a flood light TAKES OUT his vision temporarily, the clearing free of towering pines, suddenly flooded with BLURRY SHAPES as his eyes adjust to such a SUDDEN change-- oh, and after that, the first thing he’s doing is GRABBING the figure he knows, BELONGS TO CARL. the one with the brimmed hat, his fingers intertwining with a plaid sleeve, as he steps IN FRONT of the smaller teen. knuckles wrapped tight around HIS BAT, the boy can see clear now-- though his stomach drops, as he sees the numbers that have ACCUMULATED, and officially surrounded them, and THEIR GROUP.
nick’s lying, HE’S LYING-- because he’s seen this happen before. he’s seen good people, bad people, JUST PEOPLE.... die like this. by the hand, of another human being. it’s why he ran, time AFTER TIME again-- away, until his feet were numb, and blistered. he ALMOST didn’t trust glenn, because of his fear-- NOW, HIS FEARS are coming true. it’s not the dead, that would kill him-- his family, and his friends... but the living. yet, he CAN’T LET carl believe that. he can’t let this scenario, remind him of a dark night... when the claimers, dared to lay their hands on HIM. carl has to know NICK’S HERE. and he’ll protect him, so long as thin fingers, remain around his BABY COUSIN’S wrist-- secure, and tight.