The cop opened his mouth, then shut it. He turned and waved for the paramedics. I laughed. In the small amount of time I’d been here in Salem, I’d learned all about Landreia Night. She was known as the Witch of Salem. She was a living legend here, the starter of the movement. Her store was the first of its kind. I liked the way she was defending someone she’d just met. And I liked the smile she’d just put on Saraphina’s face.
The paramedics rushed back over to gather her.
Saraphina frowned. “What’s happening?”
Landreia sat back down beside her. “They’re going to drive you to the hospital so that the doctors can see if they can help you. Is that okay?”
Saraphina bit her bottom lip and eyed the ambulance. “By myself?”
“You must ride in there by yourself, yes,” Landreia squeezed her shoulders. “You’ll be in good care. I promise.”
“O-okay.” She let them help her to her feet, then escort her over to the ambulance. Every other step she glanced around and my stomach filled with butterflies knowing she was looking for me. She waved to Landreia and then the doors shut, blocking her from my view.
Landreia turned to the cops. “I’m going to follow her there.”
So am I.
Chapter Five
Saffie
I flew as fast as I could, but his footsteps thundered behind me. They were getting closer. I had to move. I had to get away. He couldn’t catch me. Not like this. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. This wasn’t the plan.
I glanced over my shoulder but all I saw were mismatched eyes and a lot of black. I dove between the trees. In the corner of my eye I saw him jump up higher than anyone should have been capable of. He flipped then rolled and sprinted after me without losing a beat. My heart was lodged in my throat.
He was too fast. I had wings but he was still too fast.
Huge gusts of wind slammed straight into me, pushing me backwards. My wings fluttered and screamed, but I had to push through. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. It wasn’t the plan. I had to get away. I dove back out of the forest and flew over a huge group of humans. He wouldn’t follow me. He was too smart, too careful. He wouldn’t risk it.
Just then the pathway trembled like an earthquake and the humans dropped to the ground screaming and covering their heads —.
And then I stood on an empty beach at night. My toes sank into sand that was still warm despite the late hour of the night. Waves rolled gently onto the shore. It made me want to lay down and go to sleep. Above me, stars twinkled against the black sky.
“That’s it, just breathe,” a deep male voice said from behind me.
I gasped and spun around – and my jaw dropped. The boy looked about my age but he towered over me. He had short blond hair trimmed close to his head and the brightest pale green eyes I’d ever seen. They sparkled brighter than the stars dusting the sky. A gust of wind rushed over us, carrying a clean scent that reminded me of a sunny spring day surrounded by flowers. It came from him, I didn’t know how I knew it but I did.
I looked up at his handsome, friendly face and some of the tension in my body loosened.
He smiled and it made his eyes sparkle like a full moon. “That’s it. Deep breaths.”
That voice. I knew it. But I did not recognize his face. I licked my lips. “W-who are you?”
“A friend.” His smile widened. “Like the stars shining down on you.”
I frowned. “Where are we?”
“In a dream.” He walked over and took my hands in his. Those pale green eyes stared down into my soul. “You are safe, Saffie. Let the ocean’s lullaby ease you to a peaceful sleep.”
“Hello?”
I gasped at the sound of a woman’s voice – and then my eyes opened. It WAS a dream. I was back in the hospital, and the sunlight pouring in through the window told me it was the next day. I looked left to all the machines lined up next to the bed and my stomach tightened into knots. My mind failed me. I had no idea what any of them were for, but I cringed as my brain hypothesized for me.
The room was bright white from floor to ceiling and the air was a little cold, though that wasn’t why my fingers trembled. The nurses who put me in this small room had wrapped me in blankets. But I wanted to leave and go…nowhere. I had nowhere to go. That was the scariest part. Where do I go from here? What do I do?
“Hello…?”
OH, right. I’d forgotten a woman’s voice had woken me. I turned to the door. A young woman stood there with long hair that was a darker brown but had little hints of red in it. She had thick-rimmed glasses, light eyes, and a kind smile.
I pulled my blanket around me tighter. “W-wh-who a-are y-you?”
Her smile widened and it made her eyes twinkle. “I am Doctor Rachel Troy.”
I frowned. “You’re a doctor?” She didn’t look like the other doctors I’d seen running around the hospital.
Dr. Troy chuckled but didn’t move any closer. “I am a psychologist who specializes in trauma in children. We didn’t want you to be scared while you’re with us, so I’m here to be with you. May I come in?”
That made me lower my blankets and nod. She was technically already inside but was asking my permission to be there. It was nice to be asked. I smiled back just a little. “I’m Saraphina Proctor. People call me Saffie.”
Dr. Troy strolled closer with her hands clasped in front of her. “And which would you like me to call you?”
“Saffie,” I heard myself answer immediately, even though I didn’t know why I felt so strongly about that.
“Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Saffie.” Dr. Troy walked to the left side of my bed, then glanced to me. “May I sit?”
I nodded. My heart was still pounding.
“So, Saffie, how are you feeling right now?”
I groaned and shook my head. “Scared. Confused.”
“That’s totally understandable and expected.” She tucked her hair behind her ears and crossed one leg over the other. “The doctor filled me in on what happened and all the tests they ran last night. I figured you were probably scared, but I want you to know that I am here to help you through all of this.”
“Oh. Thank you.” I sighed and leaned back against the bed. “Did they tell you I remember nothing? The cops don’t believe that I saw a wolf or that a guy followed me. They think I’m delusional. But he was real. I saw him.”
“I know you did.”
I exhaled in a rush. “You believe me.”
“Of course.” She leaned forward with her elbows on her knees. “I know you saw someone, even if the man was simply an unfortunate coincidence, but that does not diminish the very real fear you felt. Same goes for the wolf.”
Good. That’s…good. I know I’m not crazy. I cleared my throat. “T-thank you.”
There was a soft knock on the door then it slowly slid open. Landreia stuck her head through the opening. “Hi, may I come in?”
I smiled. “Of course!”
Landreia bounced into the room in a floor length black velvet dress that swayed with every step. Her black hair fell straight down to her elbows. The soft wrinkles in her skin painted a picture of an aging woman, but the brightness in her blue eyes radiated youthfulness.