Chapter 176 Escape (2)
Alessia's POV
As soon as I make it of the tunnel I collapse on the nearest tree stump . Inhaling the cool air .After being in that small tunnel the open air feels so good .I am too exhausted to move so I remain there trying to steady my breathing. I look around the forest and a shiver of fear races down my spine its so dark that the branches look as if they are moving.
Or is it my mind playing tricks on me.
I hope we did not just escape the fire La Geneva to end up being eaten or chased by a wide animal. Taking a deep breath I feel the tell tale sign of my glamour starting to fade bracing myself I adjust on the ground as the pain starts to hits me .Alex seems to sense my pain as he crouches low beside me "Alessia,Are you okay?"
My spine feeks like its not adjusting but its bending and reforming ,my bones feel like they are being cracked and reset I yelp loudly in pain barely able to stop myself as my face ripples into place.
The shift is always painful
But its never been this excruciating
I assume that is because I held it longer than I have ever had to hold it, It could also be due to all the emitional distress I endured tonight. I wipe my tears silently as I tremble all over .I face him eyes still blurry with tears and take a deep breath . "Not really but I will be fine" Alex nods giving me a tight hug. When I turn away from Alex's concerned gaze my eyes meet Gabreal's.
My father...
He looks at me as if he recognizes me "Margo?"
"Margo"
My chest clenchrs as fresh tears threaten to fall
I shake my head in response
Do I look so much like my mother?
"No." I whisper to him with a shaky voice "I am your daughter" as finally the tears start to fall.
The words feel strange as I have never had to say them .
"Alessia?" He whispers in disbelief
So he knows my name!
He stares at me for a moment then he pulls me into a clumsy hug.
He wraps his thin arms around me tightnly almost as if he is afraid I am just a figment of his imagination.
The hug you receive from a parent is different.
I don't know how to explain it.
It's not the kind of fiery embrace I will receive from Alex.
Or the soothing embrace I will receive from Lucy and Angelica
A parent's Hug is healing
A just because kind of hug
I still can't believe how lucky I was to have stumbled upon my father in that dungeon I could have been in and out without ever knowing he was there . Emotions surge un my chest like a tsunami , I dont want to bawl my eyes in front of him like a baby.
\-One now is not the time
\-Two we are not in the clear yet
Alex had been watching us quietly from a tree stump nearby “We have to leave”
He is right of course its not safe being here like this in the open .I turn to him wstching as he opens the briefcase to check La Rosa even in the dark of the night it still glows like the most priceless jewel I have ever seen.
La Rosa
The rose that reunited me with my farther
I watch it from afar for a few minutes until Alex shuts the briefcase again .I reluctantly step away from my father wiping my face once more to make myself more presentable.He lets go without saying a word but his eyes linger on me for a minute longer .We have all the time for explanations later .For now , we need to survive
Alex brings out his phone ,before he uses it he takes a brief glance ariund the dark forest. Probably listening for any approaching footsteps.
Then he presses speed dial the phone only rings once before its picked.
"Luca" Alex's voice is low and controlled
He pauses for a moment then I hear Lucas screeching obscenities through the speaker!
I smile trust Luca to be panicking and pulling out his hair..
"Dios! You two nearly gave me a heart attack ! What took you so long to check in?"
"We made it out" Alex says smoothly "through a tunnel under his bed."
Luca lets out a sigh of relief
"Grazzi a Diu!"
Alex turns to me briefly before carrying on
"We have the briefcase"
A slight pause
"Magnifico:" luca mutters "because the coven is being shut down as we speak"
My heart skips a beat as I watch Alex he appears frozen for a few seconds.
"Already? How did you know?"
"Padre called me he said he could not reach you"
My stomact twists
La Geneva are already on the prowl
Alex mutters under hus brearh leaning back on the tree
"I hope you followed the evacuation protocols we set in place"
"To the letter" luca replies "We had already packed everything"
"Right now we are just outside Geneva" luca carries on "About twenty mins from the air strip."
Alex looks at me and My father ..
"Do not head there direct!"
"Why?"
"Thats the first place they will check Alex says since they are on alert already."
Luca exhales "What do we do then?"
Alex pauses looking around the clearing
"We are hitching a ride back to Geneva instead." he says slowly
"Is hitching a ride not risky ?"
"Staying here is worse" Alex replies
They both have valid points
"lets meet at the District Transport they have a branch in Geneva"
"The ones we used in La Geneva ?" Luca asks
The one and the sane
Finally Luca says "Okay see you soon."
Alex nods in agreement as if Luca is in front of him
"One more thing Alex" Luca adds
I feel my body tense as I wait to hear what Luca has to say ...
"What is it?"Alex asks
"Make your way out of there fast before they realize not only a prisoner is missing."
There is a moment of silence
"Why?"
"Because they already know Gabreal Sirrano is missing and they think he kidnapped Miranda"
That was quick
I shiver as the forest suddenly feels a lot less safe
Alex clenches his jaw "Dios mio How much time do we have?"
"You know how organized they are." Luca replied "Not long."
Alex says nothing quietly ending the call
“We move now’