The Narrator

24 (Part 1) - I Hate The Paper Of Death

Journal Entry

January 4th, 12:46 AM

My head hurts.

I feel that stupid pain in my chest.

I'm so tired.

Yesterday was nonstop work.

I didn't see Alex at breakfast.

I didn't see him at all, actually.

Today's the day.

We have to be out of here by eleven.

The clock stops at one.

I'm so scared.

I won't be able to help.

They can do it. Shakespeare's the most powerful Author in the world.

She can do it.

She can do it.

They can do it.

I didn't realize how smooth these roads were...

I also never realized how small Tolkien's truck is. What was it she called it again? Bella? Betsy?

"Bertha," Shakespeare muttered from her place beside me.

I lowered my head, gazing out the window, away from her. "Thanks..."

I was now pretty much used to the fact that none of my thoughts were safe. Tolkien, Scott, and Daniel stayed out of my head but Shakespeare couldn't help it. I was just glad she didn't point it out all the time. Mostly just when I had a question.

Tolkien was behind the wheel and Scott, Shakespeare, and I were crammed into the back with Alex and Daniel doubling up in the passenger's seat. I felt weird not sitting next to Alex, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to cut the tension in the air with a battle-forged sword, it was that thick.

No one was really talking. There was the occasional comment from Daniel telling Tolkien to turn and she'd reply with an I can see the GPS myself, thanks or Scott would ask Tolkien to turn the radio station and she'd roll her eyes and change it. I couldn't really hear the music.

It wasn't long before Tolkien pulled into a small parking lot. It was obviously meant for people checking out the nearby park because there wasn't one of those parking meters around. Tolkien turned in her seat to face me directly behind her.

"Okay, Travis. We're going to go on ahead. Wait fifteen minutes and then head for the ruin. Since it's the last day, they should be on the lookout for you. We'll handle them quick and they'll tell us where Flora is if we can't see her. She'll have to be nearby since they planned a trade."

"Right." I nodded. I sat on my fingers to keep them from shaking.

"Everyone ready?" Tolkien quizzed, glancing at the other faces in her truck. Everyone nodded and Alex nodded once curtly. He looked scary determined, as if he was ready to step on anything or anyone that got in between him and Flora.

"Good luck," I said quietly.

Shakespeare rolled her eyes. She was still pretty pissy about not being able to teach me anything. "We don't need luck, Travis. I'm the best Author in the world."

"The most modest, too," I grumbled. "Are you sure you're ready, though? I mean... anything could happen. You never know-"

"Of course I know, Travis!" Shakespeare exploded. "I always know! That's the point! I know everything before it happens! I'll be able to hear exactly what they're going to do! I'm always ready for everything because I always know!"