| The Trouble |
| "AAAAHHH!" her scream rang out in the air like an impossibly high-pitched bell. People stopped and turned to look around them, unsure of from where the scream had come. Perhaps ignorance is bliss... "Oh gosh, stop being such a baby. It's just a little piece of glass," Eddie said, adjusting his glasses. He picked Emma's foot up again. Eris stood impatiently behind him, remaining silent as usual. She glared at Emma occasionally and resorted herself to tapping her foot to show her impatience. "It hurts! Let me shove a piece of glass into your foot and see how you like it!" Emma said, her face getting red. She braced herself. "Okay, I think I'm ready." Eddie rolled his eyes and yanked quickly. This time the glass slid out of her foot. Emma even managed to stiffle her scream this time. She, however, have to gasp. Eris looked at Eddie her lips slightly pressed together and her eyebrow raised. "Almost done. Then we can go," Eddie said. He took off his over shirt and tore the bottom into strips. The plaid patterned material made a make-shift bandage for Emma. "Too bad Sarai's not here. She always has spare bandages," Eddie commented. He was surprised to feel Emma yank her foot away. She put on her shoe quickly and stood up. "We, uh, should get going," Emma said, blushing in embarassment at her behavior. Eddie shrugged and took the lead once more. Eris walked next to Emma. Her other eyebrow raised this time and her hands were open towards Emma. Her lips formed a knowing smile. "Oh be quiet! I do not like him. He's a liar and a selfish jerk," Emma said in a whisper. Eris showed her palms again. "Look, I'm not like you. I can't ignore things like that. Trust is too important. Besides, he likes Sarai," Emma whispered. Eris just shrugged and the two kept walking. Emma couldn't help but be amazed by how well Eris communicated her thoughts. The girl never spoke, and Eddie and Emma wondered if she even could speak. Well, in a way she did. It was just more with pantomime and exaggerated expressions. The other two companions had picked up quickly on this style of communicating. Body language always spoke louder than words anyways. Eris was living proof of that. They group had been walking through the remains of the hotel when Emma had stepped on a broken window. The glass had gone through the sole of her shoes and into her foot. After that incident, the rest of the trip was uneventful. Emma pointed out to Eris where Sarai had killed the spider. Eris prodded her for details, and delighted in the gruesome story. All too soon, Emma recognized more than just a spot or two. They were back in her town. "Hey! We can stay with my parents tonight! I'll show you whe--" Emma was passing Eddie to take the lead when he grabbed her arm. Emma was about to object when she saw his face. He sensed something. Her monkey ears poked up. Eris snapped her finger and a spark turned into a flame. The flame turned into a stream of fire that began to encircle Eris once again. "Stay where you are! This city is under lockdown. You do not have permission to enter. I repeat, you do not have permission to enter," a woman's voice called. Emma's eyes got big. She shook off Eddie's grip and took off running. "Stop right there or I'll shoot!" a woman said, stepping out from behind a building. She was small and slender, but her expression was forced anyone she met to take her seriously. Dark circles under her eyes suggested she was tired and probably cranky. She had a gun pointed squarely at Emma. At this range, she wasn't likely to miss. Emma stopped and smiled. "What, you don't like my new look?" Emma asked. The woman lowered the gun and blinked. "Kitten?" she asked. "Kitten! Oh my baby!" "Momma!" Emma cried, running into the woman's arms. Eddie and Eris remembered to breath at this point, and walked up slowly. "This doesn't look like the girl your father told me about. Where is she? She didn't ditch you did she? I knew your father was too trusting!" Emma's mother said, her anger rising. "No Momma! Sarai didn't ditch me. We just had to split up. This is Eris, my new friend. This is my mother, Captain Lynn. Oh, and this is Eddie." Eris nodded politely and Eddie made a sweeping bow. He realized this woman had the same rank as her husband, but said nothing about it. It wasn't as worrisome as the fact that a captain was serving as a sentinel. Something must be happening to the people here. "The boy's a bit scrawny. You can do better dear," Emma's mother said to Eris. Eris smiled and nodded. Eddie just looked offended, but he shook it off. This was another woman. He could win her over very easily. "Such a lovely mother, now I see where Emma gets her beauty. May I ask why the city is under lockdown?" Eddie asked, trying to get the mother talking. Women loved men who listened well and knew how to flatter without going overboard. "That is confidential information. I am really sorry though dear. I can't let you into the city. It's for your own protection," Emma's mother replied. She shouldered her rifle and looked down at her daughter sadly. "Our protection? What happened? I've only been gone a few days!" Emma asked. "It's...complicated. After you left, it seemed like everyone got sick. No one can sleep without being haunted by nightmares. Even when they are awake, the nightmares come. The mayor thinks we've been cursed. Anyone who comes into the city gets the nightmares. He ordered the city to be put under lockdown until we can find out the cause." The children looked at each other in surprise. "Pardon me, but did you say nightmares?" Eddie asked. "Yes I did." Eris put a hand on Emma's shoulder and jerked her head slightly towards the city. "Momma. This is important. We need to get into the city. Is there anything you can do?" Emma asked, her eyes large and pleading. "Don't give me that look!" Cpt. Lynn scolded. "You know better than to ask me to disobey orders. I can allow you to come in, because you are a resident of the city and my daughter, but your friends will have to wait for you." "That's no problem ma'am. We'll just wait for Emma here." Emma stared at Eddie. Eris did as well. Neither trusted Eddie further than they could throw him, which was considerably further for Eris than for Emma, but still not very far. "Go on!" Eddie said. He gestured toward the city. Emma turned to Eris for support. With a reassuring smile, Eris took Emma's hand and squeezed it. She wouldn't let Eddie ditch Emma. They both watched Emma walk into the city for a time, before they turned and walked away. Eris glared at Eddie. "What? You don't think I'd ditch her do you?" One eyebrow raised. "Hey! I would never! We're going to sneak into that city and join her. It's just a matter of how..." |