The Eden Projects (EDITING)

Chapter 13. Into the Eye.

Kasper woke up with a dizzying sensation. 

He could feel the stale, humid air on his face. How it suffocated him and pressed against his skin in loving dimples. He felt the condensation call up goosebumps on his skin. "Mnhh-" For a moment, he wondered if he had crossed over, if he had slipped into another realm. If the pressing was from pounds of dirt laid over his corpse.

Then, he opened his eyes, blinking against the dimness that surrounded him. "Uhhnmhh-" His breath was acidic against his tongue. His own blood laced his breath. The metallic taste filled his mouth, and a wave of panic surged through him as he looked about, trying to gather his bearings as his eyes cleared. Where am I? Then he heard it. The padding of feet.

"Kas?" Zak's voice came with a slam against him as he tried to right himself. "Thank God!" Zak's nervous laughter was hot against his ear. "We were worried-" He felt himself relax and his vision came with it. The squiggling aura that tugged at his vision pulled away, letting in the light.

"Where am I?" Kasper whispered. He was thirsty and his aching throat made sure that he knew it.

"I told you he'd be fine," Zak said exasperatedly, his voice tinged with relief. "You're miles from Ace." He released Kasper and scooted back slightly to gauge the situation. It wasn't a question borne out of uncertainty; it was an assurance, everything had to be just that: fine. Zak's eyes searched Kasper's for any hint of distress.

Kasper nodded, looking past Zak. He could make out Archer's back. He was seated behind a cashiers counter studying the wall. An awkward intensity ebbed from him.

"Is everyone okay?" Kasper asked. He didn't know if he was "fine" and simply couldn't remember what had made him black out or if Adam had taken over. All he remembered was Zero. "Zero..." He whispered. So low it was barely audible. Zero... He thought, the image so burnt into the back of his eyes that he couldn't dare close them for more than a second at a time. It had been so long since he had thought about him. He missed his brother.

"It's gonna be too late to travel soon; the flocks got a lead now." Archer rose to stand, nearly knocking his stool over in his haste as he pulled his backpack from the countertop. "We're gonna have to drive straight through," he added, determination etched on his face. He pushed one of the roller doors aside with a firm grip, exposing them to the quieted storm outside, where the remnants of the tempest still swirled. "Glad you're back with us, Kas," he said, a light smile breaking through his otherwise serious demeanor.

"Right." Zak grabbed his pack and helped Kasper gather his with much steadier hands.

An eerie quiet had settled on Kasper. It was an emptiness. A void. Hello?  

He, for the first time in years, heard nothing. Strange...

They packed up the truck quickly. 

"Did I... do anything?" Kasper spoke through the window at the trucks rear.

Where are you Adam?

Archer closed the door, the side window had shattered and the roof was denting in on his side. He banged his fist into the warped area cursing. "No, other than wreck my truck with your ass."

Kasper exhaled, relieved that he hadn't hurt anyone, or worse, made a meal of them. "Sorry about that."

Zak worked in his own way to explain what had happened; he kept dodging eye contact and persisted in finishing the story, as if the act of sharing it was some kind of obligation he had to fulfill. He didn't rabbit trail, he didn't linger too long on any one thing, and not once did he hold his breath. The way he usually told his stories had a certain swooping swagger.