you gotta fight for your right to laze

The peace was broken by the sound of his own name, crisp and clear in the air. Close by, and in his father's voice. Clouse froze, every muscle stiffening. How? Was he imagining things now, hearing shit? Or could Judas really be here, a whole ocean away? Indecision gripped him. Was he here to drag clouse back home? Should he run? Would he just be running from thin air like a baby?

After a minute of hesitation, he tried to get his feet under himself quietly. He needed to at least be ready to bolt, he definitely didn't want to be caught off guard. But of course, when the monthling moved, the reeds did as well, stirring and scratching against one another. Clouse flinched and his joints iced over once more. He had no idea what to do, and hated how that paralyzed him.

"... dad?"