Emily hated driving in the rain. People were idiots in normal conditions. Once you threw rain into the mix, it was a recipe for disaster. And today, she had no tolerance for idiots of any kind.
She was in no mood for any of this shit. By the time she was halfway to Melissa’s place, she felt as though the horn might explode from overuse. It was only through sheer luck that she hadn’t been pulled over yet, but she was determined to get there as quickly as possible. She wanted this whole situation over with as quickly as possible. And although she hadn’t wanted to say anything, she had a bad feeling about this Serenity person. The longer she had to scheme, the worse this was likely to be.
She knew that the instant she left, Stefanie had probably transformed herself into a mermaid. It was to be expected. The damn girl was headstrong, and the moment she was able, she’d do it. Melissa might try to stop her – she might not. Either way, Emily wasn’t really angry at her. Her friend had been through a lot. She couldn’t imagine going through something similar. She obviously wasn’t thinking clearly at the moment.
Emily sighed. At least Melissa would get her legs back, and then all they’d have to do is find a way to turn Stefanie back. Despite their conversation earlier, if no other option presented itself…Emily would find a girl and drag her over to kiss Stefanie, and damn the consequences. Her sister wasn’t going to remain a half-fish forever.
No way in hell.
She had to get to Serenity. And do whatever it would take to get her to come back with her.
She gripped the steering wheel with a grim look on her face. She would do WHATEVER it took.
Emily drove the rest of the way in silence, trying to keep herself calm.
She parked in front of the house next to Melissa’s own, not wanting Serenity to see her if she was watching out the window. She let out a breath, and then glanced around. The neighborhood seemed empty for the moment, and so, Emily hurried over to the back gate of Melissa’s home. The rain fell down steadily, drenching her quickly. At least the rain would provide her cover.
With a grunt, she climbed the fence and hopped into the backyard. Keeping low, making sure she still had her mace and bat, she crept along the side of the house. The side door to the garage was nearby, and she knew where the spare key was hidden. She retrieved it and opened the door as silently as she could.
The garage was dark, empty, and silent. Even so, Emily remained quiet, closing the door silently behind her. She readied the can of mace, took a steadying breath, and crept up to the door leading inside.
She slowly turned the knob, holding her breath. It was unlocked. She inched it open.
No one appeared, or tried to slam it closed. She opened it more, and peeked her head around the corner, body tense and ready to act at the first sign of movement.
The kitchen was empty, and dark.
Emily closed the door behind her, remaining low, eyes constantly moving back and forth, waiting for any sign of movement. Could Serenity be lying in wait for her? She tightened her grip on the bat. Let the bitch try it. She waited for a full minute, until finally, her legs felt like they were going to cramp, and she moved forward, still trying to be silent.
The foyer was empty. As was the living room. There was no one hiding behind the couch, or by the TV. The hallway was empty and dark. The bedroom was quiet. The bathroom was quiet.
The entire house seemed dark. Quiet. And empty.
“Shit,” she whispered.
She searched through again. And again. This time she didn’t bother trying to keep quiet. She checked under the beds, in the closets, in cabinets. She even checked the attic. Nothing.
She checked the backyard. She even looked in the trash and recycling bins.
There was no trace of Serenity.
“Shit…shit shit shit!” Emily whispered, starting to feel desperate. She’d been prepared to fight if she had to, to force Serenity to come to her apartment…but she hadn’t been prepared for the possibility that Serenity might not be here.
She returned to the kitchen. There was a piece of paper on the counter. She’d ignored it originally.
It was a note. From Serenity.
Heart racing, Emily read it. Then read it again.
No. No, no, no, that couldn’t be true…oh God.
She had to get home.
Emily clenched the note tightly in her hand, and then she was running out to her car as quickly as she could. She had to get home…knowing it was already too late.