Chapter fourteen: The disappearance of Lexy

After being able to calm down a bit Kat and Artemis descended the stairs back into the living room. Unannounced to them Lexy’s father had returned with another man that seemed to pace around the room uncertain about Lexy’s condition. Jake sat on the couch eyes focused on his daughter. Terror and dread was so deep in him that Artemis and Kat could suffocate from its strength.

“Jake I don’t know what I can really do for your daughter. I haven’t had to treat her in a long time. Isn’t there a hospital that could help her?” The old man asked.

“Peter. Please this was the only thing I could think of. There has got to be something that you can do for her. You took care of her so long and you know what might help. Please.” Jake begged as he locked his hand together to try to avoid letting everyone know his hands were shaking.

“Nothing I can do for her is a cure. The only thing I can give her is time. Plus every time I try to slow her unknown sickness it just come back worse. Remember what I am going to do for her tonight isn’t a cure by for. The only thing I can do is stabilize her.” Peter said as he kneeled down checking for a pulse. He placed his two fingers on her wrist’s pale skin. A grim expression grew on Peters face.

“What’s wrong Peter?” Jake asked yet before Peter could answer came a knock on the front door making everyone jump. The knock was a sharp demanding knock. It was obvious everyone jumped in surprise. Everyone tried to ignore the knock till it became more frequently.

“I’ve had enough of this.” Jake barks as everybody walked toward the front door ready to confront the person knocking on the door. As Jake opened the door Artemis had an easy feeling. Both Kat and Artemis looked back toward Lexy. That’s when a figure in black and red happened to land beside Lexy.

“No!” Yelled Artemis as he flew down the hall towards the strange figure his feet beat the ground wildly as he tried to get to Lexy. Artemis could hear Lexy’s father yell ‘Stop!’ Without hesitation the strange figure lifted Lexy’s like a rag doll off the couch.

Almost there come on. Artemis told himself as the space between him and the stranger seemed to be closing quickly. Artemis felt his nails flex becoming longer; dangerously sharp. Within striking distance the figure exploded into mist. Spinning Artemis scanned the room looking for them as he realized Lexy was gone. That’s when he realized the worry some panic enveloping his being.

“My daughter!” Jake cried as he fell to his knees as his hands braced himself from falling on the ground totally. “No! Where did they go? ” Was the only thing he was able to say as he began to sound like a broken record. Peter just stood there in shock while Kat ran to Artemis.

“Artemis.” Kat said gently as she shook Artemis to break him from his trance. No even her best attempt broke him free. “Wake up!” She snapped as her hand drew back into the air. Everything went quiet as Kat hand made contact with Artemis’s face. The sound of contact echoed through the small room. Artemis growled lowly at her. “Artemis! Lexy’s gone! We have to go after her! We can’t let some stranger take her away from us! ” The emotions in Kat voice was unmistakable she was really worried about her.

“Well get Lexy back.” Artemis said yet Jake seemed unable to hear as he continued to drown in his own sorrow. Peter nodded in agreence.

“I am coming with you.” Peter said as he was already out the door moving fast for a man of sixty-seven years old though it didn’t take much effort for Artemis and Kat to catch up to Peter as they tried to stop him.

“It’s dangerous. You can’t come with.” Kat argued as she stepped in front of Peter trying to stop him. Peter didn’t stop at her attempt as she weaved back and forth then slipped past her.

“You’ll need my help. I have an Idea of where the guy is going to take Lexy.” Peter said as he took a sharp right at the corner heading toward the center of the city where the lights blared. Even know Artemis still wasn’t use to this world he knew that following Peter would lead him to where he need to be. The place where he needed to be was right by Lexy and he dared heaven or hell to stop him. Something deep down in his heart past the panicky fear, past every daunting emotion was a light full of warmth for Lexy. The light told him that his place, where he need to save Lexy from more than her mother.

“But..” Kat hesitated as she followed behind Artemis into the city. The scenery changed ever slightly as the neon signs seemed no different from the other. Slipping into many allies led to different parts of the city. Then it came into sight; ruins of a huge building.

“Hear. This is where she’ll be.” Peter panted as he pointed to the open door as they both nodded in understanding. Kat wasn’t totally buying what Peter had said she wanted to know the truth.

Turning on her heel Kat faced Peter glaring daggers at him in such a manner kat’s cat ancestors would be proud. “You’ve been lying to use what you are not telling us. Spit it out or ill cut you into little ribbons.” She said furiously as the urge to protect Lexy was great then the need to be polite.

“That is the truth.” Peter claimed as he shrunk under Kat’s animal like eyes. “What motive would I have to lie?” He said trying to look anywhere except in her gaze but it was impossible to look away she had him locked into his gaze.

“Don’t play dumb. Everybody’s motive for lying is not to tell the truth. What are you not telling us.” Kat yelled grabbing Peter by the collar of his shirt.

“I wasn’t able to help her I convinced her father to send her to the Crisses Hospital. But then I found out how horrible they treated her.. I stopped them. That’s where we are in front of the ruins of Crisses Hospital.” Peter said as he squirmed trying to get free from Kat’s grasp.

Disgusted Kat pushed Peter away as Artemis pulled her into the ruins of the hospital. “I don’t know what a hospital is but I know if Lexys here this is where we need to be.” Artemis said with his newly acquired accent. The ruins were dark as broken objects still laded on the floor unmoved like memoires forgotten. “Lexy where are you!” Artemis yelled as he hurried his pace.

No one answered the hallway they then turned around was lite with the light of the moon. Artemis froze as he looked up to see the upper section of the building a skeleton. No cement floors or roof just metal beams.

“Look!” Kat a gasped as she pointed up to the set of the beams. Two figures stood silently as it was obvious they where watching them. Artemis was struck by the smell of Lexy. If Artemis’s heart was able to beat the only description that could describe it was his heart would jump and pulse happily.

“Lexy!” Artemis yelled as one of the figures just turned away as the moon light caught her silvery hair as she move; like a ghost.

R/n: I managed another chapter. Thank you all for reading. I hope you stay reading to the end! I hope I am not to rusty at writing. I am finishing the story soon.