Chapter 16
We went through a few more rounds until it started to get dark. The whole time I stayed there, leaning against Michael. I rather liked it, we fit so well together, but eventually we had to set up for the night.
Pressing the silver orb it made its barrier once again. I took three light orbs and made a triangle with them at the edge of our little dome. With them all turned on it bathed the room in a bright white light, but didn’t shine directly into our faces, which would make it easier to sleep.
Once the sun began to set it wasn’t long until we heard the rain and wind pick up again to the point the wind sounded like a wolf howl.
Everyone was all nice and snug into their sleeping bags when Aaron spoke up, “They going to try to come after us again?”
Courtney answered for me, “I don’t know hun, but none of us will let anything happen to you guys.”
That seemed to reassure them, and they all went to sleep.
I sighed, “Ashley?”
She propped herself back up on her elbows, “What?”
Thinking for a second I told her, “I think we should practice again tomorrow.”
A confused look crossed her face, “Why?”
I explained, “Because if these things were to ever come after us again. We have to have some way to defend ourselves and if these light spheres, flashlights, or barrier fail, we need a backup. We need a backup that has a much stronger chance than these material items.”
She nodded in understanding, “Then I guess tomorrow we’re practicing. What about the rats I practice on, though? They were let free.”
I told her, “We’ll figure out something. If we can’t find rats I’m sure we’ll steal some crickets from my brothers’ room or maybe some birds. We’ll figure it out.”
She turned over in her sleeping bag and put her head on her pillow. Courtney looked at me, “Goodnight, Haila.”
I nodded to her, “Goodnight Courtney. Sleep well.”
I crossed and put my chin on my arms, thinking yet again before I went to sleep. After a few minutes I heard everyone’s breath slow and steady with their sleeping minds.
Thinking I should get some sleep myself I rolled onto my side.
Michael was still awake and I noticed that his eyes were looking at me, his face shadowed from the top of the sleeping bag blocking the light.
Smiling I asked, “We make it a bad habit to be the last two asleep, don’t we?”
He gave a half smile, his eyes also shining from the light, “It seems so.”
I snuggled more into my sleeping bag, “So it’s my turn to ask. What’s on your mind?”
He shrugged, “Not much, just thinking of everything that happened today like the truth or dare and the practicing.”
I asked, “You liked the practicing?”
He nodded, “Yeah. I’m glad you trusted me with knowing what you can do. I know it seems silly, but I guess you could say it means a lot in a way.”
Thinking I agreed, “Yeah I could see why you say that.”
He continued, “I also liked the truth or dare.”
I immediately knew why he said that. Blushing to myself I was still caught a bit off guard.
Knowing I was too embarrassed to answer he smiled at me, “Goodnight, Haila. Sweet dreams.”
He rolled over on his other side. Doing the same I set my head into the soft pillow and it wasn’t long until I fell asleep.
I woke up sometime later with my head in a comfortable nook, but it wasn’t my pillow.
My cheek was nice and warm from what it was lying on, and my side was warm as well. Opening my eyes I saw I was lying next to Michael, my head on his shoulder, my whole sleeping bag schooched over. I realized I must have traveled myself over while half asleep.
Feeling embarrassed I tried to get back without waking him. His hand that was under me and around my shoulders stopped me. I peered up and saw him looking back at me, “It’s okay.”
With those two reassuring words I put my head back down and had one of the most blissful nights of sleep I’ve had in a while.
