Ryan and Eric walked side by side, Peter and Chase trailing behind them. Ryan wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure what. Before he could think of something, Eric spoke up.
"It's not your fault you know. I mean, it was wrong to do that to Peter, but it's not your fault that we missed the moving." They walked in silence for a few more steps.
"Eric, can you keep a secret?" He asked abruptly. Eric nodded. "That test Peter was talking about. It was-" he was cut off by a column of flame erupting in front of his face. He fell back, clutching his arm. Eric crouched over him protectively, while Chase and Peter ran to catch up.
Before their astonished eyes, Katarina emerged from the flames, holding John by the arm.
"Sup?" Was all she said. No one responded. "Anyway... here's your friend. And by the way, unless you come with me, you're all going to die." She looked around at their shocked faces. "I'll explain to you later, but for now I just need you to trust me, and hold hands in a circle." She held out her hands towards the boys. John didn't hesitate before grabbing it. Ryan and Eric exchanged uneasy glances before he took hers, and Eric took his. Chase and Peter completed the circle. When that was done, they stood there awkwardly for a few moments.
Suddenly, Katarina started muttering something with her eyes closed. When she opened them, they burst into flames, which quickly moved down to her arms, spreading towards the boys. Ryan tried to yank his hand away, but to his horror, he couldn't. When the flames reached his hand, he braced himself and closed his eyes, expecting the worst. Instead, he felt nothing but a slight tingling. He slowly opened his eyes and looked towards Eric. All he saw was red.
He tightened his grip on Eric's hand, and felt him give a squeeze in return. The fire started to retreat back to Katarina, and as it did, the boys all felt their strength draining. When the fire was gone completely, they all collapsed, breathing hard. John was the first to recover. He struggled to his feet, and stumbled to Katarina, who was laying there unmoving.
"Guys!" He yelled. "Guys, she's not breathing! What do we do?" The rest of the group made their way over. Chase gently moved John back, knelt down next to her, and felt for her pulse.
"It's okay. She's alive. We might have to do mouth to mouth resuscitation." He said. John nodded.
"I'll do it." He offered. Without waiting for a response, he bent down, took a deep breath, and moved his face to hers. Before he could do anything though, she shot up, smacking her head on his. He stumbled back, swearing, while she lay there moaning. Peter grabbed a handful of snow and pressed it to her forehead.
"Can you walk?" Chase asked. She shook her head.
"I'd never tried to move so many people before. I-it's a lot harder than I thought it would be. We're very close to the Border though. Just-just give me a few moments to recover." She murmured, and closed her eyes.
"A few moments, you don't have." A deep voice came from nowhere. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to..... cut... this short." It snarled. John stood over Katarina, balling his fists and looking around.
"You're one of Them! Show yourself, you son of a bitch!" He yelled. The thing laughed, and John screamed and fell to the ground holding his stomach. "R-run!" He gasped out. Chase picked Katarina up and he and Peter started running to the Border. Ryan grabbed John by the shoulders, and Eric stood behind him looking around for the Thing.
"John, what happened, tell me what's wrong!" Ryan yelled. John pulled his trembling hand away from his stomach, revealing a bloody gash. He coughed, and blood spattered onto the snow.
"Run." He choked out. "Run!"