{"id":1177,"date":"2012-04-11T00:00:39","date_gmt":"2012-04-11T04:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1177"},"modified":"2012-04-10T10:35:20","modified_gmt":"2012-04-10T14:35:20","slug":"autumn-chapter-7-01","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1177","title":{"rendered":"Autumn – Chapter 7 – 01"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The backlash of the ward-line snapping shot shivers down Thom\u2019s spine, though he wasn\u2019t entirely certain he wanted to acknowledge the feeling.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It could have been just his imagination.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019s what he kept telling himself until he caught the barest glimpse of something gray in his peripheral vision and felt Carolyn tense at his side.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThey\u2019re coming,\u201d she hissed, stepping away from his side.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThey broke through.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Stay behind me, Thom.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m better with a sword than you are,\u201d he reminded her none-too-gently.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhen you don\u2019t have broken ribs and a bad ankle, yeah,\u201d Carolyn snapped back.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBesides, you can\u2019t <\/span>see<\/span><\/em> them right now, can you?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom bit his tongue.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The truth was, he couldn\u2019t.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Any ability he\u2019d had to see them before was something he\u2019d lost now.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He couldn\u2019t be sure what had done it.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI can see them well enough to fight back.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn\u2019s blade flashed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom felt a burst of cold from in front of them, saw the vestiges of something falling to the ground.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cRight,\u201d she said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cJust as well I promised Marin I\u2019d look after you!\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He felt his hackles rise.<\/span>\u00a0 She did <\/em><\/span>what<\/span>?<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDon\u2019t give me that look,\u201d Carolyn said, glancing back over her shoulder at him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re lucky she let you on the line at all.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom swallowed his next protest.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She was right, of course, though he\u2019d never admit to that.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He drew his sword and straightened.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cJust point,\u201d he growled.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ll try not to let anything past us.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn stepped away from him faster than he anticipated, angling toward another flash of gray just at the edges of his perception.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom\u2019s heart started to beat faster.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>If I focus, can I see them?\u00a0 <\/span>Or do I just need to stop looking?<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Something caught him full-on in the belly and knocked him sprawling, the wind knocked out of him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Whatever hit him was frigid, and he swung wildly with the blade in his hand.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It hit something solid that screamed, sending vibrations through him and the blade.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Something cold splashed across his face, his clothes, then immediately began to steam<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Something gray and translucent, looking insubstantial lay bisected on either side of him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His heart quickened and he sucked in a breath.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cShit.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGet <\/span>up<\/span><\/em>, Thom!\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Ribs protesting, he shoved himself upright, stumbling to his feet, using the blade for leverage.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The toe of his sneaker caught against one half of the body; it was solid, much more solid than it looked.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat the hell are they?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>he asked, trying not to wheeze.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPhelan called them gremlins.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Mar and Drew called them Greys.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Can you see it?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNow that it\u2019s dead?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Yeah, a little.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom swallowed bile.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His blade wasn\u2019t <\/span>that<\/span><\/em> sharp, was it?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Goddamn.\u00a0 <\/span>Is it?<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>He looked bleakly at his sword for a moment.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn eyed the body grimly for a moment.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWell, that\u2019s something at least,\u201d she muttered, then looked back ahead of them, toward the lines.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom could hear Marin shouting again over the sound of screams that hovered just on the very edge of his hearing.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Is this what it\u2019s like to live in a haunted house?<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>He wondered.<\/span>\u00a0 Everything just barely on the edges of your perception, so distant and ephemeral that you\u2019re not quite sure they\u2019re really there?<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Except that he <\/span>knew<\/span><\/em> they were there\u2014at least his instincts did\u2014but his conscious senses refused to cooperate with his instincts.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn tensed again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom set his jaw, bracing for another impact.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHow many?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTwo.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Go left when I say go.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cRight.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She waited exactly three seconds.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGo!\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom moved to their left, leading with his sword.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The impact shivered along the blade, which went icy in his grip\u2014so cold his fingers spasmed briefly and he nearly dropped it.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He added his other hand to gain a better grip, more leverage, then tried for a backhanded swing at whatever hit his blade.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The sword sliced through open air and he stumbled, crying out as he came down harder on his bad ankle than he intended.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn\u2019s fingers closed on his arm and jerked him back upright.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>As she hauled him straight again, he saw the Grey clearly for a brief moment.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He lunged, aiming the tip of his sword for its neck.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It went in clean, then stuck as he buried it to halfway down the blade.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He let go of the sword, stumbling again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn caught him against her chest and held on for a moment, steadying him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They both gasped for air as they watched the Grey fall gracelessly to the ground.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn asked between breaths.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom mentally checked himself.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Pain was distant, though it was there\u2014he\u2019d pay for this fight after the rush wore off.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He swallowed, sucked in a couple more breaths, then nodded.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYeah,\u201d he said, still feeling breathless.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYeah, I\u2019m okay.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Are you okay?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She nodded, chest still heaving as she let go of him and turned back toward the front line.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The screams were ebbing, the strange light from the Greys hitting the wards dying down.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDo you think it\u2019s over?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom asked, trying to wrest his sword out of the dead gremlin\u2019s neck.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Carolyn said, taking a few tentative steps forward.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom jerked his sword free.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Ahead of them, a ragged cry went up, sounding like victory.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He could hear Marin\u2019s voice above it, yelling for someone to go get Kellin from the other end of camp so they could patch a hole in the lines.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>His heart skipped a beat.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She\u2019s okay.\u00a0 <\/span>Thank god, she\u2019s okay.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He wiped his sword on the grass and started for the front line.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThom?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He waved Carolyn off.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGo get Kellin and bring her to the wards.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Sounds like one of them went down.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m going to Marin.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn stared at him for a moment, then nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cRight.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Tell Jay I\u2019ll be there as soon as I round up Kellin.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carolyn and J.T., huh?<\/em><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>He smiled briefly and nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI will.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Go on, hurry.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We need to be ready just in case this is a lull and not an end.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>They parted ways.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn jogged off for the far end of camp as he limped forward, feeling sore but strangely alive.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Marin stood amid a pile of bodies, Drew next to her.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Rory picked his way through the piles, translucent gray corpses disappearing as he touched them.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom swallowed bile again.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What the hell?<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>His eyes met Rory\u2019s.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>There was a bleakness in the other man\u2019s gaze, almost pain. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Thom started to say something, but the words died on his tongue.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He just nodded.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Rory nodded back, turning and heading deeper into camp.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom headed straight for Marin.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat are you doing up here?\u201d she asked when she spotted him, eyes widening slightly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cClear on the back line, so I came to you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He picked his way to her, reaching for her arm when he was close enough.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She took half a step toward him, then turned away, staring back toward the ravine.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPhelan,\u201d she said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe have to find him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019s down there somewhere.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom touched her elbow.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d she whispered.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut I\u2019m not sure I want to find out, either.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He followed her gaze and swallowed hard.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He wasn\u2019t sure he wanted to, either.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom lifted his blade.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI need five volunteers!\u201d he shouted.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe have a man down in the ravine and we\u2019re not going to stop looking until we find him.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The backlash of the ward-line snapping shot shivers down Thom\u2019s spine, though he wasn\u2019t entirely certain he wanted to acknowledge the feeling.\u00a0 It could have been just his imagination. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s what he kept telling himself until he caught … 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":[38,35,45,14,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-autumn","category-book-2","category-chapter-7-book-2","category-story","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-iZ","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1177","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=1177"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1179,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1177\/revisions\/1179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}