Taken by the fog

The third calling

"I can't tonight." Jackson told everyone. "I'll hear it some other time."
"Fine by me." Vaughn replied, to which everyone agreed. 

I arrived at the cafeteria before eight o'clock. Sharon and Katy were already on the red side of the room.
"Where did you get the nerve to stand up to Orson?"
"Do you have a death wish?"
"Are you crushing on Orson?"
They fired a ton of different questions to me.
"What nerve? I don't have a death wish and I rather am eaten by sharks than have a crush on Orson." My simple answer seemed to shut them up for a while. I looked at the door as everyone slowly entered. Thankfully Ayden entered shortly after, finally a sane person to talk to.
"Ready for the calling?" He asked. I shook my head in reply. Everyone seemed stressed since no one knows who will be taken. I nearly screamed as I felt someone slip a note into my pocket. I looked down and noticed Lilith slipping out of the room.

'Watch your back at today's calling. Don't do anything crazy. This calling is chosen by Orson, he didn't get the order for another calling.'

The message was short, but it was long enough to send a shiver down my spine. Orson has lost his mind, he went his own way without consulting the 'ruler' or whatever his name is. Note to self, figure it out!
"What is it?" Ayden asked, I slipped him the note and he scoffed as he read it. "I wish I could say I was surprised."
"Good thing I'm partnered with you and Jackson and not Judith. Makes my life a little bit more bearable."
"A little?" Ayden pretended to be insulted.
"Yes, you get on my nerves. Is it too late to switch?" I bumped my shoulder against his.
"That's what they call friends nowadays." Ayden sighed. Finally, Orson gave the order to move, everyone rose and searched their partners.
"Let's get this show on the road." Ayden mumbled as Jackson joined us.

Ayden, Jackson and I entered a different position than my previous crossing. When we crossed, I lost my balance and stumbled into the real world. Both of them stretched their arms and saved me from a painful fall.
"Thanks." I mumbled under my breath.
"You are a klutz." Jackson simply answered.
"Some things you should know. We don't know who is taken, only the silvers will know." We both looked in confusion at Ayden. "Orson let it slip to Lilith who told me right before I entered the cafeteria. Jen, whoever gets taken. Please, don't intercept. Let it happen and help them in the fog. Don't try to save them, it will cost you, us and the person they want to take." I nodded in reply. Just stay still and don't do anything.

Before the calling would start, we had to do a sort of round-up. Which basically meant we had to walk around in town and let the fog appear. Ayden, Jackson and I were assigned to the street where Mike lived.
"I'll be back in a second." I quickly said as I ran to the house. They had listened and a window was open. TJ and Mike were sitting on the couch.
"Since when does the fog enter a house?" TJ panicked.
"Maybe it's Jen!" Mike yelled.
"And I'm Beyoncé." TJ replied sarcastically earning him a glare from Mike. There was a notebook on the table with a marker next to it. I quickly picked it up and started to write.

'Guys, Jen here. You have to do something for me. Find a book called: Fog and mystery. It holds some answers, keep it at hand so when I cross again I can make notes.'

Mike noticed the pen moving and both of them slowly made their way to the table.
"Told you." He taunted TJ.
"Good for you, hope you're happy." TJ replied sarcastically. The fog disappeared with me as I left the house.
"You done?" Jackson asked irritated.
"Dude, give it a rest. I did the same for you for your first calling." Ayden helped me out. I smiled gratefully as we made our way back to our assigned spot.

We were standing on the south of the square, facing the church. Everyone started to assemble and the square was filled within five minutes. It broke my heart to see everyone, my parents and Jason still being emotional from the last fog. The square slowly started to fill with fog as the people started to get restless. I breathed deeply, trying to calm my nerves.
"It's okay." Jackson comforted me. "Callings are always nerve-wracking."
"Then why not." I started off but Jackson shook his head to make me stop. Ayden shushed us and pointed at the square. We had a great view of the calling, which honestly concerned me. Everyone else was further back, more in hiding. Am I supposed to see it this close?

"Welcome." Orson shouted. "Today's calling has a little twist to it. No one will feel the eagle burning on their skin. You will receive the eagle when you get a chain thrown at you."
"Why?" The mayor asked. Everyone gasped as the last time someone spoke to the fog, they were instantly taken, aka the annoying piece of trash he calls his daughter. No hard feelings towards her.
"Thank you for asking." Orson stated. "We wanted to switch things up a bit. Keeps the mind fresh and sharp." His eyes were focused on me for the last part. I rolled my eyes and silently cursed under my breath.
"He's doing it to annoy me." I explained to Ayden and Jackson.
"Let's get started shall we." Orson smiled.

Three chains were thrown. I saw the guilt on Sam's face as he threw the chain. Two elderly and another man in his twenties were taken. I recognized the man from working in the hospital, that's all I knew. Both Ayden and Jackson let out their breath.
"Something more will happen." I said slowly.
"What do you mean?" Ayden asked a little bit stressed.
"Look at Orson, look at that devious smile. He's up to something." I got really concerned and stressed right now.
"We're not done yet." Orson shouted as a few people started to leave. Everyone froze, for years the callings consisted of three people. Orson grabbed the chain from Sam's hands and walked forward. He threw the chain and I almost let out a scream. Sam's face was in shock and disbelief.

TJ.

***