Chapter 35
Jim awoke to the sun shining on his face. He sat up in bed and saw his wife asleep next to him. In her arms he noticed his newborn son, Charlie. They named him Charlie because mainly Jim wouldn't shut up about it, but, Jennifer became fond of the name later on.
He climbed out of bed and walked downstairs. He walked right out the door and nearly ran into Nate.
"Hey! Long night?" Nate asked
"Yeah, he's a keeper though."
"What did you name him?"
"Charlie."
"She actually let you name him that."
"Yes sir she did."
"You up for a morning flight?"
"Hell yeah."
They mounted their dragons and left the island.
"Where are we going?" Jim asked
"Eclipse."
"Why the hell are we going there?"
"Just trust me ok!"
Shortly after landing at Eclipse, Nate jumped off and grabbed his sword. Jim did the same.
"Lead the way." Jim motioned
They walked through the village, being on the lookout for anything strange. Nate was especially on edge. He didn't want his best friend to get killed the day after his son is born. Nate heard footsteps behind them; he turned around and saw the dark figure. They both charged each other. Nate swung his sword but the figure dodged it and moved towards Jim. He swung and sliced the figures arm. This caused the figure to lose their balance and fall down. Nate walked over and pointed his sword right at his chest.
"Who are you?" He asked
"I am death." The figure responded
"Then why am I not dead?"
"Maybe I wasn't here to kill you."
Nate looked over and saw Jim toppled over, his hand covered in blood. Nate looked back at the figure and ran his sword through the figures chest.
"JIM!" He yelled running over to him
"Nate, I can't go like this. What about my son."
"You're not going to die." Nate told him before gathering supplies to make a signal fire
"Signaling them?" Jim asked
"Yup." Nate replied before lighting the stack of wood on fire using a rock and his sword
The dragons came running over to see what was happening. Splash trotted over to Jim, resting his snout under Jim's hand.
"Sorry pal." Jim told his dragon
"Where are they?" Nate said impatiently
"Nate…."
"No, you are not dying because of me! I brought you here and I'm not letting you die!"
"I could have stopped you anytime, but I didn't. I was just as interested as you were."
Jack and Jayden landed and ran over to Jim.
"Stab wound, looks deep." Jack told Jayden, who ran to Heatwave to grab their medical supplies
"Jack, what's his condition?" Nate asked
"He'll be fine. However, I found this attached to the knife."
Jack handed Nate a small note. He took a good look at it before realizing what it was. It read:
The group of friends explored it all; however, none survive it all
The first was stabbed in their household
The second died while being bold
The third will die during a major day
The fourth will perish on a weekday
The fifth will die on the bloody sand
The sixth will die at someone else's hand
But one will live after the end
"Nate what is it?" Jack asked
"It's how we die." Nate said gulping
"Let me see that, Jayden help Jim." Jack said taking the note from Nate
"How do they know what happens to us?" Nate told Jack
"This could be about anyone." Jack reassured him
"No it isn't. Emilia was stabbed in her house, Felix died in the battle protecting me, and Jim's dying the day after his son is born."
Jack lowered the note and turned around to face Jayden helping Jim. He dropped the note and ran over to help.
"No one's dying today." Jack told the group
A couple of hours went by and Jim seemed to be getting better. Nate had investigated the body of 'Death' and found that it was a cultist wearing a black outfit. He kept reading the note trying to make sense of who each number was. Emilia was one, and Felix was two. Jim obviously wasn't three.
"He'll be fine. Jennifer and Heather can't know about this." Jack told Nate
"I agree. If they find out, they'll constantly worry about us. Let's get back soon. This place is giving me the creeps."
They all mounted their dragons and left the town. Nate kept looking at the lifeless body as they flew away. Shadow growled at Nate.
"Sorry bud, I'm just paranoid now."
A small gurgle was produced
"Yes I know I know."
Shadow cooed
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
They landed in the cave and went their separate ways. Nate helped Jim back to his house. As they approached his house Jim froze.
"What's the matter?" Nate asked him
"She'll wonder where I was all day."
"Just tell her it was important dragon business. If she asks about the scar or the blood. Tell her we attacked a bandit ship that was getting to close and you took an arrow to the stomach."
"Are you certain she'll buy that?"
"100% and also don't tell anyone about the note." Nate said smiling and walking towards his own house
Jim opened his door and couldn't find Jennifer anywhere. He walked upstairs and saw her sitting on their bed with Charlie.
"Hey! Where were you today?" She asked as he entered the room
"Dragon business, we attacked a bandit ship that was getting to close. I got hit but Jack and Jayden patched me up pretty good." He told her while walking over to sit next to her
"At least you came back in one piece." She said hugging him
"I've had a tiring day. Can I sleep now?" Jim said lying down and closing his eyes
Jennifer lied down next to him and fell asleep too. Charlie slept in the middle of them.
Nate opened his door to find Heather on their couch reading a book. He was hoping she didn't notice him as he opened the door and attempted to sneak upstairs.
"Your awfully home late." She said closing her book and looking her husband right in the eye
"Yeah, we had dragon business to deal with." He told her as he descended the stairs
"Really now? Because I seem to remember seeing smoke rising from Eclipse. That was then shortly followed by Jayden and Jack flying to the rescue. Now tell me, what really happened."
"I ran into Jim this morning and asked him if he wanted to go flying. He did, so we went to Eclipse to check something I saw there last night. We got there and it attacked us. I killed it but it injured Jim. He was close to dead before Jack and Jayden had gotten there. They patched him up and we came back." He told her
"Now that's the Nate I know." She said before kissing him
"Do I get to sleep now?" He asked her
"Yes, I say so."
Nate followed Heather up to their room. He opened the door for her and walked in after her. The door closed and Nate crashed on his bed and fell asleep instantly. Heather simply laughed and climbed in next to him.