The Calling (Darkness Rising 2)

At the stream--a little cascade splashing over a rock ledge--we got a drink. As we were leaving, Hayley said, "I can't do this," dropped, pulled up her knees, and buried her face against her legs.

"I'm sorry, guys," she said, her voice tight. "I just can't. I'm cold and I'm tired and I'm hungry."

I crouched beside her. "I know you're uncomfortable, but we're okay. Our clothing is dry now and it's not cold enough for hypothermia. We can survive without food as long as we don't dehydrate--"

"You don't get it, do you?" Corey snapped. "We're tired and hungry, and you blather on about hypothermia and dehydration--"

"Hey!" Daniel bore down on Corey. "She keeps talking about hypothermia and dehydration because you guys won't shut up about being cold and hungry."

"Well, maybe we don't need to hear how this isn't going to kill us," Corey said. "Maybe we need more than a pep talk."

"Like what? Sympathy? Right. Because that's going to get us out of these woods. Maybe you can show a little sympathy yourself under the circumstances and--"

"Enough," I said. "You're right, Corey. I'm sorry. I know your knee is hurting. I know everyone's cold. I know everyone's tired. I know everyone's hungry. I know everyone's worrying about their parents and what's going on back in Salmon Creek. And we're thinking about Nic and Rafe and--"

Oh God. My parents. Nicole. Rafe.

I tried to finish, but I couldn't remember what I'd been saying, and I just stood there with everyone staring at me. Then Daniel was beside me, rubbing away the goose bumps on my arms and Corey was hobbling over, looking like a kicked puppy. He put an arm around my shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he said.

Hayley echoed him, on her feet again, standing there awkwardly.

I wiped my eyes, and gave Corey a quick embrace before nudging him back. "I should look at your knee."

"Nah, it's--"

"I should check it." I glanced up at him. "Please."

He nodded, and limped to a boulder to sit.

"I'll go see if I can find some berries," Daniel said.

"You won't and even if you do, eating a little..." I looked around at the others, then back to Daniel. "Sure, that'd be good."

"No," Hayley said. "Eating a little will just remind us how hungry we are. There has to be a summer cabin around here somewhere. Everyone leaves food behind. I'd settle for cold beans from a rusted can."

Corey's knee looked the same as it had that morning--scabbed over, bruised and tender to the touch. It had to be killing him to walk, but when I asked if he wanted to stay behind, his response was an emphatic no with an edge of panic.

"Can I apologize again for snapping?" he said.

"No." I sat back on my haunches. "We need to slow down for you. You're in pain and you're not going to remind us of that."

"It isn't that bad. Really. I--"

"See? Gotta be a tough guy." I lowered my voice so the others wouldn't hear. "How's your head?"

"I didn't hit my head. Not yet anyway."

"You know what I mean. Your headaches."

"I'm fine." When I opened my mouth to protest, he clapped his hand over it. "I'm not pulling any macho crap, Maya. My head is fine. I'm getting twinges, but it's nothing I don't get everyday, even with the meds. I'll be okay." He looked around him. "And as soon as we get out of this place, I'll be even better. So let's hit the trail."

The ascent was getting steep, so I decided to hike ahead. The others would follow slowly--we all had to get over this mountain, one way or another.

Someone needed to come with me, for safety's sake. Daniel would be my first choice, but when Sam volunteered, I took her up on it. I wanted to talk to her. Alone.

I left Kenjii with Daniel, using a length of vine as a leash. She didn't like that. He didn't like it much either, until I explained that by keeping her, he could find me as they followed along behind at their own pace.