Sheaagos Chapter 26

Chapter 261

James winced and covered his face as the incredible blaze of light burned his eyes. The transition from gray and green to the regular exuberance of the world was more shocking than he thought it would be. Then again, he thought it was the darkness of the house that made him feel depressed, but he found that to be wrong too, for as soon as he stepped out, the blaring sun only rekindled the hatred he felt. He blinked several times and saw a blur of faces, mouths upturned in smiles as Sarah reached up into the sun, and Matt reached down to hug Kayln. Suddenly, he felt alone.2

James had heard a lot about solitude. How it, single-handedly, can drive a man mad. But, never before had he experienced it. 3

He looked down, heat continuing to clutch at his body, when the boy walked out of the house. Sarah laughed. “You look like a mummy!” She exclaimed. 4

He looked around, and Matt grinned. “You look just fine. Now, come on, we need to get moving. We won’t beat Sheaagos by just standing here!”5

Kayln grabbed Matt’s shirt as they head off. James quickly stormed ahead, hearing Sarah and Matt talk and laugh behind him. Kayln’s childish voice was quiet, talking softly to Max. The crunch of snow under his foot rang in his ear, birds around him screeching out high pitched songs that seemed to last forever. 6

James felt his blood boil beneath his skin as anger that was that was of no fault of his companions was unjustly felt towards them. Why were they so loud? Why do they never listen? Why do they drive him to insanity? And, the question that seemed to top it all off, why were they so happy? Why would life treat them in a way that seemed to push James into more and more misery? He didn’t deserve this! Anybody deserved this more than him!7

He clenched his fists and grinded his teeth, feet coming down harder and harder as the noise grew louder. He hated the world. He hated everything that inhabited it. It was its fault he was but in this position. Not his!8

His chest was heaving, speed increasing as his anger was barely contained, when a new sound entered his mind. He stopped, starring head. All the other sounds disappeared as the gushing of water covered him to the extent that even the heat that chocked him was forgotten. Swirling, rushing, foaming, turning. It danced along the rocks, contently running, never stopping, sucking air from James, where he stood. A river ran in front of him, deep and dark, disturbing him to a point that all he could do is watch it. He was trapped, eyes fixed on the running water, sweat glistening on his cheek. 9

Matt, who had to practically run to catch up to him, saw him as he stood, motionless. 10

“James?” She said softly. He didn’t reply. She walked a little closer to him, giving a smile despite the nervous feeling she had in her chest. “James.” She said, “Thanks for waiting for us. I didn’t think I’d be able to catch up with you!” She waited a moment, and only the rushing of the river replied. She walked closer and put her hand on his shoulder. :”James-“11

Before she got to finish her statement, he whipped around, eyes burning in slight hysteria. He pushed her away, quickly and stumbled back. “Get away from me!” He exclaimed. Matt starred at him blankly. “Oh…” He whispered, and gave a small, quivering laugh. “It’s you Matt.” He looked back, transfixed on the guzzling river. “I can’t take it Matt. I just can’t take it.” He said in a quiet voice, and looked at her, sincerely. “I think I’m going to die.” 12

Matt wrinkled her eye brow. “What are you talking about? You aren’t going to die. You’re just a little sick, that’s all. Once we get that fever-“13

“NO!” He yelled. “It’s not a fever. I-I’m not sick. I don’t know what to do!” He glanced nervously at the water. “I-It’s-He’s going to follow me, driving more and more insane until it all ends.”14

By this time, the other four had caught up. “Is everything okay?” Sarah asked. Matt ignored this question, barely hearing it, as she was too wrapped up in what was happening to her friend, deteriorating in front of her.15

His eyes were wild now. “I’m gonna die.” He whispered, and starred painfully into the swirling waters. “I-I should end it now…”16

“What?” Matt asked. She moved toward him. He backed away.17

“Matt!” He cried, looking at her. “It’s all I can do! I can’t breathe anymore! It’s chocking me.” Sweat covered his face. “I’ve never been this way. It’s more then I can take!” He looked back in the water.18

“What’s more than you can take?” Matt asked him. 19

He trembled. “The heat.” He whispered, and sunk into a crouching position, holding his head between his hands. “I’m so hot; I don’t know what to do. I’m dying, slowly… I’m going to die.” He began to breathe even deeper, breath rough and uneven. “The heat and the water and him…”20

Matt got down on her hands and knees and crept towards him. “What are you talking about?” She said. “You’re saying some pretty stupid things right now, James. Just chill off and we can have a conversation that makes more sense.”21

She got within a foot of him, when he sprang back up. “No.” He told her, and stepped toward the river. “This has to end now.”22

“Stop!” Matt yelled, and pounced on him. James turned around, the reflexes that had been pounded into him his entire life kicking into action. Instead of throwing himself into the river, which was his intention, he grabbed his attacker, and pushed her away from him.23

He would never forget the expression on her face as she fell into the water.24

“SPLASH!”25

James stumbled back, hitting a tree, where he fell. He took deep breaths as Sarah screamed and Kayln started to cry. They all ran to the edge, eyes wide with terror. “Matt!” Someone yelled, as her hand popped up from the water, reaching for something to grab on to. Her fist closed around a branch, prickly with pine needles. 26

James watched, heart thumping. It wasn’t fear that ran through his body. It was a panicked form of remorse. The feeling in his chest that desperately wished he could rewind time, take back everything he said, and continue wallowing, alone. But, instead, all he did was open up and yell and scream and, worst of all, fling Matt into an icy cold river. Would she die? Would she be alright? The sense of concern, a wanting he experienced for the first time, covered him, making him even more confused. 27

Max grabbed the branch and jumped in after, letting out a grunt of pain as the harsh cold of the winter water stung his legs. Having more control over his fall, he was able to keep his head above water and haul Matt up. Her eyes were closed tight, a pained expression on her face. 28

Lee watched, surprised and shocked, eyes wide beneath the dark glasses that hid his face. He wasn't sure what to do. He wasn’t even sure he would be able to do it if he did know what to do. paniced and mind empty, he was glued to the spot, heart thumping.29

Sarah, in her terror, had a quite different reaction, and grabbed the branch that Max was clinging onto for dear life. She pulled it up, adrenaline pumping through her body. She barely managed to pull them up. Both of them fell, gasping on the snow. Max, shivering himself, grabbed the hoodie from his body, and wrapped it around her head. Then, he grabbed Sarah’s back pack, where she had dropped it while watching James, and tore the blanket from it and wrapped it around her body. Matt lay on the ground, and opened her mouth, turned around, and coughed up water. She fell back and began gasping. 30

Max took a deep breath of relief as both Sarah and Kayln grabbed her in a hug, crying. 31

Lee turned to James, who continued to stare, pressed against the tree. His eyes had lost the mad look they had before, and they had turned serious and dark. He stood up, worry hidden deeply in his chest.32

Slowly, Lee turned around walked behind a tree and sat, wanting to hide from them all. So soon, not a mile away from his house, he got such a horrible feeling yanking in his chest. Such a horrible, familiar feeling. 33

“A-are you okay, Matt?” James asked, voice still trembling. 34

She looked at him, lips still slightly blue. “Y-yeah.” She said. “A-Are you?”35

He was silent for a moment. The sweltering heat surrounded him, yet he felt cold. Not knowing what he felt, it turned into anger. He clenched his fists. “NO!” He yelled, and screwed up his face as a strange sort of water rose into his eyes. He turned around and ran, embarrassed by it. 36

As he ran, he began to realize what it was to be alone. As his heart pumped, black clouds covered his mind.37

‘What is happening to me?’38