{"id":749,"date":"2011-10-10T00:00:02","date_gmt":"2011-10-10T04:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=749"},"modified":"2011-10-05T11:28:14","modified_gmt":"2011-10-05T15:28:14","slug":"day-18-chapter-11-04","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=749","title":{"rendered":"Day 18 – Chapter 11 – 04"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carolyn\u2019s head came up as they sat near the well, watching for Leah\u2019s return.\u00a0 She canted her head to one side, nose wrinkling.\u00a0 \u201cDid you hear that?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHear what?\u201d\u00a0 J.T. mumbled, looking up from the surface of the well.\u00a0 He kept seeing the replay of his dream about the woman in the tarn in the water\u2019s surface.\u00a0 He kept thinking that if he could keep watching it, maybe he\u2019d figure out what was being pressed into his dream-self\u2019s hand.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2026that faint roaring sound.\u00a0 You didn\u2019t hear it?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All I can hear is my goddamned heart, so no.<\/em>\u00a0 Even on the bright, sunny morning, something was turning his guts to ice, filling him with dread.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t hear anything.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHm,\u201d her brows knit and she seemed to be listening carefully for a moment, then shook her head, spreading her hands.\u00a0 \u201cI must\u2019ve imagined it.\u00a0 Sorry.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He shrugged and reached for her hand.\u00a0 \u201cNo harm, no foul.\u201d\u00a0 The feeling of her warm, small fingers helped bring him fully back to himself and he closed his eyes, sighing softly.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAre you okay?\u201d\u00a0 She asked as she edged a little nearer on the rock where they perched.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He gave a little shrug and a head-shake.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I think so, maybe.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They fell silent for a few long moments before Carolyn said softly, \u201cIt\u2019s those dreams, isn\u2019t it?\u00a0 You\u2019re distracted.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 J.T. swallowed, glancing at the water again.\u00a0 He caught a glimpse of one of the dream faces in the ripples there and squeezed his eyes shut, though he couldn\u2019t escape the dark red hair and large eyes that seemed burned into his memory.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re just weird-ass dreams, Care.\u00a0 I wish they didn\u2019t bother<\/em> me so much.\u201d\u00a0 I wish they didn\u2019t feel so goddamned important.<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A mist started to rise to the west, cool dampness moving in with clouds that began to shroud the sun, dark clouds promising rain or worse in the near future.\u00a0 Carolyn\u2019s fingers tightened and she edged even closer.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhy do they bother you so much?\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve never seen you like this before.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thunder growled in the distance, and J.T. squinted at the sky, buying himself time to formulate an answer.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fuck it.\u00a0 If I lie, I\u2019ll just be like Thom, and I\u2019m not a hypocrite.\u00a0 <\/em>\u201cFucking past life or genetic memory bullshit,\u201d he grumbled at last, shaking his head as he kept staring up at the darkening clouds.\u00a0 He stood up, shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get under cover before that storm that\u2019s brewing hits.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carolyn\u2019s nose wrinkled and she tugged on his hand.\u00a0 \u201cThom\u2019s back there.\u00a0 Do you really want to talk about this in front of him?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After a few seconds of contemplating saying yes, J.T. shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Something flickered in the gathering mist.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c\u2018By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.\u2019\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 J.T.\u2019s gaze snapped toward the mist as if tugged by a tether, vainly seeking the source of the movement, throat tightening painfully.\u00a0 He took a step forward, sucking in a few rapid breaths.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJay?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou didn\u2019t hear that, did you?\u201d he breathed.\u00a0 Carolyn stood, coming up behind him and wrapping both of her arms around one of his.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAll I hear is the wind,\u201d she said softly.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The hairs on the back of his neck stirred and his muscles began to tighten as he stared out into that mist.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re near.\u00a0 Beware.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBeware of what<\/em>?\u201d he asked before he realized he was talking to something that might be a figment of his imagination.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A figment of his imagination that sounded exactly like Constance.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carolyn\u2019s arms tightened and she said his name again.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he said, swallowing.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She shook her head slightly.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s something out there.\u00a0 I can feel it, too.\u201d\u00a0 She rested her cheek against his shoulder and he swallowed, feeling tightness spread through his neck and shoulders.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat kind of something?\u201d\u00a0 He whispered, staring at the mist.\u00a0 It swirled, thickening slightly, but he didn\u2019t see any movement like that first one he\u2019d caught out of the corner of his eye.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thunder growled again and he shuddered.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSomething unsettled,\u201d she said softly, \u201cbut it doesn\u2019t feel hateful, like those other things.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ghosts.\u00a0 Just say it, you can feel them out there even if you can\u2019t see them.<\/em>\u00a0 He closed his eyes and caught glimpses of faces he knew, some only in passing, others well.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Faces of the dead.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all around us.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He nodded mutely.\u00a0 He could feel it, too, and could see the mist starting to cocoon the camp.\u00a0 They\u2019re trying to protect us.<\/em>\u00a0 \u201cSomething\u2019s coming,\u201d he said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd it isn\u2019t good.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo,\u201d she agreed.\u00a0 \u201cNot at all.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 J.T. drew himself up straighter, ignoring the tension in his muscles.\u00a0 \u201cGo back to the tent and make sure Matt and Thom have the fire good and hot.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Her tone went wary.\u00a0 \u201c\u2026why?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He shook his head slightly.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 The light and heat, I think.\u00a0 Just a feeling.\u201d\u00a0 He looked down at her and smiled weakly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll wait for the others to get back.\u00a0 If they\u2019re hearing the thunder, they\u2019ll bring it in whether they\u2019ve found Leah or not.\u00a0 If she\u2019s smart, she\u2019ll be headed back already.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou sure?\u201d\u00a0 Carolyn asked.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure.\u201d\u00a0 He really wasn\u2019t, but he said it anyway, turning back to the mists as she let go of his arm and headed slowly back toward the tents.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lights glinted out in the mist and lightning flashed in the distance.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHold fast.\u00a0 They\u2019re coming.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A tendril of ice wormed its way down his spine.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know what was coming, but he had his suspicions.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What worried him the most was the chance that he was right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carolyn\u2019s head came up as they sat near the well, watching for Leah\u2019s return.\u00a0 She canted her head to one side, nose wrinkling.\u00a0 \u201cDid you hear that?\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHear what?\u201d\u00a0 J.T. mumbled, looking up from the surface of the … 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":[30,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-749","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chapter-11","category-day-18"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-c5","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749","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=749"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":752,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749\/revisions\/752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}