James didn’t elaborate much further, but he did come up with a plan that sounded easy enough. He said where there is thunder there’s a storm brewing, and where there’s a storm brewing, trouble would sure follow. If you find the storm, you find Clairvius.
I was not too sure what he meant by that statement, or pretty much anything that came out of his mouth, but he had a plan and it was all we had. It was nothing fancy; there were no blueprints or a slideshow powerpoint presentation. At first his plan seemed like a touch-and-go scenario, but it might just work.
He said that if I was motivated enough I could send Clairvius back to hell and stop whatever apocalypse he was planning on bringing down on us. How exactly I would do this was still a bit sketchy at best, but the plan was simple: get to the top of Mount Koning and defeat Clairvius.
“Are you clear on the plan?” He asked.
I was still lost in a labyrinth of confusion, but what could I say to the man? I nodded and fidgeted with my fingers like a nervous boy – something I haven’t done in years.
Mom pulled me aside and I could see the worry in her eyes. We had just found each other in a zombie apocalypse and she wasn’t ready to lose me again.
“You don’t have to do this.” She assured me.
“I don’t think I have any other choice.” I said, “What is going to happen to us if I don’t stop this?”
James glanced at us and tapped his wristwatch.
“Time is ticking.” He insisted.
I turned back to mom and tried to find words of comfort, but they left my mouth without notice. I noticed Michelle bit down on her lower lip as if contemplating something and then she spoke.
“I’m coming with you.” Michelle announced.
“I’m sorry, but the answer is ‘no’ little lady.” James said mockingly, “You will just slow us down.”
“If she’s going,” Alex said, “Then so am I”
James snorted at Alex’s remark, but tried to constrain himself from laughing.
“How are you going to be of any use?” James asked, “You can barely walk. I’m sorry, but we will have to leave this group of losers behind if we are to do this.”
“These losers are my friends and family.” I said defensive, “I hardly know you. You do not get to talk about them that way. We’ve survived well on our own without you and I think it is time you should leave.”
James heard what I said, but he either did not understand or did not want to understand that he was no longer welcome. He simply continued talking.
“As I was saying before—”
“No.” I insisted, “I am done listening to you.”
“You cannot defeat this evil without me.” James said smug.
“I have your plan.” I said adamantly, “I think we will be fine.”
I crossed my arms and stared at him with a raised eyebrow. I had just about enough from him and his attitude claiming that I could not stop the apocalypse without him. Who did he think he was? How many apocalypses (excluding his horrible outfit) did he stop from happening? He tried to hide it, but I could tell he barely knew anything more than I did. It was clearly the first time he himself had to deal with the undead, but perhaps he could be of assistance.
“If we do this,” I asserted, “We do it my way. You will not be barking orders or handing out insults anymore. You are merely a consultant. Are we clear on this?”
James stared at me for a moment, then unfolded his arms and nodded. He was obviously not impressed by being demoted to simply a consultant.
“Fine.” He said with a sigh.
“I’m coming too.” Mom said from behind me.
James glanced at her annoyed and then she smiled at him. He rolled his eyes and looked back at me.
“My way.” I reminded him.
James sighed and walked over to the window. He could try and be stubborn, but in the end I wasn’t about to leave my family behind. I wasn’t prepared to leave anyone behind. James stood with his back to us and I saw Fred slowly walking over to me while Dharma sat at one of the tables.
“Zac,” Fred asked cautiously.
I turned to face him.
“I’m grateful that you reunited me with my daughter.” Fred said, “But I don’t think it would be a good idea to join you on your quest. I have my daughter to think about.”
He seemed unsure of what my reaction would be, but I completely understood. I nodded and laid my hand on his shoulder.
“I understand.” I said.
I could tell that Henry wanted to ask me whether he could stay behind. He seemed a bit jolty and flustered as he approached me, but he didn’t say anything.
“Henry.” I said.
He looked at me with wide eyes and fidgeted with his hands.
“Would you mind staying with Fred and Dharma?” I asked, “Help him protect his daughter?”
Henry let out a sigh of relief, smiled and nodded.
“Yes.” He said, “I’ll be happy to.”
Lightning flashed across the dark sky and lit up the gathering storm clouds. A moment later the rain started lashing against the window. We all stared at the window for a moment and then Fluffy gave a single bark. He ran over to me with a wagging tail. I gave him an approving pat on the head and he sat down at my feet as if awaiting orders from his loving master.
“Don’t worry boy.” I said, “I didn’t forget about you. You’re coming with us.”
I heard James letting out a sigh and then he turned to face us.
“It’s time to go.” He said, “Let’s get this expedition on the way.”