Part 5: Distant Thunder

 

They were all sitting at the long table in Mia’s dining room.  Mia and Ryo had gotten their guest something to eat.  He looked at it or several minutes like he thought it might be poisoned.  Then he grabbed at it and starting wolfing it down.

 

Sage elbowed Kento.  “Boy, and I thought you liked to scarf your food.”

 

Kento snorted.  “Well at least I can still eat dinner while wearing my favorite shirt.  It looks like yours got ripped when Gilgamesh tackled him.”

 

Sage scowled at him.

 

Mia sat across the table from the stranger, wishing everyone else would sit down or leave the room.  They were making him nervous.  They were making her nervous!  She tried her friendliest, most calming tone of voice.  “We’re sorry about chasing you into the woods, but you did steal from us.  If you had told us you needed clothes and food, we would’ve given you some.  You just needed to ask.” 

 

He swallowed hard, looking away.  “I’m sorry.  I didn’t think…I just…I needed to leave right away.  I thought you wouldn’t miss a few things.”

 

Sage was still angry.  “So you do this often?  Steal from good Samaritans?”

 

“No!  I had to go and I needed supplies.  I didn’t have any other way to get them.”

 

Rowen sat down next to him.  “What’s your name?”

 

He hesitated for a moment, then looked down at his hands.  “Jack.  Jack Parses.”

 

Rowen introduced himself.  Then he went around the room, giving everyone’s name.  Rowen turned back to Jack, no hint of accusation in his voice—just curiosity.  “Why were you in such a hurry, Jack?  Couldn’t it have waited until you’d had a chance to talk to us at least?”

 

“I couldn’t stay.”  Jack heard a rumble of thunder in the distance.  “I can’t stay now!  Please, you have to let me go.”

 

“Why don’t you tell us what’s going on first?”

 

Jack looked at his hands.  How could he explain?  They’d never believe him.  He looked out the window and saw dark clouds seething on the horizon.  If he hadn’t been living this nightmare, he wouldn’t believe it either.  He didn’t say anything, just shook his head.  “I have to go.”

 

Ryo spoke up.  “It has something to do with that weird lightning, doesn’t it?”

 

Jack was surprised.  “How…how did you know?”

 

“It attacked us when we tried to help you.  That was no ordinary storm last night.”

 

Zoe noticed that Jack kept nervously glancing out the window.  She walked over to look outside.  Nothing unusual.  But then she saw the ominous clouds piling up in the distance.  There wasn’t any rain in the forecast!  Not for all week.  That was very odd…then it dawned on her.  The clouds were what Jack was watching with trepidation.  She spun around.  “It’s that storm out there that has you worried, isn’t it?  Is it another one of those weird storms like last night?”

 

 Jack still seemed reluctant to speak.  “I…I don’t know.  But it’s coming.  None of us are safe.  Just let me go!  Then it will follow me away from here.”  He started to get up.

 

Mia had a feeling about him that said trust.  They could trust him.  They just needed to find a way to show him that he could also trust them.  She looked at Astarte, standing near the doorway.  Astarte inclined her head in agreement.  Mia looked around the room.  Everyone else looked concerned for Jack, too—even Sage.  Jack needed their help and they should give it.

 

Astarte gently blocked Jack’s way.  “Whatever strange power seeks you, it will not find you here—at least for now.  There is a mystical barrier around this house that will block it from magical or physical searches for a time.”  She addressed Mia in an aside.  “I sensed your protective shield this morning.”  She then turned back to Jack.  “Tell us more about what’s happening here so we can help you.”

 

Jack didn’t know what to believe.  He raked a tense hand through his hair.  A mystical barrier?  Sure, why not?  After some of the things he’d seen in the last year, it didn’t sound as crazy as most people would think.  But he couldn’t risk it.  The less they knew the better.  And some of it he didn’t even know how to explain.  He said nothing.

 

Zane didn’t usually like agreeing with Astarte, but he echoed her sentiments.  “Jack, whatever danger you’re in, whatever trouble’s following you, we can help.”

 

Exasperation clung to Jack’s words.  “No you can’t.  No one can.  It’s too strange, too powerful.  And it’s after me.  Just let me go—that’s the only thing you can do.  I’ll be gone and you’ll be safe.”

 

Mia could see that he was on the edge—he’d endured a lot recently.  She didn’t want to push him too far.  “Look, Jack.  We won’t press you for any more information right now.  Take your time.  Maybe, when you’re ready, you’ll trust us enough to tell us everything.  For now, I just want you to think about our offer to help.  Promise me that you’ll give it serious thought?”

 

He seemed to calm down a little, but he still looked like a wild animal about to bolt.  After a few minutes, he settled back into his seat.  “Sure…okay.”

 

“And you have to stay here for a few days.”  Jack opened his mouth to protest, but Mia wouldn’t hear of it.  “You’re just going to have to trust me when I say that you’ll be completely safe here for the time being.  Whoever is looking for you won’t be able to penetrate my shield right away.  We have dry places to sleep, plenty of food, clothes for you to wear…”  She looked over at Sage with a grin.  Sage threw up his hands in surrender.  “…and pleasant company if I do say so myself.  I’m not going to listen to a single protest, so you might as well give up now.  Well?”

 

Jack wanted to run, to put as much distance between these people and the danger he represented as he could.  But he’d been alone so long.  And the thought of decent clothes and food and shelter was irresistible.  He couldn’t say no—his will was too weak.  Maybe just a few days…then he could take off before the Lord of Storms found him. 

 

Mia watched as a strange light came into his eyes, a yearning.  He didn’t say anything, just shook his head ‘yes’.