Harrow sneaks up beside us and we move forward quietly. we hide in some bushes and what i see is.... i can't even put it into words. the sculls have giant scorpions in cages. they are very tan and wild looking. there are torches everywhere, and in the middle there is a big bonfire while the sculls dance around it.
sammy tenses up as if he knows something he shouldn't. greg and lilith hang back waiting for orders.
i ask harrow, "should we head back?"
harrow remains frozen. he's never seen anything like this. he grew up in the greenlands.
i look at sammy and say, "tell the others to head back. and you go with them."
sammy hesitates, then nods and goes back to the others. they leave.
i hit harrow lightly and say, "snap out of it. your people need you to appear strong and be someone they can count on to lead them. this is just the beginning. you have no idea what just started."
harrow finally snaps out of it and says, "right... let's head back everyone."
i say, "already sent them back."
harrow looks a bit annoyed but nods, and we head back in silence. my mind is racing with the return of the sculls.
later that night, the original group gathers down by the lake—me, abby, martha, and kathy.
abby says, "what's going on?"
kathy says, "here i thought this place was safe, but i've been getting a weird feeling." her face is set with worry and her fists are clenched.
martha tells abby, "it will be okay, darling," with a soft smile.
i look at their faces, the moonlight hitting them, then out across the lake. i try to hide my worry and the pain of memories—my father and his best friend john. i sigh.
"you should have seen it. they had the scorpions locked up like pets, and they danced around the fire with their ear-ringing war cry. i thought i would never have to see anything desert related again." i throw a rock far into the lake.
i look at kathy. "these people have no idea what's coming."
she meets my gaze and nods with a stern look.
i look at all of them. "then we must help them or leave once more......"
ns216.73.216.98da2
and then Add to home screen.