Blood Moon Lake

Chapter 18

Walking away from the library, we began down the street toward the edge of town. Brian's dismembered body lay not too far from the library. There was barely any flesh on it. I could feel bile rising in my throat, but I swallowed it down.

Was he alive while those things ate him? Was he scared? He must have been. I'm sure everyone here was. The people he sacrificed were scared, too. I guess that's what he gets. I turned away from his body. Justice comes in odd ways, but it certainly came.

We continued walking down the street, and I strained my ears for any noise that sounded like screaming. Thankfully, the only sound was our footsteps thumping against the asphalt. I glanced around, trying to spot any movement, since Greer is with us, they know we know the demon's weaknesses. They might have told them to be quiet. I don't want them to sneak up on us. Not when we haven't even made it out of the time loop yet.

As soon as we do, we'll be back in our time. Back in our time... what will we have to face out there? How much destruction was caused while we were away? Are my sister and her family safe? What will happen to us? Things couldn't have changed that quickly, right? I mean, we were only gone for a week or two. It's not like we'll be walking into a desolate wasteland. The environment can't change that rapidly. Unless time works differently here. No, Margret would have told us. What if she forgot or didn't think to tell us? No, no, no! She wouldn't forget something that important. It'll be fine, right?

What if we're ambushed the second we step outside? What about Brian's followers? Will the ones that are still alive come after us? What will happen if they do? Margret said the backpack would give us what we need, so I'm sure it can make guns; they are small weapons after all.

Once we're out, I can make a plan to find Greer. The sooner I do, the safer we'll be. Until then, I need to find a way to keep them close so they're easier to watch. Glancing around, Ella, Jack, and Anna were up ahead having some sort of conversation, and Leo walked beside them, voicing his opinion every once in a while. No point in trying anything if they're already sticking close. Jogging up to them, I tuned into the conversation.

"No, we should go to McDonald's," Anna argued.

Oh, they're talking about food. Tuning them back out, my eyes landed on the adults in front of us.

"If you want to survive, you can't let people slow you down." Leo's voice whispered in my head. He's right. They would ditch us if it came down to them and survival. I'd hate to do it, but we might have to leave them behind. I don't trust them, and they already proved they'd sacrifice us if they had to. That's what they did with their last group. ...I'll wait till we absolutely need to get rid of them. I wouldn't feel right just leaving them.

Tuning back into my friend's conversation, I piped up. "Why are we talking about food?"

"We're trying to decide where to go after all of this is over," Jack replied.

"Seriously?" I asked.

Ella shrugged. "It's better than thinking about demons and our impending doom."

I nodded. "Fair point, settle on anything?"

"Denney's," Anna replied.

"Why Denney's?" I asked, confused.

Leo looked at me like I was an idiot. "So, we can burn it down afterward."

"Oh," I said, "Sounds fire."

Anna laughed. "Nice pun! I knew you'd be on board!"

I smiled. "You know I can't resist arson."

She grinned. "That's why I suggested it."