I grabbed my phone, deciding I needed to do something. I checked my emails and flipped through the news. I was trying to get my mind to settle, but nothing seemed to work.
I finally threw the sheets off and started to pace my room. I walked to my door, going to open it and go out in the hallway and head to Jillian's room, but I stopped.
"No, let her sleep."
I would pace some more and then question if she was even asleep. Maybe she was sitting up just as unsettled as I was.
I walked to my door and opened it. I slipped out into the hallway and headed down to her room. The light was still on.
I knocked. "Jillian…. can we talk?"
Silence. I expected that.
"I'm sorry about this. I don't like this any more than you do. But I feel that we should try to get along.”
Silence.
I sighed. "Ignoring me isn't going to make it better. If anything, it's only going to irritate me."
Silence.
I looked down at the light, knowing it was still on. So, I grabbed the handle and turned it. The door didn't budge for a moment, and I pushed hard on the door. It finally gave, and I stepped into her room. My eyes went straight to the bed, but I found it empty.
My eyes snapped towards the open window and the sheets that were fluttering in the window. She was gone.
Chapter 4 - Jillian
I stared outside the window, taking in the woods. I didn't know these grounds, but I did know that I wouldn't let fear control my decisions anymore. I wasn't going to let other people make decisions about my life and just accept them. I was going to take back control in the only way I knew how.
I looked over my shoulder towards the door where I had propped a chair up against the door handle. It wasn't going to keep Maddox out, but it would at least keep him out longer if I needed. If he got up in the middle of his sleep and decided to check on me, I could at least save myself some time by keeping the door stuck.
I grabbed the window handle and yanked the window open. The cold air hit my face like ice, and a shiver ran down my spine. I swallowed, looking down, seeing the distance. It wasn't like I'd never climbed up high distances before, because I had, but I also knew if I slipped at all, I was not going to heal up quickly like other shifters could. If I landed wrong, there was a chance I would be able to walk and get away.
I always had to be a little more careful than other kids growing up. When kids slipped and fell out of trees or tumbled off a bike, they would heal in seconds, while I would be covered in bruises. My fair skin didn't help cover anything up either.
I glanced over towards Maddox's window, seeing that his light was off. I had listened, making sure I heard the sound of him getting into bed. This house might have been new, but you could still hear everything.
I swallowed, grabbed the sheets I had tied together, and threw them outside the window. I didn't know how long I had, so I needed to move fast. I didn't know if Maddox was a deepsleeper or not, and I wasn't going to take a chance. The house had been silent for fifteen minutes, and that was enough time to let me know he could be asleep.
I tied the end of the sheet to the bed and gave it a good tug. Once I knew it was going to hold me, I slowly started to crawl out of the window. I held on tightly to the sheets as I leaned out, swallowing my fear.
You can do this. You've done worse. You've seen worse.
I felt the wind bite at any exposed skin I had and suddenly wished I had something a little warmer. I wasn't turning back, though. I could find something along the way.
I crept down the house slowly, moving as quickly and quietly as I could. Any scrape or rustle made me pause, but only for a moment. I would glance at Maddox's window, making sure his light stayed off.
Once on the ground, I took a deep breath and surveyed the backyard, and made a beeline around the house. Once in the driveway, I suddenly wished I had taken Maddox's car keys. It would have been a better option than going on foot. I could travel farther, but I also didn't need a thief added to my name if that followed me. It was a little late to go back for them now, either way.
I headed down the sidewalk and shoved my hands into my pockets. The wind blew, and I listened as the trees rustled. Leaves scattered across the street, and a shiver rolled over me. Darkness covered the street, and the little light the street lights gave didn't help soothe me.
I shook my head, trying not to think of how scared I was. I hated the dark and I hated the cold. I never had a problem before, never had an issue before I was possessed. Now I was leftconstantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for it to happen for a second time.
I softly hummed to fill the silence, finding it calmed me. I made my way out of the neighborhood and towards the woods. I slipped into the trees and felt my wolf grumbling irritably. She still hadn't spoken to me in days. The silence was almost worse.
I grew to lean on her voice and enjoyed her even if she was angry. When she was silent like this, I wondered if I'd made her up entirely.
I ignored her, walking deeper into the woods. I pulled my phone free, seeing it was a little after midnight now. I had hours before anyone would go looking for me. I just needed to stay alert and vigilant.