Greta Winston and Elle Franklin did their best to keep Ruby sane. Knowing that she had deep feelings for Jack Ramse even though she hid them well, they felt her loss. Having saved them all possibly against a Fallen Angel of unimaginable power the Colonel had cursed himself through a recited spell from a book of dark magic. A Chinese recount of the History of China and their encounters with great evil. A book James Ian Pryce referred to as the Book of the Living. How you lived was the hidden message.
It was obvious that nobody in the family here could now touch Jack, nor he them. He could still bond with them from a distance but would that be enough for them? Especially Colonel Ruby Goddard. Now potentially carrying Jack's unborn child. Her emotions were shot.
Compound that with all the mystical rabbits around the Ganthorian starship they resided in her brain was fighting to cope. All they could do was console her the best they could. At least now Greta Winston need not hide the fact that Jack cursed himself as Jack requested. It took time for the curse to grow. Distance pushing those he loved away more and more. It would only get worse.
Ruby would cry throughout the night. James Ian even went so far as to tell his pet to stay with her. Xander climbing up on her bed to snuggle. She needed his empathy. Once she fell asleep the others gathered outside by a camp fire made by Malcolm Brand. In his normal human side he was trying to keep busy. Frustrated by the aftermath of Verago and the revelations that the apple he had swallowed and become one with was part of God's soul. A mere shard at best. One he shared with others undoubtedly. It boggled the mind.
Cameron Scott joined him by the fire trying his best to rekindle with his buddy.
"You okay Brother?" Cam sat down with his bottle of Tequila. The lawn chair from the Cargo container Christmas list creaking under his weight.
"Yeah! Never better. How about the two of you?"
"Two of me? Who knows. I feel him out there. With my girl. Strange knowing that somehow I was split into two. Siamese Twinkies. All I know is I'm alive. God is good."
"Bible thumper now?"
"Wouldn't say that. I think God understands us better than we think. All that mumbo jumbo in the Bible was written by a bunch of Wine imbibing Monks, Prophets, and Con Artists. All claiming God told them this and that. What I know of God is one thing. He's a lover. Good enough for me."
"Can't believe you were hatched."
"I wasn't hatched. At least I don't think so. It felt more like I was released from prison. Ole Gaicazar's sword was the key unlocking my cell. Where is the cuddly Roman anyways?"
"Out near Jack. I set up an empty cargo container about 300 yards out for him to bunk in. Like me. Elle and Gaicazar carried out a bed and his stuff from the ship. Sophia built him a fire pit. Greta brought him fruit and veggies. Had to leave them about fifty feet away and vacate. He hauled them the rest of the way."
"What do we do about this curse? I told James to break that old book out and find a remedy." Cam offers Mal a drink.
"Dunno." Mal shrugs, "What's this about you and the car? James called you Light Rider."
"Fits don't it?" Cam chuckles, "I still don't get how I did that. I guess it was a one time thing. God's gift to me."
"Elle thinks you're connected to God somehow."
"Might be. I know I feel pretty great." He lifts his bottle of Tequila, "Ordinarily I'd be three shits to the wind by this low in the tank."
"Right. Hard to imagine how far we've all come in a month since our crash here. Feels like we're destined for greatness or something. All this God business. Angels. Vampires. Adam and Eve. Gaea. A loveable T-Rex that still scares the shit out of me. You just know he's gonna turn on us."
"Maybe. I just think Adam and Eve's restless souls are looking for a home. Inhabiting a T-Rex is just plain weird but hey. Who are we to judge? You're a walking talking Mountain. I'm a drunk ass Light Rider. Elle's a laser eyed diamond chick. Sophia's? Yeah, not going there."
"Smart move. Maddy is a ghost who can now switch places with her buried dead body. Greta's the Invisible Cowgirl. We have a Roman immortal who knew Christ. A boy Einstein on steroids. And, a pregnant moody Redhead. I think we're all covered now."
"Then there's Me, Me, and a sexy ass Vampire who has to sleep at night now. Strange as fuck."
"Cam? If you're God. And my apple is part of your soul. Does that make us true brothers?"
Cam mulls the observation over then toasts him with the Tequila bottle, "You were always my Brother. Brother."
"Racist bastard." Malcolm kicks Cam's shoe.
"Naaa!"
"Yeah!"
300 yards away Jack Ramse sat alone. Cursing himself for his negligence. Although a loner soul he did enjoy his friends. Companions. Ruby. Stoking his fire to liven it up his thoughts revolve around what came next. In the darkness he heard rumbling. Loud footfalls vibrating the landscape. Adam and Eve came into view of the flames incandescent glow. Looking up Jack sighed.
"Can't sleep Cozy Couple?"
"Nay." He hears a familiar reply, "I discovered a way to get closer to you Friend Jack." "Gaicazar?"
"Aye! On foot I could not walk through the barrier. However, on another's feet I could."
"Riding Barney now. Smart thinking."
"Quite uncomfortable. I prefer the saddle of the enclosed chariot."
Jack had to laugh, "You have no idea how much I needed that chuckle. How did you do it all these years of solitude? Chasing monsters. Alone."
