{"id":1094,"date":"2012-02-22T00:00:03","date_gmt":"2012-02-22T05:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1094"},"modified":"2012-02-21T09:40:27","modified_gmt":"2012-02-21T14:40:27","slug":"autumn-chapter-four-02","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1094","title":{"rendered":"Autumn – Chapter Four – 02"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It was only a few minutes before he opened his eyes again, no longer feeling like he\u2019d inhaled knives.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Jacqueline helped him sit up slowly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>J.T. had Leah by the arm in a vise-grip and Phelan leaned against Carolyn, wheezing.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom croaked, feeling like he\u2019d set fire to one side of his chest.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Falling hadn\u2019t done his slowly-healing ribs any favors.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe were going to ask you the same thing,\u201d Jacqueline said softly, relinquishing her grip on him as Marin appeared to take her place.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThom whacked me with his crutch, that\u2019s what happened,\u201d Leah growled, rubbing one shoulder and ignoring J.T.\u2019s grip.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd I\u2019m really not sure why.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI saw a knife or a needle or something,\u201d Thom said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPhelan was struggling.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt was a needle,\u201d Phelan said, looking pale and\u2014unless Thom was heartily mistaken\u2014more than a little shaken.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWoke up with a rag in my mouth and her on my chest with a needle coming at my neck.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhere is it now?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn asked, looking around.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>After a moment of searching, Jacqueline came up with it.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHalf full of something,\u201d she announced, holding it up to the lantern light in an attempt to get a better look.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot sure what it is, though.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAntibiotics,\u201d Leah snapped.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHe said he hated needles, so I figured that I\u2019d need to hold him down.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m allergic to them,\u201d Phelan said quietly, leaning against Carolyn.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom blinked.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re allergic to needles?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan snorted humorlessly and shook his head.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAntibiotics.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Marin\u2019s arms closed around Thom\u2019s shoulders.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He could feel the shiver that went through her.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe reaction could have killed you.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>J.T. looked between Leah and Thom, then slowly released his grip.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou could have killed him.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Leah\u2019s face was sheet-white, ghostly in the dim.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNow you do.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>J.T. shook his head.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He glanced at Jacqueline.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCan you handle this?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m beat.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYeah, you two go back to bed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You, too, Care.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You look exhausted.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Jacqueline leveled a finger at Leah.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd you need to ask before you give anyone <\/span>anything<\/span><\/em>.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We can\u2019t treat for anaphylaxis out here.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Not anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Leah mumbled another horrified apology before she was herded off to bed by Carolyn and J.T.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom\u2019s heartbeat finally began to slow and he relaxed into Marin\u2019s arms once they were gone.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Marin squeezed him gently and he felt relaxed for the first time all night.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He watched Jacqueline start to give Phelan a once-over.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe need to keep a close eye on her,\u201d Jacqueline said abruptly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOh?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Marin\u2019s tone was curious, interested.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019d heard that tone before and hearing it now made him nervous again.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What are you thinking, Marin?<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Jacqueline grunted.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSomething doesn\u2019t seem right about all of this,\u201d she said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t know if you told her about the allergy, Phelan, but I know you told me and I told J.T.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI never told her,\u201d Phelan said quietly, reaching up to rub his neck, as if he could feel the shadow of a needle that was no longer above him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI didn\u2019t think I needed to.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She was just making the poultices, and the only thing that could end up in those that would give me a rash is poison ivy.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhy would she be trying to give you antibiotics in the middle of the night?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom wondered aloud, though his thoughts were already starting to get fuzzy.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The adrenaline was draining away.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Aches were catching up with him, and the screaming pain on the one side of his chest was going to make getting more sleep difficult unless he took something.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat\u2019s part of what\u2019s bothering me,\u201d Jacqueline said softly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt doesn\u2019t make any sense.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTell her I\u2019d rather have you and only you worrying about me,\u201d Phelan said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTime I started to teach you to mix up poultices and stuff anyway.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Jacqueline blinked at him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019ll keep her from thinking we suspect something\u2019s going on,\u201d Marin said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s a good idea, Jac.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDo we\u2014do we really think something\u2019s going on? I thought I was just maybe being a little paranoid.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Marin shrugged.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMaybe there is, maybe there\u2019s not.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Let\u2019s just be cautious, huh?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She\u2019s been acting a little funny lately.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhen did you notice that?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom asked, looking at her.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cLast week when Kel and I caught her coming up from the ravines by herself.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That shouldn\u2019t sound as bad as it does.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom nodded a little, then started trying to get up.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Marin quickly stepped in to help, scooping up his crutches with her free hand.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ll tell her in the morning,\u201d Jacqueline said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cLeah, I mean.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Marin nodded and relief flickered through Phelan\u2019s expression.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She gestured toward him. \u201cAre you going to stay with him tonight?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Jacqueline nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI won\u2019t go that far, anyway.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I sent everyone else to bed, so I guess I have the watch now.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>If anything else happens, I\u2019ll come kick you guys and J.T. awake.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBrandon\u2019s with the animals,\u201d Thom said, trying to smother a yawn behind his hand.<\/span>\u00a0 Maybe I\u2019ll be able to sleep after all.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>He put a hand gently against his ribs.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The pain was slowly receding to a dull ache now.<\/span>\u00a0 Maybe I didn\u2019t do any more damage, either.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThanks, Thom.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Sweet dreams.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNight, Jac.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Night, Phelan.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cG\u2019night, Thom,\u201d Phelan said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNight, Marin.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Marin said her good-nights and helped him limp back to bed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>As his head hit the pillow, Thom murmured tiredly, \u201cDo you really think she\u2019s turned against us?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Marin said softly as she pulled their blankets up over them again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut I\u2019m definitely afraid we\u2019re going to find out.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was only a few minutes before he opened his eyes again, no longer feeling like he\u2019d inhaled knives.\u00a0 Jacqueline helped him sit up slowly.\u00a0 J.T. had Leah by the arm in a vise-grip and Phelan leaned against Carolyn, … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,35,42,14,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-autumn","category-book-2","category-chapter-4-book-2","category-story","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-hE","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1094","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1094"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1094\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1095,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1094\/revisions\/1095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1094"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1094"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}