General Lee's Revenge--A Dark and Stormy Night

Chapter Seven: The Plan

(A/N: Trying my hand at more detailed descriptions. Just an attempt to improve my writing:)

A thick fog had shrouded the land, the morning sun invisible through the stark, gray sky. It was as if the Heavens knew of the Hell that had been unleashed here. A thick haze hung in the air, only as high as the street lamps. In the distance, the face of a church could be made out, its steeple ascending into the haze.

A chilling wind blew from all around, trees barren of their leaves, standing along the street sides like skeletal gargoyles, ready to reach down and grab anyone or anything up off the sidewalk.

It was there that Luke was jolted awake by Daisy's touch. The sweet girl watched her beloved cousin flinch, bringing his shoulders up, eyes opening wide, pupils dilating. He immediately sat himself upright, looking left and right before meeting her eyes.

"I told you not to wake him up," Cooter said.

He was slumped over the roll cage, arms hanging in front of him, wearing an unamused expression. Clayton sat in his own corner, hat covering his face, giving the impression that he may be asleep. However, at the sound of the ruckus, stirred to remove it and reveal that he was very much awake.

"What happened?" Luke asked in a strained voice.

"Nothin', I told 'em to leave ya be," Cooter explained.

"We're here," General rumbled.

It was then that Luke realized that they were parked.

"We're here?" Luke repeated. "Springfield?"

Daisy nodded. "Main street, there's a convenience store across the street."

That immediately sparked an idea. "Great, they'll have a map."

He quickly moved to climb out, however, upon jumping out into the open air, found that it was nearly freezing cold. It was also then that he realized that the rest of them were dressed quite warmly as well. Daisy climbed out as well, her aviator's jacket lined with sheep's wool seemingly keeping her quite warm. Cooter had a coat as well, his grease and grime covered one which sported a strip of duct tape on the chest with his name written in black permanent marker.

"Well, this sure is a change of climate," Luke said, shivering.

Daisy brought him a jacket with a smile, holding it as he shrugged into it. "Good thing I came prepared."

Luke looked back at her fondly. "I knew I brought you along for a reason."

Daisy scoffed and slugged him in the arm, though, Luke felt near to nothing underneath the denim and sheep's wool.

Soon enough, Cooter and Clayton were at his side, though not a word was spoken between them. Either Cooter had been worn thin of his boundaries or somebody had finally done something about their bantering.

Luke's gaze was set to the other side of the vacant street where the white glow of the convenience store washed the street with light. The four of them crossed the street quickly, while there appeared to be no cars coming, one might benefit to be unsure in the fog.

The interior of the store was quiet and warm; Luke delighted in the fact that he could no longer see his breath.

Within moments, Luke had gotten his hands on a map at the entrance of the store, Daisy had disappeared into the bathroom, Cooter was filling a styrofoam cup with coffee, and Clayton was talking to the dull-eyed teenager at the counter.

Expecting the kid to be afraid, Clayton presented himself with an odd mantra of questions and statements. The young clerk, however, was unphased. Their eyebrows, which had been shaven into thin strikes of brown, barely raised when a spark of flame burst from Clayton's fingertip.