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    "And we have nownded in Mountainview. Thank you for flying with us."


    The pilot''s muffled voice crackled over the airne speakers, rousing me from a fitful sleep. When I cracked my eyes open, the old woman beside me shot me a smile.


    "Sleep well?" she asked.


    I nodded, stifling a yawn. "It was much needed, I''ll say," I said with a wry chuckle.


    "Exhaustion gets the best of us sometimes, especially when we''re pregnant," she said, patting my arm. "Make sure you get enough sleep, dear. It''s always important."


    "I will."


    With that, the old woman stood, collected her carry-on bag, and left. I followed suit soon after.


    I was grateful to finally have my feet on solid ground. The anxiety of the past few days had left me feeling frazzled, and all I wanted was to be home, even if it was just for a little while. Enzo''s reassurance before I left the city had helped calm my nerves somewhat, but I couldn''t shake the uneasiness that had settled in the pit of my stomach.


    "Okay," I murmured to myself as I walked through the airport toward the luggage pickup. "I''ll go home, grab what I need, and then it''s off to see the parents."


    After grabbing my luggage, I made my way through the terminal and out into the crisp forest air. The scent of pine and the sight of the towering trees filled me with a sense of peace that I had been missing.


    As fun as the city was, I loved being home amongst the trees. I practically jogged out to the parking lot where our familiar pickup truck was waiting for me, and when I finally slid into the driver''s seat and stuck the key in the ignition, I let out a breath I didn''t know I had been holding.


    As I drove home, I considered calling Enzo to let him know that I had arrived back in Mountainview; but I ultimately decided against it for now. I could call him and update him on everything once I was safely back in the supernatural realm, within the confines of my parents'' mansion.


    I could almost picture it now; not just the familiar andforting sights and sounds of my family, but something more. The panic on their faces when I told them about the fortune teller.


    I knew that it was going to be a wild journey, but what was I supposed to do now? All I could do, realistically, was wait for the witch''s examination. Only then would I know for sure whether my baby would be safe or not.


    But as I drove down the familiar winding roads, the tall pine trees towering over either side, the windows down to let in the early summer breeze and the radio ying one of my favorite songs, I couldn''t help but wonder what if the fortune teller was right? What if I did lose my baby? Was it inevitable? Was it something that I would just need to make peace with?


    As the trees dwindled a bit and the house finally came into view, I shook my head as if to dispel the thoughts. No, I wouldn''t consider that just now. Home first, then witch. All in due time.


    I pulled into the driveway, then headed inside and up to the bedroom to grab some things. Clothes, a few books, myptop, toiletries. My bedroom back at my father''s mansion was full, and I knew I could buy whatever I needed, but I liked having my own things. It was like bringing a slice of home with me.


    And yet, as I packed my bags, a strange feeling washed over me. I couldn''t exin it, something just felt... off. I paused, looking around, but nothing was out of the ordinary. The house was untouched, the shadow entity was nowhere to be found, and I waspletely alone.


    But then my phone rang, and it made me jump.


    I slipped it out of my pocket, expecting it to be Enzo, but it wasn''t. It was Lori.


    "Hello?" I answered. "What''s up?"


    "Nina!" Lori''s voice was frantic on the other end of the line, something that I rarely heard from her. "Oh, thank god. Are you in Mountainview?"


    "I just got back," I said, my tone cautious. "Why? Is everything okay?"


    Lori let out a shaky breath, and when she spoke again, I could hear the tears in her voice. "You have toe to the hospital right now. It''s... it''s Jessica."


    My eyes widened. "Jessica? What happened?"


    "She''s been in a major car ident, and she''s unconscious. They said she has multiple broken bones. It''s bad, Nina."


    My heart stopped as I listened to Lori''s words. Jessica was one of the strongest people I knew. The thought of her hurt and unconscious sent a wave of panic through me.


    "I''ll... I''ll be there as soon as I can, Lori," I replied, my voice trembling. "Just hold on, okay? I''m on my way."


    I hung up the phone and rushed downstairs to where my keys were waiting. Without so much as grabbing my jacket, I burst out of the house and into the waning afternoon light. I practically leaped into the truck, whipping out of the driveway without even looking both ways.


    And then, I began speeding toward the hospital.


    Jessica... How had this happened? She was normally a cautious driver, and rarely took risks when it came to driving. Whatever it was, it must have been a freak thing; a drunk driver, maybe? Something in the road?


    Of course, my mind began to whirl with other-supernatural-possibilities. With Edward seemingly back, I couldn''t help but wonder if this was somehow targeted. Maybe it was just my anxious brain making connections where there were none, but I couldn''t help it.


    As I drove, I also considered calling Enzo to let him know what had happened, but I knew that he would only tell me to get to the werewolf realm to see the witch about my pregnancy. He would be upset about Jessica, of course, but he wouldn''t want me to stay.


    He would probably say something logical, like that Jessica was in good hands at the hospital or that the life of our baby was of utmost importance right now.


    But right now, I didn''t want logic.


    Right now, all I wanted was to check on my best friends and be there for them. The witch would just have to wait. I couldn''t just abandon my friends.


    After what felt like an eternity, the hospital finally came into view with its sharp lines and glowing sign. I pulled into the emergency room parking lot, and it was as if I had to pry my trembling fingers off of the steering wheel.


    I climbed out of the truck and ran inside, my stomach roiling the entire time as I pictured the worst inside my head. To think that my best friend had gotten into such a bad car ident... No, I couldn''t bear it. The thought of it alone made my eyes fill with tears.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "Nina!"


    I was hardly inside the emergency room before Lori was already on me, her arms around my neck, sobbing into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her, and we held each other, each of us too stunned to speak.


    How had this happened? Would Jessica survive?