Chapter 17: Insomnia

Dawn looked upon the world with its warm gleam once again. A new day was born at last, slowly eating through the darkness of night. The young men were all gathered outside of their shelter, with the exception of Cole and Matt, rejuvenated and ready for a new day's opportunity.

Drake smiled warmly, mornings were always his favorite time of the day. He stared at the trees and gave himself to the breeze. There was a faint, but powerful aroma of dew from the storm the night before.

"Is it just me, or is today ridiculously beautiful today?" he asked, his smile still intact.

David rolled his eyes at Drake's newly found perk. "Get a hold of yourself," he said coldly. "You are starting to sound more like Cole every day."

Drake glared at David angrily, ready to finish what they had started the other day. "Look, David!" he started, but quickly coming to his senses he paused. "Hold on? Where is Cole anyway? And Matt too!"

"Cole is still asleep. I didn't want to wake him up. He seems really upset about something." Andrew answered from a small corner by a tree.

"And Matt never came back last night," David added. "He still hadn't come back when I went to bed."

"And you?" Drake asked. "You had been gone quite some time too. Where were you?"

David frowned. "I was out. In the woods."

"Doing?" Drake asked skeptically.

"Doing none of your damn business!" David snapped. "How do I know you weren't gone all night too? Can you answer that, Columbo?"

"He has Cole, Matt, and I for alibis. He was here the whole time." Andrew said shyly.

David turned red with anger. "I didn't ask you, Dickinson! Tell it to the trees."

"Hey! Leave Andrew out of this, David!" Drake defended. "Where is your damn alibi?!"

"Its up your ass!" David growled.

"Trouble in paradise already?" Matt said from behind David.

Drake's eyes widened. "Matt! Where were you?"

"Oh god, not again!" David pleaded. "Who the hell cares!? I don't care. He isn't dead or hurt, so just drop it already!"

Matt looked puzzled at Drake.

"Don't ask." Drake groaned. "Long story."

"Ah." He said uncertainly "Anyway, I was caught in the storm, I had to make camp by this beautiful lake across this side of the woods. Where's Cole?"

"Asleep apparently." David answered.

Matt frowned. "Still. He usually loves the mornings. Maybe I should go check up on him."

"I wouldn't do that." Andrew cautioned. "I don't think he wants visitors."

Matt smirked. "I have known Cole for a long time, Andrew. I'm sure he is just tired."

Matt walked quietly toward the shelter they had made for sleeping. Through the crevice shrouded by leaves and two large trees's he stepped inside. It was so quiet, he was not used to the shelter being so still and silent.

"Cole?" he whispered. "Cole, you awake? It's Matt."



He heard a slight rumble ahead of him. Matt looked down. Cole was lying face on his side, his face covered in a shadow. Matt sighed with relief. He kneeled over beside Cole.

Slowly Matt reached for Cole's shoulder. Cole jumped up impulsively. "GET AWAY FROM ME!" he roared.

Matt fell back on his behind. He was startled. He blinked his eyes once; Cole's face was coming into focus. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Cole's eyes drooped and were covered with black circles.

"C-Cole? Are you okay?" Matt asked frightened. "You don't look so good buddy." Cole gave him no answer but rather stared at him. "Did you get enough sleep last night?"

Cole looked to George who sat beside him.

"Go ahead, answer him. I doubt he is the one." George told him.

Matt looked at Cole with concern in his eyes. "What are you looking at, Cole?" he asked calmly.

Cole turned back to him. "I need to be alone now, Matt.", he answered hoarsely.

"Sure, Cole." Matt frowned. "Whatever you want." Slowly he began to walk away.

Cole rested back on his side, his back to George, his eyes never closing.