A Nameless Dark

Chapter 14

We left our clothes in the barn.

All of them.

    Thaddeus had no idea how the Servants of Dark had managed to hunt us down at every turn. He claimed the roadside park where he'd left us to wait was warded against their dark powers, insisting they must be using some technological means of tracking us.

    And so, the clothes.

    "I'm not getting naked right here in this freaking barn! It's freezing in here." I tried to sound as manly as possible while refusing to expose myself to one-and-all. I was pretty sure it came off sounding like a whiney six-year-old.

    "Would you rather be cold, or would you rather be dead." Thaddeus crossed his arms over his chest, as severe and unmoving as block of stone. He tilted his head toward the mangled bodies of the Wasted that littered the floor of the barn. "Those monsters are finding you somehow. The only way to be certain we lose whatever it is they're using to track you is to leave everything here. Clothes, cell phones, pocket lint. Everything."

    Samuel whooped out-loud, hopping up and down and swinging his arms like he was warming up for a marathon.

    "Come on, baby bro. It's just a little brisk, that's all."

    "Stop jumping, you beast," I said, unzipping my hoodie. "This is awkward enough without you putting on a show."

    I had no desire to bare myself in front of one-and-all while freezing my uncovered manhood off, but I was also getting very tired of almost dying. If a little awkwardness and discomfort could prevent the next attempted wholesale slaughter of my family and me, then I was willing to suffer both the indignity and the frost bitten man-bits. And, embarrassing or not, I was grateful for Thaddeus's guidance. With Aaron MIA, we needed someone else to take the lead, someone with the wisdom and field experience to keep us a step ahead of the monsters who hunted us. Thaddeus may not have possessed the most winsome personality, but stoic though the man was, he had connections we needed, he knew how to remain under the Morrighan's radar, and he certainly knew his way around a firearm. If the Thaddeus said we had to ditch our clothes, I was willing to go along with it.

    We turned away while Lara held her head high and removed her clothes with a dignity that was at odds with the ridiculousness of the moment.

    "Here," Thaddeus said, removing his jacket and offering it to my sister.

    She accepted the large, dark-brown garment and wrapped it around her shoulders. It came down to her knees, engulfing her tiny frame.

    "Couldn't that jacket be bugged or something?" I asked, shivering in the cool night air. I wasn't sure if I should hug myself for warmth or use my hands to cover other things.

    "Most likely it's one of you kids being traced," Thaddeus said. "The Morrighan's agents have been on your heels ever since you left home, long before you showed up at the Steel Tower. I'll leave the rest of my things here, but I think we can risk bringing the jacket along, at least until we find somewhere to buy some new clothes."

    "Perfect," I said, sarcasm dripping from my voice.

    Only Lin escaped our humiliating fate. She stood to one side, smirking at my discomfort, and pointedly not averting her eyes. Thaddeus turned to the tall warrior girl, indicating that it was her turn to disrobe. He seemed to think better of it when the point of her sword appeared at his throat.

    "I'll not be a part of the evenin's entertainment, Thaddeus," She said, the smirk never leaving her eyes.

    Thaddeus raised his hands and backed away. It seemed like a good decision.