# Chapter 40

“Tomorrow morning?” Asher asked. “Are you certain about that?” David looked up at Asher, who was standing just within the doorway of the warehouse, not willing to step out into the sunlight anymore than he had to.
“Um…who are-”
“They’re with us.” Naomi snapped. “Are you sure that they’ll be here that soon?!”
“Yes! There’s no doubt.” David argued. Mato growled and turned to Tori.
“Double check that.”
“Roger!” She jumped up and flew high in the sky and away towards the woods without another word. Mato looked to Naomi and then to David, as if their expressions were all that needed to be shown to communicate.
“David, come inside with us.” Naomi instructed.
“Why?”
“We need to talk.” She urged. “Mato, would you mind-”
“I’ll stand watch. I understand.” Naomi smiled and lead David into the warehouse, as the rest of the club followed.
“Everyone should sit down…I have some explaining to do.” Naomi announced. The club all looked at each other and Abraham could feel a small degree of frustration from his family. Asher and Michelle in particular looked rather off put by the lack of information and secrecy from Naomi and Mato. Where had this centaur, David come from? Why was he here? What did they know about the Dawn Bringers? Calypso though just looked utterly crushed, possibly because of how Mato had treated Abraham, and how she had tried to vouch for this group due to her friendship with Naomi. Whatever the case, all of the club took a seat on old tires and boxes, waiting to hear Naomi’s explanation.

“About 15 miles north of here is a farm in the middle of a clearing. We call that location ‘The Barn.’ It’s a safe haven for monsters, kind of like what we have here…though we’re not as inclusive.” Naomi explained. “It’s run by a man named Alex. David here is one of the monsters that lives in ‘The Barn,’ and he’s often the messenger between our group and his.”
“Why didn’t tell us any of this sooner?” Michelle asked.
“I didn’t think about it, honestly.” Naomi shrugged. “It wasn’t really relevant at the time. But the point is that, while we don’t keep in regular contact with The Barn, they often act as our eyes and ears from the woods. When something happens, they like to inform us of it…but this is more than I was expecting.”
“What’re you going to do?” David asked nervously. “Christina said that it would be a good idea for you to come to the Barn for a while until things blow over.”
“That’s sweet of her, but no. We’re not leaving here…not without a fight. Besides, the Barn can’t support all of us. Maybe just a few.”
“Then we’ll send those of us who can’t fight.” Asher spoke up. Naomi turned to him in surprise and raised an eyebrow.
“Are you sure?”
“30 or so Dawn Bringers is a big problem…and this place isn’t fortified enough to protect everyone. Those who can’t fight well should go to this Barn of yours and hide out until it blows over.” Asher explained.
“Asher, are you sure that’s wise?” Michelle asked. “How do we know we can trust them?”
“I do-”
“IT’S TRUE!” Suddenly from out of the open window in the ceiling, Tori came crashing into the room at break neck speed, landing on a stack of tires near the group. “I saw them! There’s gotta be like 100 or something!”
“…Tori, are you over exaggerating?” Naomi asked.
“Um…okay maybe not a hundred but…but there were a lot!” Tori giggled. “Seriously, they all had guns and stuff and they were wearing hunting clothes and camo stuff.”
“Probably passing themselves off as big game hunters.” Naomi groaned. “Yeah…we’re in for some trouble. Tori, your body is more fragile than mine or Mato, you should go to the Barn with David.”
“Yay! I get to see Alex again! His voice is funny.” Tori giggled. Abraham couldn’t help but marvel at how carefree Tori was. “As for who from your club goes to the Barn, that’s up to you.” Asher turned to face Abraham and sighed sadly, frowning.
“Me?” Abraham asked.
“Yes…I’m sorry Abraham but…”
“I’d just be in the way. I get it…” I muttered. Asher started to argue but shut his mouth again and looked aside in defeat. Michelle pulled him to the side and whispered in his ear. Asher nodded and hurried back to Abraham again, a bit more encouragement in his voice.
“It’s not that you’re in the way. We just don’t want to lose you. You’re one of us, okay? Besides, it’d be nice if we gathered some intel on the Barn and it’s inhabitants.” Abraham just sighed, knowing that Michelle had told Asher to say this. He just smiled agreeably and stepped back.
“Sure, I can do that.”
“As for the rest…Tamil you should go too.”
“No argument.” Tamil grumbled. “Am not cut out for fight….but promise no one get hurt?” Tamil stood up anxiously and hugged himself in fear. “I…no want to lose family.”
“You’ll see us again, Tamil.” Michelle smirked.
“HA! Is a blind joke, right?!” Tamil laughed. “You wish were funny.”
“And you too Annie.” Michelle added.
“Why? I want to help!” She pouted.
“I know but we really need you to go with Abraham and Tamil so you can stay safe.” Michelle pleaded. Annie looked away in disappointment, clearly not pleased with being separated from everyone.
“I’ll be with you, okay?” Abraham offered. She nodded, but did not look anymore satisfied. Abraham held out his hand to her and she took it, rubbing her cheek.
“If you’re going, now is the time.” Naomi interrupted. “It’ll take you the rest of the day to get there, even riding David.”
“RIDE me!?” David shouted. “I’m not some common pony.”
“Stop whining like a little girl.” Naomi growled. “You can at least carry one or two of them there.”
“…Fine…But I swear if any of you say a word about this to the others, I’ll kick you across the farm!” He snapped.
“Let’s get moving, all of you.” Asher shouted. David hurried outside, clearly intimidated by Asher while everyone gathered around Tamil, Abraham, and Annie.
“Take care of yourself okay?” Michelle ordered.
“If you have any trouble, we’ll all be here.” Asher agreed. Asher took Abraham’s hand and smiled reassuringly. “Abraham…you’re in charge of this little group.”
“Me!?” Abraham gasped.
“HIM!?” Tamil laughed.
“Yes. I wouldn’t trust anyone else for this.” Asher nodded. “Keep the group together and keep them alive. I don’t care how you do it, just keep the family alive.”
“…Asher…I’ll do my best.”
“Annie, you be safe, and Tamil…please take this seriously.” Sarah giggled. She then looked to Abraham and tearfully hugged him tightly, making Abraham blush a little. “Oh Abraham…you be careful, okay?”
“We be safe, Sarah!” Tamil chuckled. “Not gonna die again.”
“DON’T JYNX IT!” Michelle snapped, slapping him on the back of the head. While Calypso gave her hugs and goodbyes, Abraham felt a tap on his shoulder and he turned to Katie who was standing behind him, fiddling with her hair.
“What’s wrong Katie?” Abraham asked.
“…Can I talk to you real quick?” She asked. Abraham glanced back at the others for a moment and nodded slowly. Katie took Abraham by the hand and lead him away from the group to the far back corner of the warehouse and then inhaled deeply.
“What is it?”

“…Abraham…I wish I could go with you three.” She admitted. “But they need me here to help hold off the dawn bringers. Besides, I’d only slow you down on your way to this barn.”
“I understand. It’s not your fault.” Abraham assured her.
“But that’s not what I wanted to tell you…” She whispered. “Abraham…I…I want to say…be safe.” She hung her head and cradled her arm for a minute, as if she was embarrassed by her own statement and Abraham couldn’t help but grin.
“I’ll be okay, Katie. It’s you and the others who need to be careful. You’re about to get into a big fight, right?” Katie snorted and shook her head.
“Thirty Dawn Bringers? Asher will wipe the floor with them, we’re just here for moral support. But you don’t know what kind of people or creatures are waiting for you at this Barn or whatever…I…I don’t want…damn it, I don’t know how to say what I want to say!” She shouted. “Just….ugh you idiot!” She darted forward and suddenly wrapped her arms around Abraham tightly causing Abraham to cough in surprise as he felt the full weight of Katie crash into him.
“OOF!”
“Just come back to us, okay?!” She hissed.
“I-I’ll be fine, Katie.” Abraham grunted, smiling a little and patting her back.
“Katie, you two done?” Michelle shouted. “It’s time to go! Or should we give you two some time for a goodbye kiss?”
“Shut your face Michelle!” Kaite snapped, letting go of Abraham, a deep blush running across her face. Abraham couldn’t hide the grin on his face at the suggestion of a kiss from Katie. It was too ridiculous to consider.
“I’ll be safe, Katie.” Abraham assured her. “You stay safe too.”

Abraham ran after Annie and Tamil who were already outside with David. Sarah and Calypso were helping Tamil onto David’s back, who was looking quite frustrated with the whole scenario.
“Annie, you climb on next.” Sarah instructed, lifting Annie up so that she rested between Tamil’s body and David’s human shaped torso. Annie wrapped her little arms around David, making David roll his eyes in contempt.
“You do realize I can’t carry all three of them right?” David snapped. “I’ll only be able to carry two.”
“I’ll carry Abraham!” Tori giggled, bouncing up and down.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, you’re pretty light!” Tori nodded.
“Well go ahead then.” Naomi gestured. Tori ran behind Abraham and giggled.
“Okay, hold your hands up over your head like you’re reaching for the sky.” She instructed. Abraham did as told and suddenly felt Tori press herself against his back and hug him from behind. He then felt her two talons dig into his ankles and he stifled a cry of pain as they dug into his skin.
“Oww…” He groaned.
“Sorry, but this is the only way to carry you for a long flight!” She laughed.
“Enough, all of you.” Namoi shouted. “We don’t have time to waste! Get going! And be safe. We’ll come for you when the danger is past.”
“Okie Dokie!” Tori squealed, extending her wings. With a mighty flap, Abraham felt him and her bodies leaving the ground as she began to climb into the sky.
“WOAH!” Abraham cried, as soon the earth was far below him. He could just make out the rest of the club all waving frantically at him shouting goodbyes.
“Close your arms against your side, silly!” Tori called. Abraham blushed, realizing he’d not let his arms down yet and did as told. Tori leveled out in mid air and began flying north at break neck speed, the cold rushing air bringing tears to Abraham’s eyes.
“Can’t we slow down!?” Abraham shouted.
“No way! I wanna beat David back!”
“Why?”
“Racing is fun! Don’t you know that!?” Tori laughed. Abraham looked down to see if he could see David, and quickly wished he hadn’t, as the ground below seemed so far away from him. Just how high up at Tori gotten them!? It was amazing she could fly with such added weight. He silently prayed in the back of his head that she didn’t get tired or exhausted and drop him on the way to this mysterious barn. But from the look on her face, she was having a ball just flying so near the clouds.

After about 30 minutes of flying, Abraham caught sight of a clearing not far away with a red barn in the middle. The clearing was surrounded by trees with a small pond near the farm. The grass surrounding the barn was a light green but had breaks and segements of deep brown like some kind of crop field. What kind of barn was this? An animal farm? A crop growing plantation?
“That’s the barn!” Tori shouted. “I don’t see David, so I think we won!”
“How can you see anything from this height?” Abraham asked. Tori giggled but didn’t answer and slowly began to descend down to the ground, just outside of the main house to the western side of the barn. The house was made of wood and stood two stories with a front porch and four windows, two on every level. Tori let go of Abraham and jumped off of him, running to the front porch like an excited child.
“ALEX! PEN! CHRISTINA!” She cried, running to the door and knocking. “It’s me! Tori! I brought a friend!”
“Tori’ they might be busy. It is a farm after all…maybe they do farm work all day.”
“Oh yeah, Alex probably is. C’mon we can go find him!
“Who is Alex, exactly?” Abraham asked.
“He owns the farm! He’s a lot like you, really.” She added, running past Abraham towards the fields to the East.
“…So he’s human?” Abraham asked. “What do you mean he’s like me?” Tori didn’t answer but kept running, forcing Abraham to run after her. His legs felt like jelly as he chased her, still not walking well after flying so long. As they drew near the field, a figure could be seen with a pitchfork of some kind, toiling the soil.
“ALEX!” Tori shouted. The figure turned around and Abraham drew closer to finally get a good look at this mysterious Alex.

He stood nearly 7 feet tall. His hair was black and dirty with a small amount of stubble on his chin. Two long bull horns grew from his head and a cow tail swayed behind him. He wore a pair of jeans but no shirt, revealing a muscular and sweaty body. His hands were calloused and rough and in his teeth was a long piece of straw he was chewing on. Abraham froze in place at the sight of this giant.
“Tori!?” The tall man grunted, in a heavy country boy accent “What’n blue blazes ‘re ya doin here, girl?” Tori didn’t hesitate to jump into a hug, being caught by Alex in a tight hug. Alex smiled and set down his pitchfork to hug the young harpy.
“I learned some new tricks since I was here. Do you want to see them?” Tori asked.
“After I’m done, darlin’.” He laughed. Alex then turned to see Abraham and he set Tori down. “An’ who’s yer friend?”
“Oh right! Alex, this is Abraham. He’s a human friend. He and a few others are coming to stay for a day or two because they’re on the run from the Dawn Bringers.” She answered simply. Alex just stared at Tori and Abraham in shock and confusion.
“What’n the hell’re ya rambl’n about? Dawn Bringers? A few others?” He glanced at me in confusion as if I might be able to make some sense of what Tori had been going on about. My thoughts turned back to what Katie and Asher had said…learning who these people were and being cautious around them.
“I wouldn’t trust anyone else for this. Keep the group together and keep them safe.” had been Asher’s commands. Abraham took on a serious expression and readied himself. The others were counting on him…they depended on him. He wouldn’t let them down.
“My name is Abraham, and I’m with the Monster Club. A group of my friends is coming here for safe haven from the Dawn Bringers…please let us stay here for a day or two.”
“…Well ya got yerself a might proper way of introductions, Abraham.” He held out his large hand to shake and grinned. “Name’s Alexander, but everyone calls me Alex. I’m a minotaur as ye likely noticed. Welcome to the Barn. We’re mor’n happy to accomidate.”