Chasing Shadows (Shadows 2)

Simon groaned, crushing me to him, burying his face in my hair. "I can't put into words what I'm feeling right now. I'm mad and worried and scared shitless. I feel sick with what I've allowed to happen to you. I promised to keep you safe, but I'm the one that hurt you."

I gently pulled Simon's head back so I could see his face, cradling his head between my hands. "Simon, stop this. Stop blaming yourself. I need you. I need your help. You can't help me if you're too busy being consumed with guilt."

I knew this tactic would snap Simon out of it, and I was right. He took in a deep cleansing breath, exhaling slowly. "You're right." He held me close, his expression fierce. "I love you so much. Always remember that."

I nodded, placing a quick kiss on his lips, trying not to wince from the brief sting I felt from it. We went into the living room to look through Aunt Brenda's journal.

Aunt Brenda wasn't a very prolific writer. The entries were spaced out by weeks, sometimes by months. As I read through each entry, nothing jumped out at me. No clue as to how to destroy the newly evolved vardogers, no information about a metal that was able to make the powers of iridium obsolete. I was frustrated because I wasn't exactly sure what I was looking for.

Simon read over my shoulder, not commenting although I'm sure he sensed my growing impatience. I flipped the page to the last entry dated about two months ago, my stomach dropping as I read my aunt's words.

My dream last night haunted me like no other. I'm convinced it was a dream and not a vision, because it had nothing to do with vardogers. But Eunice seemed so alive in my dream. I haven't dreamed about her in years, and those dreams were just memories of happier days. But in my dream last night, Eunice was begging me for my help. She said her daughter was in trouble and I was the only one that could help her. I haven't seen Caitlin since she was a little girl, and nothing would make me happier than seeing her again, but I know George won't allow it. He's convinced that we're a bad influence, that we'll taint her somehow. I just pray that she's been spared the visions. It would be too cruel for her to experience them with no one to explain why she's having them. I'm so tempted to reach out to her, to talk to her despite George's warnings. But he's her father. I have to respect his wishes.

But that wasn't the most disturbing part of my dream. The most disturbing part was Eunice telling me I needed to help Caitlin until she could return to her. That she was coming back for her. What does that mean? Is Eunice still alive? I can't believe she would still be alive and not tell anyone, especially her own daughter. But maybe it's true. Her body was never found. I don't know what to make of all of this. It would be my greatest wish to have Eunice still alive. I miss my best friend. And more importantly, Caitlin needs a mother.

"She had a dream my mother was still alive," I whispered, looking up at Simon. "She said her body was never found. What if it's true?"

"I don't know, Caitlin," Simon said cautiously. "It was just a dream."

"Seers don't just have dreams. It has to mean something. I have to call my father. He might know something. Can I use your cell phone?"

Simon dug into the pocket of his jeans, pulling out my phone with a rueful smile. "I kept it with me, just in case you called it for some reason."

My father answered on the first ring, sounding gruff. Almost worried.

"Caitlin, where the hell have you been? Your friends called me, practically hysterical, looking for you."

"Dad, I'm alright. I just...needed to get away for a little bit."

My father let out a deep sigh, sounding weary. "That's what I told them. You need to learn to be less selfish."

I ignored his last comment. "Dad, I have to ask you a question. It's about Mom." There was nothing but silence on the other end of the phone so I continued. "How did she die? All anyone ever told me was that she was killed by a drunk driver. How exactly did it happen? Did you actually see her body?"

"Caitlin Kile, you are disgusting." My father's voice was shaking with rage, and I started to tremble. For all the years that my father had ridiculed me or acted condescendingly, I had never heard him speak to me in a tone so filled with fury. "How dare you ask me about your mother's body? What kind of sick game are you playing?"

"I just need to know the truth!" I cried out. "I'm tired of you never telling me about my mother, pretending like she never existed! Did you know Aunt Brenda dreamed that Mom was still alive?"

"What the hell are you doing talking to Brenda? I've made it explicitly clear to her that she's never to contact you!"

"She's missing, Dad!" I choked out. "She's missing and I think she might be in trouble." I lowered my voice, the lump in my throat making it hard for me to speak. "I know you know about the visions."

My father's voice seethed with anger. "My sister is a lunatic, and I was always afraid you'd turn out just like her. It seems my fears were correct. You're as insane as she is."

"Dad, she's disappeared," I sobbed, not able to hold back tears. I couldn't believe how cold my father was being. No matter how much he had mistreated me in the past, I still believed he loved me. That belief was quickly being destroyed. "Your sister is missing and I think I'm next."

"Don't call me again until you've pulled yourself together," my father commanded icily, the frigid tone replacing his anger. "Don't make me regret not having you committed."

He hung up abruptly and I slowly lowered the phone. Simon was watching me with concern, but I couldn't face him. I buried my face in my hands, unwilling to believe my father could be so cruel.

"Caitlin." I felt gentle hands on me, pulling my face up. I saw a mixture of sorrow and anger on Simon's face. "I couldn't help but hear what your father said. He's an asshole and doesn't deserve you for a daughter."

Simon pulled me close and I clung to him, my body wracked with sobs. I let it all out, the grief of realizing how little my father cared for me, the stress of the past few days, the fear that everything was whirling out of control and I had no idea how to stop it. Simon held me through all of it until I finally quieted down, left with nothing but an empty ache inside me. I pulled away when I felt like I had my emotions under control.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded, feeling embarrassed that Simon had heard my father's cruel words. I didn't want him to be a witness to my father's disdain for me. Even though it wasn't my fault, I still felt mortified by it. It was hard to look Simon in the eye so I lowered my gaze to my lap.