The Book of Dema

CHAPTER SIXTEEN + This Song Will Never Be on the Radio

Josh had suggested the First Circle go out immediately after the loss of Antonio and his team. They needed some time together. He felt strongly that they could use a successful outing on the heels of the first real setback to the Skeleton Clique since its formation. He also wanted it to be clear why they started the rescue missions in the first place.

The whole group gathered this night: Sean, Carter, Julie, Michael, Morgan, Josh and Tyler. They had never let the team expand beyond the original seven. Many of the teams had grown much larger, which had allowed them to rotate people in and out of action. Those Circles were less fatigued. They had also proven less able to create the familiarity the smaller teams relied upon to rescue a greater number of people from the doors.

The First Circle had been a tight, well-functioning unit right up until the text messages began to circulate about Antonio's unilateral action. The accusations bounced back and forth almost immediately, Sean leading the way. He had pressed Tyler after the last meeting for some response to Antonio. He had argued for support. He had argued they should address his concerns quickly. Tyler's only answer was to wait and then to join the Third Circle on their outing. Sean believed the team had hoped Josh and Tyler would be taken as well. It alarmed the rest of the FIrst Circle. That was mutiny. The entire mission was based on Tyler's call to arms by the White Wolf. If Tyler were neutralized, they were convinced the whole operation would collapse. Tyler had not responded during the furious exchange. For thirty-six hours the debate continued, until Josh had finally called for a gathering and an outing.

Josh and Tyler had discussed their goals for the evening. They hoped some of the usual camaraderie would emerge. They wanted the old successes to lift their mood. But even during dinner at the sandwich shop in the German Village, the discussion lodged in a series of ruts.

There was more talk about the Third Circle. Michael also had his own problems. He was agitated that his door dreams had returned. Morgan was pressing Sean, insisting that while he was the Circle's spokesman, he was not in charge. Julie sat quietly, eyes locked on Tyler. He had glanced back at her to diffuse her gaze, but nothing changed. Twice he asked her what was bothering her. "If you don't know, I can't help you," she had said. He gave warming her mood one more attempt, eventually giving up to focus on his food. As she continued to glower, he had finally shifted his body away from her so he didn't have to face her while he sat at the picnic table, eating his cream cheesie sandwich. It was his favorite, but he was enjoying none of this.

Bizarrely, Michael had challenged his sandwich selection at the counter. He demanded to know how he thought a veggie was going to sustain him through the evening. Tyler had teasingly accused him of being the King of Meats, and Sean had to intervene before an actual argument broke out.

Josh watched it all, wondering if going out was still a good idea.

Josh also observed his friend's fraying ends. Tyler was still running hot after Antonio's betrayal. Josh tried to settle him down, but the effort was wasted. "Let me be me," Tyler snapped back. That would have been fine with Josh, except Tyler was raging. This was not the "me" Josh cared to accompany on the night's outing.

At five forty-five, the alarm on Sean's watch buzzed. It was time to leave. Michael got into his own car to pick up the young woman they would defend. Julie went with him. The rest got into the van and found seats in the back. Morgan and Sean continued to bicker on the way to the staging site.

Tyler was getting fed up. The sharp exchanges felt like stabbing pains in the back of his head. His irritation level was in the red.

"You two have to stop. What is the issue? Morgan, Sean's been at this longer than anyone. Why are you picking at him about whether he's the leader or not?" For a moment, she stopped gnawing at Sean and looked towards the front of the van, but not directly at Tyler.