The gate opens in front of us and Gabe eases on the gas until we’re on the road. As we pass through the gate, I can’t help but feel sick at the thought of leaving already. The vision of Gilbert had seemed like an impossibility, but it was becoming a reality now, and so far I have failed at altering it.

I never see the sun come up because of the grey clouds above us, but the light still manages to illuminate the road ahead of us. We drive in silence for almost ten minutes before Gabe finally pulls the SUV over and stops on the side.

“What, you’re just going to drop us off here?” Gilbert says.

“Yes,” Gabe answers. “You were correct earlier when you said something wasn’t right.” He turns in his seat to look at each of us. “I don’t know what’s happening in Crestwood, but it’s not good. I’ve been trying to investigate it, but things have gotten a little dangerous.”

“With Paxton?” I ask.

He nods. “Not just him though. He answers to someone else. Goes by the name Shadowface. I’m trying to figure it all out.”

“Sounds dark,” Gilbert says, rolling his eyes.

Gabe ignores him. “Anyway, I think this Shadowface might have something to do with you leaving. I don’t know what it’s about, but I have it on good authority that you’ve got some raiders on your trail.”

“Scarecrow,” I whisper. I can feel my hands begin to tremble.

“Yeah, well, I’m supposed to drop you off at a warehouse just a few miles from here so this guy can capture you. He says you all have something of his.”

Ethan and I both look at Gilbert immediately and we can see the blood drain from his face.

“Do you still have the cylinder?” Ethan asks.

Gilbert reaches into his pocket and pulls it out. His lips move like he wants to say something, but the words can’t seem to form.

“Well,” Gabe says, “whatever that thing is, you took it from the wrong guy, and it’s my job to deliver you to him.”

“How do you know all this?” I ask. “Did Paxton tell you these things?”

“Did any of you hear about a banishment from a couple of days ago?” Gabe asks.

“Yeah,” Ethan says. “But we didn’t want to ask too many questions.”

“I didn’t hear about it,” Gilbert says.

“She has a special ability like you, Waverly,” Gabe says. “Or was that just something this jerk came up with?” He points a thumb at Gilbert.

“No,” I say. “It’s real.”

“Yeah, well,” Gabe says. “This girl overheard Paxton talking with the raider. She has some crazy ability to hear things from far away or something, I don’t know. I’m looking to get to the bottom of it all.”