III. The Mark

He heard voices, but he was unable to distinguish them. He felt his body being lifted; he was somehow moving…being carried someplace. The moving stopped. He felt his body coming into contact with something soft beneath him. He heard more voices. This time, he could make out some of the words.

“Should we get him some water?”

“Did anybody remember to pay the tab?”

“Ouch. Pogue, you’re stepping on my foot.”

“Sorry.”

“He looks terrible. Is he even breathing?”

He eyes opened. The nausea was instant. He rolled over the edge of his bed and vomited all over the carpet.

“Quick! Somebody get a bucket!”

He recognized the speaker as Blake, who was now hovering into view in front of him.

“Caleb, can you hear me? Hang on. We’ll get you some water.”

Reid came dashing in with a towel and a bucket. Someone else wrapped a thick blanket around him. He had never felt sicker in his entire life, but the nausea was now slowly leaving him. The searing pain in his head however, was another matter. He stomach gave another lurch, and he leaned forward to wretch into the bucket.

Reid winced. “This is brutal.”

“I’ve got his mom on the phone!” Lena called from the kitchen. “She’s on her way over.”

Caleb held a hand to his head as it shot out in pain yet again.

“Water.” He croaked.

“Shit. Sorry.” Blake said, flustered as she brought a glass up to his lips. “There you go. Drink slowly.”

“M-my head.” Caleb mumbled after sipping feebly at the water. “Can I just, lay down?”

“Of course!” Blake replied and bustled about with the pillows and blankets before gently laying him down. The ceiling spun above him and his shut his eyes tight, trying to close out the overwhelming pain.

--

He woke several hours later, feeling dazed and confused. The lights in the apartment were dim, and the voices had all gone. He must have blacked out. His head was throbbing but the bed had subdued. He stomach felt cold and empty. He sat up tentatively, waiting for the pain to return but it didn’t.

“Blake?” He called out.

“Shush. She’s asleep on the couch.”

“Mom?”

“Lie back down.” She instructed. “You’re still running a fever.”

“What happened?” He groaned.

“You re-ascended.” She replied simply. And it’s a good thing your friends got you out of that restaurant as quick as they did. You were convulsing all through your trance.”

“Trance? I don’t remember. I thought I fell asleep.”

“In a way you did.” His mother replied. “The process of reascenion occurs through a powerful magical coma. You won’t remember much, perhaps just bits and flashes.”

“Was it bad?” Caleb asked.

“Let’s just get you back to sleep.” His mother said soothingly. “It’ll all be better in the morning.”

Caleb rested his head back down on his pillow. His mother rubbed his arm soothingly and he took a deep breath and exhaled. His reascenion was over. And he didn’t feel much different…or did he? His eyelids fluttered. He was tired, so very, very tired…

His eyes closed. He fell asleep instantly.

--

“Reid? Have you seen my purse?”

Still wrapped up in his warm covers, Reid poked his head out from under his mass of blankets.

“Which one?” He grumbled. “You only have about fifty.”

Cass appeared in the doorway and glared at him.

“The one you got me for Christmas!”

“Oh.” Reid mumbled, and buried his face in his pillow.

“Reid Alexander Garwin, do you know what time it is?”

“Yes mother.” Reid drawled sarcastically.

Cass sighed.

“Don’t you want to go see Caleb to make sure he’s okay?”

Reid looked up from the pillow. The events of last night still had him a little rattled. He had never seen Caleb look so sick and awful. It was making him very nervous for his upcoming birthday.

“Can’t we just call? I’m tired.”

“Some best friend you are.” Cass remarked and marched out of the bedroom.

“Alright, fine.” Reid called and sat up, rubbing his eyes. “You win. Put some coffee on.”

Cass popped her head around the doorway and grinned. “It’s been ready for five minutes. Now get the hell up you lazy fuck!”

“Language!” Reid gasped, jumping to his feet and walking over to the door. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her forehead.

“You are a very rude girl. You should be punished.”

“Don’t even think about it.” Cass smirked.

Reid laughed and kissed her.

--

Caleb awoke to the sound of Tyler and Val arguing loudly. He looked up to find them sitting at the edge of his bed, playing guitar hero.

“What are you guys doing?” He mumbled sleepily.

“Hey man! You’re awake!” Tyler turned and beamed at him. “How are you?”

“I’m fine I guess.” Caleb replied. “Where’s Blake?”

“At her Saturday class.” Val answered. “Do you want me to make you some coffee? I’m getting sick of beating this loser.”

“Hey!” Tyler said indignantly.

Caleb smiled. “Alright I’ll take over.”

He got up and scooted towards the end of his bed. He noticed that Tyler was staring at him.

“Dude.” Tyler said in a low voice.

“What?” Caleb frowned. Tyler was staring at him. Caleb’s gaze immediately fell to his chest where he noticed a strange, small black mark that had definitely not been there the day before.

“Whoa.” He replied, unsure of what else to say.

“Nobody told me that we got magical tattoos when we re-ascend!” Tyler laughed. “What do you think it means?”

“I have no idea.” Caleb touched it gingerly. Almost instantly, pain seared in his head and his fingers shot back.

“If my mom doesn’t know what this means,” Caleb said slowly. “We might have to make a weekend trip to Ipswich.”

--

Author's Note: Short, I know. But hey! At least I finally updated! I haven't given up on this story guys. I finally got a wonderful sneaky idea about what is going to happen next. So stay tuned! Pretty, pretty please review! I dance for reviews! I am urged to update faster with reviews! Okay I'll stop begging..but seriously..hit that button and let me know what you think!