Path of the Damned: Consequences

Chapter 3: Brotherhood in Flames; Josh Vs. Shane

"HELP ME!"

Josh jolted awake as his heart raced. He sat up in the bed he was in with Tabby while heavily breathing. Another night, another nightmare. He looked over at her and noticed he had not disturbed her and she was still fast asleep. It was very early in the morning and through the window, was shining the first light of the day. Josh hung his head in his hands as he tried to remember what his nightmare was like.

Same old story of the empty road in the void, rain pouring down, figure under the street lamp. He was still confused on why the figure shrouded in dark clothing had changed, it was clearly no longer the shimmer man. Was the girl under the hood Emily, or was it the other person he saw a couple nights ago? The question itself gave him a slight headache. He decided to go splash some water on his face and get ready for the day. After he threw on some clothes and quickly ate an apple from the kitchen, he decided to head outside to get some fresh air.

He put on some shoes and made his way through the front door. The first thing he noticed is that the air felt.....off. Something was wrong. It didn't take long for him to realize that he wasn't the only one awake. As he gazed over the landscape, he saw Shane atop of the hill by the willow tree. Swallowing his pride, he decides to go up to meet Shane and see what he's doing.

As he approaches, Shane is facing away from him. The crunch of his footsteps on the ground can be heard, but Shane doesn't budge. When Josh is merely a few feet behind him, Shane raises his shoulders and postures up.

"Why are you out here alone?" Josh shakily starts the conversation.

"Thinking. Training. Planning." Shane answered, to Josh's surprise.

"You know, I honestly think you are taking this all a bit too far." Josh responded.

"What makes you say that? The fact that my sister is missing and the world is in danger?" Shane says with malice.

"You are scaring everyone dude, it's been nonstop since we got here." Josh responded, replicating his tone.

"Fuck you Josh." Shane spits out.

"Wow dude..." Josh says, feeling anger welling up inside of him.

"What do you have to worry about really? You go to sleep for two weeks and my whole world goes to shit. Cole and I have been out scouring the streets of that dirty ass city, in constant danger, and you are what? Having nightmares? Grow the fuck up." Shane says as he turns around and faces him.

Josh twitches and clenches his fists, but says nothing.

"You are pathetic Josh. You know that? You don't have real problems. Everything is all in that stupid head of yours. Maybe if you actually took the anti depressants you were given years ago, you'd be in a different boat right now." He continues.

"Shane, I'm warning you." Josh mutters.

"Or what? You are gonna use the ability that you DON'T have?" Shane yelled, noticing Josh's hands were clinched.

"Shane...." Josh quietly said. 

"Do you even care that Emily is still missing? She's still out there and you have moved on like the fuck boy that you are. I know you hooked up with Tabby last night. Is that the whole reason why you vouched for her to come here? So you could fuck her? God it is taking everything in me not to beat the fuck out of you right now." Shane roared at him, his blue energy starting to flicker around him.

"I'm done Shane." Josh responds while looking him in the eyes.

Josh took note of the blue sparks starting to show in Shane's eyes. Despite his anger, he decided to drop what was happening and go back to the cabin. He turned around to get off the hill, but was cut off by Shane's voice one last time.