Chapter 35

Ivy’s eyes jerked open; Nick cradled her. She looked down at the dagger still in her stomach; pulling her out she healed her wound.

“Ivy you're alive!” Nick said touching her face.

“He must never know.” She said before disappearing and reappearing at the train station.

She wasn’t sure where she was going, she remembered what Drake said, she had to keep moving. She had to run as long as she can. She knew Quinn would find out she was alive and would come after her, and when he did they would fight and she would have to kill him, or he would succeed and kill her this time. She prayed that her son would be safe and grow up not knowing he was a Shadow Dweller.

Putting her hood over her head, she bought her ticket and hid in the corner, and waited for the train to arrive. Once she was in, she sat in the corner with her back against the wall and watched everyone around her. She hoped there was no one there that knew who she was. She was scared, but she was determined to stay away and stay alive.

Everyone seemed in their happy little world. Ivy could see something about them, something dark about each one of them. She could easily snap their neck and it would tarnish their worlds and make them feel exactly like she felt.

Shaking her head, she didn’t want to feel that way. She wanted to feel the happiness she felt before.

“Seems like yesterday huh?”

“What?” she said looking at the man sitting across from her.”

“Your life was different?”

“What do you mean?”

“You are a Shadow Dweller right?”

“Who me?” Ivy said wanting to get up and leave before he could get the attention of the others.

“Don’t worry I won’t alert them, you’re on the run I can tell.” He said moving closer to her. “They already know you’re alive.” He said looking around. “You better not stay in a place too long; your energy is strong.”

“Quinn has lots of people looking, he is furious.” He whispered. “Don’t worry there are not others on this train, he figured you would be looking for your son.”

“My son is safe,” Ivy said looking out the window. “I figured Quinn would be looking for him first.”

“Na he wants you first, he figures if he gets your first then he’d find your son after you are imprisoned. You are something special aren’t you?”

“What is your name?” Ivy said looking at the man; he was dirty and smelled of the cigar.

“John, yours is Ivy.” He said with a smile. “I love train rides.

“I don’t, something happens we’re stuck on here,” Ivy said looking back out the window. She had a bad feeling for some reason. It could be because of this man and because he knew about Quinn. Maybe Quinn knew she was on the train, and he would be waiting for her, and she wouldn’t be able to get off the train in time.

Ivy stood up as the train started to get up.

“Where you heading the train is getting ready to stop, you could get hurt,” John asked.

“I am heading this way,” Ivy said.

“You really should stay here, I would hate to see you hurt,” John said blocking her way.

“I wouldn’t test me, John, I’ve been through enough. If I have things figured out you’ve already told Quinn I’m here and he’s waiting at the next stop.” Ivy growled. “I’m not going back with him and you’re not going to stop me.”

“You aren’t going to have a choice,” Quinn said.

Ivy didn’t realize the train was stopped and she was surrounded by Shadow Dwellers.

“I don’t want to go!” Ivy growled. She tried to disappear, but John grabbed her before she was able to. “Why couldn’t you just believe I was dead?”

“It doesn’t work that way, my love,” Quinn said touching her face. “I thought you were dead when I left, but when I felt outbound reconnect, I knew you were alive.”

“I am not going to do anything you say.” She said moving away from him.

“Oh, but you are, there isn’t anything you are going to do about it. If only you were smart and stayed with the Council you might have been safe, but you decided to run and look here we are.” He smiled. “Bring her.” He said walking off the train.

Ivy struggled in his hold, she just had to get out of it, and she could disappear and start running again. She wondered where Drake was and if he was okay. She was scared for him too; she wanted to make sure he was safe.

“So, where’s Drake?” she asked.

“He’s back in the city, he’s not allowed to leave,” Quinn said over his shoulder. “He is going to be helping me find your son after you are bound to our city again.”

Ivy forced John to let her go; she disappeared and reappeared in a new place. Thankfully she was alone. It was a dark alley. She wasn’t sure how much time she would have, but she made her move. She wasn’t sure where she was either, but she ran into a crowd of people. She figured she could blend into the place.

Her heart was racing, and she was scared. She didn’t know how long she would be able to run before someone would find her again.

“Ivy.” A whisper.

“You’re not getting me.” She growled.

“I will find you; you’ll only be able to run before you have to sleep.”

“Where are you?”

“We’re connected through our minds,” Quinn commented. “I can’t see where you are, but I can find you.”

“I’m never going to stop running, and you’re never going to find my son. I promise!” she growled.

“I have someone that says he knows where he’s been placed.”

“Liar.” Ivy snapped stopping where she stood.

“Matter of fact, Isaiah and his wife Ava told me where he is placed. How about I give you two days to turn yourself in and I’ll leave your son alone.” Quinn growled. “Contact me and tell me where you are, I will come for you, and we will leave your son to live a normal life and you will be brought back to the city and do as you’re told.”

“I don’t want to be a prisoner.”

“Then I’ll get your son.” Quinn snapped.

“You take my son, I’ll kill you.”

“You can try, but the last time we were together who died?”

“No one, if I was the one that died, you think I would still be dead.” Ivy quizzed. “Why don’t we fight and see who will win this time, because if I am already dead then I should be dead still right. I think you’ll die and be dead this time.”

“We can fight when I have you back in our city and out of danger my darling. Don’t get caught by the white dwellers their punishment is far worse than mine.” He laughs sinisterly. “See you soon my love.”

Ivy thought about getting in touch with Nick, she wasn’t sure what the White Dwellers would do to her, she didn’t want them to find her son and begin his life as a dweller either. She wasn’t sure if Quinn knew where he was, but she didn’t want to take a chance either.

“Ivy!” a familiar voice called out to her.

She turned to the voice. “Nick?”

“Why are you here?” he said coming closer to her. “Everyone is looking for you. You know you are in danger right?”

“Yes, well no,” she said shrugging. “Why are you here?”

“We’re meeting people here, looking for you.” He said pulling her out of the crowd. “Quinn is looking for you, he’s nearby.”

“I figured as much; we have a mind link going on.”

“Wait, what are the White Dwellers planning to do to me?”

“Right now to arrest you.” He said looking around. “We need to ensure you are safe, Quinn wants to take you back to his realm.”

“I know, listen he knows where my son is.”

“Where is he?”

“I don’t know, I asked Isaiah to ensure he is taken to a human family, but I think Quinn has him now.”

“Well, what do you think he plans on doing?”

“He’s going to force me to surrender myself to him; he’s using my son to get what he wants. If this happens you need to take my son and run.” Ivy said looking around. “I don’t want my son growing up in this world. Do what my parents wouldn’t do, please.”

“I will try to help you, but what if you cannot get him away from Quinn?”

“I will get him away, even if it’s a short time we need to be quick,” Ivy said. “You better go I don’t want them knowing you know where I am. I am not ready to get arrested yet, please.”

“Fine Ivy, but you know there are a lot of Dwellers here, you aren’t going to be able to hide for long. You better figure out your next move and quick, everyone is arriving fast.”

“Don’t worry I am going to make my move,” Ivy said walking away from him.

Ivy was scared she knew she was going to have to make a choice and it wasn’t going to be one she would be happy about. She closed her eyes and thought about her choices, she didn’t have any.

Quinn was going to get what he wanted, he was going to force her to come to him and there wasn’t any other way.

“Come to me, Ivy,” Quinn spoke.

“I told you I would come to you when I am ready,” Ivy growled.

“I have your son.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“You should, do you want proof?” he snapped.

“How are you going to give me proof?”

“Come to the pier, no tricks.”

Ivy wanted to believe he wasn’t going to trick her, but she knew there had to be some kind of trick to this. Closing her eyes, she hoped Isaiah hadn’t told him where her son had been placed.

“Fine I will come but you better not play games with me; I have no patience for you.” She said before shifting to the pier. “I am here, where are you?”

“Right here.” He said grabbing her and putting a dagger to her throat. “Stupid girl.” He said taking her back to the city. “I am not surprised you thought Isaiah would give your son’s location up so easily.” He said releasing her.

“You said no tricks.” She said pushing herself away from him.

“I’m a Shadow Dweller, I am full of them.” He said smiling. “Now I have to find your son, you are not allowed to leave here so you might as well get comfortable.”

“I will find a way out of here.” She growled. “I was able to get out of here before, what makes you think I will not find a way out again?”

“This he said.” He said summoning an amulet throwing it towards her, it wrapped around her neck, tightening in place. “That bounds you here so you will never be allowed to leave unless I take the thing off of you.”

“You’re a bastard.” She growled.

“Thank you for allowing me to bring you home Ivy, the dagger trick was nicely played. I thought it would have killed you. You are what everyone has been talking about. A special Dweller that has been sought for, and now you’re mine. Soon you will be pregnant, and we will make another. I will figure out where your son has been placed and we will create an army of special dwellers.” He said leaving her standing there.

Ivy tugged on the amulet, but it wouldn’t come off, she should have gone to the other dwellers but again she was stubborn.