Cry of Love- Part Three

“NO!” Collin cried out in disbelief. His grip tightened around Jimena at first and then she felt him release her. She felt her nails digging into the brown carpet that covered his bedroom floor, trying to grip the reality of what Stanton had told her. 1

“What the hell did you do to her!?” Collin demanded, breaking Jimena of her almost catatonic state.2

“Collin.” She called his name, somehow managing to make it soft and steady. She forced herself to her feet, though she was slightly swaying. Collin held Stanton by the shirt, ready to swing. “Collin don’t.” She pleaded with him. 3

“No,” Stanton whispered hoarsely as tears flowed freely down his cheek, “Let him, I deserve it. I didn’t protect Serena.” Collin raised his fist. Jimena found herself standing beside Collin, one hand his raised fist, placing herself between Stanton and him. She placed one hand on his stomach. Instantly, his warmth devoured her, comforted her.4

“Collin please don’t.” She whispered between gasps of air.5

“He killed Serena,” Collin whispered as tears rushed down his face. Stanton didn’t object.6

“No Collin, the Atrox killed Collin.” Jimena whispered, the words cutting through her like knifes. She felt his fist relax in his hand and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He pulled her into his arms burying himself in her and she did the same with him. Both cried together, almost unaware of Stanton’s presence. They stood there for what felt like ever in complete silence, the noise was their gasp for breathes. Unwillingly, they were pulled from their mourning as a blast shook the ground, rocking them all to their knees. A fiery glow erupted outside their window.7

“What the-?” Collin rasped, throwing himself over Jimena.8

“Damn,” Stanton mumbled, “It’s already started.’’9

“What has started?” Jimena demanded, pulling herself from underneath Collin’s warmth.10

“The walls between Nefandus and Earth are breaking.” He said, holding out his hand, “We need to get to the safe house.”11

“What?” Jimena demanded as she crawled to her feet, pulling Collin beside her.12

“Some of the followers who have been running from the Atrox have made a sort of safe house. The Atrox can’t penetrate it.” Stanton replied, “Hurry. I have to get you there now Jimena.”13

“I’m not leaving without Collin.” Jimena shook her head. Stanton’s eyes flared.14

“He’s not one of us.” He said through gritted teeth.15

“I don’t care. He is Serena’s brother, who do you think they will be looking for first?” Jimena demanded. Stanton grumbled something, but nodded anyway. Jimena took Collin’s hand, and then unwillingly took Stanton’s. Jimena cringed slightly as they evaporated into a black cloud, the signature of a follower.16

The trio soared carefully over LA. Billows of smoke choked the air, but this time they weren’t from the Santa Ann’s. Jimena watched in horror as Followers and Regulators dashed across streets…out in the open, their disgusting features sending off their reeking smell. She nearly gagged, but she forced herself to watch as more and more appeared, littering the streets, attacking humans. Jimena wanted to be down their, defending them. But she knew that she couldn’t. Not with out her sisters. She was to week to fight alone, plus, her only power was her vision and her medusa head.17

Soon they were flying over tree tops, out of the city limits of LA, here everything seemed peaceful, the only sign of the pending war was the smoke and flashes of orange behind them as they soared above the tree tops. As they flew Jimena began to notice the trees getting bigger, Jimena frowned and soon realized that they were descending. Within seconds they landed on the ground. Jimena stumbled slightly, Stanton gripped her to keep her from falling. Collin on the other hand, landed face first in the ground.18

“Sorry,” Jimena whispered helping him up, “Forgot to tell you it’s kind of rough flying.” Collin smiled at her and her heart fluttered even with the sadness she felt inside, he still managed to make her stomach flip. 19

“So where is this Safe house?” Jimena demanded, turning to Stanton.20

“Here,” He said, bending down he pulled up a small rug of fake grass that revealed a wooden door.21

“Clever.” Collin breathed sarcastically beside Jimena. Stanton started to reply, but Jimena glared at him.22