The Prophecy (The Guardians) - By Wendy Owens Page 0,38

deserve this day.” Gabe shared.

“I can’t believe I’ve only been here six months. It’s kind of crazy, but after working next to you day and night, I feel like I’ve known you most of my life.” Rachel explained.

“That’s not crazy, I feel the same way. I was with a lot of women after I left Rampart, but I never felt a connection with any of them, you know?” Gabe added.

Rachel’s brow furrowed. “Umm, I am not trying to sound like a jealous girlfriend or anything, but what exactly do you mean by a lot of women? I mean, I know you’ve said that before, but I honestly thought you were just exaggerating.”

“Does it really matter? I’m with you now, and that’s all that should matter, right?” Gabe said attempting to direct the conversation down a new path.

“I suppose not.” Rachel replied hesitantly, not convinced it didn’t matter.

“Besides—” Gabe suddenly doubled over, clutching his stomach in pain. Something was wrong. The alarms hadn’t sounded, but he had that old, familiar ache telling him something was coming.

“What’s wrong?” Rachel exclaimed as she saw him stumble in pain. She ran to Gabe’s side to aide him.

“We have to get back, now.” Gabe insisted.

“Why what’s wrong?” Rachel asked, trying to assess the situation.

“I’m having an Augurie.” Gabe cried.

“A what?” Rachel felt a rush of panic.

“You remember,” Gabe began through gritted teeth. “I told you, I get pains.”

“Oh, the ones that are like warning alarms for you? What do you think it is?” Rachel asked, her normal calm attitude giving way to panic.

Gabe grabbed his stomach more firmly, wincing again in pain. “We have to get back to the cabin, now!”

“Here,” Rachel said shifting her pack and extending an arm to help.

Gabe attempted to straighten himself upright, but the pain again overwhelmed him, and grabbing his side, he cried out. Gabe stopped for a moment, trying to focus all of his energy into stopping the pains.

“Are you going to be alright?” Rachel asked again.

Gabe did not reply at first. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and imagined pushing all of the pain in his belly out of his body. A moment later, Gabe stood, as if the agony had subsided.

“What’s happening? Is everything alright now?” Rachel questioned, confused by the supernatural activity unfolding before her.

“I can control it. It’s just been so long since I’ve had an Augurie that it took me by surprise.” Taking a hold of Rachel’s hand, Gabe began to run in the direction of the small home. “We have to get to the cabin now though.”

“I don’t understand all of this; does this mean they’ve found us? How?” Rachel pleaded as she stumbled behind Gabe, him guiding her and pulling her along as if she were a weightless doll.

“I don’t know what it means exactly, but we need to figure it out and fast. I don’t know if we’re safe anymore, Rachel. You need to be ready to run, do you understand me? No matter what, if something happens to me, you run and hide.” Gabe halted as he reached the corner of the cabin. Lifting a finger to his lips he motioned for Rachel to be quiet.

Creeping slowly and quietly, Gabe peered around the cabin, into the clearing. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He couldn’t be sure though if something were lurking, just out of sight. “Come here, don’t let go.” Gabe whispered extending his hand.

Rachel said nothing. She trusted Gabe would keep her safe no matter what dangers were hunting them. The two walked carefully and quietly onto the porch. Gabe turned the knob to the cabin door as quietly as he could manage and pushed it open, readying his body for a fight.

When the door swung open, nothing happened. No demons came rushing out; no ambush was waiting to kill them. Perhaps Gabe’s abilities were failing him. Perhaps he wasn’t as amazing as everyone at Rampart had thought he was. Stepping the rest of the way into the cabin, Gabe’s breath was stolen for a moment.

Lying on the bed, possibly unconscious or worse, was the body of Uri. His body littered with wounds, seeping blood. A gash across his eyebrow looked as though it should have been pouring blood, but wasn’t due to the swelling all around it. Beaten, bloodied, and bruised, Uri did not stir at the sound of Gabe and Rachel entering the room.

“Uri!” Gabe shouted rushing to his side and shaking his friend violently.

“Huh? What?” Uri snorted, stirring from his rest.

“Jesus, I