24. Chapter 24 The Visions Again

Chapter 24: The Visions Again

EVELYN

The morning light filters through the blinds in my office, but I barely notice it. The paperwork on my desk blurs together, and the voices of my deputies fade into the background. Karla's face keeps flashing in my mind, her eyes wide with fear, her mouth silently screaming for help. I grip the edge of my desk, trying to steady myself.

"Sheriff, are you okay?" Deputy Stevens asks, concern etched on his face.

I nod, forcing a smile. "I'm fine. Let's continue."

We're supposed to be discussing the recent break-ins around town, but I can't focus. The investigation into Cassandra's whereabouts has hit a dead end. We've checked all the known healers, and none have seen or heard from her. But I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this than we've uncovered so far.

"Sheriff, did you hear what I said?" Deputy Stevens' voice breaks through my thoughts.

"I'm sorry, Stevens. Could you repeat that?"

He frowns but obliges. "I was saying that we should increase patrols around the residential areas, especially at night."

I nod, making a note. "Good idea. Let's do that."

Another flash. Karla, bound and gagged, struggling against her restraints. I feel a sharp pain in my head and clutch my temples.

"Sheriff?" Stevens is at my side now, his hand on my shoulder. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I need some air," I say, standing up abruptly. "Excuse me for a moment."

I leave the office and step outside, taking deep breaths to calm myself. The visions have been getting more intense, more frequent. It's like Karla is reaching out to me, trying to tell me something. I can't ignore it any longer. I need to find her.

I get into my car and drive to the coven. The drive feels longer than usual, my mind racing with possibilities. When I arrive, I'm greeted by a young witch named Lily.

"Evelyn, what brings you here?" she asks, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"I need to see Karla," I say urgently. "Is she here?"

Lily shakes her head. "She left for the station a few hours ago to see you. Didn't you see her?"

"No, she never showed up," I say, my worry growing. "Can you check her room? Maybe she came back and we didn't notice."

Lily nods and rushes off. I pace the hallway, the visions still flashing behind my eyes. I see Karla, her face pale, her body weak. The sense of urgency grows stronger.

Lily returns, shaking her head. "Her room is empty. No one has seen her."

"Her car?" I ask, my heart pounding.

"It's not here," Lily confirms.

I feel a wave of panic. Something is terribly wrong. The visions are not just random flashes—they're a call for help. I need to act fast.

"Thank you, Lily," I say, heading back to my car.

My head pounds with the intensity of the visions. I can't shake the feeling that Karla is in grave danger.

I pace the hallway, my mind racing. My phone buzzes with messages from the station, but I can't focus on them. The visions are becoming unbearable, flashes of Karla in pain, calling for help.

Suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream echoes through the halls. My heart stops. I sprint towards the sound, following a group of witches into Karla's room. There, on the floor, lies one of our own, lifeless, a dagger protruding from her chest.

"Oh no," I mutter, crouching beside the body. It's clear she's been dead for a while, her skin pale and cold.

"Who found her?" I ask, looking around at the gathered witches.

"Me," says a trembling voice. It's Eliza, an elder witch. "I came to check on Karla and found her like this."

"This doesn't make sense," I say, standing up. "Karla was the last person seen leaving her own room. We need to find her, now."

I pull out my phone and dial the station. "This is Sheriff Evelyn. I need you to track Karla's phone immediately. And send more deputies to the coven to investigate a murder."

"Yes, Sheriff," comes the reply. I hang up and look at the witches.

"I'm going to find Karla," I announce. "Stay here and cooperate with the deputies when they arrive."

I rush out of the coven, my mind a whirl of fear and determination. As I get back into my car, I know that every second counts. I need to find Karla before it's too late.

The afternoon sun is a stark reminder of the chaos brewing beneath the surface of Harmony Grove. As I pull my phone from my pocket, my fingers fly over the screen, sending a quick text to Alexei.

"Update: Found a body at the coven. Investigating further. Karla is missing. Will keep you posted."

Almost immediately, my phone buzzes. It's Karla. Relief washes over me as I answer.

"Evelyn, I need to meet you. It's urgent," Karla says, her voice tense.

"I'm on my way," I reply, hanging up and rushing to my car.

The drive to the meeting spot is a blur. I arrive to find Karla already there, waiting. She gestures for me to get into her car, and I slide into the passenger seat, the tension between us palpable.

"Karla, I've been having these visions. They're getting worse," I begin, my voice shaking.

Karla nods, her eyes serious. "I know someone who can help. An old witch living in a cottage outside of town. We need to go there."

I hesitate, glancing at her. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes," she says firmly. "We don't have much time."

We drive in silence, the road winding through the dense forest. The further we go, the more uneasy I feel. Something about this isn't right, but I trust Karla. I have to.

We finally pull up to a small, weathered cottage. It looks abandoned, the windows dusty and the garden overgrown. I get out of the car, glancing around nervously.

"Who used to live here?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

"An old witch," Karla replies. "She's the only one who can help with your visions."

I move to knock on the door, but a sharp pain erupts in my side. I gasp, looking down to see a dagger embedded in my flesh. I collapse into Karla's arms, my vision blurring.

"Why?" I manage to whisper, the pain overwhelming.

Karla's face is cold and unrecognizable. "It's not what you think."

She drags me inside the cottage as my consciousness slips away.

I open my eyes, groggy and disoriented. The room is cold and smells of damp earth and herbs. I try to move, but ropes bite into my wrists and ankles. Panic starts to rise in my chest as I realize I'm tied to a chair. Beside me, I see Karla, barely breathing, her face pale and drawn.

"Cassandra," I whisper, the name slipping from my lips like a curse.

A figure steps into the light, her form shifting from Karla's familiar shape to her true self. Cassandra's cruel smile spreads across her face.

"Surprised, Evelyn?" she asks, her voice dripping with mockery. "You and Karla are so predictable."

"Cassandra, why?" My voice trembles with a mix of fear and anger. "What do you want?"

She laughs, a sound that sends chills down my spine. "Revenge, of course. Alexei abandoned me, and now he will suffer as I have suffered."

She pulls out her phone, dialing a number. "I've got them both," she says into the phone. "Evelyn and Karla are in custody now."

I can barely make out the voice on the other end, but it sounds satisfied. Cassandra hangs up and turns her attention back to us.

"Why are you doing this?" I ask, desperation edging my voice.

"I don't have time for a long explanation," she replies, walking over to me. "Now, it's my turn to have fun."

She twists the dagger embedded in my side, and a scream tears from my throat. The pain is excruciating, white-hot, and all-consuming. I can feel my magic struggling to surface, but the pain is too intense.

"Stop!" I gasp, my vision blurring with tears. "Please, stop."

Cassandra's smile widens. "Begging already, Evelyn? How disappointing."

Karla stirs beside me, her eyes fluttering open. "Evelyn..." she whispers, her voice weak.

"Cassandra, this isn't going to end well for you," I manage to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "Alexei will find us."

"Oh, I'm counting on it," she says, stepping back and admiring her handiwork. "He'll come running, and I'll be waiting."

I struggle against the ropes, trying to reach my magic through the pain. "You won't get away with this."

"We'll see," Cassandra says, her tone light and carefree. "But for now, I think it's time to make things a little more interesting."

She pulls a small vial from her pocket and uncorks it, releasing a pungent odor into the air. "A little potion to keep you quiet," she says, moving towards Karla.

"No!" I shout and try to move, but the ropes hold fast.

Cassandra forces Karla's mouth open and pours the liquid down her throat. Karla chokes and sputters, her eyes wide with fear.

"Leave her alone!" I scream, my voice raw.

Cassandra turns to me, her eyes gleaming. "Don't worry, Evelyn. You'll get your turn."

She approaches me, holding the vial. The liquid sloshes ominously as she tilts it towards my mouth.

"No, please," I beg, trying to turn my head away.

"Open wide," she coos, forcing my jaw open with surprising strength.

The liquid burns as it slides down my throat, and I feel a wave of dizziness wash over me. My vision starts to tunnel, and I know I'm losing consciousness.

As the darkness closes in, I hear Cassandra's distant and mocking voice: "Sleep tight, Evelyn. When you wake up, the real fun begins."