DELONIX [COMPLETED]

Chapter 62

Dialing Red's number, her voice reached me, tinged with a mixture of anxiety and fatigue. "Uncle J, where are you?" Her words carried a hint of desperation, causing a pang of pain to reverberate within me. Once again, the weight of her suffering fueled the fire of determination within my being.

"Going to hunt down that son of a bitch," I growled, my fingers pressing the car key, eliciting a satisfying beep as the vehicle responded. Sliding into the driver's seat, I inserted the key into the ignition, the engine roaring to life with a powerful hum.

"Where did he say he was?" I demanded, my foot gently applying pressure to the gas pedal as the car gracefully maneuvered in reverse, setting the stage for a swift departure into the unknown depths of the forest. After confronting Nicholas and extracting information about the whole Gwen's situation that Red spoke about, he had divulged an alternative path to the human realm, sparing me the ordeal of dealing with those loathsome lycans.

A wave of relief washed over me, grateful that I wouldn't have to endure their insufferable company

"He said he couldn't find her in the house. Uncle J, I don't know where she could be. She doesn't really make friends," Red's voice quivered with concern, her words confirming what I had long known about May. She cherished her solitude, opting for moments of introspection over the clamor of social interactions.

It was one of the many qualities that had drawn me to her.

My hands tightened around the steering wheel, knuckles whitening as I contemplated the grim possibilities. "Did he have her phone?" I queried, my voice strained as I struggled to contain my anger within the confines of the phone line.

"Yes," came her reply,

Confusion gnawed at my thoughts as I grappled with the peculiarity of May leaving her phone behind without a word of warning. Something didn't just add up.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen," I assured her, abruptly ending the call. I slammed on the brakes, the screech of tires echoing through the air, before I accelerated with a vengeance, the car hurtling forward with an insatiable hunger for speed. As I delved deeper into the forest, its serene ambiance only served to heighten my anxiety and frustration.

Hold on tight, May. I'm on my way.

The moon cast an ethereal glow as night descended, enveloping the world in a shroud of silence and darkness. Cautiously, I parked my car a few distances away from the house, my senses heightened in anticipation of any lurking danger. Gripping my gun tightly, I stepped out, each footfall deliberate and measured. The entrance door loomed before me, its shattered state an ominous sign of intrusion. With a racing heart, I pushed it open, revealing a scene that sent shivers down my spine.

Inside the house, an eerie calmness prevailed. It was not a scene of chaos, nor a battlefield of broken possessions. Instead, it was as if a clandestine operation had taken place, a mission executed with unsettling precision but ultimately doomed to failure. Though I eased my grip on the gun, a lingering unease settled in my bones, keeping me alert and prepared for any unexpected encounter.

Navigating through the familiar kitchen, I found everything in its rightful place, belying the sinister events that had unfolded. The lights still illuminated the house, casting an illusion of normalcy to unsuspecting eyes peering in from the outside world. But beneath the surface, a palpable hollowness hung in the air, unsettling my every step as I ascended the stairs.

The first room I entered teased me with its deceptive orderliness. There was an absence of youthful exuberance, a stark departure from the expected. Could it belong to Red, I wondered, but quickly dismissed the thought, closing the door behind me. Continuing down the dimly lit hallway, my senses heightened in anticipation of what I might uncover.