Horned Dawnbringer

The remnants of the bog

[Ezekiel]

My skin started to itch like crazy on our way back to Italy. I felt a disgusting feeling like millions of bugs crawling all over me, the scent of the decaying swamp water made it worse.

That was rather strange... That swamp felt like we weren't even on this planet. It was rather alien, the jarring part is that there was no bugs, no birds in sight, no swamp creatures such as frogs, fish, or the various amphibians.
Even the hottest mesas and deserts of Mexico had more life than here to which I recall.
The only life in this bog was this tall grass, it looked rather weak and wilted, most was turning into peat. The stuff alive was barely hanging on by a thread.

Unlike normal swamp water, a brownish greenish tint, visible to see fish in the shallow pools at some times of the year as seen in some of the subtropical wilderness between the farms and olive and almond plantations, this water was pure black, and left a tar-like residue on the skin. It an almost rainbow shimmer.

Slowly, I started to see double, my ears were ringing loudly at this point. My skin started burning like crazy.

Have I been poisoned? Aryn laid there unconscious in her chair.

At this point we were landing on the western coast of France to get our passports checked.

Unfortunately when the inspector boarded our flight, he was met with the odor that plagued us. I began to scramble out of my seat to get my passport.

"There was another person earlier, what happened to him? And what the hell is that smell?! Were you guys in a sewer?!"

"It's me sir," Antonio called from the can, "I might be having the worst shit in my life." I nearly let out a cackle, but kept my composure.

"What kind of shit smells like death?!"

"A severe gut infection sir, and my life mostly consists of beans and McDonald's."

"Antonio, is it? That's way too much information. You might need to see a doctor, and don't forget the covid test, along with that."

We both began to hear shuffling in the bathroom.

"...So you want my-"
"Don't bother, Antonio Prezzi is it? You're on our records, I'm going to leave now. (I feel bad for the others.) I'm getting a headache from your horrible shit stink so I'll be going now."

The others had a similar reaction to this mess. I guess this bathroom excuse worked! Though I feel horrible for poor old Toni.

After a long flight we finally made it home. Fortunately, before we landed Aryn came to.

[Theresa]

Under the weight of everything, the distress of my husband being in prison, watching Haywood's girlfriend and kids get their lives taken in front of me. Blood began to rush through my veins as they started to grow.

Radial arteries starting to turn grow into the size of syringes.

My body began to weaken, as the sickening sweet aroma of death began to fill the air. I collapsed to the ground, dry heaving as my body began to heat up and ache deeply.

Then suddenly, on my back I felt a sharp stabbing pain..

[Benny]

I don't know where I am. All I can see is darkness.

Then right in front of me, something flashed before my eyes.

"I've got a gift for you. For your newfound team. I may no longer be here but I wish you guys the best."

Scout...?

The strange woman that approached me in a matter of days ago, she told me of my powers. The hacker.