The Dead Scout's Handbook of Afterlife Survival

Chapter Twenty: The Worst Slumber Party Ever

Save for a rectangle of moonlight stretching from the window, Cayden awoke to complete darkness, wrenched from his dreams by something akin to a door slamming. Heart racing, he watched the dust particles dance and sat up to a creak from below the pine-paneled floor. In the dim light, the heavy, wooden, bedroom door remained shut beneath a heavier shadow. A musty, oak scent wafted through the stuffy second story, over three pairs of legs stretching into the light. Soft, restful breathing echoed from all sides.

Another floorboard creaked downstairs as a lock clicked shut. Cayden crouched by the window and peered outside at the settling snow, finding two sets of prints looping around the house. Gazing across the room, only Sarah's long, raven hair reflected the dull glow as she pressed her forehead against the opposite window. The dimly lit snowflakes flurried about the outline of her sharp jawline and glass-smooth complexion as she glanced at the door.

He spun away at the sound of rumbling footsteps thumping on the staircase, clutching the windowpane, and igniting a small flame in his palm.

They're coming, Cayden. The voice from before whispered.

Feeling his lips curl, his chest tightened, and a growl built in his throat. He suppressed it all on the realization that Sarah was watching him.

"It's Charlie. You can hold off on burning the building down."

"How do you know? There are two trails of prints!"

"Round trip adventures usually do that. He probably went on a crusade, christening the earth on his righteous travels." When Cayden didn't appear convinced, Sarah's expression softened. "Hey, don't worry, I know you're taking on a lot being the strongest of us, but you gotta trust us. We've got your back."

Blood pulsated through Cayden's neck as the thumping climbed up the stairs, through the hallway and stopped. "Whh..who is it?"

"Who do you suppose?" rumbled Charlie's voice, heavy with an odd gurgling, as if he had a mouth full of water.

"Are you okay? Rebecca, you really don't sound so good."

Another long pause followed. "Who is it?" Cayden pressed.

"Rebecca. You already said that," came Charlie's spittling words.

Sarah rolled her eyes and yanked open the door. Face blank aside from the glimmer of saliva at the corner of his lips, Charlie lurched through the entryway. He shuffled toward his resting position, settling to his knees.

"What's wrong with you?" Cayden asked.

"Tired," he mumbled and collapsed with a thump as his face hit the floor.

Sarah shook her head and sighed. "Go to bed. He's just tired. This may be the last peaceful sleep we get for weeks." Still uncertain, Cayden examined her and his near-comatose, best friend. "I know you're freaked out, I'm scared too. Right now, though, we need you in tip-top shape."

Cayden considered his words, then blurted out, "Why do you go off on your own so much?"

Sarah's face twisted into astonishment then she sighed and slouched against the wall. "That's how I am and how I'm supposed to be, I guess. I also don't feel at home here or understand any of this, so I spend much of my time thinking. This world gives me pretty scenery, incredible powers, and a cool temperature whenever I wish. Yet, I just want a shower, a book and something fluffy to pet."

"Yeah. I haven't found this place to be quite as nice as Charlie and Rebecca, either."

"No, but they have each other. Whoever we loved didn't come with us" Folding her arms over her chest, Sarah rotated her back to Cayden.