{"id":1135,"date":"2012-03-19T00:00:10","date_gmt":"2012-03-19T04:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1135"},"modified":"2012-03-16T11:27:55","modified_gmt":"2012-03-16T15:27:55","slug":"autumn-chapter-6-03","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1135","title":{"rendered":"Autumn – Chapter 6 – 03"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019d gone a dozen steps through the muck when an unfamiliar scream began to echo through the ravine\u2014but coming from <\/span>ahead<\/span><\/em> of us, not behind us, where I\u2019d expect it to come from.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I stopped dead in my tracks.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat the hell?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cKeep moving,\u201d J.T. said, not missing a step.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I almost tripped over myself catching up again, glancing back over my shoulder.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Nothing there.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>We whipped around the bend in the ravine heading up toward Little Mac and found the source of the screams almost as soon as we did.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Leah, on her knees in the middle of the creek, fingers hooked into claws, held her head between her hands and screamed at the top of her lungs while Drew and Carolyn tried to haul her back to her feet.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn\u2019s frightened gaze met mine.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThere\u2019s something going on down here!\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tell me about it.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>I nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe know, we just don\u2019t know what.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>What the hell is <\/span>this<\/span><\/em>?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Drew shook his head, still trying to pull Leah back to her feet.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDon\u2019t know.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019d come about four steps before she dropped and started screaming.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She\u2019s terrified.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Leah shook off his hands, rocking back and forth, eyes wide.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I glanced at J.T. and Rory.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Rory swallowed and shook his head a little.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t know, Mar,\u201d he said hoarsely.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Neither do I.\u00a0 <\/span>But if Drew can tell she\u2019s scared, then something\u2019s really wrong.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>I went down to one knee in front of Leah, water and muck soaking into the knee of my jeans as I grasped her by the shoulders and gave her a firm shake.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cLeah!<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Snap out of it.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I had to shake her a second time before her gaze locked with mine.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her jaw set and she whispered through gritted teeth, \u201cTell them to stop.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Holding onto her was like holding onto a high-tension wire.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe shadow from my dreams and the pale lady.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Make them <\/span>stop<\/span><\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fuck me sideways.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cLeah, get up.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She started to shake her head and I squeezed her shoulders so hard I was sure I was going to leave marks on her.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She made a weak, pained sound and tossed her head, eyes squeezing shut.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThey\u2019re fighting.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They\u2019re yelling and they both want me to help them and it\u2019s hurting my head and I can\u2019t make them stop.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I want them <\/span>out<\/span><\/em>.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I want them to <\/span>shut up<\/span><\/em> and go away.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>An otherworldly shriek echoed from somewhere behind us and I cursed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cLeah, there\u2019s no time for this.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Get up.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We need to go.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI can\u2019t,\u201d she whispered.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI can\u2019t, they won\u2019t let me move.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They\u2019re too <\/span>loud<\/span><\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I stood, trying to pull her up with me.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She just stayed where she was, sobs beginning to wrack her.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn tugged at my sleeve.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThere\u2019s no time,\u201d she said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe have to go, whether she\u2019s coming or not.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They\u2019re coming.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>My arm was burning with cold, confirming what she already knew, probably thanks to Longfellow and his brethren.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I swallowed hard and nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGet Rory out of here.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou have to come, too,\u201d she said, as if she could read my mind.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIf we leave you behind out here, Thom will murder me and you don\u2019t want to know what he\u2019ll do to J.T.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPick her up, Drew,\u201d I said, pointing to Leah.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe\u2019re leaving.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Drew grunted as he leaned down to try to pick her up.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cEasier said than done.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Leah was rigid, which made my plan difficult to execute.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I muttered a curse and grabbed a nearby branch.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The screams were getting closer.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The cold burning had traveled up my arm from the mark all the way up past my elbow, inching toward my shoulder as the danger grew closer.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 God forgive me.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>I swung the branch clocked Leah soundly above the ear.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She went down like a sack of rocks.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Drew scooped her up and we ran.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>We scrambled through the mud and fallen leaves up the edge of the ravine, almost in the same place Drew, Rory, and I had scrambled up on that day weeks before, when we\u2019d been attacked by the greys.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Unlike that day, no one was waiting for us there.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I turned back once we made it to the top, looking up and down the ravine.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>A distant screaming cry echoed from somewhere beyond the trees, the branches and trunks and the earth itself distorting the sound.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I couldn\u2019t see anything.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The cold ebbed slightly now that we were at the top.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn touched my arm.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCome on.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Let\u2019s get across the ward lines.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat do you think we should do with Leah?\u201d I breathed, starting to catch my breath, my heart rate starting to descend toward something closer to normal.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTie her up and talk the others,\u201d Carolyn said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI heard what she said the same as you.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>How do you fight that?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I wish I knew.\u00a0 <\/span>Is it possible?<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>I shook my head slowly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She tugged on my sleeve.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Drew and J.T. had already taken Leah and Rory toward the ward lines, leaving Carolyn and I alone.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I shivered and nodded, casting one last look toward the ravine.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>What was going on down there?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Why had the greys ignored us, and what had Leah meant when she\u2019d said that they were fighting?<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>There were too many questions and not enough answers.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI need to talk to Phelan,\u201d I muttered.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn squeezed my arm.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHe was up by the forge with Thom and Matt.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019ll go to him now.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I nodded mutely and let her lead me away.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We\u2019d gone a dozen steps through the muck when an unfamiliar scream began to echo through the ravine\u2014but coming from ahead of us, not behind us, where I\u2019d expect it to come from. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I stopped dead in my … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,35,44,14,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-autumn","category-book-2","category-chapter-6-book-2","category-story","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-ij","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1135","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1135"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1135\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1136,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1135\/revisions\/1136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1135"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1135"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}