Twisted Wonderland 2

A Plan of Action

Later into the night, you and the boys sit around the campfire. The forest is eerily quiet. Not even the crickets are chirping, as if knowing something else is out there with them.

Cater tilts his head back with a groan. "Being on lookout is so boring when nothing's happening. Feels like time has slowed to a crawl. Any idea what time it is, Kalim?"

"No, but I'm guessing it's like three a.m.?"

Trey rolls up the sleeve of his jacket and checks the time on his watch. "It's just gone one. Didn't you bring a watch?"

Kalim shrugs. "Maybe? It might be in my backpack."

Cater sheepishly laughs. "I never wear a watch. I usually just use my phone."

"It's seriously only one a.m.?" Grim slouches beside you. "Boy, time moves like molasses when there's nothin' to do."

Rook glances to the fire and notices it getting low. "Oh dear, we're just about out of firewood. I'll go get some more. Would someone care to join me?"

"I will!" Kalim stands, turning to Grim. "Wanna come too, Grim? Since you're bored."

Grim shakes his head. "No way, no how! I gotta preserve my energy."

"You do?" Trey tilts his head but then remembers. "Oh, right, so you can stay awake for your shift."

Rook nods. "Then Kalim and myself shall go. We'll be right back."

"Thanks, guys!" Cater waves to them.

"Be careful." You say.

Kalim smiles to you. "We will. See you soon!"

With that, the two boys leave the light of the campfire. After a little while, Jade steps out of his tent.

"It's just about my turn to keep watch." He glances around. "Hm, we appear to be missing some people."

"Yeah, Rook and Kalim went to grab more firewood." Trey informs.

"Mornin', Jade!" Cater greets the twin. "Sleep well?"

Jade nods as he sits beside you. "Why yes, thank you for asking. You're all welcome to go rest now."

Trey chuckles. "Thanks, I'll take you up on that."

Vil walks over, clearing his throat. "Excuse me, but I need to talk with you all."

"Oh hey, Vil." Trey looks over to the Housewarden. "What's up?"

"I just went to go on my shift and saw that our club was down several people." Vil says. "They're supposedly getting firewood, but the situation being what it is, I'm a tad concerned."

Grim snickers. "You sure they didn't just run off 'cuz they were scared of you, Vil?"

Vil folds his arms and glowers at the cat. "I don't yell at them, you know. I simply give warning when they don't do their jobs."

Grim shrugs. "That's still pretty harsh."

Trey brings a hand to his chin with a hum. "It doesn't make sense that a bunch of them would just run off in the middle of the night when we're on high alert."

"Good point." Jade agrees. "Surely they know that regardless of what's going on, it's dangerous to leave the group." He smirks. "They must have been QUITE afraid of Vil's ire."

Vil rolls his eyes. "Even in a time of crisis you just have to get a dig in, don't you?"

Trey looks to the forest bathed in shadows. "We'd better stay sharp."