Page 38 of Captured on Film
Caleb shook his head.
Eri said,“Accompany me.”
As if Caleb had an instrument. Again, he balked.
“Not with harp or lute or pipes.”There was agentleness to Eri’s merriment.“Accompany me in the manner of friends. Hearmy song and learn of me. Let my song become part of you.”
Caleb wanted to ask what would happen if he did.
And somehow, Eri understood his question and answered.“Iwill become your treasure.”
Josheb’s arm was tight and tighter, and his voice was sharpagainst Caleb’s ears, but Caleb wasn’t listening with his ears anymore. It wasso easy to let everything else slip away. His world was a crystal and a starand a startling song that could only be true.
Long Sleep
Caleb lost three days.
At least, that’s what Josheb told him when he woke. Hisyounger brother had moved into his room, sitting with his injured leg proppedacross the entrance, the missing camera in his hands.
“You got it back,” Caleb said, voice rusty.
“I reasoned with them. They had a change of heart.”
He didn’t believe that for a second. “No, really?”
“Made a pest of myself. Assured them this would shut me up.”Josheb grinned. “Between you and me, bigfoot’s a pushover.”
“I know.”
Josheb levered himself up and passed Caleb a cup. “They’vebeen keeping you going on this stuff. Don’t ask me how they feed it to you.”
“You don’t know?”
“You don’t want to know.” Josheb smiled crookedly. “I’m notthe only one who’s been worried. Where’d you go, anyhow?”
It was an interesting way to phrase it. “Something like adream, I guess. Three days, though?”
He waved his phone. “Checked on you every three hours.”
Caleb took a long swig of water, which wasn’t just water.There was a sweet aftertaste, reminiscent of honey. He peered into the cup,trying to place the flavor. Could it be one of the ingredients for star wine?Either the nectar or … was there pollen involved?
Pulling his field journal from under the pillow, he made acareful note of the date and scratched at his cheek. He’d been shaved.Recently. Strange to think he’d been so out of it.
“You had a smile on your face the whole time,” Joshebannounced casually.
“It was a nice dream.”
“They put away your singing rock. I wouldn’t be surprised ifAndor buried it.” Coming to sit on the bed, he lightly punched Caleb’s shoulder.“I thought we agreed that we’d head into adventures together.”
“I’m right here.” Caleb jotted a few details from Eri’slyrics. He’d have to add more later, when Josheb wasn’t hovering. “And we’redefinitely in all of this together.”
“Three days,” he said softly. “You were as good as gone forthree days.”
“You leave for months on end,” Caleb pointed out.
Josheb pulled at his beard, messed up his hair, andpromised, “Not anymore.”
“Not anymore,” he agreed. Because he knew it was true. Buthe couldn’t explain why. “How long until breakfast?”
