*Author's note: I want to thank everyone for sticking with me, I know it's been a long time in coming and I hope you find the final chapter of Sorrow's Sieve satisfying. I apologize for any typos or mistakes, I've done my best to proof read and edit multiple times but it's hard to catch everything. Please vote and don't be afraid to leave comments, they encourage me to become a better writer. Happy New Years Everyone!*
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She just stood there. He had come to get a better idea of the lay of her neighborhood and home when she had walked out of her house. Another woman accompanied her but she quickly left. She and her brother spoke for a moment and although he couldn't make out their words from where he was hidden, it appeared to be a goodbye. He watched her leave her house and walk around the yard for a few minutes. When he was sure her brother wasn't coming back out he decided to approach; this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.
He had come prepared just in case, and it appeared the case had indeed presented itself. He knew he had to be careful, if she heard or saw him she would scream and there was a chance her brother would hear and rush out to investigate. So he pulled a prepared syringe from his coat pocket, pocketed the cap and crept up on her. He watched her carefully for any sudden movements and what he saw brought a smile to his face. He watched her swoon suddenly; she was obviously not running at one hundred percent. She took a few steps toward the front door and he lengthened his steps to reach her before she could get there.
But again he was surprised when her steps slowed and stopped, and then she turned. He was nearly on top of her when her eyes met his, there was a brief moment of recognition and fear that caused his blood to boil and then her eyes glazed over and her expression became blank. She just stood there. Confusion warred with his baser instincts but he quickly decided he couldn't take any chances. He'd already come this far. Stepping closer to her he carefully pulled her against his solid frame and she came without any resistance. He quickly pushed her hair to the side exposing her neck. The syringe sank in easily, the fast acting sedative moving through her system from her carotid artery.
Throwing the needle into the nearby bushes he gripped the beautiful girl before him as her body was overcome with the affects of the drug. She sank into his embrace and he quickly pulled her after him to the side street where he'd parked his car. By the time they were halfway there he had to pull her into his arms as consciousness left her fully. He smiled darkly as he inhaled her clean scent and ran his hands up and down her shapely legs. Oh yes, this was going to be fun.
*****
"Aina! Aina you must wake up!"
"It's no use, Lupa. Whatever he gave her is strong. It will take more than you shaking and yelling to get her to wake up."
"It isn't fair, she is so close. How many hosts has she had now? A thousand? If I had known how difficult a time she would have I never would have agreed to this, Achus."
"Be patient, Lupa. She made the decision, not you or I. She knew it would be difficult. But she has found her symbolon now. He is her other half in every way, both for her spirit and for the body she inhabits. He will not let any harm come to her. They have been searching for each other for countless millennia and I think he is the catalyst that will finally help end this. Look around, look at what he has already helped accomplish. We have not been able to interact with her in nearly two thousand years, but here you sit cradling her in your arms and they have only been together for a handful of days. Have hope, sister."
"I will try, Achus. I hope for all our sakes you are correct. Aina is strong but I fear she cannot take much more. You and I were lucky and found our soul's counterpart early, they gave us strength to fight, Aina has not had such fortune. I just hope he is not too late."
***** Braedan felt uneasy. When he'd gone to bed it was with the knowledge that he would be seeing Galen soon. But when he woke up the next morning to light streaming through the windows and no memory of visiting Galen on the island the unease had set in. He tried to tell himself that this was a good thing. That perhaps when they banished so much pain she had been granted a reprieve for one night, maybe longer. But what if she had still gone and it was only he who could not find his way there? The knot of pain in the back of his mind had diminished as had his connection with Galen. He couldn't feel her and he didn't like it.
He had slept in later than he normally did and realized that if he didn't hurry he would be late to pick her up. He rushed through his shower and breakfast and was on the road within twenty minutes and he was still going to be a few minutes late. He was stopped at a light about five minutes away when a wave of exhaustion hit him hard. A huge yawn escaped and he had to rub his eyes to clear his vision. Apparently he still needed to catch up on his sleep. They would definitely have to make a stop for coffee if he was going to make it through today.
The smile that lit his face when he finally pulled up in front of her house was impossible to stop. Right through that door was a woman who had become his world in the span of three days. He knew he should be scared at how quickly his feelings had developed but everything just felt right. He hopped out of his truck and nearly skipped up to the door. When it didn't open right away at his knock he tried the doorbell. Perhaps she was still getting ready.
He was just about to pull out his phone and call inside when the door opened and Peter looked out with confusion clearly written across his face.
"Oh, hey Braedan, did Galen forget something?"
"Um, no. I'm here to pick her up, we're going to visit a few colleges today, didn't she tell you?" Peter straightened at this news and pushed passed Braedan to get a better look outside.
"She's not with you? She had been waiting outside for you to get here." Braedan's heart rate picked up.
"Galen!" both men called at once and listened for a response. They glanced at each other in worry.
"Do you have your cell on you? I let her borrow mine, give it a call, maybe she took a walk around the block." Peter desperately tried to believe his own words but there was a sinking feeling in his gut. Braedan quickly pulled out his phone and dialed. Both heads whipped around when the audible ring of a cell phone started around the house on the side street. Both men were off, rounding the edge of the building in barely a breath. What they found caused them to stumble to a halt. Peter bent down and scooped up Galen's purse, his cell phone ringing in the front pocket.
Braedan tried to think but his fear was making it difficult. He couldn't feel her, but he had woken up like that. Had the feeling of unease he felt all morning been a warning? Dammit, if he'd only gotten there sooner!
"When did she go outside?" Braedan asked her brother. Peter glanced at his watch and then up and down the street, as if willing Galen to appear.
"Ten, maybe fifteen minutes ago tops, she said she wanted to sit in the sun for a while."
"Alright so she can't have been gone all that long. Did you hear anything in the last few minutes before I got here?
"Nothing, my room is on the other side of the house and I was getting changed. That's why it took me so long to get to the door. We have to find her Braedan." Braedan could see the other man shaking with emotion and the tears that were threatening to fall made him swallow his own back. Clearing his throat he grabbed Peter's shoulder and looked him in the eye.
"We will find her, Peter. I promise you." Peter nodded and looked down to compose himself. "Look why don't you call Ada and I'll call the police. I'm not sure if there is anything they can do but it's a start."
Both of them headed back to the front of the house, phones to their ears. Sure enough, although the police said they would send a unit out to get a statement there was nothing they could really do until 48 hours had passed. Galen was over twenty-one, there was no sign of a struggle, no evidence of a crime. She could have set her purse down and forgot about it before going for a walk. Ada was on her way. She had just made it to work but she promised that once she let Mr. Trent know what was going on she'd be heading in their direction.
Braedan was pacing across the yard, trying to piece things together. Peter sat on the front stoop watching him. He didn't know what to say. His sister was gone and he felt like a complete failure. He shouldn't have left her alone, not when there was still so much they didn't know about her illness and recovery. He should have insisted she wait inside. He glanced up again at Braedan Kelly, following his movement as he wore a path into the lawn. When he reached the shrubs and turned Peter caught a glimpse of something under one of the bushes. It was just barely catching the morning light. He quickly stood and walked over, bending down to pick up the offending object. His hand stilled and he felt like his stomach was in his throat when he realized what was on the ground.
"Braedan," he choked out. The doctor was there in an instant. When he saw what was there he turned to Peter.
"Don't touch it, I'll be right back." Racing to his truck he grabbed a first aid kit he kept in the back seat and pulled on a pair of gloves. Lastly he grabbed a plastic bag and made his way back over to Peter. Gently he took the object into his own hand and looked at it carefully. The syringe was new, and as he flipped it over in his hand he read the hospital code for Maywood Park. A small amount of blood coated the tip. He thought back to his drive over and the sudden bout of exhaustion. His vision began to tunnel and he had to remind himself to breathe. He knew he was on the verge of panic and that would do Galen no good.