War from Under the Bed

Discovery

The barn was comfortable...but something wasn't sitting right with Sadie. They had been staying here for a few days and the chance to relax was relieving. No more running away and trying to sleep as the cold attacked you. No more hungry mornings of packing up and getting ready to move. the people there were nice, welcoming them and helping them adjust. Yet, there was something sinister in the shadows. Courage could feel it too.

"I'm telling you Sadie, something's wrong," they insisted as she followed Jack toward the back of the barn.

"We're safe here Courage, you're just paranoid," she said for the hundredth time, trying to ignore the pulsing magic that seemed to tug at her insides. Her locket grew red hot and she skidded to a stop.

"I know you can feel it too, don't try to dismiss this!" Courage said. She winced, the locket burning, and she lifted it away from her chest.

"Hurry up Sadie!" Jack called and she sighed.

"Can we worry about it later....please?" Courage was silent as the locket continued to radiate extreme heat.

"Alright..." they mumbled and the locket cooled, allowing Sadie to drop it and continue on.

"I thought we already explored this whole building, what did you want to show me?" Sadie asked as she scrambled after Jack.

"It's not in the building, it's outside," Jack said as he began to climb a ladder that looked about ready to fall off the wall. Up above was a platform that spanned across half the barn.

"What's so interesting out there? Is there some weird colored snow or something?" She followed him, trying to ignore the fact that the rungs were coated in rust and felt loose. Jack's usual response would have been a laugh or at least a half-attempted kick in her direction, but he instead just shook his head and continued up the ladder without answering her. In fact, the whole time she had been following him, he hadn't acted like himself. He was quiet and she could sense worry.

"Something is definitely wrong," Courage said and Sadie sighed.

"Calm down, it might not be dangerous," Sadie reached the top with relief and already felt dread crawling up her spine.

"It's over here, hurry," Jack said, heading toward a certain window. She peaked out the window and saw four angels lingering in the cold beyond the pane of glass. Each had their wings out, probably to shield themselves from the wind. Among them, she spotted Owen standing in the snow. She felt stupid for being concerned and gave Jack a glare.

"What's so weird about that? Maybe they just like the cold."

"No Sadie, I swear I saw two monsters with them," Jack said as they watched them walk back inside. She maintained her glare, prompting Jack to continue. "This is not one of my stories, I'm telling the truth. They were talking and one of the monsters gave them something. I couldn't get a good look at it."

"Sadie, Sadie where are you?!" someone called and she shook her head.

"I've got to go," she left Jack there, his concern distracting. It can't be true. There are no traitors here. She scaled the ladder to see Owen approaching.'

"There you are, Henry wants to talk to you," he said. Even though she didn't really believe Jack, she still stayed clear of his outstretched hand as she ran past.

"Sadie, we need to talk now. Jack's claim is too much to ignore. If what he said was true then Owen is a traitor!" Courage said.

"Courage, there's nothing to discuss. Jack was just being Jack. He has a wild imagination and doesn't know when to stop joking around." she said. They were beginning to get on her nerve, Why couldn't they just leave her alone for a few seconds.