Shooting at Shadows-Chapter 8
You know the drill by now. I'm still pretty exhausted, I didn't end up taking the pain meds so as far as I know I'm relatively coherent. I really wanted to write this chapter and I didn't want to wait until the next block of time that I was unmedicated, so here you are. Please tell me what you think, this story has attracted more than double the attention of my others and the funny thing is that I don't like it as much as my others, so what is it that's drawing you? Yes, I'm talking to you. Still don't own Flashpoint. If you're craving to know what's happening with Wordy and Spike you need to go to my other story, "Nothing's Broken" to find out because I'm not going to tell you in this one.
Though to the three SRU members their pace was not especially strenuous, to a passerby they would seem to be sprinting up the steep hill. Sam was a few steps ahead of Ed and Jules as they ran up the narrow, winding path. The sun peeked through the trees on occasion but for the most part the trees blocked out most of the light. They came to a bend in the path and followed the red arrow leading them deeper into the woods on the winding path to the top of the hill. Sam had set the pace early on and though it was not difficult for any of them, it was not a pace that they would be able to talk to each other. The only sounds came from their shoes hitting the dirt and their steady breaths. The path led them around the hill, circling them in a spiral pattern so even though the direct route to the top was only about five miles, they were planning on running nearly eleven.
Sam had lost track of time. The only thing that kept him grounded in reality was the gentle beating of his running shoes against the path and the sounds of his own breath. He had a rhythm: every five steps he would breath and every ten steps he would visually sweep the next thirty feet. He had studied the map and knew when other paths would intersect with theirs, he was particularly cautious in those areas. They hadn't run into anyone since they'd gotten further into the woods, this was by far the most difficult route and the only paths that really intersected would be for mountain bikers. It was a Tuesday morning...or maybe it was afternoon now...Sam didn't really know, time had blurred together as he again scanned the surrounding area. He heard the ringing from behind him and before he even knew what was happening he had stopped short and his hand was in his pocket reaching for the knife. Jules ran into him, not expecting the short stop as Ed slowed and reached into his pocket to answer his phone. Sam relaxed as he saw Ed put the phone to his ear.
"Lane." Ed said as he answered his phone. Jules was laughing as she untangled herself from Sam.
"Sorry Sammy," She said as she stood back for a minute. "You okay?" She put her hands on her head and took a few deep breaths.
"Yeah, I'm good. I was just surprised." Sam said as he took a few deep breaths himself. He scanned the area again, not yet taking his hand from his pocket.
"You guys go ahead, I'll catch up in a minute." Ed said to Sam and Jules as he returned his attention to his phone. They nodded to each other and jogged down the path a bit slower than before, waiting for Ed to catch up. "Nah, Wordy it's a good time, just on a run with Sam and Jules." Ed said into his phone as he tried to even his breathing. "You know, Jules will be alright, she just needs some time. Not too sure about Sam yet." Ed walked down the path a bit to try and keep the distance between them even. "Spike awake yet? Well he had to be exhausted. No, let him sleep, he'll appreciate it in the next few days." Ed heard something from up the path and picked up his speed a bit. "Wordy, I'll call you back a little later okay?" Ed asked as he hung up his phone and jogged. He rounded a corner as he picked up the speed again. He couldn't pinpoint what it was, but he knew that something was wrong. About forty feet later the path sharply changed into a downward decline. From the top of the path Ed was able to piece together what had happened.
Sam was on his knees at the bottom of the small valley, Jules about ten feet away, her hands raised in a non-threatening manner. Ed saw a tree root protruding into the path about fifteen feet ahead of him. Sam must have tripped and rolled down the rest of the way. Ed figured as he cautiously walked down towards his friends. He was a bit confused as to why Jules was standing like she was but as he got closer he saw the cause of her worry. Sam was holding his knife in an open position, his eyes rapidly looking over the area. Ed wasn't sure what to make of the scene, Sam was tense and his breathing was heavy but Ed knew that he would never hurt Jules. He was inching his way down to path towards them, not wanting to startle Sam as he approached.
"Sam? Buddy, what's going on?" Ed asked as he got within earshot. He was about twenty feet away from Sam and he motioned for Jules to back off a bit. Sam didn't look at them, he seemed to be looking for something in the trees behind them. "Sam, what are you looking at?" Ed asked gently as he lowered his hands and got into a kneeling position. Sam's elbows and knees looked like they were scrapped from the fall but it didn't seem that he could feel pain at the moment. He was tightly clutching the knife making the scars on his knuckles more pronounced.
"Where are the insurgents?" Though Sam had barley whispered, the statement seemed to pierce the air. Ed was taken aback a bit by the question but quickly recovered.
"Sam, look at me." Ed said gently but with authority that demanded his attention. "Sam, do you know who I am?" Ed finally found Sam's eyes and latched on. He was speaking as calmly as possible but internally he was panicking. Sam looked confused by the question as his face changed.
"Ed, why you asking that?" Sam's tone was that of pure innocence and genuine confusion. His muscles had relaxed a bit as he looked at his Team Leader's comforting face. Jules looked exceptionally worried, her eyes were glassy as if tears were coming to them. "Jules, what's the matter?" Sam asked in a reassuring tone. "You're safe, I'm gonna protect you." Sam said as he got to his feet and, after scanning the surrounding area again, walked over and hugged Jules.
"Sam, buddy," Ed said as Sam turned and looked at him. "can you give me the knife?" Ed asked as he extended his hand. Sam looked confused again.
"I need to protect us." Sam said firmly with a tone of innocence in his voice.
"I hear you Sam, you want to protect us, but I think it's best if I hold onto the knife. I promise you, no one is going to hurt us here." Ed said as he maintained a calm eye contact with Sam. He reluctantly looked at the knife and handed it to Ed who collapsed it and put it in his pocket. "Good job, Sam." Ed said as he squeezed his shoulder. He looked at Jules who still looked worried behind Sam's back. "You know, I'm getting kind of tired, you guys want to head back?" Ed asked as he gave a meaningful look to Jules.
"Yeah, I'm exhausted." She said half-heartedly. Sam nodded as he started to returned to reality; he realized that his act was up and that he was not going to get out of this mess easily.
"Let's head back." Ed said as Jules started walking back up the path. Ed put a gentle hand on Sam's back, a reassuring gesture, but Sam flinched a bit at the feeling. "You okay buddy?" Ed asked, not quite sure what to make of the signals he was getting.
"I'm good." Sam said as his voice returned to his usual tone, the tone that meant he was hiding something. Not for much longer. He thought as the walk fell into silence.
Didn't turn out the way I hoped it would. What do you guys think, believable? Tell me what you think, not sure when the next update will be. I'm not sure what to do, take the pain meds now and pass out hungry or eat something and then take the meds but be nauseous all night. Trying to be positive, I'm getting some great hands on experience for my next story.
