Hmm...I'm assuming that we don't yet know about each others' more
"unusual" talents. Well, Aramis is not really an action kind of guy, at
least not the kind of actions that result in him getting needlessly
soaking wet. Unfortunately, he does have a problem with being made to
wait. He would be patient for about a half hour, then he would try to
get a news program on the radio or (if the van doesn't have a radio)
ask Lily if she could tune one in on her walkman. Which, if I'm not
mistaken, is supposed to be for your personal and private enjoyment.
Not to be turned up so loud that everyone in the bloody van has to
listen to the tinny squakings of your favorite "rock-and-roll"
performer! Now...if I'm currently reading about the prison break, I
might mention it and ask aloud if we were anywhere near Minden, Nevada.
I would also silently regret not having read the article sooner so I
could have warned Kevin and Libby about the escaped convicts before
they left the van. If they do n

ot come back in an hour, I might just have to excuse myself from
the others (on the premise of needing to relieve myself if they ask),
and once outside, attempt a spell to try to get some idea of the
condition of our missing students:

I certainly would have an umbrella with me if there had even been a hint that the weather was going to be unpleasant.

I take the sign-up sheet that has both of their signatures on it
and use it as a focus for the spell. I also take out a small pocket
mirror and a blue glass bead. Finally I take out a libation for the
spirits I intend to invoke. Blast, all I have in my pocket is a pack of
peanut butter crackers from that vending machine near my office. Well,
it will just have to do. The following actions will be done as I
carefully try to huddle under the umbrella, fighting the wind. I tear
off the section of the paper that has Kevin's and Libby's names and
palm it in my left (closest to the heart) hand. I find a rock or some
such to place the mirror on and then place the bead on the mirror.
Since a candle is out of the question, I'll make do with the
flashlight. I look down into the mirror and begin my incantation as I
crumble the crackers and fling the crumbs out into the rain. Restless
watchers, phantom tribe

Seek the walkers in the night.

Those who's names are here inscribed

Helpful spirits, take to flight.

Ugh...when I am forced to use such piss-poor accoutrements, I
usually try to be a little more passionate with the incantation. I
don't think that this weather agrees with me...



If, before any of this happens, any of the others wants to go out
and look for the missing students, I'll advise against it, but I won't
stop them. I WILL attempt to stop them if they try to leave after I
find out about the escaped convicts, though. 
If I hear, see, or otherwise sense anything mysterious out in the
wilderness while I'm outside, I will not...repeat: will not...attempt
to investigate by myself! I'll hurry back inside and lock all the
doors. 
How's that? Also a question: If Charles' father is a preacher,
why does he use rosary beads? Isn't that Catholic? Or do other
religions use them too? Or am I jumping to conclusions that his dad is
a preacher? Is the father just a very devout lay Catholic? Just a very
minor point, but one that stuck in my head. I like the story so far, by
the way...you really do write very well. I look forward to the next
chapter!