Chapter 43 - Evacuate! (1/2)
Gabriel and Alyssa were still in the dining room that Mrs. Goldman had set up for the evening, as the long wait for Cornelius to return was beginning to frustrate most of the people in the room. Gabriel could tell Alyssa and Diane were rather nervous as the young girl went to her sister and hugged her for a while as they waited. Their patience was eventually reward as there was a loud swooshing sound that let them know that the big vampire was returning. Cornelius entered into the large room and slowly approached everyone who was awaiting his return. He didn't look like his c.o.c.ky self, and rather somber as he walked up to the big table. It was assumed he would return to his seat and resume eating, which was what Gabriel had thought, but he didn't. Instead the big vampire stood behind his chair and remained standing as the look on his face didn't give his younger brother the impression that all was well.
”I'm afraid things were not settled,” Cornelius said, ”I'm sorry.”
Gabriel was at a loss for word, as those were two words that he never heard his older brother ever speak in his presence and certainly never that sincerely as well. Rather than dwell on it, Gabriel approached his brother.
”What's going on?” Gabriel asked him.
”They're rather determined to come get you, brother.” Cornelius answered, ”To the point where it's not safe here. We need to evacuate the town, immediately.”
”What?” Mrs. Goldman said, rather stunned by the statement. ”When?”
”Right now,” Cornelius said, ”As soon as possible. They seemed rather angered by our exchange. I didn't help matters at all.”
”Dammit,” Gabriel cursed, ”Where should we go?”
”What about the rest of the town?” Alyssa asked.
”We can't save everyone,” Cornelius said, ”We need to save those who are important to us first, and if I have time, I'll see what I can do for everyone else.”
”I'll take Diane,” Mrs. Goldman said, standing up. ”The safest place for her right now is in Salem.”
”Yes,” One of the other witches called out in agreement. ”We shall all escort her there ourselves. Combined with all her guardians, she will be quite safe.”
”I want to go too,” Alyssa said, standing up.
Cornelius walked over and put a hand on her shoulder. ”You cannot.”
”What?” Alyssa said, angered by that. ”Why not?”
”Only witches are allowed in Salem unless authorized through diplomacy.” Cornelius explained, ”I can pull some strings and get you access, but she's right. Salem is the safest place for Diane right now. Let the old woman care for her, and we'll retreat to New Lycan for the time being.”
”I will care for her as if she were my own child,” Mrs. Goldman said, ”Your mom was my best friend, and I will never let anything happen to her.”
”I believe you, M' lady,” Cornelius responded, ”Because if you fail, every one of you will answer to me.”
”We understand, my lord.” The other witch replied, fully aware of what he meant by that statement.
Alyssa and Gabriel walked Diane to their building, back to the apartment as quickly as they could without catching anyone's attention. Once in their apartment, Alyssa started to pack up their personal belongings. Things that couldn't be replaced such as pictures, old books and clothing that meant something. It was at this moment when Pablo came into the room, as he could tell what was going on.
”What are you doing?” Pablo asked.
”Packing,” Gabriel replied, ”There is trouble coming our way.”
”What kind of trouble?” Pablo asked.
”California,” Gabriel answered, ”They're less than twenty miles away and are none to pleased. This is going to be Denver all over again.”
Pablo's eye grew as wide as saucers as he could hardly believe it.
”What's the plan?” Pablo asked.
”I'll pack this stuff up,” Gabriel answered, ”You get Sean and his family back into the big trucks. We need to hit the road for New Lycan before it's too late.”
Pablo didn't even respond and just bolted out of the room, and one his way to break the bad news to Sean and his family. They'd have to go on the run again and from the same people as last time. Gabriel used his speed to pack faster than ten men could in the same time, but packed light aware that space in the trucks were limited. He checked in on Diane and she appeared to be packing everything rather than just the essentials.
”Diane,” Gabriel started.
”I'll be alright,” Diane interrupted, without looking at him. ”I have over a hundred guardians that are all volunteering to carry it for me to Salem.
”Alright,” Gabriel said, ”Good luck out there. Alyssa and I will try to come over and visit as soon as we can. Follow Mrs. Goldman's lead and you should be alright. If what I've been told is correct, that entire town will protect you. You're the safest of us all right about now.”
”Fair enough,” Diane said, still packing, ”Just don't keep me waiting too long then, or we'll come looking for you.”
Gabriel nodded and then zipped into Alyssa's room and started to pack all her stuff into small bags with lightning speed. When he was done, he looked back up at her and noticed her shocked look.
”I tried to be gentle,” he admitted, ”Just trying to help out.”
”Alright,” Alyssa said, sighing. ”Just a warning next time, okay?”
”Promise,” Gabriel said, ”I'll get these to one of the trucks.
”Such a shame,” Pablo admitted, ”I was really liking this place.”