Fallen

Chapter 34. The missing thing [Caleb]

Something is missing. It's been a constant reminder ever since I woke up. A continuous one in the back of my head. The thing is that I still don't know what is missing. I can't seem to remember what, but I know it's something important, and I know it's going to be stupidly obvious later on.

Before I can think about it any further, there's a scream of terror. A bloody knife, glistening, in the moonlight. It reaches up high in the air, readying for the killing blow.

When it strikes, blood splashes across the wall. It's fast. A figure in the shape of a man wails out. Reaching out for help in the dark forest, but there is no one there to help him. And they would be too far away to hear him anyway.

I reach across the couch, taking the remote out of Lucy's hand. Shutting off the screen in one swift click of a button.

She grunts out grudgingly, crossing her arms to show just how much she dislikes the fact that I put a stop to her morning horror-slasher movie of the day. Preventing her from seeing the end to whatever b-movie that was.

"You stopped it right at the good part!" Lucy groans, flopping back into the couch. Frowning, she blows a loose strand of hair out of her eyes.

I shake my head.

"Aren't you way too young to be enjoying these kinds of movies?" I point out.

"No," She interrupts curtly, crossing her arms.

I place the remote on the coffee table. I can't help but roll my eyes at Lucy's childishness. Not that I'm expecting anything else from a literal child either way.

"Besides, have you seen M?" I ask her, pointing beside me where M is sitting frozen to the spot on the couch. Staring wide-eyed at the now black tv-screen. And with a large chunk of bread sticking out of his mouth rather unattractively. "I think you broke him."

Putting on some cheap horror movie after everything might not be the brightest idea from Lucy. Especially not considering M's distant state. I've seen the way he's being quieter. He's still the biggest dork I know, and his charm isn't lacking, but I can see through the wall he has built. He's scared, worried. And I totally understand why. I would be a fool not to, considering what we've been through.

Lucy gawks past me, studying M with big eyes.

"I didn't think of that. I'm sorry, M," Lucy says, giving him a sorry look.

It seems to drag M out of his stupor. He bops his head up and down, the bread falling down on his plate settled neatly on his thighs.

"I'm fine," He lies. Looking from Lucy and over to me.

I'm giving him a knowing glance, but he only seems to avert his eyes in reply. Swallowing deeply.

"Sure you are," I say to M, patting his back softly. "Maybe save the slasher-movies for another time," I then say. It's directed at Lucy, making her slump down on the couch even further.

I take Lucy's plate, M's too and add them to my empty one. Heading towards the kitchen with the dishes. That's until Lucy stops me with an annoyed huff of her breath, standing up abruptly.

"Actually, no." She says steadfastly. "We can't just sit here and act like everything's fine. We can't ignore the obviously evil villain that is out to get M, and now you too!"

I puff out a tired breath. Almost dropping the plates when I turn around to face Lucy again. "What do you expect us to do then? We don't know what the hell it even is," I reply.

"We need a plan," Lucy states, tilting her head up, arms tightly crossed across her polka-dotted t-shirt.

"Like we haven't already been working on that for a while now," I say. I point with one hand over at the whiteboard where all our information is gathered, which I will admit is still not a lot. The other hand is balancing the three plates surprisingly well, and not tipping over and crashing to the floor, which I would have usually expected from my lack of grace.

"It's not good enough," Lucy replies, shaking her head dismissively.

"It's not like I expected there to be these huge hellhounds like monsters with gnarly teeth and a wish for death and destruction," I interrupt. Making gestures with my unoccupied hand to show my frustration before letting it flop to my side.

"What do you have in mind?" M asks, jumping into the heated discussion. "What is the plan?"

"We need to unlock your superpowers," Lucy says, pointing at M. "We also need to find the villain so we can fight him."

"There's no we," I say, which makes Lucy glare at me. "You're staying out of this. I'm making a big exception for you to be let in on all of this. But I draw the line at you joining the fighting with these things."

"I can take care of myself," Lucy replies, knowing well enough she's not going to win this fight. "Besides, you're just as scrawny and weak as I am, so what makes the difference?"

"I'm an adult," I snicker. "And that was rude."

"Caleb's right, Lucy," M joins in. "It's too dangerous for you to face those beasts. I'm sure I can speak for both of us when I say this, but we would appreciate it if you stayed alive, preferably 'unharmed as well."

It doesn't take long for her to give in, sitting down on the couch again with a sad frown.

M scoots closer. Rubbing her arm comfortingly. A tiny hint of guilt simmers in the bottom of my stomach. I know Lucy only wants to help. But I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything were to happen to her. And I know she feels the same way, but I'm the adult in this 'siblingship,' so what I say goes. That's just the unspoken rule of the older sibling.

"I do think it's a smart idea to find out how M can use those powers," I say, making Lucy look up at me with a tearful smile.

"And they will have to come in use again," M mutters.

"Can I help you guys with that?" Lucy asks. "The training part, not the fighting part."

I nod.

"I have so many ideas we'll have to try," She squeals in her seat excitedly, hugging M closely, who then pats her head awkwardly, still not used to her mood swings.

"Hopefully' nothing too crazy," I mumble, turning around and heading for the kitchen.

It's first when I'm in the kitchen, putting the plates in the already too full dishwasher, that it finally clicks. The missing thing. It's my phone, and I think I know just exactly where I lost it.

"Lucy, have you seen my phone?" I ask her just to be sure.

She shakes her head from where she's still sitting on the couch, gushing with M silently.

"No, but I can call it," She offers, taking out her phone from her backpack.

"Please do," I reply, beginning to look under the couch cushions and then under the coffee table.

She starts calling, and I hope to hear the usual ringtone of my phone, but there's only silence.

I rush up to my room, listening closely but still, nothing. And the bathroom ends up with the same result.

When I come down the stairs, Lucy and M are looking up at me expectantly.

This is what I feared. I might have dropped it. And I think one place in particular sticks out more than any other place. The park.

"I think we'll have to take a visit to the park again," I wince. 

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! My next chapter will probably be up Saturday or Sunday because I have an exam preparation-thingy tomorrow and it's gonna be very draining so bye!!! Have a good day ;))

-Sofufff