Captured By The Dragon
Episode 49

Dylan

It was easier to navigate the human world when you blended right in. My contact left an average van with the keys still in the ignition and two sets of clothing that slipped on perfectly. Somehow Erik managed to get the navigation to work and put in Patara’s house a few towns over.

We had to wait until it was dark enough before we made our move. After endless driving, we left the van at an old theatre lot and walked the rest of the way. Erik was a real actor when he put on a big, friendly grin and acted like we were talking about something funny. If I didn’t have to play along, I would have just shoved him in the street for all the times he knocked my shoulder and slapped my back.

I tried to cool my features to something more charming and calm when I noticed I was getting quite a few stares. Notably, they were mostly from girls, but I wasn’t about to let my guard down. I lowered the brim of my hat and kept on.

We walked up the main street and broke off to the street right before hers. It wasn’t too late yet, many people were still out and about it seemed.

Once we got close enough, our steps became more careful. We ducked and started to hide behind bushes or tall enough walls. We avoided opened windows or houses that seemed to be booming with activity. We knew we would get ratted out if just one person looked out their window to see us.

Erik stopped me the moment we were in front of Patara’s house. It felt like my heart stopped in my chest or lodged in my throat. She was in there, I could feel it. A spark of something flared my mark as if it was confirmation.

“Let’s just keep watch tonight. I don’t think we should get her until we watch the patterns.” Erik said.

“I should go in there right now and get her—“

“Dylan. If you go in there, the police will be here faster than you can get out. Do not be stupid about this, we only have one shot.” He spoke calmly but quietly.

He was right. And part of me hated him for it. I wished he would just let me do it my way even if it wasn’t the wisest choice. I wanted her in my arms right now. I wanted to run my fingers through her hair and k**s every part of her skin until I heard her scream my name again.

The house we found ourselves in front of looked as if it was completely empty of life. There were no cars, no sense of it being currently used yet there didn’t seem to be a sale sign either. We slipped through the gates and crouched by the tall hedges as we peered out at the home across the street.

“It looks like her parents are home. All of their lights are on. We also have to watch for her siblings.”

“How the hell are we going to get past those gates?” I muttered. “I bet they added shock to them to keep us out.”

Erik silently observed the area. “The photos showed that they’re a bit lower in the back. You can jump over just fine, Dylan.”

I ignored him and spent the next few hours watching the lights in her house go out one by one until it was completely dark. It made me so… anxious. It would be so easy to do it now—no one was awake. I doubted that she would even be awake at this time.

It was around midnight when something caught my attention. I was starting to doze off when I saw a car pull up the street with no headlights. It stopped right in front of Patara’s house.

“Who the f**k is that?” I whispered to Erik who was now just as alert as I was. The car grew silent as the engine was cut, but no one got out. From here it looked like a man was in the front seat.

“Maybe they have extra security at night?” Erik suggested.

“F**k.” I hissed. “What are we going to do now—“

I stopped short when I saw a familiar shape move in the darkness. The man got out and went to open the door just as Patara slipped out of the gate. She moved quickly, silently before she slid in the car with the man and they both drove off.

What the hell…

My world froze and all I saw was red. What the f**k was Patara doing with that man?

Patara

My b***d was pumping so fast—I had never once snuck out in my life. As much as my mother wanted me to like Malcom, she would have fainted if she knew I was in the car with him so late at night. She would have claimed that I wanted everyone to think of me as dirty girl and he would use me as one.

Malcom glanced over at me, the side of his mouth lifted slightly and I looked away.

“Thank you for picking me up.” I finally said as I gazed out the window. The city was so much more alive at night with all of the lights and activity. Were people always out this late at night? Was I the only one that hadn’t been living?

“I keep my promises.” Malcom said gently. “I need you to stay in the car, though. They won’t talk with you there and the hospital is mostly empty at night. They would notice you lingering nearby.”

I sunk lower in my seat. I knew that I wouldn’t be allowed to go inside but part of me had hoped he would let me.

“Okay. I understand.”

He parked outside of the hospital and turned in his seat to look at me. “I’ll be back soon and I’ll let you know what I find. Promise me you will stay here with the doors locked. Call me if you need me.”

I reached out to grab his hand before he opened the door. He turned back to look at me in surprise.

“Thank you for doing this, Malcom. I really appreciate it. You’re a good man.”

He looked down at my small hand until I finally released him. A soft smile touched his lips before he turned and got out of the car.

My mind went wild with thoughts after he left. I wasn’t sure how many hours had passed with him in there, or perhaps it was only minutes and I was getting jittery.

A loud bang hit the side of the car and startled me out of my thoughts. I sat up and gazed all around but saw nothing.

It was pitch black. I could barely see an inch in front of the car and my body started to tremble. I reached for my phone and dialed Malcom’s number but halted when I saw him.

Dylan stood in front of my door with a dark look on his face.