Sage Hill and the Stones of Power

Chapter 7

"And you called me theatrical?" Julian said.

"No, that was Cam, I'm the one that who's calling you a self-centered smart-aleck."

"Julian, silence." Cam commanded. "You still want to come?"

"Izzy would never let me live it down if I said no."

"That isn't what I asked,"

"Yes, I still want to come. Are you going to answer my question?"

"Yes, on that Zack was more or less spot on." She told me as she put the car in gear, "We are anyone who doesn't fit in Everlasting and everyone who doesn't make it into another group, we are arguably the weakest, but I like to think of us as a wild card, whoever gets us on their side has numbers. That, I think, makes us pretty powerful in its own sense."

"So who's side are you on?"

"That's, complicated. As of right now, we're on our own side. Julian, what is it?! I'm driving!" Julian had been frantically waving and being distracting enough for me to question if driving with him in the car was legal. "Oh! Sorry, you can speak now."

"You missed the turn." He said. Cam slammed on the breaks.

"These roads make no sense!"

"So, I'm guessing you're not from around here."

"I grew up in Brooklyn; the day that all roads are grids I will rejoice."

"Where are we going?"

"A rental house off of one of these dirt roads. How far back was it?"

"'About a mile. Good job Cam, if I ever want to get lost in the middle of nowhere again I'll just let you drive."

"Julian, shut up and tell me when to turn. I don't see you driving anytime soon." Cam did a U-turn which threw me up against the door. "Sorry."

"So, how long have you been driving?" I asked.

"Um, about two months now."

"Oh."

"Turn here, and would you kindly not tell me to shut up again in the next five minutes, it's getting on my nerves." We took a hard left

"Why did I bring you along?"

"It must've been my irresistible charm, wasn't it?"

"I'm almost certain it was more along the lines of 'So you don't mess everything up.' but that's just what I've gathered." I smiled at him sweetly. Cam chuckled quietly as Julian dramatically gawked at me,

"I am hurt. You know where that hurt? That hurt right here." He tapped above his heart.

"Ah, but it's just so fun!" I replied.

"Why is it okay when she's sarcastic? Why do you only yell at me?"

"Because you deserve it." I laughed with them, well, more at than with Julian, but it looked like he didn't mind. All things considered, this was going decently, I should've know it wasn't going to last.

We turned onto a long dirt road and followed it up a winding, hilly road. Cam parked the car near a lightly wooded area that I knew well, there was a path from here that lead to my favorite outlook spot, a field that gave a stunning view of Smugglers Notch. As far as I knew there was no houses other places that would be fit for a "temporary base." Cam pulled to the side of the road and put the car in park.

"We walk from here." She told me. We climbed out of the car and started trekking through the trails that were mostly maintained by the local deer population. When we reached a clearing, I had to admit I was extremely impressed.

Cam's group had set up a tent city in the middle of nowhere, and yes, they were all in a very organized grid. Stone faced kids were patrolling the perimeter, they looked about my age, but there was nothing childish about them. I looked at Cam, who looked at Julian.

"I didn't tell anyone to guard." He said, analyzing the scene in front of him.

"I didn't either, we need to find Naomi."

"Who's Naomi?"

"The person we left in charge. Come on." I followed Cam and Julian as they walked purposefully into the camp. Cam walked up to the nearest tent and went in, Julian began to follow, he bumped into her as he stopped abruptly.

"You're back," I heard from inside.

"What are you do here?" Cam asked.

"Isn't it obvious? You have something we want."

"Sage isn't a 'something.'" Cam responded, "I don't remember giving you permission to be here so get out of my camp." She stepped aside to let them do just that, only they weren't about to move out so quickly.

"Oh I'm sorry, did I miss the part where you actually had some authority here?" I heard.

"Leave now or I'll make you leave," Cam told them. The person inside pushed his way past her.

"Last time I checked, you don't have the power to do that."

"Last time you checked, Timmy, was over a year ago." Timmy paused, turning around slowly to face Cam again, the tension laid thick between them, I waited for one of them to explode.

"It's Reis to you, Restricted." Whatever that meant, it had the effect of pouring gasoline on a fire, but Cam didn't get mad the way I expected. She smirked, I would have thought it was okay if she yelled, or simmered, or even stay silent, I would have known couldn't have done anything else, but a smirk? There was something more to that, she knew, and was going to enjoy, whatever came next. And I was in the dark.

"It'll always be Timmy to me." In that instant a flash of silver crossed my vision, before I knew it there was a wicked looking dagger at Timmy's, or Reis's throat. "You really should learn to change where you hide your weapons." Timmy stared wide eyed at Cam, like he was seeing her for the first time.

"When did you-"

"Leave. Now."

"You're still weak." Timmy set his jaw, Great. I thought, He isn't going anywhere. "There was a reason you could never make it with us." The dagger flew back in our direction. We scattered, but apparently not quick enough,

"Ow!" I heard Julian behind me, I turned immediately. Cam did too,

You and Julian get out, now. Timmy is my problem. Cam and I locked eyes, Yes, if you would just experiment with your powers you'd know that mind reading can be telepathy with the right people. Now go!

Thinking back, I really should have listened.