March 14, 15 and 16, 2011 - A Little More

"Constantine,"

The voice was sharp and angry. The boy turned, searching for its source. It was loud, close, his mother had to be near.

"Constantine," Aspen snapped. "What are you looking at? There's nothing there - she's not there."

Constantine did not respond. He strained to see through the trees and shadows.

"There's nothing there."

"Shh," Constantine caught a glimpse of a partially lit figure only a few feet away. She was much closer than he had expected.

"Come on," she said.

He squinted, trying to bring her into focus. Something looked out of place, misshapen. It must have been the way she was standing, he thought. She must have been hunched over the lantern to keep the breeze from blowing out its flame; that must have been why she looked the wrong shape. And the lantern must have been closed, why else would her outline be so faint against the trees?

"There she is." Constantine did not bother to point. He just pulled on Aspen's arm.

She staggered, surprised by his movement. "Where? I don't see her."

Constantine did not know why his throat felt tight, why his skin was prickling. He tugged again, pulling his companion behind him. "I can see her. Just come on."

Notes: I'm sorry! I keep putting this off until way too late. The reason there was no update yesterday (or the day before) was because my internet decided to be uncooperative and I couldn't see the work I had already done.