Ink Me Insane (Book One)

Twenty Six

"You have got to be kidding me." Rene groaned.

Michael rocked back on his heels, relaxed. "Miss me Sparky?"

She stood their gaping. There were no words for the crap going on right now. Michael came strolling through the wreckage of fire and ash, whistling like he was skipping through freakin' daisies! What was wrong with this boy! Well, besides the usual. Rene gritted her teeth grabbing at her head. Great, all this nonsense was starting to give her a migraine. Ignore it. Focus on the important stuff. Lowering her hands, Rene purposefully walked past him to crouch where Cassie and Danny were lying on the ground. She reached out a shaking hand to check Cassie's pulse. A steady, low thrum of life vibrated under her fingertips making her smile. She moved to Danny and did the same. His heart beat steadily with far more vigor than Cassie's. She sighed simply rolling back to plop on the ground. Rene crossed her legs before resting her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands. She looked up expectantly at the two males who had been observing the mini physical.

A light breeze stirred through the air causing ash to rise and flurry. Rene reached down and gently scooped up a handle full of it only to watch it be stolen away by the wind.

"Care to explain?" Rene muttered repeating the action.

Michael cleared his throat, shifting his feet and posture into one of dramatic poise. Rene rolled her eyes waiting when Declan coughed. She shifted her attention to Declan, who was obviously uncomfortable, to see him sort of tugging and patting at his clothing. Her head cocked in confusion. He decided now was the best time to be self-conscious about his fashion sense. He met her eyes and jerked his head in Michael's direction while copying the action. She shrugged, was he making fun of Michael's clothes now?

"You got something to say Stick?" Michael inquired. "Just spit it out already."

Declan twitched at the stick comment then growled. "I was trying to point out your clothes are on fire."

Michael gazed down at himself and the small crackles of heat eating away at his apparel. "Would you look at that?" He started chuckling while reaching for the flames to put out with his bare hands. Declan and Rene watched in wide-eyed shock as he patted them out like petting a dog or cat. Finished, Michael raised his head with a lazy grin. "Should have said something sooner that could have gotten really awkward." He winked at Rene.

"Another friend of yours?" Declan grumbled striding over to, the now blushing, Rene and deliberately created a division in the group.

"I don't know about friend." Rene had begun forming a small mound of ash during the exchange. Her hands were eager to be busy and draw away from her swirling thoughts. "I am aware of his existence."

A gasp came from Michael. "After everything I've done for you? I'm really hurt Sparky."

An ash cloud puffed and floated through the air as Rene clapped her hands clean. She stood up and continued brushing ash off herself. Declan was on edge eyeing up Michael as though he'd try and stab him or something. She supposed she understood. For probably the first time in his life, Declan was outnumbered. He was out of his comfort zone surrounded by crazies and chaos. Normal was no longer the majority. The unusual were the norm and the usual were different. Yet Rene herself never felt more at ease, even with the amount of pressure her head was bounding at her trying to process the mess. Michael on his part wasn't making the situation any better as he had taken to resting his hands behind his head and re-picked up his tune.

"What are you whistling?" Rene questioned as she kicked at the ash swiping her way back towards Karo.

"Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me? Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?" He sang out of key.