Soulstrings

6: Watchers in the Night

Being lonely isn't fun. Something tells me I've experienced it first hand, even if I can't remember any of it.

The campfire was still and quiet, with only the sound of the flickering fire for company. Cameron moodily poked the flame with a stick. He glanced around. Vara was already tucked away in bed, Padge was finishing up a meal and Iden wasn't saying a word. His gaze landed on Jerilyn. Her silence wasn't anything new, but Cameron couldn't help feel that something was different about her unwillingness to speak.

"Jerilyn," Iden finally said. "Who was that?"

"What happened in town, anyway?" asked Cameron.

"A girl showed up claiming to be Jerilyn's sister."

"Jerry has a sister?" Cameron and Padge chorused, almost in perfect unison.

Jerilyn shifted her position, hugging her knees. "Yeah. That's her. Nelia, my younger sister by two years."

An uncomfortable pause covered the group until Cameron cleared his throat. "Do you want to talk about it?"

For a moment, Jerilyn considered her answer. Eventually, she shook her head, a solemn gaze in her eyes.

"Alright," said Iden. "We won't pry."

Grateful, Jerilyn gave Cameron a quick glance, one he barely caught sight of. She then turned her head away.

Watchers in the Night

Dinner was uneventful, the atmosphere much more dreadful than any other of their meals. Even Padge, who would be usually running around like a madman, sat without dropping off witty remarks as he poked the remaining bits of his food. Eventually, it turned cold and he lost his appetite.

Iden sighed. "Vara's already asleep. I think it's time we turn in too. Alright, let's set up tonight's watches."

"Ugh," Padge groaned. "It's generally a snore fest. I'm hitting the hay, see you guys later." He made his way to the bags and pulled out a sheet as he begun spreading it in on the grass. stretching himself out on the blanket, Padge turned away from the fire, trying to get the light away from his eyes.

Iden shook his head disapprovingly. "He always does this." Iden then raised his voice. "It would be nice if you did something else other than sleep and wander off, you know!"

Padge simply began puffing out exaggerated fake snores. Iden huffed in return. "The only reason I still have him in this Search group is because he has guts. A lot of it. Probably too much of it."

Cameron raised an eyebrow, his gaze on the now seemingly sleeping Padge. "Is sleeping in a pile of grass always that comfortable? I mean, I get irritated when there's a rock right under my back."

Iden shrugged. "Ask him. Looks like watch duty will be between the three of us."

"I'll take first watch," Jerilyn insisted. She pushed her hands on her knees, bringing herself into a standing position. "And last watch," she quickly added. "The rest of you get some rest. I can go on all night if you want."

"Jerilyn, get back here," Iden called out. She didn't reply. Cameron watched as Jerilyn placed a foot in a spot of bark before pushing herself up the trunk. Her hands grabbed one of the branches and she easily hoisted herself into a proper sitting position with her legs dangling in the air. She seemed to have moved so weightlessly, making it up the tree in a matter of seconds.