The Karma Project

Chapter 46 - Projectile Motion

Brandon

We are walking in fucking circles and have been for what feels like hours. I must have dropped my phone at some point, and when we tried to look for it we just got turned around even more.

I can't stop thinking of the way Zoe reacted to us leaving without her. Only dean went up to tell her we were heading out, but at the time we thought it would be a good idea not to swarm her. In hindsight, I should've at least tried to give my princess a kiss.

When Max laid down the law, I saw the exterior expression on Zoe's face. But I can read her eyes so well, I saw the defeat. I hated every second of it, but I know what battles to fight when it comes to Max. I knew that even if we killed him, he'd be stubborn enough to crawl back from the dead to ensure he had the final say.

It's always been that way, Max as our leader. When we all finally joined forces and became brother's of soul, it was just natural for Max to take the lead. He's always been smarter, faster, stronger, more confident. Max is a natural protector, and territorial to a fault. I know he loves Zoe, I can feel it when we are all in a room together. His love is big, mightier than anything on this earth.

Max's love is the same as gravity in that sense. The force by which entire planets are drawn to the center of something greater. In this case, Max is our center. Max has always been our greater center, and when Zoe came along, there was a shift in balance. Zoe and Max fought for the center, but eventually they morphed into one ferocious core. Drawing all of us to stay fastened in place by there invisible strings to always follow their lead.

"I don't think they will be here tonight." Dean finally says as he leads our pack. "We would have seen something or someone by now."

I nod in agreement, but in reality I just want to get back to the manor. I want to start making it up to Zoe and working to get her forgiveness. I understand why Max did what he did, I am willing to do anything to keep her safe. However, I've known this entire situation has felt just wrong. Zoe should be here, with us. She's the one that connected the dots, she's the one who should be here guiding us through this fucking maze.

"Do we know another way out? I doubt we'll be able to retrace our steps at this point." I add, hoping Max will get the hint that we just need to get back home.

"I'm sure if we keep straight for a block or so, we should come up to another exit." Max says, and I breathe a sigh of relief now that he is being somewhat agreeable.

We continue walking and just as we finally reach a door that opens to a staircase, Max pulls out his phone. He freezes and his complexion goes waxy and I can see instant beads of sweat form on his browline.

"What is it, brother?" Teddy asks, breaking our normal formation and approaching Max's side to look down at the phone.

Max gulps, and Teddy's demeanor shifts into a stance I've never seen. His shoulders hunch over and his spine slightly curls forward, he's shrinking himself but he has somehow grown three feet taller. His aura has shifted into something violent, and full of rage. I can taste the static energy in the air.

"Jessica texted, and so did Drake. Zoe left the house over an hour ago, and her phone location is showing that she is directly above us." Max explains and doesn't wait for Dean to lead as he bolts up the stairs.

We don't ask any questions and we all follow at the same time on instinct. When we make it to the top landing we find ourselves in yet another abandoned building. Obviously this is not the same building we entered from, but we should have much trouble finding our way back now.

This doesn't make sense. I saw the way Zoe reacted to Max's words, she was going to remain at home unless something happened. She had to have known something we didn't for her to come after us. She also would know how to navigate this labyrinth, it would not have taken her this long to locate us, we weren't exactly being stealthy either.

"She should be right outside." Max says while looking back at her location pinging on his screen. We rush out of the building not taking a single precaution, but it's easy to spot where she must be. In the alley way is Max's Porsche that is not in as perfect of condition as it was earlier this morning.

Max visibly cringes but he doesn't say anything as he rushes to the door. "Is she in there?" I call after him.

"No. And her phone is right here." Max picks up her phone which is sitting on the roof of the car.

"Do you think she went in after us?" I ask nobody in particular.

"I'm not sure, but most likely. But I don't understand why she would come so late after we left." Dean answers.

"I do." Says Max, his voice completely detached.

I furrow my brows in concern, but instead of saying more, Max passes Zoe's phone to me. I read the message on her screen:

BRANDON: WE NEED YOU. *CURRENT LOCATION SHARED*.

My mouth dries out instantly and I look at my brothers, "I did not send this."

The world falls still and my blood runs cold, I see the same earth shattering emotion mirror in my brothers' faces. My instinct is to look to Teddy first, who is still pulsing in a quiet rage, but has now started twitching his fingers. He's itching to kill, and I can't say I blame him. Something's got its teeth in me, and I'm ready to back in anger.

That's when Zoe's phone rings in Max's hand and we all freeze. It's like when you're watching a horror movie, and you know a jumpscare is coming. You're practically counting down because it's laughably predictable, but you still jump in the end because no matter how confident and how sure you feltâ€" you are never truly prepared for just how horrifying the monster is.

"Karma's," the voice on the other end greets us all in a modified robotic and heavily edited voice.

"Who is this?" Max bites out.

"Stupid questions get stupid answers, Max." The anonymous voice chastises and I notice the pulse in Max's jaw, the vain in his forehead ready to burst. "You know who we are, and you know we've caught your little bird."

Max rears back his fist and pummels it into the driver side window of his Porsche, shattering it in a way that mimics exactly what is happening to my heart.

"We will find her, do you hear me?" Teddy yells, stealing the phone away from Max, and taking a few paces away from our huddle and deeper into the alley.

"And when we do, so help me Satan, you're going to wish I killed you instead. You will beg for death, and I'll just keep bringing you back again and again until death finally takes mercy on you." Teddy growls, his knuckles begin to turn white as his grip tightens on the phone.

"But there will be no mercy in your death, there will be no peace. Because I'm Teddy Fucking Karma and I'll follow you directly to my own kingdom of hell and ensure that you pay your debt in flesh for eternity." The phone in Teddy's hand finally gives way, and crumbles in his palm, effectively ending the call.

The remaining fragments of my heart are lodged in my throat, and my palms are ticking with a need to do the same thing. Teddy goes still for a moment rolling his shoulders back and taking on a very familiar facial expression.

The Numb.

And as if we are all connected to the same wavelength, we follow suit. All four of us take a breath, roll our necks, and take on Zoe's saving grace.

Now is not the time for hysterics. Now is the time for a plan, a true plan.

Because we are all ready to start over, not with emotion, not with love; but with revenge.