Over Cross

Chapter 8

Eight

                The one day, while they were out gather corn, the skies darken, and it started to rain. The other serfs rejoiced, jumping up and tossing their hats into the sky before heading home, chatting away their fellow serfs now that they unexpectedly had the day off.

                Toby closed his eyes and spread his arms. He never experienced rain before. To feel the raindrops drip, drip , drop on you felt so good, so cleansing. “Hey, HEY!” Sam shook him. “We’ve got to go home now.”

 Toby chuckled. “What’s the rush? It’s just rain. Relax bro.”

Sam looked at him with such intensity it made Toby shiver (though he won’t be admitting that anytime soon) “You don’t get it, do you? And I thought you know everything, Future Boy,” Sam scoffed, then ran back home.

 Toby went after him. “Wait what?! What do you mean?”

                Lightning flashed overhead, and Toby felt a sea of pain in his stomach, like someone punched him in the gut. He held his stomach and continued walking. Thunder clapped and lightning flashed again, and Toby felt a burning sensation on his back and another wave of pain pass through his stomach. Toby was on his knees now, and was struggling to get up. Seeing a wooden stick nearby, he took it and helped himself up. With great difficulty, he walked back home, limping.

**********

               

He can hear their noises even before entering the hut. He opens door to see everyone in distress: James pacing back and forth, the twins crying while Caroline comforted them, and Sam, Suzy and Aaron arguing.

“I told you, this isn’t normal!” Sam screamed at Suzy.

“It’s just rain, Sam, jeez get over it.” Suzy replied.

“Yea, besides, I’m bushed anyways. At least we’d get some extra rest.” Aaron lay down and covered his eyes with his arms and went to sleep.

                “Can you guys keep it down? You siblings are terrified, for Pete’s sake!” James roared at the three. The voiced died down. Then the twins started crying again.

“Aw, hon, look at what you made them do!” Caroline said, rocking the twins back and forth between her arms.

“Uhm, knock, knock?” Toby whispered. Everyone looked at him and hushed. James was the first to guide him in.

“Toby what happened to you! You look awful!” James remarked. “Did someone attack you?” James laid Toby in bed.

“That’s what I’d like to know,” Toby coughed. “Ever since it rained you guys have been panicking. What’s wrong? It’s almost like you guys haven’t had rain before.”

They looked at each other and fell silent.

“That’s just it, Toby,” Caroline spoke up. “We rarely have rain. And even if we do, they come in drizzles and would last about a minute or two. But this—“she was interrupted when the wooden door swung open and close back and forth because of the strong wind. James and Aaron had to force it to close and secure it before heading back to Toby. “This is something we never had seen before. And somehow, it won’t be stopping anytime soon.”

“The best thing we can do is sit here and remain safe. We can wait out until it dies down a little bit and Aaron and I can go outside and find some food, and maybe get some help.” James announced. Everyone nodded in agreement.

 The wind howled outside, and Toby felt searing pain on his heard.  He groaned. “It hurts!”

Sam approached him. “I got this.” He then whispered into his ear. “Toby for Pete’s sake what the hell is going on?! Storms?! You getting sick?! It’s almost as if this storm’s for you.”

Toby grunted. “I-I don’t know, Sam. M-maybe it is. Maybe i-it’s the c-consequence of me s-staying here for t-too long.”

Sam replied in urgency, “Then you have to go back to the future, to your own time to find out what’s going on!” He paused. “Have you finished fixing the time machine necklace thingy?”         

Toby shook his head. “I-I didn’t want to come back remember? I-I don’t know where I placed it.”

Sam shrieked, “WHAT?!” causing everyone to look at him. “S-sorry, I over reacted a little bit.” He whispered quickly, “What were you thinking, staying here for good?! What about your parents?! You LIFE THERE?!”

Toby took his hand, “I wanted to live here, remember? I chose to stay here.”

Sam shook his head, “You idiot! Look what’s happening outside! If you don’t fix this, everyone’s going to perish! What will happen to us!?” He noticed their hands still together. “Okay, too sensual,” he removed his hand, cringing. “What about you, you had not been looking good these past few days. You’ll die!”  Toby looked away from him, clutching his stomach.

Sam’s face grew red and stood up. “Fine, if you’re not going to tell me where it is, I’ll find it myself!” He forcibly opened the door and dashed into the storm.

“SAM!” everyone shrieked. “JAMES, GO AFTER HIM! GOD KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HIM!” Caroline shouted, to which James followed.

Toby turned around and his eyes widened. “SAM! NO!” He stood up and tried to follow him when it thunder boomed and lightning struck a few times. Toby felt wave upon wave of different sensations of pain: prickling, burning, nausea before collapsing on the floor.

His breathing is heavy, and it gets heavier with every breath he takes. His vision dims, but not before seeing two dark figures looming at the doorstep. Screams echoed across the house. “TOBY!” he heard fading sounds of his name.

 He fades in and out of consciousness. Everything’s a blur now, and he can’t tell whether what he’s seeing is real or not.

He remembers being carried off.

He remembers feeling the strong patters of the rain on him.

He remembers leaves crunching as someone walks into the forest.

He remembers Sam calling out to him. “TOBY! TOBY!”

He remembers seeing the clearing again.

He remembers being blinded by a strong beam of light.

He remembers a familiar warm face looking at him.

“Welcome home sweetie,” a soothing voice was the last thing he remembered before completely blacking out.