Chapter Nineteen
Innocent
After realizing that my office would not accommodate all the family members, I called Faust and he gave me the address to Savannah Tate’s house. She was the mother of missing seventeen-year-old Alexia Tate.
I took a deep breath and turned off the car after parking on the street in front of the house. They lived in a beautiful white and green ranch home on the outskirts of Misery.
Already, the driveway was full of cars. That meant everyone was waiting for me.
I still wasn’t sure if I could handle it, but I would try.
When I got out, I noticed Faust outside smoking a cigarette. He was wearing a long black coat over gray dress pants and an off-white button up shirt. His hair was longer than the last time I saw him and he pushed it out of his blue eyes.
“Thought you quit,” I said as I approached him.
“I thought so too.” He threw the cigarette and gave me a smile. “How are you?”
“I…will give you the proper and polite response to that question instead of boring you with the truth.”
“Wouldn’t mind some boredom.”
I laughed. “Next time. For now, I will say I’m fine. Thank you.”
“Okay, I’ll pretend to believe you.”
“I appreciate it, thank you.”
He opened the door but didn’t step inside yet. “Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Thank you for doing this, Jade.”
“Don’t thank me yet.”
He nodded and we stepped inside.
The house smelled of coffee and maple syrup as we walked into a very busy parlor.
Instantly, I was met with so many emotions that I staggered. Faust reached for me, but I shook my head.
“It’s okay. I have to embrace it.”
Everyone stopped talking and looked at me.
I felt worse than a fish in a bowl.
For a while, no one said anything. Then, Mrs. Tate came forward cautiously. Her green eyes already misty.
I gritted my teeth and tried my best to keep a tight shield. If I failed, I wasn’t sure I would survive the attack of emotions.
Why did I agree to this?
“Miss Sinclair.” She smiled. “Thank you so much for coming.”
I nodded.
“We are so desperate.” She wept.
“I know,” I responded. “I will do my best, but I cannot promise anything.”
She nodded. “We understand. Should I give you a picture or…”
“Actually,” I said. “Anything of hers will work usually, but I will ask for something a little more personal.”
Mrs. Tate reached for a picture on the mantle and turned it over. On the back of the frame was a lock of hair tied with yellow ribbon. She took it and played with it gingerly before handing it to me. “It’s from her first haircut.” Her voice broke and her husband’s arms were there to greet her.
He gave me careful gray eyes.
“I know what you can do, Miss Sinclair. I’ve read the papers. Will we be watching with you?” His question hung in the air. I was willing to bet most of the parents had the same question.
I bit my lip and shook my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, but if that’s what you want,” I answered.
“That’s what I want.” One of the other moms alerted me.
“Shay.” Someone cautioned her.
“I want to see my baby.” She snapped. “That’s why I’m here.” Tears rolled down her full cheeks.
I nodded. “If that’s what you all want fine, but I should warn you, I cannot control the images. While I may be able to shield the feelings from you, you may not like what you see. So I ask that you leave the room if you do not wish to be included.”
When no one moved, I began twirling the silky strand of brown hair in my fingers and closed my eyes.
The room held its breath as blurry visions of Alexia flared to life.
She was dancing with Cross, laughing as he whispered lies in her naïve ear.
The music was too loud, so he coaxed her outside. Under a flickering streetlight, a hooded figure approached. I felt the first pang of fear take hold of her. My knees trembled. I tried to hide behind Cross, but he moved away and let the figure take me. I kicked and screamed for help, but it was futile. Pale hands struck me across the face, and I went limp.
I squeezed the hair tighter, trying to focus harder.
Heavy, gray clouds threatened to tear open above. The wind was blistering, biting at my exposed flesh. The smell of snow and burning wood filled my lungs.
I was panting, struggling over a rocky path. Other girls were walking in front of me. We were all crying and afraid.
My bare feet blistered as they stepped through the snow. I slipped and fell and someone backhanded me across the mouth.
My heart instantly reacted, and I lost the image.
When I opened my eyes, the moms were huddled together, crying and holding hands. The dads had scowls on their faces and tight fists.
“I’m sorry.” I coughed. “I’ll focus harder.”
I closed my eyes again. Naked and bruised, I was tossed into what looked like a prison cell with two other nude girls.
“Jenna!” A voice erupted in the room, and the vision deteriorated.
I felt my chest caving in until I could no longer breathe. I screamed and fell to the floor on my hands and knees.
When I opened my eyes, Savannah and the other moms surrounded me.
One of them had a phone in her hand while the others trembled with their hands over their mouths.
“Should I call—”
“No!” I choked out. “No. I’ll be fine.”
“Jade, are you sure?” Faust asked trying to touch my shoulder, but I pulled away.
“Please, don’t…” I coughed again. “Don’t touch me right now, please,” I said trying to control my voice. Not to be rude or mean, but I hadn’t replaced the shields yet.
I took in a sharp breath and tried to stand up. I wobbled a bit, but I managed without help.
“I’m sorry, Jade.” The woman who said she was Jenna’s mother spoke. “Seeing her like that. We shouldn’t have…” She hugged herself and shook her head.
“It’s all right.” I assured. “At least we know the girls are together and alive.” I let on.
“And?” Someone barked.
“And now, I can try to get a location. The land feels foreign. I don’t think they’re in the country, but this gives us hope that whoever was keeping their location a secret has slipped up and we can hone in on them.”
The room seemed to sigh with relief, and that made the air a bit easier to inhale.
“That’s all I can you tell you for now. But it’s progress. I might be able to force past the barriers with help.”
“Whose help?” Faust asked.
“Madam Stella’s. If she and I combine, we might be able to see more. Maybe get a location.”
The group scattered and spoke amongst themselves while I got myself together.
“I have to go.” I told Faust.
He nodded.
“If I come up with something else, I will be in touch.” I told Savannah.
“Thank you, Jade.”
I gave her a smile and rushed out the door.