CHAPTER 34
Iliana finally had a valid reason to contact Damian. She only agreed to text him instead of calling him; she did not want him to give him a chance to speak. Although, she was more worried about the mole in the Shadow pack. She had no suspects in mind. It was harder to think of anyone suspicious because everyone has been in her life for as long as she could remember. Could it be Damian? Or Frida? Or someone else? The Shadow pack is not as numerous as the Silver Creek so everyone knew everyone. She had plans of attempting her escape at night. Anything she had to do, she had to do it quick. There’s a chance she might find Alexander at night so she headed to Rajesh.
Iliana arrived at the cabin but unusual not to find Rajesh there drowning himself in countless number of alcoholic beverages. Instead, it was Erik that was found drinking.
“Erik?”
“Rachel. I did not see you there.”
“Rajesh is not here?”
“I guess he’s at Highs and Lows.”
“Oh. Then, I’ll get going.”
“Wait—” Erik stopped Iliana. “Come have a drink with me.”
Iliana did not want to indulge with Erik as per warnings but she thought it would be rude to reject his offer. She also considered what Jonah once told her while he was alive: ‘When one drinks their wine all alone in an empty space, drink with them if they ask you to; they may have things to say and set their hearts free.’
“Sure.” She accepted but had regrets.
She walked to the counter and sat on a stool besides Erik. Erik poured her a glass of what looked like bourbon into a glass cup. He passed the drink to her. Timidly, she collected it.
“So, how are you?”
“I’m…fine. How are you?”
Erik sighed as he poured himself another round. “I’m just…here, y’know. Me being me. Nothing special. How’s your man?”
“You mean Alexander? He’s fine, I guess.”
“You’re not sure?”
“I only see him when he wants me to see him.”
“Classic Alexander. Y’know, sometime I wish we were closer. I know I may not look it but I really do enjoy our bond as brothers—used to. Everything just changed after our parents were murdered right in front of us. David just became unreasonable and goes along with everything Rajesh asks. Alexander broods all day and gets mad when you oppose him and then there’s me—the one who doesn’t know where to stand.”
Iliana was quiet.
“I don’t even know what I am. Am I just a beta? or am I alpha? David is always with Rajesh aiding him in whatever he does. Alexander is never around. Sophia is never around either.” Erik let out a sigh “I miss my brothers.”
Iliana stayed quiet as Erik kept feeding himself alcohol. She wanted to stop him but something inside her almost understood what Erik was going through so she left him with his drink.
While Iliana remained with the glass of bourbon Erik gave her from earlier, Erik had already passed out on the counter after two bottles. Iliana finished the bourbon in her glass and assisted Erik to the couch near the counter. She gently pulled him off the counter and let him lean on her body. He was quite the weight and twice her height but Iliana managed to take him to the couch where he was laid.
Iliana left the cabin and headed to Highs and Lows hoping Rajesh would still be there after spending almost an hour with Erik. After all, Rajesh is a heavy drinker so he might be at Highs and Lows for as long as a day and come out unscathed.
On her way to Highs and Lows, Iliana’s memory was flashed with the image of someone. The same person she has been trying to remember. The memory was too cloudy. She did not think of it as an important memory but this time she did not shrug it off. She kept trying to remember as she walked to Highs and Lows.
She arrived at Highs and Lows under the blessings of the afternoon sun. She walked into the bar and the owner, Christopher Sam, immediately recognized her.
“Rachel?”
Iliana looked at Christopher. She had no idea who he was or what his name was but she gave a guess. “Christopher?”
“Yes. Can I offer you anything?”
Iliana scanned the bar for Rajesh or even Sophia who would give a precise answer. “I’m looking for Rajesh. Was he here?”
“He left about thirty minutes ago.”
“Did he say where he was going?”
“No. You can check his lab, he might be there.”
“Okay. What of Alexander, have you seen him?”
“I have not.”
“Okay.” Iliana said as she left the bar and headed for Rajesh’s lab. She had already reached the forest when she realizes that she did not know where the lab was. She thought of asking people but she was not willing to do the task of socializing so she hoped to find Sophia, Catherine, Jacqueline or even David.
Evening was approaching fast and she needed to speak with Rajesh. With no hope of finding any of the people she prayed to find. She retired to her motel room. As she arrived at the motel room, she spotted Sophia at her door. It looked as if she had just arrived. Iliana hastily walked to Sophia.
“Sophia, I have been looking for you.” Iliana said as Sophia turned.
“Rachel.” Sophia went in for an embrace. “It has been so long since I last saw you. I have been knocking at your door. I thought you weren’t home. Where were you?”
“I was at Highs and Lows. I was looking for Rajesh.”
“Did you find him?”
“I don’t know where his lab is.”
“It’s a hidden building at the center of town. I can show it to you now if you want.”
“Oh, never mind. I am done for today. It was a long hot day.”
“Oh. Okay then. Take your time. I’ll see you tomorrow, then?”
“Maybe.”
Sophia smile at Iliana as she walked away. Iliana dived into her room an locked the door. She sat on her bed an thought of her escape plan.
“It’ll be best I go when no one is awake, but how do I know when they are asleep?” She paced back and front; biting her fingernail. “How will Alexander react when he finds out I’m planning an escape? What if Alexander don’t come around this night? Iliana saw many shortcomings in her plans. It wasn’t worth executing yet. It was flawed. She picked her phone and turned it on. She went to Damian’s contact and opened a text space. She began typing…
“Damian, do not send any more spy to the Silver Creek; they will be killed. The head elder of the pack is planning a onslaught soon. With their hidden power that will be contained soon, they will be unstoppable. Do not send any more. We have lost…
Iliana stopped typing. She withdrew. She erased and started all over…
“Damian, I’m sorry I couldn’t get through to you for the past three months. It’s hard finding any connection here. Samuel, Stuart, Jack and I are in good condition. We need more time. There’s more information we have to find out about before we can return. Please do not send more men, you’ll increase the chances of getting us caught. We also found out about a spy in the Shadow pack. You are a target. Please, be careful.”
She took a deep breath and tapped on the send button.