Chapter 12A Twisted Time

Khuna managed to calm Kai down. Some words filtered through to me, about hacking, security and us having to leave here. I was confused. Words from my mother, out of nowhere. It was very difficult wrapping my head around this, all those things happening to me so soon.

Khuna shook me by the shoulder. "Hey Amy, please understand this is the first time something like this has happened. Kai told me they didn't break into his systems completely but used a very... eh... smart way to get the message to show up. The only real worrying thing is that they knew who would see this." She looked at me. "Something strange is happening, I mean having your turner to show up for you and your parents disappearing and leaving a message. As if Kryss's group didn't give us enough worries."

"Leave them out of it." Said Kai fiercely.

I looked from Kai to Khuna. "Who is Kryss?"

"He's not important right now. Let's sort some things out." She put her hands on both my shoulders and looked me straight in the eyes. "I know this is difficult, but you have to tell me what you saw on the streets."

"My aren't we tense tonight." Valerie came in through the door. I noticed she looked warmer then before. Had she fed?

I just looked at Khuna, hoping I wouldn't have to explain.

"Amy saw the man who turned her..." Khuna let it sink in with Valerie.

"Sh-she saw him?" Valerie almost jumped the distance from the door to right next to me. "What did he look like? How did he sound? How old was he? Tell me!"

"I... I..."

Khuna interrupted me. "Val, calm down, Kai didn't know either, too much on our mind at the moment. And it gets stranger. Amy's mother left us a message. On Kai's machine."

Valerie opened her mouth and wanted to speak, but she regained her composure. She nodded silently and motioned towards the sofas. "Let's sit and talk then."

TV off, computers silent for the moment. Khuna and me again on one sofa, Kai and Valerie on the other. Khuna held my hand, even though I didn't exactly understand why. It helped me. Made me warmer and more secure.

Khuna started. "Kai, Val, let me first give you a bit of insight in some of the strangeness so far. Though Amy's circumstances are almost exactly like those of our turnings, something odd is surrounding her parent's situation. The house was empty, but cleaned. They had left but not in such a rush that they didn't leave it properly. But... no note. And as far as I could tell they'd usually always leave a note when they left for something, right Amy?"

I nodded, I dared to speak. "Everything was there, pictures, magazines. Even my room was as I left it before."

Khuna continued. "So you see there's a bit of oddness there. Later, after shopping with Val and us, Val went her own way." I noticed they didn't talk so much about feeding directly, just hinted at it. "We just slowly made our way back here when Amy stopped a bit behind me after hearing something. I didn't notice immediately, I had to track back a bit to find her again. Amy, will you continue?"

I hesitated but then nodded. "Okay. Eh, I heard a voice call out my name. The same voice as right before I was turned. He showed himself to me for a moment or so. One blink and he was gone. But he looked... old. His clothes were from the late middle ages or something, dark red, white and black. And his eyes, bright blue were the only thing I could see in his face. It was over so soon... I wish I could remember more."

Valerie and Kai nodded.

Kai spoke up. "And then there was a message left on my system. Something odd about that though, it almost seemed as if it was placed there before tonight."

"Kai, don't joke about stuff like that." Khuna looked very surprised.

"I'm not Khuna, you know I wouldn't" Kai really did look serious. I'm not sure I even fully understood what he was saying. The message left there before I was turned?

Khuna looked up. "It's getting early. We should sleep. Kai, Val, could you go ahead and give me a moment?"

Val nodded and got up, just taking the stairs down. Kai got up as well but went to his screens first, woke the computers up and entered some things before he shut them off and moved towards the stairs. "Khuna, something about all of this is not right." He didn't wait for a reply but went down the stairs.

Khuna just smiled. "Don't worry about him, he's still spooked someone got through to his babies." She winked playfully and despite everything I giggled.

She looked me in the eyes. "Please forgive them. It is as if someone is playing a game with you and using us as pawns. It's not a nice feeling." I looked guilty but she giggled. "No, it's not your fault." She brushed my cheek with her hand. "Cheer up, tomorrow will be better, I'm sure." She gave me a little kiss on my lips.

I blushed. I vaguely noticed her getting up and moving towards the stairs. I still felt her pressure and I raised my hand to touch my lips to assure myself I was feeling things properly.

Still blushing I got up and walked down the stairs to my room. One hand still raised to my lips. I opened the door in a daze and closed it again, hardly noticing it's weight. I lay down, my clothes forgotten, and closed my eyes. A deep sleep took me swiftly without warning.

I dreamed.

I was on a rooftop, being chased. It was so vivid I could feel the cool breeze, the sounds from the streets and the air-conditioners humming away. I felt each step as I ran and jumped over the flat roofs. I felt stronger, more experienced, more aware.

Was this a dream?