Jake almost didn't remember where he was, and why he was lying on literally stone-cold ground. Because, well, it was stone he was lying on.
Would it be too early to start picking some of them off?
A part of him told him to wait a little longer. Another part told him no. He still had to battle the hunger pains that filled his entire being. Even though he didn't want to admit it, he felt alone without Haliow there.
He realized the only person out already was John. Jake thought he could see a shadow where the light leaked into the cave. The smart thing to do would be to befriend their leader.
As soon as he stepped out of the dark and into the still weak morning sun, his skin tingled in protest. He paused before admitting defeat and stepping back into the safety of the darkness.
John turned around. "What's wrong?" he asked, probably sensing his discomfort.
Crap. Jake never was a fluent liar. He decided to start making a list why he shouldn't have been turned by Haliow.
"Um..." he started. The lie he was about to tell had to do. "I have a condition where I can't exactly be out in the sun," he said pathetically.
He thought he saw John's eyes flicker before raising his eyebrows. "Really? What's the name of that condition?"
"My mom was the only one who could remember," Jake managed. "Look, I'm not lying. It really hurts if I do."
When Jake stepped out of the darkness, his pale skin turned to a disturbed pink in a matter of moments. Jake could feel John starting to crumble to his lie.
"All right," John said. A sudden cry went up in the cave behind them.
John raced back to the cave. Jake was about to follow him when a sudden tap on his shoulder made him jump.
At first, no one was there. Then, he noticed a strange pattern of stones on the ground. He turned to face them properly so it wasn't upside down to him.
'Meet you there bud.'
<> <> <>
Turned out the screaming was only there because Carmen had had a panic attack. John was already at the scene of course, with Sundae and Quentin at his side.
"Sorry, but... I don't remember you," Quentin said hesitantly. It was strange. Carmen had been certain they had been together at one point, maybe even as girlfriend and boyfriend.
I hate this, Jake thought. Somehow they were thrown in here by someone, and they were forced to make things right again, not knowing who everyone is.
I'll be the only one who can set things right again. Already, he had dismissed the message at the end of the cave. It was probably just someone messing with him who had declined the offer to join the group. Honestly, Jake had no clue what type of person would turn down an offer like that, but it didn't matter. Yet.
"Jake, come here," John abruptly said, pulling them away from the gathering people.
Confused, Jake shook his head.
"Now that I know about your... Condition, things will change," he said. "I don't know if you'll be able to stay here."
He understood. That would be the exact same thing he would do if e was leader.
"It's best to not get too attached," John said. "So I suggest to make yourself as scarce as possible."
