{"id":952,"date":"2011-12-23T00:00:11","date_gmt":"2011-12-23T05:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=952"},"modified":"2011-12-15T11:00:59","modified_gmt":"2011-12-15T16:00:59","slug":"day-21-chapter-12-marin-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=952","title":{"rendered":"Day 21 &#8211; Chapter 12 &#8211; Marin &#8211; 20"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thom wasn\u2019t far from where I\u2019d left him earlier, though he was hobbling around with his crutch, a sign that J.T. wasn\u2019t looking.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He was scowling at his sketchbook as we approached, but looked up at the sound of our footsteps.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">His expression brightened as he saw me.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He set his sketchbook down on the chair he was supposed to be sitting in and took a few limping steps toward me.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The pain showed in his expression, so I stepped up the pace to keep him from pushing his limits any further.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I could almost feel Phelan grinning behind me as I took Thom gently by the arm and tried to tug him back to his chair.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d Thom hissed, looking over my shoulder at Phelan.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I moved his sketchbook and pointed him into his chair.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cPhelan Conrad.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thom went rigid, falling into his chair and wincing.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">My brows knit and I touched his arm.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cAre you okay?\u201d I asked quietly.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He nodded, eyes never leaving Phelan.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cKira sent him.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Phelan smiled.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cAye, she did.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thom\u2019s fingers tangled with mine.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWhy?\u201d he asked, a note of desperation in his voice.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWhy what?<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why did she send me?\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Phelan\u2019s brow creased.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thom shook his head slightly.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cNo.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why did she marry him and not tell me?<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why did she run away?\u201d His voice dropped to a whisper.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWhy didn\u2019t she <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">warn<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> me, if she knew?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <em>Oh, Thom.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I squeezed his hand tightly.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He swallowed hard and looked at me.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI was going to tell you,\u201d he said softly.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cThere just\u2026there wasn\u2019t\u2026I didn\u2019t\u2026I just <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">forgot<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He reached for my face as I crouched next to his chair.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cDon\u2019t be sorry,\u201d I said, my fingers covering his.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI\u2019m sure you meant to tell me.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Phelan already broke the news anyway.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cOn accident,\u201d Phelan said, smiling weakly.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI thought she\u2019d know.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Teague talked about the two of you and how important you were to Kira.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I\u2019m sorry I wasn\u2019t here before.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thom just stared at him.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cCould you have stopped this?\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He waved his free hand toward the ruined dorms behind us.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Phelan shook his head sadly.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cNo.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Nothing could have stopped that.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Believe me, we would have if we could.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cThen you don\u2019t have anything to be sorry for,\u201d Thom said quietly.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWe\u2019re all still alive here.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">None of us are in <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">immediate<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> danger of dying.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI think she\u2019ll forgive you.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Eventually.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thom finally got a good, long look at me after that.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He frowned.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cYou\u2019re all dirty.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What were you doing?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cOh,\u201d I said, feeling my cheeks flame.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I didn\u2019t exactly want to tell him where we\u2019d been.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He probably wouldn\u2019t take it very well.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI was playing in the mud.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thom\u2019s gaze flicked between Phelan and I for a few seconds.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWith <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">him<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cShe was showing me the first place she ever saw a <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">camazotzi<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cA camelwhatsit?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cA <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">camazotzi<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">,\u201d I said softly.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cOne of the things that attacked us the other day.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He stiffened, lips thinning.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cThe ones that hurt you.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <em>At least he\u2019s not angry that we were down in the ravines without anyone knowing where we were.<\/em><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Phelan looked at me quizzically.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI thought you said he didn\u2019t believe.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I just stared at Thom.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pain flickered through his gaze.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cIt\u2019s like I said the other day,\u201d he whispered, staring at me.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI love you.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It doesn\u2019t matter what I do or don\u2019t believe.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I love you and that\u2019s all I need to know.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cIs it?\u201d I whispered.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He nodded.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cYeah.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cMay I\u2026ah\u2026interject?\u201d Phelan said.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thom tore his gaze from me and stared at him, jaw setting.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Phelan shook his head slightly.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cJust thinking that maybe some of what I know may shed some light on the importance of, ah, <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">belief<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> in this sort of situation.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI believe that there\u2019s things out there,\u201d Thom said, voice hitching slightly as he continued.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cThings I can\u2019t see, can\u2019t sense, but the others can.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They\u2019re out there, I know that.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What else is there to know?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">My heart sank a little and I looked helplessly at Phelan.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cKira thought it was a little batshit, too,\u201d Phelan said softly.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cAt least at first.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thom just stared at him. \u201cHow?<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">She\u2019s believed in past lives, all of that, for as long as I can remember.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I squeezed Thom\u2019s hand.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kira had told me about the boy she saw in her dreams, the face that had haunted her since she was old enough to realize she <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">was<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> dreaming.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">We\u2019d talked about it one Thanksgiving out on her balcony while Thom and my brother screamed at football on television.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cHe haunts my dreams.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I just want to know who he is, who he <\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">was<\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He just feels so real, so important. <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Like he\u2019s a piece of a past I can\u2019t remember.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">She\u2019d met Teague the following September.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thom didn\u2019t like him much, but I\u2019d reminded him more than once that it wasn\u2019t up to him.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He\u2019d sulked for days and never really admitted I was right.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Phelan grinned at Thom.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cIt\u2019s one thing to believe in the power of dreams, even in past lives.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\u2019s entirely another to run into that person on the street and find out that they\u2019re some kind of equivalent to Aragorn and Gandalf combined out of <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Lord of the Rings<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2014after you\u2019ve started to fall in love with them.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He eased closer, voice growing quieter.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cShe was pretty shocked, especially after she started to unlock her own talents.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I looked up at Thom, watching him struggle to control his expression.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He went a little more tense and I barely suppressed a wince.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <em>Maybe this wasn\u2019t a good idea after all.<\/em><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWhat kind of talents?\u201d he asked, voice heavy with a mixture of concern and suspicion.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">His hand tightened around mine so tightly that his knuckles went white.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cThat hurts, Thom,\u201d I whispered.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He didn\u2019t hear me; he was too intensely focused on Phelan.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Phelan sat down cross-legged on the ground in front of us.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cShe\u2019s sensitive.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">She can catch glimmers and her instincts are good.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Strong-willed, too.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I\u2019m sorry I won\u2019t be there to see what Teague can teach her about will-working.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wow.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kira?<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shock must have shown on my face because Phelan flashed me a brief smile.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thom noticed and scowled momentarily, gaze softening when his gaze flicked to me.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He glanced at our hands and his fingers loosened.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cSorry,\u201d he mumbled.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I\u2019d smiled weakly at him.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c\u2018s all right.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I glanced toward Phelan.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI can go, if you two want to have a private chat.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thom glanced at Phelan, too, then murmured, \u201cNo.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Stay a few minutes longer.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He sighed and shook his head, still staring at the other man.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cJust because my cousin has some kind of ability\u2014which I\u2019m not entirely convinced of\u2014that doesn\u2019t mean I do.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I had to look away so Thom couldn\u2019t watch my face fall.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why is he being so damned stubborn?\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He knows this stuff is real.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He knows I know that he at least <\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">used<\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> to be able to see it all.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What they said he did, after the Shadow Man threw me, he couldn\u2019t have done if he hadn\u2019t been able to see it, or sense it.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I just don\u2019t understand.<\/span><\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Phelan said softly.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He glanced me, then back at Thom.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cThough by the same token, just because you don\u2019t believe you\u2019ve got some ability doesn\u2019t mean you don\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A shudder ran through Thom, so violent he let out a little gasp of pain, one hand drifting to his ribs.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cYou know what, Mar?\u201d he said softly, \u201cMaybe you should go check on Kel or something.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I think our new friend and I might need some privacy after all.\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I stood up slowly, my fingers brushing his cheek.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He turned his face to kiss my fingertips as they trailed past.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He smiled wryly.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cTry to keep Jay busy for a little while, too, huh?\u201d<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I kissed his cheek, nodded, and walked away.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hopefully Phelan would manage where the rest of us had failed.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It was a small hope, but a hope nonetheless.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=37\">First<\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=946\">Previous<\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=955\">Next<\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=%latest%\">Latest<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom wasn\u2019t far from where I\u2019d left him earlier, though he was hobbling around with his crutch, a sign that J.T. wasn\u2019t looking.\u00a0 He was scowling at his sketchbook as we approached, but looked up at the sound of &hellip; <a 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