Time of Crisis

Chapter 9

   Cornelius snapped his fingers and Michael and Jennifer were gently placed back onto the ground on either side of me. As soon as Michael landed he did not look happy at all just having been stopped from punching someone's faces inward. And he stared directly at Thickle with murderous intent. And my thoughts began to spiral out of control. They ranged anywhere from what we were going to do next about the open field to I thinking about a fight between Michael and Thickle. Every possibility would not go well for either of them if they did. Cornelius looked to Lukas then me.
Suddenly Jennifer rudely interrupted my thoughts by tugging on my arm. I turned around and she said, "Can we talk in private real quick?" I had no idea why she wanted to so suddenly but I agreed to. And she dragged me around the corner of the building farthest from the others. She looked me dead in the eyes. "Crosby.... I want it just to be the two of us.... not six. With six of us we're just a bunch of morons that can't get anything done. Even if it was just me, you, and Michael... I'd be fine with it. But I don't like this."
I was a bit confused as just the two of us wouldn't be able to beat the guy who killed me the first time. We NEEDED these guys help. At least Michaels if we wanted to stand a real chance of at least surviving. So I did the only logical thing I could think of and asked why. She sighed not happy with me asking questions clearly, "Because we don't know if we can even trust the other three guys. And if they try to betray us which I have a gut feeling they will just by how they're acting. We'll stand no chance of escaping alive. Especially against the Cornelius guy, if that's even his name. He froze us like we were just puppets for him to manipulate. Please, Crosby, listen to me just for this one time!"
Her reasons made sense but I'd have to come up with some way to get rid of them without them figuring out I was purposely trying to. And she was right about Cornelius, he was way too powerful. He would be able to end us quickly without much effort. I was somewhat overwhelmed now trying to think of some way to dispose of them. I needed to come up with something fast and something that would make the most sense. My brain began to clog up like a machine. I turned around but was quickly yanked by arm spinning around and facing her again. I was about to ask what she wanted when she kissed me directly on the lips and did some tongue twisting. This timing made no sense to me as this was not the time nor the right place. Or at least I thought it was a kiss until she gently nipped me on the lip when drawing away causing me to bleed a bit from my lip. She smiled a bit blushing. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself. The smell of your blood was so intense..." She put her hands behind her back and spun the tip of her toe in place on the ground. She looked down too. "I haven't eaten in days either." That made since to me as my blood pressure was probably through the roof. But that didn't help at all to relax me. I mean it was my first real kiss but it sort of wasn't at the same time. She just wanted a taste of me. But whatever. That wasn't important right now. I tried to gain my composer back.
    She giggled a tad under her breath, "Stop being so nervous." Then she said in a sing-song voice out of nowhere, "You're scent is becoming stronger~." I tucked my lip inwards and squeezed hoping to stop the bleeding. A fresh wound probably just added on to the smell. I was going to walk to the guys when I felt her wrap her arms around my waist gently and press herself against my back. She placed her head on my left shoulder. (Usually she wasn't taller than me but since she was wearing the damn knife heels, she was. And I think she only wears them with her dress usually.) She whispered into my ear, "I'm hungry." That sent shivers down my spine but I tried not to freak out and then again, I didn't want to be become a meal. But I doubted she would eat me ever after she went through all the trouble to resurrect me.
I tried to get her arms off my waist but couldn't. Instead I just said something to make her happy for now, "I'll find food for you after we take care of these guys." She whimpered and started nibbling on my neck but not like actually biting. This was not okay. I wasn't trying to get a massive hickey. "Jennifer, knock it off for gods sake. I don't want these guys thinking we just made out intensely." But I doubt I didn't already have one.
She drew back from my neck teasing, "What's wrong with that?" Then she did the sing-song voice again, "I do REALLY like you~." I huffed not really wanting to deal with this right now. I heard arguing from around the corner suddenly. Now, I had to focus. I started to shuffle back to the others with her still clinging on. But she hopped off right before I rounded the corner. The four guys had sat in a circle and were arguing I think over what to do to get across the field alive.
I had to raise my voice over all of theirs, "Can you guys please stop yelling?!" They shut up instantly when I said that. I went back to my normal volume. "Now then, anyone got any ideas? Without arguing would be preferred." I was gonna lose my cool if they started arguing again. I sat down in the circle with Jennifer sitting next to me really close. She leaned against me without warning but at this point I could care less.
    Cornelius looked at everyone, then at Jennifer, and then me. "You should be the one to come up with the plan. You're the leader of the group after all." I was never physically pointed leader but whatever.  
    "Maybe we should split up to find out which way poses the least amount of distance to cross the field. Three of us go left and three of us go right." Everybody looked at each other awkwardly before agreeing. "We'll meet back up here at sunset." It was currently mid morning leaving us lots of time. I didn't actually plan to meet back up with them actually but instead to do as Jennifer wanted and ditch them.  But not Michael we needed his strength alone. That was all he was good for in my eyes. I mean he seemed short tempered and terrible at being stealthy. Everybody got up at once.
    Cornelius looked me dead in eyes, "See you then Crosby." I fake smiled knowing I wouldn't. Cornelius, Lukas, and Thickle walked the opposite direction. Which left me with Michael and Jennifer.
   When they were out of ear shot Jennifer asked, "Are we actually coming back to meet them here?"
I shook my head and she smiled hugging me abruptly. She yawned, "Can we go find something for me to eat now?" I looked at her a bit annoyed but agreed reluctantly. We walked the opposite the direction of the other three. Jennifer held my hand tight but I didn't mind. Michael followed quietly without saying a word and sort of just being a third wheel.