Nefarious

C124 - Mayhem

Xavier seemed pretty stressed with the ongoing situation. It didn't quite look like he knew what to do or what to say, but I couldn't take that. "Are you okay?" I asked hesitatingly. He looked over at me immediately as though he didn't expect me to ask him or something. His brooding facial expression worried me, especially since he wouldn't answer my question. "Alex's journal, I need it," he blurted out. "What? Why?" I frowned. He walked past me quickly, grabbing the journal straight from the shelf. His shaky hands flicked through pages until he finally found whatever he was looking for. "Leader's day," he mumbled, moving his finger down the page. "Of course," he sighed, leaning his head back. "Can you please fill me in?" I exhaled. "Alex will be a leader very soon, meaning Hayden will too. Neither will succeed in time," he told me. "Succeed with what?" I frowned. "It doesn't matter. They don't have to make it, but Hayden surely will try to get this girl that we have back."

The things Xavier said didn't tell me much, and knowing him, he wasn't going to tell me anything. Therefore, I snatched the book from Xavier's hands as I was feeling nothing but impatient and confused. I quickly ran my eyes over the page he'd read. "Oh, shit," I panted. "Valerie, you can't do anything," he said quickly. "They can't do anything to her!" I swallowed oddly. "Trust me, Alex's got other things to take care of." "Xavier, I'm serious. She needs to get the hell out of here." He let out a sigh before taking the journal back. "I won't stop you, but if you walk out that door... I'm done. Xylan will kill me."

I knew Xavier was right, and I couldn't risk it. Still, I felt the need to do something, which he caught onto rather quickly. "You received a text," Xavier said, his voice softening. I nodded once, sighing as I read the text from Nikkie: "You're in danger." "Urm, Xavier? I think we need to lock the door." He narrowed his eyebrows before taking my phone to read the message himself. "If what I think is happening, I can't protect you." "This will be hopeless if I don't get to know anything," I groaned. "I barely know anything," he clarified. "Jace hasn't told you?" I frowned. "I'm only a weakening person. He's careful with information, even around me."

People had suddenly started screaming, and I could see it was taring at Xavier's patience. He wanted to leave to check what was going on, but Alex had told him not do. "Just do it, Xavier, I won't tell Alex." "And leave what they're looking for? That doesn't sound like a very good idea." "Don't you think there are far many more protective vampires up here than down there? I doubt you're the only one watching me right now," I answered.

Xavier left hesitatingly. I didn't tell him why I wanted him to leave, but it was simply because of Dane. There's something that makes me want to protect Dane, although I'm not quite sure what. However, I'm certain Xavier wouldn't be thrilled to meet Dane after what happened to Zane. Therefore, I had to get Xavier to leave before Dane succeeds in finding me.

After seeing strangers trying to reach Alex's window, I decided I was better off leaving his room. They knew where I was and there was only a matter of time before they would be here. Xavier was long gone and I could, in fact, not see anyone outside Alex's door...

From the top of the stairs, I saw them all, fighting each other like their lives meant nothing compared to getting me. My phone was on silent, of course, but I still saw all the messages from Nikkie saying I should leave third floor. She could be doing me dirty, but I had to take the chance as there were no one upstairs to help me out.

Hearing all the angry yelling and seeing the violent fights caused my breathing to quicken, causing the panic to grow greater. It was as though my mind was struggling to take in everything. My eyes wandered over the people, trying desperately to spot the one person I was looking for - Alex. 

My observing was interrupted abruptly when feeling a hand on my shoulder. I gasped softly, trying to avoid anyone's attention. My instincts told me to turn around, but I didn't. I was petrified, stricken into silence as the cold hand pressed on my shoulder. "You should run before they spot you," Dane warned. My body turned around before my mind could process the fact that it was Dane standing there. "How did you get up here?" I whispered shakily. "The fact that you didn't notice says enough, now go," he cleared his throat as he pushed me towards the stairs.

With unsteady legs, I staggered my way down the stairs - towards the ongoing fight. Dane rushed in front of me, covering most of me as I was too damn slow. "Lights will be out shortly, you need to hurry up," he said through gritted teeth.

Dane was right, it went dark the second we entered a random room at the second floor. I leaned my head against a wall, feeling the urge to slam the wall in frustration. "Why are you here, Dane?" I exhaled. I could hear his breathing, but not voice. "Dane?" I repeated. I carefully moved away from the wall, stepping backwards before feeling an unpleasant pressure against my back. Someone was breathing down my neck while placing one arm over my chest so I couldn't move. "Very well, Valerie."