Chasing Aurora
Chapter 6

When Saturday morning came around, I found myself going around my apartment making sure the place was spotless. I knew it wasn’t guaranteed that Aurora would come back to my place but I still wanted to make sure that if she did, it would be perfect. I set up candles in both the bedroom and the living room. I had a selection of wines ready because I knew that was her drink of choice. I had her favourite food, chocolate-covered strawberries, ready for her in the fridge. Everything had to be perfect for tonight. This was Aurora we were talking about.

A knock at the door pulled me away from my cleaning. I opened it for Robby to enter my apartment. He whistled as he looked around. “Wow, this place looks amazing. If I was a chick I would totally bang you.” He looked over at me with a smirk, “I sincerely hope you’re not going to wear sweatpants.”

“I’m just wearing them to clean. I want to make sure this place is perfect.”

“You’ve succeeded. So where is Samson?”

“Sleeping. I’ll wake him up for you. Thank you so much for taking him tonight.”

“No problem. I know how much Sammy likes hanging out with Uncle Robby.”

“It’s cause you feed him bacon.” I went back to my room where Samson was sleeping with his favourite stuffed duck toy in his mouth. The crazy boy loved that thing. I gently woke him up getting a whine from him. “Samson, Robby is here for you.” He immediately perked up and jumped out of bed. He trotted out to the living room to greet Robby. I smiled as I watched the two of them interact. Even though Robby was a total goofball, he was also a huge dog person and was the only person I trusted with Samson.

I went and grabbed the bag I had packed with all of Samson’s favourite toys, food and dog bowls. I grabbed his collar and leash before I went to put it on Samson. “Alright boy, you be good for Uncle Robby,” I said kissing him on the top of his head. I straightened to hand Robby the leash, “I’ll pick him up tomorrow. Text me if something happens.”

“He’ll be fine Piper. Have fun today and feel free to bring your girl around tomorrow. I want to meet the girl who finally tied down the great Piper Jennings.”

“If she’s still around then I will,” I promised.

“She will be. See you tomorrow.” He left with Samson leaving me alone in my apartment. I took a deep breath and quickly showered. I styled my hair like usual and went to my closet. I put on a pair of black jeans with a white button-down. Throwing on a black leather jacket on top, I stuffed my wallet in the pocket and grabbed my keys. Once I was sure I had everything I needed, I was off to see my girl.

I got into my sports car and got onto the highway. I sped slightly, letting my sports car fly. I could feel this familiar itch under my skin. It was a longing for adventure that got to me from time to time. Images of flying ran through my mind as I pressed down the pedal just a little bit further. I could feel a moment of peace wash over me. Speed, danger and adrenaline were old friends. I thrived off it. It made me feel at peace.

When I got close to the exit I needed to take, I eased off the peddle. I could feel the anticipation of seeing Aurora flooded my veins. I felt the restless itch fill my body as one singular thought took over my mind. Closer. Closer. Closer. I just needed to feel her in my arms. Feel those sparks travel up my arms again. I was hopeless when it came to Aurora. She was in my thoughts every second of the day. I couldn’t believe I was about to spend the day with her.

I pulled up in front of Aurora’s house. It was a perfect cottage in the woods. The gardens were filled with all sorts of different flowers, fruits and veggies. Birds flying from bird feeder to bird feeder and chipmunks played on the lawn. The house itself was made of stone and had ivy crawling up the walls. A chimney stuck out the top that I’m sure led to a cozy wood-burning fireplace that was perfect in the winter. It was exactly the kind of place a bohemian like Aurora would be right at home.

I checked my reflection in the mirror, fixing a lone strand of hair that was out of place. I could feel my heartbeat tick up ever so slightly as I got out of the car. The walk to the front door felt like it was stretching an eternity. When I finally stopped at the large oak door, I paused for a moment to straighten out my jackets. I lifted my hand to knock and hesitated for just a moment before I brought my arm down in a heavy loud knock which caused the door to push open.

“What the hell?” I muttered. I didn’t hear any footsteps or anything really, so I gently pushed on the door. “Aurora? It’s Piper.” I called but still, I didn’t hear anything. That’s when I noticed a burning smell inside. I stepped into the house to see smoke coming from the oven. I ran into the house and shut off the oven. I pulled open the door to be hit in the face with a wave of smoke followed by flames. Shit. I looked around for a fire extinguisher and quickly saw the red peeking out. I grabbed it and put out the fire.

I looked around at the rest of the cottage and immediately noticed that something was off. A chair was knocked over, a mug lay shattered on the floor, someone’s breakfast had been interrupted. I walked over to the table careful to avoid the broken glass. Oatmeal, half-finished and completely cold. I could feel the dread start to form in my stomach. I pulled out my phone and dialled Aurora’s number.

I heard a phone ring and started towards the sound. It wasn’t far. I followed it into the living room and saw it on the floor. The screen was completely shattered. I knelt on the floor and picked it up declining the call. I tried to unlock the phone, but it was password protected. I swore under my breath. Aurora was gone.

I stood up and began to dial 911 when I felt a hand grab my arm. I turned to see a man looking at me with a wicked look on his face, “Looks like we got another one.” I looked behind him to see several more men all leering at me.

“What did you do to Aurora?” I asked.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” One of them said as he tried to yank me towards him. I set my stance and didn’t allow him to move me an inch. “Come on bitch.”

No. He did not just call me that. I felt a cold rage settle over me. The entire world moved in slow motion as I brought up my elbow to break his nose. This wasn’t some MMA match where any illegal hits would get me kicked out. No, this was a fight to survive situation and I wasn’t going to take any prisoners.

When the man’s hand left my arm, I pushed him back into the bookshelf. I wound my fist up clocking another in the eye. I could hear him start to fall as I went onto the next. They tried their best, but I was better. I wanted to cause them as much pain as I could because they took my girl. No one touches my girl.

More of them piled into the room. Where the hell they were coming from was beyond me. I didn’t see anyone on my way up. As good as I was at fighting, there comes a point where it is one against twenty where they simply overpower you. I had one of them holding me in a stranglehold while I had two others holding me by either arm. They forced me onto my knees. Blood trickled down my face as another one punched me hard in the stomach. “That’s for my nose bitch.”

I could feel the blood pool in my mouth. Fuck that hurt. I was about to say something when this woman came striding into the room. If I thought that Ella was powerful, it was nothing compared to this woman. The air itself felt thick as she stalked towards me. She was dressed in black leather that hugged her every curve. Her pitch-black hair was chopped short at her angular jaw. When her eyes met mine they shone of pure molten gold. She knelt in front of me to stare deep into my very soul. “So, the Dubois bitch has a guardian.”

Dubois, the name rang in my head, but it had to be filed away for later. I needed information and I had no time to waste. “Where’s Aurora?”

“Where you’ll never replace her. When the sun sets on the night of the summer solstice, the Dubois line will end. Only then will the Dubois know the pain they caused me.”

“Aurora has nothing to do with this. She doesn’t know any Dubois.”

Her head went back as she laughed before fixating back on me trapping me in her molten gaze, “She is the last living Dubois child. They tried to hide her from me. Hide her away from her parents, from her life but they didn’t run far enough. Nothing can stop me now, not even her stupid, useless guardian.”

I’ve had enough of her. I spat the blood that had gathered in my mouth right in her face. I grinned as she cursed wiping it from her cheeks. “Call me useless one more time bitch.”

Her hand moved to land a devastating slap to my face. Fuck that stung. “I’m going to make you regret you were ever born.” She captured my face with her hand digging in her nails hard enough that I’m sure she drew blood.

“At least tell me your name before you torture me.”

“You can call me Maleficent.” She raised her other hand and snapped her fingers and everything faded to black.