The year of the nightmare
Chapter VIII: The night of the strike…
-Shane, slow down! Huff…Huff…Minute men aren't exactly…Huff…admired nowadays…
Nate Grey cracked a sexual joke toward his elder brother, who was leaving his younger brother in the biting dust. Shane was running like a mad man, and Nate tried his best to follow him, but was meters away…
-I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear that! It doesn't look like you!
Shane called back, still running up ahead of his little brother. The pair of young men was making a short journey to the small mountain's lake as part of their early morning jog. It was about 7:30 a.m. in the morning, the sun not fully awakened yet in the crystal skies, beaming small rays into the morning fog to reveal the shadows feeding upon the corners of the earth. But the warmth of its hands still caressed the faces of the brothers, evoking a scarlet flush upon their characteristic chiseled cheekbones. Shane was still able to speak clearly while running whereas his younger brother couldn't.
Huff. Huff. Huff. Harsh breaths were audible as the brothers sucked in breath of the fresh morning dew.
As he reached the edge of the azure waters, Shane dropped to the ground, and graciously spread out his lean, muscular legs upon the verdant fields, looking for some fresh.
-Aaahhh…
He sighed deeply, happily inhaling the fresh air.
-…God, this rush is amazing. Who needs drugs, I'm already high on my own! Ready for another one? First one to-
-Minutes!
Nate caught up with Shane half a minute later, his running shoes smashing against the grass in a slow, thumping rhythm. His dark curly hair glistened in the sun, sweat matting some of the dark hair against the flesh of his pale visage. He bent down at the waist, his moist palms leaning upon his aching knees. He just had an exhausting activity some hours earlier… Luckily, Shane just scratched his tent to ask him if he wanted to go for a jog in the mountain. Trying to act as if anything happened, he said but quickly remembered why Jason always declines the offer… Shane was slowly killing him! He left a note for his girlfriend, leaving her after a quick kiss on her forehead. She was still asleep when he left. How he wanted to be there now, instead of running way behind his crazy brother… Shane was ignorant of his little brother's current weak state, his stormy eyes were a bit red and he already was tired, almost worn out. His firm lips kissed the growing daylight, absorbing the natural warmth deep into the chambers of his lungs and skin.
-Nate, get over here! Confront your victor, for he has defeated you…
Shane spoke in a mocking tone, mimicking an ancient, powerful voice. He didn't even bother to turn around. There was no response.
-Nate, I know you can hear me.
No response once again. Dead silence. Only intense breathing from a few feet behind was audible to his now perking ears. He turned around to see a shaking and totally worn out Nate, with his eyes looking everywhere, lost.
-Nate? Hey, wha-
There was a sickening sound of a body crashing upon the grass, bones crackling and popping beneath the ashen flesh. Shane's back erected toward the skies, his he jumped in a second towards the source of the crash. He saw Nate's limp body embraced within the velvet fields, his mouth agape, and eyes shut away from his view. He began to shake and his eyes grew wide in horror.
-Nate!
He rushed to Nate's side, violently pushing his thick palms onto his brother's side. He didn't move.
-Wake up, what's wrong? Damnit, Nate! C'mon, c'mon… Nate!
After what seemed like eternity to him, his brother didn't move. He ran just a meter away, bracing the air with his arms, like a mad man. He was running in circles, going nowhere.
-Help!
He ran back towards Nate, shaking him more vigorously, still crying out loud for some help. Then, he reached for his phone in his pocket and quickly dialed a number. He was so dumbfounded that he couldn't think straight or even speak correctly.
-Mitchie! Nate! Fell on the ground! Doesn't move! Don't know!
He paused for a moment, looking anxiously at his brother.
-Noi'mfine! WhatamIgonnado?
-Ah!
Nate quickly got up and jumped on his older brother and they both fell off a small cliff, falling down towards a grassy area. He fell on top of him, looking proudly down at his brother.
-Gotcha! Next time, don't try to kill me!
Shane, lost, let his brother take his phone and talk a second to say it was a joke and hand up. He brotherly tapped his shoulder and handed him his hand to help him get up.
-Damn, dude! I thought you-
-I got brain, you got arms…
-Moron…
Nate began to climb the small cliff to reach the small path they have taken minutes ago. That's when he did a mistake. Shane got him by his feet, making him fall back on his stomach. He switched the dirt off of his shirt, sending a quizzical glare at his brother. Shane, on the other, opened his mouth to speak but at this moment, he was looking for good words. He couldn't say that like this.
-What?
He was coughing because of the dust he had inhaled from his fall. His brother handed him his hand but he pushed it away.
-Can you explain this…?
He pointed him his hand.
-It's my hand that I have known for quite a few years now, why?
He said that mockingly, with a smirk on his lips. Shane, on the other hand, frowned. He looked serious for the first time in his life. That's what frightened Nate.
-Where's your ring?
Nate blushed deeply. He had to tell him. Now. They'll have to tell them anyway. Better do it sooner than later… That's what he thought. For one of the few moments in his life, he felt lost.
-I gave it to… To Caitlyn.
Shane didn't respond. He seemed frozen. For a moment, it amused Nate, but he regained some seriousness, as his brother sat beside him. He sighed deeply, lying smugly in the dirt.
-You know you can tell me anything…
He gulped uneasily, his forehead was sweating.
-Even if it seems strange or difficult…
He nodded more uneasily, gulping with difficulty. His heart was beating against his chest, as his brother was looking at him. He looked back anxiously, trying to fight his fears back.
-Bro'… I did it.
-When?
-Yesterday night.
He sighed, looking at the ground. He chuckled a bit, watching the horizon.
-That would explain why you're so tired today…
Nate chuckled too, not because it was funny, but because he wanted to break this loud and threatening silence.
-So… Were you…
He gulped a bit, suddenly feeling uneasy too.
-Yes. I had one in my pocket.
-Good. At least, it wasn't as horrible as I thought it'd be!
Nate punched his arm playfully, as they both climbed back towards the small way they have taken. They started to jump slowly, but before going, Nate took a hold on his brother's arm.
-Please, bro', don't tell them. Caitlyn and I will but on time…
-No need to worry. I may be less bright than you, but I'm not dumb!
-Thanks…
-But…
-What?
He twisted his fingers anxiously. His brother had confessed himself to him, he had to do something about himself too.
-Mitchie and I are engaged. I proposed her. She said yes.
For a second, Nate didn't react. They were on an alternate universe. He lost it and he was… But what was good in it, was that they were brothers. They may be stressed to say these things but not ashamed or afraid. He giggled, punching his arm playfully, whispering a "congrats" and questioning him.
-I won't tell it, big bro'.
-Thanks.
-You're welcome but you owe me a favor…
-What?
Shane started to run, leaving his little brother behind. This last one started to run much slower, taking big deep breaths. This time, he won't let his big brother win. He may be the sick one, but he wanted to win just to prove him that he was wrong. Terribly wrong.
-And what favor is it, my dear little brother?
-To drive all the way back to the Camp! I'm tired!
-What?
-And Jason'll help you with the map!
-You must be kidding me!
-No way, dear older brother…
He lost. Shane was far away, running like a crazy, whereas Nate was way behind, panting, almost out of breath. He couldn't take it anymore. He'll have his revenge soon. With Jason and the drive. He, on the other hand, would be on the back seat with the girls, laughing about stupid things. It made him laugh on his run…
######°######
It was already night time. The sky was dark blue and only some small grey clouds were ripping this huge tissue. Shane's eyes were as dark as the cloud, asking for some shut-eye. His eyes were half closed and his hands were gripping hard the wheel. Jason turned the map on all sides, trying to find the right department and he was talking about his dreams.
-And then, I found out that the bird flew away from-
-Dog, Shane!
Mitchie yelled so loudly that he literally jumped on the brake and the car started spinning around furiously. He gave the wheel one quick and swift motion, pulling it back in the right path. Luckily, there was no one around. Jason was biting the map, pupils dilated, sweating. Nate had fallen all the way on the back seats, whereas the girls were on the floor. They were groaning, moaning, trying to regain some senses. Jason opened the door in a hurry, burping. Nate helped Mitchie and Caitlyn to get out, whispering excuses for a thing he wasn't even guilty. He gently responded back by some "that's called being a gentleman".
-Is everyone alright?
The girls were pale by looking at a sick Jason, on the side of the road. Nate chuckled a bit.
-Well, except Jason?
That's when it hit them. They gathered around the car, looking everywhere, yelling. The fresh air started to seem cold and they al went back inside. They looked ahead, flashing the lights of the car, and saw red strains. Drips of blood.
-Did we hit the dog?
-Worse…
Jason, feeling a bit better, saw the small traces too. He walked some meters away, following them. The others didn't say a word. He came back from the shadows minutes later, head down. Nate hurriedly opened his door, coming next to him. They exchanged words in front of the appalled girls, before glaring back to the endless and shadowy road. They both came back inside, and Jason sat at the driver's seat. Nate put his face in his head. The older brother took out the map, trying to see the department in the growing dark.
-What happened?
Caitlyn's shaking voice made Nate shiver. He slowly turned around and, for the first time in her life, she saw he was lost. It didn't comfort them, but they knew something was wrong.
-It took Shane…
Mitchie opened her mouth but nothing came out as she anxiously glared at her "family".
-We must call Brown, then the police, then, come back to the Camp if he… Doesn't get back.
Then, it finally hit her. She started to sob quietly, burying her head in her best friend's neck. Nate brushed her back with his hand, trying to soothe her. Jason dialed a number, speaking confidently, taking his "big brother" role very seriously. It seemed awkward to them. Meanwhile, outside, Shane was waiting for them…
######°######
The beast turned around, growling in lust. His huge paws were ripping the moist ground, as his reddish claws plunged in his prey. Everything was a blur; his mind was somewhere else, where he'd rather be. He clenched the grass in pain, yelling in utter agony as the claws sank deeper and deeper into his flesh. He punched the beast, who roared in anger. He eventually let go for a moment, trying to breathe. Shane took that opportunity to run away, falling several times on the cold and hard ground. He heard loud groans coming from behind him and getting closer, as he was almost out of breath already. He used the last strengths that were in him to defy his body and soul. He ran faster and faster, branches were scratching his pale face, making him fall one more time as he got one in his eye. He jumped to his feet, climbing a nearby tree, holding onto it tightly, like he was holding onto his life.
He held his short breaths, looking down. Nothing. No sound. Silence. He climbed higher, and he soon found himself on top of the tree. He could see the car from where he was. In fact, he wasn't far away, just quite high. He yelled desperately to get their attention, waving at them. His tired and shaking legs let go of the tree and he fell. Shane took hold onto a branch during his fall but he hurt his back hard against it as it cracked. He yelled in pain, trying to regain some more strength. His arm was cut deep and it was bleeding a lot. Then, as the red liquid was slowly dripping on the ground, he heard growls. His eyes shot opened and he looked in horror into the beast's brown eyes. He was there. With one swift motion, he climbed next to his prey, mouth wide opened. Shane got up and jumped, trying to get away. Because of his weight, the tree was shaking and started to fall apart, as the beast was on Shane's tracks.
-Help!
His loud and heartbreaking yells were filling the now cold air. His watery eyes wandered everywhere, trying to find an escape. Unfortunately, when he reached the top and jumped to catch the other tree, his branch made a strange noise. He failed. He yelled at the top of his lungs as he fell faster towards his dark destiny. He hit many branches and rocks before falling hard on his back another time. He struggled to get up but failed once again. Completely worn out, out of breath, and mostly hopeless, he slowly let go of his life, letting the burning eyes eyeing him lustfully. He clenched his teethes in anticipation of the coming agony. He waited for the final strike. It came. A sharp, vivid and horrible pain made him struggle one last time. The claws dug deeper in his arm as he kept him under his own control with his huge teethes. The beast crawled on him, sucking the last parts of his prey's life.
-Help…
Shane allowed his muscles to loosen up as he gently closed his eyes, slowly drifting off into the dark. The sun started to rose at the horizon, ending this horrible massacre. The beast growled, looking back and forth from his prey to the gleaming sun. He had his time. Now, the price was worth the fight… He howled with all his might and pride, defying the sun, as Shane's motionless body was lying on the cold and hard ground… Waiting for a helping hand…