Sebastian stabbed me," David said. "I felt cold run all through my body. And then everything went dark. When I woke up, I was in a house. I went upstairs and found car keys. Then I just took the car that was sitting in the driveway."
A violent tremor ran through David's body, and he doubled over.
"Come with me," I said quickly. "Sebastian was right about one thing—I do have a powerful friend. We can help you. Maybe we can even cure you—"
There was a sudden commotion on the stairs outside the boiler room, and the door flew open, slamming against the wall.
"There's a girl here," cried a voice. "And there's a male with her."
Several police officers crowded into the room.
David's figure suddenly turned into a dark blur and flew across the room, knocking the police officers to the ground. One of them got up and came over to me, and the other two ran after David.
I shouted after them to leave him alone, but then I realized it wasn't necessary.
I doubted very much that they would be able to catch him.
Chapter 5.
As it turned out, I had been gone a lot longer than I'd realized.
And when Mrs. Sara returned to her office and found I was missing, she had raised the alarm. The police officers that had remained on campus then put the school on lockdown and began to search for me.
After they found me, I told the police that a runaway had come into the nurse's office, and that I had followed him and tried to convince him to seek help—it was the best story I could come up with at the moment—and one that seemed the least likely to incriminate David in any way. I also gave the police a description that was the opposite of what David looked like. I was still pretty sure they wouldn't catch him, but I wanted to give him all the help I could.
I told the nurse I was feeling better—and I was. Now that the effects of David's call had worn off, I was back to normal again. I was allowed to go back to class and finish out the rest of the day.
I waited impatiently for the day to end, and when the final bell rang, I rushed out to see William.
He met me in the schoolyard, and we began to walk as if we were going to head for my house. But I stopped at a nearby bench instead.
"I think we should both have a seat," I said. "I have a lot to tell you."
"Unfortunately, I don't have a lot to tell you," William said, sitting down. "I didn't find Bryony's grandmother or David last night. I searched the whole town—including that cave. I didn't find anything."
"Well, I found David," I said, perching on the bench. "Or to be more exact, he found me."
William looked at me sharply.
I told him about the car crashing into the school and about David's visit.
When I was done, William sat back against the bench. "Well, you have had quite a day."
He was silent for a moment. Then he shook his head. "I was near the school this morning. And I never sensed David's presence. I don't know what's wrong."
"At least we know who created him," I said. "And we know who staked him."
"David didn't tell you anything about where this Sebastian was hiding?"
"No—it wasn't always easy for him to talk. I think he did the best he could. I wonder, though—"
"Wonder what?"
"What David was doing at Ivan Neverov's house. That's where he must have been because he said he went upstairs and took