Scarlett Brown - The Half Witch

Chapter Sixteen

"Stewart said we should go to him and he has already sent out people to go look for her." Amanda said as soon as she came back in. She tried to assure me that Hanna will be found safe and sound but I wanted to join in on the search too.

We decided to go to Mr Stewart and see things for ourselves. When we got to Mr Stewart he was going through some files and Antonio was next to him watching through what looked like video footage of in an around the campus. He looked up at me looking like he wanted to say something but said nothing, I could see sympathy in his eyes. It was still weird seeing this side of him.

"I got something," he announced. It was the cameras of the back of the main building. We saw a man walk out the building, he wore formal grey pants and a checkered shirt unfortunately for us his back was facing the camera. In his arms he was carrying a small sized girl with blond hair covering her face like she was unconscious. I saw Hanna's bracelets and I knew it was her.

"It's her." I gasped.

"There should be two more cameras on the side wall from where he is get that footage too." Mr Stewart said standing besides Antonio. Antonio touched a few more buttons and we switched visual to the other camera. This showed the man walking on towards the woods. These were the areas non of us where allowed to go to.

" Where is he taking her" I ask to no one in particular.

"He seems to be going towards the old buildings beyond the woods. The wolves and witches used those buildings before but they were put off limits when the school started. Nobody lives there anymore, nobody should be there." Antonio whispered the last part. They seemed to tense up at that not really making me feel any better.

Mr Stewart said something about petrol guards and went to make some phone calls.

"No I don't think that's where he is going. See here, " Amanda looked at the footage having taken Antonio's place when he stood up with Stewart. She points to the third camera, "He takes a right turn over here the woods are further on the left of this, here there is a moving shadow on the fourth camera which means he must be going to the cottage near the lake." She said pointing to the other footage showing us the more coverage of the grounds near the wood. These are faced back Walla and exists of the building and not the woods so his steps aren’t seen properly.

"That shadow doesn't mean it's him it could be anybody walking along back route we can’t be certain that he's really going there." Antonio points out.

"The woods are far too guarded I doubt whoever he is, is stupid enough to do that there are way too many guards and petrol out there he would get caught the best bet would be the cottage it's hardly acknowledged by anybody." Amanda argued.

Mr Stewart still wasn't getting through to anybody and the argument between Amanda and Antonio was getting on my nerves. I needed to find Hanna.

" I'll go search the area then. " I moved but Antonio practically flew in front of me. This was the first time I've seen him act like a Vamp.

"No it's way too dangerous. We don't know who this guy is we don't know what we're up against. You could be putting both your lives in danger by just going in there blind." He protests.

This was not the time for the zoo in my stomach to go wild by his show of affection or concern on a probable threat to my life. "And we won't know by sitting in here and doing nothing or making calls that no one is going to pick up. Hanna is someone really important to me and her life is in danger Antonio and if I can do something to help I sure as hell won't just sit around."

I shoved past him but he grabbed my arm, "I don't know if you have any friends or how important they are to you but Hanna is really important to me so let me go." I said.

"And you are just as important to me" He whispered his eyes starring back at me almost pleading. I just shoved past him and for the first time thanked the heavens for being a vampire because my legs moved faster than lighting at the speed of which I ran to the lake. As I came to a stop I heard someone else stop right next to me. I turned a small smile spreading across my face seeing Antonio next to me.

"Thought I'd let you do this alone?" He muttered as he walked past me going into the cottage first. He seemed to be listening and smelling the place for any kind of danger then walked further in.

Joining him I was shocked by the state of the place. There was blood smeared on the walls and floors. The air was infected by a terrible stench, something between a dead rat, corps and old clothes. I tried not to imagine the worst when my heart started beating faster by the site of the place.

There was a small dining table with four chairs on one corner next to what seemed like an open plan kitchen with dishes laying around looking rusted. It was a small cottage an old couch with springs sprouting out was pushed to a wall and there was a staircase near it spiralling down. The stairs seemed old just like everything else in this place, some cracked and looking shaky.

Antonio started walking towards the stairs faster and when I heard slow breathing from down there, I followed suit. It must be Hanna. "I found her" I reached last stair he had Hanna in his arms checking for a pulse she lay still in the centre in the darkness of an empty room. Seeing the state that she was in my heart sank, she wasn't moving, her hands were tied behind her back and her legs were also tied together. Her head was faced downwards her body positioned in a foetus position blood slowly pooling around her. "She is alive" He announced making my lungs able to breath air again.

Hanna looked similar to how Jasmine was. Her body had scratches over it, her clothes were torn she didn't have a deep gush on the side of her head but her head and abdomen looked badly bruised her right side was bleeding like someone had pushed her against something hard enough to rip her skin open. Antonio got busy untying her hand and legs but I couldn’t bring myself to get closer to her, scared that I didn’t deserve it considering she was kidn*pped because of me.

"Antonio?!" We heard Mr Stewart's voice from up stairs.

"Down here! She needs help" He shouted back then suddenly foot steps were heard and some men in black came in with a stretcher, I guess they're the medics. They checked her and strapped her in carrying her body up stairs and outside.

We silently walked back up. "I guess it's the same guy" Amanda asked us when we reached her. She was referring to Jasmine's incident things have certainly gone bad.

Amanda came towards me and hugged me. "Hey don't worry yourself she will be okay. That's what I heard the medics say anyway. Just too much blood but no fatal injuries" She tried to cheer me up. I nodded wiping my tears away.

"How are you holding up! " I asked her.

"I'm okay. I'll be fine" she smiled. "Uhm Jacob is here. He wants to see you." she kind of whispered and I understood she was being that way because of Antonio. I turned to look at him finding that his jaw was clenched. A small petty part of me was happy that he was jealous. I smiled back at Amanda, "Tell him to come through." She gave me a warning look knowing what I was playing at but said nothing then went out to call him Jacob.

Jacob came rushing in looking terribly worried about me. He hugged me and asked how I was doing and if I had gotten hurt. "I'm fine Jacob don't worry about me. It's Hanna we should be worrying about. I hope she gets better." I said hugging him back. We heard someone clear their throat then we stepped back.

"Hey, thank you so much for helping out. If i knew I would've came along." He extended his hand to Antonio and Antonio shook his hand.

" It's cool it's also sorta my job so... Scarlett are you ready may I take you back." He seemed hesitant to ask me but before I could respond Jacob answered. "I have my car parked close by so it cool I'll take her with me she must be exhausted so it would be better instead of running back." Jacob explained. I had forgotten that he didn't know I had speed just like him so running was not going to be an issue but I didn't say anything. Instead I let him drag me with him when he turned to leave.

I remembered I didn't thank Antonio for his help, "Jacob give me a sec I'll be right back." I went back I to the cottage looking for Antonio. I spotted him with Mr Stewart and the Vice Headmaster looking over the scene.

"Antonio" I called out to him. He turned looking a bit shocked at my presence. I stood on my toes to reach his height and kissed his cheek. "I didn't get to thank you for what you did. So um thank you for your help I couldn't have done this without you."

I'd never say this to anyone but I think at that moment I saw Antonio blush. "You-uh you are most welcome. It's well it's my duty to so no need to thank me." I smiled at his response

"Scar are you done" Jacob called out for me. I waved goodbye to Antonio and left.