazz turned around, her breath catching in her throat.There he was, just a few steps away from her, standing in the soft light that filtered through the trees. Simon. His green eyes, as mesmerizing as ever, seemed to glow in the dimming light. Those eyes—she could get lost in them, feel like the world disappeared when she looked into their depths. His silver hair framed his handsome face perfectly, and his tall, lean physique exuded a quiet strength.He looked just as gorgeous as the first time she had seen him, and the sight of him made her heart race. It was like seeing a ghost, but he was real, standing there, watching her with that same intensity she remembered.Jazz’s mind raced with a thousand questions, but for a moment, all she could do was stare, drinking in the sight of him, wondering if this was real, if he was truly here with her.

Jazz had so many questions bubbling inside her, but the only words that escaped her were, “You’re back.”Simon nodded, his expression serious. “Yes, but not for long. My presence here draws danger to you.”Jazz’s confusion and sadness were palpable. “You’re leaving? And why am I in danger?”Simon’s gaze softened with concern. “I know you might be confused and have many questions, but those will have to wait. What’s important right now is your safety. You need to leave with me. I have to take you somewhere safer. At any moment now, dark forces will be coming for you, and they won’t stop for anything. Just like that professor. The demons at that school used his body to disguise themselves. I’m sure they’ve planned it out. They know people who might have experience or curiosity about the supernatural will probably be there, and they had a big chance that a seer like you would attend as well.”Jazz’s eyes widened with shock. “So, they were using him? They’ve been manipulating everything?”Simon nodded grimly. “Yes. The demons are cunning and strategic. They know how to exploit every opportunity to their advantage. And now, with you being a seer, you’re a prime target. It’s not just about haunting or scaring you; it’s about capturing and controlling you. They might even use people important to you as bait to lure you into their grasp. If they can get to you through those you care about, they’ll do it.”Jazz’s thoughts immediately turned to Zia and her aunt Sarah. “But how about my aunt and Zia? I can’t let them be in danger.”Simon’s expression softened. “I’ve already cast a spell to protect them. The demons can’t sense them or see them because of the spell. They’re safe for now. But you need to leave with me quickly. If the demons find a way to breach the spell or if you stay too long, they might still try to get to you through them.”Jazz took a deep breath, trying to absorb this information. She knew she needed to understand the truth and didn’t want anyone important to her to be at risk. “Okay, I’ll come with you,” she finally said, her voice resolute.Simon gave a reassuring nod. “Thank you. We need to move quickly.”Jazz went back inside the house, finding Zia in the kitchen. Zia looked up as she entered, a concerned expression on her face. “Hey, Jazz, what’s going on? You look serious.”“I need to go back to my grandparents’ house in Wales,” Jazz said, trying to sound casual. “I just got a call from my grandma. She needs me.”Zia’s eyes softened with understanding. “Oh, I hope everything’s okay. I’ll miss you. Don’t forget to text me when you can, okay?”Jazz smiled, trying to mask her worry. “I will. Thanks, Zia.”They hugged, and Jazz felt a pang of guilt for not being able to explain the real situation. She broke the embrace and headed towards the door.Before she left, Zia called after her. “Be careful, Jazz. I’ll be here if you need me.”“I will,” Jazz replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. With one last glance at her friend, she stepped outside, where Simon was waiting.

Jazz was surprised the moment she stepped outside. Instead of finding Simon standing in the shadows or waiting near the forest, she saw him leaning casually against a sleek, red Tesla Roadster, a car she recognized as one of the latest in cutting-edge technology. It looked out of place in the quiet neighborhood, like something out of a futuristic movie.But what shocked her even more was Simon himself. He looked completely different. Gone were the otherworldly silver hair and glowing green eyes; instead, he appeared entirely human, with tousled dark hair and deep brown eyes that seemed almost familiar, though still strikingly handsome.“Are we... riding in this?” Jazz asked, her voice laced with curiosity as she gestured to the car.Simon chuckled, the sound warm and surprisingly normal. “What, were you expecting us to travel through a magic portal?”Jazz blinked, her surprise shifting into amusement as she met his gaze. “Honestly, yes. It seems more like your style.”He shook his head, a smile playing on his lips. “I thought I’d blend in a little better. The last thing we need is to draw unnecessary attention.”Jazz couldn’t help but smile back, the tension easing slightly from her shoulders. “You do know how to keep me on my toes.”Simon opened the passenger door with a fluid motion, gesturing for her to get in. “I like to think I’m full of surprises. Now, let’s go. We don’t have much time.”Jazz hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the house one last time. Then, with a deep breath, she slid into the seat.Simon got in beside her, the engine humming softly to life as he tapped a few commands into the touch screen. The car pulled away from the curb, the quiet purr of the electric motor almost imperceptible against the backdrop of the night.As they drove, Jazz couldn’t help but steal glances at Simon, still trying to wrap her mind around his transformation. “You look... different.”He glanced over, his expression unreadable. “This form is easier to manage in your world. Less conspicuous.”Jazz nodded, though her mind was still racing. “Does this mean... you’re going to be around for a while?”Simon’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly, but his voice remained calm. “As long as you need me.”Jazz looked out the window as the trees blurred past, a mix of emotions churning inside her. She had so many questions, so much she didn’t understand. But for now, she knew she had to trust him.And maybe, just maybe, this strange, unexpected journey was exactly what she needed.