Chapter 47 - Aftermath, Run. Skip. Hop. Jump. Fly. (Samson POV) Pt.5

Was taking a five minute break form typing and I was just sitting here and thought, Ugh, I wish Wattpad had a Best Series Category for each genre in the Watty's. I might not have the most popular singular book, but my series is pretty good. Right?

Anyways, then I was daydreaming and started wondering where all my readers lived. *I'm not a creepy stalker LOL* But it's so strange... I mean I'm in the U.S. but I've spoken to readers that live in New Zealand and Africa, and Australia... that's just craziness! Emoji your location if you can: 🇩🇲 Born, 🇺🇸 Raised!

Chapter 47 – Aftermath, Run. Skip. Hop. Jump. Fly. (Samson Conrad POV) Pt.5

"You know," Luca starts glancing behind to check on our girls. After picking up a quick meal, which Fatima slept through, Imogen was now as fast asleep as Fatima.

Knowing that her fears or quirks did not magically disappear, I purchase a few bagged snacks, and sealed drinks. "None of this makes any sense whatsoever," I nod not taking my eyes off the road.

"But none of it is really Fatima's fault," I make sure to add. In truth it really wasn't. I mean at this point, it felt like for whatever reason so many people had a hand in making her this person that she was.

It could not all be blamed on Dmitri.

Hell, Wyatt, whoever he is actually kept her secluded and Fatima were born in Zedwood. A realm that did not welcome half-breeds or non-full Faes and from the information that she's given us, it's becoming more apparent that this Wyatt man knew Fatima would be sent away.

As though, he sent her with the intentions of her being some type of carrier pigeon.

Then, Cynthia left her with Alpha Monet's pack.

As if that wasn't enough, she falls into Dmitri's hands and though he kept her protected, he did not necessarily keep her safe.

I glance at Luca from the corner of my eye, "I know, I'm not saying she's at fault, but," again he looks behind us. "Okay, the thing is, the Zedwood Six, that is not something anyone but the high officials in Zedwood knew of. Wyatt was one of them, but at the same time," he drags the end out.

"Faith knows, he told her, hell she was over in that realm. I'm not surprised the extent Wyatt went too, but I just... for him to have done something like having Faith in Zedwood," he shakes his head, "he saw something. Something he wanted to change or prevent or maybe it's something that has to be done. He just wouldn't go to the lengths of going against everything-"

"What if – it's been a while since you or not you but Rhys was over in Zedwood, maybe they've changed. Maybe they let-"

"No," he interrupts me. "Zedwood was created after the first world ended-"

"As in the myth of, the Five Suns."

"Not a myth. Zedwood was created when the first Sun was destroyed."

If I could deadpan this, I would. Instead I just keep my eyes on the road, happy that in less than an hour we would arrive at the home near Moscow, Idaho.

"Zedwood, the leaders, they more or less preach purification. That to keep our species untainted, that others, needed to be kept out. However, that is not what those like myself all believe."

I drive until tall bold trees wither and the landscape turns to flat yellowish fields. When we've arrived, it's been nearly ten minutes since either Luca or I have spoken. Following the directions Dmitri had in each envelope for Fatima, I find myself driving upward, leaving Moscow, Idaho behind. Pine trees once sparsely dotting the earth are in clumps together, creating a barrier between the trail to the house and town.

Before Fatima fell asleep, she describe the traps and tricks that Dmitri had used to keep her home isolated. On guard, the minute we reach a black iron gate, the tops filled with barbwire and another fence intertwined.

At the keypad, Luca takes the paper with him, the code to open the gate entered and the lights that shine, reveal the signs against the fence.

Nearly sixteen feet high electrical fences?

I huff, throwing myself back against the seat, shaking my head.

Dmitri wired a fence to keep people out? God, the road to this house was gray gravel and had a light dusting of snow. It didn't look as though anyone had driven up here. Even further down, the area was untouched. Though I'm thankful for this hideaway home now.

Inside, it grates on my nerves.

How on earth could he go to these measures to protect- I stop frowning as the gate slides to the left and Luca jogs back to the Conquest.

Before driving up, I hop in the back, crawling up to Fatima, lightly laying my hand on her thigh, and jostling her just a bit.

"Fatima," she remains still, "hey, wake up, we're here," my words whispered. Frowning, I shake my head. I'm trying to wake her up, why the heck am I still whispering?

"Fatima," this time, my volume is regular, and the results are instant, as her eyes fly open, though she remains still everywhere else. Exhaling deeply, I cannot force myself to stop. I lack all self control when it comes to her, I think as my hand is drawn to her face, pushing aside the few loose strands of hair. "Hey, we made it," green eyes bore into mine, slowly pulling away to take in the scene behind me.

"We're here?" she questions, slowly uncurling her body from the balled up position. Nodding, I give her a moment to gather herself. Roughly shaking Imogen awake before returning to my seat besides Luca.

As the girls wake themselves up in the back, even creeping up closer to the front, I slowly make way up the winding driveway. As we drive up, the motion enforced lights turn on lighting the area, until we pull up to a derelict looking wooden barn.

"No effing way," I mutter shaking my head. The headlights illuminate the stained wood. Two entrances, one large double door, taking over the bulk of the barn, the next is a single opening door to the left. Three, four-rectangular windows sit above the largest opening.

"I was expecting something..." Imogen says trailing off.

"Newer?" Luca chirps.

"Bigger?"

I look at Fatima, her eyes scrutinizing the place, "it's under a thousand square feet, so," she shrugs.

"There's another place in Sun Valley. That one had more square feet, but it was further away than this place."

We nod silently, each peering as far as our sight goes before eventually, Fatima opens the back door. "Where are you going?" Imogen asks, before I can truthfully.

Fatima turns to us, the cold bursting into the warmth of the Conquest. "Inside?" she points towards the neglected barn just frowning at us.

Grabbing the manila envelope she digs around through it, until she places in on the floor of the car and closes her door. Scurrying in the cold, air puffing from around her lips, I almost leave my seat to go with her.

Within seconds she has the bottom double barn doors unlocked and starts pushing the right aside, the left next. The Conquest lights immediately brighten the dark space.

Going at a snails pace, I drive us forward, my eyes scanning the area. I was not sure what to expect, but at the same time, my worry for Fatima was just as high.

Inside, not sure what to expect, I am a bit awed at the gray concrete interior. The moment the Conquest goes to a stop, Luca, Imogen and I jump out. Luca rushes to help Fatima shut the doors behind us, while Imogen peeks around, "oh flashlight," she sighs. Going to the table ahead of us, and flicking the device on.

With slow movement, I catch on rather quickly what she's checking for and together we place the switch to turn on the lights above us.

I was not sure what we would find when we entered this barn but when we all group and go to the left, we enter a dark caramel colored woodened panel hunting closet. With full supplies, jackets, pants, buckets and tubs of equipment, but that wasn't what exactly kept my eyes in place.

While there was clearly male items on one of the paneled shelves, on the opposite side were all female items, most in bags, the shoes in boxes on display.

More specifically, we center on the bottom of the shelves. One tub – exactly the same deep green as the container next to it – with the name 'Fatima' written bold in black.

When I turn to Fatima, a frown develops on my face rather quickly. Her skin that was just flushed from cold is now pale, nearly green. My eyes follow her gaze. In the corner, near the lined up fishing poles, rifles, hang a white chemical protective clothing, face mask and white doctors coat next to it – both covered in mild grime.

To add insult to injury, I realize that there isn't just one all white coverall suit. There are exactly six of them, and on the bottom shelf six gray tanks lined below them as well.

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Ansel Conrad POV

My father and I are on the stairs when Andy turns the corner. Startled to see us, he puts on a brave face, hiding the frown that he had before he crashed into us.

When I go to open my mouth, unsure of what is even going to come out, Andy shakes his head, light brown hair shaking. "No, I get it. I know that they love me, but it's different. I love Faith like they love Lydia and... uhm... I cannot explain it but I just know she's important," he shrugs his shoulders again.

I could not understand it.

"You haven't seen her in years," he nods, checking behind him. "If in this very moment Danny's wife Tina came back, now they won't admit it but I think they'd love her just as I love Fatima. It doesn't matter that I haven't seen her in a while, and it wouldn't bother them either. Even if they love mom, our family and me. They wouldn't just send her away and pretend she doesn't exist. It would be hard, but they'd want her around."

His tears fill his eyes right up as he speaks. Falling over the brim.

"You told us to leave Faith a-alone," I nod, "I might be mad if Faith had sought out Lydia, but that's not what happened. Lydia went looking for Faith."

With that he slips between dad and I, heading upstairs. I pull out my phone shooting a text over to Angela at the main house.

I hated that it came down to listening in on Danny, but the trust just wasn't there. When I was at the main house, I wanted to keep an eye on him as well as the girls. The older ones at least.

At this point, I had no idea how Lydia or Cynthia had exchanged messages but it happened.

This was just one of those fool me once shame on your, fool me twice, shame on me. Except I wouldn't let it happen a second time.

Danny needed a scapegoat and right now, as ridiculous as it may be, Faith was his.

"I don't know what is going on," my father says bewildered.

"The nonsense he was sprouting was – I've never heard such venomous words falling from Danny's mouth," I quirk and eyebrow at dad, when my phone chimes.

Dread swallows me and I'm in half a mind to barge right into the room and hear what Danny is saying. Instead, knowing that Angela was recording I stalk up the stairs, my father following behind me.

"I've called for backup. A few from the farm are coming down, to help keep the peace here," my mom is saying as we climb up to the first floor landing. With fury in my eyes, dad hangs back and Kalenah comes to my side immediately.

Reading me well, she comes with questions in her eyes. But my phone announces a new message.

I shake my head, lowering my phone to let Kalenah see the cause of my distress.

"What?" she whispers, eyes flying to me. "I don't-"

The backdoor against the wall, with a force that echoes throughout the kitchen, and standing in the doorway is my haggard looking son. Breathing heavily, one hand on the door jam.

"Samson and Faith are gone! They left," he pants out. Face flush, but it's the blood dripping from his nose and lip that I focus on until the words register. But when they do, my heart beats erratically. "What? Someone – did the Elders-"

Brennan whips his head from side to side, "No dad, Samson left! He had his emergency bag with him," suddenly his bloodied face and frantic explanation makes sense.

"He ran," Kalenah whispers.

Closing my eyes, my shoulders sagging, "With Faith."

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