# Chapter 48

The feeling was nothing like Abraham had felt before. There was both a sense of pride and also a sense of fear that went along with this position he found himself in. He had told Katie to go and scout the area to determine if she could find out where the Dawn Bringers had run off too. Sarah was back at work mending the defenses, what little there were, of the hide out. Tamil was still pouting, but was in charge of keeping Annie company. With any luck, she’d rub off on him. Calypso was sleeping currently, since the entire club was taking sleep shifts. Abraham didn’t feel comfortable allowing everyone to sleep at once…not when Asher and Michelle were gone. They took turns sleeping and getting rest. Next up would be Katie when she got back. The only club member not accounted for in the area was Tori…but Abraham knew where she was heading.
While he wasn’t entirely sure about enlisting them…the Farm group could provide the club with shelter…help…assistance. Anything of value that could possibly help get Asher and Michelle back. Tori was on her way to go beg the farm group to offer aid. Abraham turned and looked out the window, but the dark clouds caused the window to have a mirror like effect, allowing to see his reflection….and he didn’t even recognize himself.
Staring back at him was a boy who looked 4 years older than he should have been, stubble beginning to appear like peach fuzz on his chin and cheeks. His hair was wild and needed a cut. His favorite blue jacket that Sarah had made for him was torn in places and he was muddy. He probably stank, though by this point he’d grown numb to the condition of odors, since Michelle often times smelled just as bad. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a proper shower. He touched the mirror as if he could touch his own face and sighed in deep remorse. How had it all come down to this?

“Abraham?” Abraham turned around to see Calypso had woken up and was walking up to him. “Are you okay?” She brushed her long hair back and he smiled sadly.
“I just realized how dirty we all were….wish we could get cleaned up.”
“If you want, I can get us some water to bathe in.” Calypso offered.
“Let’s wait until Katie gets back so she can get some sleep. Then you can go.” Calypso didn’t answer, but just nodded politely. “Something wrong?”
“…Things are changing so fast.” She pointed out. “And…I want our friends back.”
“I do too.”
“How will we get them back?” She asked. That was the question of the century.
“…I don’t know yet.” Calypso didn’t especially like that answer, and neither did Abraham…but he didn’t know what else to tell her. He was confused…and he was worked up. But he wouldn’t be dishonest either. I couldn’t afford to be.

After another hour of waiting, finally Katie came slithering inside. Calypso smiled and the two hugged each other tightly.
“Thank goodness you’re okay.” Calypso sighed. “They never saw you, did they?”
“Of course not…there’s no Dawn Bringer within two miles of us.”
“That’s good.” Abraham added, approaching the girls. Katie brushed her hair behind her ear and nodded.
“But…their tracks are going West. I think they’re going back to the old asylum.”
“Asylum?” Abraham asked.
“The Dawn Bringers in this area set up their headquarters in a condemned asylum. It’s well fortified and useful for holding captured non-humans.” Katie answered coldly. “It’s where they held me.” Abraham placed his hands on his hips and exhaled through his lips as he paced slowly between the walls of the hideout. Calypso and Katie both looked apologetically at each other; sad that they had added more concern to Abraham.
“What do you want us to do?” Calypso asked.
“Nothing yet…I guess….”
“…You guess?”
“Damn it, I don’t know!” Abraham gasped in frustration. “I just don’t know.” As he said this he leaned against a stack of dusty old tires and closed his eyes, rubbing the skin between them. “I…don’t know…”
“Abraham, it’s okay.” Katie assured him. “None of us know what to do about the DB right now. Let’s just calm down and take things a step at a time.”
“I’ll go gather water for us. A nice bath might help.”
“How’re you gonna carry it all back here?” Abraham asked.
“I’ll get Sarah’s help.” Calypso assured him, smiling. “Just relax a bit.” Calypso hurried off before either Katie or Abraham could speak.
“She means well, though I don’t think she plans things much in advance.” Katie giggled.
“I’m the same that way I think…” Abraham muttered. “Do you think the Farm group will help us?”
“How should I know?” Katie asked roughly. “I never met them.” The two fell silent for a moment and Katie sighed. “Sorry, that was…harsher than I meant it to be.”
“It wasn’t…you’re fine.”
“No it’s….Abraham I….” Katie bit her lip and then slithered closer and coiled her long tail up so she could sit on her own coils, as if on a cushion. She inhaled deeply through her nose and then allowed her luminous golden eyes to bore into Abraham. “Look…”
“Yes?”
“…I’m not good at these kind of things, alright? But…I’m gonna try really hard to just speak my mind.”
“I never took you for the kind of person who kept things bottled up.” Abraham teased, causing Katie to flush red.
“I get aggravated and…sometimes I do let my anger get the better of me, but that’s not what I mean and you know it!”
“Sorry, do continue.” Abraham smirked.
“…The truth is…I don’t know how to explain it but…I care about you. I guess it’s all the things that’s happened since our trip to the beach, but I just can’t stand the thought of losing anyone else, and…and I’m glad you’re here with us. You’re a decent leader and we all rely on you…even me.”
“Katie…are you serious?” Abraham asked, honestly surprised.
“Don’t take any of what I say the wrong way I just…I don’t want you to think you’re doing a bad job. You’re doing fine…and we’re proud of you. Michelle and Asher would be too.” She continued quickly. Katie crossed her arms and looked down. “That’s all I have to say.”
“…I appreciate it, Katie.” Abraham sighed.

“ABRAHAM! ABRAHAM!” Katie and Abraham both turned around to see the small figure or Tori the harpy come flying in from out of the sky, beaming brightly and landing with a thunk on the concrete floor just outside of the building. She ran in excitedly, her dimples nearly touching her cheekbones. “ABRAHAM I GOT THEM!”
“Lower your voice!” Katie hissed.
“What do you mean ‘you got them?’” Abraham asked.
“The Farm gang! They’re gonna come and help! They’re coming right now!” She squealed. Katie’s eyes widened and she turned to Abraham, who appeared just as stunned.
“Tori, go get Tamil and Annie and tell them to come here immediately! Then find Sarah and Calypso…make sure they get plenty of drinking water for our guests.” Tori nodded, giggling despite herself and took off into the sky.
“She makes a good messenger pigeon.” Katie pointed out.
“I hate to just use her as a messenger…but we need that right now. The group is spread too thin.” Abraham remarked.
“So this farm group…what are they gonna be like?” Katie asked. “That David guy from last time didn’t seem all that friendly.”
“With any luck, they’ll be exactly what we need to get back Michelle and Asher. First…we need to talk to Christina.”
“Who?”
“Their leader. I think you’ll like her…you both have a lot in common.” Abraham snickered.

It was an hour before the Farm group arrived on site. David was leading, with Jelly and Christina riding on his back. Pen sat on top of his head and, walking beside him was the minotaur himself, Alexander. They were dressed in they’re attire from the last time he’d seen them, though Christina looked a little bit more lax, wearing jeans with torn knees and her leather jacket with a bandana tied around her neck. Her shades kept her eyes from being visible, but Abraham could tell from the smile on her face, there was no malice in her expression.
“Didn’t think we’d be seeing you so soon.” She admitted, climbing off David’s back and walking over to shake Abraham’s hand. “Just couldn’t say bye for good, could you?”
“I wish it were under a happier time.” Abraham answered, knowing it sounded awkward and probably silly, but Christina didn’t seem to notice.
“So ya moved into a tired garage?” Alex asked, tucking his large hands in his pockets and smirking. “Notta bad place ta hol’ up.”
“It works for our needs.” Katie agreed. As if noticing her for the first time, everyone’s eyes fell on Katie. Christina herself seemed a bit surprised.
“A lamia?” She asked.
“Yeah?” Katie replied.
“I’m a gorgon.” Christina explained. As if to reveal to her this truth, her hair came to life, a mess of wriggling and hissing serpents. Katie’s eyes widened and she stared a minute.
“That’s…really cool.”
“What’s the big deal?” David asked. “So what if you’re a lamia?”
“Lamia and gorgon are, in some cultures, believed to be sister races.” Pen explained, fluttering down to stand on Christina’s shoulder.
“Well maybe…but I don’t know you.” Katie growled. “Whether our races are familiar is irrelevant. I don’t really care to identify who I am based on WHAT I am.” Christina’s hair relaxed and returned to it’s normal state, but Christina’s smile only widened.
“Oh I think we’re gonna get along great.” She snickered.
“Let’s focus real quick.” Abraham interjected. “Tori told you why we need your help, right?
“Dawn Bringers.” Jelly nodded. “Tori say that you have problems with hunters taking friends?”
“Yeah…they took Asher and Michelle away.” Abraham replied. “Look, I know that we haven’t known each other long, but if there’s anything you can do to help us…we’d really appreciate it.”
“Oi, don’t talk like yer strangers!” Alexander huffed. “Yer friends o’ ours!”
“He’s right,” Pen agreed, “we’ll do what we can…with in reason, of course.” As he spoke, from out of the woods, walked Tamil, holding Annie’s hand. Both looked mildly sad but lightened up upon noticing the Farm group.
“It’s you guys!” Annie cried, running up to them. Jelly beamed and hugged Annie in a very slimey and wet hug. The two laughed childishly and Abraham smiled despite himself.
“Oh look, the unfunny Mummy.” David smirked.
“Oh smell, the stinky horse boy.” Tamil retorted. Alexander snorted with laughter and David flushed angrily.
“Okay cool it you too.” Christina barked. “Abraham, we’re willing to help but we need to know what you need.” Now all eyes were on Abraham. Again, he felt the weight of his own decisions weighing on his mind. What was the right call? What should he do? It felt like it was overwhelming for a moment and he had to step back and lean against the wall.
“Abraham?” David asked, surprised.
“Sorry yeah…just…um…let’s wait until Sarah and Calypso get back…and Tori too. Where is Tori?”
“Dunno. She just flew off.” Annie explained.
“Right…of course she did.”
“That bird brain…” Katie hissed.
“Cut her some slack, she’s just ADHD or something.” David groaned.
“Don’t tell me what to do.”
“Chill out.”
“YOU chill out.”
“ENOUGH!” Christina barked. “David, your bottom half is a horse, not an ass. Stop acting like one. And you? Katie right? Relax. Let’s ALL just relax a second.” Katie rolled her eyes and turned away. Abraham couldn’t help but think things were already going completely wrong. Alexander stepped in.
“I say we get our bearings. David, take Pen and start look’n round at the woods and street areas ta see how secure we are. Jelly, stick with Tamil and Annie, an I want ya ta behave!”
“Yessir!” Jelly nodded, running over and hugging Tamil’s arm, causing the blind mummy to blush.
“An Christina an I will head inside, cause I need ta hit the lil’ boys room.” The farm group hurried off to their jobs, David carrying Pen on his head as they began taking note of the area. Tamil and Annie lead Jelly to the woods to their secret hiding place where they would likely play for the rest of the day. Leaving Katie, Christina, Alexander, and Abraham alone together.

“What happened?” Christina asked. “You acted like your whole world crashed around you.”
“Lay off him.” Katie snapped.
“Stop Katie, it’s okay….she’s right too. Yeah, I froze up a bit.”
“Why?” Alexander asked.
“…Guess I’m nervous. I’m trying to be a good leader and make sure we’re all taken care of. I thought I was doing it right at first but…it’s been so long and I felt like we haven’t made any progress towards getting Michelle and Asher back.”
“Leadership isn’t about progress.” Christina answered. “It’s about making the decisions that are necessary to keep yourself and your followers in the best possible situation they can be.”
“Then I’m doubly screwed, because our best situation is having Michelle and Asher back, and I have no idea how to do that.” Abraham argued. To this, Christina had no answer. She crossed her arms and bit her lip, looking worried.
“Let’s not get caught up on details. Yer so busy worry’n bout the horizon, ye ain’t look’n at the trees in yer path!”
“We don’t have time for your weird country ‘isms.’” Christina argued.
“It ain’t no ism! It’s a proverb. Ya gotta deal with the immediate problem before ya go worry’n ‘bout the eventual ones. The immediate problem being, ya need ta rally yer club again an’ get ya’ll work’n like a unit again.”
“A unit?”
“You’re sending everyone out on different jobs to keep them busy, but you should start by figuring out what it is you want to do first….so what is it? What DO you want?”
“He told you already!” Katie snapped. “We want our friends back.”
“Then discuss that with your club. Have you even actually discussed plans? Ideas? Directions?”
“…No. I don’t think so.”
“Then that’s our first priority. Once everyone comes back, we plan our attack.” Christina agreed.