Earth(42)

I let go, and the pain dissipated in waves. My hands went to my temples.

"Well, prove it fast or it's into the cuffs you go," said one of the men, waving a plastic zip-tie in front of my face.

A new sensation of pins and needles took me, as I realized magic would not get me out of this one. "Okay, okay," I mumbled. "Just give me a second."

I dropped my backpack and turned away from them. I pulled down on the neckline of my shirt, exposing my right shoulder blade.

"I can't see it; it's too dark. Can you see it?" one of them asked.

"No – wait, I have a flashlight." Material rustled as hands searched pockets.

I looked over my shoulder. "No need to waste batteries."

"Shush, you. We have to be sure."

I sighed, keeping the shirt yanked down on one side. It didn't matter, the more time we wasted, the more time for the others to get away.

"Here it is."

Light flashed over my shoulder for a brief second while they studied the scar Shawn had left with his Athame.

"Ok, yeah. You're clear."

I pulled my shirt back down. "Oh, goodie," I said, mustering as much sarcasm as I could.

"Come on, they're regrouping on the trail." The three of them started walking opposite the direction of Susan and Bee.

"You go ahead, I think I lost my…my…" I had to think quick, some excuse to separate from them.

"Your what?" the woman asked.

"I think my armband must be here, somewhere. Don't want to be baring my shoulder every five seconds." I managed to muster a nervous laugh.

There was a click, and a beam of light darted around the ground at my feet.

"Nope," she said. "Here, I have an extra one."

My hand went to the air to catch the piece of blue material she tossed. I grimaced at the pain in my ribs and managed to turn it into a smile. "Thanks, lady." I bent to pick up my backpack.

"The name is Laura," she said. She put her arm around my shoulder, leading me back to the path. "You must be new here – that scar looks fairly fresh."





Chapter 25





Muscle Memory





For the next two hours, we walked the way I had just come. Every step was one in the wrong direction. My head still hurt, as did my ribs; all compounded by the fact that the woman next to me with short brown hair, continued to talk my ear off—mainly about the men around camp.

"…but then he started to bed down with Sheila. Mike told me they went through several condoms a night. Tent mates couldn't handle it so they moved out – one of them was Jack and I offered room for him…"

In five quick minutes I had learned enough to know that camp at One Less was sexually active as long as two rules were obeyed; condoms and no rape. There was no way that could be one of Shawn's; at least not under his direct control. My ears had strained, trying to catch his voice among the quiet chatter of fifty people, with no such luck. I relaxed a little.

"…but he was a Water and believe me, opposites do not attract. With them it's so gentle and soft and they always want to talk after, and I'm like 'Bugger off – I need my three hours of sleep 'cause I got sentry duty in the morning'."

I smiled, nodding my head, and regretting it instantly. My hand went to my temples again.

"Hey, you okay?" Laura asked.

I tripped over a rock.

She steadied me. "Be careful or you'll be arse over elbow!"

"Thanks. I'm fine." I risked a sideways glance.

She looked at me, expecting more.

"It's just – you know – that isn't my thing."

"Ooooh, I get it." She removed her hands from my arm.

I sighed, relieved that she could understand sex wasn't top priority in everyone's mind. But no.

"Then you must be part of Erika's group. No wonder I didn't recognize you. You all do keep to yourselves; don't catch you around the prophylactic distribution tent, if you know what I mean." She laughed, nudging me with her elbow.

I forced a laugh in return.

Oh great, I have just come out of a closet I didn't even know I was in.

But it worked. Her chatter ceased until she found someone else to 'talk shop' with. There were no protests when I began to fall behind. As soon as I was clear to concentrate, I reached out, searching the electrical waves around us, honing in on those with the telltale signature that screamed human. I could do that much without causing an earthquake in my head.

Bee was behind us, accompanied by a Water and a muggle. I smiled. They were alone putting a safe distance between them and One Less. I fell back further until something else caught my ear. Crying.

I picked up the pace, making my way forward among the ranks until I was almost to my very hetero female companion. Just ahead of us were ten or so Elementals they had caught from my group. I recognized the one crying, an eighteen year old female who had joined us in Evansville.