Book 9 - Page 59 (1/2)

And then it was gone. I felt it leave my body, as if I had been giving it too much resistance and it finally gave up. Wanting something softer.

“Perry, f**king talk to me!” Dex was in my face, slapping my cheek lightly. I blinked, staring up at him, concentrating on a bead of sweat that was threatening to fall from the tip of his nose. “Talk to me!”

“I’m okay,” I managed to say, trying to sit up. He helped me, his grip tight, one hand behind my head, holding me gently. There were people pa.s.sing by, staring at me in concern. I shot them a quick smile, just in case they called an ambulance.

“Perry,” he murmured, resting his forehead against mine. “I thought I lost you.”

I swallowed, that feeling coming back. The evil. Such evil.

“No,” I said. I pulled back and stared at him. “Did you see him? The beast in the suit?”

“No…” he looked around.

“He came inside my head. Just for a moment. He left, I pushed him out. He’s going after something softer.”

He frowned and placed his palm on his head. “I would know if he got in. Look at me, he hasn’t.”

I was looking at him and I knew he was right. He’d already had Dex and now Dex was tougher than ever before.

But others weren’t as strong as us. Others were softer.

“Ada!” I suddenly yelled, springing to my feet. “My mother!”

Dex nodded, wearing horror on his face. “Call them!” He threw his hands up in the air. “f.u.c.k, we need a phone.”

He spotted a couple walking arm and arm a few yards away and ran over to them. When it looked like they were agreeing, I booked it over to them, shooting them a grateful look.

“Thank you,” I said to them, “it’s a bit of an emergency.” I took the phone and dialed my mom’s phone, knowing she was most likely to answer.

My dad answered instead. “Daniel Palomino,” he said.

“Dad!” I yelled.

“Perry? Whose number is this?”

“Dad where is mom and Ada?”

“They’re with me, why? Do you want to talk to your mother?” His voice began to break up and I heard a loud grinding noise in the background

“Where are you?” I asked, feeling like time was falling through my fingers.

“We’re just about to get on the subway,” he said, the crackles getting louder.

“Where are you going?” There was nothing, then he said something I could barely make out. “Dad!” I yelled. “Where are you going? What station?!”

The static grew stronger but I finally heard him say, “Fifty-Third and fifth.”

“Okay, get off at that station and do not going anywhere. Do you hear me?”