The Calling (Darkness Rising 2)

"Bad one," he panted. "Okay, just--"

He let out a howl, his head dropping forward, his hands clutching it. Then he retched. Another heave, and a geyser of Coke sprayed the bushes.

I gripped his arm and tugged him until he was sitting, knees up, head between them, panting hard.

"Well, that's new," Corey muttered between gasps. "And I don't think I like it."

He winced again, face screwed up against the pain as he doubled over.

"Okay," I said. "Just breathe and keep your eyes shut. The sunlight's probably making it worse."

"That would help ... if I wasn't seeing light even with them shut."

"What?"

"I'm getting flashes of--" A few panting breaths. "Light. Color. Could use a sound track."

"You're seeing things?"

He shook his head. "You get visions. I just get random--" Another curse as the pain hit again. "Flashes. Boring flashes."

Daniel knelt and held out a bottle. I thought it was pop, then saw the label.

"Beer?" I said.

"It helps. I knew his meds had dissolved, so I grabbed a few from the store."

Corey took it and twisted off the cap. A few gulps. Then a deep breath as he relaxed. Another long drink, then a sidelong glance at me.

"Yes, I'm self-medicating with booze and I know that's not smart. I wouldn't do it if I had the meds."

"So beer ... helps?"

He shrugged. "Not as good as the meds. I've still got a killer headache. But it doesn't feel like an icepick driving into my skull."

I looked over at Daniel. His eyes were dark with worry. If these weren't just migraines--if they were linked to the experiments--we had no idea how to handle them. No idea if they were a normal part of Corey getting his powers or a sign that something was wrong.

Corey finished the bottle, then closed his eyes. "The puking was new. And the pain was worse. The flashing lights are a recent symptom." He opened one eye. "See, I said I get all the cool powers. Raging migraines cured by booze. I really will be that guy in a bar--"

The sound of a revving engine made us all look up. We'd been walking parallel to the road. but deep enough in the bush not to be spotted by anyone driving past. This noise sounded like an ATV. We hid, and it passed, went a little farther, then stopped.

"Moreno to base. Moreno to base."

Someone answered.

Moreno gave his coordinates, then said, "Still no sign of the Morris girl. She can't have run far, though. I'll keep looking."

The ATV started up again.

"Hayley escaped," Corey said.

"You heard that?" I said.

"Um, yeah. We all did."

"Because we were supposed to," Daniel said. "He was talking too loud. He even turned off the ATV so his voice would carry better."

"Because he's talking into a radio," Corey said.