Chapter 36

The sky becomes dark and still Blake is nowhere close to finding Irye and her family. He gets down from the car and switches on his phone torch.

He looks around, shouting Irye's name. Walking around, he keeps on calling Irye's name. He is hungry and tired from driving a long time.

His collar bones are quite stiff and he feels a slight pain in his arms. He stops at a nearby tree and leans on it.

His stomach growls in hunger and he sighs deeply. After a short while of resting, he goes back to the car and grabs a snack.

Blake switches on his phone, taking a bite of his snack and checks the signal. He calls Irye's number again but gets no response.

He swallows the food in his mouth and bends over the wheel. Raisng his head,he hits his forehead several time and when his frustration bulid up, he throws the phone out the car's window.

"Where are you?"he whispers to himself. He closes his eyes and leans back on the seat. He ponders over why Irye's unavailable when there is nothing wrong with the signal.

He would have thought Irye's phone is off but it's not a coincidence that Evie's phone will also be off. They must be somewhere much deeper in the woods for them to lose signal.

It's morning and the McVenus family are still sleeping, except for Irye who thinks the shadow could come anytime so has to stay on watch.

Her face looks rugged and she has dark circles forming from under her eyes down to her mouth . She really is tired.

Irye looks at Gerrard and he is sleeping peacefully. For the times they've been there, Gerrard takes care of then like a father.

One reason being he's the only grown enough man around and the other because he has to protect those he loves.

His breath is heavy and audible. Mae is asleep from tiredness of staying up, watching after Evie and Claude.

Irye looks at her for a while and sighs deeply. She wants to go to her cousins but Mae doesn't allow that.

Grams is in her tent asleep with the baby beside her. She has laid several clothes they've packed on the ground as a bed for the baby.

Irye stands up, they have to eat to get energy so she tries to go look for food. On her way, she sees the animal she kills the day before and picks it up. Even though there are a few flies hovering around it, she terms it at edible.

She has no time to be picky. There is not much food left and it's not like she is anywhere near being a bad hunter. She has to rely on luck to get food.

She goes under the tree and picks some dry branches. She tries to set up a fire. Luckily, Claude has a lighter in his bag and she uses it to her advantage. After several times of trials, she finally is able to set a fire.

She makes barbecue with the squirrel and goes into the tent to call Grams. The baby is awake and isolating by himself. Irye picks him up gives him a peck making the baby smile at her.

"How are you?"Grams asks Irye, getting up and yawning.

Irye smiles and play with the baby." Am fine Grams...don't worry about me and use all your strength in this man". she palys more with the baby.

"I've made breakfast...it....maybe a littl ...err weird"Irye stutters and saying the last word in a high pitch.

Grams creases her forehead. "This is not the time to be picky with food. We will eat whatever you make."

"Uh huh....that's what I thought."Irye grins. "We'll be waiting for you outside"

"Okay"Grams says as she watches Irye walk out of the tent with the baby.

Irye gently wakes Gerrard up.She holds the baby with one hand and uses the other to help him sit up.

After, she goes to Mae and taps her. Mae opens her eyes slowly.

"What do you want?"she says harshly.

"I mad a little breakfast. Bring them to eat or should I...."Mae raises her hands, stopping Irye from continuing her sentence.

Irye is hurt but keeps a smiling face just to get Mae to come eat with her siblings.

"Alright then I will go." Irye says and leaves.

Evie wakes up due to the faint sounds she is hearing while sleeping. She feels a slight headache and her hands find themselves massaging it.

She remembers after reality hits her and she turns around, looking for her brothers. She sees Claude and knee walks to him.

"Claude..Claude..."she calls, shaking her brother.

Claude begins waking up. His vision is blurry and his head hurts a lot. Apparently, the shadow throws him and he lands on the ground almost breaking his neck. The impact of his head hitting the ground creates a reminder for Claude.

They gather around the fire and eat.to their fullest.

"Where did you get such a meat."Claude says. "It's kind of fun doing this."

The rest are quiet, knowing what has insued between Mae and Irye.

Evie looks confused as to why her family is keeping a long face. She looks at them one by one in suspicion.

"What went on?"Evie asks looking at the face of Grams and Mae.

Mae looks away, hiding her face from her sister. Evie notices where the problem is and stands up.

"Did you guys fight again?"She asks, getting anrgy. "Can't you guys just stay as friends for a little while?"

"She almost killed our brother and cousin and here you are, defending her"Mae yells at Evie.

"And why shouldn't I defend her. It's not like she used the weapons on us.. Besides you should be thanking her rather that badmouthing her."Evei spits.

"What has she done to you?"Mae asks in a low tone, her sister.

"She did nothing particular. Just being my best friend."Evie replies.

Suddenly, Irye hits the ground hard and tells them "Go hide and protection yourselves."

"Wait, what?"Claude asks. He's not yet recovered, Gerrard is still in pain. "It couldn't be that the shadow is coming back...right?"

Irye looks at him and nods. "So you should take cover"she says more like an order before her eyes change to pitch black.