The Unknown Alpha

Chapter sixteen

It didn't take Bailey long to realise she made a terrible mistake. It was the middle of the night. With no coat and no shoes, she was freezing. Bailey came to a stop, shifting on her feet as twigs and stones poked painfully into the soles of her feet.

She should turn right around and head home, but then the memory of the flashing lights gave her pause. The last thing she wanted was to be poked and prodded. Bailey didn't think her parents would allow that many tests, but even the thought of giving blood right now churned her stomach.

That thought alone was enough to push her forward. Bailey continued to walk through the woods, this time with purpose. She didn't have much of a plan, but at least she had a location.

After another few minutes of walking, Bailey exited the woods, shivering as her bare toes crossed over onto concrete. Houses passed by in a blur until a familiar, bungalow-styled home came into sight.

Bailey stopped on the front lawn and stared at the front doors. The garden in front of the pale walls were immaculate, with well-trimmed mini-hedges, raised gardens blooming with flowers, and stoned paths.

Considering the time, knocking on the door was out of the question. Mr. and Ms. Belko would no doubt call her parents and sent her straight home. Bailey felt so smothered at home right now. She just needed a moment to breathe.

Moving away from the front door, Bailey crept along the side of the house. Skipping over a bunch of shrubs along the way, Bailey made it to one of the windows at the back of the house. The curtains were closed, so she couldn't see inside, but she know this house well enough to know she wasn't at the wrong window. She just hoped she didn't wake the whole household in her attempt to raise Emily from sleep.

Bailey rattled on the window and held her breathe. To her surprise, it only took a moment for the curtains to be pushed aside and Emily's face peered out from the darkness.

With a stunned expression, Emily reached to the side and switched on a nearby lamp. The light could only do so much to light the room, but Bailey still had no troubles making out every shape and from within the room.

Bailey sighed loudly as Emily only continued to stare at her. She hoped her eyes didn't always remain this enhanced. It was starting to give her a headache. And a serious case of anxiety.

Emily finally unlatched the window and pushed it open. Bailey was quick to crawl inside, Emily stepping aside as Bailey basically topped into her bedroom. Bailey leaped to her feet and quickly shut the window and swung the curtains back into place.

Maybe she was getting a little paranoid, but Bailey couldn't shake the uncanny feeling that she was being watched.

"What are you doing?" Emily asked. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"

"Early," Bailey replied, checking the curtains again. No gaps between the material. Good. She turned to Emily, then raised her eyebrows at Emily's faded jeans and tank. "Were you even in bed?"

"Of course I was."

Emily scoffed. "Not in jeans, you weren't, you little lair."

Emily's brows shot up as she crossed her arms. "You're accusing me of lying? That's gotta be a joke."

Hints of anger were swirling around Emily now.

Just great. More emotions for Bailey to deal with.

"Why are you angry with me?" Bailey cried, hurriedly hushing her tone as both girls looked towards the bedroom door, half-expecting someone to come storming in at any moment. It wasn't the first time either girl had snuck into each other's bedrooms in the middle of the night. They knew the drill.