Trapped by Nicole Smith

face but they also understood his determination . Millicent cou ld sense Hayden’s despair growing no matter how much he tried to hold it back. She could feel his thoughts, his vision of Natalie all alone, surrounded by wicked spirits , it tormented him . Millicent sighed as she thought of how tired and frightened Natalie must be . She hasn’t stopped to rest since being taken last night .
    “We ha ve to go now. The sun will be setting again soon, that will make it difficult to s ee them,” Hayden shouted as he ran towards the old station. Joshua and Mill icent would wait for him there.
    Carlos didn’t seem surprised that Hayden left him. He actually seemed pleased by it . He preferred to hunt alone, he worked better that way . He could think clearer when he hunted alone, without vo ices interfering with his concentration . He knew Natalie belonged to Hayden but he couldn’t deny his love for her, regardless of the fact that he’ll never have her. He at least had to have her back safe. He cherished their friendship and if that’s all they’ll ever be than he’ll take it, he just needed her back. He promised to take her out hunting ghosts and he was determined to keep that promise.
    His sources informed him of the woods on the south side of the city . He called on a number of S eekers to join him there . Th ey were out for the last battle and expressed their surprise that it wa sn ’t over yet. They have begun combin g the city for any signs or talk of Natalie.
    ~~~
    “I’m weak Hayden, ” I whispered in to the darkness. I couldn’t o pen my eyes. It felt like a nightmare, the kind that you can’t wake up from. No matter how hard I tried to m ove I couldn’t control my body .
    “B eth. Are you here?” I could bar e l y speak. I mumbled her name a f ew times, hoping she might have a change of heart and help me again . I kept telling myse lf that she i s still my friend and she’s been over powered by Stella . S he i s just afraid of her. I needed to believe that some o ne knew where to look for me and w ould save me from her before it i s too late . I tried t o calm the panic that was rising in my chest. I took a few deep breaths and open ed my eyes a gain. Miraculously I could see, alt hough blurry, at least I could see.
    I didn’t know where she brought me to . There w ere no windows but at the end of the room there appeared to be a door that open ed to the outside. I saw the light from the sun shine in underneath it . As I placed my hands on the floor, I felt hard dirt and stones. I stood and felt the cold stone walls . I am in a cave . Why am I in a cave? I close d my eyes again as they were sti nging and my head began to throb painfully . I sank back down to the floor and leaned against the stone wall . I rested for a few minutes before I opened my eyes again. Stella stood, towering above me. I hadn’t even heard her enter. I’ve lost control of my senses.
    “Carlos, help me , ” I whispered as I closed my eyes aga in. I could feel my body moving. I stood up and walked out into the sun. I’ve lost control over my own body movements . I thought I scr eamed but no sound came out of my mouth. I could feel my tears but I couldn’t wipe them. I couldn’t stop my legs from moving towards the crowd. I searched the ir faces for someone that looked familiar. All of them looked at me in awe. They seemed just as surprised as I was that I walked toward them, joining them. As I search e d the c rowd I realized that Stella looked at me differently than everyone else , she s tared at me without showing any emotion s , she gave me a blank but intense stare . I rea lized in that moment just how powerful her control over me really was . I must pull myself together and fight her.
    I have no idea what she wants from me. Maybe she only wants me dead. I tried to hide my fears deep down inside. I have to be strong. I closed my eyes and pictured Hayden smiling at me. I took a deep breath. J ust as my leg lift ed to tak