Page 159 of We Redeemed the Rain

I took a deep sip, the fizzling burn in my throat refreshing me. Then I dug to the bottom of my bag of peanuts, shaking out the last few crumbs. “Tag? Aren’t snakes worse at night?”

Lightning flashed.

I looked over to Tag and my heart, just soaring in the sky, dropped hard and fast to the earth.

He had blanched white as a ghost.

“Whoa. You okay?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

The echoing thunder rolled overhead.

“You look awful. Your face is white. Are you lightheaded?”

“Um, a little.” He took another very slow sip of his Coke then looked at it with a grimace, like he was trying to figure it out. Suddenly, he hit the automatic window button, rolling it down. Rain pelted into the vehicle. The cool water dosed him, but he didn’t even flinch.

“What are you doing?!”

He dropped the Coke out of the window then rolled the window back up. I puffed in disbelief, my jaw hanging at his weird behavior.

When he spoke again, his tone had completely changed. From thevoice I knew to something distant, small, and monotone. “That—that tasted sweet. Sickeningly sweet.”

“That’s weird. Lean your seat back. I’m afraid you’re going to pass out.”

He reached down, fumbling with the lever until his seat clicked back. The cab of the truck was so tiny, you could hardly call it reclined. I reached over and touched his rain-streaked face, letting my hand skim up his stubbled jaw. I gently turned his face toward me. His gaze rolled to mine as his shaking turned full body, a shudder cascading from the top of his head to his feet. He took one reactive suck of oxygen like someone had pressed an ice pack against his chest. I startled with him.

“Tag?”

He looked at me, but not at me. Through me. Like he was gone.Vacant.

That was when my adrenaline activated, dumping stores of hormones into my veins.

“What the hell? Tag, talk to me. You’re scaring me.” My voice shook. I leaned closer to tap his cheeks. He blinked in response but didn’t seem aware of me anymore.

He nodded, mumbled, “alright” like he was having a conversation with someone else.

“Tag, please.” My throat squeezed.

I shook his shoulder, feeling completely helpless.

“Tag, wake up.” It was like he’d fallen into a dream with his eyes wide open. Theories flew through my head. Did Tag have a peanut allergy I didn’t know about? Some condition? I picked up my phone to dial 9-1-1 and the battery died in my hands. I cussed out loud. I frantically searched the truck, but I didn't find Tag’s. I hadn’t seen him with it. Maybe he left it in his room?

“Tag, can you move?”

No response.

“If you can get into the passenger’s seat, I’ll drive us home.”

Nothing. He was fully awake, moving, looking around even. Just completely unresponsive.

A terrified sob flew from my lips. “Tag,please.”

For two long minutes, we sat there; Tag staring out the windshield, nodding occasionally; me crying, useless to help him. My eyes scanned the dark rain beyond us, wondering where Jesse was. If I could find him, maybe he could help me. The barn was only a few minutes jog.

“Tag, I’m coming back, okay? I promise. I’m going to find Jesse.”

I threw open the door and charged into the rain.

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