{"id":768,"date":"2011-10-17T00:00:23","date_gmt":"2011-10-17T04:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=768"},"modified":"2011-10-16T11:00:34","modified_gmt":"2011-10-16T15:00:34","slug":"day-18-chapter-11-07","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=768","title":{"rendered":"Day 18 – Chapter 11 – 07"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The damp chill had started to settle into J.T.\u2019s bones by the time Thom joined him out near the well.\u00a0 He stood very still, watching the faces in the mist.\u00a0 There were just so many of them, more than he remembered burying.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom tapped his arm.\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon into the warm and dry, man.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure the others are on their way in.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to stay out here.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 J.T. shook his head slightly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll stay and wait.\u00a0 Carolyn told you to get that fire up?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYeah, she\u2019s still adding wood to it, too.\u00a0 What\u2019s going on?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNothing.\u201d\u00a0 Yet.<\/em>\u00a0 \u201cJust waiting.\u00a0 Thinking that maybe we didn\u2019t need to send so many people out looking for Leah.\u00a0 She was just going down to the river to fish.\u00a0 That doesn\u2019t require a search party, right?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom snorted humorlessly.\u00a0 \u201cYou too?\u201d\u00a0 He shook his head, favoring one side as he leaned on his crutches.\u00a0 \u201cPart of me wishes I hadn\u2019t said anything.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced at the sky, watching lightning knife through the darkening clouds.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, who knew this would all roll in.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Good to know I\u2019m not the only one thinking that this was kind of a waste of manpower.<\/em>\u00a0 \u201cYeah, it was starting to burn off when you came in, Matt said.\u201d\u00a0 J.T. risked a sidelong glance at Thom, looking away again quickly.\u00a0 There was a taut set to the other man\u2019s shoulders, despite his attempt to look casual, relaxed.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t fool him; they\u2019d known each other too long.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom was strung as tight as he was, and that wasn\u2019t a good thing.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thunder grumbled as Thom nodded, crossing his arms.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, it was.\u00a0 Doesn\u2019t make any sense.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sure it does.\u00a0 Just doesn\u2019t have a rational explanation.<\/em>\u00a0 Tendrils of cold seemed to wrap around his wrists briefly, then dissipated.\u00a0 J.T. suppressed a shiver and looked at Thom again.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t stay out here, Thom.\u00a0 You\u2019ll catch death and then Marin\u2019ll have to kill me.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom chuckled weakly, then winced.\u00a0 \u201cNot until you bring it in, too, bro.\u00a0 I\u2019m not going to leave you out here alone.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 J.T. was a little relieved despite himself.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not going to play ball, are you?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou know me too well.\u201d\u00a0 Thom sank down onto the rock next to the well, half leaning and half sitting on it.\u00a0 J.T. crossed his arms and stared out into the mist.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They were quite for a few long moments before Thom said, \u201cI wish Mar hadn\u2019t gone out looking with them.\u00a0 One of them should have stayed behind.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 J.T. looked back over his shoulder at him.\u00a0 \u201cOne of who?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom stared blankly, peering out into the thick, dark mist, clearly seeking shadows that could harbinger the return of their friends.\u00a0 \u201cMarin or Kellin.\u00a0 One of them should have stayed here.\u00a0 They shouldn\u2019t have gone together.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I don\u2019t disagree on that one, but hearing it come out of his mouth is a little bit of a shock.<\/em>\u00a0 Was he finally starting to actually believe again?\u00a0 If he\u2019s at least accepting it all instead of acting like we\u2019re all completely batshit crazy, that\u2019s healthier, at least.<\/em>\u00a0 \u201cProbably right,\u201d J.T. agreed.\u00a0 \u201cYou see anything?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He saw a flutter of movement out of the corner of his eye, gaze snapping toward it.\u00a0 A pale, long-fingered hand disappeared into the deeper mist.\u00a0 J.T.\u2019s pulse quickened.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What was that?<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot yet,\u201d Thom grumbled.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A figure appeared out of the mist, built of the mist, and stared at J.T.\u00a0 He could hear its whisper, soft but insistent.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re coming.\u00a0 You\u2019re almost out of time.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He swallowed his question, standing very still.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t answer it, not with Thom here.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d\u00a0 Thom asked, pointing.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 J.T. tore his gaze away from the mist-ghost to look at where Thom was pointing.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A darker shadow moved through the mist toward them, and quickly.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fuck me,<\/em> J.T. thought, tensing for a fight.\u00a0 Is that what they were warning me was coming?\u00a0 Are about to be\u2026?<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lightning lit the world and Rory broke through the mist to join them next to the well.\u00a0 His clothing was singed and they both blinked at his somewhat bedraggled appearance.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened?\u201d\u00a0 Thom demanded, straightening up from his lean against the rock.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rory cast him a baleful look.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t<\/em> want to know, Thomas.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 J.T.\u2019s mouth went dry.\u00a0 He swallowed twice and looked at both men.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMaybe you\u2019re right, Thom.\u00a0 We should get the hell out of this damp.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s no safety in numbers, Jameson,\u201d <\/em>the ghostly voice whispered.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A shiver shot down his spine.\u00a0 There might not have been safety in numbers, but it would sure as hell be comforting<\/em>.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He hustled the other men back to the fire, casting glances back over his shoulder at the mist.\u00a0 The figure standing at the edge watched them run with a sad expression.\u00a0 It nodded once, slowly.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then it vanished into the mist as lightning flashed in the distance and the sound of rolling thunder shook the world again.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The damp chill had started to settle into J.T.\u2019s bones by the time Thom joined him out near the well.\u00a0 He stood very still, watching the faces in the mist.\u00a0 There were just so many of them, more than … 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-768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chapter-11","category-day-18"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-co","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/768","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=768"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/768\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":771,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/768\/revisions\/771"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}