{"id":522,"date":"2011-08-17T00:00:38","date_gmt":"2011-08-17T04:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=522"},"modified":"2011-08-17T00:00:38","modified_gmt":"2011-08-17T04:00:38","slug":"day-10-chapter-9-07","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=522","title":{"rendered":"Day 10 – Chapter 9 – 07"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c\u2026I think he means that,\u201d Brandon said lamely.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cY\u2019think?\u201d\u00a0 Kellin snapped, mind racing as Stasia tried to calm their panicking horses.\u00a0 Hellions on pogo sticks, this was the <\/em>last fragging thing I expected!<\/em>\u00a0 She looked at Tala, who shook her head quickly.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No help there.\u00a0 Damn.<\/em>\u00a0 Kellin sucked in a breath.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re not here to hurt you,\u201d she called toward the voice.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The shotgun clicked as the source of the voice\u2014male, probably a younger one at that\u2014got ready to fire again.\u00a0 \u201cWho are you?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCall me Kel,\u201d Kellin said, risking half a step forward, away from the others and the horses.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m from the university.\u00a0 Y\u2019know, the one north of here?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m familiar,\u201d the voice said warily.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She glanced back over her shoulder at the others.\u00a0Brandon was clearly trying to figure out where the voice was coming from, probably so he could launch some kind of strategic strike.\u00a0 Tala shook her head a little, holding two of the horses\u2019 reins while Stasia gentled the other two.\u00a0 Kellin took another deep breath.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLook, you can see we\u2019ve got the horses\u2026I used to come here with my girlfriend, about every month or so until a couple months ago.\u00a0 I remembered the place and remembered the sheep.\u00a0 That\u2019s what we came for, if they were still alive.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, there\u2019s someone else here alive that would very much like to keep<\/em> the sheep he\u2019s been working with for the past five years.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe didn\u2019t come here to hurt you.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRight,\u201d the voice said, oozing sarcasm.\u00a0 \u201cYou already said you\u2019re here for the sheep.\u00a0 What were you planning on doing if you found anyone alive<\/em> here, huh?\u00a0 Slit our throats or something?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our.\u00a0 More than just him here, then.<\/em>\u00a0 \u201cOf course not.\u00a0 We\u2019d be asking you if you wanted to come home with us.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHome.\u00a0 Right.\u00a0 We are<\/em> home.\u201d\u00a0 A figure\u2014male, probably early twenties\u2014stepped out from the shadows of the ruined barn, shotgun leveled at the four and their horses.\u00a0 \u201cNow I suggest you mount up, ride off, and don\u2019t come back.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Something moved behind him, a small figure making its way nimbly amidst the wreckage.\u00a0 Kellin pretended not to notice, slowly stepping back.\u00a0 \u201cAll right.\u00a0 Suit yourself.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Brandonlooked at her, blinking.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re just going to go?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYeah.\u00a0 If he doesn\u2019t want to come, he doesn\u2019t want to come.\u00a0 I\u2019m not going to force him.\u201d\u00a0 She turned toward her horse, reaching to take the reins from Tala.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Behind her, a young voice hissed, \u201cPaul!\u00a0 Paul, don\u2019t let them go!\u00a0 They\u2019re not like the Shadow Man, they\u2019re nice!\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Shadow man?<\/em>\u00a0 Kellin froze for a moment, heart thudding against her breast, but didn\u2019t turn.\u00a0 She waited, trying to school her expression back into indifference, if only to hide the concern that started to pile up.\u00a0 Shadow man.\u00a0 Whoever\u2019s with him can see things.\u00a0 Maybe <\/em>both of them can.<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tala put her hand on her arm, leaning in.\u00a0 \u201cAre you okay?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kellin hesitated a moment before nodding.\u00a0 \u201cFine,\u201d she murmured.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s he doing?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLooks like he\u2019s in shock, actually.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kellin turned around again slowly, studying the young man with the shotgun.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s right, you know.\u00a0 We\u2019re not bad people.\u201d\u00a0 She looked past him discreetly, trying to see the source of the small voice from before.\u00a0 She could sense a spark somewhere back behind him, but she couldn\u2019t see anything in the dim.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s about thirty of us back on campus, and we\u2019re going to try to survive this without becoming some kind of uncivilized rabble.\u00a0 You\u2014and whoever\u2019s here with you\u2014are more than welcome to join us.\u00a0 More hands means more safety, right?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cListen to her, Paul!\u00a0 She\u2019s a nice lady.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Behind Kellin, Stasia and Tala exchanged a look.\u00a0 Tala shifted uncomfortably and Brandonput a hand on her shoulder, giving it a reassured squeeze.\u00a0 All three were probably hoping Kellin knew what she was doing.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Truth be known, she was hoping the same thing.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She spread her hands. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s up to you, really.\u00a0 You can stay, or you can come with us.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He stared hard at the four of them for a few moments, then slowly lowered the shotgun.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t go anywhere there\u2019s not a safe place for the flock,\u201d he grumbled, then half turned back to the shadows and debris.\u00a0 \u201cCome on out, Angie.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve got a dry space set up for the stock right now,\u201d Stasia offered, stroking one of the horse\u2019s noses.\u00a0 \u201cWe could take you back and show you, if you\u2019d like.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A small figure emerged from the shadowed rubble behind the man; a girl of ten or eleven, dark hair cut into an almost boyish bob.\u00a0 Her big brown eyes took in each of them, almost looking through them.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She has old eyes,<\/em> Kellin thought, meeting the girl\u2019s gaze.\u00a0 The girl smiled, taking the man\u2019s hand in both of hers.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI like her, Paul.\u00a0 She\u2019s a nice lady.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paul\u2019s lips thinned as he momentarily looked worried.\u00a0 Stasia shot him a smile and passed the reins to Tala.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWant to show me the kind of space you think they\u2019ll need?\u00a0 I\u2019m Stasia, by the way.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He shook himself and managed to force a smile.\u00a0 \u201cPaul.\u00a0 This is my baby sister, Angie.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kellin wiggled her fingers at Angie and the girl laughed.\u00a0 Stasia grinned.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s Kel, the one you were talkin\u2019 to.\u00a0 Brandon\u2019s there, and that\u2019s Tala with the horses.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paul nodded a little.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s, uh, nice to meet you.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at Stasia.\u00a0 \u201cCome on\u2026I\u2019ll show you what\u2019s left of what we\u2019ve got here.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stasia gave him a reassuring smile and a nod.\u00a0 \u201cLead on.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They got three steps before Paul turned around and looked at Angie.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you go anywhere, kiddo, y\u2019dig?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Angie beamed and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI dig, B-bro.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He gave her a firm nod, then disappeared into the barn with Stasia, Brandon ducking after them both after a momentary hesitation, apparently deciding that Stasia needed an escort.\u00a0 Tala led the horses over to the fence, tying them there as Kellin made her way over to a patch of grassy ground and sat down, watching Angie.\u00a0 The girl studied each of them with no small measure of curiosity before she came and sat with Kellin.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou know about the Shadow Man,\u201d Angie said as she settled cross-legged on the ground.\u00a0 \u201cDid he come and talk to you, too?\u00a0 He tried to make Paul help him with something, but I wouldn\u2019t let him.\u00a0 The Shadow Man got mad and left.\u00a0 He scares me.\u00a0 Does he scare you, too?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wise beyond years for sure.\u00a0 Old soul, like one or two other people I know, and knows things she shouldn\u2019t.\u00a0 Heavy burden for a little kid.<\/em>\u00a0 Kellin nodded slowly.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 He scares me, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c\u2026I think he means that,\u201d Brandon said lamely. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cY\u2019think?\u201d\u00a0 Kellin snapped, mind racing as Stasia tried to calm their panicking horses.\u00a0 Hellions on pogo sticks, this was the last fragging thing I expected!\u00a0 She looked at Tala, who … 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":[25,26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-522","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chapter-9","category-day-10"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-8q","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/522","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=522"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/522\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=522"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=522"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}