Chapter Four

 

 

 

Gabe sat behind his desk, watching as the last few grains of sand fell through the hourglass. It had been ten years since Faith had disappeared, and still, there was no sign of her. But that didn’t stop him from trying to call to her or search for her. She was out there somewhere, and he would find her if it took the rest of his life.

Ten years, and all he had to go on was Marla’s account of what had happened: she had given Faith a potion to protect against the hunters and within moments, she disappeared. When Gabe went to the Sanders’ cottage that day, Marla had been beside herself with worry and guilt. After explaining everything to him, she gave Gabe a potion, stating it would help him find Faith. He was to drink the potion every morning, then call for Faith after the sands ran through the hourglass.

Gabe took a cleansing breath, cleared his mind, and focused on Faith. Picturing her in his mind—her long brown hair flowing down her back; bright blue eyes, shining with mischief; and those sweet puffy pink lips begging to be kissed—he whispered, “Sweetheart, it’s me. Can you hear me? Follow your heart it knows the way. Come back to me.”

He waited a breath, then another, and he heard it. The sweetest sound, a faint whisper: “I can hear you. Where are you? Who are you?” 

His heart soared. He focused again and spoke in a rushed voice. “Faith! It’s me, Gabe. Where are you, sweetheart? Tell me where you are—I’ll come to take you home.” He listened intently, waiting for her reply. But there was only silence. Blowing out a frustrated breath, he flipped the hourglass over and went back to work.

He’d heard her. Faith had answered him. For the first time in ten years, she’d answered him. It was a start.