Betrayal (Vanish Book Two) by Sonny Daise Read Free Book Online Page A

following you. I just found you, I
guess. That’s all I heard then I—”
    “I don’t know what mystical thing you think
happened when we met, but I can assure you, if you really did feel
something, you were the only one.” I stopped. “I don’t want to do
this. I don’t have a family anymore; you’re one of the only friends
I have, please.”
    “Cooper, get over here. We need to talk.
Now,” I heard Elizabeth yell.
    I tried to hold it in; I closed my eyes and
just focused on breathing for a moment. It didn’t work; I jumped up
and ran to the bathroom.
     
    I sat on the floor, still feeling nauseous.
Tears streamed down my cheeks; I wished they would stop. I got up
and found a bottle of mouth wash, and I swished it around in my
mouth for a few minutes. Then, I wiped the mascara from my face and
returned to the party.
    “There she is,” Elizabeth said with
enthusiasm, sympathy.
    “Hey,” I faked the best smile I could.
    “This is Scarlett,” she said to the couple
she was talking to.
    “Amanda,” the woman said as she shook my
hand.
    “Ben,” the man said as he smiled.
    Elizabeth pulled me aside.
    “Everyone will be staying at least tonight in
the other four houses and in the apartments. You can meet them all
tomorrow if you don’t feel up to it right now, who knows, they
might stay longer than that,” she offered.
    “Cooper told you what happened?” I
assumed.
    “I’m sorry Scarlett,” Elizabeth said.
    “Did they come back to the party?” I
wondered.
    “No. I haven’t seen them, but like I said,
you can meet everyone tomorrow,” she explained.
    Then I realized something was up. “What’s
going on Elizabeth?” I demanded.
    “Oh, it’s really nothing.” She seemed
nervous.
    “Please,” I begged.
    “Fine,” she exhaled. “Come on.” She dragged
me into the other room.
    “Something is going on. Something major. I
don’t know what, exactly, but it’s going to change everything.
We’re safe here… for now, but—” she broke down into tears.
“Scarlett, I’m afraid.”
    “What do you know, Elizabeth?” I pleaded.
    “The Alliance, they’re watching us. They will
find a way to come here.”
    “Why? I—” The dizziness was coming back.
    “They’re coming for you.” She put her hand on
my shoulder. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t take the
scared-stiff, shocked look off of my face. I turned around and
walked out the doors.
    I walked as fast as I could into the woods,
somehow managing to walk somewhat graceful in the heels. I needed
to leave, that was certain, if what Elizabeth said was true—and I
had no reason not to believe her—I was endangering everyone around
me. I ran into the woods, not going in any particular direction; it
didn’t matter either way I would reach the end sometime.
     
    The woods didn’t frighten me as much as they
used to, as much as they should, I had more important things to
worry about. I walked forever, unable to see much in front of me.
The glow from the trees wasn’t bright enough to show me where I was
going. I stepped on something, then I bent over to pick it up; it
was a lighter. I checked to see if it worked, it did. I held onto
it, in case I needed it. I hoped if I changed my mind, I would be
able to find my way back, but I couldn’t change my mind, not now.
Everyone around me would be in danger. I didn’t know how long it
would take for the Alliance to find me, but until then I would be
alone.
    Up ahead, there was a sign posted on a tree.
I lit the lighter to get a closer look. It was a shrine or memorial
of some kind. There were teddy bears and candles in a circle around
the tree. A necklace hung from one of the lower branches. I held
the pendant in my hand to get a closer look. It lit up so bright,
no matter how far I was from the house, they could probably see it,
like a spotlight in the sky. I let go; I was a little startled, but
I was still curious. What would happen if I put it on ? I
took it off the branch holding it