Linked

Chapter 21

My eyes fluttered open, the thoughts of my dream voice fading.  First one to wake up, I perceived, looking around.

Everyone was sprawled about the grass.  Dustin lay next to Cyrus.  And I was surprised Cyrus didn't wake up because of Dustin's hand that was flopped over him.  I laughed softly.  Emily lay at the far end of the campfire, consumed in a blanket cocoon that seemed very comfortable.  Liam lay at my side with his blanket pushed off him and his shirt riding up a bit.  At that, I couldn't help but laugh at the entire hilarity of the sight.

Liam jolted awake and I noticed a small line of drool along his face.

"Oh,"  He sighed, "Casey, it's just you."

"Yeah, just me, Liam.  You can go back to sleep if you want." His eyes looked red and his shoulders were hunched over from exhaustion.

"No, I'm alright.  It's daylight anyway."  The sun shone through the trees like a bright, shimmering candle.  Liam rubbed his eyes and stood.  I stood up with him and grinned.

"Good morning, L."  I wiped the drool from his cheek.

"Good morning, C."  He smiled in light of the drool he'd let me see, and gave me a small hug.

"What's this for?"  I asked, happily returning the embrace.

"Nothing.  I'm just glad I'm with you,"  He replied, which made me beam even more.

We broke the hug and decided to have breakfast.  Grabbing a box of Cheerios, I opened them and started to pour some into two bowls.  Liam fetched some spoons and a jug of milk from our grocery stash and we walked over to the bench by the fire to eat.

We wolfed down the sustenance and sat together for a while.  Company seemed to be the only object in mind, as we ate silently, taking in the morning glow and dew drops.

Finally Liam broke the silence and brought up a familiar topic.  One that had been resurfacing a lot over the course of our relationship.

"Do you think I'll ever get to read your mind, Casey?"  He fingered his cereal spoon.

"I don't know.  I mean you have earned it.  You saved my life and all the other's."  I motioned to the group. "I can't believe you did it either.  I guess I owe you this much." I extended my hands and he glanced up at me.

"Are you sure?"  His eyes widened, "Have I completed my quest, Madam?"  He bowed playfully.

"Yes, sir.  You have."  I stood up and talked in a "royal" accent.  "And for your bravery, kind sir, you shall be bestowed a gift.  The gift of reading my thoughts."  I bowed and pulled his hands into mine.

"You ready?"  Liam asked.  I was about to nod when suddenly Cyrus yelled.

"Dustin!"  He shoved him angrily. "Stop doing that!"  Dustin laughed.

Liam kissed my hand and regretfully walked over to the boys.  We'd have to continue this another time.

"What did he do?"  Liam asked Cyrus.  I went over to join them.

"He woke me up by flashing a huge picture of his face in my brain!  It's way more startling than you think.  Especially compared to the darkness of sleep."  He eyed Dustin, annoyed.

"Hey, we're free now.  What's a little humor gonna do?"  Dustin shrugged.

"Annoy me until I beat you up."  Cyrus rolled his eyes. "Whatever.  Let's just move on.  How long have you guys been up?"

"Just a little while,"  I replied. "We had breakfast.  You want some?"

"Sure,"  They answered, and got up to go to the supply stash.

"How do you think Emily is?"  Liam asked me, glancing in her direction.

"She's just tired.  We should let her sleep and warm up in that blanket cocoon,"  I eyed the bundle of cloth.

"Wow.  Yeah, that's definitely an impressive cocoon,"  He nodded, wide-eyed.  I smirked at it's over-the-top comfort and was grateful that we could enjoy these simple things again.

~~~

Eventually, the sun rose to it's highest point, and lunchtime greeted us with growling stomachs.  Emily had woken up by this time, and we all agreed to start driving back into town.  On our way we'd grab some fast food.  After many options and multiple screams from Dustin, we settled on McDonald's.  He would finally get to eat the cheeseburger he'd envisioned for so long.

Once ordering, we all took our seats.  Liam finished getting the ketchup packets and drinks and brought the red tray over.  Dustin immediately burst into tears of joy.

"It's so beautiful!"  He grasped the measly meat and bun combination, "I've waited for this moment since I first was taken!  Bless the Lord I can eat again!"  And with that final proclamation of the glory of burgers, he chowed down.

It was actually better than I expected.  After all those meals of bread and water, and snacks from the gas station, it wasn't bad to get some protein and a large soda.

Liam had only eaten half of his burger, but he looked full.  The others were finishing their first or second burgers when he was done.

"I'm okay, Casey.  I'm just not too hungry.  You guys are the ones that got kidnapped,"  He pointed out.  I nodded in understanding.

After our meal, we made our way out to the car, but something didn't feel right in my stomach.  I assumed it was just the bad quality of McDonald's.

"Hey... Liam, I'm gonna go to the bathroom I think,"  I stated, about to get back in the car.  My body was feeling awful, and I turned around to see Dustin groaning.

"Oh..."  He put his hands on his knees, "I-I'm-"  Dustin crumpled to the ground.  Oh no.  That is definitely not a stomach ache.

Cyrus, Emily and Liam rushed to Dustin.  I moved over to join them, but my legs felt weak.  I couldn't move.

"G-guys,"  I called weakly.  They turned around, and saw me fall.

Everything was in slow motion.  Nothing made sense.  I was falling and would surely pass out.  But why were Dustin and I reacting this way?  Maybe we both contracted food poisoning.  Or maybe this had something to do with the mysterious message I'd received the night before.

Everything is going to change...

Let it happen...

The words seemed silly now as I fell helplessly.  I didn't want to pass out or fall, but I couldn't stop it.  I couldn't stop the impact of my face to the gravel...  I couldn't stop the darkness from closing in... I couldn't stop the others from falling too...

I just let it happen.  And now everything would change.