CHAPTER 6

 

In the Eye of the Storm

 

The club felt eerily still, the vibrant lights now dimmed as if in mourning for Saidy. Lila stared at the lifeless body sprawled on the ground, her breath hitching in her throat. What had she become? The echoes of her actions reverberated in her mind, each heartbeat a reminder of the dark power that now surged within her.

 

Suddenly, the room filled with muffled gasps and murmurs. The patrons, previously lost in their revelry, began to stir, their expressions a mix of shock and fear. Lila’s heart raced. She needed to get out before anyone connected the dots.

 

Her thoughts flickered back to Jerry, still slumped against the wall. She rushed to him, her pulse racing. “Jerry!” she whispered urgently, shaking him lightly. “Wake up!”

 

After a few moments, Jerry groaned, blinking his eyes open. Confusion washed over his face as he took in the scene—the body on the floor, the frightened faces around them, and Lila’s wild eyes. “What... what happened?” he stammered, slowly sitting up.

 

“Just a little mishap,” Lila replied, trying to keep her voice steady. “We need to go. Now.”

 

He looked at her, concern etched on his face. “Are you okay?”

 

“I’m fine,” she lied, not ready to unravel the chaos swirling inside her. “Let’s just get out of here.”

 

Together, they navigated through the crowd, the whispers following them like a ghost. “Did you see that?” someone exclaimed. “She killed her!”

 

“Call the police!” another voice shouted, sending a wave of panic through the crowd.

 

Lila’s heart sank. They needed to move faster. As they pushed through the throngs of people, Lila felt the energy inside her pulsating, a relentless tide urging her to act.

 

“Lila, wait!” Jerry called, his voice strained. She paused, glancing back at him. “Are we really just going to leave? That was... insane.”

 

“Insane?” Lila echoed, her voice rising. “I just absorbed a person’s soul, Jerry! We don’t have time to process it!”

 

“But—”

 

“No!” she snapped, feeling the edges of her control fraying. “We need to get out before more people show up.”

 

They dashed toward the exit, the bouncers now converging on the scene, eyes wide with alarm. Lila felt an instinctual pull, and before she could second-guess herself, she reached for Jerry’s hand. The club walls began to blur around them, colors swirling into a vortex as they teleported.

 

With a whoosh, they landed in an unfamiliar street, the sounds of the club fading into silence. Lila stumbled, nearly falling as she caught her breath. “What just happened?” Jerry gasped, glancing around, bewildered.

 

“Teleportation,” Lila said, still trying to steady herself. “I think I can do it.”

 

“Yeah, I figured that out when you just—” He paused, his eyes narrowing. “Wait, can you teleport us anywhere?”

 

Lila nodded, but uncertainty twisted in her gut. “I think so. But I need to focus. Right now, I just want to get somewhere safe.”

 

They stood in an empty alleyway, the cool night air biting at their skin. “Where are we?” Jerry asked, scanning the dimly lit surroundings.

 

“I don’t know,” Lila admitted, a sense of dread creeping in. “I just wanted to get away.”

 

“Great. We’re lost,” Jerry sighed, rubbing his temples. “Any chance we can get back to my apartment?”

 

“Let me try,” Lila said, squeezing her eyes shut, envisioning the cozy confines of Jerry’s place. But Jerry suddenly slumped into unconsciousness.

 

He must have lost a lot of blood.

 

When Jerry opened his eyes he was blinded by the white hospital light.

 

“I’m here Jerry,” Lila said from beside him. “What happened?”

 

“Well you passed out, and there was blood everywhere, some people saw me and called the ambulance” Lila said as the nurse walked in.

 

“Oh great, your husband is awake” she announced as she read the file from the bottom of his bed.

 

“Husband?!” Jerry gasped. Lila chucked uncomfortably. “Yeah, they also assumed you were my husband who got mugged”

 

After the nurse walked out there was silence.

Lila looked over at him, hesitantly, “You have a daughter?”

 

Jerry’s face went pale. “Why didn’t you say something earlier?” Lila asked and Jerry shifted uncomfortably.

 

“Because it wasn’t your business!” Jerry snapped, his eyes filled with panic. “I don’t want her anywhere near this mess or her life to be in danger like mine..” he trailed off.

 

“What do you mean?” she asked, “I got us out of there. I saved us.”

 

“Yeah, but what’s next, huh? You keep dragging me into this without telling me what’s going on!”

 

Lila clenched her jaw, annoyed. “I didn’t drag you into anything! You could’ve left anytime you wanted!”

 

Jerry laughed sarcastically, his voice rising. “Oh really? You jumped into my cab covered in blood! I couldn’t just drop you off in the middle of nowhere! I’ve been stuck with you since!”

 

“You’re stuck?” Lila shot back, incredulous. “You’re acting like I kidnapped you!”

 

Jerry paused, his face scrunching with regret. “Well, it feels like it, Lila. Everything has gone to hell since you showed up!”

 

That stung. Lila froze, the words sinking in. Her chest tightened, and she looked at him, her face unreadable. “You think I wanted this? You think I wanted to bring you into my mess?”

 

Jerry didn’t respond. He just rubbed his face, groaning in frustration. “Lila—“

 

“Maybe I should go,” Lila muttered under her breath, Getting up.

 

“Wait, Lila—” Jerry started, but Lila wasn’t listening anymore. She could feel the tension, the anger bubbling under her skin, and all she wanted was out.

 

Lila’s hands clenched into fists. “You should’ve told me, Jerry. If they find out about her, she’ll be a target!”

 

“I know that!” Jerry sighed. “That’s why I didn’t tell you”

 

His words hit her like a punch to the gut. Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she almost felt like ripping Jerry’s throat.

 

She stood there, staring at him in stunned silence before shaking her head. “Fine,” she said coldly. “I’ll go. You don’t have to worry about me anymore.”

 

Without another word, Lila stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. The night air was cold, biting at her skin as she walked aimlessly down the street, her mind racing. She couldn’t believe Jerry was being unreasonable after all she’s done for him.

 

Her anger clouded her senses, and she didn’t notice the shadowy figure following her until it was too late.

 

A sharp blow to the back of her head sent her crumpling to the ground. Darkness consumed her before she could even cry out.

 

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