COLD SUNRISE
Chapter 9: squad

The constant sound made by the gentle tapping rain droplets was stuck in my head. it was morning, the rain had stopped, looks like weather girl was right after all.

Speaking of weather girl, she was already awake folding her blanket and fitting back in the bag along with other things on the table I took out before. My legs were crossed at the edge of the table, I tried making myself comfortable last night, but it seems it didn’t turn out so well based on the recent pain on my back and neck.

“It’s time, we have to leave now, “she said putting the bag to her back, I rubbed my eyes nodding.

“Let me carry the bag,” I offered.

“Don’t worry its fine, just keep the dagger with you,” she said distantly walking out.

I took it up from the table fitting it behind my back waistline

We left the cabin, the field was wet I could see the water from the soil underneath my foot when we stepped on the grass. Random thoughts that all it was, to shield the thing I had on my mind, What happened between Raven and me last night. I mean the Good part and not the part where later I got slugged in the nose for it.

Now she aware that I have feelings for her and I wasn’t kidding about it.

Somewhere in my head, I keep wondering whether I made the wrong move by doing what I did, maybe I shouldn’t have done at all and perhaps I came on too strong with my act. We were friends before and by doing that I had taken us to a new level of complicated, although it had results, based on what I learned I think she’s confused about me and weighing it with my luck I’m guessing it’s a not so good confused side.

I mean for some couple of minutes now there’s been this awkward silence between us which is kind of expected but she can’t even look at me.

We waited patiently for the parking lot Official to move away from sight knowing fully well that their ticket was meant for a day and spending a night in the park was sort of prohibited or something.

Raven gives me her keys as we sneaked our way into the car, she threw the bag to the back seat, I revived the engine making a sharp reverse, dashing our way out, from the rear I saw the park official sprinting back to his position, stunned on how we slipped right under his nose.

Some places around were kind of quiet and scanty when got back to Franklinton, few stores and restaurants were open, while fleets of cars parked around churches as we drove past, it was a Sunday morning so...

Not every person in town is religiously unpractical like me. Well, it doesn’t matter, I’m sure Frank and Judy by now are ready to leave for church, it’s just 8 am.

I took a deep breath when I parked in front of my house.

“Look raven about last, i...”

“I think it’s best we don’t talk it, it,” she muttered cutting me off the second I brought it up. Clearly, she kind of resents me now. I had nothing else to say I was lost for words.

I left the engine running when I got out, she shifted herself over to the driver seat.

" Thanks for the dagger, tomorrow then.”

“Sure,” she slightly nodded and left.

Frank sat in the living room fully dressed for church waiting for Judy when I walked in.

“Morning Frank,“I greeted easily shutting the door behind me, Frank stood exhaling in relief when he saw me, Judy came out of the kitchen with a covered breakfast leaving it at the table then came over and embraced me.

“You had us, worried kid, where have you been,” Frank asked, from his tone he sounded quite upset.

“I called Judy last night, I told her I was with a friend, I couldn’t make it back because of the storm, so I spent the night there instead.”

" And this friend, I’m guessing you mean Michael Lansdale’s daughter,” he stated accusingly. Judy must have told him.

“Yes,” I answered.

“We were worried, we feared something might happen to you,” Judy said.

“I’m sorry I made you both worry, but Raven has been a good friend to me she’s helped me out a lot and you’ve also met her before,”

“But you never told us who she really was, the Lansdale’s aren’t who you think they are, they’re dangerous, they are not the type of you should hang around with,” he replied gustily, he knows about them.

they both do, I don’t know how much but I’m sure now they know something, I knew what he meant and I understood but like Aaron said it’s best if frank and Judy had no idea of what’s going. in order to protect them, that means I’ll have to play ignorant.

“Dangerous How? Because they keep to themselves a little more than most people in this town, tell me because I don’t understand your contempt for them?” I urged, knowing Frank wouldn’t reveal whatever he knows that easily, even if he knew the real deal about how different they are, the idea of telling or explaining it to someone would make you sound crazy, true or not.

“It doesn’t matter whatever it is, I want you to stay away from her,” it sounded more like an order.

I chuckled.

“Look, grandpa, I know you mean well, but I don’t think you get to tell me who and who not to hang out with. I came into town to start over and while doing that I figured out there’s a girl I like and her name is raven Lansdale’s, I don’t know if you’ve had problems with her folks in the past but I’m not going to allow any of that come between us and I really hope you can to accept that.” I said marching up to my room, I was glad the conversation didn’t get to drag any further.

“Telling him to stay away from her without giving him much of a good reason isn’t such a great idea you know that it would only encourage him to spend more time with her till he figures it out himself, teenagers are wired that way,“I could hear Judy’s voice from downstairs.

“Well, I hope he doesn’t, Aaron got caught up in their world and we both saw what it did to him, darkness follows that family, I won’t let our grandson get pulled into it,”

“All we can do is pray, come on let’s go service is about to begin.”

Sermons, I have never truly tried listening or given much thought about whatever meaning the messages conveyed, I didn’t really give a shit. Diane has always been a true believer. Me, I’m that kid that wears headphones to church and sit at the back or at the top deck while the preacher’s mouth waggles inaudibly, it wasn’t mom’s fault if that’s what you’re thinking, she did her best to raise me right. I’m just the guy who finds it difficult to believe in anything he can’t see. But lately, if you’ve noticed I been adjusting my perception of things.

I did something today which I thought I didn’t have in me, I dressed up and found myself driving to church on my own for the first time although I showed up late. The preacher had already begun with his sermon when I walked into the chapel, Frank and Judy were seated in front, they’d be surprised if they saw me here, they’ve tried urging me for months since I came into town to try joining them or show up. I still preferred the back seat and that’s where I sat, what can I say old habits die hard.

At least this time I was listening to what the preacher had to say, how our fates are weaved by the choices we make, all happenings that take place in our life is for a reason and God never makes mistakes. He has a plan, a bigger purpose for everyone.

Then if everything that has happened in my life so far has all been part of his giant plan then, what’s his purpose for me?

Starting from the waking moment of the next day something seemed different, I couldn’t explain it I just had this weird feeling in my body and it made me nervous about everything, I was kind of scared but I didn’t know of what. I washed up, got dressed and pack my books in my bag to get ready for school, I was about leaving my room when this thought kept bugging my head.

It was crazy, I mean really crazy, but I couldn’t ignore it. I opened my wardrobe, I took the magnum and dagger I hid in my shiny pair of Jordan’s, I put them there last night, I even checked on the colt it was loaded. I packed them into my bag, I have a long list of crazy things I have done in my life, but this today, this top’s that very list, if it’s any consolation I’m sort making a good decision since these I have the affinity of finding myself in unfortunate circumstances that’s what I told myself to convince me of going along with it.

I saw the Lansdale’s silver Mercedes and raven cruiser at the lot when I arrived. I left the colt in the cockpit, it wasn’t really necessary carrying a heater around.

That weird feeling I said I was having, I don’t want to sound paranoid but what I could interpret from it was that something is coming, I could sense it, it was something big and whatever it is, it’s inevitable.

“Can you attempt the equation on the board Mr. bale,” Mr. Shaw called out, most eyes in the classroom peered towards me, that was when I noticed he’d been standing in front of my table while I got lost in my thoughts staring blankly at my math textbook.

“Mr. bale!” he called out again before I looked at him, he stretched forth his hand offering a marker.

“you’re always too quiet or distracted in my class. It’s either you’re staring out the window while I’m teaching or your head is on the table sleeping, you’re new here aren’t you?” He asked.

“Yeah,” I answered dryly.

“What about your seatmate? is she in school, didn’t see her in my class throughout last week,”

“I don’t know, I haven’t seen her either” yeah I forget to add raven was absent class, probably somewhere in school or at the library.

“Alright, go on solve the equation, you obviously look smart enough, I’m sure it no problem.” He said mockingly, some people were just giggling, I don’t what’s funny to them.

I kept looking at the average height middle-aged man in front of me, to be honest, I don’t like Mr. Shaw, I don’t like his subject no offense, apparently, I knew he was just trying to humiliate me, I took the marker from him walking through the aisle,

I wished I had told him to stick that marker up his ass the moment he offered it to me, which would lead me to the principal office and worse for verbal abuse. I wasn’t in the mood to get that kind of attention drawn towards me either, so I endured it standing in front of the board looking at the equation, it was on algebraic processes not that I had been paying attention anyway,

I had a little idea on it that help me solved it halfway, I got to point where I had no idea on what next I just stood awkwardly till he called someone else, I guess that’s what he wanted anyway. But I wished something like this was what I meant by something big is coming.

A Russell viper crawled out of a park river slithering into the woods.

It spots a camp site a few away miles ceasing its movement behind a pine tree, calculatingly watching.

There was an RV parked in front with picnic tables outside, a rifle was placed on top one the chairs close to burning campfire.

A middle-aged Caucasian male stepped out of the vehicle and sat close to the fire to get warm, some minutes passed, he got up and went over to his truck taking out a bag of fast food groceries and a child’s school bag before heading back into the Rv.

The viper’s body began bloating internally, from the stomach up to its open mouth getting broader, it was pushing hard to puke out something big

A human hand stretched Forth out of it touching the ground, a red-haired female laid on the sand when it was done. her Nude body completely covered In slime. She crawls for a few meters’ wheezing, she stops when her breathing stabilized opening her eyes and gently getting on her feet.

She slowly marches toward the RV in tottering steps, dead leaves and sand glued to her hair.

The man came out of the Rv again, picking up some slip logs adding to the fire, he hears foot noises on leaves in the woods behind.

He cautiously picking up his rifle, Moving carefully towards the trees to check.

A nude woman stepped out behind one the trees standing in front him a couple of meters’ away, He was a bit stunned when he saw her, her long red hair built a curtain covering her face.

“Miss, are you alright?” He asked slightly pointing his rifle down, she responds with a low growl.

“What happened to you?” She was quiet, He noticed how slippery wet her hair and body was.

“Alright, you wait here, I’m going to fetch a blanket and call 911 okay.” he walked back picking up the thin blanket loosely spread at the armrest of the second picnic chair beside him, he got startled when he found her directly behind him when he turned around. Her gaze fixed intently on him,

The frightened look on his face when he looked at her eyes, she gave an arch twisted smile tilting her head to the right, the expression on his face enchantingly faded into a plain cold expression, he gently takes off his baseball cap kneeling before her in submission, he takes up his rifle plugging the barrel into his mouth, shutting his eyes.

The sound of the gunshot unsettles the air as flocks of birds depart from their nests.

A dark-haired woman rushed out of the Recreational vehicle with her six-year-old son, she gives a piercing scream when she found her husband on the ground beside his gun with the top of his skull blown open, a naked red-haired woman standing over his body.

her screaming numbed starting with a throat choke, she forcefully got shoved back to the RV, her feet suspended above the ground, the muscles on her neck tightened as she gasped for air,

The red-haired moved closer staring into the bonfire, two short pieces of half burnt logs darted out from the rest, straight into the brunettes socket piercing out back.

The boy watches his mother’s body loosely dump to the ground, he pisses himself when the red-haired turned her gaze towards him.

As the droplets of water nestled on her skin washing off the sands and slime from her hair, she walks out of the bathroom, searchingly the wardrobe for something to wear.

The boy knelt over his mom’s body sobbing, when she steps out the recreational vehicle, he flinches frightfully looking at her as she was well fitted in his mother’s clothes eating a sandwich, she wasn’t wearing any shoes, her toenails were lengthened like talons, she walks over to the male camper’s body picking up his cap.

“why, why did you have to hurt them?” He asked in broken sobs.

“Because I can, plus I also needed to use the bathrooms and some clothes too,” she mumbles airily fitting it to her head.

“you could have just asked,”

" Why ask when you can just take it, where’s the fun in that kid,” she smirked walking back into the woods.

A 69 Chevy Camaro driven by middle-aged Mexican passed through a freeway heading towards Franklinton between his fingers on the steering wheel a stick of freshly lit camel rare, hip-hop songs by cypress hill playing on the radio. Approaching a slant up ahead there was a woman on a baseball cap standing in the middle of the road, a redhead.

He slowed down, with a relieved smile on her face, her talons retreating back into her feet, she walks over to his side as he winds down noticing she was barefooted.

" lady are you Alright?”

“Yeah, I am now, I have been standing here for a while waiting for someone to pass, this is definitely a lonesome path.” She grins softly.

“What happened to your shoes?” He asked.

“It’s...it’s a long story, look I need your help there’s somewhere I need to be and it’s important I get there,”

“Where are you headed?”

“Franklinton,” she answered leaning over his window, her long frizzled hair sprouted by the mild gust of wind that, blew past and then rested back on her shoulders, her face, her voice was very alluring, the top two buttons on her inner shirt were loose, his eyes couldn’t help but kind of stray.

“Well you’re in luck, I’m headed towards there myself, I’ll give a lift.” He said willingly.

“No, I don’t think you understand what I meant, I need your car.”

“What?”

“I said I need your car,” she stated clearly.

He chuckles confusedly, “Are you serious right now?”

“Do I look like I’m kidding,” she muttered smilingly.

“Look, lady, I don’t know what’s your deal but I hope you don’t mind I have got someplace I need to...” she frowned quickly grabbing him by the neck, slamming his face to the wheel and with both hands brutishly snapped his neck.

“I tried asking,” she murmurs, unlocking the door from the inside, letting him drop then driving off, his head was slightly twisted backward as he laid on the asphalt.

After class, I got to my School locker putting away my textbook, I needed to find raven, I had to see her and try to fix things between us. She blames me for what happened that night, fine I take the blame whether it sounds ridiculous or not, it’s important our friendship is uncomplicated especially now.

The bell buzzed again indicating a start of a new class, for me, it was a free period, students crowded the hallway some trying to find their classes, I planned on using my spare time to find her.

“Hey man, what’s up,“I heard Allan’s voice he caught up with me from behind.

“Hey buddy,” we exchanged handshakes.

“So what’s been going on with you lately, I left you like ten messages on Saturday, Wade, Ashley, scarlet and I plus some other guys we went bowling and I wanted you to come join us,”

“Sorry Man, I wasn’t in town on Saturday and I got pretty occupied by something else” my thought strayed to the park and all that happened in the cabin

“Oh! well, we met this girl Emily from another school with few of her friends. she was hot as hell, and I wished you were there with us cause you would have liked her since obviously, you’ve got a thing for blondes.” He said watching my face knowing he was referring to Raven, I faintly laughed as we walked together.

“Alright tell me how did it go?”

“I don’t understand what you mean,“I replied.

" come on, stop playing dumb, you bolted out of school on Friday the moment I encouraged you to...”

" you mean with Raven” I said when I recalled it was him who urged me to suck it up and head over to the Lansdale’s mansion to check on her when I got cold feet worrying about her sibling, even if the seemed like a disaster at first when raven’s cousin almost choked me to death.

“No, I meant with your grandmother.” He mocked.

“Of course dumbass who else I’m I talking about.”

“Everything thing went good,” I said with a grin, and sure at the end, the Lansdale’s agreed to have my back for whatever trouble is to come.

“Give me details,” he requested, I knew I had to give him something I wasn’t going to shut him out or he’ll never let it go and also thanks to him I was able to find my resolve last week.

“Okay, I had dinner with her family,”

“What the!” I watched his face quickly light up with curiosity.

“You lucky son of a gun, you got your scrawny ass invited to dine with her family, did you see Mr. Lansdale for real?” He asked impatiently.

“Yes, I saw him,”

“What did he look like, are the rumors true about him being able to walk perfectly normal though he’s blind.”

“No, it’s just a rumor, he’s blind as shit.” I lied convincingly, I owed them that, I mean if I said otherwise that would be putting up a certain rumor to life which wouldn’t be good for them.

“He walks with a stick like a normal blind person should, not even Matt Murdock can pull that one off.”

“So what’s he like?“.Allan asked.

“Like a wealthy father of four teenage kids,” I explained.

“Look, Allan, it was just dinner with the family,”

“Well, speaking of Lansdale’s,“Allan remarked sourly when Chris approached with his well-groomed blond hair and glitzy expensive clothes, his appearance was always sort of intimidating, people thought so.

He was alone this time which was unusual cause he always moved around with his other evil twin and Lock the weird one, the pack of three,

“Hello fellas,” he grinned politely with a fake smile.

“What do you want Chris,” I scowled at him as a first instinct, he kept smiling staring me straight in the eye, I stared back grimly. Allan could sense the unknown tension between us.

“Uhmmm, I think I have Spanish class right now, so I’m just going to go,” he looked at the shaken expression on our faces and scurried away.

“Still grumpy as ever huh!” he jeered.

“Yeah, it’s plain instinct that whenever I see you or brothers I get guarded, nothing personal.” I grimaced.

" you know I could reduce you and that guard of yours to ashes right now and no one would do shit about it,” he threatened.

“Perhaps you could, but if you do that you’ll risk revealing yourself to everyone that you’re some kind of freak and I bet that’s not an attention you want.”

" you better watch that tone of yours Nate, spite me and I promise you, I’ll light you up like a matchstick along with everyone else in this school, Dare Me!” he smiled crookedly, the psychotic look in his eyes like he meant it.

“What do you want?”

“Walk with me,” he said when he noticed some eyes in the hallway had strayed towards our little act of hostility.

“I know you were with my sister on Saturday when she came home her aura reeked of your presence,” he stated while we walked.

“Is that what this is about because I assure you nothing happened,“I replied defensively

“That’s none of my business for now,” he said.

“The sister I knew never cared much about people, in fact, people disgust her, then all of a sudden you become the exception and she’s willing to go lengths to protect you. that’s something I can’t really comprehend because there’s obviously nothing special about you apart from the fact that you’re kind odd from the flock,”

“And it’s that a problem to you,“I asked.

“Yes, because you’re a lesser creature and a distraction to her, we normally stick to own kind.” That was straight up insult served like a pie, I took it politely.

“Do you know what I see when I look at you, Nate,”

“What?”

“I see an idiot, a big one,”

“Hey!” I rebuffed.

“Yes, that’s what you are, I say that cause any completely sane person would have left town Months ago once he figured out what we are and what’s coming for them, but instead you’re here hiding behind my sisters skirt.”

“Come on Nate, at least I believe you must have given it a thought to take your chances on the road, if I were human and powerless facing an odd like that, that’s what I’ll do,”

“Yeah I did consider it and I have no place to run to, Franklinton was my only stop and now that’s might be screwed up,”

“Running back to wherever I came from would mean unleashing a shit storm on the people I care about, I can’t have that. I heard the council is very resourceful, finding me anywhere would be no problem.” I replied.

Going back to Diane and Harvey with hell on my heels that’s something I’ll never do, my mom is just starting to get back a little happiness in her life, I owe her that much not to ruin it.

“That’s true, “he smirked.

“So I have made my decision, I’ll take my chances here instead,”

“Then I see you’ve made your peace with the likely hood, you might not be making it out alive,”

“I don’t plan on dying but in case it happens I’ll make sure I go down swinging, come what may.”

He laughed, “well said, that’s very bold and brave of you but see the thing is there will be nothing like going down swinging for you, you’ll be slaughtered like mice, I just hope my sister doesn’t get caught up in that.”

“You’re not much of an optimist are you?” I muttered.

" No, I’m a survivor, there’s a difference,”

" that reminds me I have a class right now,” he looked up his watch smiling smugly.

“And yes one more thing, if perhaps you make it out alive after all this, I want you to stay away from Raven, I’m sure there plenty of girl’s you can occupy yourself with,” he said firmly.

“Why?”

" that’s none of your concern,”

“What if I can’t, let me guess you’ll kill me,“I assumed.

“No, that threat is getting a bit old, so I’ll tell something I will do,”

“I’ll make sure you’re so damaged that not even my sister can fix you, and your cute face whenever you look in the mirror you’ll disgust yourself. It’s not a threat, it’s a promise,” he muttered darkly, then smiled again walking away.

The library was almost empty when I walked in aside from a group of girls quietly chatting while studying at the front row table, Raven was seated alone at the back reading The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald, she was well relaxed, her legs crossed on top the table. she somehow noticed my presence at the time I saw her, she strayed her eyes back to the book.

“Hi,”

“Hey Nathan, what brings here of all places,” she said avoiding to look at me,

“I saw your car at the lot earlier, but then you weren’t in class this morning so I figured I’d find you here,“I answered.

“Well, you’ve found me,”

I had to think of the right things to say, I took a deep breath.

“Look, I’m ...I’m sorry about Saturday, about what I did, I think had the wrong of idea things and I shouldn’t have done it, you’ve been a really good friend to me, the last thing I want is for things to get complicated between us, I just hope you don’t me hate for it,” I said apologetically.

“I don’t hate you, Nate, I’m just confused on how I feel about you,” Raven muttered.

“But you can’t even look at me,”

“Not everything is about you,”

“The reason I have been avoiding you or can’t even look at you is because I am embarrassed at myself,” she added looking at me,

“For what?”

“The way I reacted, plus when I said you tricked me into kissing you like that’s even possible, it was a very childish thing to say,” she gave a warm smile.

“So you’re not mad at me?” I asked in relief.

“Oh, I was mad but not anymore and just to be clear I’m not sorry I punched you in the nose, it kind of felt oddly comforting.” I smiled, and truly I wasn’t sorry that I kissed her either, I just did the apology thing to look civil, so now we’re square.

“your brother Chris and I, we had a little chat before I came here,”

“Really, what did you two chat about?”

“You, what else,“I answered.

“What did he say?”

“He knew were together on Saturday,”

“I didn’t tell him, “she said.

“I know, I figured he must have figured it out himself, he said something about my presence in your aura, was it because of we Uhm.”

“Yeah, but Chris is not that perceptive Adam must have told him,” she replied Shyly.

“I’m guessing, he also threatened you,”

I chuckled.“No, he’s just looking out for you and I get that,”

“Chris will always be a pompous, arrogant prick that always puts his nose in my business..”

“Funny thing is that when I returned home, I had to avoid my dad for the whole day, wasn’t an easy task...”

" did he know? ” I asked, one of the last things i want is to get on Mr. Lansdale’s bad side.

“No, I don’t think so, my brothers keep things to themselves,”

“So whenever you..you know..with a human it kind of rubs off on you,”

“Yes, and also being around them for too long.” she chuckled.

“the aura thing, It does wear off right, Eventually.” I was curious,

“It takes almost a full day, but it does,”

At Amtrak train station in McComb came out a tall brawny, light-skinned man with a cleanly cut imperial beard and head warmer, carrying an acoustic guitar gig bag.

A cab pulls over in front of him, the back glass winds down, the passenger behind a Jewish priest on a cassock,

“Get in Elias,”

“Alright tell me, Padre, why have I been dragged halfway across the world to this town for?” He asked shutting the door.

" we have a job for you,” the priest replied handing him a tablet, it contained photos of the Lansdale’s, he looked carefully at each slowly sliding to the next.

“Where next to sir?” The cab driver asked.

“Franklinton,”

“Haggai and Maya are on their way, I had transportation arranged for them but they decided on showing up on their own, those two enjoy the theatricality of their own arrivals.” Said the priest humorously.

“Well it’s not them I’m worried about, The one named Lock, it’s been rumored he’s as powerful as an elder, I think he might pose a problem,”

“He’s the kid with the dark hair at least that what he looks like now, he’s mortal form is weak which puts him at a great disadvantage, we were old acquaintances once. don’t worry I’ll handle him while you, Haggai and Maya take care of the rest including the clairvoyant,”

" you mean Darius, the blind one.”

“Yes, I heard he’s also quite formidable as an immortal but i don’t assume he’ll be a problem to the three of you since you all are on the same playing field,”

" As for the Kids they might have some skills according to yogorov’s information but they’re just kids and still part human they can go down easily.”

He slid to the last photo,

“And who’s this ?” He asked tilting the screen to the priest,

“A human witness, a very special one, He’s name is Nathan bale, he’s 17, for reasons unknown he seems to be under the protection of the Lansdale’s, the council orders he is brought back alive as soon as the Others are taking out.” He explained.

“What do they want him for,”

“Questions you shouldn’t ask cause the answer are none of your concern, once it’s all done the council will be sending in a group of extractors to the town to clean up, they will wipe the memories of everyone who’s come across his face twice, including his family after they’ve rounded up every data relating to him. school, work, bank accounts, social media accounts, call records will vanish at first,”

“Before they move over to relatives and wipe him off them and anything that would raise questions, then take out his birth records and scrub him clean from the national database with the influence the council has in the government , it will be like he never existed, to begin with,”

“That’s quite extreme in order to cover up a simple teenager, I’d wager he wouldn’t be the first they’ve done that too,”

“He’s not, the council are part of the organizations that Has shaped the world into what it is today, Making people disappear should be no problem,”

The driver gulped looking at the both of them through the rear,

“It’s time we rid thy abomination from God’s flock Elias, it’s a glorious day,”

“All I care about is my pay after this padre, I don’t give jack squat about anything else,”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be paid well, and one last thing We’ll have to dispose of him once we’re in town, I think he’s heard too much for his own good,” the priest referred to the driver, then calmly shutting his eye’s.

“Sure, and what’re you trying to do?”

“Send a message to our friends let them know we’re coming, it’s fun that way.”

“So, aside from avoiding me, why didn’t you attend Math class this Morning?”

“Cause it healthy to ditch class sometimes and I don’t really like Math although I find myself being very good at it,” Raven said as left the library, heading for next class together, we had biology.

“Hmmm, I guess that’s one thing we have in common except for the being good at it part,”

“What was your score in the last test? “She asked.

“I got a c -minus,“I murmured.

“Why, Haven’t you been studying?”

“I have, but not math and I skipped Mr. Shaw’s class a lot or when I’m present I find it hard to stay awake,” I confessed sourly.

“Mr. Shaw teaches like a drone, so it’s not totally your fault, what if I start tutoring you will your grades come up,” she suggested.

“Yeah, sure why not as long as it’s you,“I agreed quickly knowing it was a perfect opportunity for me to spend more time with her, I’m all in.

Okay, We’ll be doing it on Tuesday and Thursdays after school,”

“Your house? ”

“No, yours.” She replied.

“Michael will really kill you this time if he discovers you were in my room again,”

“I thought he liked me,”

“He’s patient with you because of me,”

“I think it’s best you avoid my house, for now, it’s for your own good, My Dad can be overprotective at times, you don’t want to get on his bad side.”

I nodded, “so how do we go about it then,”

“your place seems good enough,” she replied. I was slightly concerned about my grandparent’s reaction, well it didn’t matter, they may have no love for her family but they won’t make an open scene because of it.

“Hmmm, sound good.”

" and don’t get any funny ideas, the only thing we’ll be doing is studying nothing else,” she added.

I swiftly envisioned a scenario where she’s backed against the wall and her legs wrapped around my waist, my hands lifting her thighs and were about getting past first base, Yeah I know I’m dirty minded.

“I wasn’t thinking anything else,” I laughed, We entered the classroom together, we sat close to each other at the last column, our bodies touching when Mr. Varner walked in.

I kept my attention focused on Mr. Varner while he discussed a topic on Nervous co-ordination, I mean while I was thinking of something else something Raven said in library...she said she was confused on how she felt about me, which also meant she feels something for me, I know what I’m about saying is pathetic but it means hope and I have a chance with her, the awkwardness between us before I won’t say it had totally vanished but is not currently present, Which is a good thing. the way she’s sitting now with me, We’ve never sat like that before, in long table classes like this she usually shifts to the edge of the table.

Who would guessed my little Saturday night experiment would pay off eventually, I mean there’s been currently an adjustment in our relationship, if there was an instrument to check someone’s feelings for someone then I think I’m on the good side, so scratch off whatever I said on Sunday...or maybe I’m just over thinking everything...No be positive..Come on I’m a charming, fresh, dark kid what’s not to like.

“Can someone here tell me the part of the brain responsible for control of voluntary movement and interpretation of sensation?” Mr. Varner Asked, Couple of students raised their hands in indication.

“Uhmmm, No, not you Hillary, not you Jasper, and not you either Allan,” he grumbled calmly viewing the faces of those hands weren’t raised one by one, coming my way, what the problem with all these teachers today and my elegant seatmate would never raise her hand even if she knew it...It’s her way, and from the look of it he’s going to have to choose from the both of us, either cerebrum or cerebellum was the answer I wasn’t sure.

“I need someone indifferent in my class to answer the question.”

His eyes peered towards our table, I just knew it would be me, who else.

“Yes, miss Lansdale,” he called to Raven as she unexpectedly raised her hand.

“The Cerebrum,” she answered.

“Correct, the cerebrum,” he droned on with his teaching, I sighed in relief.

“Ha! I knew it was the answer.”

“No, you didn’t. “she snorts

“Yes, I did,”

she scoffs in disbelief.

“Then why didn’t you raise your hand and your heart slightly skipped when he looked at you”

“Because I prefer asking questions than answering them,”

“Or you can just admit you didn’t know and thank me for saving your ass, cause he was about calling you,” she whispered.

“Alright, thanks .happy?”

“See! that wasn’t so hard and your welcome.” She smiled.

“But I still knew it..”

“Whatever,” she mouthed.

Two men standing on the school ground when I looked out the window, they were both on Stetsons and dark trench coats, one was black and taller than the other, they were both watching me. The other man took off his hat, I saw his almost white hair and his face he was an old man, they stood uniformly beside each other, the same sense of clothing, holding dark umbrellas.

One second I could see them watching me and next they Vanished from the spot the second I blinked. I saw them again somewhere else meters’ from where they stood walking away, their outline and clothes blurred evanescing into the air till I saw nothing. Chill bumps crawled all over my skin, a memory quickly flashed in my mind, I have seen something like that before, someone like them, that night I ended up in the woods with no idea how I got there...The Watchers. If they’re here. I gulped.

“Nate, what is it, why are you starting out the window like that,” Raven asked curiously. I felt my insides knot when I turned to her, I hesitated before I spoke.

“Raven, the watchers are here,”

“What?”

There was a thudding sound on my window, everyone in class gasped, a black bird pressed on the glass with its insides sprayed around the area, it slides down drawing a thick line with its blood, a girl in class gave a sharp scream, the weather began changing at an accelerated rate, low rumble of thunder, then cawing sounds of crows everyone rushed towards the window gawking at the skies, we saw it crowded with blackbirds, hundreds of them heading towards the school, gliding directly towards the window in speed. We gawped marveled by its wonder and at the same time backing away from the glass, they all came in like a fleet forcefully crashing in.

All hell breaks loose, the entire school in chaos, screams were all I could hear.

“Everyone get on the ground now! get on the ground,” Mr. Varner yelled while the blackbird’s plagued. I grabbed raven pulling her close to my chest, shielding her while we squatted under the table, some folks running wild out of the classroom, chairs, and tables shifting disorderly with the noises of glasses shattering, cawing sounds and female screams...

The noises idled down after some minutes, we slowly raised our heads guessing the invasion was over, no crow sounds the air was free of it. Students bleeding, some groaning in pain from the blackbird’s beak and talons that grazed them, Death everywhere but not of people, All the crows were dead, every single one of them, their bodies littered in the classes and all around school.

“Hey, are you okay?” I asked cupping her face in my palm examining her, cause at the moment she was all that mattered to me.

“yes,” she nodded and I saw she was unscathed apart from her hair that got roughed up a bit.

“And you?”

“I’m fine,” I answered firmly.

“What the hell just happened?”

“I think they’re here Nathan,” Raven said, I sensed discomfort in her tone.

“Who?”

“The council’s death squad and this is their twisted way of saying hello!” Well wasn’t that convenient, they show up at the same time as the watchers...

“Raven! We have to leave now,” Adam called outstanding outside the classroom door with Lock and Chris, we hurried outside the school block together, dead birds in the hallway including the principal’s office penetrated, paramedics arrived as soon as we reached the parking lot.

“We have to go get Dad now, we have to call him and tell him about this,” Raven said.

“Michael already knows, he saw this coming yesterday,” lock replied.

“What?” She snorts in disbelief.

“Wait! You mean you all knew this was the Shit storm day and no one bothered to say anything to me,”

“Dad made it pretty clear it was imperative everything had played out this way, he said it’s the only path he could see for all of us making out of Alive at the end of this including your boyfriend here, “Chris said.

I didn’t totally get the last part but from I could understand it had something to do with Michael foreseeing the bird invasion death thing that just happened and whatever council squad showing up, Raven was arguing about not being informed when everyone else was.

“Explain Chris, cause what you’ve just said rights now totally makes no sense,”

“There’s no time for this Raven, just get when I say, roles, choices, decisions, Dad see’s a map of all of it and he aligns them in some sort of way to set us on the right track before it’s sealed into fate, and part of that decision was not informing you cause you’d have made some adjustment for your boyfriend like not making him show up for school at all or you two might just run someplace else together...” Adam replied.

“That’s bullshit!” She snarled.

“Look we don’t have time to argue, there are four of them right now heading towards the school cause they’ve sensed our presence here, two from the North and the other two coming westwards, I can feel them closing in real fast.”

“Raven, you and Nathan head towards the cabin on the mountain, Chris, you and Adam lead them and ensure they get a safe passage,” the environment tensed as lock ordered.

“And what about you?“Adam asked.

“I’ll take the cruiser and get Michael, then they’ll split in two’s, we’ll lead up them up to the mountain, rendezvous there and take out as planned.” Lock replied sternly as they all nodded in agreement.

“I’m sorry, we didn’t get to tell you Raven, Michael wanted all us together at this moment,” he said to her taking the cruiser key..

“It’s fine, let’s Just get this over with,” she muttered.

“Nathan we’ll be using your car,”

“Sure,“I agreed.

“Please remind me, how fast does this your grandma’s Buick run again,” Chris asked mockingly noticing my car was parked beside their Mercedes.

“It’s a Gto Chris, give it some credit,” I answered....so this was it, it’s finally happening, unbelievable.

“Well I hope it can keep up, we’ll be driving really fast,” Adam added unlocking the door the Mercedes.

The cruiser was the first to pull leave the lot before Adam’s and mine together, we got to an intersection on the freeway lock made sharp left separating from us going eastwards, raven and I we watched the cruiser in the short second distance itself. Adam accelerated forward, I geared up to keep up, my engine roared wildly in response, raven’s phone buzzed.

“It’s Chris, maybe he’s got something to say to us.” She puts on speaker,

“Hey, Raven!” the voice called out.

“Yes Chris, we can hear you go on,”

“Uh, Adam has something to tell you.”

“Raven! Can you hear me?” The second voice.

“Yeah, perfectly.” She answered.

“There’s something I need you to do, I need you to accelerate the process of the incoming rain, keep people indoors, we’re heading towards our assailant’s, the rain will help slow them a bit and dull their senses..” Adam said.

“But that also will affect us also,”

“I know, but we have an alternative which is me, my ability won’t be affected by the rain.”

“Ok, how heavy do propose it should be,” Raven asked.

“I need the clouds very dark, a thunderstorm will be fine.”

“Alright, anything else”

“Yeah, ” Chris’ voice returned.

“I wish you were in here with us little sis, you could have saved us the trip and jumped our car directly into the mountain.”

“you can do that too?” I asked astoundingly.

“I’m a teleporter, I can travel things too but an object that size plus all of us, it will take a lot from me Because I haven’t been awakened,”

“Well that’s too bad sis, but really I can’t wait to see what happens when you finally do, according to old legend you’ll be crazy powerful,”

“Don’t forget the part where I lose my mind and you guys would be forced to put me down or put me in a cage.” She added glumly.

He laughed.

“Don’t worry I’m sure we’ll figure something out by then,”

“Hey, whatever happens, don’t flinch just keep your eyes on the road okay,” she said to me

“Are you about doing the weather thing,” she nodded in response strapping her seat belt and resting her back comfortably on the seat, i strapped mine on too, safety reason and I was kind of worried you know, the last time she did weather thing it didn’t turn out so well, the last thing I want to experience right now is lightening bolting it’s way from up there straight into us, in fact, I shouldn’t worry I believe in her. I pursued Adam from behind, my hood few meters away from his bumper, he wasn’t kidding about driving fast. I was impressed with the way my G.t.o was handling things it didn’t disappoint, Frank was right she runs great, he did build her well, we’re going eighty miles per hour, riding like we were racing dashing past vehicles we met on the way.

Raven eyes were shut when I looked at her, her face calm like she was in a light sleep.

My body quavered when I heard an explosion of thunder in the sky, the cloud darkening as lightning spread it wrath, electricity poles and street’s light along the road blew up, I turned on my headlights,

an intense rain followed The wind like monarchs gone mad.

When I glanced at Raven again I almost jumped out of my skin, her eyes rolled up to her skull, I quickly looked away in fright, it was creepy.

I avoided looking again Till I heard her take a deep breath.

“I’m guessing I scared you didn’t I, your heart is racing faster than it should, well I warned you not too look.”

“It’s fine, I just wasn’t expecting something like that,” I replied.

“Hmmm, that’s good, maybe I should be doing that more often.” she gave a reassuring smile.

“You’ve done it once, I don’t think I’ll fall for it again,” I said.

“Nice work Sis, you did good, you made everywhere dark, I can hardly see anything on the road without the lights, so congrats on your new title you’ve officially become the daughter of Darkness,” Chris announced theatrically.

“Shut up Chris, I need to concentrate,” Adam scolded.

“Screw you!” He snarled back,

Chris’s chatting mood seemed to be only thing lessening the tension of the situation, it kind of good having him around.

“So Chris tell me, when exactly did Dad get this vision,” Raven asked.

" the first was on Saturday night when you weren’t around,”

“I’m guessing that’s why he called to check on me, Did anyone suggest to him to get back up through uncle Dylan and his boy’s?”

“We did, but he was certain we stick to the course he set for us with no one else involved and we’ll be all fine in the end, bringing in anyone else into what’s to come will tarnish everything into different uncertain outcomes which wouldn’t be in our favor, his words not mine.”

“Yeah, pretty much sounds like him,” she muttered.

“Besides, we’ve got a powerful rogue elder on our side,”

“He maybe badass, but we’re in this mess in the first place because of him, a thousand-year-old problem coming to bite us in the ass,” she cursed under breath.

“It’s funny hearing that coming from you Raven, you of all people should understand wanting to be rebellious against being part of an ancient cult of old people,” Adam said.

“And also you too, you’re a part of it, not wanting to hand your friend over changed things, before they were looking for us, now they want to kill us,” they were right by trying to help me they’ve put themselves in danger...

“I don’t regret my decision,” she replied Firmly looking at me.

“No one is saying that you should, we need to stay positive, I believe we have a chance against whatever odds we might face.”

We had left Franklinton taking a route leading to the mountains, large green forest trees like moving walls while we sped our way through.

This was it, the moment I had been waiting for finally here, it ends today, one way or another.

The dagger in my bag, the gun I left in the cubbyhole, my instinct were right who would have thought.

“There’s something I put in that cubbyhole this morning, can you please pass it over,” I told Raven, she nodded taking out, she chuckled when she saw what I had brought,

“Whoa! You carried a gun with you to school, who’s the poor fella you this was meant for,” she asked, I took it from her putting it inside my jacket pocket with one hand on the wheel.

“No one, I had an instinct something like this might happen today so I followed it,”

“He brought a gun with him! That’s like carrying a toothpick to a sword fight, who’re you going to poke with that.” Chris laughed mockingly.

“I thought I told you earlier you won’t need it,” raven groused.

“yes, But I brought it anyway having it around makes me feel better than nothing at all,” I replied defensively.

“What about what I gave you, do you have it,”

“it’s in my bag,” I answered.

“And what’s that one,” Chris asked chuckling to mock me again.

“Something I needed, not important,” raven lied, seems like she preferred them not knowing she gave me their family heirloom. She held it with her when she took it from the bag at the back seat.

“We’re getting close, We have to be careful here, locks plan seemed to have worked, I can only sense two coming our way which means they’ve split,” Adam stated.

" you mean you can sense them like right now?”

“Yes, they’re using the forest as cover and they’re much closer than you think.”

“Uhmmm Guy’s, I think there are patrols up ahead,” Chris warned, That can’t be good.

“We keep driving we don’t stop,” Adam said firmly. I watched the Mercedes swiftly lengthening itself further from mine as I chased behind, we fleeted past the patrol cars at parked on both sides of the road.

I knew there was no way in hell we won’t be chased crossing with a speed like that.

It took seconds for their response while I watched from the rear, they pursued with their sirens turned on.

“Jesus! These cops are going to get themselves killed if they continue following us, Adam do something,” raven

“I’m not God Raven, I can’t make them turn away while trying to concentrate on watching our angles,”

“You have to try,”

I pushed harder trying to keep up, the patrol cars were directly behind, Suddenly to my surprise one of them stopped and turned around moving the opposite direction Never looking back, I knew Adam had done something.

“Good work, it’s just one left now,” she said looking back noticing.

A red-haired lady abruptly emerged west out of the forest standing in the middle of the road ahead of us, I heard the tires of the Mercedes screech on the asphalt and it swerved left out of the lane into the dirt, skillfully avoiding her, I hit the brakes quickly out of instinct doing the same Sterling right to the dirt road. my tires squealed in response, not letting it totally gain its grip I steered back left into the track immediately I crossed her.

the moment dragged when I glanced at her, she was wearing a baseball cap with her entire clothes dripping wet, I didn’t get a clear glimpse of her face cause it was kind of dark but I saw her eyes brimming blood red, she snarled angrily like an animal watching us while we drove past her, I felt the trembling of my foot on the gas pedal, pressing in out of its own volition.

I couldn’t get my eyes off the rear as I watched her with one arm flip the incoming patrol car behind into the forest.

“Whoa!“Chris exclaimed.

She turned her attention back to us, her body shattered to blackness transforming into a flock of bats they took off to mid-air vanishing back to the forest.

“What the hell was that what is she?”

“An Omni-shifter,“Raven replied.

“She can shift herself into whatever creature she sees fit,”

“That’s horrible, but why didn’t she attack us,“I asked stepping off the pedal a bit watching dial fall back eighty when I realized how fast I was going, I got behind the Mercedes again.

“It’s not over, she wants to have a little fun first before coming in for the kill,” Adam said. I felt my stomach knot by the idea.

“God! I’m definitely going have nightmares for a long time,” I murmured.

“Nathan, we need to go faster the second one is on foot closing in on us right now,” He Announced.

“Dude! I’m going a hundred miles per hour, how faster am I supposed to get?” I complained. Look at this guy, does he think I’m like them, it’s not that I’m scared of going faster, I just need to be careful cause one little slip with this wheel and its Game Over for me.

“then make it a hundred twenty dumb ass!“Chris yelled.

Raven’s eyes uneasily darted backwards while mine on the road, a blur like a shadow dashed it’s way from behind sprinting beside my car at the same pace on the right, it’s eyes red as the lady from before, nervously determined I punched in watching the dial escalate to one twenty, but to my own I’m amazement it kept up unwavering.

“Nathan! ” raven screamed grabbing me by the arm when we felt a brute impact that slammed the front fender causing the vehicle to sheer left, my side tires were the first to leap off the asphalt I shut my eyes during the mid suspension as the car lurched in the air wreaking on the tar with an unceasing roll,

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