Chapter 7

• Cora smiled at someone as they walked by and whispered. “I hope so.” She looked at him for a moment when they stopped. “Stay close.”
• “I won’t leave you alone, honey.” He said as he brushed his fingers down her arm.
• Cora caught Rhonda’s attention as she moved, she motioned to the drummers and then back to her as Rhonda slowly danced to a spot beside the drummers. A few of the drummers turned to watch her dance to their efforts. Rhonda smiled at them all encouragingly and lifted her arms slowly over her head and swayed her hips a little more for them.
• Cora clutched her hand over her stomach and Dade nodded.
• It was hard to focus, but Rhonda sent strength to Cora so they could both push the thoughts on the dark energy. Using every bit of her ability, Cora sought out the darkest emotions and focused on them. You need to go for a walk. You can’t stay and watch this filth any more. So vile. So wrong. She pushed as hard as she could, hoping it would reach the right mind. Being so closely connected to Rhonda, she felt the scars on her back burning from the movements, but she continued to move anyway.
• Dade’s body tensed as he watched two drummers stand up at the same instant. He sighed as he watched old Charlie get up and walk over to the wood stacked around the edge and toss a few pieces in. Glancing back at the drummers he saw Steven motion with his head. Nodding, he glanced over at Patrick to bring his attention to the other drummer now walking off into the darkened area near a building.
• Patrick nodded and stepped away to follow him.
• They continued to drum and wait for Patrick to return. Cora was still holding her stomach and had placed a hand on Leena who came to stand with her. “It’s so strong,” she gasped, “I need to sit, my legs are going to give out.”
• Dade motioned with his chin to a small log just outside the area, but close enough he’d be able to hear if she needed him. “Help her over there will you, Lee? Stay with her I’m not moving until we find out what Patrick saw.”
• Leena nodded and placed her arm around Cora and led her slowly to the log. Sitting her down, she sat beside her and looked around at the crowd of people still at the circle. “Let me know if it changes in any way. This may be our only chance.”
• Patrick walked back and shook his head, then went to stand beside Dade. “Just taking a leak and now he’s sitting over there in front of the bathroom baking his brain to a higher level of wasted.”
• “Fuck,” Dade swore. “Cora had to sit it was so strong. He’s definitely here.” He watched Chris set his drum aside and move closer to them.
• Another drummer got up and looked Rhonda up and down with a grin on his face, then walked to the cooler and grabbed beer. He stood there drinking it watching all the dancers.
• Dade glanced over to see Cora bent over her knees. “He’s right in front of our fucking faces.” He growled to Chris.
• Chris looked over at Rhonda and nodded. She closed her eyes while continuing to move and concentrating harder. Kasey and Rachel were dancing slowly, looking around the fire.
• Rachel stopped and looked at the woodpile and then turned and looked around the circle then back to the drummers. Steven straightened watching her every move.
• Dade’s head swung around and he studied Cora. Leena was rubbing Cora’s back as she bent over clutching her knees, a worried look on her face. He jerked his head back to Patrick. “Where’s Charlie?”
• Patrick looked around. “He was just right here.” He turned in a circle looking into the shadows. “Fuck!” He growled.
• Justin came over quickly. “Who?” He said in a hiss.
• Dade shook his head. “It’s so strong Cora’s going to pass out soon, the only one missing is Charlie.”
• Justin’s eyes widened but he nodded and glanced over to Kevin still drumming. Kevin inclined his head and slowed his drumming until he could set it aside unnoticed, got up and went over to the men. “Did you see where Charlie went?”
• Kevin frowned. “Charlie?” He looked around. “He got up and put wood on the fire…” He looked to the woodpile then the drummers. “Where’d he go?”
• Justin sent Gwen a look. She gave him a shaky smile and continued to dance with Jean, moving in front of the drummers. “Let’s go. Gwen will keep a watch here.”
• Owen was up and heading to Cora as soon as Dade nodded to him.
• Steven motioned to the other three women still dancing and they gracefully worked their way out of the circle.
• Cora shook her head and gasped. “Don’t touch me, Owen, I want him caught.”
• Rhonda knelt to her. “I’ve got a good lock on him, I’ll keep sending it and see if we can’t flush him out further.”
• Chris looked around. “We have to find Charlie.”
• Leena looked up. “You think its Charlie?” She gave him a doubtful look.
• Dade nodded. “He just vanished. He was putting wood on the fire one minute, when I looked back he was gone. Cora got worse after that. I think he’s out there plotting…watching.” He swung his drum around behind him and reached down for Cora’s arm. “Let’s go wander towards that grove and see if we can’t get him to follow.”
• Rhonda looked at him as they started walking slowly with Cora between them struggling to take each step. “Do you think if I were to send you what Cora and I are feeling you could use that?”
• Dade clenched his jaw. “I don’t know but we’re going to try.” He pulled Cora to lean more heavily on him. “She can’t keep this up for much longer.”
• His heart beat so fast he wasn’t sure he could walk. Each step took so much concentration.
• They were here.
• All of them.
• He was being handed the opportunity to correct his failures.
• He would not fail this time. The women would be cleansed and free at last.