It was nothing he could pinpoint, but something drew him from the edge of sleep. He sat up and immediately noticed the forest had grown silent. Gone was the birdsong. Not even the crickets chirruped. Only the constant trickling sound of the water running over rocks could be heard.
James climbed to his feet and scanned the surrounding landscape. Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary, except for an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. He reached down and picked up the urn of water. It was heavy and in his haste to be away from the stream he splashed a good deal of it onto the grassy ground.
“James!” He heard Christian calling, putting him instantly at ease.
“Over he…”
It came from out of nowhere. A dark blur from the corner of his eye. The force knocked him to the ground, sendi
