Something Wicked This Way Comes

Chapter 30

Harley woke to the sounds of birds of paradise screaming the call of their people clear across miles of rain forest canopy. He groaned and tucked his face into his arms, curling up even more. He vaguely heard someone chuckle—Jim maybe—and the shuffling of feet against stone. Then something nudged his side.

"I think it's time to get up." Jim said.

Harley groaned his protest. "No."

"Come on," Douxie chided from somewhere in the cave. "We should keep moving. Before the Drudes come back, or we find worse."

Harley huffed, but forced his eyes open. Jim was leaning over him, still armor-clad but had a... bowl? In his hand? He blinked. "What's that?"

"Breakfast." the king answered. "Come on."

Harley sat up groggily. He looked around. The fire was going again, a makeshift pot levitating over it. A shimmer of blue could be seen around the pot.

Douxie was multitasking magic tasks. Levitating the cooking pot, crafting another bowl from a slab of wood, making some sort of ladle from another piece of wood. He also looked remarkably cheerful.

"Why?" was all the demigod said.

"Because we need to eat," Douxie answered. "Food is fuel."

Harley opened and closed his mouth. "Where did you get the food?"

Douxie smirked. He didn't look up at either of them, focusing on what his hands were doing. "Do you know how long I've had to hunt for my own food? Longer than grocery stores have been around."

Jim laughed. "Douxie is a wizard at hunting."

Harley rolled his eyes, taking the bowl when Jim handed it out to him. "You're worse than my dads." he grumbled.

"What?" Jim questioned.

"Dad jokes," Douxie said with a smile. "Two dads, twice the jokes."

"Oh," Jim nodded. "Got it."

Harley rolled his eyes and brought the bowl up to his lips. The broth was salty, and didn't have much of any other flavor besides that. Still, it was probably the most delicious thing Harley had ever eaten. He tipped the bowl back, taking a big gulp.

Jim laughed again, handing him a carved wooden spoon. "Slow down there, kid. You'll give yourself heartburn."

Harley made a disgruntled noise in response, but accepted the spoon also. He scooped up some mystery meat and ate that too. It was delicious.

Jim flashed his older brother a winning smile. "I'd say Operation: Wake Up Harley was a rousing success."

Douxie chuckled as he approached them, giving Jim a new spoon. "I'll say." he looked at Harley. "You know you sleep like the dead?"

"Ooh, funny. Haven't heard that one before."

Jim and Douxie exchanged glances.

"Damn," Jim muttered. "Where was this kid back in the Underworld? Who knew you were this snippy?"

"I'm not a morning person," Harley complained.

"You sound like Carter," wizard and king said in unison.

Harley resisted the urge to roll his eyes again. In truth, he was just grumpy and that contributed to his attitude... after all, he hadn't slept well. Those dreams kept coming back... terrible dreams. Drowning and fire and a goddess in the middle of it all, cackling at their demise.

"Harley?" Jim knelt in front of him, expression having turned from amused to worried in an instant. "Kid, you okay?"

"Mm," Harley slowly lowered the bowl into his lap. "I didn't sleep well."