Chapter 5

 

"Xavier..." I didn't know how to process everything. Xavier apparently has been watching me since I was born. Throughout the years, he hasn't aged at all. He's been seventeen years old for eighteen years, and he doesn't get to age again until I die. Well, he might not have to wait long for that... Xavier explained that he is a Mystic. Mystics are kind of like angels, but then they aren't. He is there to protect me and he can speak to my mind.When he finished explaining everything, l pulled the car over. I could not believe any of this at all.

"Monica, do you want me to drive?" 

I sat there for a second and sighed, "Yeah, maybe that's a good idea." 

He unbuckled his seatbelt and cleared his throat, "Uh, Monica?"

I stared forward, "Huh?"

"You have to get out of the car first."

I was past using my voice and being able to form words, so I just formed the thoughts in my head. "I can't move, Xavier." He sighed and got out of the car, walked over to my side and opened the door. He stooped down to scoop me up, and I didn't have the strength in me to protest. 

He carried me around the car and placed me in the passenger seat. While he was walking back to get in, I slowly put my seat belt on. 

"Monica, I have to tell you something." I heard Xavier speaking, but I was half asleep. The shock was too much on my mind. His sigh was the last thing I heard as I drifted to sleep.  

 

 

                                                                   ~ ~

 

I slowly came to, thinking that it felt too short of a time later to wake up. It was still dark, so I knew my nap, in fact, was too short. 

"How long was I asleep? Xavier?" I sat up straight, in a panic. "Xavier!" No answer. I took my seat belt off and unlocked the door. Should I go outside?  What if this is all a set up? What if Xavier led me straight to Christian?

 

I sunk back into the seat, re-locking the door. I held my breath, imagining the worst possible things that could happen. "I don't want to be scared anymore..." I whispered to myself, hugging my clothes closer for warmth. I nodded off back to sleep, my thoughts haunting me. There was screaming in my head. "I must be dreaming.." I thought to myself. 

Someone was screaming my name, it sounded a lot like David, but it couldn't be him. 

"Monica!" My name boomed off every wall in my head. "Monica!!" My eyes flew open, as I jumped up, startled. That voice didn't belong to David, and it didn't belong to my dreams. 

"Xavier, is that you?"

"Monica, wake up! Get in the driver's seat and GO!" I unlocked the door and sprinted to the driver's side, climbing in.  "Monica, hurry!" I fumbled to get the key into the ignition. Just as I got the car started, my door was ripped open. 

"Oh Monica!" Christian laughed as he grabbed my arm, ready to pull me out. 

"Oh, not this time, boys," I screamed as  I pushed the gas pedal to the floor. Christian lurched forward as the car flew up to 40mph. 

I slammed the door shut and pulled my seat belt on, as I quietly spoke to myself. "Xavier, where are you?"

"I'll be there soon, M. Find traffic then switch cars with someone. Find a good car, but an old driver. I have someone set up and waiting for you." 

"Xavier wait, how will I know it's him? What kind of car is it?"

"M," I could hear him mentally sigh, "I can only guide, not fully interfere. Just hurry." 

I was driving through some ghost town, but out of nowhere there is an exit for the interstate. "M, stop playing twenty questions with me and focus!" His voice slowly disappeared, but I still felt his presence. I didn't even look to see where I was headed, I didn't care. 

I hit traffic, searching frantically for any sign of Christian. I felt something push me and knew it was Xavier mentally pushing me forward. You didn't need any special powers to know you had to be quick. 

I looked around for a decent looking car that was in good shape, and would go fast. There was a Camaro LT up about ten cars ahead of me. I shut off my car and gathered all my stuff into my bag. 

"Xavier, what about the water and food?"

"M, I took care of that already. Go."

"Xavier..."

"Monica, you need to hurry, they're coming."

I searched frantically for the best and quickest way to get to the car. I weaved in between cars and after a few minutes, I reached the Camaro. I knocked on the window and motioned for the lady to roll the window down. As soon as she put her window down, I said, "Excuse me, Miss, I need your car. Like, now. "

She looked at me confused, "My car? Why do you need my car?" My palms started to sweat, Xavier said she'd know! She's supposed to know who I am!

"Xavier!! She doesn't know! This is the only decent car around here! Help!"

"M, keep trying."

"Miss, I am being chased by three guys and I need to confuse them. They won't go after you, I promise.  All you have to do is--"

"Monica, I know who you are and I know what I must do. Don't worry about anything, Xavier is going to protect you." I was speechless as the lady gathered up a bag in the passenger seat that already had her stuff packed into it. She stepped out of the car and motioned for me to sit in the car.

Before I could step into the car, she gently grabbed my arm and pulled me in for a hug and whispered, "It's going to be okay, you won't have to be scared anymore. We are going to do what Mystics do, we are going to take away the problems and fears." With that, she let me go and pushed me towards the car and shut the door behind me once I got in. 

I looked around the car, it looked kind of homey. I sank back into the seat as I thought, "I shouldn't even be in this situation. I shouldn‘t know what Mystics are, I shouldn‘t even know they exist!" Traffic started moving again and as I glanced back. I noticed Damien and Christian driving up next to my car. The looks on their faces were priceless as they saw Xavier's friend, and not me. Anger clouded their faces, then more confusion. 

"Ha, they were so sure it was going to be me," I chanted as I started to laugh. My laughing turned into coughing, which made my chest ache. No wonder the nurse said to take it easy. It hurt to raise my arms, but I had to. My broken arm resting against my body in a sling, while my other arm and hand were on the steering wheel.

“M, you need to focus. You got away this time, but believe me, things are going to get rougher. You need to be prepared.”

Tears started pouring down my face, I should call David. It might be my last chance. Thinking that made the tears fall down faster, soaking my face and shirt. I had to pull it together, I couldn't let him know something was up. Once traffic really started moving, I looked for an exit. I drove for fifteen minutes, constantly checking my mirrors, but I didn't see Christian or Damian anywhere. 

I finally saw an exit sign and drove the quarter of a mile to the exit. The closer I got, the harder it was to breath. 

"Jeez Monica, calm down. You need to be strong! You have to," I muttered to myself. I got off at I-215 and pulled into the nearest gas station. I took out my phone and smiled at his picture. Looking at his smile gave me strength so I dialed his number and hit call. The phone rang for merely five seconds before he picked up.

"Monica! Oh my God, I miss you," he practically shouted into the phone.

"David! Hey," my voice was barely above a whisper and still managed to crack. My strength only lasted long enough to call him. He's definitely going to pick up on just how much I am falling apart.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong, " concern flooded his voice.

I had to swallow back the lump in my throat, tears silently falling down my pale cheeks, "You know, I was never good at keeping things from you, ever. Just believe me when I say, it's better you don't know. Better for you, better for me, better for us. I know I'm not making any sense Love, but you need to believe me. I just needed to hear your voice, David, I love you with my entire heart. I couldn't wait to have a future with you, to have a family with you. I love you more than you could ever imagine. If I make it home, I don't know if you'll want to be with me."

"There's no chance you'd ever believe me over," I had to do it, "over Fabian, Christian, and Damian. They are your best friends and you knew them way before me. I understand if you believe them over me." I could hear the anger in his breathing, but concern took over, and I heard the shift in his breathing. I think he was going to choose me over them. He cleared his throat, and I pushed the sobs back down my throat.

"Monica, I don't have the slightest clue what you are talking about. You need to tell me what is going on. I don't care how ridiculous it sounds, I just need to hear the truth," his voice sounded strained.

"That's what I am trying to do!" I took a deep breath, "I went into Galeno, to go see Lily, but she wasn't at home and wasn't picking up her phone. So I went down to her work and ran into Fabian, Damian, and Christian. They saw me and started advancing me, I took off running, on instinct, I felt danger. They cornered me in an alley, and I climbed up a ladder and onto a building to escape. I went down the other side." I had to leave out the other part. I couldn't tell him about my stalker, I don't know how. "Then, I walked out of the alley and took off running, when I leaned against a building to catch my breath, they found me. They started chasing me again and I ran into an abandoned building."

"I thought they were going to chase me in so I went to go hide, but then I smelt smoke and realized they set the building on fire so I couldn't get out. They tried killing me! I fainted from the smoke and some beams falling and I was taken to the hospital. Ask Lily, she came to see me. She doesn't know who did it to me because how could I tell her that Fabian was one of the people responsible," I took a deep breath. There's no way he was ever going to believe me.

"Monica," he sighed, " I love you more than anything. I don't want to lose you, but I don't think what you're saying is true." I looked around the parking lot in time to see Christian and Damian pulling in.

Rushing to start the car back up, "David, it's all true. If I don’t make it home, I love you. I’m scared to death and back, I just needed you to believe me, but you don’t and probably never will.” I hung up, sobbing so hard my body was shaking. I fumbled around, putting the car into drive and sped off weaving in and out of cars, trying to get out of their sight. I had to figure out where I was supposed to go, how I was supposed to get away, how I was supposed to make it home alive.

“Xavier! I am freaking out! Help!”

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. 

"Xavier, where are you!”

Nothing again. Where was he? He’s supposed to watch over me! I shook my head, trying to slow my breathing down. Their cars can go way faster than mine, though Xavier picked well. My Camaro LT wasn’t quite as fast as their cars, but if just maybe I swerve the right ways, maybe I can get away. Lord, I hope so. I got back onto the open road and back onto I-200. I hit about 80mph before I decided to slow down. I checked the mirrors, only to find that they weren’t behind me anywhere. I let out a breath I wasn’t even aware I was holding.

Just because they aren’t there now doesn’t mean I am safe. They sure have a way of popping up out of nowhere. My phone was vibrating in the seat next to me, but  I know it’s David. Of course it’s David. He’s more than likely calling back to say he’s sorry he lost his temper and his faith in me, but I don’t think I can hear it.

I can’t bear to hear the disbelief in his voice. I can’t handle that, especially since I need to keep an eye out for Damian, Christian, and Fabian. The next exit sign said it’d take me towards Arizona. Maybe if I got out of Nevada for awhile, they would give up their chase. Maybe I could convince David to come with me. As quick as these thoughts came, is how fast my hope disappeared. He would never go for it, I don’t even know if he’ll still want to be with me if I make it back, and they will never stop. Not until my heart stops..

I make it past the exit, and the first thing I see is a gas station. I look down at the dashboard to see how much gas I have. It’s right under a full tank. I wouldn’t need gas for awhile. Oh, bless that lady’s soul. Then again, Xavier did say he had it set up..

I sighed, “Xavier, where are you? How can you just disappear on me like this?“ I pulled into the gas station and parked far away from everyone else. Tears weld up in my eyes as I put the car in park and shut it off. I blinked a few times, trying to get the tears to go away. I checked my phone, knowing what I would find.

“God!” I screamed, “Why did this have to happen? I just wanted to be happy! Why can’t people just let me be happy!” I pounded my fist on the steering wheel, and rested my head against it. My phone started buzzing in my hand, and I decided since I was already a mess, I might as well answer. Without even looking, I answered the phone and sighed.

Before I could even say hello, a voice boomed through the speaker, “BOO! You think we wouldn’t find you? You can’t hide. Wherever you go, we will be right behind you. We gave you how many months? Times up Sweetheart!”

My blood ran cold, my breathing stopped, my heart thudded to a slow. It was Christian. 

“Go ahead and turn around, I dare you,” he spoke again, his voice horrifying.

I turned around, and his face blurred my vision. My phone clicked, and I saw he hung up. Tears pouring down my cheeks for what seemed like the thousandth time, I groped about for the keys, trying to start the car as fast as I could. Christian was trying to latch something to the back of the car, some kind of cable. Before he could get it attached to the car, I found the keys and quickly started it, speeding off, leaving him stumbling after me again.

My phone vibrated, and I was expecting it to be a call, but it vibrated once, and that was it. It was a text, but I was scared to pick it up and read it’s contents. I didn’t want to know if it was Christian, or Damian, or even Fabian. I especially didn’t want to know if it was David. I couldn’t face another fight right now, and I had to get away from the guys. 

I turned the radio up, hoping to calm down, and it was working a little bit, until “Would it matter,” by Skillet came on. Tears kept flooding my face as thoughts floated about in my head. My thoughts and tears are going to drown me  before Fabian, Damian, and Christian get the chance to. I remembered my phone going off, I pulled over into a random driveway and grabbed my phone. Taking a deep breath, I opened it. I had to at least know who it was from. It was David.

Sobs started in my chest, working their way up to my mouth to escape. I pushed them back down, biting my tongue a little too hard. I put the phone back down on the seat, not even bothering to reply. What could I say anyways? He decided whose side he would take. I drove around some neighborhoods, trying to make myself believe I was safe here. Who am I kidding? I’m never going to be safe. I gulped,  how had things gone so wrong for me? 

Getting sick of the streets, I decided to get back on the highway.  There really wasn’t anyone driving on it, besides the few cars. It was getting late, and people were probably warm and cozy in beds in hotels. They probably didn’t have a care in the world. They were safe, they were happy. I wonder if my parents are happy, wherever they are. 

“No Monica, don’t go there. They aren’t thinking of you, they didn’t even bother to make sure you had a proper guardian before taking off to Europe,” I spoke softly, trying to contain the anger I felt towards my parents. Was I scared someone would hear how much I missed my parents? How I wished every night that they cared? No. Was I scared that someone would find me? Most definitely. 

I shuddered at the thought of someone finding me. I turned the heat up hoping it was going to calm me down a bit and take some of the nerves away. I hadn’t really gotten a chance to look around the car, but it was too dark now to see. What I did notice was a random blue light. The blue light was coming off of a cord. A PHONE CHARGER! Xavier is a genius.

Just then, my phone started vibrating again. 

“Stop calling,” I screamed into the silence of the car. I knew who it was going to be. I, yet again, reached over and snatched my phone up. I hit the green phone button and turned on the speaker phone without looking at who it was.

“What do you want Christian,” I screeched into the speaker.

“Babe, it’s me, David. Are you okay? Where are you? I left you a text over three hours ago. I caught a plane to Nevada, I’m coming to get you.” That’s when it hit me, the car.  David’s words kept echoing in my head, “I came to get you.” I didn’t even realize I was screaming and skidding across the road until David’s voice broke through the phone speaker.

“Monica! What happened? MONICA!” Breaks were squealing and I couldn’t process exa0ctly what was happening. Everything happened in slow motion, the car breaking, my car turning on the road. The car finally stopped, and I saw who hit me. It wasn’t Christian, nor Damian. It was just some guy that wasn’t paying attention.

“David, I’ll call you back.” With that, I hung up. I jumped out of the car to inspect the damage. I had a blown tire from what I could see, but that was the extent of the damage.

The guy jumped out of his car, “Oh my God, I am so sorry. Are you okay? Your tire! You must let me pay for that! Are you okay?”

I just stared at him, still in shock, “Me? Oh, uh, I’m fine. My tire, not so much.”

“You must let me pay for that,” he repeated. It really isn’t a big deal, just a blown tire, I’m sure there has to be a spare around here somewhere. I just looked at him, realizing everything I just said, didn’t actually come out.

“Uh, it isn’t a big deal. There should be a spare here somewhere.” He looked strangely familiar, “Have I ever met you before? You look like someone I know. Don’t worry about the tire, just let me find the spare and you can help me fix it. Help me fix the tire, and I am sure I’ll need gas soon, so how about fifteen dollars, too?”

He looked shocked, probably expecting I was going to be mad or something. To be perfectly honest, I just don’t have the energy in me to be mad. “Fifteen dollars? That’s it? That’s all you want, some gas money and me to fix the tire,” he questioned. He took out his wallet and just shrugged, “Here’s twenty. Now let’s find that tire.”

“I’m Monica, by the way.”

“The names Tyler,” he grunted from behind the car.

“What are you doing,” I questioned.

“Trying to get your trunk open, but it won’t budge.” 

I laughed softly, “That’s because it’s locked.”

“Oh.”

“Here, hold on.” I opened the door, reaching into the car to unlock the trunk. “Try it again, it should open this time.”

He opened the trunk and let out a huff, “I knew it was locked the whole time. I was testing you.”

I had forgotten what it felt like to laugh. It’s only been a few days, but those few days have felt like an eternity. “Did you find the tire?”

“Yeah, it’s back here. Along with a jack. This should only take about ten minutes, then you can be on your way.”

“Thanks. You need any help?”

“No, it’s all good. I can handle putting on a tire alone.”

“Okay.” While he got the jack under the car, I watched the cars driving by. No one stopped to help, no one stopped even to check if everything was okay. 

“Xavier? Are you there? Please, don’t leave me in this alone. Please, just answer me.” 

I searched my head for his presence, but again, there was nothing. No trace of him, had I imagined him? No, there’s no way I imagined him. I might be crazy, but I am not a lunatic. He’s a mystic, and he’s real. Someone tapped me on the shoulder, and I jumped.

“Whoa, it’s just me,” Tyler backed away holding his hands up, “I’m done with the tire, are you sure you’re okay? You seemed like you were thinking about something a little too strongly.”

I groveled for words, “Um, yeah. I’m okay. Thanks for fixing my tire.”

“It’s the least I can do. I should probably stop for some sleep, though I can’t imagine falling asleep again now, but maybe I should anyways. I hope you have a good night. Try not to get hit again.” With that, he chuckled and walked to his car. He waited until I sat in my car before driving away. 

“Monica,” a voice so soft whispered in my head.

I froze midway to starting the car. Had I imagined him talking to me? I must of. I can’t feel him anywhere. I started up the car and signaled to absolutely no one on the highway. Where is everyone? I know it’s late, but isn’t there sometimes people who drive late? People like me? People that need to get where they’re going? There was no one in my head, there was no one on the road, and there were three people out to get me. I was pretty lonely.

“Monica, how’s the car,” he questioned, evilly chuckling.

I gasped, I knew that voice. That voice belongs to the guy who just fixed my tire. That voice belongs to the guy who hit me. That voice belongs to… Tyler.